four little words
MERWeek 2021 - Prompt: Long Time No See
read it on ao3!
“You will let me see my daughter!” The receptionist just smiled plaintively and nodded at Hannah’s outcry, her hand reaching for the phone that kept ringing.
“Ma’am, she’s just come out of surgery. She won’t be ready for—“
“You don’t get to tell me—“
Hannah was cut off by an asari slamming both hands into the hospital counter.
“I’m looking for Liara T’Soni. Asari. About as tall as I am. Biggest fucking blue eyes in the galaxy. Should be with that stupid redhead, Commander Shepard.”
The offense that had been stirring within Hannah died as the asari said her daughter’s name.
“We don’t have any asari in this hospital ma’am,” the receptionist said, clearly stressed as her phone kept ringing. “Now if you’ll give me one moment I need to answer that call.”
“She’s not being treated, puckerfuck. She’s with her girlfriend.”
“Yes, just one moment—“
“You touch that fucking phone and I will remove your fucking hand.”
The receptionist pulled her hand back.
The asari smiled, but it was more like a baring of teeth.
“Good choice. Liara T’Soni. Commander Shepard.”
“First name?”
“Of who? Me? The Commander? I don’t fucking know. She’s the Savior of the fucking galaxy. How’s that for a first name?”
“It’s Nova.”
The asari turned to Hannah, and Hannah had to say that her attention was really rather startling. The burning of a thousand stars was held within her eyes. “What did you fucking say?”
“Her name is Nova. Nova Shepard.”
“And who are you.” It was not a question so much as a command.
Hannah stuck out a hand in greeting. “Admiral Hannah Shepard. Her mother.”
“Aethyta.” The asari did not shake her hand, just turned back to the receptionist. “Well, you heard her. Now tell me where Liara is.”
“What relation are you to Miss T’Soni?”
“It’s Doctor T’Soni. And I’m her father.” Father? Hannah’s mind hung on the word.
The receptionist nodded though, either knowing something she didn’t, not hearing, or not caring. The latter was most likely, especially as she eyed the ringing phone again.
“Of course. As I was telling Admiral Shepard here though, Commander Shepard is coming out of surgery. She needs to rest. Doctor T’Soni is the only one allowed into her room as of current.”
“Listen here: I’ve had enough of this bull--” The receptionist reached for the phone.
Aethyta’s face twisted into a snarl, body tensing and arms starting to glow blue.
Hannah placed her hand on the receptionist’s, stilling it on the handle. “I think it would be wise for you to tell us where to find our daughters. Otherwise, you’re going to have a pissed-off Admiral and Matriarch in the waiting room. And I don’t think you want that. Now do you?” Hannah squeezed the receptionist’s hand a bit too tight.
The girl’s eyes widened at the unspoken threat and yanked her hand back. “Room 308.”
“Thank you, dearest.”
Hannah took off from the desk at a brisk pace, knowing that her daughter was behind one of these doors. She didn’t care if Aethyta was following her, though she knew it was likely that the asari was a few steps behind her.
Finally coming to the correct door, her hand rested inches above the door, waiting to knock, but hesitating. What if Nova didn’t want to see her? What if the girl beyond this door was not the girl she had known before? That was a silly question though. Of course, Nova was different. After this war, they all were.
“Are you just going to stare at the door or are you going to open it, hun?”
Hannah glanced up to Aethyta, who stood with both arms crossed, one hip jutting out. Her brown eyes seemed to take all of her in with one long look that stretched from toes to head. Hannah’s face burned.
“Yes, of course,” she mumbled, and gave two polite taps. There was no answer. “Perhaps they’re both sleeping.”
Aethyta scoffed and lightly pushed Hannah out of the way before barging through the door.
Hannah, frowning, followed her through.
“Father?” Another asari, presumably Liara, started out of her chair, where she had been tucked up, likely sleeping.
Hannah could hear the gravel of Aethyta’s voice in return, but the words were drowned out as she saw Nova laying there in the hospital bed. Her face was a mess of scrapes, her hair burned away in some places, and she was covered in bandages, but Nova looked…peaceful. Calm. Content.
Hannah covered her mouth to stifle a sob, using the other to take Nova’s hand in her own. “My baby girl…”
Nova’s eyes fluttered open, revealing the matching set to Hannah’s own. “Momma?”
“I’m here,” Hannah whispered, tears streaming down her face. Momma. She had called her Momma, as she hadn’t since she was a small child. “I’m here, baby girl.”
Nova’s eyes closed again, settling back into that peaceful expression. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She could hardly get the words out. When was the last time she had held her daughter’s hand? Seen her face in something more than a holo-projection? Three years ago, Hannah had thought she would never have the opportunity again. And then by some miracle, she had come back to Hannah. Yet still, they had not seen each other. Just a few short messages between them. A call that had lasted less than a minute before Nova set course to die. Again.
“I love you Momma…” The four little words were sleepy, her tongue thick with whatever medicine that was keeping her out of pain. But Hannah’s heart still squeezed.
“I love you too, baby girl. I love you too…”
