Shepard had expected death to be quieter than this, and for her stomach to hurt less; it felt like something solid was jamming into it. Breathing was difficult because of this but surely if she was dead then she would not need to fight for air at all?

She could hear shouting a little way beyond her. She was sure her eyes were open but all she could see was black. She was so uncomfortable and almost unbearably hot. Something was trickling down her face too. She could not move at all. Perhaps this was hell, Shepard thought.

There was a huge clanging overhead and then sun light burst through to her so she had to half close her eyes from its blinding light. She felt a shadow pass over her and carefully opened them again. Miranda, with tears in her eyes, was smiling down at her.

"Didn't think you'd get out of wedding planning that easily, did you?" Miranda asked.

"Is it over?" Shepard croaked happily.

"It's really just the beginning." Miranda winked, and bent down to give her a quick kiss as though to confirm Shepard really was alive below her, while the soldiers got to work on pulling Shepard free.

Shepard was taken to a nearby medical shelter for emergency surgery before she was flown out of the decimated London to an actually operational hospital in Canada. She had needed a hysterectomy and splenectomy due to her abdominal wounds and had many broken bones. Miranda stayed by her side for the entire time and often harassed the medical staff- Shepard figured it was her right given that she was the one who had rebuilt her in the first place and she carefully monitored the cybernetic implants to make sure they were still doing their job. Shepard urged her several times to leave to get some rest but Miranda always refused and had stolen a hospital bed for herself to sleep next to Shepard every night. Shepard soon gave up fighting her for she could never truly resist the opportunity to be with Miranda.

It was strange to be in one place for so long after touring the galaxy for so many years. The hospital was nice and bright so it was a soothing environment to rest her broken bones but it still took some adjustment to get used to. It was even more surreal by how everybody treated her. Some of the nurses were too shy to even talk to her and others flat out adored her. Shepard suspected that was another reason Miranda would see it as necessary to not leave her side. Shepard was pleased that she could feel annoyed at this treatment. It was a relief to only have to worry about silly things like how people thought of her rather than to be staring down reapers. She did not enjoy being made out to be a hero. Everyone who had fought or offered aid in some way had played a significant part.

Kahlee Sanders visited Shepard as soon as she was settled in the hospital in Vancouver. Shepard struggled to relive the story of David Anderson's final moments. Miranda stayed with her the entire time, holding Shepard's hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze when Shepard had to pause because it was all so much to go through. She felt that she was partly to blame for his death; not for firing the shot but for the war effort taking so long. She was also hounded by regret that for months she had been out of contact with him and had felt abandoned when he did not trust her while she worked with Cerberus. She had been so focussed on the fight with the collectors back then that she suspected that at times she had shut herself off from the people she should have made greater effort with. As soon as somebody had turned their backs on her, she turned hers and did not trouble herself to think what that might lead to.

Sanders thanked Shepard for being with Anderson at the end and she returned to the academy and made sure it was once again a safe space for all young people who needed extra guidance and stability in this life. Many people did not get the resolutions in life they had longed for at the close of the war. They had lost loved ones and had little left but regret and grief. Shepard admired Sanders for her dedication to her students but she knew that she must be in agony over the loss of David.

What was left of David Anderson's body was collected and there was a hero's funeral in his honour. Thousands of people turned up, most flooded onto the streets - Alliance and non -Alliance people, humans and other races - to pay their respects to a man who had risked his life hundreds of times over to try to protect the galaxy. He had touched all of their lives in some way. He had helped secure peace but he had also been well respected and well liked by almost all who met him. He'd had seen Saren for what he was in the very beginning, had been arguably screwed over and should have been a spectre and yet he never let his will be shaken. He was still dedicated to serving when many would have questioned why. He had always been stoic to Shepard. She had followed his orders so many times. He had been a mentor and a friend. He had given her all of the lessons she had needed to be able to become a spectre and then to help her navigate her fight alongside Cerberus with the collectors. Without his guidance and influence she would not be the soldier she was. As she watched the vids from his funeral parade, she wondered now what a galaxy without Anderson would be like and how she would manage without knowing he was there in the background always waiting for a chance to help.

