A/N: Did I ever mention how much I love new reviewers? Special shout out to RheasHelm. Thank you for your reviews and keep at it. I love reading your reviews. I felt like you get what I'm trying to do (which make me so happy) and you also said some things that got me thinking a few things. So please keep reviewing my story. It goes to each one of you, readers too. It always nice to see what you guys think because it might prompt to an idea for future chapter or just by telling me what might be missing from the story. Just as long as you promise me not to bash me and keep reminding me about my grammar mistakes. I get it that my grammar is a mess but I also keep telling you guys that English is not my first language. I'm improving each day and sometimes I simply mistype it rather than a mistake. So please understand. Well enough with the ramblings, let just go on with the chapter.
Chapter 9 : Take My Hand
Shepard was so busy handling a few things that she almost forgot her lunch date with her best friend, Maddison. As soon as she realise it, Shepard rush off from her office and drove to a 5 star human restaurant in Presidium Commons. As soon as she arrived, Shepard was greeted by a waitress and then she was shown a table where Maddison was waiting for her.
"You do know that now you should be the one who are buying this lunch." said Maddison after Shepard sat down and ordered her drink.
"If that's the case, we should leave this restaurant and go to a restaurant of my choice."
"Oh, don't tell me the saviour of the galaxy don't have enough credits to treat her best friend in a 5 star restaurant."
"It's not like I was paid big credits to save the galaxy."
"And yet you did it not once, not twice, but three time."
"What can I say? I'm an awfully nice person."
"Yeah, you are. And you're also awfully stingy."
"Said someone who told me I'm an awfully generous person after I gave you a VIP concert ticket of your favourite singer for your birthday."
Before Maddison could say anything, the meals she ordered earlier for both her and Shepard, arrived.
"So, what's with a lunch date with your best friend at a 5 star restaurant? I thought people usually do this with their 'special' person." asked Shepard after the waiter who brought their meals left.
"Are you saying you're not my 'special' person?" asked Maddison as she pretended to be shocked.
"You know what I'm saying."
"Well the truth is, Ryan planned this for us. By us I mean him and I. But he got an urgent call and he had to go back to Earth and since he already paying, he thought he shouldn't let it go to waste, so he suggested I have lunch date with you instead."
"Well, you tell him that no matter what he bribes me with, I still won't go easy with him."
"Grace, Grace. How long will it take until you will give him a break?"
"How long has it been? 15 years or so? I think it will be for another 15 years or so."
"Grace! You and I know that he's a great guy. He's not like the others."
"Relax, Maddison. I know he is. I just love to get on his nerves and remind him that I'm watching him. After all it's my job as your best friend to make sure he won't go breaking your heart."
"I appreciate that, Grace. But I'm not a good friend is it?"
"Why are you saying that?"
"I saw you got broken hearted and broke into pieces. I wasn't acting like a best friend when you asked me who Liara was. Even after I knew how much you loved her. Even after I knew she's pregnant. When I realised it, it was too late... I screw up and I almost drove you into madness." said Maddison as she hangs her head low, ashamed of what she had done.
"You were trying to protect me. You knew that I was struggling with what will happen between Liara and me when the Reapers war end and how I'm afraid I will break my promise to her. You thought you did the right thing for refusing to tell me who Liara is. You were trying to spare me from that feeling again."
"Just look at what that did. I've done such a great job." said Maddison sarcastically.
"It still turned out alright. Liara and I are together again."
"I guess... But I bet it won't be the same."
"I admit it, we are taking things slow. What happened was really hard on both of us. But we both know that we are still in love with each other. I think that's a good place to start."
"What about Elaina?"
"We still haven't agreed on when we should tell her. Honestly I'm afraid on how she's going to react but I also already done filling in all the paperwork necessary."
"What paperwork?"
"Oh you know, naming her as my dependant and if anything happened to me before she's 18 years old, the Alliance will support her. Basically just letting the Alliance know I have a daughter."
"Which also mean there will be media frenzy once you submit it."
"Yes. That's why I'm considering my options. I'm not sure of anything yet but one thing for certain, I want Elaina to know who I am. I don't think I can keep lying anymore."
