It's finally here my lovely people! The last last chapter of this story. I hope you enjoyed this journey of discovering Garrus and Dani as much as I have. I've had a lot of requests asking me to continue the lives of this couple in a new story. I'm really sorry to disappoint you guys, but I don't see that happening. This really was Dani's story, a story of self-discovery and acceptance (and of course a healthy dose of steamy sex mixed in ;-) ) I watched her grow from a shy young woman with a lot of potential but very low self-esteem, to a woman with confidence because she found acceptance and love. I'm afraid that putting her in another story would just turn it bland and one of so many others. At the moment, this one is different for me and holds a very special place in my heart. Also, I'm busy with other things and can't really find the right mind-set and energy to come up with something else. So, enjoy the conclusion of this story, as Garrus and Dani embark on a new story... the start of their life together. Oh the lyrics of the wedding song I blatantly copied from the awesomeness that is Defiance xD. It is so not mine! Created and performed by Bear McCreary and Raya Yarbrough.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
Now that the cat was out of the bag, they decided to go for a simple ceremony to be held just a few days later. With the Collector base destroyed, everyone had lives to get back to, trying to get ready for the Reapers' arrival the best they could. But right now, all their friends were still here, able and more than happy to celebrate the union of two people deeply in love.
The planning of the ceremony became something of a joint venture. Miranda insisted on helping Dani choose her wedding dress.
The suit for Garrus was a bit of a moot point since turians were not exactly known for their sense of fashion or variety in formal clothing.
"The downside of a militaristic culture," he had explained while softly nibbling a sensitive spot in her neck. "Humans have us beat in variety of formal wear."
Tali wanted to handle the flower arrangements and threatened to use her shotgun on anyone who tried to steal that job away from her. Jack was disappointed when Dani refused to have Garrus' profile tattooed on her back, though it did give Dani a different idea. Jack grinned when Dani told her what she had in mind.
To make it official for them both, they decided to ask both a turian Primarch and a human officiant representing Earth government to officiate the ceremony. She asked Shepard to give her away, but he disappointed her by saying he already agreed to be Garrus' best man and that someone else had claimed the role. When she asked who, Shepard wouldn't say.
According to turian tradition, the exchange of vows would be made in presence of a turian Primarch after which the wedding contract would be signed by them, officiated by the Primarch. Then they would simply sign a registry to officially seal the deal according to Earth standards.
It would just be a simple ceremony, celebrated with friends. This was not the time for a lavish wedding. Still, Dani was not completely oblivious to the numerous hints dropped by Garrus that, once the galaxy was safe, and assuming they'd survive the Reaper threat, he did intend to do it right. The whole parade, the whole sha-bang, complete with friends and family and an elaborate celebration.
The day before the wedding, Jack kidnapped Dani and Garrus was hauled away by Shepard and Joker. With a pang of nerves, uncertainty and a lot of dread, Dani realized she would only see Garrus again at the ceremony.
Dani had no idea what the men had in store for Garrus, but her girls night out, or bachelorette party as Miranda called it, involved a lot of booze, wild music and dancing. She quickly found out she sucked at it all, to the great hilarity of the girls. They teased her, saying she was even worse then Shepard. Dani just smiled. Since she'd never seen Shepard dance, she couldn't make a proper judgement.
She had shocked all of her friends when they realized what she would do before the start of the party and Dani was scared she was about to trample on some sacred traditions seeing their shocked expressions. It made her so nervous that she was ready to abandon to entire project, but Jack dragged her back, saying she was doing this anyway. Her other friends were quick to assure her she'd just surprised them and there was nothing wrong with what she planned to do.
And just like that, it was time to go to sleep. The night before the wedding. She was alone, lying in her old room, worried about what was to come. She couldn't sleep for she was too nervous, too excited and her face hurt like hell.
It was a silly thought, but somehow Dani felt that the next morning, she would leave her old identity behind and emerge as a new person. She wasn't sorry about it. Dani Pryde would cease to exist to make place for Dani Vakarian. She had decided quickly and adamantly that she would take his last name. Pryde meant very little to her. It was just a name someone else had chosen for her and it reminded her of a time she longed to put behind her.
