A/N: So here is the last chapter. I may reach back out to the characters of the story in the future, but for now it's the end. Sorry for the long pause between this and the last chapter, but real life got in the way. I hope you all enjoyed the journey. I will be focusing my efforts on finishing at least a heart of darkness, before starting my next femShep story. Feel free to leave comments, concerns, and suggestions for future endeavors. Thank you again to each of you that followed this story from start to finish.

Jane Shepard wore her dress blues with a mix of pride and sorrow.

I'll wear them once more at the retirement ceremony, but it's for the best. I don't want to be a father that watches first steps on a vid or hear her first words over an omni tool.

She continued to stand in front of the mirror staring at her reflection. She heard the hiss of the door and turned to find her bond mate walking into the room. Her brilliant smile was complimented by the white and silver dress.

"You know it's a human custom not to see the bride to be before the wedding."

"Well then it is a good thing I am not human, besides we are already bonded."

The Asari slipped her arms around the human's waist and pulled her into a gentle kiss. They kept the kiss chaste by their standards.

"Why do you always have to use your Asari logic to ruin my points?"

The Asari pulled away and began straightening Jane's dress blues.

"I only use it when your points get in the way of us being together."

The Asari looked at the two of them in the mirror.

"You look so ravishing I almost forgot why I came in here. He's waiting outside. He has no idea what's going on so be gentle."

The woman smiled making her emerald green eyes spark.

"Aren't I always?"

Liara shook her head as she picked a piece of lint off the uniform. Shepard briefly rubbed the slight bump in the dress where her child lay cradled. She let her hand linger as she walked away. The door hissed and she exited the small room into the banquet hall for the reception. She stood still staring at the broad shoulders, thick black hair, and muscular arms of the man whose back was to her.

Don't cry. Don't cry…You're Captain fucking Shepard, galactic badass, you don't cry.

"I still don't understand why you needed me to be here Liara. I mean I'm sure you could…."

As he turned around the words died upon his lips. The two stared at one another letting the room fall into silence.

Galactic badass, yeah right you can't even form a word. Fuck words.

She walked towards him, and surprised herself when it became a run. She threw her arms around him and squeezed.

"I thought you were dead for so long. I never dreamed I'd see you again."

His laughter filled her ears.

"Yeah, well you actually died. I think that makes us even."

She pulled away and looked into his face. Her hands moved up to frame his face. The last of his boyish features had solidified into a chiseled jaw and his mother's high cheek bones. They shared their father's green eyes and blunt nose.

"So I hear I have you to thank for taking care of my bond mate while I was being upgraded to Jane 2.0."

"Yeah, well I figured I owed you one. I'm sorry about Banks."

The happiness in his eyes dimmed to sorrow as he looked away. She waved her hand.

"It doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're here now. Speaking of which, I was wondering if you would be my best human."

He narrowed his eyes and raised his eyebrows.

I can't believe he still does that when he's confused.

"I have a Best Turian, and a Best Krogan. They're both males so best man doesn't really fit the bill anymore."

"How can I resist when you put it like that."

"Yeah, well I have a way with words."

The moment was broken when a door on the far end of the hall opened. Miranda Lawson entered wearing a flawless blue dress that matched her eyes.

"Shepard…I didn't know you had company."

She smiled as Miranda's hips seemed to sashay a little more than usual.

"It's just my bother. What's up?"

"Aria T'Loak has arrived."

"Thank you. Miranda Lawson I would like to introduce you to my brother William Shakespeare Winston."

The dark haired vixen was obviously appraising the man before her. His green eyes sparkled as he spoke.

"We've met. You were…incapacitated at the time."

"I can see the resemblance now. As I recall you didn't have anything nice to say at the time."

"Promising a grieving Liara that you could resurrect the dead seemed unnecessarily cruel. I concede you were right."

"Yet, you haven't apologized."

He shrugged.

"We get it from our father."

Jane laughed and shrugged as well.

"He has a point."

"Just what I needed another exasperatingly immature member of your family."

"Just wait, I'm about to be a father. I can only imagine how you will handle three of us."

Miranda let her head fall into her hand.

"Obviously God is punishing me for playing with the forces of nature."

She turned and started to leave. She stopped just before the door and turned to look back at Shakes.

"Well are you coming. I'm sure your sister would like to speak with Aria privately."

He looked down at his sister and smiled.

"I've still got it."

He turned to leave and she stopped him with a hand on his arm. He turned back towards her. She pulled him into a hug.

"I love you. You're going to be an uncle and it would be irresponsible for you to leave again."

His strong arms held her tight.

"I couldn't bring myself to do it again. I lost you once, now you're stuck with me forever."

She released him and they nodded at one another. He walked over and took Miranda's arm. The woman looked at him and raised an eyebrow. He laughed at the haughty gesture.

"Don't worry; I'm just using you to make the really pretty woman jealous."

"Why couldn't you stay Shepard's long lost brother?"

She didn't hear his response as they exited the room. She touched her face to make sure no tears had escaped. She was in the process of straightening her uniform when the door opened once more. She looked up to see Aria enter. The Asari had chosen a dress that matched her facial markings. The human moved over to the bar and poured a glass of the vile looking black liquor the Asari drank. She pushed the glass across the bar. Aria took the glass and emptied the contents before speaking.