After the funeral of Anderson, Admiral Steven Hackett finally retired from the Alliance. He was done with fighting and with the politics and wanted a quiet space in this galaxy to enjoy it with his family - a concept that Shepard could appreciate. Besides, she didn't know what had been tougher for Hackett: working with the council so closely or battling the reapers.

The Illusive Man did not get the same tribute as Anderson and his remains were burnt with no ceremony. This made Shepard uneasy as if it hadn't been for him then the collectors would have handed the galaxy to the reapers on a plate. The Illusive Man was a lot of things, and few of them were good, but his story should be known and he had played his part in the war for both sides of the conflict.

EDI's death haunted Shepard. She had told Miranda that the nightmares would stop once the war was over but she was wrong; now she had more deaths to dream about but she did not wake up in the cold sweat of dread over what tomorrow would bring when they jolted her from her sleep. Still, she missed EDI dearly and was unsure as to how she would be able to face Joker again when he knew what she had chosen.

Few people did know what had happened in the catalyst; Shepard had told Miranda what had happened and then had no desire to ever speak of it again. Miranda had told the Normandy crew and left it to that because they were the only ones who either of them felt had a right to know.

However, when Joker did rock up, the day after her surgery and just before she was moved to Vancouver, he was full of smiles. Shepard was most nervous by this but at the look of confusion on her face, Miranda revealed that Tali had agreed to start work on restoring EDI. A lot of technology had been destroyed, including the mass relays, but not all. The reapers couldn't undo all the advances they'd made but had merely set them back a bit and Tali was the best engineer either of them knew and Sam was giving a hand too. Within two months EDI was fully restored. There was a tense few seconds while Sam, Tali and Joker waited to see whether she recognised them.

"A pilot, a quarian and a robot fetishist walk into a bar..." EDI quipped but she did not get to finish whatever line she had come up with as Joker had pulled her into a hug and Sam and Tali danced around wildly- they had not improved their moves since the party in Anderson's old apartment.

EDI fully understood and agreed with Shepard's conclusion. The reapers could never be trusted and it was the only solution that guaranteed peace. EDI was also as ambivalent about the prospect of synthesis as Shepard was. Altering billions of identities without their consent would be unimaginable but EDI also hesitated upon why it was viewed as a good thing. Some identities and lives will always be different and many beings will think and function in different ways but that is not a bad thing. What matters is the galaxy learning to see the beauty in that idea and embracing it.

The mass relays took fourteen months to restore. The plans for them were saved and it was just a case of a simple rebuild which was more than possible, even if it took time, as they had all proven their capabilities by building the crucible while the reapers waged war. The reapers should never have under estimated them. They had the relays for centuries and in that time had studied them closely and how dark energy was harnessed. Their progress now could be set back but it could never be stopped.

Joker returned to the Normandy, with EDI, where they still remain today, working for the Alliance on operations to target those who wish to destabilise the new and beautiful peace that has embraced the galaxy.

Tali'Zorah vas Normandy surprised everybody by stepping down from the admiralty board almost as soon as the war ended. She'd had enough of bickering politicians to last her a lifetime and wanted nothing more than to do her pilgrimage properly this time. She credited Miranda for this decision; saying that she had been inspired by Miranda standing up to her father and carving her own path in life. It was a touching moment for the two. Perhaps it is harder in life to get on with those who are most similar to ourselves rather than different. In Tali's last speech as an admiral, she urged the quarians to rebuild the geth and live side by side on Rannoch in peace.

