Notes:

Alban Elfed - Druid festival of the Fall Equinox, means 'Light of the Water' (Gaelic)

Leannán - Lover (Gaelic)

Family Additions

T'Soni Country Estate, Thessia, Athena Nebula – 21 Sep 2193

The conversations on Trategos had gone better than Aethyta could have ever hoped, with Jazz and Kinlivi allowing her into their lives, albeit on a trial basis to see how things would work out. More surprisingly, they had even contacted their daughter, Lenedra, by vid-con in order to introduce her to her grandmother Aethyta and aunt Liara. Shepard had then invited them to the Estate for the weekend of the fall equinox, to celebrate Alban Elfed with them – to which they had surprisingly agreed without hesitation. The only question they had was if Lenedra could also come, assuming she could get the weekend off from training. Obviously, both Liara and Shepard had replied to the affirmative, overjoyed by the opportunity to meet the younger Asari in person.

Jazz and Kin had flown into Anerzesa – where Lenedra was completing her commando training – and spent Friday night with their daughter, before flying to the Estate on Saturday morning. Their arrival was eagerly anticipated by more than just Aethyta, the whole house excited to welcome their newest members. Liara and her father had done the best they could to answer everyone's questions, finally just stopping – telling everyone to simply ask the family directly, once they arrived. Lyessa, however, issued words of caution. "They will likely be very new to all of this… coming to a place they have never been, family or not. Give them space and time to settle in and to become accustomed to us. If you can, let them set the pace."

To that, Aethyta chuckled. "I very much doubt that will be a problem. Jazz seems to be a lot like me… rather confrontational and direct. You're used to me, so don't be surprised if she gets in your face if you happen to say something she doesn't like. Neither she nor Kinlivi seem the shy type."

Lyessa gave her a knowing look and responded, "Even so, we are the hosts… so be polite and show them the best of House T'Soni, if you please."

Once the trio arrived, Lyessa showed them to their guest quarters – one of the more sizeable suites, with two large bedrooms off a shared sitting room and small kitchenette. "This is beautiful, Lyessa! We certainly didn't expect a matriarchal suite!"

Lyessa laughed pleasantly. "It's no trouble, truly. The three of you are very special guests, it's one of the six nicest suites we have, and Matriarchs Aethyta and Mozia are directly across the hall, should you care to knock on their door later." She smiled and gave them a knowing look. "So, take your time and get settled in, then come downstairs for some lunch… followed by the full tour, should you want one. It's your choice, but the Estate covers a lot of territory… so, perhaps that could wait for your next visit? Anyway, this weekend has no schedule and no expectations other than to welcome you and get to know you a bit."

"Which is exactly why we are here," responded Jazz. "So, if you want to wait just a moment, we'll drop our bags in our rooms, and you can show us where we're eating!"

"Excellent," smiled Lyessa. "Aethyta and Liara will be thrilled to have you back downstairs so quickly!"

"Is Lady Liara truly only 25 years older than me?" Lenedra asked quietly.

"Twenty-three to be exact." Lyessa's smile grew as she nodded in the affirmative. "And she is very much looking forward to spending some time with you. To be honest, with everyone who lives within the entirety of House T'Soni, there is only one other within 50 years of Liara's age, either before or after." Lyessa paused, "This includes Captain Shepard as well. Based on a normal Human lifespan, she would just be coming into her Matron years… but that is for her to tell." She paused, wondering just how much she should say, before shrugging and changing the subject. "Liara was always shy... and the age difference between her and the others simply compounded the problem. She didn't have many whom she would have truly called friends."

"From what Dad told me, Liara has always preferred to spend time with those significantly older than her… and became much more mature than her age suggests because of it."

"Which is exactly why Shepard is so good for her." Lyessa gave her a conspiratorial smile. "Sam has taught our young Asari how to slow down, have fun, and enjoy life, pulling her head from her studies when necessary… particularly once the war was over and they got the future they both wanted so badly."

She suddenly paused and glanced at the door. "But… I am speaking out of turn…. Liara and Samantha should be the ones telling you all this, not me, so go. Drop your bags so we can head back downstairs!"

As they made their way to the main hall, Jastira's eyes swept over those awaiting below. She immediately chuckled, the one person she was looking for nowhere in sight. "Let me guess. My mother is at the bar, rather than the luncheon. Some things never change."

Lyessa gave her something of a cautionary glance. "Your mother is extremely nervous about this. She fears she will say the wrong thing and she'll lose you for a second time." She stopped her downward progress and turned to Aethyta's daughter. "She honestly loves you very much, and your disappearance pained her greatly. When Liara told her you had been located, her initial reaction was almost… angry."