Though the past would forever remain the past, Dani did feel that in becoming Dani Vakarian, she could finally put the demons of Dani Pryde to rest.
"You little bitch! Go outside and dig your own grave! I don't care if you die. You were never really here in the first place."
The words were just a hollow echo of a time long past, the past of a person who was slowly slipping away.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Tomlinson," Dani whispered. "You can no longer hurt me. I finally found peace."
Just before the ceremony. Dani trembled as Kasumi helped her in her dress. It was a simple off-white dress made from the softest silk; no decorative sequins or laces, just plain silk satin of the highest quality, accentuated with just a hint of small pearls.
What made Dani tremble was the very revealing nature of the dress. The smooth fabric hugged every curve of her body and it left her back completely bare. There were two decorative pins resting on her shoulders from which the fabric softly draped in a modest cowl at the front of the gown. From the same two pins, more fabric flowed down her back in a cowl as well. Kasumi had sworn Garrus would love the dress. It's bare back merely served to accentuate the beautiful curve of her hips, something Kasumi swore was a 'thing' with the turians.
Dani just hoped the pins would hold. Well, at least Garrus wouldn't have to fumble with rows of buttons, she mused. Just a tug at the pins and the gown would pool around her feet.
Her hair was piled on her head, pinned down in intricate braids and curls.
Kasumi was about to put the small veil in place when suddenly someone entered the antechamber.
"Are you ready, Dani?"
The words were softly spoken, gentle, but Dani stiffened when she recognized the voice.
She turned around, very slowly and looked up to face the man who had exerted such influence in the past years of her life.
Her mask firmly in place, she didn't blink or flinch when she saw the gasp of shock and surprise fleetingly twist his features.
"What are you doing here?" Dani asked, wary of the man standing in front of her while Kasumi quickly pinned the small veil in her hair. When she was done, she immediately vanished with a crackle and sparks.
"When I learnt of your intentions, I asked Shepard to leave the honor of giving you away to me."
"You? You are the one to give me away? I thought you'd want to stop the whole thing!" Dani asked, very much surprised. When she looked up at David Anderson, she noticed the soft look in his chocolate eyes, perhaps tainted with a tinge of . . . what, regret, remorse?
"You know, you may not believe me, but . . . I've always considered you family. You're he closest I will ever come to having a daughter. I understand now how I've utterly failed you. Not only was I not there for you, when you were growing up, I failed to recognize you when I had the chance. I always saw what was different and weird and never stopped once to see the beauty of you, your beautiful mind and soul. I'm sorry, more than words can ever convey, for all the wrongs I did you."
"You had a chance to help me through hell, but instead you let me believe Garrus was dead."
"I know. I now know that was a terrible mistake. If I could turn back the clock . . . I'm sorry kiddo."
"Well," Dani started, taking a step forward. "Because of you, I did get to meet Garrus. Even though I hated you at the time, I guess I should thank you now. You . . . aren't here to stop us?"
David smiled at her and when he reached out his hand to softly caress the veil concealing her face, Dani willed herself not to reel back from his touch.
"No. Garrus Vakarian may not be human but, he is a fine man. You've done good, child. I'm grateful he saw the you I never did. That Shepard did too. I knew it was a good thing to place you on the Normandy.
"I agree with you completely. In both accounts," Dani said quietly.
"If it's any consolation, though they are not here . . . Dr. Torque and Alex Wright send their best wishes. Dr. Torque . . . He confessed his motives for taking you in his care had never been entirely selfless. He gave you up in defeat, but wanted you back when you had made such a progress on the Normandy. And when he found out his body guard had developed feelings for you . . . he saw it as an opportunity to keep you with them."
"So, Kasumi had been right all along," Dani could feel her eyes stinging with tears. She tried to sniff them back as she didn't want to ruin Kasumi's so carefully applied make-up.
"Was there a moment they really cared for me at all?" She couldn't help it, her voice was breaking.
