Short chapter, next one will be longer. As I said in the last chapter, I'm playing with the timeline a little bit; so as opposed to two years passing, three years have, that gives Kira a bit of more comprehensive vocab. Once again I hope eveyone enjoys and please review!
"Imma be right back Papa!" the little girl said happily skipping down the hall. No doubt as her father he was hopelessly bias, but he was certain she was the most beautiful child in the galaxy. Kaidan chuckled outwardly at his fatherly thought; 'Every father must think that about his daughter.'
"She seems happy…" Hannah said warily behind him, "but are you absolutely sure about this?" she asked. Kaidan turned to her "Is it so wrong for me to want to be with my daughter? I finally have a chance to live with Kira, and I'm tired of only the visits and chats over extranet that I've had for the past three years. You of all people should understand that Hannah." He stared intently at her; he wasn't going to change his mind about this.
About a month after Shepard died Kaidan revealed that he was the father of Kira. The Brass wasn't pleased to say the least, but there was not a lot they could do. Fraternization charges seemed pointless as a child was produced when the relationship was revealed, that, and the other offender was dead. Plus, Kaidan had already been named one of Kira's guardians. Those circumstances already in place, his service record spoke for itself, and the Alliance was in not about to let him go.
Kira had been living with her grandparents on the Shoal Station and Kaidan took every bit of shore leave he had to spend with her, that and anytime he could make connection with the station he was certain to speak with her. She was well aware of whom her father was despite the distance and despite that she had only just turned three years old.
Kaidan had been given a new position, most would consider it desk work, not worthy of a Staff Commander but it would be a stable six months on the Citadel working as an Alliance liaison to Councilor Anderson. There wasn't any constant ship outs and he was assured by Admiral Hackett that he would not leave the Widow system unless absolutely necessary. He was given his own apartment just outside the Presidium near the Alliance offices, and as he wasn't going off station for 6 months, he requested that his daughter live with him.
The Alliance cleared the request and Kaidan left for Shoal immediately. He had already talked to Tim about Kira's move, but Hannah was not as warm to it. She was last wall he'd have to get through to finally be with his daughter. So he continued to look at her, showing that there was no room for discussion.
She finally spoke, "You're right." sounding defeated without even a battle. Kaidan knew she was thinking of Marie and all the time she had missed with her. "It's not as if you won't hear from her Hannah, I promise you that." Kaidan gave her a half smile. Hannah looked up at him and nodded.
Just then a bouncy wave of black hair bolted toward him and he scooped her up in his arms, "Whoa, now what's going on little lady?" Kira smiled happily at him and proudly announced "I going to your house!" Kaidan smiled back, "You bet! Are you ready to get going?" Kira wrapped her little arms around his neck and nodded "Yep!"
He wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep; last he'd thought she was looking out the shuttle window. But now Kira had wrapped herself around his left arm and was sleeping in his lap, her head resting against his bicep. A faint glint caught his attention and he reached for the locket resting around her neck, he decided to open it.
The woman inside was beautiful; she had icy blue eyes, fair skin, and blonde hair that was hanging loose in the picture. Kaidan had seen her like that only twice: the night before Ilos and the morning before she was killed; the one night he'd never forget and the one day he wish he could. Every other time Marie had worn her hair up in high bun, he was sure it would give most people headaches, but it looked perfect on her.
Kaidan was pulled out of his thoughts when a small voice spoke, "That's Mama…" Kira stated, pointing to the locket still in his hand. She reached for it and held it in front of her, "Pop-pop says she was a he'woe…was she?" Kaidan brushed an errant hair behind her ear and smiled, "She was hero, and she even saved me one time." Kira gave him an odd look, "What's wrong sweetheart?"
"That's not how s'posed to be." She told him, "The prince s'posed to save the princess; you and Mama did it wrong." Kaidan chuckled and kissed her on the forehead as she snuggled back into his arms. He looked to the window into the dark starry space outside; 'She wouldn't let me save her…'
