Can't Believe It's Been...

Households across the galaxy are preparing for a celebration. A celebration twenty years in the making. Millions, billions lost their life when the Reapers finally attacked back in 2186. Three years earlier Commander Leia Shepard warned them, did those in power listen to her? No they did not. It didn't matter in the end. One Alliance frigate, the Normandy SR-2 was the tip of the spear that lead the army that finally defeated a foe no one had defeated since Leviathan created the AI to solve the organic/synthetic problem. Every fifty-thousand years, they return from dark space, harvest all organic and synthetic life, destroy and evidence of their existence then they head back to dark space to wait until the next evolution cycle is ready to be harvested.

That ended when the Commander blew up a conduct which caused the Citadel to explode, but the Crucible also sent out a red beam through the mass relays killing every reaper in the galaxy, along with all forms of synthetic life.. Destroying the relays in the process, but they were fixed easily enough with the help of scientist from all species including the rachni. When the work on the relays was completed, the rachni went back through the relay and hasn't been a problem for the galaxy since. The races especially the brogan keep an eye on them the best they can. The other issue for the galaxy is the leviathans and their mind control capabilities. Any artifacts left behind by them have been destroyed, but the Citadel Council knows there are more they've not found.

Even Aria T'Loak takes them seriously and if there are any news of one in the Terminus, she sends in a team to destroy it. They seem content staying on 2181 Depoina and everyone is content on letting them be. They're not detectable from space being so far underwater. Their defenses around the planet are assumed intact, but no military or merc group is willing to try to land on the planet to find out. Once is enough for Shepard and her crew. As brave as these men and woman are, they're content on leaving the leviathans along. Let them watch from afar, but destroy their artifacts to keep them from controlling those around them.

Every homeworld is having their own celebration, but those celebrations are also tied to the celebration on the Citadel. The one revolving around the Normandy's crew lead by Commander Shepard. Everyone who served on the SR-1 or SR-2 and still alive will be in attendance. For some, it's been years since they've seen each other. Most are in constant communication with each other in some type form because they all live in different star systems across the galaxy.

Rannoch

Tali and her family are nervous about seeing everyone again. The last time everyone from the Normandy were together, they witnessed Shepard and T'Soni exchange vows of marriage a few weeks after the war ended. It's been twenty years. Tali has always kept in contact with Shepard and Liara. Things between her and Garrus faded over time, but they have stayed in touch, or as in touch as Garrus is with his life taking him in several different directions. Tali cares about those she served with on the Normandy.

Jack and Miranda had their moments. Tali had hers with Legion, but Tali grew to respect the geth, who in the end finally said I instead of we. She still can't imagine what life would be like if the human hadn't yelled at Admiral Han'Gerrel to stop attacking the geth and the quarian Admiral actually listening to Shepard. A day doesn't go by without Tali thinking about what could have been. What could have happened if Liara hadn't recovered Shepard's body and given her to Cerberus. What could have happened if Cerberus wasn't able to bring the Commander back to how she was the day the SSV Normandy blew up. What would have happened if Joker hadn't unshackled EDI.

As much as Tali hates the idea of Cerberus and what they did to her people, she has to admire the few successes they did like rebuilding Shepard and creating EDI. She'll be the first to admit, she didn't like EDI at first, she didn't like Legion either. However, both AI's proved they were not only trust worthy, but also friends. The galaxy is lesser because they're both gone, collateral damage from Shepard destroying the Reapers.

Tali smiles at her husband, Phin'Dara as he helps their son, Rael'Dara into his environmental suit. "The progress you and the other scientists have made the past two decades is amazing. Even without more help from the geth. Wearing a suit at his age is something we didn't get to do." She smiles at Phin before place her lips against his left cheek. Looking at young Rael, kissing his forehead before putting the final piece to his little suit, the gray-tinted face plate.

"I know, we were restricted to the clean room until we were old enough for our suits. Rael only needs a suit if we go off-planet and I think this trip is something he needs to be a part of and he's not the only child going," replies Phin as he helps his son stand then walk in the suit for the first time.

