A/N: Hi all. First thank you for being so awesome! Love your reviews, your PMs and the fact that you are reading what I am writing. I hope you are enjoying this story so far. Just a slight warning here, I try my hand at the intimate stuff again which is at the end of the chapter. Read at your own risk LOL.
EARTH – CHICAGO
The windy air has a chill to it. The leafs on the trees have started to turn bright orange, yellow and pale green. Liara suggested going on a flight to see the colors after they pick up Eva from the University where she has been staying for the past two months. They are staying overnight for two nights. Tonight there is a banquet ceremony to mark the end of the writing session.
"A color tour?" asks Shepard as she sets the bags into the trunk of their rented sky car. "Someone has been reading too many travel brochures." She gives her daughters Raina and Little A a wink as the two get in the back seat.
"Don't you think it is beautiful?" asks Liara looking up at the various trees outside of the transport building.
Shepard stops and looks at her bondmate. A great big smile crosses her face. "God you are beautiful." She hugs and kisses Liara.
"You didn't even look." Liara playfully slaps Shepard's arm.
Shepard makes a show of looking up. She moves her head left to right taking in the colors. "Hmm yup. Very nice. Can we go now?"
"You are incorrigible."
Shepard leans in and kisses Liara quickly. She meets her eyes, "I do try." She walks to the driver's side of the sky car and gets in. She takes flight once Liara is belted in.
"So who do you think Eva wants us to meet?" asks Liara as she continues to admire the colorful landscape.
"Her professor I thought," says Shepard.
"Yeah right."
"What is that supposed to mean?" asks Liara. She turns to look back at her youngest.
"Helloooo, it is so obvious," says Little A. "She met someone."
"We do not know that."
"Ah come on Mom it was bound to happen eventually."
"Aethyta!" Liara gasps a little.
"Easy now honey," says Shepard, "maybe Little A's right."
"And you are all right with this?"
Shepard looks at her briefly then returns her eyes to the horizon, "Umm honey, we don't even know what this is."
They both hear laughter in the backseat.
The trip doesn't take long. The University is situated in a valley. The building is circular in shape. During one of their calls with each other Eva explained that the classrooms are on the first few levels of the building while the dormitories take up the rest of the floors. During the harsh cold winters in Chicago a student does not have to step outside at all if they don't want to. Restaurants, cafeterias and coffee shops along with laundry facilities and convenience stores are all located inside the enormous structure.
Shepard lands in the visitor parking lot. Everyone exits.
"It's gorgeous," says Raina as she tips her head back to follow the long line of the building skyward.
"Hi guys!"
They all look and see Eva running toward them.
"Hi!" She hugs her mom and dad first then moves to her sisters. "Oh my gosh, isn't it beautiful here?"
Shepard and Liara laugh a little at her exuberance.
"Well someone's excited," says Shepard as she playfully punches Eva in the arm.
"Does this have to do with your new love?" asks Little A sarcastically.
"What?" Eva turns to her in shock. Her cheeks are a different color.
Little A's eyes go wide, "Goddess I was right! You have met someone. Who is it?"
"Shh," Eva looks around, "keep your voice down."
"Do tell Eva," says Raina.
Eva's eyes see two excited sisters. When she moves her gaze to her parents she sees more solemn expressions. "Why don't I show you guys to your rooms?" Eva clears her throat avoiding eye contact with her parents. "I think you are really going to like my professor," she says as she grabs a bag and starts walking toward the huge circular building.
Shepard places her arm around Liara's waist at the trunk of the car. "You okay?"
"Yes, why do you ask?" Liara grabs a small bag.
"Just checking." Shepard grabs the last bag, and then walks hand in hand with her bondmate while Eva talks about the building and the University.
They take the elevator up to the 35th floor. "Here we are. I cannot wait to see the suite you rented," says Eva. "I haven't seen one and I have heard they are wonderful."
Shepard sets down a bag. She brings up her omni-tool, punches a few buttons. The small light on the door turns green. Shepard opens the door.
"Oh wow," says Raina as she is the first one in.
