Chapter Four: Weddings and Family
Next Day:
Ashley pushed Shepard along as they made their way towards the Woodbridge Guest House, a small inn where the vast majority of the Normandy's crew was staying. When they made it inside, everyone turned to see them before erupting in cheers, whistles and claps. Members of the crew slowly made their way towards both of them to congratulate them, before they were finally allowed to come inside completely. Ashley didn't even know what happened, when someone suddenly collided with her from the side, and it was only Shepard's laughter that kept her from retaliating. She was glad she hadn't responded too, when she saw that it was the eldest of her sisters, Abigail. She was soon followed by Lynn and Sarah who piled on top of Ashley.
"Hey, c'mon lemme up," said Ashley, as she struggled to get her sisters off of her.
"Alright girls, that's enough," said someone from behind the vast majority of the group, and Ashley's breath hitched. Slowly walking forward was her mother. Her three sisters let her go and helped her to stand up again, Sarah moving Shepard so that Ashley had access to her mother.
"M.. Mom?" asked Ashley, as tears gathered in her eyes, seeing her family again was causing her to very nearly break up into tears. She ran up to her mother and enveloped her in a tight hug as the dams finally broke and she started to cry.
"Yes sweetheart, it's me," she said, hugging her daughter back, "We were aboard the Destiny Ascension when the Citadel was attacked. By express order of the Council I'm told. Their top Spectre apparently told them that he'd have their hide if any of us were in harm's way, so they had us under guard since your last trip to the Citadel."
Ashley looked at Shepard, who gave her a rather sheepish look.
"I just found out this morning that they were alive, but I wanted it to be a surprise so I told the crew to gather here and make sure that you didn't know about it," explained Shepard, "Tevos called me while you were making breakfast to tell me that they were safe. Apparently I left a strong enough impression on them when I shot Udina."
Ashley nodded before grinning wickedly at her sisters, who had the wisdom to run behind others quickly, unfortunately Sarah, being the youngest and the one that had been helping Shepard was abandoned to be 'terrorized' by her eldest sister. Sarah flayed around as she was tickled, crying out for mercy several times before Ashley finally relented. It was then that Sarah saw the ring on Ashley's finger and cried out.
"OH MY GOD! HE DID IT! YOU-YOU'RE…CONGRATULATIONS!"
That remark caused everybody to look at Ashley's hand and begin their own rounds of congratulations.
"ASHLEY!" yelled out Abigail, "HOW THE HELL DID YOU NOT TELL ME THE MOMENT HE PROPOSED!"
"ABIGAIL!" cried out Mrs. Williams, "Language!"
"Abby, I've been running around getting things for the wedding ready the past few days…And I didn't know where you were until just now..." responded Ashley, leaving out the 'or if you were even alive', although everyone instinctively heard it.
"Mrs. Williams, is it okay if I do a couple military things before we start lunch?" asked Shepard, and Mrs. Williams nodded.
"Of course, go right ahead. And it's Nicole, Commander," responded Mrs. Williams (she will be Nicole from now on), "You're going to be my son-in-law soon."
"Thank you. Please, just call me John," responded Shepard with a smile, "First, Mrs. Sarah Thompson, please step forward."
Sarah froze for a second before shakily making her way forward.
"In recognition of the sacrifices of your family, as well as for your husband's exemplary valor in responding to the call of duty, he is to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant First Class Post-Mortem. I hereby present you with this Purple Heart, so that all may gaze upon it and know that your family has given its sons for them. Lastly, I present to you the Medal of Valor, in representation of your husband's bravery above and beyond the call of duty. I know that this doesn't bring him back, but I want you to wear it with pride, and whenever you look at the rest of your family, remember your husband and that he gave his life so that everyone may still have theirs," said Shepard, and he pulled Sarah towards him into a hug, before having her kneel down so that he could place the medals around her neck. She whispered a silent thank you, before going back to hug her mother.
