Shepard collapsed with a strangled cry, barely catching her weight on one elbow as she fell forward. Liara kept her arms wrapped tightly around the human's shoulders, fingers digging into slick skin as she let the meld fade away. For a moment, the only sound in the room was their uneven breathing as they both struggled to regain their breath.

"Damn, Liara," Shepard finally said, muttering helplessly into the crook of the asari's neck. "I would have proposed years ago if I knew you were gonna do that."

Liara laughed gently, gradually loosening her grip. "If only you could have overcome your crippling fear of rejection sooner."

Shepard just groaned in reply. Eventually, she regained her strength enough to roll onto her side. Liara followed, tucking herself tightly into Shepard's chest as she was encircled by warm, strong arms. She let out a sigh and almost immediately began drifting off, listening as her mate's heartbeat returned to the steady rhythm that had lulled her sleep for years.

"Li?" Shepard's voice was soft and oddly hesitant.

"Hmm?"

"We're not going to end up like your parents."

Liara tensed. Apparently she had not been as successful at burying her earlier anxieties as she had hoped. She thought for a moment, pressing her lips against Shepard's collarbone as she formulated her response. She was careful to keep her tone neutral when she spoke.

"You cannot know that."

"Oh really?" Liara could feel Shepard's smile even in the darkness of their room. She felt a sudden burst of irritation and pushed herself away from the human.

"I am serious."

Shepard moved away on their bed, far enough so that she could look Liara in the face. Her optical implants had been replaced with newer models several years after the war, and although her eyes were no longer red, they still shone an unnaturally bright blue in the dark. Shepard's grin was no longer present, and Liara could sense a rush of nervousness from the human, obviously apprehensive about the potential morass she had waded into.

"What's going on?" Shepard asked. Liara felt her nervousness begin to teeter on the edge of sheer panic. She reached out and gently stroked Shepard's cheek, even as she let out a frustrated huff. She hadn't meant to upset her, or even have this conversation on tonight of all nights, but the door had been opened and now it seemed there was no choice but to go through it.

"I just worry sometimes," Liara said. "Despite all that had happened, we are still very different people, Evan. Not just in the obvious ways, either - our backgrounds, how we were raised, even our lives before the war could not be more opposite. And now, with the work I am doing and your semi-retirement, I am concerned that those differences will just be exacerbated."

Her words started coming out in a rush, as she was unable to hold back now that her fears were being voiced. Shepard just listened quietly as she continued. "Do you really think you can remain happy with me? What happens when we have another daughter? You will most likely stay at home to care for her and Eva. Goddess, after everything you have done, how can you live like that and not resent me for it?"

To her credit, Shepard didn't move closer, or try to placate her fears with physical gestures. Liara watched Shepard's eyes glimmer thoughtfully as she considered what she had been told.

"I can see why you would think that," Shepard said. "But here's the thing: I never chose any of that. I only joined the Alliance because I was starving and scared to death and had no other options. I only went through N7 training because it turned out I was good with a sniper rifle. I never chose to get hit with that Prothean beacon, or to be humanity's first Spectre, or to lead the entire goddamn galaxy against the Reapers. But I chose you. I chose a life with you, no matter what it looks like." Shepard turned her head slightly to kiss the palm still resting on her cheek. "And sure, maybe it'll be a little bit boring sometimes, but you know Hackett still finds reasons to call me every other day. And the offer to be an instructor at The Villa still stands. Maybe in a couple years I might want to do that. But right now...I'm tired, Li. I don't want to fight anymore, and if that means my biggest challenge is going to be getting our kids to school on time, I'll gladly accept it."

Liara's throat tightened so much that she could barely speak. "Are you sure? What about my work? You hate politics." Her voice was scarcely a whisper.

Now Shepard moved, raising an arm to wrap around Liara's waist. "I don't know what the future looks like, but I'd be crazy not to want to be with you. You have already done so many amazing things, and I can't even begin to imagine what impact you're going to have in a few years. I will be proud to stand by your side, for as long as you'll let me. And as long as it makes sense for both of us." Shepard paused, and Liara knew she was grinning again. "Besides, watching you tear down the establishment with your bare hands is real turn-on."