Eva gasps, "It's gorgegous! Look at this view!" Eva immediately walks over to the large windows and looks out over the campus. "You can see everything from here."
"Nice going Mom and Dad," says Little A. She carries her bag to one of the four bedrooms in the large suite. "I call this one!"
Shepard grabs her and Liara's bags and finds the master bedroom. It is larger than their room at home. She drops the bags and checks out the bathroom. Again it's larger.
"Everything okay Elly?" Liara touches the human's shoulder.
"Look at that tub." Shepard pulls Liara into her arms. She kisses Liara along her neck. "We need to use that tub before we leave Liara."
"Oh really?"
They stop what they are doing when they hear someone clearing their throat.
Shepard looks up to see Eva. "Yes?"
"Sorry. But we need to get going. Dinner starts soon."
Shepard lets out a sigh as she rests her forehead against Liara's.
"We will be right out honey," says Liara. She kisses Shepard's forehead. "Tired?"
"A little."
"Your leg bothering you? I noticed you limping a little on the transport ship."
Shepard has her eyes closed reveling in being in Liara's arm. "A little."
"Maybe after dinner I can give you a massage."
"Umm hmm."
Not quite getting the response she was hoping for, Liara adds, "In the tub."
Shepard's eyes snap open. A large smile appears on her face. "Deal." She kisses Liara fully on her lips. She ends the kiss by biting her lower lip. Something Liara loves.
"We should freshen up." Liara says while still in Shepard's arms. Neither one of them are moving.
"Yeah we should."
"You want to go first?"
"I like where I am."
They remain that way for few minutes until they hear from the main room, "20 minutes!"
The banquet hall is smaller than Shepard was expecting. As if her daughter Eva read her thoughts she says, "There were only thirty students selected for the program Dad."
They make their way to their assigned table which sits eight people. They are the first to arrive.
"How long is the program?" asks Shepard.
"About thirty minutes why?" asks Liara as she sits next to her bondmate.
Shepard leans in and whispers, "Because I cannot wait to get you wet Liara."
Liara blushes at the double meaning, too shocked to say anything. She knows how much Shepard loves to tease her.
"You two okay over there?" asks Little A. She has a wicked grin on her face.
"Everything is fine," says Shepard.
"Are you excited?" Raina asks Eva. They both have moved their chairs so they can look at the podium.
"I am yes. Professor Packard has been wonderful just wonderful. I cannot believe how much I have learned. Not only have I learned more about poetry but now I want to try my hand in fiction. Oh I cannot wait." Eva gives Raina's hand a squeeze then lets go. She is looking around.
"Are you looking for someone?"
"Just a few people that I have become friends with. One of them is an asari, though our paths did not cross on Thessia. We thought that was weird seeing as we both want to be writers." Eva's face lights up, "Oh there she is." She stands and waves.
Raina looks back at her family and smiles.
A deep violet asari with blue markings on each cheek walks over and hugs Eva. "Hi Eva how are you?"
"Good Deliah. I want to introduce you to my family. Everyone, this is one of the students in the program H\her name is Deliah. Deliah this is my oldest sister Dr. Raina T'Soni." Eva winks at her sister. She can see that Raina is a bit thrown. She has never been introduced like that before.
Deliah nods in respect, Raina returns the nod. "I heard about you earning your doctorate, congratulations Raina, oh sorry, Dr. T'Soni."
"Thank you."
"This is my mother Dr. Liara T'Soni."
Deliah walks over and nods to the older asari. "It is a pleasure Dr. T'Soni."
Liara stands and nods. "It is nice to meet you Deliah."
"And this is my father, Elly Shepard, retired Captain of the Alliance.
Deliah holds out her hand. Shepard takes it and gives it a firm shake. "It is a pleasure. I am sure you get this a lot, but I want to thank you both so much for what you did to save our galaxy."
Shepard and Liara smile.
"And this is my younger sister Aethyta."
Each nod their head in respect. "Little A right? It is a pleasure to meet you."
Deliah returns to Eva, "Have you seen him yet?" Raina seems to be the only one at the table that can hear the conversation between the two.