"I would guess it's safe to assume she's told you."

Shepard leaned against the bar.

"Yeah it would. She says I have to start solving my problems with words now that I'm going to be a father. Just so we're clear I do want to kill you."

"I get that a lot. So how are you going to solve your problem with words?"

"Oh, I don't intend to solve this problem with words. I'm just not going to kill you. I've had a few months to think about it and I want retribution. The most valuable memory you have will make us even."

The Asari looked down at the empty glass. Her face was unreadable after a few moments she spoke.

"Fine, but once it's done we will never speak of it again."

Shepard nodded and before she could brace herself, she felt Aria in her mind.

The pain was expected, but still overwhelming. Childbirth shouldn't be this difficult.

"I'm here. You're doing great."

She simply nods at Atheyta's encouragement. The midwife between her legs looks up briefly.

"Just one more big push and it will be over."

Aria bears down pushing with all her strength. The pain has started to subside with the exception of a dull throbbing of overworked muscles she wasn't aware she had. There's no crying no indication of life and she holds her breath. Don't panic. Time seems to stand still as she waits for the telltale cries proving she's become a mother. A moment later she hears the cries of her newborn daughter. The midwife hands her the tiny bundle and she looks down at the new life. The child's eyes are closed and her cries subside as she settles into her mother's arms. Aria holds the bundle tightly feeling nothing but love. She gently stroked the baby's cheek.

"Liselle, you are beautiful."

A gruff voice interrupts the moment.

"Thank you for letting me experience this moment with you."

Aria looks up to see Atheyta's tears. They were a reminder that her friend has a daughter she would never really know. A wave of hatred washed over her at the thought of the pain Benezia has caused her friend.

"You are the only person I would want to share this moment. You've been a good friend."

Atheyta nodded.

"I'll watch over her as if she were my own."

"I will do the same for your daughter."

They sat in silence staring at little Liselle as she slept. Nothing will ever mean as much to me as you. You are my greatest achievement. Aria was tired. Her daughter had the right idea. She was tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep.

Jane came back to herself as Aria's mind retreated.

"Why did you do it, if you promised Atheyta?"

Aria reached over and poured another drink. She drank it in a single swallow.

"I was trying to save her. I knew if she succeeded the Shadow Broker would chase after her to get your body back. I was hoping it would deter her from continuing. I was wrong. You have been blessed by the Goddess with someone that loves you more than her own life. It gave her the strength to retrieve your body, find a way to bring you back from the dead, and defeat the Shadow Broker. She truly believes she has nothing without you. Cherish that. I have nothing. I may be the ruler of Omega, but at what cost? I lost Liselle."

Jane watched in awe as Aria wiped away the tears.

"In the words of the immortal Jane Shepard, I should go."

Aria turned and left.

Jane looked down at the empty glass.

I have been blessed, but am I not cursed as well. Aria is one of the strongest people in the Galaxy, but she feels nothing but emptiness at the loss of her daughter. My daughter will lose me centuries before the end of her own life. Is it selfish of me to bring her into the world knowing she will mourn my passing long before she should had I been born an Asari or Krogan?

She hadn't heard Liara enter the hall and approach her. It wasn't until the Asari spoke that Jane snapped out of her own thoughts.

"Are you alright, Jane?"

She looked up.

"Is it selfish of me to have an Asari child? I won't be there when she needs me."

She could see the concern in Liara's eyes, as she felt the tears in her own.

"Jane. She will remember you as the woman that made the nightmares go away, that told her stories of the Normandy, taught her to fire a weapon, and loved her more than life itself. When she needs you she will have memories of the woman that raised her. I miss my mother, but I remember her. It is her knowledge and wisdom that guide me even now. It is not selfish; being a parent is the most selfless act known to sentient beings. You will sacrifice your career and your own desires to guide her towards her own path."

Jane wiped away the tears.

"When did you become a Matriarch?"

Her gentle smile was as vibrant as the sun of any system.

"Loving you requires more patience than I think the Goddess capable of having. I thought I might need to tap into my mother's wisdom to survive our bond."

"I'll take that as an admission that you're ready to start our second bonding ceremony."

"Since the day you returned, love."

"Well then, let's get the show on the road. I can't wait for our second wedding night."

"I can't wait for the reception."

"Why's that?"

"I think there might be some fireworks over your brother. Wrex is arguing that only a Krogan could be your brother. Just wait for the Ryncol to flow. It also seems that Ash, Jack, and Miranda are all trying to lay claim to him. There may be a feline fight over him."

Jane laughed as they walked arm in arm.

"First, the Shadow Broker should stop spying on our friends. Secondly, I think you mean cat fight."

"Goddess, why must humans have so many euphemisms?"

"It gives us character. Are you just going to ignore my statement about spying on our friends?"

"I learned the value of selective hearing from my former Commanding Officer."

"She was a brilliant tactician, so I guess I should defer to her judgement."

The couple laughed as they left the empty hall.