CHAPTER 10
Family Time

Jeff wasn't surprised when Prowl allowed him to spend the next day with his uncles. Nor did he complain any time the two of them decided to passively spoil him, something that was a given whenever the two visited. Bluestreak's news of his intention to be a father made him smile, and thankful that Prowl's decision had inspired him to reach out to kids like him. In truth, Jeff hoped to do the same thing when he got older, as a way of giving back for the life that he'd been given by his new family. The thought that in a few years, another kid might be given a shot at this family was enough to make him smile.

Jeff didn't even mind that Cable had tagged along to join his grandson and two of his son's. To say the least, it allowed him to see a side of Cable he had not yet been shown. With Prowl, they were both usually serious. But with his other two sons, a more playful side came out of Cable and showed Jeff that his grandfather had a lot of sides to him. In fact, the highlight of his afternoon came when Cable threw his holoform's arm around him and pulled him aside in the small cafe they'd stopped at to talk.

"That teacher said anything to you since you left?" Cable asked first, Jeff shook his head "Good, good." He paused a moment "You know Jeff, I wanted to tell you something, but I haven't had much time with you alone." He gently squeezed the boy on the shoulder "You're a good kid, and I don't want you to ever let anyone tell you otherwise." He shook his head "I know I'm not the closest to you as of yet. We have only known each other a short time after all..."

"I don't expect you to be." Jeff shrugged.

Yet the arm remained around him, and Cable seemed to pull him closer. Jeff had never been shown this kind of affection by Cable before, but welcomed it without a single argument. "I just wanted you to know that you should not listen to such stupid comments." He noted, running a hand through his holoform's greying jet black hair "I got them all the time at your age, and then some. And I can honestly say that if that is anything to go by, you're going to end up just fine." He explained.

Jeff found himself leaning his head against his grandfather's shoulder, taking a deep breath. The warmth that the mech seemed to give off reminded him of Prowl on his truly affectionate days, and it definitely felt good. "Thanks Cable. For y'know, everything." Jeff smiled a little bit "I'm still getting used to people standing up for me, but... It means a lot to know that you would." He then added "I'm sorry for not trusting you better back then. I just-"

Cable squeezed his shoulder again, grabbing Jeff's attention. "It's alright, you'll learn to trust me. And I will work to earn it." He explained "But know this, son. You're an addition to this family I'm glad was made." He admitted "Now, come on, they're waiting for you to order your food." He hugged Jeff a little closer as he made his way over to where his son's were waiting.

Though Jeff was surprised by the action, he was none-the-less happy. He'd been wondering what impression he had made on his new grandfather so far, and to say the least, it made him feel good. Knowing that he was making not a good impression, but a great one, and that was more than just a small start to a good relationship between them. It was odd to think, but it was the first time he really felt like he was related to the old mech, at least in the optics of Cable. Perhaps because Cable was trying to be more open and loving for the first time since he'd met him.

Jeff sighed quietly as he sat himself down at the table. He couldn't help but smile a little wider now, it was a good feeling, the one he felt in his heart as they sat there. Taking a deep breath, he allowed himself to relax for once. If nothing else, though Prowl seemed tense earlier, he was given more than enough reason to relax while he spent more time with his family. "Hey guys?" Jeff spoke up, looking between the three of them "You're the best." He added.

He felt a firm hand on his shoulder, Bluestreak simply smiled at him. "We know." Bluestreak noted, smiling widely, then carefully removing the hand.

As Jeff dug into the food that sat in front of him, he kept the smile on his face. For the first time in his life, he felt that this was what it was like to have a family that was "complete". Prowl and him had yet to have nights out like this outside of their trips out, but it made him think about suggesting them to him. He liked this, and they did need more time together. But for now, he wouldn't think about that alone, he'd simply enjoy the day he was having with his extended family, as he knew he didn't get too many days like this.

And he was more than happy to have one now.

...

Prowl was silent as Jeff was dropped off by his uncles and grandfather later that day. His mind still focused on how much Jeff was growing up, he simply confirmed their plans to hang out later that night. But for the most part, he busied himself with his data pads of work, burying himself into like every time he needed to be deep in thought. But after a few moments, Prowl couldn't keep quiet, he set his data pad down and stared over at Jeff. "Jeff?" Jeff looked up "We need to talk, son." He noted.

"Is it about why you're so quiet?"

Prowl nodded his head a little bit, casually approaching his son. He knew not to treat his son like a child in this situation. Jeff was almost a legal adult, and to treat him like he was twelve or thirteen would have been pointless. "I saw you at the pub last night." Prowl started out bluntly "More specifically, with two young femmes your age." Jeff's eyes widened at that notion "What was that about, Jeff? Are you looking to start dating, because I thought we had an agreement-" He began.

"It wasn't a date!" Jeff insisted "They were checking us out, so we went over to talk." He shook his head "I know I'm not allowed to date anybody you don't approve of. I made that agreement with you, remember?" He asked, shaking his head a little "Why would you think I'd just betray your trust like that?" He asked.

Prowl frowned at the question, taking a deep breath. After all, Jeff had done so a few times before, oftentimes when he not-so-often reverted to his old ways. But by the look in his eyes, he could tell that Jeff was not lying. The only thing he was doing was growing more confused at Prowl's accusation. "It wouldn't be the first of my rules that you'd have broken since you came to live with me." Jeff frowned at that, but nodded in agreement "I'm only looking out for your best interests, you know that." He added.

"So if you approved Kelly, I could see her again?"

Prowl stared at Jeff slowly, taking that in for a moment. He hadn't quite seen Jeff's question coming, a part of him had hoped he hadn't enjoyed his time. Prowl sighed quietly, seating himself down in front of Jeff to look down at him. He knew that Jeff wanted to be a normal kid, which meant dating, especially at his age, and usually earlier. Jeff had had a talk about safe sex in foster care, he knew that Jeff wasn't even reckless to have sex yet for that matter. But at the same time, this was the first step in letting Jeff go, in further independence.

Smiling sadly, Prowl nodded his head, knowing he couldn't say "no". He'd made that agreement the same time that Jeff made his with him, he couldn't go back on it now. Primus knew how many months of progress with Jeff he would be pushing himself back if he did that. "I need to approve her though." Prowl reinforced "I can't promise that'll happen. As you know, my standards are high regarding the thought of anyone dating you." Jeff snorted, Prowl smirked "You think I'm kidding? Boy..." He leaned forward "You're my son, I'm nothing but serious when it comes to you."

Jeff gulped at that, uncertain of what to think about that. He had a clear mental image of Prowl holding Kelly under a spotlight, an actual spotlight, and asking her a list of questions. A part of him wanted to take it back and actually start dating behind his back, but he knew that would do him no good. "As long as you don't turn it into a bad Dirty Harry remake." He crossed his arms a bit "You have to actually give her a chance. Not base everything on "logic"." He added.

"I would never-"

"Yes, you would." Jeff replied "You're protective, and I like that. But I don't want my first kiss to be when I'm like, forty."

Prowl sighed, hating to say that he might have preferred it that way. But knew that Jeff was speaking the truth, he would have been a little hard on the femme, and he probably still would. But to say the least, he had to at least give the girl a real shot. For all he knew, his worries were for nothing and she'd end up being a good girl with good intentions. "I'm still interrogating her." Prowl pointed out "She will still meet my standards, even if I lower them a smidge."

"Yes, sir."

Jeff could only hope that lowering them "a smidge" would be enough.