Liara laughed weakly and playfully slapped Shepard's shoulder. "You always could give a speech." She sniffed and wiped at her face. Shepard's hand cupped her jaw, and a callused thumb gently brushed away the tears. The kiss started out tenderly and full of reassurance, but quickly became more insistent. Liara clutched at Shepard's shoulders as the human slowly rolled her onto her back. Shepard began moving over her, lips brushing against the folds of her neck, over her breasts, and down the flat plane of her stomach. Liara glanced down and caught a glimpse of her ring, glowing against fingers twisted in thick curls. The light began to grow, seemingly filling the entire room. It was all she could register until she threw her head back and cried out, her eyes swirling into black.

Shepard stretched and let out an involuntary yawn, enjoying the late morning sea breeze. Initially, she had reservations about building their home so close to the water, beset by images of flooding and crashing waves and merciless storms. However, she had soon discovered that the Thessian seas were powerful, yet gentle, and despite the seasonal thunderstorms, they were in no danger. She had quickly come to love the location, mere yards from the surf and in the shadow of what remained of the T'Soni estate. Liara particularly enjoyed that fact, and although her mother's estate had been nearly destroyed in the war, Shepard was pleased that they had been able to build so close to where Liara had grown up. Shepard recalled fondly the first time Liara had taken an infant Eva down to the water, to play in the same sand and surf that she had as a child. She looked forward to Liara doing that again with another daughter, whenever they made that decision.

She padded across the deck and scooped up the empty wineglasses, bottle and decanter they had left out in their haste to retreat upstairs. Despite the sudden appearance of Liara's anxieties, last night had gone quite well, and had even translated into a wonderfully lazy morning. She had managed to convince Liara to shut off her alarm, and they had spent hours in bed curled against each other, melding, dozing, and talking quietly. Only the impending return of their daughter and Shepard's near-pathological need for coffee drove them to finally leave their bedroom.

Shepard opened the sliding door and deftly sidestepped into the living room, managing to balance everything in one arm. Liara was at the sink in the kitchen, standing with her back to her, and Shepard allowed herself a moment of unabashed admiration. Outside their home, Liara had adopted the traditional asari wardrobe when conducting business, and usually wore the typical long dress that covered from neck to feet. Her casual attire was far less formal, however, and she was now clad in a simple tank top and form fitting shorts. Shepard watched the muscles in the asari's back flex as she placed a glass back into the cupboard. Liara's hand hovered in midair for a moment, fingers splayed. Her biotics suddenly flared, rippling down her toned arm and causing her new ring to spring to life.

"You're going to wear it out if you keep doing that." Shepard smiled and planted a kiss on the asari's shoulder, then deposited the dishes on the counter.

"If that's true, then you are cheaper than I thought." Shepard scowled. It was true that she was perhaps a bit stingy with their credits, but she certainly wasn't cheap. The blue energy faded away, and Liara turned around to see Shepard's face. She laughed gently before Shepard replied and wrapped her arms around the human's neck. "You never did explain how this was all Eva's idea," she said, her fingers automatically raking through short copper hair.

Shepard's scowl faded, but her expression remained somewhat serious. She explained the news about Eva's friend, the anxiety it caused, and how their conversation had segued into an unexpected discussion of her parents' marital status. Shepard watched as Liara's eyes flickered with concern at first, then turned into amusement at the ultimate outcome of the situation. When she finished speaking, Shepard grinned for a brief instant, then frowned.

"What?" Liara's fingers tightened on the back of Shepard's neck.

"It's just...everyone in this house thinks I'm just going to up and leave," Shepard huffed. "Did I say something?"

The corners of Liara's eyes crinkled as her smile widened, but any reply was cut short by a loud bang, then the sound of the sliding door practically being wrenched off its tracks. Eva tore into the living room a split second later, followed closely by her grandfather.

"Mom! Mommomomom!" Eva bounded over to them, her backpack slapping wildly against her thin shoulders. Liara spun gracefully and dropped to one knee, holding her arms outstretched.

"Hello, Little Wing! I missed you - "

"Lemme see!" Eva brushed aside her mother's greeting, instead yanking impatiently at her hand. "Oohh!" Her dark blue eyes widened at the sight of the ring, and then she promptly looked up at her father and wrinkled her nose. "Told you!"

Shepard rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, kid." She turned back to finish rinsing the dishes when a rough, callused hand came down sharply on her shoulder, causing her to nearly drop a wineglass.

"'Bout time, dumbass." Aethyta's voice was gruff, but her brown eyes twinkled happily. Shepard shrugged nonchalantly, which earned her an affectionate cuff upside the head. She scowled in protest and Aethyta just cackled and sat down at the breakfast bar.