Shepard never expected the quarians to listen but she had been jaded by too many years of being surrounded by politicians who were entrenched in cynicism and self interest. The quarians had known peace for mere weeks with the geth and it was hard to believe they would risk it by rebuilding them after so many centuries of suspicion and hatred. However, they did rebuild. It was a process which took five years due to how complex the geth are but they were reborn, and Legion was honoured as the one who was able to bring about this brave new Rannoch.

Tali left for her pilgrimage which lasted a year but she managed to keep up her new relationship with Garrus even with her travels.

Garrus Vakarian had proved as loyal as ever and when he first visited Shepard he made a joke about how it was unfair she still didn't have scars to match his and then apologised for abandoning her. This was completely unneeded and Shepard was just glad he was okay. Garrus became one of the most beloved turians in their history which is something he found excruciatingly embarrassing. He flat out refused to sign any autographs.

Garrus had been proud to serve with Shepard through it all and always praised her as the best soldier and leader he had ever known. He has remained in close contact with her and Shepard found it down right hilarious when Garrus called her to say he was going for a slightly more quiet life, outside of any military forces, and was taking over as head of Illium Security which was where the new council was now based. Shepard was greatly amused but even she had to concede that technically he had stayed true to his word by that he never returned to c-sec. At least this way, Garrus was able to make up his own rules but he was far from that rough brash young turian Shepard had first met on the Citadel. He respected the value of all life (including hostages now, thankfully) but he still made sure there was less paperwork than when he worked on the Citadel.

The new council had a serving member from each of the races. Shepard had given one speech addressing what had happened and had used it to urge the galaxy to never forget how the lives of everyone were first threatened: by the divisions which were allowed to foster due to years of mistrust and racism. There had been some steps to unite the galaxy, although council meetings were often fraught. The batarians weren't the same threat as they had been as they had suffered huge losses but they still protested regularly against any council decision.

Shepard had also been asked for her recommendation for who should serve as the human councillor to replace Udina and she gave it gladly. Dr Karin Chakwas took up her place on the council and fought to improve health and education for all. Chakwas had been instrumental in the war for making sure refugees and the Citadel were taken care of and the medical situation was managed well -and this was on top of caring for all of the fighters on the Normandy who strayed into trouble so often. Shepard couldn't think of a worthier advocate for humanity or the galaxy.

Diana Allers had brought in whiskey to Shepard's hospital bedside to celebrate the victory and admitted she never expected Shepard to make it out of there. Allers became a news anchor on a major extranet network and was constantly asked about the inside scoop and gossip which she had been privy to on the Normandy. To her immense credit, she has never revealed anything of the personal dramas that she knew had gone on. She respected each of the crew mates as saviours of the galaxy, and as friends, and would not use them to further her career. However, she sometimes felt regret that the galaxy would never truly appreciate all that happened between Shepard and her crew and all that made them great.

Kasumi Goto quickly stripped the Alliance facility she had been stationed on before visiting Shepard and left with a few valuable souvenirs. Kasumi did find love again but she never exactly settled down. The life of crime was just too tempting for her and Shepard still enjoys her outrageous stories.

Samara returned to her justicar duties and informed the crew that they were all lucky she had taken the vow into Shepard's service fully into her heart as she had at least a dozen reasons why she should kill them all. She also went to spend time with her only remaining daughter, Reela, and together they rebuilt the monastery and urged the asari to embrace their genetic diversity and not hide it in shame. The ardat yakchi would always pose a threat but they needed research and support and not condemnation.

Kolyat Krios was able to secure investment in medical research and within two years Kepral's Syndrome was able to be cured. This meant hope for so many drell but Shepard read the news with some sadness, knowing it was too late to help her friend. She was glad that none would ever have to suffer the same pain her friend went through though and she knew Thane would be so proud of his son.

Zaeed Massani finally retired as a bounty hunter after the war, saying he was too goddamn old to still be doing that shit. He never left his love Jessie though, who still remains with him wherever he goes -as one nuisance neighbour discovered.