"How so very typical. If you can't have it, kill it." Jazz shook her head, explaining, "Metaphorically speaking, of course. She never was one to show emotions very easily. If something… or someone… hurt her, she'd simply lash out and walk away, as if she didn't care. She did that very thing with Benezia… except the one she walked away from wasn't her bondmate, it was Liara – leaving her to the mercies of a Matriarch that cared more about her political influence than her own daughter."

"I think it more likely she felt hurt, since you were the one to abandon the relationship, not her. I believe you will find your mother very much changed from that person you left behind when you came of age." Lyessa smiled to soften her somewhat harsh assessment. "She loves both you and Liara dearly… and was deathly afraid of the initial meeting to get reacquainted. Liara and her willingness to give her another chance – at Samantha's prompting, by the way – made all the difference in the galaxy." Lyessa chuckled quietly. "With you, however, it was not Samantha giving Liara a prod, but Mozia giving your mother the push she needed to make the attempt."

"Are we talking about the same Asari?" Jazz, who had also stopped, pulled her gaze from the search among those below to meet Lyessa's eyes. "I didn't think my mother was afraid of anything."

"Absolutely." Lyessa's tone held quiet conviction as she calmly met Jastira's penetrating gaze. "Your mother has changed, Jastira, and she is frightened of losing you and your family if she says the wrong thing… for good, this time."

Kinlivi and Lenedra wandered off to locate Liara, while Jazz went in search of the bar… and her mother. Mozia – knowing the upcoming conversation was worrying her lover, and with no high-ranking guests to worry about – was actually sitting at the bar chatting with Aethyta when Jazz strolled up, rather nonchalantly opening with, "Hey, Mom. How goes the tending? Still a bit early for the hard stuff, isn't it?"

Aethyta gave a little chuckle. "Yeah, but with this crowd and a holiday? Lunchtime is the mid-shift commandos dinner, so they'll often stop in for a nip or two before hitting their racks. Helps 'em get to sleep when it's still light out."

Jazz settled comfortably onto the stool to Mozia's right. Giving her a nod, she smirked knowingly as she commented, "And you, Matriarch, are obviously here for moral support. No worries there. I have no plans on tearing out Mom's heart a second time. I spoke to more than a few members of the house on my way here from our room, and it seems the reasons behind our… disagreement… no longer exist, so I say forgive and forget, and figure out how to move forward from here."

Her attention shifted to Aethyta as she continued, "And, it seems, all the crazy stories I heard on the various news channels actually have more than a kernel of truth to them. You played a pretty big role in all the preparations on Thessia and were responsible for keeping quite a few of the major Houses alive and well through the war, with instructions and training on threat avoidance." Jazz smiled and nodded. "I can actually see you doing that. Glad to know that when a real threat showed on the horizon, the Asari people actually began to listen." She huffed, "Imagine that!"

Aethyta visibly relaxed, an answering soft smile appearing on her lips. "Yeah. If they'd all been as stubborn as Nezzi, we'd have a lot fewer Houses on the planet, that's for sure." She shrugged, her smile fading noticeably as she added, "But, her stubbornness kept me out of Liara's life, so our Little Wing became an academic instead of a commando. Looking back, her decision to boot me out just might have saved Liara's life, so who am I to second guess it? Especially since we've been reunited now that it's all over with."

"Huh. I never thought of it that way." Jazz cocked her head, studying her mother for a moment before continuing, "I suppose, if Liara had become a commando, she wouldn't have become the Prothean expert we all needed. She wouldn't have written the thesis papers that grabbed Shepard's attention, and she wouldn't have been out in a Prothean ruin, in need of saving…" She paused and chuckled. "Shit. Everything would have been different, and we could have all been dead now."

"Well… I'd like to think we would have still prevailed, but I doubt it." Aethyta shook her head, laughing. "I guess the Goddess really was looking out for us, guiding Benezia to be such an ass to me, all to keep me from sending Liara down the wrong path. Shepard has an old Earth saying that's pretty appropriate here, I suppose. 'All's well that ends well,' or something to that effect."

"I like that one," Jazz replied with a grin. "And I really am glad Livi encouraged me to come visit you, Mom. Honestly, I'm not sure I would have, especially if you had simply tried calling instead of showing up or, even then, if it had been solely my decision." She smirked and added, "So, you seriously owe my bondmate a huge favor… which is up to you to decide how to repay."

Aethyta was curious and simply had to ask, "How did she change your mind?"

"She said it was only fair that Lennie have the chance to get to know her Aunt Liara… that we shouldn't keep her from the rest of the family just because you were an ass."