"Did you get any action, Dad?" Eva had managed to disentangle herself from her mother's grasp and was now tugging at Shepard's hip. Shepard blinked at the odd question, hoping like hell her daughter wasn't asking what she thought she was.

"Wait...what?"

"Did you get any action?" Eva repeated impatiently. "Pop-Pop said that I was spending the night because you were gonna get some 'action' and I asked if that was like the action vids that we watch and she said that it kinda was and I - "

"Eva, why don't you put your bag upstairs?" Liara said in a strained voice. "You and your father can watch a vid after lunch."

Eva, thankfully, complied with the request, no doubt plied with the promise of food. "Can Pop-Pop stay for lunch?"

"Oh, I'm sure Pop-Pop has more important things to do today..." Liara spoke through clenched teeth and leveled a blistering glare at her father. Shepard cringed. She had been on the receiving end of that look more times than she cared to admit.

Aethyta, however, was unperturbed. "Nope, I have all afternoon free. The turian poolboy isn't coming over until later."

Eva paused at the foot of the stairs and cocked her head in confusion. "But you don't have a pool."

A thoughtful look crossed the matriarch's face. "Huh. Guess he'll have clean something else, then."

"Eva, upstairs."

"I'm going!"

As soon as Eva disappeared from sight, Liara wheeled on Aethyta with a dangerous glower, and Shepard moved to intercept her before she sent a warp across her father's face. Aethyta was more amused than worried.

"Don't even start with me." She waved dismissively. "I'm surprised she hasn't figured it all out by now. I've seen varren in heat that were more dignified than you two." Shepard blushed involuntarily and exchanged glances with Liara, who still looked decidedly angry. Aethyta gestured at the seat next to her, ignoring her daughter's reaction. "C'mon, sit down. Despite what you might think, I didn't come over just to piss you off. I have something for both of you."

Liara eased into the stool facing the matriarch, still eyeing her warily. Shepard remained standing and took up position immediately behind her, placing a palm flat on the bar and letting the other gently brush against Liara's hip. Shepard was rewarded when she felt her bondmate relax and lean back into her slightly.

Aethyta cleared her throat and shifted in her seat, suddenly looking uncharacteristically hesitant. "All right, so I just happened to be cleaning out some stuff last night, and I came across these." She reached into the pocket of her dress and produced a slim white box. She placed it carefully on the counter and slid it deliberately over to Liara. "I thought maybe you could get some use out of 'em."

Shepard hovered over Liara's shoulder and heard her gasp softly as she opened the box. Lying side by side, entwined from the jostling of Aethyta's pocket, were two gleaming bracelets. One was braided together with two different types of metal, appearing silver and gold, with deep brown jewels in the band. The other, slightly thicker than the first, was a lone silver strand embedded with its own blue-green jewels. Liara looked up at the matriarch, mouth agape.

"Father, you...you kept these? After so many years?"

Aethyta attempted a casual shrug, but Shepard could see the emotion just behind her dark eyes. "Eh, you know at my age it's easy to lose track of things. Thought I had tossed 'em forever ago. Guess not." The matriarch's gaze flicked from Liara to Shepard then back again, and Shepard realized that all three of them knew she was lying. Her features became more earnest. "Look, I'm not trying to upset you, and you don't have to keep 'em if you don't want to. But those bracelets have one hundred good, strong years in 'em. And if you ask me, I'm pretty sure you two idiots have me and Nezzie beat." She smiled warmly and reached out to squeeze Liara's shoulder.

"I-I don't know...Evan...?" Liara craned her neck around to look at Shepard, eyes glistening and an utterly overwhelmed expression on her face. Shepard slowly brought her hand over to cover Liara's and laced their fingers together over the box.

"They're perfect," she said.

"Are you sure?"

Shepard reached her other arm around Liara's waist and pulled the asari tightly to her. She gently kissed the side of her neck. "Absolutely."

The moment was interrupted by a familiar, gravelly cackle. Aethyta had somehow slipped out of her stool and walked across the room. Shepard turned to find her soon-to-be father-in-law rummaging through her liquor cabinet, even though it wasn't even midday yet.

"What?" Shepard frowned.

"I just remembered that now you have to actually plan the damn thing." Aethyta poured herself a generous amount of ryncol, then tipped the glass in their direction. "Good luck with that."