Tali watches her husband working with her son. She doubts her father put as much effort into her life as Phin has with their son. She feels she's the luckiest quarian alive. She found someone who loves her for being Tali. Not because she's an Admiral's daughter or even an Admiral, herself, but because she's Tali. The best thing about Phin is he's the opposite of her father. Family comes first, not work.

Phin hasn't told his wife, but he's very nervous about meeting the people Tali worked with during the war with not only the geth, but with the Reapers. He's met most of them when they got married three years ago, but he never got the chance to sit and get to know Tali's friends from the Normandy. He's unsure who makes him more nervous, Leia Shepard or Tali's former turian boyfriend, Garrus Vakarian.

Palaven

Dottae Vakarian's nerves are raging. She's six to seven weeks before she's due to deliver her first child with Garrus. Her doctor has given her blessing for the couple to attend the festivities on the Citadel. Outside of pregnancy jitters, she's very nervous about meeting the Normandy's crew, especially the ship's captain, Leia Shepard. "Garrus!, yells Dottae. "Where are you?" She looks around their small two-bedroom apartment, but doesn't see her husband in the apartment.

Garrus shakes his head and picks up his pace when he hears Dottae yelling his name. "Dot-dot, calm down. I was just taking our things to the taxi." He worms his arms around her waist then places his chin on her shoulder. "I don't understand why you're so nervous. It's just Shepard."

The casual way he says "Shepard" has Dottae turning around as fast as a pregnant turian can turn. "Urgh. She's..."

"She's what? Shepard is someone anyone can approach and yet most are too afraid to do so. Like you." Garrus playfully pokes his wife's arm with a sheepish grin on his face. "Seriously, it's no big deal. Within five minutes you'll stop being nervous and just blend in with everyone else. I promise."

Dottae's face grows serious as she glares at Garrus. It softens as she hugs him. "I hate you."

"I know you do. Ready to go, Dot-dot?" asks Garrus before he places a soft kiss on Dottae's lips. This is just the beginning for Dottae's emotional comments that say the opposite of what she means. He closes his eyes and remembers what Shepard told him. Be prepared to have the woman you love berate you for no reason. She'll apologize before and probably after the baby is born, Liara did all three times according to Shepard.

Dottae places her head on her husband's shoulder and basks in the warm of his embrace. You know Dottae, you need to apologize to him. He has taken everything in stride and you have be starting to get mean. It's not his fault, well, yes it is. Well, no it's not. He's going to make a great father. "Yes, my sweet, I'm as ready as I'm going to be." She places a soft kiss on his scarred cheek.

Garrus opens the closet door to grab the bag containing his gear, armor and sniper rifle. He's getting together with members of the Normandy. Someone is going to challenge someone to a shooting contest or compete for high score at Armax Areana. So, the turian plans on being prepared. Better to have his gear than need it and not have it. Something he learned while working with Shepard taking out Saren, the Collectors, and finally the Reapers.

"You are not taking your gear with you are you? Why?" inquires the female turian with white face paint across her nose and across her forehead.

"Because, this is the crew of the Normandy. Someone will want to shoot something and I want to make sure I'm prepared. Besides if we end up at the Armax Arena, you can root for me to get high score." Garrus moves his arms outward with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Spirits." Dottae shakes her head with her right hand on her forehead, stifling a chuckle at the idea people are willing to brag about their skill after all these years. Then she thinks not everyone on the Normandy was human and she's sure some of the krogan will want to strut their stuff. She checks to make sure all the lights are off as they leave for their weekend adventure to the Citadel to celebrate with Garrus' friends and crew mates from the war.

Earth

Retired Major Kaidan Alenko relaxes in a recliner on the beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean watching his adoptive children play in the sand. A few months after recovering from the house explosion while helping Shepard ambush an ambush involving the former Prime Minster Landon Presinscot, he finally married Steve Cortez and within two months after saying their vows they started the adoption process after taken the siblings in as foster kids shortly after their parents death. Travis and Sabrina were orphaned when Sabrina was twenty-one months old. Today, Travis is ten and Sabrina is six.

Steve's late getting home from his shuttle runs to and from the Citadel, but Kaidan expected it with all the extra traffic between Earth and the Citadel. Both Alliance Officers retired roughly thirteen months ago. The first thing Steve did was to get his foot in the door of a fledgling shuttle company taking people between the Citadel and Earth. For an extra fee, they will also take people to Luna or Mars, but nothing outside the Sol System.