As Aethyta stared at her in surprise, unsure how to respond, Mozia broke out in laughter. "I think I need to go find Kinlivi and thank her… and spare you the awkwardness, Thyta. You never have been good at that kind of thing." Mozia stood from her stool and laid a gentle hand on Jastira's shoulder. "Thank you for coming, and we'll chat more later, after you catch up a bit more with your mother. Me finding Livi will also give the two of you a bit more privacy while you talk."

Jazz chuckled. "The one thing we definitely don't need is privacy. Neither my mother nor I have ever been known to hold back our opinions just because of who may be listening!"

Liara and Lenedra had also found a quiet corner, exchanging stories of what they did during the war. As soon as they began conversing, the first thing Liara had impressed upon her niece was that she was 'just Liara' not Lady T'Soni or Aunt Liara. "We are simply too close in age to bother with such," Liara stated. "You have no idea how much hearing 'Lady T'Soni' pains me still. Even after all these years, it still immediately reminds me of my mother's final moments."

Lenedra had nodded in sympathy. "I can understand that. You're barely 100… not even a matron, much less a Matriarch." She glanced toward the bar, adding, "I imagine Mozia must have been a Goddess' blessing to you. She is well known in the Matriarchal circles and her opinions carry some heavy weight… at least that's what the Commando Training Center Matriarch told me when I explained why I needed the weekend off."

"You are supposed to be in training this weekend?" asked Liara. "Why didn't your father say something and pick another date?"

"Because she didn't want to postpone it…" Lenedra shrugged. "After you and Shepard said goodbye the other night, she kept me on the call, saying it had already been too long and we needed to mend the family rift at the earliest opportunity. She told me if Shepard had the graciousness to invite us for one of her Earth holidays, we were damn well going. Period. If I didn't ask Commander D'riava for leave, come the next morning, she would do it for me."

"Well, I'm glad you did, but don't you hate it when parents are so pushy?" Liara rolled her eyes and shook her head gently before continuing, "Like you can't make those decisions on your own? My mother was like that… in just about everything."

Lenedra stared at her in surprise for a moment before breaking out in laugher. "Goddess, yes! Somehow… that actually makes me feel better, to know I'm not the only one!"

Liara smiled and shook her head again. "Wait until you meet Shepard's mother…"

"Ooooh. She another demanding one?"

"Just the opposite." Liara grinned and shrugged. "She is actually one of the most supportive people I think I have ever met. Both her and Doctor Karin Chakwas, the latter of whom I met on the Normandy." Liara quickly added, "Stick with us long enough and you'll meet the tightest group of people – of every species… Turian, Krogan, Salarian – you'll ever see. Fighting Saren and Sovereign, then the Collectors, then the Reapers…? That bonded us is ways nothing else possibly could. We're family."

"Sounds like fun… like our commando team reunion after the war, when we all got together to figure out who was still with us… and who wasn't." Lenedra's expression fell. "I'm sure you experienced the same thing, losing people who had fought at your side, maybe even saved your life, possibly more than once."

Lenedra stared at the floor for a second before looking up again to meet Liara's obviously sympathetic gaze. "I did… and I did lose some dear friends. Fighting a war bonds people in a way nothing else can… and losing them hurt… terribly. So, if you want me to call you Liara – no honorifics, no titles, I'm good with that. And, if that's the case, you need to call me either Lennie or just plain Len. That's what my friends at training call me. Deal?"

Liara smiled and reached across the table, laying her hand atop Lennie's. "You have yourself a deal, Lennie. I'm glad you came along, be it on your father's insistence or not." Liara's smile shifted to a full-up, happy grin. "I think we're going to get along just great!"

Daniels-Creath Home, Edinburgh, Scotland – 09 November 2193

Gabby Creath was enjoying her morning shower when it dawned on her – she was late! Late, as in her monthly period was late! Running a mental computation while rinsing shampoo from her hair, she came to the conclusion that the onset of her period was quite late… she had finished her previous period thirty-four days ago, meaning she should have started her current cycle by the first, at least. Thinking, I'll be damned! My contraceptive implant has only been deactivated for seven weeks. Can I be pregnant already? Guess I need to make an appointment with my gynecologist.

She hurried just a bit, wanting to get dressed and downstairs for breakfast with the children and, of greater importance, her leannán. If I really am pregnant, it'll be Harley's first child… or, will it be twins? No! Not again, I hope… once was enough; although I love both of Kenneth's beautiful children with all my heart, I really don't want to spend the final couple of months of any future pregnancy with a pair inside me, kicking my liver and using my bladder for a pillow.