Urdnot Wrex did name his daughter after Mordin. He and Bakara made a good match as Mordin (the salarian) had predicted. While the krogan population grows, Bakara and Wrex spend their time making sure none forget the horrors of the genophage. There was peace in store for the krogan despite the bleakest predictions from those who saw the krogan only as savage killing machines. Tuchanka is now a land of green and temples.

Grunt became a decorated krogan solider and was entrusted with another company. His battles had become the stuff of krogan legend but he never failed to credit Shepard with guiding him during those early days, nor for the many enemies Shepard always provided.

Major Ashley Williams continued to serve with the Alliance as well as carrying out her duties as spectre. Her objectives focus mostly on disrupting terrorist groups who wish to disturb the peace and those who tried to sabotage attempts to bring back the geth. Ash has never completely got over her unease with synthetics but she works just as hard to protect them as well as any organic being. Shepard was proud of how far she had come since they had first met all of those years ago on Eden Prime. They remain close friends to this day, with Ashley regularly seeking advice from an amused Shepard who never fails to reassure her that she is long beyond the days of when she needed approval from her.

Lieutenant James Vega serves under Ashley and he married her just over three years ago. He was offered many promotions by the Alliance but turned each of them down. He had learnt that what he loved was working among a team. His own time leading a squad, and his time watching what Shepard was put through as leader, had made him abandon that old dream which was driven by ego and ambition for something that made him happy. Shepard had no doubt that he would make a great leader but she was proud of him for declining the positions and doing what he wanted to in life.

Steve Cortez still flies his shuttles and he has a new partner who he has just moved in with- a respected i-sec officer that Garrus had set him up with. Garrus is better at organising other people's dates than going on his own, as Tali will attest to. Steve's happy and plays biotic ball with James whenever they can. Shepard was glad that Steve could take back his own life after the death of Robert.

Jacob Taylor went into security himself, but on the facility where many ex Cerberus scientists now carry out research for the Alliance. Brynn gave birth to a baby girl and they called her Chloe. Mercifully, Jacob did manage to talk Brynn out of calling her Shepard. He also finally got round to proposing, but his plan of using the Citadel was obviously not possible. He settled for proposing on the roof of the highest sky scraper on Illium. It was all very fancy but Shepard still preferred her story of when Miranda screamed her proposal at her.

Jack stayed with her students and took a permanent job at the Academy. To everybody's great surprise a couple of years ago she revealed she'd entered a relationship with a certain comms specialist. She and Sam made a happy (and endearing) couple and they often visited Shepard and Miranda. Jack and Miranda had initially been set apart by their differences over Cerberus and further polarised by their love of Shepard. Ultimately, it was that shared love of the same woman which had brought about a grudging respect between the two in such dangerous and fraught times. Jack had moved on but too much had happened between them both for them ever really to call each other friends yet Shepard was pleased that they were able to put aside their differences at least for her sake.

Samantha Traynor left her post on the Normandy, grateful for all of the experiences and the friends she had made. She'd been vital to the war effort but was still as reluctant as ever to give herself any praise. Shepard never let her forget just how much she appreciated all that she had done though. Sam went on to work with the quarians and was vital to restoring the geth. She's now back in the lab for her day job but spends nights at Jack's place, although she requires multiple allergy tablets due to the fact Jack now has four varren.

Liara T'soni smashed her Intel stations as soon as the war was over, saying that nobody had the right to that much information. Liara had changed more than most since the mission to stop Saren. Her naivety had been completely shattered but she had not forgotten her passions in life. She went back to researching the protheans, although she kept Glyph with her. Liara said it was just handy to have around but Shepard knew that she had grown rather attached to the VI.

Javik stuck to his word. Once he saw the reapers defeated he returned to his own people and could finally rest in peace.

Each person had to decide what to do with the peace that was given to them. It was strange how so often those who shoulder the worst of times with complete bravery sometimes struggle with coping when peace arrives. This was the case with a few of the crew who didn't know how to go back to life once the fighting had stopped or how to deal with the deaths they had witnessed.