"No not yet, but he should be here soon."
"Are you nervous?"
They both giggle while holding hands. "A little. I haven't said anything yet."
"Oh Goddess, here he comes."
Raina follows their gaze. There are three humans heading toward their table, two males and one female. Raina suspects two of them are parents and one is the son.
"Hi James."
"Hi Eva, Deliah."
"Hi."
"I will see you later Eva," says Deliah. She turns to the table, "Nice to meet all of you." She leaves before anyone can reply.
"These are my parents Kathy and David Mack. Guys this is Eva T'Soni, the woman I told you about."
Raina cannot help but be happy for her sister. It is obvious she has feelings for this young human male. In fact she knows she does, it is a bit overwhelming.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Eva," says David Mack.
"Thank you Sir, the pleasure is mine. Please allow me to introduce you to my family."
The introductions do not take long. Eva and James sit next to each other while James's parents sit together next to him.
The lights dim a little.
"Oh it must be starting soon," says Eva. She looks back at her family and smiles. Liara notices that Eva and James are holding hands.
The asari leans close to Shepard, "Elly?"
"Yeah?"
"I think Eva really likes James."
"Ya think so?" Shepard is teasing her bondmate. She knows full well Eva likes James. From how her daughter is beaming and excited she wonders if it could be love.
Liara looks at her, "I don't like it."
Shepard furrows her brow and is about to ask why when someone speaks from behind the podium.
Eva was about right. The ceremony closing out the writing program took closer to an hour rather than thirty minutes. Shepard spent the time watching Liara watching Eva and James. She wonders why her bondmate does not like it and she cannot wait to ask her.
The sound of applause snaps Shepard out of her reverie. She didn't notice dinner was being served; she nearly bumped the waitress who was placing her dinner in front of her. "Oh sorry."
The woman smiles and continues to place dinner in front of each guest at the table.
"So?" asks Eva, "What did you guys think?"
Shepard is not sure what to say. She wasn't actually paying attention to what was being said. "Great! It was great. Sounds like you learned a lot."
"Mom?"
Shepard feels relief, seems like her answer was a good one.
"It was lovely Eva. And James, the excerpt that was read. It was very moving."
"Thank you Dr. T'Soni," says James.
"James has been writing all of his life," says Eva with an ear to ear smile.
"I didn't know human babies could write," says Little A.
"What was that?" asks James.
Shepard nudges Little A with her elbow.
Little A looks at her father wondering what she did wrong.
"Sit up and behave yourself," whispers Shepard.
"I didn't realize humans were taught to write at such a young age," says Little A loud enough for the whole table to hear.
James laughs a little. "Well I have not really been writing my whole life. Just since I could write, right Mom?"
"That's right. When he came home from school at age five, he started right then and there. I can still see him sitting at the kitchen table, legs dangling over the chair, with such an intense look on his face, writing."
"You are very gifted James," says Raina.
"Aww, thanks. I think Eva is very talented to."
"Not enough to win the contest though."
"Next time," he makes eye contact with Eva.
Shepard sees it, the extra second where their gaze lingers.
"So what will you do now that the program is over?" asks Liara.
James smiles at Eva. "Well I think I am going to travel for a little bit. I think I will probably look for work during my travels. I have some contacts and should be able to find some free-lance work."
"Good for you," says Shepard. "Explore the galaxy when you are young enough to do it. That's what I always say" She laughs a little.
Little A leans in and whispers, "Since when?"
Shepard nudges her back.
The rest of the dinner was fun, awkward and strange all rolled into one. It was obvious Eva and James had something going on between them, but no one was elaborating. Every time Shepard glanced at Mr. & Mrs. Mack she saw two very proud parents just smiling at their son and his possible asari girlfriend.
When the evening started to wind down and people started to leave, Shepard was a little surprised that Liara whispered to her that she wanted to go. They excused themselves and gave the usual pleasantries. When Liara waited for Eva to join them Eva pulled her aside.
"Can I stay a little longer?"
"How much longer Eva?"