She chuckled softly at the thoughts warming her soul while turning the water off and grabbing a towel. Thinking, Can't wait to share with Harley… and Violet… but I'm gonna wait until my doctor confirms my feelings. I'd hate to get their hopes up, only to have them let down by my erroneous calculations. She blotted the moisture from her skin, then used a smaller towel to dry her hair. As it was Saturday, she pulled a pair of worn jeans and a dark blue T'Sere logo sweatshirt on over panties, bra and undershirt; a pair of wool socks completed her ensemble. After a quick glance at her image in the mirror, she opened the door, descended the stairs and strolled nonchalantly to the kitchen.

She approached Harley – sitting at the table with his back to the door – and embraced him by reaching over his shoulders and across his chest with her arms. He turned his head towards her and received his good morning kiss… just a peck on the forehead, since he was eating breakfast. "Good morning, my darling husband." Sliding her hands lovingly along his muscular torso as she straightened up, she gave his shoulders a hard squeeze, then moved to sit at her usual place on his right; a plate full of scrambled eggs, shredded potatoes, sausages and toasted bread – accompanied by a mug of freshly brewed coffee – appeared as if by magic. Violet Sweeney, hand on her hip with an elbow jutting out to the side, grinned, "Good mornin' tae ye, Missus. How'd ye sleep?"

Gabby grinned back at her housekeeper – and dear friend – as she greeted Malcolm and Belle, seated on Harley's left side and nearly done with their meals. "I slept as I always do when my husband is home, Missus Sweeney." She darted a sidelong glance at Harley while continuing, "Wrapped up in his arms while listening to his heartbeat? It's like a little slice of heaven."

"As it shuid be, Missus… as it shuid be! It's juist a pity he's nae 'ere wi' ye while th' week." Raising her hands in apology for her implied criticism, she looked at Harley while adding, "And, Ah ken how come ye hae tae return tae yer base, Commander. Ah juist wish it weren't halfway aroond th' world fae hame 'n' hearth."

Harley shrugged his shoulders with his smiling reply. "As do I, Violet. But if the military has taught me anything, it's that my next assignment, in a different location, is just down the road. I won't be assigned to the Villa forever, and hopefully, my next assignment will be someplace a lot closer to home. Just have to be patient, is all."

"That would make me happy as well, m'love," Gabby said between mouthfuls of eggs and hash browns. She bit into a corner of jam-covered toast and chewed as she thought about their shared future together… a future that she believed in her heart would shortly include another child.

Medical Office of Doctor DC, MacKinnon, Edinburgh – 0915, 14 November 2193

Gabby had driven her Turian designed and manufactured Esquiran sport shuttle here from her home in the suburb of Lochend. Following Harley's middle of Sunday night departure for the Vila Militar in Rio, she had called and made an appointment as soon as the doctor's office opened; she felt fortunate to be able to meet with Doctor MacKinnon so soon, as the doctor was usually beyond busy. Feeling too keyed up to simply sit and wait, she wandered the edges of the waiting area and studied the several paintings and certificates hanging on the walls; two of the framed certificates caught her attention. Deidre Caitrìona MacKinnon had graduated with honors from Edinburgh Medical College, then went on to put in the six years of study required to become an obstetrician and gynecologist. Ever since her first appointment here as a new patient, Doctor MacKinnon had always made Gabby feel special.

The inner door opened, allowing an assistant to lean out and call her name: "Gabriella? The doctor will see you now."

With a stoic sigh – why do I always feel so nervous before a doctor's appointment? came the thought – she moved to the door and followed the white-coated aide into one of several exam rooms lining the passageway. Before taking a seat on the indicated chair, she stood on the platform just inside the door so her weight could be recorded, then watched without comment as the young woman waved her activated omnitool along her arms and chest to take blood pressure, heart-rate and body temperature readings. Tasks complete, the aide transferred her findings to Gabby's record while telling her, "Doctor MacKinnon will be right with you, Gabriella."

A bit surprised that she hadn't been asked to disrobe for a more thorough physical exam, Gabby settled back in the chair for what she feared would be a protracted wait; she was pleasantly surprised in just less than five minutes, when a double tap on the door was followed by Doctor MacKinnon entering the room.

"Good morning, Gabriella." The doctor, a trim and fit woman in her mid-forties, smiled as Gabby stood to greet her. Taking a seat on a low stool on wheels, she referred to the large datapad she held as she asked, "So, what brings you in to see me today, my dear? A few months early for your yearly checkup, aye?"