"Dani," David said to her softly. "You may not see this now, but they did love you. A lot. Dr. Torque just allowed himself to be blinded by the prospect of money and Alex just fell in love with you and did what he did to keep you close. They regret their actions, both of them."
Dani took a deep breath. It was time to let go, time to forgive. "Tell them. . . I forgive them and I will think of them, always. And you, will you do me the pleasure of giving me away to my husband to be?"
"Nothing would make me happier." David smiled down at her and offered her his arm which she took beaming up at him.
They left the small room and when they appeared under the large arch of the ceremonial room, the tunes of an ancient quarian wedding song set in.
On each side of the isle, people she knew and cared for were lined up and each threw a small sprig before her feet. Liara and Samara had explained this was an Asari custom, the sprig being the promise of a new life together, bringing with it the promise of new life as well. Well, maybe not in her and Garrus case, but. . . there were other options. . . if they ever decided they wanted to walk down that road. The thought made her blush.
Her friends broke out in a reverent song as she walked down the isle.
"Kyuro thulya ksa omaspa no. Shiranje yenjitso oraya me rona"
Dani smiled hearing some of them singing horribly off key, but the thought how much effort was put in all this, it filled her heart with warmth.
Her eyes fixed on Garrus who slowly turned around from his position. He'd been lying through his large pointy teeth, playing down his formal wear. He looked absolutely magnificent in his black and white sharply tailored dress suit!
She bit her lip when she saw his features held a same shocked expression. His mandibles were twitching in ways she'd never seen before. She could almost feel her skin glow while he was taking in her appearance.
And suddenly there was no more isle to walk down. Garrus raised his hand and David placed her hand on his.
"Yesterday I looked upon Deanaderia Pryde and she was a child. Today I bring her, now a woman, and entrust her to your care. Tomorrow and all days after, the woman - as your bond mate - will share your life, always."
The turian Primarch then proceeded to ask Garrus if he was willing to take upon him the responsibility of the life that was now entrusted in his care and he asked Dani if she excepted Garrus as her bond mate for life. When they agreed, the Primarch began the ceremony.
Their hands were joined together with a silky and gold-threaded rope while the Primarch droned on about duty, responsibility and a lot of other stuff Dani couldn't concentrate on. All she she saw was the love blazing in Garrus' eyes, all she felt was her hand enveloped in his and all she heard was the blood rushing through her veins.
When she felt Garrus lightly squeeze her hand and she heard people in the room chuckle, she realized she was about to screw up her own wedding ceremony. The Primarch was waiting patiently and she saw Garrus carefully form the word 'vows' with his mouth.
Right!
"I've never been good with people," Dani started. "Even now, I tremble, afraid I'll mess this up and say things wrong. For once, I . . . want things to go right. There are no words in existence that can convey how much I love you. So, instead, I have a wish. It's from Earth and I. . . I remembered.
"May you never steal, lie or cheat. But if you must steal, then steal kisses from my lips, if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life, and if you must cheat, then please cheat death because I cannot live a day without you."
Dani could hear a quiet sob from somewhere behind her and Garrus' mandibles briefly flared in a show of happiness. At least, she assumed that's what it was.
Then it was Garrus' turn.
"I ah, I'm not too good with words. Never have been. So ah, we make quite pair in that regard, I guess . . . I um – I tried to put something together, for you, but somehow all words just seem to fail. All I know is this . . . I love you and I always will.
"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. My love is plain and straightforward, without complexity or pride. I love you because I know no other way, than this: where I does not exist, nor you. So close that your hand on my chest is my hand. So close that your eyes close as I fall asleep."
With that the turian ceremony was pretty much over, but when the Primarch untied their hands he told Garrus, according to the very old Earth tradition, he could now kiss his bride.
The moment was there. Dani's heart was thrumming in her throat. What would he think? Was it really okay what she had done? A sudden fear threatened to overcome her and she had to steel herself, force herself not to cringe when Garrus lifted the small veil from her face.
She could tell the exact moment he noticed. He gasped audibly and actually reeled back in shock, the veil drifting down from his hand. Not only Garrus was shocked into silence, the Primarch as well as he let the heavy ceremonial tome drop from his hands with a loud thud.