"I don't know, a few hours?"
"Who is this boy? What does he mean to you?" asks Liara as her eyes dart between James, his parents and her daughter.
"What….are you upset mother?"
Liara looks at Eva. She lets out a breath. She squeezes her shoulder, "No honey. You just caught me off guard is all." Liara smiles, "You like him a lot don't you?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"It is."
"He is so intelligent Mom. And his writing oh his writing. It's like he plays an instrument that can make me cry or laugh or get angry. He is so musical with the pen." Eva looks at her mother who seems a bit sad. "Are you okay Mom?"
"Yes honey. And yes you can stay out a few more hours, but please, if you leave the building let me know okay?"
"I will Mom, thanks." Eva kisses her cheek. "Thank you so much for letting me come here, it's been just fantastic."
"You are more than welcome honey. I will see you soon."
Liara waves goodbye to the table and finds Shepard. "Where are the girls?"
"They already headed up. Everything okay?"
"Yes. She is staying out for a few more hours."
Shepard smiles as she wraps her arm around Liara's shoulders. "Are you sure you are okay?"
"Did you know?"
"What? You mean about James? No. I wouldn't keep something like that from you."
Liara looks at her.
"I wouldn't."
They enter the elevator. Shepard presses their floor.
Liara lets out a sigh.
"What is it?"
"I am not prepared for this."
Shepard squeezes Liara close, "I know what you mean. Eva sure seems to like him."
"That is what worries me."
"Why?"
The elevator doors open. "I just worry."
Shepard stops her before entering the suite. "About?"
Liara averts her eyes and shrugs her shoulders.
"Hey, what is it?" Shepard takes Liara's hand.
"It is what I used to worry about with you and me Elly."
The statement hangs in the air.
Shepard kisses Liara's hand. "It's life Liara. If Eva falls for a human she knows what she is getting into. She knows."
Liara's eyes tear up.
Shepard pulls her into a hug.
"I am so grateful that I have you for so long Elly. She will…she will not have that."
Shepard cups her cheek, "Don't you think you are getting ahead of yourself just a little bit?"
Liara laughs a little after she sees Shepard's sly grin. "I supposed you're right."
Shepard kisses her. "Shall we?" Shepard opens the suite door.
"Where's Eva?" asks Little A.
"She is staying in the banquet hall a little longer," says Liara.
"Oh really?" Little A raises her eyebrows up and down.
"Aethyta," Shepard gives her a warning tone.
"What? What did I say?"
"You just leave your sister be."
Little A looks to Raina for some help.
"Don't look at me."
"Hey I think it's great Eva has a new beau in her life. I mean how serious can it be?"
"Why do you say that?" asks Raina.
Little A sits on the arm of the couch. She places her finger to her chin. "Hmm I wonder. Let's see. First, he doesn't live on Thessia. We all know long distance does not work."
They all kind of swallow and look away. Little A would know the struggle of long distant relationships. Kaya has been gone for two months now and the young asari has not handled it all that well.
"Two, he is way too adventurous."
"What does that mean?" asks Raina.
"I think that is enough Aethyta," says Shepard.
"Hey I am just speaking the truth."
"Your perceived truth," says Raina. "Doesn't mean it is actually true."
"Oh excuse me Doctor."
"Hey!" Shepard moves closer to Little A.
The young asari stands and looks nervous.
"Now that is enough. You have been picking on Eva ever since we got here. Your sarcasm has gone far enough."
Little A looks down.
Shepard hugs her. Which seems to surprise the young asari at first, but she finally wraps her arms around her Dad's waist. "I know you miss her honey. That does not give you the right to make fun of your sister. Okay?" Shepard's voice is gentle.
"Sorry."
Shepard steps back from the hug. "You okay?"
"Why don't you call her?" asks Raina.
Little A shakes her head. "She's too busy."
Shepard and Liara exchange looks. Liara squeezes Little A's shoulder. "Honey it won't always be like this. She is not ignoring you though I know you feel that way."
