Hey fans, sorry for the late update. Hopefully you like this chapter, especially as I decided that Mom and Dad needed to be embarrassed in this chapter. *evil Morbicity* Happy 2016 everyonexx

Chapter 20: Eternally Yours

Jane was still confined to her bed due to some lingering chest infection. However the antibiotics were working and she was feeling much better. The speed of her recovery she could not help but attribute to the change in circumstance. Her friends were regular visiors, even volunteering to take care of Davina while she and her fiance had some alone time. She smiled at the thought as she gazed at the beautiful engagement ring that Garrus had kept for all those years.

It didn't take long for Garrus to move himself, completely, into Jane's apartment. After she had woken up he had already acknowledged, that for the present, Jane's needs to be in the sterile environment that her apartment provided, but he certainly wasn't going to let her live there without him, not again. She was the mother of his child, she had also agreed to officially bond with him, so, he had made it clear that he absoloutely had no intention of ever leaving her side again. Seven years was long enough and they had a lot of lost time to make up for.

Unfortunately, the apartment had to be altered for the new resident. Davina had watched in wonder as her mother's bed was drastically altered to accomodate Garrus. She would no longer be allowed to sleep in her Mommy's bed, but Davy didn't care. As long as her Mom and Dad were finally together, she was more than happy to give them both space. She had even helped by removing most of her toys and putting them in her own room. Leaving a few stuffed toys, just in case.

That first night together had been wonderful. Neither of them could sleep. Each frightened of waking from a very vivid dream, alone once again. Instead they just talked about everything. The long seven years apart, and their future together, as the family they should have been. They just held on to each other, talking all through the night. It was, truly, hard to believe that, amid impossible odds, they had finally found each other. Tracing her ring with gentle precision, she could not help but feel excited that the future she and Garrus had been discussing would soon be a reality.

A cough brought her out of her train of thought. She smiled as an older version of her fiance entered the room.

"May I sit?" Reldeen Vakarian asked politely.

Jane smiled warmly as she indicated towards a seat near her bed.

"Please."

Reldeen bowed his head respectfully and sat himself down.

"Where is Garrus and the little one?"

"Davina's taken him on a tour of Palisade. She wants to show him the playground they built for her."

Reldeen smiled, that same roguish smile his son shares.

"That child is a credit to you. I was beginning to wonder if he would ever leave your side." The old Turian rumbled in approval.

"Thank you. I think he is just trying to make up for the seven years we missed."

Reldeen studied at his future daughter in law. So this was the woman who held the heart of his son. Her scars revealed the extent of her battles. Battles that his son had followed her into; and survived. She was the epitomime of the perfect turian bride, despite being a human.

"My son and I have struggled to get along since he was a child. He has always known his own mind. Just as stubborn as his mother, spirits guide her. But I see him with the little one; and finally I can see the real Garrus. Not the noy trying to make his father happy by being somebody he isn't. The man I always prayed he would become. I also have you to thank for that."

Jane smiled in embarrassment, she really didn't know what to say.

"Councillor Vakarian.."

"Please, if I agree to call you Jane can you, please, avoid calling me by status. You are going to be my daughter once you are well enough, so the "councillor" can be skipped."

"You mean daughter in law?"

Reldeen chuckled "No Jane. By bonding with my son, you automatically become my daughter by Turian law. You will share the same social standing as Garrus' sister. . We will have to invest in a human friendly paint for your markings."

"Liara could help with that. We could ask her to try and get some Asari face paint, like the ones she used to paint on her eyebrows. We could see if it is possible to get it in Cipritine blue."

"An excellent idea."

I admit you will be a refreshing addition to my family

"how so?"

Reldeen placed his talon over Jane's hand. His eyes were soft and welcoming. They may not have been the same colour as Garrus', but they certainly had the same warmth.

"I fought in the first contact war. I have seen how single minded humans can be. My own species are no better. So much energy is wasted on bitter resentment. But you are different. You allowed yourself not only to become friends with a turian, but also allowed yourself to fall in love with him, even bear his child. I have never known humans to be so willing to accept another race's differences. You are a unique woman, Jane Shepard. I am proud that my son could find that rare unconditional love."

Jane's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Vakarian senior beemed at her proudly.

"I am the lucky one. Garrus has always been there for me. Even when others had turned their backs on me, he was there watching my six. Even after seven years, there he was, almost as if he were waiting. Just like I was waiting for him."

Chuckling, Reldeen took to his feet and pressed his forehead to hers.

"I am happy and proud to welcome you into clan Vakarian, Jane. I am sure my bondmate is smiling from the beyond at the joy you have brought our son. I look forward to your bonding ceremony, and the arrival of more grandchildren in the future. But now you need to rest. Garrus would not be pleased to see that I had fatigued his mate."

