Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to Mass Effect. No one and nothing. Athena belongs to Rae D Magdon :P This was written as a gift for her, and all of you, enjoy.
Author's Notes: Asari have to have a sire's day, or parent's day, but I thought they'd be amused at the human holiday of Mother's day. Happy Mother's day, all.
"Human Holiday"
Mass Effect Mother's day story
"Shit!"
Liara opened her eyes, coming to, and gauged the bedroom. The sheets beside her were rumpled, but empty. Shepard wasn't there, snoring away. And guessing from the sounds from the kitchen, she was already up. A quick glance to the crib beside her told her Shepard had taken Athena with her.
Which meant she had wanted Liara to sleep as long as possible and was doing everything to ensure that happened. Whatever was happening in the kitchen was running outside of her bondmate's control, however.
"Shhhhiii!" A high-pitched voice wailed with delight. Liara snickered, recognizing her daughter's voice clearly trying to repeat her father's expletive.
"Hanar crap! I mean, no, Athena!" Shepard exclaimed then a rustle of activity erupted. Her daughter's giggles allayed any fears for Liara and she got up to pull a robe on over her sheer nightgown. She rubbed a fist against one eye to banish the cobwebs of sleep as she pushed out to the kitchen. A sight equally amusing yet terrifying greeted her.
Shepard was half watching something threatening to burn on a pan on the stovetop, while the brave remains of berries and kitchen utensils littered the counter. The fruit compote in the pan bubbled and Shepard juggled Athena in the crook of one arm, trying to scrape the fruit with a spoon to keep it from burning. Athena must have been too noisy for the highchair, if Shepard was holding onto her, and Liara mourned the loss of her sleep. But her daughter's excited giggles surged through her heart, warming her.
Too soon, Athena alerted Shepard to her presence. "Ma!" she crowed, tugging at the ends of Shepard's long red hair. Shepard winced. It had been a few weeks since she'd gotten it cut, and Athena was fascinated to no end at the curling ends of red that pushed from her sire's neck. All too often, her small fingers were tugging and pulling when she could reach it.
"Uh, hi, babe," Shepard smiled sheepishly. Liara held out her arms and took their daughter. Athena wrapped an arm around her neck, babbling happily.
"Morning, my loves. What's all this?" Liara asked, amused. She didn't fear a clean-up. Shepard was good at cleaning any messes she made.
Shepard, relieved of her duty, turned to the pans on the stove, giving a grunt of exultation. Two crepes were already waiting on two plates. A dollop of the red berries from the compote on the stove were slathered over the top. Shepard had even prepared Athena's morning porridge, and it was waiting, hot, beside the plates. Liara was impressed, despite herself.
"I wanted to bring this to you in bed. It's tradition," Shepard jutted her chin stubbornly, giving her a sudden grin. Liara gave her a sly grin, bouncing their child.
"Asari parent's day isn't for a few more months," she said. Shepard wiped the edges of the plates and fished for silverware from a drawer.
"It's Mother's Day," she proclaimed proudly. "And you're the mother. So, I was going to bring you this…"
"You really want to eat in the bed? With Athena?" Liara raised an eyebrow.
Shepard pouted. "I'll feed her. Come on, babe. I worked so hard."
Liara laughed. "You did." She finally leaned, to peck a kiss against Shepard's pouting lips. Shepard grinned at her.
"Back in bed. Scoot." One of her hands cupped her ass briefly, giving her a pat. Liara took Athena into their room and sat on the bed. Athena wanted to burrow into the covers, rolling onto her stomach. Liara kept a hand protectively on her back as she did.
Shepard poked in, a tray in her hands. She'd must have called for delivery that morning, for a small bouquet of flowers was also present, along with their crepes and Athena's porridge. Shepard offered her the flowers and Liara gave an appropriate thanks, bending to sniff the petals and examine the extreme reds of the flowers. Shepard's grin was happy, as she arranged the meal for her.
"Happy Mother's Day," she beamed, leaning to kiss Liara's cheek. Liara looked at her bondmate, her heart in her gaze. Everything they'd survived, everything endured during the war had been to ensure a future where they could wake up and decide what to make for an Earth holiday with their family. Tears filled her eyes.
"Liara?" Shepard's voice was concerned. Liara sniffled and smiled at her.
"It's okay. Really. Thank you, love. It looks good."
Allayed, Shepard fished Athena out from under the sheets and balanced her in her lap. She reached for her small bowl and carefully fed her a spoonful of porridge. Liara tucked a large cloth napkin beneath Athena's chin as she chewed, wide-eyed.
Shepard gave her a wink as she dug in.
End.
End notes: Athena does not belong to me! She belongs to Rae. Hope you all enjoyed, lovelies. Stay strong. And alas, I did not make up 'hanar crap'. I read that in a fic and thought it hilarious :P
Sincerely, pen 5/07/2022