Chapter Text
“What’s the matter?” Kaidan asked.
At least having a cane gave her something to fidget with. Shepard turned the handle around and around. “Nothing.”
He glanced over from his place in the driver’s seat. “Doesn’t look like nothing.”
“It’ll be fine,” she said, and knew she sounded like she was trying to convince herself.
He was quiet for a moment, and then he said, “We can reschedule, if you want.”
“No!” She took a breath. “No, I mean, I have to meet your family sometime, it might as well be now.”
He snorted. “It’s not supposed to be an ordeal. They’re going to love you.”
She rolled her eyes, hoping he couldn’t see. Obviously, he was biased. Like loving her was the universal reaction to her. She was really not sure she was very good daughter-in-law material.
“C’mon, you can tell me.”
Shepard sighed. “It’s just… I don’t know how much I bring to the table here. I’m retired, I’m still working on the walking thing, I just…”
“You don’t have to bring anything to the table but yourself.” His tone was firm.
Shepard bit her lip. “Look, I don’t know how families work, okay? You know I don’t really have one.”
“Yeah, I know.” He took one hand off the controls and touched her knee. “That’s why I want to give you mine.”