"It's fine." She considered his words as she looked into the old turian's eyes. His eyes were not the same as Garrus'. She wondered if perhaps Garrus shared his mother's eyes. But she could not help feel warm at the elder Vakarian's readiness to accept her, and any other possible additions to her new family. Garrus had made it very clear, now he knew it was a definite possibility, that he wanted to add to their numbers and give Davina a brother or sister.

As Reldeen left her to her thoughts, she could not help but wonder what Garrus' mother was like as a person. He had rarely talked about her when they had been together on the Normandy. Hopefully he would open up to her in time. Afterall, for the first time in what had felt like forever, they finally had all the time in the world.

"It has been confirmed. The Salarian and Asari councillors have officially been forced out of their office of power by popular vote. We are unsure of details as of yet, however it has been confirmed that both parties have been ejected from the council. The Turian Councillor has also given his intent on leaving his position, naming his successor, Reldeen Vakarian of Cipritine, Father of Garrus Vakarian, who served our own Commander Shepard during the Reaper threat. Although it is unclear why the deposition of the Council has taken place, what is clear that a serious decision now needs to be made by the Asari and Salarians as to who will represent them. Both race leaders are currently in the process of naming candidates to stand in the upcoming elections.

In the statement we have recieved from Councillor Hackett, it reads ' Although I cannot discuss the sensitive details regarding this sensitive manner, I can confirm that the Asari and Salarian Councillors have been requested to stand down from their positions. They have had a monopoly on the galaxy and each of the races; and it has gone on for far too long. The changes to the structure of the Council will not only benefit Humans, but also, our neighbours in the Galaxy. Hopefully this shift in power will make all of us stronger. Humanity was not the only victim of the Reaper invasion. We need to work together to rebuild everything we have lost. We all suffered casulaties, we have all lost friends and loved ones. Thank you for your time. I will release another statement at a later time.'

Many rumours and conspiricies have already begun to circulate as to the nature of the events surrounding the galactic council. Such stories ranging from inciting war with the other races, Humanity included, to the even more contraversial theory that Humanity's hero, Commander Shepard, who defeated the invading Reaper forces, seven years ago and was killed, is very much alive and has been kept captive by the former council. A feat that sounds impossible, yet we cannot forget the Commander's ressurection by Cerberus.

Nothing has been confirmed or denied but the implications are huge if there is any truth to these rumours. We will however keep you up to date on the unfolding events as they happen.

This is Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani reporting for Westerlund News"

The growling was growing louder. It sounded rough, desperate. Poor little Davina cowered under her blanket, her tiny talons covering her ears, trying to drown out the noises. It started with her being awoken by a gentle banging noise. She wasn't worried about that. Her mommy and daddy had been adjusting their room over the past few days. It had been a few days since Miranda had declared her mother as fit enough to move freely around the apartment, so they were trying to make the bedroom suit them as a couple.

But as the banging grew louder and faster, the growling had started. It sounded like a monster had invaded the apartment. Her teddy bear was held tighter against her as she held on to her ears.

"It won't come in my room. Mommy and Daddy won't let it in. Daddy has his assasult rifle. They won't get to my room."

She quietly repeated those words to herself. Almost like a prayer. The noises were getting louder. Suddenly she heard a muffled scream. It sounded like her mommy. A monster was in her parents room and hurting her mommy. As quick as she could, she picked up the plastic rifle that her daddy had given her and ran into her parents room screaming, toy rifle held above her head, ready to whack the monster attacking her mom.

"MOMMY!"

Garrus gasped as he was struck on the head with the plastic rifle. Swiftly he rolled over and hid his shame before taking his daughters arms, gently and tried to calm her.

"Hey Davy, its okay."

"Mommy was crying. I could hear her. Did the monster hurt her."

Jane couldn't help herself as she exploded into a fit of laughter. Garrus pulled Davina onto the bed as Jane pulled the covers over her as she shook, trying to control her giggling.

"Jane you're not helping." Garrus admonished.

"S..s..sorry." She tried to bite down on the giggling as she motioned for Garrus to move their girl between them so that she could help comfort her.

Garrus purred as his daughter forced her arms around her mother. Jane was still chuckling softly, as she stroked Davina's hair.

"It's okay, baby. I'm fine. There was no monster, I promise."

"Then what was all the growling and banging noises?"

Garrus looked at Jane, as it was clear she was trying to think of an explanation for their six-year-old child.

"Jane, please tell me that she at least knows how we relieve stress. It's a basic Turian need." He said quietly, as he didn't want to scare the little one more.

"Of course not." Jane gasped, their daughter now looking between them in confusion. "There are some things you don't tell a six-year-old Garrus."

"Why not? She's half Turian, it has to come up eventually."

