Chapter 34

Shepard stood next to Liara's hospital bed, staring at the holograph in front of her with tears stinging her eyes. The image was much clearer than she thought was possible and the sight was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. Two little blue infants -her two daughters - were snuggled tightly in each other's arms within Liara's womb. Both were in perfect health, and oh . . . they were beauty incarnate. They were everything she could have possibly wanted and she already loved them so much it made her heart ache with longing to hold them. Liara's due date was only a few days away, though it felt like a small eternity to Shepard. She ached to hold them in her arms, to kiss them, to sing them to sleep at night, to love them.

It had been seven months since moving to Thessia, and she had settled into her ambassador duties. Aethyta was now a Matriarch again, Liara was a local Communications Officer (a title officially given to her by her father), but they had put all of it on hold for the birth of their daughters. Shepard had spoken to Tevos personally, demanding at least four months off to help Liara with their new twins. Tevos knew Shepard planned to put family above politics, and fortunately the Asari Councilor didn't seem to mind. Shepard's position within the Council was mostly honorary for when things got heated between the races anyway, and Tevos recognized that openly. Thus far there wasn't a race in the galaxy that didn't listen when Shepard started talking. But then, it was difficult to ignore the savior of the galaxy.

She brought Liara's hand to her lips and kissed it, unable to stop tears from trickling down her cheeks. Liara's face reflected her own; a mirror of pure joy and love. Their asari doctor shifted the scanner a bit over Liara's large belly, checking for any last problems. They were at a nearby local hospital to which they'd generously donated, to help get it up and running again.

"Your daughters look to be in perfect health," the asari doctor said. "We may have to perform a C-Section, though. They appear to seem reluctant to part from one another, and that could cause complications in trying natural birth."

"We want to have them at home," Liara said firmly. "But we'll of course come here if there are complications."

"May we have a moment, Doctor?" Shepard said in her most polite voice. The doctor raised a skeptical brow marking but nodded anyway and left their room.

A smile tugged at the corners of Shepard's lips as she ran a hand over Liara's stomach. Leaning down, she pressed her lips to her wife's stomach and began murmuring soft words of comfort to the little lives inside.

"Hey little ones. I know it's scary out here, but I'll be here when you come. You don't have anything to fear. Your mama and I would never separate you, everything will be okay."

Liara let out a little surprised gasp when both of them shifted within her. Shepard looked up at the holo-display to see two little hands extending, as if trying to reach out and touch her. Shepard placed her hand over the spot where they reached for her and felt their tiny hands through her wife's stomach. The moment caused her throat to close up and a swell of emotion threatened to cascade from her heart.

"Oh my little ones," she breathed against Liara's belly, "I love you so much. If only you knew just how much. Only a couple more days, little ones, then you'll be in my arms. How will I ever wait that long?"

"Oh Shepard . . ." Liara whispered, and the ambassador looked up to see silent, joyful tears streaming down her lovely wife's cheeks.

Shepard covered Liara's stomach with the N7 maternity shirt she was wearing, then leaned up to gently brush her wife's tears away. "This, Liara," she whispered, softly caressing her belly, "is the greatest gift you could have ever given me. And I will cherish it, I will cherish them, cherish you always. Always and forever."

Shepard brought their lips together in a sweet, chaste kiss. For nothing else could be said in a moment that had stolen their breath away.

O=O=O=O=O

Everything was ready. After making Liara breakfast in bed, Shepard had spent the entire morning preparing their master bathroom for the birth. She bought candles from a little shop that had opened up in a nearby town, incense oil, massage oil, and bath pillows. Then she set their hot tub for the temperature recommended by their doctor and set the lights to a fairly low setting. Legion followed her everywhere she went, whining nervously the entire time. He seemed determined to reflect her current state of mind. She was beginning to be more sympathetic to men who sometimes experienced a nervous breakdown when their partner was about to give birth. Dr. Chakwas had made a special trip all the way from Earth to help with the birth. Shepard hadn't asked her to; the woman had insisted, then wouldn't take no for an answer when Shepard tried. She and Liara eventually gave in. She had brought a large, heated gel birthing pad with her, though, and Shepard was grateful. The good doctor was currently conversing with Samara and Falere about the new research facility. They were in the flower garden, waiting for Liara to begin the birthing process. Unlike humans, asari used their biotics to begin the birthing process when the fetus was mature enough. Right around noon, Shepard was practically climbing the walls she was so nervous and excited.

She fed Legion then shooed him outside, and he happily ran around her in circles as she made her way to the garden. After checking on her Thessian Rose and giving the little bud a loving caress, she made her way to the three conversing women.

"You ready Karin?" she asked, and a huge excited grin tugged at the corners of her lips.

Dr. Chakwas returned her smile. "I am ready whenever Liara is. Shall we?"