The tide is starting to change because the waves are getting closer to where the kids are playing. Kaidan stands and starts to yell, "Be careful, wave incoming!"

The wave crashes against the shore and floods the sand castle Sabrina was working. She squeaks and jumps away from the waves and the cold water those waves bring. "Papa. Papa, the water is cold." The young girl runs into Kaidan's waiting arm.

"I'm sure it is," replies the biotic. A quick smooch on Sabrina's cheek before he puts his daughter back on the ground.

Travis stands, allowing the water to sink his feet into the sand. He pounds his chest at the waves. "I'm Travis Michael Alenko-Cortez and this is my beach! You, cold waves, will not freeze me!" The young lad sinks a little with each wave and finally moves when the water reaches his calves.

"Papa, Travis is loco. The water is cold." Sabrina points to her older brother. "I'm going inside, I'm getting cold." She takes four steps and sees Steve heading in their directions. "Dad's home." She runs into Steve's arms as fast and graceful as a six-year-old can in loose sand.

"Travis, stop horsing around and get out of the water right now and your dad's home so we can finish getting ready for our trip to the Citadel," demands Kaidan in an authoritative voice. It's an unusually warm December day in Vancouver but the water temp is near the normal eight degrees. Kaidan has been discussing with Steve about him taking Travis for the New Year's Day dip with the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club.

"But I'm getting ready for the dip on New Years Day. We are going right?" asks Travis as he heads to his parents and sister.

Steve answers, "Papa and I are still discussing it. We'll have an answer for you when we get back from our trip. I promise." He kisses Kaidan's lips. "I got home as fast as I could, but traffic at the Citadel is getting heavy and heavier by the hour and it will be that way the entire weekend. I took Monday off because of it but I'll make it up on Saturday."

"That's okay, I don't need to be back at work until Wednesday. I never thought being a recruiter for the Alliance would be my future, but I actually love my job. I get to help other biotics and other kids. Best part about it is being able to have moments like today. Relaxing on the beach even in December." Kaidan offers his hand to his son, which Travis takes. Steve is carrying Sabrina on his shoulders as the family walks back to their beach house.

Everyone is excited about this trip. For the adults, it's a chance to spend time with the greatest group of soldiers that ever existed. It's been far too long since the entire crew was together. Steve thinks The Citadel reopening is when he saw everyone last. Everyone scattered after the war ended. Which is to be expected with a crew that has as many non-humans on a human vessel. It will be good to see everyone again.

Elysium

"... I don't want to go to the Citadel and miss school today. I don't. Why can't we leave after we get home from school?" asks a frustrated Gaia T'Soni. "We're supposed to be reviewing for a test on Monday and I'm going to miss it."

Leia stands in front of her middle daughter, letting the youth vent before showing her the datapad with a cheat sheet for Gaia to study with while at the Citadel. Kaja has homework to do as well, but she's glad she's missing school today. Kaja already plans on doing her homework in the way to the Citadel and hopes she gets it done before they get there.

"But..."

"Stop it right now, Gaia. Here..." Leia hands over the datapad. "I don't want to hear another word about it. Understand?"

Gaia's eyes light up when she sees what's on the datapad. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you," says the youth as she hugs her father before running into her room to finish packing her bag.

"Why do you let her vent at you like that?" asks Liara. The asari shakes her head in disbelief.

Shepard's brow furrows in surprise. "What?"

Liara shakes her head, waves her hand at Shepard then walks into their bedroom to see if she missed anything. Stops when she sees Olivia leave her bedroom in a hurry.

Olivia comes flying out of her room. "I need help closing my bag."

"Liv, you can't take everything you've packed. It won't fit," says Liara when she sees the youngster's attempt at packing her own bag. Every toy the tyke owns is overflowing the bag.

Leia looks at her youngest. "Umm, Liv, pick two toys and you have to leave the rest."

Liv sticks her bottom lip out as far as she can, pouting the best she can at being told only two toys. "I can't pick only two, dad."