"She's also half human" replied Jane, rolling her eyes. "Turian kids may be great in this situation but human kids are highly impressionable. I want our daughter to keep her innocence as long as possible."

"Are you having a fight?"

"No Davy, " Garrus assured her "We are just trying to find an easy way for you to understand what the noises were."

"Yeah, we don't want to tell you lies, but we don't want to have to go into detail in something only grown ups should understand. I mean its a very grown up thing."

Davina watched her parents as they tried to think of a child friendly way to explain what they were doing.

Since getting the news that Jane was finally well enough to move freely around the apartment, Garrus had been looking forward to them "getting to know one another". He had not counted on being in this situation. He had hoped, that at least the Turian members of staff on the station had explained how Turians worked to his daughter. However, he understood why Jane had wanted to keep these sordid details away from their child's delicate ears. He looked over at his future wife and bondmate. The smile on her face had indicated that she had an idea.

"Okay, Davina. I know the noises we were making were scary. I'm sorry that we woke you, we could have tried to be quieter. I'm not going into too many details because that part's for when you grow up. But me and Daddy decided that maybe it was time that we gave you a brother or sister. Its been just me and you for a long time and with me and daddy having so much to catch up on we thought it would be nice to give you someone to play with"

"Really?" The small girls eyes widened. She had asked her Mom for as long as she could remember for a sibling.

Jane nodded as she pressed her forhead to her daughter's.

"Those annoying noises are how you know that Mommy and Daddy are trying to make a baby. We love you so much that we don't want you to be lonely."

The small girl squealed with delight as she hurled herself at Garrus. He chuckled as he rested his own forehead against hers.

"I always wanted a little brother or sister. How do you make a baby? Can I watch?"

"NOOOOO-no-no. Its special Mommy Daddy time" Jane was quick to stop that trail of thought. She quickly grabbed her robe and wrapped it around her. She kissed her lover softly as she whisked their far-too-curious daughter into her arms and escorted her back to her room. "It's really important that you knock before you come in here. Now come on, bed time little lady."

Garrus watched his little family as they left the room, the little girl giggling away in her mother's arms. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, he had to admit he was throughly amused by it. He had forgotten about how humans valued the naivety of their children. He found that Jane also valuing it in their daughter was quite endearing. He quickly climbed out of bed and pulled some lounge pants on, then he proceded into his daughter's bedroom.

Jane was busy ucking the little pyjack in. Garrus was thankful that at least Davina had stopped asking if she could watch them "make babies".

"When are you getting married?"

"When Aunt Miranda says I'm well enough to leave the Apartment. Daddy and me were talking about, maybe, getting married by the Statue of David Anderson on Palisade centre. You know near the little fountain, he was like a father to me and in a way I'd like him to be there."

"He's the man you named me after isn't he."

"Yes he is."

"Daddy?" Davina looked up at Garrus, Jane hadn't even noticed he was there, but she smiled when she saw him.

"Yeah Pyjack?"

"It's nice to see mommy laugh. She never did that before you came back here. Mommy's pretty when she laughs."

Shepard turned red as Garrus walked over to them, his mandible raised in a grin as he squeezed her shoulder.

"No Davy, your Mom is beautiful when she laughs."

He helped Jane to her feet. Then he knelt down and pressed his forehead to his daughter's and purred lovingly.

"Go to sleep sweetheart." he whispered.

Like magic, her eyes closed and soft gentle snores quickly followed. He stroked her hair and led Jane out of the room. Neither really in the mood to finish what they had started, not after their interruption. Climbing into bed, they held each other as they talked, quietly.

"So, we're giving her a sibling?"

"How would you have put it?" Jane laughed. "A brother or sister she can understand."

Garrus chuckled "I'm not complaining, Jane. I'm actually keen on the idea of keeping that promise."

"Seriously? I thought you wanted to wait?"

Garrus shook his head, then kissed her passionately. His tongue wrapping provocatively around hers.

"Jane, we have waited seven years. I think we have waiting long enough. As soon as you are well enough I think we should have a go and try again. Davy deserves the chance to be around kids just like her; and we deserve to build our family."

"Sounds like a plan." Jane chuckled as she snuggled into his chest.

"I do think however, we should ask Dad to take Davina to Palaven for a week or two after we get married. You know, so we can procreate without interruption."

"That's actually a good idea. She loved getting away from Palisade on the Normandy."

"She's pretty fond of my dad too. He's been asking to take her home to meet the rest of the family. It means we can enjoy our honeymoon; and Davy can have quality time with her grandfather."

He leant over and traced imaginary colony markings on her face.

"And after the last seven years, you and I deserve quality time alone with each other. I love you Jane and I don't want to miss another moment with you."

Jane smiled as she leant into his touch.

"I love you to."