"Soon," she assured. There was a knock on the door. "Speak of the devils," she muttered as it opened.
"Hey," Ra Li greeted. Two little blue girls ran in and over to Laura.
"Hi Ra, Ona," Lili replied, lips curving into a smile. "Laura, why don't you take Sarah and Tiana to your room to play? I'd like to speak with Ona and Ra."
"All right," Laura agreed, running off with the two blue girls. Lili signaled for her friends to join her in another room.
"So, how have you been?" she asked, reaching for some wine and glasses.
"Fine, no matter how tired," Ona told her. "Those two are...hyper."
"That's an understatement." Ra Li laughed, sitting on the couch next to Ona. "Maybe they'll tire themselves out with Laura."
"Keep dreaming, Ra," Lili responded, pouring the wine, then handing them each a glass. "Like when I helped an old friend take out the Shadow Broker, the mercs attacked in a huge wave, so she suggested there would be less inside. Nope...there were just as many, if not more," she added, taking a seat.
"I remember that story, and you're right. You told us that the last time," Ona said, taking a sip from her glass. "How have you been?"
"Good, I've been good. Laura is doing well with katanas, and biotics," Lili replied.
"She's a good shot with a gun and all. Plus, she can cook."
"You started her this young?" Ra Li gasped.
"When you've got Commander Shepard as your mom, then you have to start this young. Do you know how many threats I've gotten from Batarians alone?" she sighed.
"Ah, right. If you don't mind me saying," Ra Li continued, "those eyes are so...different from your own. Honestly, they remind me of-"
"Davu and Mahi Mataki?" Lili cut him off. "Yes, they were changed when she was born. Something, I don't know what, made me elect to change the color. Maybe the teasing of having blond hair and blue eyes. Remember the girl from Mindoir...Jessie, I think her name was. She used to tease me and call me a dumb blonde."
"I remember. She was a bitch," Ra Li told her. "I know why you changed them...you didn't want her going through the teasing, so you went from blue to green. That's...nice."
"Thanks, and that's exactly why...let's stop talking about this," Lili managed.
"So, they came after all?" a turian voice interrupted.
"But of course, Archangel." Ra Li snickered.
"Do not call me that," Garrus snapped.
"Let it go...he didn't call you that when you first met. Where's Miatra?" Lili asked, changing the subject. A younger turian girl stepped forward.
"Hi," she mumbled, looking at the ground.
"Hello, Miatra," Lili said, getting up and walking over to her. "Why don't I show you to your room? You'll have plenty of space for anything you have," she added.
"All right," Miatra replied, extending a hand to her. Lili took it and led her away.
"You adopted a Turian daughter?" Ona questioned. "She's adorable."
"Hey, glad you kept the promise, Vakarian," Ra Li said. "You've made her happy; that's all I asked," he continued. "Thank you, means quite a bit to me. Also, sorry for calling you Archangel, I couldn't help myself. I swear, it's fun to make you tick."
"Yeah, well, just don't." Garrus sighed, sitting in a chair near them. "You don't know anything about the origin of why I was called that, so don't." He paused. "It was Lili's idea to adopt Miatra. Sweet girl, lost her parents in the war. I have to say, she's dealt with the blow fairly well."
"I see...that's sad. For her to be sane, wow..." Ona managed, taking another sip of wine. Sarah and Tiana ran into the room.
"Moooom!" Sarah moaned. "Tiana bit me!"
"Did not, you hit me!" Tiana argued.
"Both of you, stop it. Be nice," Ona hissed.
"Where'd you guys go?" Laura called, then came into the living room. "Dad!" she greeted, running over to Garrus. His mandibles twitched in amusement at the bickering asari, then he wrapped the young girl into a hug.
"Girls, be good or we can go home right now," Ona told them. Sarah and her sister nodded.
"I feel lonely...there are only two guys in a house full of women," Ra Li muttered.
"I wouldn't say that. You haven't forgotten about Urz, have you?" Lili said, coming back into the room. Laura had slipped from Garrus' grip and had made her way over to Sarah and Tiana, who then ran off in the direction from which they had come, Laura following.
"Ha ha." Ra Li snorted. "Where is he, anyway?"
"In his room. Wrex sent a pyjack for him to chase," Lili explained, retaking her seat.
"This is a joke. The varren got his own room?" Ra Li asked.
"This house is huge, and we don't have much of a yard living on Bekenstein, so yes," she told him.
"I...see. So, does the pyjack get its own room? Or what about your cat?" Ra Li joked with a grin.
"The pyjack is for Urz, so no. And the cat is so snarky and picky that she does. But she found a friend, and he stays with her a bit..." Lili trailed off.
"Even the cat has a boyfriend!" Ona laughed. "This is great," she added, drinking more of her wine.
"The house is better than cable anymore," Lili sighed, laying her hands on her lap.
"We have a varren, a cat, a pyjack, two daughters, and ourselves. Plus, add friends and family...it gets busy around here sometimes."
"Well, when you have us over, Sarah and Tiana don't help much," Ona agreed. "But, either way, this wine is delicious, Lili."
"Oh, it's imported from Earth. Have a couple from Thessia, some from Palaven, and some from a couple other places. However, all the coffee is from Earth. 'Tis why it tastes so rich," she explained.
"Do you get the money for it by looting mercs' dead bodies like you used to?" Ra Li quipped.
"No," Garrus replied. "The Council pays her for her Spectre status, Liara sends credits, and Miranda has taken over Cerberus operations, having them work with the Alliance-and sends credits as well. Plus, she's still a Commander, so the Alliance pays."
"Ah, well, that's a lot of money," Ra Li managed, gritting his teeth. "We don't even get half of that."
"But we get along fine, don't we, hon?" Ona added.
"Yes," he mumbled.
"Even just living on Bekenstien with my family and all, I get paid tons. I think the Reapers helped with that," Lili told them. "I saved the galaxy more than once, more than twice, I deserve the money I get," she added in a huff.
"You do," Ona agreed. "Now, about a party we were invited to..." she trailed off, eyes glittering.
"Oh yes, that's tonight," Lili said, leaning back on the couch with her glass of wine.
"Wonderful...I have the prettiest outfit," she gasped, clapping her hands together.
"Girls and their clothing," Ra Li snorted. Ona hit him on the shoulder. "Hey!" he cried. "That was uncalled-for!"
"Not all girls are obsessed with clothing," she snickered, standing up. "Lili, is it all right if we leave and let Sarah and Tiana stay here?"
"Of course! Laura likes playing with them," Lili assured.
"All right, thanks," Ona replied. "Come on, Ra," she added, taking him by the hand, pulling him to his feet and walking him over to and out the door.
"You invited the old crew, didn't you?" Garrus asked.
"Yes, why wouldn't I? They were there those years ago, so why not have some back?" Lili paused. "Plus, Laura loves it when Kasumi comes over, and you know it."
"I see your point." He sighed.
"Good. Now, would you like some Palaven wine?" she questioned, eyes glinting in the light, lips curving into a smile. "Might as well enjoy some time before the party."
"Like always," Garrus agreed.