Chapter 32

Garrus
March 3rd, 2192

"How are you feeling, Mrs. Vakarian?" Dr. Laela asked, walking over to my bedside and placing a hand on my forehead before frowning and consulting the computers nearby.

"Is something wrong, doctor?" Garrus interceded, noticing the odd behavior. Sitting up straighter, he shifted a sleeping Alia, his third-born daughter.

"Oh, no, no problems. I'm not used to human body temperature, and I was worried because she felt so cold. She actually has a slight fever, but it shouldn't be anything to worry about." Breathing out a sigh of relief, Garrus settled back into the chair.

"I feel like I'm flyin', doc," I giggled helplessly. Despite my drug-addled head, I still calmly stroked the impossibly small fringe on Serenity's head, doing my best to emulate our second-born daughter's chirp.

"You should be coming off the pain medication soon. Please let me know if you need more. If you want, you can have guests come in now."

"Thank you, Doctor," Garrus said.

"Of course, Primarch," She smiled, exiting the room.

Amelia

"Mada!" Gaius and Octavia shrieked excitedly as they ran into the hospital room, scrambling to climb into the bed with me before Garrus intercepted.

"Be careful, guys. Mada is healing. If you're very gentle, you guys can lay in the bed with her one at a time." Garrus scolded, using his free arm to scoop Gaius up.

In the commotion, Alia had awoken and started to bawl. "Shh shh," Garrus hummed, releasing Gaius to rock her back to sleep.

"Avi, come here and meet your sister," I told my oldest daughter, who started to scale the side of the bed.

All nice and snuggled in, Octavia started to emulate my movements, brushing her hand on Serenity's fringe. My family, all together at last. Stealing a glance over at my mate, I saw Gaius on his lap, meeting Alia. Perfect. It was so perfect.

-0-

March 4th, 2192

"You ready to get out of here, Mrs. Vakarian?" Dr. Laela asked, typing some notes on her omnitool. I'd been kept at the hospital overnight just in case of any complications from the surgery. An abundance of caution. Overabundance. I hated hospitals.

"I am, and I know he is," I gestured over at Garrus, whose leg was bouncing like a sewing needle.

"Hmmm," He agreed, "I hate hospitals."

The normally stoic doctor cracked a slight smile, "Well, we'll get you out of here then, but first, we need to go over some rules. Take it easy on any physical activity for at least five weeks. If you're exercising, limit it to walking. Don't lift anything over twenty-five pounds, and don't have any sex."

Even after over five years on Palaven, the brazenness with which turians talked about sex shocked me. Even Chakwas, a very brash woman by human standards, beat around the bush during my last cesarean.

"C'mon, doc…. You're ruining all the fun…,"

"You'll make sure she doesn't do any of that, right?" She said with an exasperated sigh, looking toward Garrus.

"Yes, doctor. No fun for Amelia for five weeks."

I had never felt so betrayed… "Et Tu, Garrus? Et Tu?"