Joker struggled with the deaths of most of his family, but EDI helped guide him through that time. Tali, with the support of Garrus, has now given up alcohol all together when she did realise that it really could kill her. Miranda held it together best of all of them but there was one night Shepard comforted her as she cried over the death of the Illusive Man. He had given her a fresh chance away from her father, she had believed in him and Shepard knew how much it had hurt her to see him fall to the reapers control, even if she could not give into at the time because achieving their objective was more important.

They all struggled at times but they always remained together in their hearts and souls. They went off on different paths to make the most of their lives but those who survived always stayed in contact for they were connected by a unique bond. It was a connection that had seen them provide each other with cover in fire, that had seen them break down and comfort each other and have to witness the most horrendous and quietening sights together. It was a bond forged in the very worst of times but they would honour it and celebrate it through to the vest best of times. They would not be here today without each other.

Shepard recovered in six months. She was celebrated and revered but she wanted none of that. She merely asked that the galaxy work every day towards peace for this would be the greatest challenge of all in many ways. Too often in times where conflict is kept at bay, egos grow big and people forget the horrors of battle which means peace is threatened by complacency. Everybody every day needed to work together.

Shepard turned down any further titles or awards. She did not feel she was special- she merely did what she could. So many had fought and resisted too and had died yet would not be honoured the same way she was and she didn't like that. Each of those lives should be just as rejoiced and respected. She did insist that Miranda, Jacob and everybody who she worked with during her time at Cerberus were not merely pardoned but given awards and gratitude too for the galaxy owed them just as much. The council agreed but this was met with a cool response from Miranda, who never cared for anybody's approval anyway (and least of all politicians).

Shepard did not return to the Normandy. Shepard had seen too much of death and just wanted to spend the rest of her life with Miranda, as she had promised if she made it through the war. The days of chasing gun fire were well and truly behind her.

The Alliance tried to claim ownership of the Normandy but Miranda was having none of that - it was Shepard's. Cerberus had created it for her and as Cerberus were no more there could be no dispute over who owned it. Miranda crushed their arguments within a week and Shepard was free to do with her ship as she pleased. She gave her loyal ship to Ashley who now carries out her operations from the Normandy with Joker, EDI, James, Steve, Ken, Gabby (who is now a Donnolly) and Engineer Adams who have all remained.

Shepard and Miranda lived in an apartment for a few years and helped to lead rebuilding efforts as neither one of them desired to enter combat again, regardless of the fact that their slower ageing processes would mean they would still be capable fighters for many years yet. It was something both of them revelled in for they were building on hope and made sure that nobody was left behind.

Oriana Lawson did go into colony development, putting her degrees on hold so as to help in the post-war effort and making her sister enormously proud as she did so.

Once Miranda and Shepard felt that they had given their best to rebuilding efforts, they found a quiet spot of land in Vancouver where a stream ran through the bottom and set up a home there. The house itself was spacious with a huge floor plan and two stories. They did visit Sydney regularly and Miranda showed Shepard all of her old favourite places. In truth, neither one of them could truly give up their trouble shooting space diva ways (particularly when Garrus and Ashley kept calling asking for favours) but it was good to finally have one solid place to finally call home.

After three years Miranda tentatively told Shepard that she would quite like them to consider raising a child. Shepard agreed for she'd mellowed since everything that had happened and she didn't mind the idea that neither her or Miranda would have to go through labour pains. That said, she was still iffy about the idea of all the germs children carried.

They used both of their own DNA and then a surrogate. They are both now the parents of a bright and beautiful four year old son. Shepard was amazed that he looks so like Miranda and she absolutely adores him. The only strong resemblance he has to Shepard are his eyes for they are her exact shade of green. Shepard is also keen to take him to Sydney as much as possible to make sure he got Miranda's accent.