"It's okay. I…I just miss talking to her. I …well I didn't realize how hard this would be. Why is it when I was a kid and had a crush on Rael I knew then that it would not work after we left Rannoch? Why do I think it will work now?"
Liara hugs her. "You are both adults now, that's why." Liara looks at her daughter who has tears in her eyes. "She loves you Aethyta and you love her. It's hard right now I know, but if it…"
"Please…" Little A raises her hand asking to stop. "Please don't say if it's meant to be. I hate that expression I really do."
"All right then," says Liara.
"I know I did the right thing not joining her. I guess I thought it would be like it was when she was on Thessia. Us talking every night, sometimes falling asleep. I used to watch her sleep on the monitor before turning it off. I miss that. I miss her."
Raina puts her arm around her. "I think you should try calling her again Little A. You can always leave a message."
With head bowed down, Little A shrugs her shoulders. "I guess."
"I love ya kid," says Shepard. She kisses each daughter on their crests. "I am turning in." She walks into the master bedroom.
"Good night you two," says Liara. She hugs both girls then enters the master bedroom. She hears the water running from the bathroom. "What are you doing? I thought you were going to bed?"
Shepard looks wounded at the question.
"I'm joking Elly, sorry…I'm joking." Liara crosses to her bondmate to give her a hug.
"Don't do that to me Liara. I thought you were serious."
"Sorry."
Shepard pulls Liara close. She slowly leans in and kisses her soft supple lips. She wraps her arms around her blue beauty as she opens her mouth. She moans a little when she tastes Liara's tongue. She moves her hands down at the hem of Liara's shirt and pulls up. She throws the shirt aside and quickly unhooks her bra.
Shepard steps back to soak in the image of Liara and her beautiful breasts. She quickly takes off her own shirt. When she starts to work on her bra Liara steps closer, "Let me."
Keeping eye contact Liara reaches behind Shepard and unhooks her bra letting it fall to the floor. She slowly kisses the retired Captain along her collarbone as her hands ghost over each breast. Liara trails kisses down to Shepard's breast before taking in her nipple and slowly biting down. Shepard's nails dig into Liara's back as she gasps a little.
Liara kneels, kissing her way down. She unzips Shepard's pants and slowly pulls them down along with her underwear. Shepard quickly steps out of them. Liara's hands move up the human's thighs. Her fingers slowly move to the mound between her legs. Liara leans close and kisses Shepard's sensitive bud as if kissing her mouth. Shepard's knees go a little weak. "Liara."
Liara holds her close as she swirls her tongue around her sensitive bud shooting pleasure through Shepard's entire body. "Liara?"
The asari hears her plea. She backs off enough to let Shepard lie down on the bathroom floor, the bathtub and running water forgotten. Liara continues her ministrations with her tongue as she enters Shepard using two fingers. Liara moves her other hand up to knead her breast.
Shepard is gasping now, sighing and wiggling while trying to keep her hips in place. Shepard grabs Liara's hand off of her breast to hold it. "Yes Liara, there….oh God…I love you."
Liara quickens her tongue and her fingers sending shivers up Shepard's body. She knows the retired Captain is close now. Liara moves in rhythm with Shepard's hips. She knows she cannot keep still. She is close. Liara starts the meld. She slows a little which she knows drives Shepard crazy.
"Oh…please…please."
Smiling into her mound Liara quickens her pace again and pushes Shepard over the precipice. Her entire body stiffens and jerks a few times. Liara continues to softly kiss her sensitive bud until the jerking stops. She slowly trails kisses up her body stopping at her breasts. She takes a nipple into her mouth and bites and twirls her tongue and kneads her breast.
Shepard arches up as she grabs the back of Liara head. "Liara."
Liara moves to the other breast giving it the same attention.
"Liara?"
Finally the asari moves up and kisses Shepard fully on her lips. Her fingers still inside of her. She slowly removes them which causes Shepard to moan and jerk a little. "That…" Shepard pants, "that was awesome."
Liara shifts to her side lying on the cold bathroom floor, "Glad you liked it."
Shepard steadies her breathing. "Wow." She lets out a delightful sigh.
"Ready for round two?"
