Chapter 18
Amelia
April 11th, 2191
I woke up, raising my head in confusion, dazed momentarily by the sunlight pouring through the window into my face. Blinking the grogginess out of my eyes, I figured Garrus had turned my alarm off to let me sleep in. I pulled my naked body out of bed, threw on some casual clothes, and headed downstairs, trying to find out the occasion.
"Garrus?" I called, getting no reply. Rounding the corner into the kitchen, following the smell of something freshly cooked. Dishes were scattered haphazardly over the countertops and in the sink. In the middle of the counter sat a plate with a towel draped over it.
As I approached to investigate, I heard a small voice from around the corner in the dining room, "Is she here yet?"
"Shhh," Came the reply, followed by two small giggles.
I snuck up to the wall, peeking around the edge, "Boo!"
"Ahh!" The two kids yelped, "Happy birthday, Mada!" Before I could process what they said, Gaius and Octavia had jumped up and wrapped their arms around my neck, demanding I pick them up.
"Thanks, guys!" I pecked at both of their noses, "Where's Pada?"
"Right here," Came the deep, smooth voice, nearly causing me to jump from my skin. Garrus gave a hearty chuckle, clearly getting what he wanted from the surprise.
"Jesus! Garrus, you scared me…,"
"Happy birthday, Amatra." He rested his forehead on mine, wrapping his arms around me and the kids, "We made breakfast for you."
After extricating myself, I walked over to the island in the kitchen, pulling back the towel to reveal a stack of pancakes with pieces of fresh strawberries and bananas interspersed through the pile. "What… How?"
"First harvest from the levo greenhouses," Garrus said with a smile. "C'mon, dig in!"