It was almost eight years since the war had ended and there was not a day that went by where Shepard did not think of all of the people she had worked alongside during that time. The turning of each sun cycle was marked by those who were absent. She wondered where the lives Kaidan, Mordin, Thane, Anderson and Legion might have led and whether they really could be watching over her now.

Shepard sat on the lounger in their back garden, soaking up the sun which was a blaze of orange as night would soon be setting in. There was a cool breeze in the air as autumn was beginning to close in: it was her favourite time of year.

She was then greeted with a charging four year old who launched himself at her.

"Mommy! Mommy! Blasto Buddy was amazing!"

Holly Jay Shepard had just come back from an afternoon spent at a play group and was clearly excited to tell his story. Shepard had begged Miranda for the name Holly and for some reason she had agreed after months of arguing that it was a ridiculous name. Shepard suspected that it was because of her very heartfelt story that when they had first danced together it had been to Buddy Holly as to why that name meant so much to her. Miranda soon got her own back though by adding 'Jay' and in her most tender moments referred to their son as her 'little jay bird'.

Holly talked nonstop about the Blasto games and Miranda sighed, lying next to Shepard on the lounger and Shepard pulled her close.

"You weren't impressed then?" Shepard smirked to Miranda.

"It was riveting." Miranda replied, rolling her eyes.

They were never going to be the perfect normal parents, Shepard smiled to herself.

"How was Chloe?"

"A complete spoilt brat. Let's hope he never gets to that stage." Miranda said as Shepard laughed.

Holly seemed to register the word 'Chloe' and stopped his long ramble about the joys of Blasto and looked thoughtful for a second, staring at both his parents.

"Uncle Jacob said you were in a war to Chloe..."

"Damn him." Miranda whispered as Shepard stiffened.

They never wanted to hide anything from their son. They were honest and open about how he had been conceived, about same sex relationships, relationships with aliens, bullying and all sorts of topics but they'd never talked about the war. All of the old crew dropped by and he knew outrageous stories but they'd never explicitly talked about the realities of war. The stories were usually just about how powerful Mommy- Miranda's biotics were or that one time Mommy-Shepard almost danced well.

They both thought everybody should know the truth about what happened. It needed to be learnt from so the same mistakes weren't repeated but they never knew how to talk about something that was still so painful. It was as much about translating all of their own complex emotions as it was about protecting their son.

"Chloe said there were giant robots." Holly carried on when neither of his parents responded in the way he had wanted. "That they flew out of the sky."

Holly's eyes were narrowed and Shepard could tell that he was trying to work out whether Chloe had played a prank on him.

"They did." Shepard conceded with a concerned look to Miranda about what to say.

"Did people die?" He asked quietly and fearfully.

Holly knew about death as they'd had that awful conversation almost a year ago when their pyjack died. Shepard had been more upset than even Holly however, so she didn't feel she had set the best example when dealing with traumatic things.

"Yes," Shepard admitted, "but your mother and I saved a lot more. All of our friends fought too and now the galaxy is safe again."

"Are you like super heroes?" Holly asked in an awed voice.

"Space divas." Miranda corrected and then laughed at Holly's puzzled expression.

"Come on, time to get you in the bath." Shepard said.

"No, I want a story about the war first!" Holly protested, sensing that this was an ultimately very cool thing for his parents to have done.

Shepard looked helplessly at Miranda but her partner kindly took the reins. Miranda pulled Holly onto her lap so he rested against both her and Shepard.

"There was one time when we both saved Uncle Garrus..." Miranda started.

"No way! Uncle Garrus wouldn't need saving!" Holly protested, disbelieving.

"Oh, but he did." Shepard chimed.

Miranda told him the story of when they had recruited Garrus. She told him honestly and gently about how he got hurt and how Garrus's scars were from that day. Shepard thought it was a good story to start off with as it had their strong friendship and there were no deaths but still the reality that people were in harm's way.

