VANCOUVER, EARTH

The skyball stadium was filled to the brim. The news outlets kept saying this is the year for the Storm that new recruits to the team should help the team get into the championship. There are high hopes in Vancouver, they take their sports very seriously.

The emotion of the crowd was something palpable. When each team member was announced on the Storm the crowd erupted. Liara and Shepard both had tears in their eyes when they saw how the crowd reacted to their daughter Mia. If Shepard didn't know better she would say they cheered louder when Mia's name was announced. Maybe it is because Mia is the only asari on the team, a pressure their daughter has spoken about. Sports writers often times say that skyball is an asari game, but the sport has penetrated all races. The bracket the Storm is in is one of the toughest in the conference.

Tonight the Storm play their neighbors and rivals, the Seattle Cyclones. Shepard, Liara, Raina, Eva and Little A could not wipe the smiles off their faces when Mia scored the first goal. The fans around them were very complimentary of her performance. We have a chance this year finally because of T'Soni, one said, she rocks one said, I would tap that said another, Liara had to grab Shepard's arm so the human would not turn around to see who actually said that. The asari did not want Shepard to get into a fight.

The stadium was mostly full of humans. Liara and the girls felt like they were the only asari in the place. It surprised Shepard how odd it felt for her. Though she is human she has lived among asari for so long she almost forgot what it was like to be around mostly humans. It was nice to not be recognized or if she and Liara were recognized, it was nice not to know.

After the first half while the kids walked around to check out the stadium and grab some snacks Shepard remained seated with Liara next to her.

"What are you thinking about?" asks Liara.

Shepard squeezes Liara's hand, "Just how proud I am of our family."

Liara rests her head on her bondmate's shoulder.

Shepard turns her head and kisses Liara's temple. "Ever think of having more?"

"More what?"

"Children."

Liara sits up in her chair and looks at Shepard wide-eyed. "What?"

Shepard smiles, "Calm down Liara, it was just a question."

"Hav…Have you?"

Shepard shrugs her shoulders, "I have thought about it."

Liara is a bit shocked. She looks straight ahead at the empty field. Suddenly she feels a bit hot.

Shepard wraps her arm around her shoulders. "I am just thinking out loud Liara. No need to worry."

Liara nods without saying a word.

Shepard squeezes her shoulders then lets go. She wonders if saying something was a mistake.

"Dad can you help?"

Shepard quickly stands and grabs some food from Raina. "Got it."

Liara stands to let her girls pass by. She moves down a seat so Little A can sit between her and Shepard.

Raina sits down on the other side of Liara while Eva is on Raina's right. She hands her mom a drink and a soft pretzel.

"What is this?"

"It's really good Mom, you have to try it."

Eva leans over, "This is what you can dip it into if you want. I prefer mine plain though."

"How much have you girls eaten?"

Raina and Eva look at each other and laugh. "Umm we haven't kept track Mom," says Raina.

Liara sniffs the pretzel.

Raina studies her mother. "You okay Mom?"

"Fine." Liara takes a small bite of the pretzel.

"You don't seem fine."

"Don't." Liara looks at her daughter and Raina's smile stops. Liara takes another bite. "This is good."

Eva leans over again, "Told you."

Raina looks straight ahead fighting the heat behind her eyes.

"So you think Mia will get another goal?" asks Little A.

Shepard noticed how Liara moved down a chair and realizes now that she should not have said anything about having another child.

"Dad?"

"Huh?"

"Mia. You think she will score another goal?"

Shepard pats Little A's knee, "I don't know, let's hope so."

"The game is pretty close; hopefully they will come out winners." The Storm are losing 2-1.

Shepard is about to say something when the crowd erupts as the two teams take the field for the second half.

"She looks good don't you think?" asks Little A, she leans in to yell so her father can hear her.

"Yes she does."

The second half was intense. The roars from the crowd on a close shot that just missed, the encouragement they yelled, it was addicting. Shepard and Little A as well as the rest of the family were on their feet more than in their seats.

"Come on T'Soni get it in!" yells a nearby fan.

Shepard wanted to remind him that it is a team sport and not up to only one person but in her heart of hearts she too was hoping for Mia to score a goal to tie them up.

With two minutes left in the game, the Storm has been pressing and pressing. They were winning the ball possession game but the scoreboard still showed 2-1. Mia's teammate scored. Shepard had to cover her ears the noise from the crowd was so loud.

The last two minutes was something out of a vid. The Storm pressed. Picks were made and suddenly Mia was open. Raising her hand to indicate she was open the ball was there. Mia lowered her shoulder when an opposing player closed the space. Mia plowed right through her as if she wasn't there. She fakes left then moves right and shoots. The ball hit the post then went in giving the Storm the lead for the first time in the game with only thirty seconds left.

When the opposing team started after the whistle the player Mia plowed through went straight for the asari. She was not playing the ball or trying to get open. It was as if Shepard could see the player's face, the determination, the want for revenge. Shepard yelled Mia look out which obviously her daughter did not hear. But she saw her daughter react when the opposing player was almost upon her. Mia shielded herself quickly then was hit hard which sent her off her feet and rolling on the ground.