"That's good, Grace. You know there is a saying that having kids are never easy but it will be worth it."
"So how come you don't have kids yet?"
"You know me, I'm traditional. Married first before have kids. Also I'm afraid my father will kill Ryan if I ended up pregnant first before he proposed."
"There is nothing wrong with that. I would have done the same but you know how it is. Sometimes you can only plan it."
"I couldn't agree more. So how's your new work? I never thought I see the day you take a work desk over serving on a ship."
"It's a bit dull for now. Lots of planning, politics and other stuff, but once it's over I expects my work will be nothing but dull."
"What is exactly your job description?"
"I will be overseeing a new task force that will combine every best operative from every species. I also will oversee the new alliance between Geth and Quarian and also between Turian and Krogan. That is only to name a few..."
"Not enjoying it, I take it?"
"It's annoying beyond belief. I thought once the war was over, I am done with it, but guess what? Since I've done a great job, why don't I take it over, forever?"
"Haha. If you despise it, why you took the job?"
"I was in a bad place back then, so I just don't really care. Afterwards it seems like a good offer since I could be around Liara and Elaina."
"And now?"
"I appreciate the time I will have to spend with Liara and Elaina but you know me."
"That, I do. I'm sure you will end up loving it. After all it's important to give Elaina some stability. We both know how life is in the military. The constant moving, new friends, new school, new surrounding and all, I'm sure your daughter will appreciate stability in her life. After all having you as her father mustn't been easy."
"Is that supposed to flatter me?"
"Yes and no. Anyway it's nice to see you back to normal." said Maddison to a smile from Shepard.
Shepard had to admit, she's really happy lately. Stuff between her and Liara are slowly going back to normal and her nightmares have start to stop bothering her. Elaina has shines her light all over her and now her life is no longer fills with darkness but instead joyful. She feels whole again after missing half of herself over the course of the war and after the war.
As Shepard walked into her apartment, she saw Liara stood in front of the big windows, looking over the sky car flew past their apartment. Shepard heart skips a beat as she watched her lover. There was nothing unusual about Liara in that moment, but it never stops Shepard from watching Liara in amazement.
Shepard closes the gap between her and Liara before snaking her arms in her lover waist from behind.
"Shepard, I didn't hear you coming." said Liara as she turns to face Shepard.
"Are you free tonight?" asked Shepard after giving Liara a kiss.
"Yes. Why?"
"I'm thinking about us going out for dinner. Just the three of us. After dinner we could show Elaina around the Presidium. Might even tell her about the time we went through the Mass Relay with a Mako."
"That is the last time I will ride a Mako with you."
"I got us through, aren't I?"
"Not without my heart stopped beating at one point." said Liara as she received another kiss from Shepard.
"Liara... If I didn't make this clear before, I want to make it clear now. I love you, never doubt that. And I'm not mad at you, I never was. Not even about how Elaina was conceived. My loves towards you are greater than any lack of judgement you make. So you can stop worrying and start looking me in the eyes again. Because nothing you could have done that will push me away from you. And our daughter."
"Shep-" Before Liara could even say anything, Shepard silent her with a passionate kiss.
"Ugh. Get a room, you two."
"Last I check it's my apartment, Jack." said Shepard after breaking the kiss. "How do you even get in?"
"The door was unlocked. Maybe next time you should lock the door before you two... you know." said Jack nonchalantly as she took a seat in a chair in the living room.
"Or maybe next time you could just simply ring the bell first? Regardless of whether the door was unlock or not?"
"Yeah, I could do that. So why do you need to see me?"
"It's about the Grissom Academy and you were supposed to meet me at my office." said Shepard as she took a seat in a sofa and followed by Liara.
"I went there but Traynor said you are here. And that's why I'm here. It's not my fault."
"You were supposed to meet me this morning not this evening!"
"Well are you going to tell me why I'm here or not?"
"You still need to see me the first thing in the morning tomorrow. Because all the papers I need you to sign are at my office."
"Do I really need to sign those?"
"Yes, if you want to teach at Grissom Academy again."