"Your mother hurt her neck a little bit too so I had to fix her up." Miranda finished.

"You helped with me with a bandage," Shepard retorted.

"She was so delicate she couldn't even put a bandage on, Holly!" Miranda gasped and Holly laughed.

"What about the time-" Shepard argued but was cut off.

"What time?" Miranda questioned smugly. "By my count I saved you far more than you saved me."

"That is-" Shepard faltered, "-oh no, that can't be right."

"You just keep counting then and I'll get him in the bath." Miranda smirked and then gave Shepard a tender kiss before carrying Holly inside.

Shepard did indeed count.

"The neck, the varren bite, Lazarus, my leg, rescuing me from that reaper...versus Sanctuary, Harbringer...oh no...damn it." She cursed and went inside, defeated.

She headed through the house, up the curved stair case and into their biggest bathroom where a large bath stood in the middle of the dark green marbled floor. Holly was splashing about in it as Miranda sat on the side of the bath washing him.

"Fine, you win." Shepard admitted.

"Excuse me?" Miranda replied playfully.

"You saved me more." Shepard admitted, feigning pain at this admission.

Miranda laughed.

"See, I told you Holly!"

The pair laughed and Shepard went to give Miranda a hand bathing this little boy so full of energy but as soon as she sat down Holly threw water all over her.

"Oh, you are going to pay, mister." Shepard retorted drenching him right back.

"Shepard!" Miranda scolded and so Shepard drenched her next.

A chaotic water fight ensued for five minutes which both adults bitterly regretted as it took twice as long to dry the floor properly. They eventually got Holly dried, dressed and to his bedroom which had been painted in a brilliant jungle mural and he was off to sleep within minutes. They quickly tip toed out of his room and dived on each other in a passionate embrace, making most of their alone time.

Miranda dragged Shepard to their bedroom and Shepard laughed as Miranda threw her onto the bed with her biotics. They made sure to always make time for each other. Passion often comes and goes in relationships but neither had let their relationship fade. Both felt as strongly in lust with each other as they had all those years ago because they worked every day at staying together and taking the time to be together.

Even after they came Miranda continued to kiss Shepard all over. She adored the feel of Shepard and was regularly left breathless at her natural beauty. Miranda never forgot how close she had been to losing Shepard and she guarded Shepard and her love for her fiercely. She wouldn't allow anything to threaten it: whether that be old enemies with a grudge, that stalker Conrad who they had to get a restraining order against or by growing lazy and unappreciative of what they had.

They had both had great expectations thrust upon them and perfection was demanded. Miranda's pressure was due to her genetics and Shepard's due to her service history. Both had been treated as rag dolls for the universe to use and discard as it saw fit but they had come through it all together and now they were both free.

Shepard fell asleep in her arms and Miranda pulled her close, stroking Shepard's toned abs and watching each breathe in and out. She loved nothing more than watching Shepard sleep and feeling each one of her deep breaths but a bang on the bedroom door made Shepard jump awake.

"Wassat?" Shepard asked groggily and they both grabbed their clothes.

Miranda opened the door slowly to reveal a small boy with black hair sticking up everywhere standing before them.

"I can't sleep." He whined.

Miranda turned and gave Shepard a look of ice at this rude awakening and Shepard struggled not to laugh.

"Come on then, chum. Into bed with us." Shepard offered.

"Yay!" Holly cheered, struggling to clamber onto the bed.

He made himself comfy right in the middle of the bed with Shepard on his right. Miranda draped her arm across Holly and held onto Shepard's waist and soon Shepard and Holly were asleep contentedly. In moments of quiet such as this sleep did not always come so easily for Miranda. She stared out into the night sky through the window that was opposite where she faced, behind Shepard's back.

She still did not believe in any gods or religion but every night she would stare out at the stars and wish on every single one of them that her family would be able to live long full lives in peace.

Please, just let us stay together like this.

It was only after this thought that she was ever able to find sleep.