The final game sound was heard throughout the stadium after the crowd as one entity gasped. The Storm players swarmed around the opposing player and soon both teams were pushing and shouting at each other. The referees were trying to get things under control while Shepard was hoping to see her daughter emerge from the crowd of players.

As the conflict died down there she was. Mia was on her feet. Her arm was around a Storm player and she gingerly walked back to the team's bench with the rest of her teammates. The crowd applauded that she was okay, but Shepard would not feel better until she saw her daughter in person.

Liara switches places with Little A, "Do you think she is okay?"

"I'm sure she is fine."

"Can we go?"

The crowd was starting to file out. Shepard nodded her head and grabbed their bags of souvenirs then walked down a few flights of concrete stairs. Once on the main level she led her family to a gate where access was restricted. The security guard looked at her pass and allowed them entry. It is for family and friends of the players. They get to wait in a room for the players to come out.

It took about thirty-five minutes before Mia appeared. Eva was the first to spot her enter the doorway.

"Mia!" Eva quickly runs to her and hugs her. "You were amazing, amazing!"

"Thanks."

Other family and friends in the room come up and pat Mia on the shoulder. Shepard is proud to see how they treat her daughter, she is grateful to have seen her play. After Raina, Little A and Liara have their hugs, Shepard approaches.

"How ya doing sport?"

"Good, just a little sore. Nothing is broken or anything."

Shepard studies her daughter. She places her hands on both shoulders. "I am so damn proud of you. You were fantastic." She pulls Mia into a hug and holds her tight.

"Thanks Dad."

"Hey T'Soni!"

Mia breaks the hug to see one of her teammates.

"Great game! See ya day after!"

"See ya!" says Mia.

"Day after?" asks Shepard.

"Yeah. We get tomorrow off, though we are supposed to watch vid on the next game, see how the opponent plays."

"When did you get so tough Mia?" asks Eva. "I can't believe you just plowed over that girl."

Mia smiles and shrugs her shoulders.

Shepard leans in so as not to be overheard. "She say something to you?"

"Who?"

"The girl who hit you?"

"Oh…nothing worth repeating. I have heard worse."

"And you are sure that you are okay?"

Mia rolls her eyes, "Yes Dad I'm fine."

"Okay okay sorry, it's my job to worry ya know."

"Can we get something to eat? I'm starving."

"Of course." Shepard turns to her family, "All right all let's get going. Time to grab some grub."


After dinner Mia joined her family back at the hotel.

Raina, Eva and Little A situated the furniture so there was enough room for all four girls to sleep on the floor.

"What's this?" asks Mia.

"We are going to have a sleepover," says Little A.

"Yeah, we rented some vids. We can be together like old times," says Eva.

"Please stay with us," says Raina as her squeezes Mia's hand.

"Well with that kind of invitation how can I say no?" Mia laughs.

"Yes!" Little A jumps up and claps her hands. "I will get the snacks."

"Snacks? You just had dinner," says Liara.

"Mom," says Eva, "we have to have snacks when we watch vids don't you know that?"

Eva practically skips into the bedroom she is sharing with her sister to help Little A.

"So are the parents allowed?" asks Shepard.

"Nope," says Raina.

Shepard acts wounded, "What? Not even the first vid?"

Raina hugs her dad, "Not even the first vid."

"Okay okay."

"We are still having brunch in the morning though right?" asks Liara.

"Brunch?" asks Little A as she sets out some bowls and starts filling them with snacks.

Mia laughs a little. "It's like a late breakfast early lunch. Julie suggested this restaurant and I made reservations."

"Julie?" Little A nudges Mia.

Mia laughs, "It's not like that," she pushes her sister playfully, "she and Beth are my dorm roommates."

"Uh huh."

"Nice to see you still have a one track mind Little A."

The young asari opens her mouth.

Eva and Raina start to laugh.

"Okay, well I guess that is our cue," says Shepard. "Good night girls, don't stay up too late." Shepard hugs each daughter as does Liara.

She and Liara retired to their bedroom.

"They are going to stay up too late you know," says Liara, "tomorrow will be ruined."

Shepard sighs as she gets into her pajamas. "Ruined? I think you are being a little over dramatic, don't you? Things will be fine. They need this time together."

Liara just sighs. She enters the attached bathroom.

Shepard is not sure what is going on with her bondmate. She has seen Liara in moods before and she is trying not to overreact. She climbs into bed and gets under the covers. She figures Liara just needs time, for what she is not sure, but she will wait until the asari comes to her.

Liara comes out of the bathroom with pajamas on. "You asleep?" she whispers.

"No." Shepard sits up and pulls back the covers on Liara's side.

The asari slips under the covers. She lies down and turns her back toward Shepard.

Shepard lies back down remaining on her back. "It was quite a game wasn't it?"

"It was."

When she doesn't say anything more Shepard wonders if Liara has already fallen asleep.

Liara turns around to face her.

Shepard lies on her side to face Liara. "What is it?"

"Are you serious because you have been known to joke about this?"

Shepard kisses Liara's nose. "I …well I am serious Liara. I know I have joked about it before but now with the kids grown I…well I miss them all so much and only one is out of the house."