"Next, to Flight Lieutenant Jeffrey Moreau, please step forward," said Shepard, and Joker walked forward shakily, "I hereby award you with the Star of Terra, the highest military honor that the Alliance may provide for your exemplary performance and consistent response to calls far above and beyond that of duty and honor. Furthermore, I hereby authorize your immediate promotion to Flight Commander, you are to report to the SSV Normandy at O'eight hundred tomorrow for duty, as my relief. The alliance is also pleased to inform you that thanks to Miranda," here he stopped and waved at the black haired woman, "who has provided information from my reconstruction, you are hereby commanded to enter yourself into an Alliance hospital where Doctor Chakwas and several other highly trained personnel will start you on treatment for your Vrolik's Syndrome."
"Thirdly, to Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams," said Shepard, and Ashley stepped forward looking slightly shocked, "For your exemplary actions during the Cerberus attack on the Citadel, as well as your work against Saren and the Reapers as a whole, I hereby authorize your immediate promotion to the rank of Captain, and I hereby present you with the Citadel Council's newly formed Star of London, for your demonstration of honor, valor, and quick thinking in the face of an insurmountable foe."
"Next to…" Shepard continued for nearly thirty minutes, handing out Medals of Valor to each of his fellow crewmates. He also had a single Purple Heart placed on each of the two head chairs when they sat down to eat, to symbolize those that had fallen. The empty seats that would forever remain there as a testament to the price that had been paid for the lives they would start to build from today onward. The meal they had was shared through laughter and jokes, everyone talking about fond memories of family, friends, and other loved ones. It was already dark when they finally stood, and Shepard asked Abigail to help him so that he could go and speak with Garrus and Joker. Ashley on the other hand walked over to Tali who was quietly talking with Sarah.
"So what's up Shepard?" asked Garrus, as he leaned against the wall, Joker having taken the only seat in the room.
"I'd like you to be my best man Garrus, and I'd like you to be my one of my groomsmen Joker, Vega and Admiral Hackett have already agreed to it," responded Shepard.
"Yeah sure, why not? I'll have a nice view of your face when you see Ash," said Garrus, and Joker laughed.
Ten days later, Westminster Abbey:
*AN: THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS THE CATHOLIC MASS DURING A WEDDING SO IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO READ IT PLEASE SKIP THIS:*
*SUB AN* I know that Westminster is an Anglican Church, however in an almost entirely destroyed London…I doubt that they'd care.
Shepard had to stop himself from turning to look at Ashley when he heard the start of the wedding procession's music, but when she finally came into his view he stood stupefied for a moment, Garrus, Joker, and Vega all chortling their laughter. Admiral Hackett and Antonin Tsuvilyov, one of the few friends Shepard still had from N7, both managed to keep their reactions to mere smiles. Ashley was wearing a simple long white dress that went down to cover her heels, her hair was kept down, and the single veil they'd been able to procure was pulled back, allowing her face to be seen. Directly to her right, stood her mother, who Ashley had chosen to walk her down the aisle. Her sisters all following behind her as Ashley smiled softly at him, instantly conveying the nervousness she too felt. Tali and Liara stood behind her sisters, smiling softly. Admiral Hackett's grandson, Tyler, was walking with the rings, while Mikaela the daughter of another member of N7, Allison Diamanti was accompanying them as flower girl. When they reached the altar, Nicole took Shepard's hand and placed Ashley's on his. Then she walked over to sit at her seat.
Leaning over he whispered, "You look great."
She replied with a simple thanks and Father Estobal stood up and smiled at the two of them.
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," said the Father, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
"And also with you," replied all the guests as well as Shepard and Ashley.
"Father, you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery, a symbol of Christ's love for his Church. Hear our prayers for John Michael Shepard and Ashley Madeline Williams. With faith in you and in each other they pledge their love today. May their lives always bear witness to the reality of that love. We ask you this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."
"Amen," replied the assembly. Shepard stood up and slowly walked over to the podium before coughing into his hand softly and speaking.
"A reading from the Book of Genesis. The Lord God said: 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.' So the Lord God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: 'This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken.' That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body. The word of the Lord."
"Thanks be to God."
Slowly Shepard returned to the front of the altar and the responsorial psalm was sung. As it stopped Ashley walked up to the podium. Taking a deep breath she began speaking.