"You, you did this?" Garrus stammered, fumbling for words. "That's – it's . . . why?" He finally asked quietly. "Why would you. . ."
Dani could feel her insides tremble, now feeling very sorry for her impulsive decision. She knew what it meant for her, but she never stopped once to think what it might mean for Garrus.
"I – um, you don't wear a ring, I mean. . . turians don't," she started with a small voice. "I thought, I don't know, this could be yours. Was I . . . was I wrong, to do this?"
Garrus slowly lifted his hand and gently traced her cheek with his finger.
"No," he softly said, barely on a whisper. "I . . . I'm honored that you um, decided to make this, or us actually, so. . . visible. I never thought that you . . . Spirits, you have no idea how much I love you! Dammit, come here and let the whole galaxy see you are mine!"
Dani smiled through her tears, hearing the adoration in his voice. Garrus pulled her to his side, completely forgot to kiss her, and with a booming voice, dripping with love and pride, introduced her as Dani Vakarian. . . his wife and bond mate.
When she looked up to look over her guests, she heard sounds of shock and surprise, but also the gleeful whoops of her friends.
She knew the reason for all this commotion. The idea had come to her when Jack had mentioned the tattoo of Garrus' profile. She had went and gotten a tattoo of his blue markings instead. His clan markings. Smack- dab in the middle of her face, exactly where they belonged.
All guests filed in a line to wish them luck, happiness and prosperity. Some even handed them gifts.
They shook hands, smiles etched painfully on their faces and all Dani wanted was to return to the Normandy with her newly wed husband. Thinking of Garrus as her husband, or bond mate, made her heart flutter with giddy joy.
When they stepped outside of the building, their friends already ahead of them, an unexpected figure suddenly appeared in front of them.
Dani felt the arm she was holding freeze while her own knuckles tensed and her fingers dug deeply in the wiry tissue beneath them.
"You!" Garrus hissed. There was so much hate and menace emanating from that one word, even Dani could feel her knees buckle.
"I should kill you. . . right here and right now, for all you – " Garrus breathed hard, couldn't even finish his sentence.
"I . . . I had a lot of time. . . To think about what I did and the things I've said," Ashley Williams said, standing before them without that air of self-rightesnous. Her words, for once, lacked all the venom they used to and actually sounded sincere.
"I know you won't believe me when I –"
"Damn straight we won't!" Garrus growled, but relaxed when Dani squeezed his arm. This was their wedding day. If she was able to forgive Anderson, Dr. Torque and Alex. . . they could at least hear this woman out.
"I wanted you gone, Dani," Ashley confessed. "I don't know why, I just. . . hated you from the moment I layed eyes on you. When I finally realized I was just . . . jealous as hell. . . It was too late. I had already struck a deal with the devil. I just wanted you away, Dani. Please, believe me, I – I never meant any harm to come to you. I just thought you'd be forced to work somewhere else."
Garrus remained silent this time. Dani knew he would stand by her, no matter what she would say.
"I know, Ashley," she finally said. "But I am glad to hear it from your own lips."
At her words, Ashley visibly relaxed, she just kept a wary eye on Garrus.
"So, you and Vakarian huh?" Ashley started awkwardly. "Strange, but I guess I always saw that one coming. Just, sorry I was so less than gracious about it. I do wish you happiness. . . the both of you."
She hesitated for a moment, then turned around to leave.
"Wait!" Dani called after her. It made her stop dead in her tracks and slowly Ashley turned around, astonishment etched in her face.
"We um, we just got married. . . Obviously," Dani started clumsily. "There's no party planned but. . . well, let's just say I wouldn't put it past Joker if he did have something up his sleeve. . . aboard the Normandy. Would you care to . . . join us?"
Ashley just gaped at her, then to Garrus, then back to Dani again.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "I mean, I wouldn't presume that. . ."
"We are sure, Ashley. That goes for me too," Garrus awknowledged Dani's invitation.
Ashley smiled carefully at them.