"Ugh. The Alliance are lucky that I am somehow fond of my job."
"You're a good instructor, Jack. The kids are lucky to have you as their instructor."
"Is that means you will have me as Elaina instructor?"
"Well... We haven't talk about that." said Shepard as she looks at Liara.
"Usually Asari kids are teach by their mother. But Elaina is yet to show her biotic ability." said Liara.
"Is that normal? Shouldn't she have shown some biotic ability already?" asked Shepard.
"She should have. Asari kids usually show their biotic ability early on their life. She's 5 years old now and she has yet to show any biotic ability."
"Is that even possible for an Asari not to possess a biotic ability?" asked Jack.
"No. It's a part of us. But it is not uncommon for an Asari to abandon her biotic ability. But not to have any biotic ability at all? It's never heard of."
"You think it has something to do with how she was conceived? Who know what the Crucible pulse could do to a developing baby in a womb?" asked Shepard worriedly.
"I... I don't know."
"No point of worrying now. Just give it time. I'm sure it just needs time to evolve. After all any kids of yours, will be great, whether she has biotic ability or not." reassured Jack.
"Is that supposed to reassure me?"
"Yeah. I mean you came back from the death, twice. And you beat Reapers single-handedly. Liara biotic ability may not be as impressive as Samara but I doubt even Samara had the same biotic ability Liara has at your age."
"You know, Jack. You surprised me. I never expect you to say something like that."
"Well it's your doing." said Jack in annoyance to a laugh from Shepard.
After they went to dinner, they walked around Presidium much to Elaina delighted as Shepard answered every question she asked. Shepard even told her the story about the Mass Relay in the Presidium. Liara even told Elaina about their journey together but much to Shepard dismay, Liara had to pick the story when she went through the fish tank.
"You actually went through the fish tank?!" said Elaina once again as they arrived in their apartment.
"Yes. It is not as funny as you think when you are the one falling through the fish tank."
"I know. But you have to admit, it's funny."
"Yeah, yeah... You know Liara, I can't believe you decided to tell her that story of all the story. You never going to let me live that down, aren't you?"
"Why? It's a good story, right Elaina?"
"I love both of you." said Elaina suddenly as she hugs both Shepard and Liara.
"Where is this coming from?" asked Shepard as she knelt down so she is face level with Elaina.
"I love to see how happy you two are. I love how much you two love me. I never want to lose that."
"You won't." promised Shepard.
"How can you promise that? What if you find someone else? Won't you leave? What about when you have a kid of your own? You will stop loving me."
"Nothing can make me stop loving you. And no one can come between us and break the bond between us."
"How can you be sure?"
Shepard and Liara look at each other as both of them nod in agreement that this will be the right time to tell Elaina about who Shepard really is.
"Because you two have a bond greater than anything else in the galaxy." said Liara.
"Remember when you asked me if I love your mother? The truth is we were together. I love your mother more than anything else in the galaxy. The main reason I saved the galaxy was so I could have a life with her. So she will live in a better galaxy. But life can be cruel sometime. After the war, against all odds, I was once again survived but not without a consequence. I forgot the past 3 years of my life, including your mother. I didn't remember a single thing about her or about us. It hurt your mother." explained Shepard.
"I was pregnant with you at that time and I felt like it was a punishment for me. I didn't tell her that I was planning to have you, in case she won't survive the war. I had to live for 2 years without her around and it was painful for me and I knew that I will never want to feel that way again. So I decided to have a part of her by having you. When she survived and then waking up without a memory of the past 3 years, I thought it was my fault." add Liara.
"But it wasn't her fault. And it's not your fault either, Elaina. I love both you and your mother and no one can say otherwise. I'm sorry for missing the past 5 years of your life and I understand if you're going to hate me for it."
"It was part of my fault. I should have told you about whom your father is but I was afraid she won't acknowledge you as her daughter once she finds out the truth. But I should have known better because for as long as I have known her, she is the kindest and understanding person that I have ever met."
"And I should have said no to the Alliance and the Council request. I should have stay with you and be there when Elaina was born."