"A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians," read Ashley, "Brothers and sisters: Live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the Church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the Church, because we are members of his Body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church. The word of the Lord."
"Thanks be to God."
Ashley stepped down and took Shepard's hand again, as Father Estobal nodded and the Allelujah started and Father Estobal himself went to the podium.
"The Lord be with you."
"And also with you."
"A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?' He said in reply, 'Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.' The Gospel of the Lord."
"Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ."
Father Estobal took several minutes to conduct the Homily about the three readings, specifically on the requirement of unity, before walking back to the Altar where Shepard and Ashley were standing.
"My dear friends, you have come together in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church's minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions."
"John Michael Shepard. Ashley Madeline Williams. Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"
"Yes," responded both Shepard and Ashley.
"Will you love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?"
"I will." responded both of them once more.
"Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"
"I will." responded both of them once more.
"Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church."
Shepard took Ashley's right hand in his and spoke softly, "I, John Michael Shepard, take you, Ashley Madeline Williams, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."
"I, Ashley Madeline Williams, take you, John Michael Shepard, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life," said Ashley, and she gave Shepard a small smile.
"You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide."
"Amen."
Tyler stepped forward with the rings and held them up so that Father Estobal could bless the rings.
"Lord, bless and consecrate John Michael Shepard and Ashley Madeline Williams in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love. Through Christ our Lord."
Father Estobal motioned for Shepard to take the ring, and place it on Ashley's right ring finger.
"Ashley Madeline Williams, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Ashley took the other ring, and placed it on Shepard's right ring finger, "John Michael Shepard, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"You may have a kiss," said Father Estobal, with a small smile as Shepard pulled Ashley to him and kissed her. The two parted after only a few seconds and turned back to the altar.
Father Estobal walked back to the podium and said, "Let us pray. For the families of those who have suffered during the war against the Reapers, we pray to the Lord."
"Lord, hear our prayers."
"For the soldiers that bravely defended us from harm that they might see their recovery pass well and quickly, we pray to the Lord."
"Lord, hear our prayers."
"For Councilor Shepard and the other Councilors that they make wise and just decisions. We pray to the Lord."
"Lord, hear our prayers."
"For Councilor and Captain Shepard that they might have a blessed and love-filled marriage. We pray to the Lord."
"Lord, hear our prayers."
"For all of our personal needs and intercessions…" here he paused, "…We pray to the Lord."
"Lord, hear our prayers."
Father Estobal walked down to the Altar as the Eucharist was brought and he took it performed the Lord's Prayer.
"My dear friends, let us turn to the Lord and pray that he will bless with his grace Ashley Madeline Shepard now married in Christ to John Michael Shepard and that through the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, he will unite in love the couple he has joined in this holy bond. Father, by your power you have made everything out of nothing. In the beginning you created the universe and made mankind in your own likeness. You gave man the constant help of woman so that man and woman should no longer be two, but one flesh, and you teach us that what you have united may never be divided. Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church. Father, by your plan man and woman are united, and married life has been established as the one blessing that was not forfeited by original sin or washed away in the flood. Look with love upon this woman, your daughter, now joined to her husband in marriage. She asks your blessing. Give her the grace of love and peace. May she always follow the example of the holy women whose praises are sung in the scriptures. May her husband put his trust in her and recognize that she is his equal and the heir with him to the life of grace. May he always honor her and love her as Christ loves his bride, the Church. Father, keep them always true to your commandments. Keep them faithful in marriage and let them be living examples of Christian life. Give them the strength which comes from the gospel so that they may be witnesses of Christ to others. Bless them with children and help them to be good parents. May they live to see their children's children. And, after a happy old age, grant them fullness of life with the saints in the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord."
They continued to the communion, several of the humans and all of the non-humans staying sitting.
"May almighty God, with his Word of blessing, unite your hearts in the never-ending bond of pure love."
"Amen."
"May your children bring you happiness, and may your generous love for them be returned to you, many times over."
"Amen."
