Shepard took a deep, inward breath and released it. It took a lot to rattle her nerves. Banshees? Clones? Reapers? They were nothing. Easy. This was, however, different. She had never felt so nervous in her life and yet so sure of anything. The sun set outside as Shepard watched through the large, rectangular window when a male voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Ready to go?" Garrus said, reaching his hand out for her. She simply nodded and took it. "Never been more ready in my life." She replied with a soft smile. "Its strange," Garrus began as they started walking to the front of the room. "I can snipe someone from yards away and fight Reapers and feel nothing but now... I'm so nervous I don't know what to do." He chuckled a bit. "What about you?" the truian asked. "Feeling any jitters?" Shepard laughed at that. "Oooooh yeah..." She replied. "Good to know I'm not alone." Garrus said, sighing in relief.

They stopped in front of another Turian, Castis, who also happened to be Garrus's father. In front of him was a small square table with a jar of blue paint and a brush. The room was dimmly lit except for candles that were places all over the room. The pair stood in front of each other, their hands still intertwined. A small crowd surrounded them, which included Garrus's sister, and their closest friends which happened to be some of their old crew. It was simple and small but they didn't need much. Turian tradition dictates the ceremony be intimate anyway. Besides, it didn't matter who was there as long as they were together. They both wore traditional robes of matching white and deep blue. After everyone was gathered around them, Castis began speaking. It was also tradition to have either a family or clan member officiate.

"I'd like to start by thanking everyone for being here for this momentous occasion. Today, it is with great pride that we welcome another mate into the Vakarian clan. It always is a source of joy when we receive a new member but it is even more so when it is surrounded by love. Shepard and Garrus will now read the traditional vows of the of our clan." The couple stared deeply into each others eyes as Garrus cleared his throat and began speaking. "I, Garrus Vakarian, humbly welcome you into my clan, my family, my life and my heart. I promise to always honor you for all of my days and long after that. You are forever my mate." Shepard tried to calm her heart before speaking and focused on someone sobbing loudly in the audience, who sounded suspiciously like Joker. She took another deep breath, exhaled and spoke softly. "I, Jane Shepard, thank you for accepting me into your heart. I swear to uphold the values of the Vakarian clan and know them as my family. I promise to always love and support you for all my days and long after that. You are forever my mate." She finished. "And now the new family will paint each other with the clan facial markings to signify their oaths." Shepard went first. She picked up the brush and dipped into the jar, looking up at her new life partner. She cleared her throat and after a moment it clicked and Garrus leaned down so she could reach him. That got a few chuckles from everyone.

After softly gliding the paint over his face, she handed him the brush and he did the same. She winced at the cold, slimy texture of it. Garrus whispered. "You get used to it." In her ear when he was done. They closed their eyes and touched foreheads while Castis concluded the ceremony. "Now, let us all welcome a new family member Jane Shepard Vakarian, forever and always apart of us. Let the celebration begin!" With that the crowd cheered while two other Turians opened a pair of double doors in the back to signal it was time to eat and drink. They all dispersed, chatting and laughing with each other but Shepard didn't hear any of it. "Give us a few minutes, Dad." Garrus said to his father to which the older Turian nodded and followed the small crowd. A tear rolled down Shepards cheek but Garrus caught it with a talon before it hit her markings. "Careful now." He whispered. "Don't want to ruin your new makeup." She chuckled at him and carefully wiped her eyes. "No, I certainly wouldn't." Shepard whispered back with a smile. "Jane Shepard Vakarian. I think that might be the greatest sound I've ever heard. Oh and by the way..." He leaned in close and whispered in her ear. "Be prepared. You have a long night ahead of you. I suggest you get hydrated now because I will taste every single inch of you." Shepard smirked and whispered back. "Be careful Vakarian. Don't make a promise unless you plan to keep it. I don't like to be disappointed." She rubbed one of his mandibles before turning and sauntering off to the other room, forcing a shiver to run down his entire body. Garrus had to wait a few minutes before following her after that.

"How does it feel?" Liara asked in her usual calm voice. "Cold and slimy..." Shepard replied but with a pause said. "But also wonderful." Liara laughed at that. "Its strange. I never thought I would see this day and yet it seems so natural. As if it was supposed to happen all a long." The Asari told her. Shepard smiled and looked at her new husband accross the room, who looked back at her with a slightly shy look in his eyes. "I couldn't agree more." She finally said in reply. A couple of hours after a lot of mingling, drinking and eating, Joker and Edi walked up to Shepard and Garrus. "You okay, Joker? Your eyes are a little red and puffy there." Garrus inquired. "Uhhh Y-yeah! Just a bit of allergies thats all." Joker defended himself in what seemed like embarrassment. Shepard and Garrus glanced at each other and both smiled knowingly. Shepard tilted her head. "Allergies?" She asked. "Yup." "On a Turian planet." "...Yup." "Hmmmm... What exactly are you allergic to?" Garrus asked him. "The... Uhhh... Air..." Edi looked in between them. "That is incorrect. He was overcome with emotion-" "HEY LOOK ITS JAMES." Joker suddenly yelled and hobbled off off which prompted Edi to give a quick goodbye and follow him.

Garrus looked at Shepard and handed her a glass of water. "Hmmm." She hummed, looking at the drink before downing the whole thing. "Did you eat enough yet? Be sure to TASTE everything here." She said. Garrus coughed and held up his hand to get everyones attention. He quickly thanked everyone for coming out but they had to leave before grabbing his wifes hand and pulling her out of the room. A few laughs, were heard and James yelling, "GO GET EM TIGERS!" before exiting.