"Well, in that case . . . bring it on!"
When they returned to the Normandy and some guests had to get over the shock of seeing Ashley Williams with them, Garrus – to the great hilarity of everyone present – insisted on carrying Dani over the threshold. Unfortunately, he forgot this was meant to be done bridal style so he flung her over his shoulder instead.
Inside, as Dani expected, Joker had managed to setup a 'small' party. A party that went on and on for hours with a lot of booze, music, jokes and snogging involved.
"So, Mr. and Mrs. Vakarian," Shepard suddenly approached them, a huge smile nearly splitting his face in half.
"About three years ago, who knew where this would all lead, no? I can still remember those first few weeks you were here, Dani," Shepard said with a grin.
"Yes, well let's not bring that all up, shall we? Like you said, it's a long time ago, I've changed."
Garrus laughed when Dani stuck out her tongue at Shepard.
"I seem to remember," Shepard teased. "You always found some kind of excuse to flee whenever Garrus here was around."
"Yes, yes . . . Let's make fun of the time I was scared to death of him and laugh at the irony that now I'm married to him," Dani said and made a face.
Tali suddenly appeared next to them.
"So, what's next? You now going to settle down and be a respectable, responsible turian?" she asked.
"Not if I can help it," Garrus muttered. "We still have some Reapers to kick out of this galaxy, when they arrive that is. And Shepard needs my help, I mean . . . he's so clueless without me, he might accidentaly blow up a mass relay!"
Zaeed broke out in a full guffaw. "When it comes to this sumbitch, I wouldn't be surprised if he did manage to pull a stunt like that!"
Dani was smiling, seeing her friends having fun. . . Grunt was getting more drunk by the minute. Jacob and Miranda were dancing, very intimately, Kasumi was flitting around the place like a bug on ten cups of coffee, Thane and Samara were enjoying a deep conversation and Jack was comparing biotic abilities with Liara. Even Ashley seemed to be enjoying herself and was caught – much to everyone's surprise – chatting with Mordin. Since both did posess a bit of a ruthless character, it probably shouldn't be that surprising. Well, except for the fact that Ashley did use to harbor an abhorrence for aliens.
Suddenly Kasumi appeared right between Jacob and Miranda, very effectively breaking them apart.
"Oeh Jacob," she cooed. "Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"
Dani's eyes snapped to Kasumi and just caught how Jacob desperately tried to cover his 'happy' state. Her mouth formed a big 'O' when the penny, after three years, finally dropped.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" she exclaimed while Shepard and co. started to laugh their heads off. Of course, the newbies like Thane, Samara and Zaeed were quickly brought up to speed so they too could join in the fun.
Dani however, was not so amused.
"You can have a look at my gun any time of the week. . . Really, Garrus?" she yelled.
Garrus could merely shrug his shoulders in helpless laughter.
"Please, Dani. . . sweetie, love of my life. . . I can explain!"
"I just bet you can!" Dani fumed. "And all the times I . . . Oh, I just hate you right now!"
Before she got a chance to continue her rant, Garrus pulled her to him and silenced her with a deep kiss. At first she wanted to resist him, feeling humiliated and insulted as she did, but all that started to fade as they gave way to other feelings.
Wolf whistles erupted from all around them. A little human quirk that the entire galaxy seemed to have picked up.
"Looks like they will be busy tonight," Zaeed said with a devious smirk. "I'm pretty sure Garrus has a gun or two he'd like to show her and I bet you my life they need a lot of calibrating!"
Laughter erupted again, but Dani and Garrus couldn't care less. Without breaking their kiss, they both just raised a hand and flipped him the bird. Garrus did it a bit awkwardly because he had, you know, just two digits and a thumb. Still, the meaning was clear and started a new round of hilarity and laughter.
With the past now well behind her, Dani felt her life was now just beginning . . . a new life with Garrus. And, even with the imminent threat of a Reaper invasion looming over them, Dani could only feel blessed that someone, after all, had managed to see past her mask anyway. Just like Bellicus had with Shalei.
"We're all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love." ― Robert Fulghum, True Love