They began walking back to the house, but Shepard paused when she felt a soft hand on her arm. She turned to see Falere biting her lower lip and looking shyly at the ground.

"May I . . . do you need any help?" Falere asked in a voice so timid and soft, it melted Shepard's heart.

"Actually, I think the presence of another asari will be calming for Liara. She's quite fond you, you know," Shepard replied with a small smile.

Falere's entire face lit up at the words. "Really?"

"Absolutely. You two have done wonders with the flower garden. She told me she can't wait to discuss a possible business venture with you. A flower shop perhaps, or maybe even a nursery, or maybe both. When Naiala and Elaria are old enough, of course."

"I would be honored," Falere replied in a delightfully giddy voice.

"You coming Samara?" the human looked to the Justicar.

"I am meeting with Maelon to discuss some procedures he's about to start. We are unsure if it will cause Falere pain, so we are doing some tests on me first."

Falere looked at the ground again, a soft blush filling her cheeks, but she said nothing.

"All right," Shepard said. "Come visit our twins when you get back, though. Deal?"

"Of course, Shepard," the Justicar replied. She gave Falere a light embrace, then made her leave.

They all arrived at the master bedroom to find Liara standing at the large window. She was looking out over Thessia's blue fields gently swaying in a playful spring breeze. The sight temporarily stole the air from Shepard's lungs.

"Give us a minute?" she said after a moment, squeezing Falere and Karin's hands. They both nodded and Shepard crossed the room to her wife. She rested her chin on Liara's shoulder, nuzzling into her cheek and covering her round stomach with both hands. Liara leaned into her embrace with an appreciative purr.

"Ready, Love?" she whispered, kissing Liara's neck.

"I'm . . . I'm a little nervous," she admitted with a bit of hesitation in her voice.

"Nervous?" Shepard asked, lightly kissing her cheek. "Why?"

"What if . . . what if I'm a bad mother?" she blurted out. "What if I end up estranged from them like Benezia and me? What if -"

"That's not going to happen."

"Shepard . . ." Liara whispered, a soft blush creeping beneath her lavender freckles. "You can't know that."

"But I do know. Because you're not your mother. You're you. You're my Liara T'Soni. And you, my Liara T'Soni, are going to make the most wonderful mother in the world. I only hope, as their father, I can show them just how lucky they are to have you as their mother. And I hope I can show them how lucky I am to have them as my daughters."

Liara took in a slow, deep breath, and Shepard felt her relax against her.

"Better?" Shepard said softly, kissing her neck again.

Liara gave her a loving smile. "Better. I think I just needed a little reassurance. I'm ready now."

Shepard's heart practically jumped in her throat in excitement. "Really?"

"Really."

Shepard turned and signaled to Dr. Chakwas and Falere, then helped Liara to the hot tub. Dr. Chakwas messed around with several settings in her medical Omni-tool and scanned Liara several times while Liara disrobed. The asari settled down in the warm water and closed her eyes, taking in slow, deep breaths. Her body began to glow blue as she activated her biotics, and Shepard settled behind her. She poured some massage oil on her hands and began gently massaging her bondmate's shoulders. Falere sat down on the floor not far from them, closed her eyes, and began softly humming.

"The Lifesong," Liara whispered.

"Hmm?" Shepard asked, sprinkling light kisses on Liara's crest.

"She's humming the Asari Lifesong. It's traditional to sing or play it during an asari birth. According to legend, the sound waves of that particular song have a calming effect on fetuses."

Shepard glanced at Falere and was slightly surprised to see her surrounded in a soft biotic glow. "The song requires biotics?"

"Yes. The biotics affect the sound waves."

The song soon had Shepard lulled into a sort of trance it was so beautiful. This went on for quite some time while Liara's body adjusted and prepared for the birth of their daughters. Shepard instantly became concerned, however, when it was Dr. Chakwas to break the trance.

"They still haven't separated," Karin said, her voice laced with concern. "Liara, are you sure you can get them apart without hurting them?"

Shepard glanced down at her bondmate to see her face straining. "I'm trying. They're frightened."

"You can . . . you can feel them?" Shepard asked.

"After a certain level of meditation is achieved, yes," Liara replied. "I can't send them too much because their minds are still very young."

"Could I?"

Liara's brow furrowed. "How?"

"Through a Meld. Could I communicate with them through a mating Meld?"

Liara blushed and cast a sideways glance at Falere. But the Ardat-Yakshi seemed completely lost in the Lifesong and didn't acknowledge the conversation at all.

"I have an idea," Shepard said, springing to her feet. She activated a holo-barrier with her Omni-tool, blocking the hot tub from the rest of the bathroom, then stripped her clothes. She left them on a heap on the floor, then climbed into the tub behind Liara and encouraged her wife to lean back against her. They could still quite clearly hear the Lifesong, though, as the holo-barrier only provided visual cover.