"But that is not the reason to have another child Elly."

Shepard feels a twinge in her gut. "I know. You're right. You're right."

"It's a lot to think about Elly."

"It is I know." Shepard looks at her. "Look. I didn't mean to upset you Liara. Can you tell me why you are so against it?"

Liara looks away then moves onto her back as she lets out a long sigh. "I am not against it exactly."

Shepard props up on her elbow so she can see her bondmate's face. "Then what is it?"

"With our kids starting to live their own lives, I was looking forward to us having more freedom."

"To do what exactly?"

Liara rolls her eyes, "I don't know Elly, something different."

Shepard is taken aback a little by her tone. She doesn't react however. She just nods her head and says, "Okay."

Liara lets out another sigh. "I'm tired." She turns her back on Shepard as she rolls onto her side. "Good night."

"Night." Shepard watches Liara's back for a while. When Liara's breathing slows she knows she has fallen asleep. Shepard rolls over and gets out of bed. She sneaks into the main room of the suite where the girls are watching vids, talking and laughing.

Shepard sits against the wall hugging her knees. Her mind goes back in time to when her kids were little blue babies. She remembers being on the Normandy talking to Liara about their future. She joked about lots of blue babies and they have had a lot, four is a lot, but with her extended lifespan due to her nanites Shepard has been thinking more seriously about having another child. Truth be told she would have four more, well maybe two more. Being a father to the girls has been the best job she has ever had. She couldn't be more proud of what she and Liara have accomplished and how each child has grown and matured. She will never know what it is like to bring a child into the world to actually give birth to one, but being able to shape and mold a baby into adulthood has fulfilled the retired Captain more than she could have hoped.

Her eyes tear up as she thinks of Raina now a Doctor of Psychiatry. She knows her daughter will be successful because of who she has become. With the heartache of dealing with her gift, Raina has overcome a lot in her young asari life. Now she has prospered and is ready to begin a new chapter.

Mia is already blazing her own trail. To be the only asari on a professional skyball team must have been daunting for her daughter, but she faced it with tremendous strength and courage, something Shepard attributes to Liara. She hasn't known a stronger or more courageous person than Dr. Liara T'Soni.

Shepard looks at the back of Eva's head and smiles when her daughter laughs at the scene on the vid. Her daughter the writer. Her daughter who seems to be in love. Now Eva has not told her so but she has seen the signs enough in her life to know it when she sees it. She wonders when her daughter will approach them to ask to leave with James. When the young man said he would be traveling the galaxy she knew right then and there that Eva would soon leave the nest.

Shepard wipes her cheek as a tear drops. Little A is going through so much right now. Shepard knows how much her youngest misses Kaya and is proud of her for how she is dealing with the long distance relationship. It is one of the hardest things in life to do, let go. Let go of the person you love in hopes that one day they will return. It is something she and Liara have done once so far and will have to do it three more times.

Each child has been taught, prepped and tested. Shepard feels she and Liara have done the best they could do and it has been wonderful to have the Matriarch Aethyta as part of their lives. She hopes the Matriarch is around for a few more years because the changes in these kids are happening fast and it is such an exciting time for all four of them.

Perhaps Liara is right. Having a child to fill the places left empty when her grown children leave is not a good reason to bring a new child into the world. But she cannot help wonder if there is something else that is going on, another reason maybe why Liara seems against it. Shepard smiles to herself when she realizes she has the time to find out. Whether or not another child is in their future, the retired Captain feels blessed to have Liara in her life. So many things would have gone wrong if it were not for Liara. The asari has been her rock through thick and thin. Liara taught her how to love, how to wonder at the galaxy, how to look for the good in others instead of expecting the worst in them. Dr. Liara T'Soni saved Shepard's life in more ways than one which is why she wants to be there for her bondmate now. Something is going on and hopefully in time, Liara will confide in the retired Captain.

Whatever lies ahead Shepard knows they will be all right. The love of family has gotten them through so much already. She and Liara laid a strong foundation for their children. Now it is time to watch them grow, learn, make mistakes, overcome and love.

Laughter snaps Shepard from her reverie. She looks up at the vid and smiles. She loves how her children get along. She loves the sound of their laughter. All of the kids may not be out of the house yet, but Shepard misses each one already.

THE END


A/N: Hi all. Thank you for coming along on this journey. I do plan on starting a new story so we can see what happens with the kids. I love writing about them and from your reviews and PMs you seem to love them as much as I do.

I want to thank those of you have read more than one or even all of my stories. When I look back at my first one I kind of laugh because I didn't know how the formatting worked on the fan fiction site. And some of my chapters phew do I go on and on and on. LOL. I purposely have not gone back to fix anything in my stories because I kind of want a history to see that I have improved. That hopefully my writing now is better than my writing then. Even if it is small improvements such as using the same verb tense, which I still catch myself NOT doing LOL. I hope to take more classes and further improve because I know I have a lot to learn and I mean A LOT.

Your encouragement though really helps me and I am so appreciative. Words really cannot express what it means to hear from each and every one of you, so thank you. Thank you.