"May the peace of Christ live always in your hearts and in your home. May you have true friends to stand by you, both in joy and in sorrow. May you be ready and willing to help and comfort all who come to you in need. And may the blessings promised to the compassionate be yours in abundance."
"Amen."
"May you find happiness and satisfaction in your work. May daily problems never cause you undue anxiety, nor the desire for earthly possessions dominate your lives. But may your hearts' first desire be always the good things waiting for you in the life of heaven."
"Amen."
"May the Lord bless you with many happy years together, so that you may enjoy the rewards of a good life. And after you have served him loyally in his kingdom on earth, may he welcome you to his eternal kingdom in heaven."
"Amen."
"And may almighty God bless you all in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
"Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord."
"Thanks be to god."
The guests all filed out, followed closely by Shepard and Ashley.
*AN CATHOLIC MASS ENDS HERE SO YOU CAN CONTINUE READING IF YOU SKIPPED IT*
One Great George Street:
As Ashley and Shepard arrived at the large reception room they were greeted by claps and wolf whistles. Sarah walked over to Shepard, with Ashley having gone to speak with her mother.
"Congratulations Councilor," said Sarah, as she gave him a small hug. She was going to pull away when Shepard wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.
"Just John's fine, Sarah," said Shepard, "And thank you," he pulled back but kept his arms planted on her shoulders as he looked at her intently, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine…it's just…" she started but broke into soft tears and Shepard pulled her to him again, shushing softly into her ear.
"What's wrong?" he asked her, and she took a deep breath.
"I'm two months pregnant," she said, "I haven't told my family, but I found out just after Thomas…just after he died. How am I supposed to take care of a child…I have no job, no money…"
"Okay, I want you to tell your family, and then on Monday I want you at my office. You'll be working for me until you can get a better job alright? You'll mostly be doing secretary work and keeping me updated on everything, does that work for you?" asked Shepard, and Sarah nodded, "Good. We can continue speaking on Monday and see what else you're qualified for."
"Thank you, John…" said Sarah as she gave him another hug and walked off towards her seat. Ashley took that moment to walk over.
"Hey is everything okay?" she asked, "Did something happen to Sarah?"
"She's fine, she's just a bit nervous about where she goes from here so I told her that she could work for me until she can find something better. Now, I think we should sit down and get something to eat, I'm starving," responded John, and Ashley nodded before walking to sit down. The guests finally started to sit down, and Garrus activated his omnitool's microphone function.
"Now where do I start…I met the decidedly less dashing then-Commander Shepard when I was working for C-Sec. He was everything it meant to be a turian…without actually being turian. He was selfless, brave, honorable, had a better strategic mind than anyone I've ever met, and more than anything else…he's the best damn friend I've ever made. The first time that I found Ashley and Shepard had been together, I found it hilarious. Ashley, the straight forward no-nonsense infantry woman, and Shepard, the 'Great Hero', two Alliance soldiers finding love in the middle of a war. But when you get down to it, they're the best representation of what life's all about, and I'm honored to have known the two of them. To Commander Shepard, the Avatar of Victory, and Ashley Williams, the woman that caught his heart!" he said, as he raised his cup and they toasted to the new married couple. Then, Tali stood up.
"The first thing that I remember of Shepard and Ash was them pulling me out of an ambush by Saren's thugs. I don't think that I'd ever met anyone that worked so perfectly with each other as the two of them. From the moment I met them, they seemed to react to each other without needing to be told, something which the Quarians have always known as part of the soul-bonds. That which bonds lifemates, that designates them as one body and one mind, mere halves of one another. And yet, I do not know of a couple that has gone through more difficulty, than Shepard and Ashley. The first Normandy, Shepard's return, his incarceration due to the Relay that was destroyed to slow the reapers, and yet through it all…I never had any doubt that the two of them would find each other again. Their souls would cry for the comfort of their other half, their bodies groan for a soft touch, but I knew, if nothing else…that they would end up together. To Councilor John'Shepard vas Normandy and Captain Ashley'Shepard vas Normandy!" and she too led a toast to the new couple. Ashley smiled at Tali, who nodded back at her. Shepard placed his hand on Ashley's, as the food was brought into the room.