A/N: So . . . that last chapter just happened. I was in a mood. My bad. This chap is pretty short, but there's a pretty darn important piece of information in it. ;)

Chapter 12

Shepard was seriously beginning to reconsider the persistent warnings of her doctor to avoid "intercourse" for another couple weeks. After eating a huge lunch to regenerate their strength, Liara prepared them some coffee, and Shepard had retired the hot tub, trying in vain to ease her sore . . . everything. After their afternoon "activities," her ribs hurt like a bitch, her legs weren't particularly happy, the hot water was currently stinging her back where she'd been scratched, her wrists were bruised from the omni-cuffs, and her side hurt where her shrapnel injury was. But when she thought about the reason for her soreness, she just couldn't have regrets. It had been sooooooooo good. So worth it. She snickered. Apparently Liara took "revenge" quite seriously.

On cue, Liara sauntered in the bathroom holding two mugs of coffee. Legion was at her heels, bashing his head against her calves in attempt to get her attention. Behind her floated a large piece of raw meat that she had obviously reserved for the varren pup. She was giggling over the ordeal and the sound filled Shepard's heart with a lovely warmth. She felt yet another smile tug at the corners of her lips.

The asari lowered herself into the water and handed Shepard a mug of coffee, then released the levitated piece of meat. Legion attacked the meat and Shepard did the same to her coffee. She polished off half her mug before noticing Liara was watching her with an amused grin, her own mug touching her lips.

"What?" Shepard said defensively. "After the afternoon we just had, I'm going to need about three more of these."

An unapologetic smirk found its way into those beautiful blue lips though she said nothing, just took a dainty sip of her coffee.

"You, Miss T'Soni, are a terrible asari being," Shepard said with an amused shake of her head.

Liara's eyes drifted to Shepard's wrists and concern rippled through her eyes. She moved closer to her wounded Commander and took one of her hands. She pressed her lips to the bruised veins on the inside of Shepard's wrist in a soft, sweet kiss.

"My poor Commander," she crooned. "I think next time I may have to find some restraints with padding."

"'Next time?'" Shepard said incredulously. "Good heavens, you're insatiable."

"I can't help it. You, my sweet Commander, make me hungry."

Shepard laughed. "I'll have to keep that in mind. Speaking of, you're eating for two, now Miss T'Soni," Shepard said, lowering her voice to a croon. She moved closer to her bondmate to run her hands along Liara's still-flat stomach. "I need to make sure you're properly fed, don't I? Do you suppose I can get asari cooking classes somewhere on the Citadel?"

Liara nuzzled her nose against Shepard's with a purr of approval. "My sweet Commander. I am not eating for two." Shepard blinked in confusion. An infectious smile spread over Liara's lips. "I'm eating for three."

Shepard opened her mouth to try and speak but nothing came out. She blinked several times, then stammered, "You . . . y-you . . . we . . . . Twins?!"

The asari's smile widened until her whole face was positively beaming. "I just found out this morning when you were still asleep. Had I known my checkup was going to be of that nature, I would have taken you with me. But I do prefer our current setting to a hospital chair."

Shepard's heart felt like it was going to burst from happiness. Discarding her coffee mug on the floor next to the tub, she pulled Liara into her arms in a rapturous embrace. They both cried happily until they laughed, kissing and hugging all the while. When their emotions settled a bit, Shepard pressed her lips to Liara's and held the kiss until her lungs protested for air. Liara settled in front of Shepard, snuggling deep into her arms and relaxing into the water. Shepard ran her hand over Liara's stomach, marveling at the thought the life growing inside her. She kissed Liara's temple, suddenly feeling the sting of happy tears in her eyes.

"I have something for you," Shepard said after a time, upon remembering she'd smuggled it into the bathroom when Liara had gone to grab coffee.

Liara turned her head to look at her, curiosity reflected in those lovely cerulean eyes. Shepard lifted a small, air-tight, clear cube container she'd been hiding in the water and offered it to her bondmate. Liara accepted it with a look of delightful wonder in her eyes.

"It's a seed for a Thessian Rose," Shepard explained, her voice soft. "I know you've been wanting to start a flower garden, so I thought perhaps it could be the first thing we plant on Thessia. A symbol of regrowth for us, for Thessia. I promise to nurture it, to nurture you, to take care of you always to the best of my ability. For the rest of my life. I know I haven't always been good about doing the important little things for you, Liara. And I want to start. More than anything, I want you to be happy with me, with us, with our life together."

"Oh, my sweet, beautiful Commander," Liara whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. She took Shepard's hand to her lips and placed an infinitely tender kiss on the back of it. "You have been good to me. I know we haven't had a lot of time together with everything we've been through, but you've always been so good to me. You made time for me, even with everything on your plate. You listen to me, you remember things that are important to me, you respect me, love me . . ." her voice broke and her head fell forward into Shepard's shoulder. Silence settled, broken only by the sounds of Legion happily gnawing on his raw meat and the bubbling hot tub.

Shepard held her beloved asari close, resting her cheek against her crest. They stayed there for a long time, basking in the serenity of the moment. For in each other's arms, they were complete. How could anything but happiness be found there?