Gabby responded with a grin. "You deactivated my implant a month or so ago, Doc." Placing her hand on a cocked hip, she stated in a mock-accusatory tone of voice, "I would think you'd have some idea as to why I'm here this morning. My period is late… by a week, at least, so I need you to tell me if I'm pregnant."

Deidre chuckled good naturedly as she moved her stool closer to Gabby. Activating her omnitool, she said, "Take a seat and open your thighs, Gabby. This will only take a few seconds."

MacKinnon pressed the palm of her hand against Gabby's lower abdomen, just above her pubes; after moving her hand slightly left and right, she paused, pressed a bit harder and, after a few moments, pulled her hand back, transferred her omnitool's readings to the datapad, then deactivated the device as she grinned at her patient. "You and your husband have successfully conceived a bairn, Gabriella. Congratulations!" Cocking her head, she added, "Looks like you have about thirty-six weeks to think aboot names."

Even though she had been expecting to have her feelings confirmed, receiving verification from her doctor was still a bit surprising. Gabby continued to grin, especially at her pronunciations of a few words that reminded her of the woman's Scottish heritage; it made her feel comfortable… warm, to have a doctor whose speech reminded her just a bit of Violet Sweeney. All this went through her mind in a heartbeat before she said, "I have just two questions for you, then. When will you be able to tell me the baby's gender; and of greater importance, given my history, how soon will you know whether or not we've been blessed with twins?"

"It'll be ten-ta-twelve weeks afore we'll be able to learn if you're carrying twins, Gabriella; between eighteen and twenty-two weeks afore I kin determine gender." With a slight chuckle, MacKinnon continued, "We'll set up a schedule for you to come in for regular checkups, m'dear. Och, and I should probably have the names and contact information for your previous OB/GYN doctors. It'll be helpful for me to review their records of your pregnancy with, and delivery of, Malcolm and Annabelle.

Gabby thought for a moment before responding. "Doctor Kathryn Walsh was my obstetrician on the CGC; her office was quite close to the Alliance-run propulsion lab there. On Thessia, I was a guest of Captain Samantha Shepard and Lady Liara T'Soni at their Armali estate. Staff Doctor Alyna T'Lori took excellent care of me during my stay… she should still have my records."

Doctor MacKinnon made a few notes, then scrolled through Gabby's records on her datapad. "I see you're employed as a propulsion engineer by a small starship manufacturer on Thessia, but your insurance appears to be through the Systems Alliance… is that correct?"

"That's correct, Doctor. Harley's assignment is not without its dangers… he wants the peace of mind that comes from knowing I'll be taken care of should the unthinkable happen… like what happened with the twins' father."

"I read about that, Gabby… and I'm so sorry for your loss."

Gabby shook her head slightly at the instant feelings of loss that welled up from deep inside. "Had I not become pregnant, I would have been standing beside him at my duty station when that missile struck the Normandy… ship's captain performed the marriage ceremony for us right before she transferred me off the frigate, August 2188. There was no way in 'ell Spectre Williams was going to allow me to remain aboard an Alliance warship while I was pregnant." She added with a slight, self-deprecating shake of her head, "I'd be lying beside him in the cold clay of the Portobello Cemetery annex if I had remained on that frigate. Kenneth getting me pregnant was a priceless gift, Doctor. He unknowingly saved my life."

MacKinnon added a couple of notes to the datapad, then transferred several files to her omnitool. "I feel certain your foremaist pregnancy taught you how to take care of yourself, Gabriella." Waving a hand through the haptic interface of her omnitool caused Gabby's to self-activate, then power down after several seconds. "The files you just received outline everything you need to ken, and there's a list of dietary restrictions I would like for you to begin observing today."

Gabby chuckled ruefully. "Helluva time for me to get pregnant, Doctor. My 38th birthday is next Wednesday; then there's Christmas and New Year's celebrations." Another chuckle. "Looks like I've enjoyed my last mug of coffee and wee dram of Highland Park 18 until next August or so, not to mention having to abstain from enjoying the occasional half-liter of Tennent's."

Deidre studied Gabby with an amused expression. "I'm sorry your diet restrictions will prevent you from enjoying your favorite refreshments, particularly during the summer months, but don't forget… it was your choice to have me turn your implant off in early October. Perhaps waiting four months would have worked out better for you." With a slight chuckle, she rose from her stool and offered, "All I can say is birthing a healthy bairn will be well worth the sacrifices."

Gabby stood from her chair as the doctor opened the door. "My assistant will set up a schedule for your prenatal visits, Gabriella." She extended a hand. "Congratulations, to you and your guidman. I look forward to seeing you again in about four weeks."