"I don't care whose fault it is. I don't care about anything else. All I care is that I have two wonderful parents that love me. And I love them." said Elaina as she wraps both of her parents for a hug.
Both Shepard and Liara hearts grew warm at their daughter simple gestures. They both know that their daughter is special and they are lucky to have a daughter who has both of their traits and mature beyond her age.
A month has passed since Elaina learned the truth. It's also has been almost a month since the news broke out about the saviour of the galaxy is in a relationship with an Asari and both of them have a daughter. It has taken everyone by surprise and some humans have publicly criticized the relationship. Some even said it was a political relationship.
But Shepard didn't pay any attention to any of it because what important is that both Liara and Elaina know that she loves them. And all she needs is their love and also approval from both of her parents, which were given. Other than that, Shepard didn't care.
"So, I'm thinking. With Elaina is with my parents until tomorrow, who don't we do something special?" asked Shepard as both she and Liara snuggle close to each other while watching a movie.
"What you have in mind?"
"I can't tell you. But can you leave the house until dinner time?"
"Shepard, what are you planning?"
"Please trust me. You will know tonight." pleaded Shepard.
"Fine."
Its dinner time as Liara walked toward her apartment she shared with Shepard. As she opened the front door, the apartment lights were dimmed. There are lit candles all over the apartment and roses petals all over the floor from the front door leading to the kitchen. Liara followed the trail and once she arrived at the kitchen, she saw the table filled with foods. Liara didn't even notice Shepard is behind her and the next thing she knows is Shepard arms are on her waist.
"Shepard... This is amazing." said Liara as she turns around to face Shepard.
"I'm glad that I managed to amaze you." said Shepard as she gives Liara a kiss.
"I wish you would have told me to wear something nice."
"Why? You already look beautiful in your lab coat." said Shepard who is wearing a black t-shirt and suit.
"Can't you at least give me a few minutes so I could change into a dress?"
"Alright, fine. Don't keep me waiting."
After a few minutes of waiting, Liara appeared in the kitchen again. Liara has decided to wear a yellow dress. As soon as Shepard saw Liara, she almost couldn't breathe at the sight of Liara. It never failed to amaze Shepard at how each time she looks at Liara, it was like it was the first time she laid her eyes on her.
"You look beautiful." said Shepard after finally finding her voice.
"Thank you." said Liara as she gave Shepard an innocence smile that Shepard love and miss so much.
"I know that for as long as we have dated, we never can get to do anything like this. So I thought that since we are starting over, why not we do this properly?" said Shepard as she helps Liara to a chair.
"Is this how human do it?"
"Yes. This is what we call a candle light dinner."
"This is nice."
"We should do this often."
"Yes, well. Maybe after..."
"Every day after." said Shepard as she gives Liara a smile.
After dinner, Shepard leads Liara towards the living room as she turns on the music.
"May I have this dance?" asked Shepard as she offers her hand.
"Shepard, you can't dance."
"Come on. It just a slow dance. How much can I screw it up?" said Shepard before Liara gave in and take her hand.
They slowly dance close to each other, acknowledging each other presence and warmth for a comfortable few minutes.
"The first time you told me that you had a feeling for me, I never expect I will be this lucky to have you by my side and to have you loving me. After everything we went through, I knew that I'm lucky to have captured your heart." said Shepard as she broke the silence.
"And I am lucky to have you returned my love and to have you as the father of my daughter."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Shepard." said Liara before she kiss Shepard on the lips.
After breaking their longing kiss, Liara take Shepard hand in hers as she leads the way towards Shepard bedroom. That night, for the first time since their last night together before attacking Cerberus HQ, they spend the night in the same bed and waking up next to each other.
A/N : Okay... That was a bit cheesy in the end. I don't know what got into me. Haha. I hope it's a good chapter. Especially the part when Elaina learned the truth. Well let me know what you think and if there's anything I should have write. Oh, if you're wondering what music they dance to, well just put whatever song you think appropriate. But if you're wondering what song it is, well... while I was writing that scene, I was listening to Ed Sheeran, Thinking Out Loud. So I hope it answer your curiosity if there is any.