Chapter 22

Amelia
April 15th, 2191

"Congratulations, Ash," I walked up to my old crewmate with a smile, wrapping her in a hug. "You look amazing."

"Thanks, Amelia. I'm glad you were able to make it."

"Of course I did… You and James are family. I wouldn't miss it. Garrus sends his best and is sorry he couldn't come as well."

"Oh, I understand. Tell him I said thanks."

Ash turned away, talking to one of the other guests, so I looked around.

"Hey, Lola!" James shouted. The large man walked over to me, Gaius and Octavia sitting on each shoulder. As he walked up, I heard Gaius telling James that my name wasn't Lola.

"Found these two tuckered out in the sand, thought I should bring 'em back to you." He took Gaius from his shoulder, plopping him in the sand between us, before doing the same with Octavia, "One Little Scars, and one Little Lola." Once again, Gaius protested the nicknames. "I think Little Sparks tired them out."

"Well, that means it's probably a good time to get back to the hotel then, get these two to bed. Congratulations again."

"Thanks, Lola. Don't be a stranger, okay?"

Garrus
April 15th, 2191

I sat on the balcony of the house, overlooking the waves crashing against the sheer cliff face. It was peaceful, thoughtless, and far removed from my day-to-day.

My omnitool buzzed, alerting me to a message, and I sighed involuntarily, wondering who had blown up which system. My mood lightened the instant I saw that it was Amelia shown as the sender.

'On the way back to the hotel, they tired themselves out.' Attached were two pictures, one showing just my mate and our children standing on a beach, Sol setting in the clouds behind them, leaving the sky a stunning burnt-orange color. The second had three other people that I didn't immediately recognize. Two adults with purple-tinged skin stood next to Amelia, a happy-looking child held between them. Tali and Kal with their son Zael, I realized after a moment.

I pressed the call button, and Amelia's face appeared a moment later. "Hey," She whispered. She was still in her dress, sitting in some vehicle as the city whooshed by the window behind her. Her eyes sparkled, happiness radiating from them as she looked into my eyes.

Octavia was lying on her shoulder, fast asleep, nestled into the crook of her neck. Just in the frame, a wayward arm and mandible appeared, flailing around for a moment before disappearing again.

"Hey. Did you guys have fun?"

"Yeah. They got a bit worn — oh, one sec." She turned away from the camera and started speaking to someone else before the screen shook as she stood. "Sorry, I'm back. Had to pay the fare."

"No problem. Are you back at the hotel now?"

"Yea, walking up to the room. Gaius, c'mon. Octavia, sweetie, I need you to wake up." The girl stirred on her shoulder, looking around groggily. "Let me call you back in a minute."

-0-

When Amelia called back, she was sitting in a chair in the dark, the only light coming from her left, illuminating just the side of her face. She looked much more relaxed now, wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts. "Sorry, I wanted to get the kids to bed. I woulda called and gotten them to say goodnight, but they were asleep instantly."

"Our kids fell asleep instantly?" I asked incredulously. "What did you drug them with?"

Amelia laughed quietly, her smile wrinkles reaching up to her eyes. "It was Zael's fault. They played tag on the beach for three hours."

"Hmm," I hummed, "Maybe we can convince them to move to Palaven. It might help at bedtime." As always, Amelia giggled at my terrible joke, making me smile. "So, when are you going back to Vancouver?"

"We changed plans. It was too cold there, so we're gonna stay in San Diego. Tali is staying here too, so it works out."

"Oh, that's nice." We sat in companionable silence for a moment, "Alright, I'll let you get to bed. You look tired." On queue, Amelia yawned widely. "And remember, if Gaius kicks you in the night, kick him back. Assert dominance."

She laughed and shook her head, "Goodnight. I love you."

"I love you, too."