"Well, since you can't decide. I'll pick for you. How about that, Liv?" asks Shepard as she gets down on one knee so she can look at her daughter in the eyes without Liv looking up at her.

Kaja yells her opinion from the hallway. "Don't trust her, Liv, she won't pick any toys. She did that to me once." She peaks her head in the doorway. A big goofy look is on her face.

Leia almost chuckles while Liara glares at her eldest. Liv looks at Kaja then to her mom then dad before asking, "New toy if I leave them all home?"

Kaja does a fist pump when she hears Liv's question. "Good one, sis."

Leia grins at Liv then looks at Liara with a 'I don't care' look on her face and a shoulder shrug to go with it.

Liara takes the cue from her bondmate and responds, "Fine, but it's the only thing you're getting. Understand?"

Olivia is only four, but she understands things a normal four-year-old doesn't yet grasp. Liv nods to her mom and pushes all the toys into the floor the picks out the toys inside the bag.

"Kaja, you can help your sister pick her toys up." Leia grins at her eldest then goes to check on Gaia's progress.

The eldest nods to her father then kneels down on to her left knee to help her baby sister pick up her toys. Leia and Liara check and double-check the security. This is the first trip the family has taken where Hannah Shepard and Dr. Karin Chakwas are not keeping an eye on it while they're gone. Everyone from the Normandy is part of the festivities at the Citadel, so no one either one trusts to keep an eye on their house. The two adults hope the security measure they put in place work as intended and they both hope no one bothers their home while they're gone. With the type of work Liara does, it pays to be overly cautious.

Citadel

The hotel the Citadel Council arraigned for the Normandy's crew and their family is The Hotel Kush. The hotel's owner Eli Kushenheimer is more than happy to accommodate everyone, including the krogan. Hotel has hired a few more security to handle anything the krogan might do. Urdnot Grunt's exploits on the Citadel are legendary and every hotel owner on the Presidium has been told about the stories.

The hotel's head of security, a turian named Faustus, enters the owner's office. "Mr. Kushenheimer, are you sure it's wise to allow the krogan, Urdnot Grunt, to stay here?"

"Is the retired General Shepard on the guest list as well, Faustus?" replies Mr. Kushenheimer.

The turian nods while replying, "Yes, sir, she is. You think Shepard can keep the krogan in line?"

The small stature human with salt n' pepper colored hair smiles at his head of security. "I guarantee it, Faustus. You added four krogan to the staff to handle if something does arise."

The guarantee is all Faustus needs to hear concerning a potential problem. Grunt getting drunk is a potential problem even with Shepard being around. The hotel doesn't need anything to catch on fire from him throwing a bottle of ryncol at it. The shift leader communicates with Faustus the lobby is starting to fill, but no sign of the krogan or Shepard. Seeing vid footage via his omni-tool and see the clerks getting everyone checked in, the turian heads to his office to watch the activities from the comfort of his office.

The hotel's lobby is overflowing with guests. Brothers in arms are getting reacquainted again and their children are meeting each other for the first time. The clerks are checking them in quick enough for the kids to get bored waiting in line. Majority of the crew are in committed relationships and most of those couples have one or more children. For years Shepard and Liara had the most. Until Ken and Gabby had their second set of twins four years ago. Twin boys are the oldest, nine and boy and girl, four.

Everyone has checked in. The lobby is empty, the hotel's bar is lively. Eli Kushenheimer knocks on Faustus' office door. "I'm headed home. Everyone has checked in and no problems with anyone. I suggest you do that same, Faustus."

"I will, sir. I'm about to leave myself, but I plan in being back by between 0500 and 0530. The parade starts at 0900, but don't they have to be at the start in the Kithoi Ward by 0730?" asks the turian as he gets up to leave with his boss. The turian towers over the human as they leave the hotel together. Both are happy the check-in went without any issues, but Fautus still doesn't trust Urdnot Grunt and really wishes the krogan wasn't staying at the hotel, but that's not his decision. All he can do is react to anything Grunt might do or the other younger krogan, Urdnot Mordin.

A/N: This story is in four parts. I'm not 100% happy with the ending, but decided to go ahead and give it to you anyway. Enjoy.