"Better, Love?" Shepard whispered. Liara nodded, then Shepard asked over her shoulder, "Is the barrier affecting your readings at all Doc?"

"Not a bit," Karin replied. "You're free to begin whenever you're ready."

Liara took another deep breath and the next moment she was cascading into Shepard's mind. The human's practiced mind immediately opened to Liara's and within moments it was deepening to that wonderful place where their nerve-endings met. The first thing she noticed was the uncomfortable stretch Liara was feeling in her opening. Shepard winced slightly but helped Liara redirect her attention from it. She pressed deeper into Liara's consciousness, searching for the two little flames burning brightly in the distance.

'Be careful,' Liara cautioned through the Meld. 'They aren't capable of reason yet, so if you send words, make sure your emotions are clear. It's your emotions they will understand, not words.'

'I will. Oh Liara. My sweet Liara. I love you. I can see them. Goddess they're so beautiful . . .'

Shepard focused her mind, draining it of all thought and found that familiar place of only emotion and sensation; a place she and Liara visited often. She focused all her love on the two little lives inside her wife, clinging to each other. The closer she got, the more hesitation she received, but fortunately they didn't seem to be feeling overwhelming fear. They mostly seemed reluctant to leave each other's arms, as well as the comforting warmth of Liara's womb. When Shepard felt their reasons for hesitation, she couldn't help but smile. A flood of love, tenderness, and unbridled excitement poured from Shepard and into her little unborn daughters. She felt them pick up on it immediately, and was suddenly overwhelmed with their love. She felt elation and relief, and a pure, innocent love. It took her a moment to realize the reason for their blind love, but when she did, she couldn't stop a flood of joyful tears. They were reflecting her love. They had of course felt Liara's love, and that was part of the reason they were reluctant to leave. But feeling Shepard's presence - a presence outside Liara - made them insatiably curious.

'I'm here little ones. Oh my sweet little ones, I can't wait to meet you, to hold you. Please . . . please just do this one little thing for me.' Shepard sent over an image of them gently separating and turning in Liara's womb. 'Daddy's here, little ones. I love you so much. And I'll be here to catch you. I'll always be here to catch you.'

Both Shepard and Liara gasped when they felt the two infants shift within her, then both let out a small grunt of pain when Liara's body went into labor. Liara immediately began withdrawing from the Meld, but Shepard mentally pulled her back.

'Let me stay. Please. Let me share your pain, let me help.'

'Shepard . . .' Liara sent back hesitantly, but the human shook her head.

'I want to do this, Liara. For you.'

Liara may have argued, but when another wave of pain swept through her, she lost the will. Shepard quickly focused on blocking out the pain, calling upon her years of training in the N7 program and her own innate ability. After a few moments, Liara's breathing evened out and the pain eased to a more manageable level.

"Doctor?" Shepard called over her shoulder. "We're ready."

O=O=O=O=O

Shepard sat on the bed next to her exhausted bondmate, holding the most beautiful little blue bundle of joy she'd ever seen. Tears spilled freely from her eyes, certainly not for the first time that day. Once their twins were cleaned, Dr. Chakwas had the assistant mech clean the bathroom. Then she and Falere had retired to their respective guest rooms to give the new parents some much-needed alone time.

Naiala was currently suckling on one of Liara's breasts while Elaria dozed in Shepard's arms. She dipped her head every so often to kiss her daughter's little blue crest, and each time she was rewarded with a soft little baby noise.

"Oh my little Elaria," Shepard breathed, "I love you so much. My light, my joy, my Little One."

She glanced over at Liara when she heard her softly crying. But fortunately her wife's face reflected her own as she gazed down at the little girl in her arms. Naiala was currently battling sleep as her little lips clung to her mother's breast, and Shepard noticed for the first time that it was a pair of fuchsia eyes looking sleepily up at Liara.

"Oh . . ." Shepard had to bite her lower lip to keep from more tears escaping.

Liara looked at her with a softly questioning gaze.

"You . . . you gave them my eyes?" Shepard asked, leaning over to place a gentle kiss on her bondmate's temple.

"Of course I did," Liara replied with a small smile. "I love your eyes. Every time I look at our daughters, I want to be reminded of you. And every time they look in a mirror, I want them to see a little part of the incredible person who fathered them."

Shepard roughly brushed her tears away and sniffed loudly. "You're making the whole 'tough soldier' act a little impossible right now," she said with a deflated laugh.

"Oh Shepard. We both know, behind closed doors, you're a complete marshmallow."

"Yeah, well. Don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to keep."

The smile, which seemed to have taken permanent residence on her wife's blue lips, widened as she leaned in for a kiss. "Your secret's safe with me, My Commander."