Tina was sitting on a beach towel under the big umbrella Bobby had set up in the sand. "I'm glad he put that up or I'd have a bad sun burn," she thought and smiled. She sat up and looked out into the water. The twins were splashing about as Bobby watched over them. Bobby motioned for her to come out into the water. "Only if you give me your word you're not going to dunk me," she said, but she was already reaching for her big hat and sunglasses.
"That thought never crossed my mind," Bobby said with a devious smile.
"Right," she said as she got up. The sand was warm but not too hot and became wonderfully cool as she entered the water. When she got close he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. Almost on cue, Hannah said, "Gross."
"Nuh-uh," David said. "Mommy and Daddy kiss cause they're in love."
"It's still gross," Hannah said.
Tina picked her up and kissed her. "Yuk mommy," she said and Tina sat her down. Hannah had her father's dark hair and blue eyes and, Tina was sure, was going to break some hearts one day. David was right there tugging on her arm so Tina picked up him up and kissed him. He also had his father's blue eyes but her red hair and complexion. If David didn't end up with a burn today he'd be lucky.
Tina sat David down and turned to look at the bungalow they had rented. It was nothing compared to the Beach House, but they only needed a place for a week and when the owners found out who she was they had gotten it rent free. She tried to turn things down but there was always a tale of a son or daughter, brother or sister, who had died or whom she had saved by setting off the crucible. So, Bobby and Tina donated the money they would have spent to one of the charities for orphans of the war.
Liara came out of the bungalow wearing a bathing suit and a robe. She was also carrying a covered tray, which meant baked goods. Bobby said, loud enough to be sure Liara would hear, that the view had gotten better which earned him a punch in the arm from Tina. "Eyes back in your head, mister," she said, kissed him, and started back to the umbrella.
Liara, like Shepard's mother, had been distrustful of Bobby early on but Bobby had worked to gain the trust of both. That included encouraging Tina to work on her relationship with her mother and suggesting they name their daughter Hannah. Admiral Shepard had been slower to come around then Liara, but she now had a good relationship with Bobby.
With Liara the gesture had been to encourage SAI to work with Liara. SAI relieved much of the burden of being the Shadow Broker from Liara, so that she could spend more time on writing books from what she learned from Javik. When the twins were born, Bobby and Tina had asked her to be the godparent of the twins. She took the role more seriously than either Bobby or Tina had expected and spoiled them all with her baking.
"Liara!" Hannah screamed and went running up the beach to meet her. David trailed behind, but not by much. They raced past their mother and Tina stopped and watched as Liara hugged the kids. Then she sensed Bobby coming up behind her. She spun in time to grab him with her biotics; lifted him off the ground and out over the water; then dropped him.
David started singing, "Mommy got daddy wet. Mommy got daddy wet." Liara and Hannah were laughing and Bobby came out of the water sputtering.
"I almost got you that time," he said.
"Almost doesn't count," Tina said, and went on up to the beach towel. She sat down and Liara sat down beside her.
"Can the kids have a muffin?" Liara asked.
"Okay, but just one for now," Tina said, pointing first at one child then the other. "And I get to have one too."
"Well, I baked two dozen so you can have more if you want," Liara said low enough that the kids wouldn't hear. Then she called out to Bobby, "Do you want me to have one of the kids bring you a muffin?"
"I'm fine, Liara, but thanks for asking," Bobby replied.
David took his muffin and ran out to where his father was while Hannah wedged herself between Liara and Tina. They sat and talked until Hannah's head was bobbing. Liara asked her if she wanted to go take a nap and Hannah said, "Only if you come with me."
"Of course I will. A nap sounds good to me too." Liara looked at Tina and asked, "Should I take David too?"
"If you want. If you can get him still for a moment he'll be out quicker than she will. The problem, as you know, is getting him to be still."
"I'll have glyph play something soothing on the piano," Liara said.
Tina smiled, "That will probably do it. David, come on and go with Liara back to the house."
"Aw mom," David said, but he came with Bobby trailing behind him.
When they reached Liara, she took David by one hand and Hannah by the other. Bobby said, "Thanks, Liara. Give a yell if they're any trouble."
"We'll be fine," she said and started up the slope. She looked back and said, "I'll make sure you two aren't disturbed, but don't forget to bring the muffins when you come in," she called back.
Bobby sat down behind Tina and she leaned back against him. "This is too perfect," she said.
"It's less than you deserve," he said.
Tina turned around and sat with her legs wrapped behind his back. "You really think so?" she asked.
"Yes, I do," Bobby said.
"Do you remember how to make things up to me, then," Tina asked.
"I do," Bobby said and kissed her.
"That's step one. Let's move on to step two," she said, and felt him untie the knot to her bikini top.