Chapter 8
Castis Vakarian
September 3rd, 2190
"You know," I said with a sigh, sitting back down in my armchair, "When Garrus was their age, I had him assembling my service pistol."
"What?!" Amelia gaped, staring back into my eyes.
"No, Dad, you didn't have me assembling your pistol when I was two…," Garrus said, dispelling the ruse.
I laughed, shrugging, "Yeah, but she didn't know that. Look at her face."
Amelia sat on the sofa next to Garrus, her mouth hanging open, just blinking, "Wha…,"
"Dad, you've broken my mate," Garrus said with a chuckle, "Thanks again for watching them."
"Of course, son. I wouldn't miss a chance to spoil them rotten,"
"Right. You. Spoil them," Garrus said sarcastically, "Anyway… We have to get going, or we'll be late. We'll pick them up tomorrow afternoon?"
"Have fun!" I called after them as Garrus led a still stunned Amelia back out to the car.
I sat back in my chair, content to watch the little ones play while I reflected on my life. I missed my opportunity to raise my children, being wrapped up in work. I'd be damned if I let the chance pass me by again.
Garrus
September 3rd, 2190
"You know he was joking about the gun, right?" I commented, looking over at Amelia, blankly staring out the window as the lights Cipritine zipped by below them, Manae floating solemnly in the night sky like a guardian above.
"Huh? What?" She asked, snapping out of her reverie and looking at me.
"I said you know my dad was joking, right?"
"Oh, I know. I was more surprised that he made a joke, to begin with," She answered completely deadpan before turning back to look out the window.
I drank in her appearance, admiring the person who'd become my definition of beauty, one that no woman of any species could hope to overcome. She wore a tight red dress, accentuating every curve of her body, one so alien and yet so right, flowing down to her thighs like water. Below the dress, she wore a set of skin-colored stockings, the delicate silk leading a trail down her legs to where she wore a pair of heels. Even after two years of living together, I still failed to understand how she walked in them, but I couldn't deny the view.
I hummed a subharmonic note of contentment as I eyed her, causing her to turn back towards him with one of her shining smiles. "What?" She asked.
"Just admiring the view," I said, taking one of her hands in mine.