CHAPTER 25
Adoption Day

Luke felt more uncomfortable that morning than he had ever felt in his life. Perhaps it was the suit, completely out of his element, or perhaps it was the fact that Breakdown looked more nervous than he would ever be. They'd been waiting outside the courtroom with Optimus and Barricade present for the last two hours and each minute that passed only felt more and more like a year. "Hey." Luke stared over as he felt Breakdown's holoform wrap his arms around his shoulders "Don't be so scared, kid. You're only making me more nervous." He added.

"More nervous? You look like you'll rust your plating at any-" Barricade caught the warning glance from Optimus, and quickly changed course "Listen, unless you two do something to totally frag it up-" Again, another look "Look, you two are going to go in there, and when you come out I'll officially have a nephew." He stated finally "I know you two, you've got this." He added.

"Thanks for the forced vote of confidence." Luke muttered.

Luke leaned his head against Breakdown's shoulder, feeling his stomach twist in knots. In no time at all, he'd either leave finally a part of a loving family, or he'd leave with a social worker and he wasn't sure he was ready for the latter. The door to the court room opened slowly as Breakdown stood slowly. "Judge Danson will see you now." A femme spoke up slowly, she peered towards Optimus, who started to head for the door "Clearly you're not family, you'll have to wait-" She began.

"He's the Godfather." Breakdown stepped in.

Luke followed Breakdown's real form into the hearing quietly, though it wasn't much of a hearing. Like Breakdown had said, there was simply a judge present, and nothing more. The judge himself was more intimidating than all two hours of waiting, towering over Optimus by a little with a golden paint job. Luke almost wanted to run away, screaming, but found his bravery to follow Breakdown to the judge's stand. "You're my last adoption hearing of the day, so we're going to make this quick." The judge spoke calmly "I'm here to decide the fate of Lucas Steven Blithe, who is currently in the care of his Foster Father, Breakdown." He peered at Breakdown "A former Decepticon." He added.

"And now an Autobot who works for a charity." Luke spoke up.

The judge's optics fell upon Luke, who nearly wanted to cower behind Breakdown and say his prayers. Yet, he saw something form on the massive mech, a smile, however small. "I'm aware of his charitable contributions Lucas. My own daughter is in Autobot Pals and has spoken only highly of Breakdown." Luke could feel hope slowly rising in his chest "Yet, I must ask, why after such a long period of fostering am I seeing you both now? Surely..." He began "You could have adopted after the termination of his former adoptive parent's parental rights." He added.

"Personal obligations kept me from doing so." Breakdown shifted a bit "I've wanted to adopt him for some time, but my own selfish reasons kept me from doing so." He paused "I can't lie and say I couldn't or shouldn't have adopted him years ago. But what matters is we're here now, and I want to adopt him now." He added "I always have." He added.

"And you're aware by signing these documents... Lucas will not only be your responsibility for the next four years." The judge repeated "But for the rest of his life, until he leaves this Earth, he will be your child. Whom this court will expect you to raise as you would any naturally sparked sparkling." He then added as quietly as he could "Are you certain you're ready for such a responsibility." He added.

Breakdown was quiet for several minutes, several long minutes. But slowly, Luke could feel a finger rested on his shoulder, and see the look of determination in his guardian's optics. "I was certain the moment I held him in my arms for the first time." Breakdown spoke, his voice quiet "And I've never been more sure of anything in my life." He added.

"And Lucas..." Luke stared at the judge slightly "You've been given over to one unloving home before. But this time, you have a say and voice in this matter." Luke shifted, his eyes staring towards the mech beside him "By telling me that you wish to be the son of Breakdown, you're creating a lifetime bond." He added quietly "By the time you're able to get away, should it be a mistake. Chances are you can never have a third chance at your age." He added.

For the first time, Luke reflected upon his years with the mech. Though Luke had been raised mostly by his abusive caretakers, Breakdown had taught him what being a "man" or "mech" was. He'd raised him to respect life, not hate it, he'd taught him how to love, and be loved. And he knew that learning from the former Decepticon was only just beginning. "It's funny..." Luke commented "But I don't think I ever... Really belonged anywhere but with him." He then added "Breakdown found me when I was only a week old..." He began.

Luke stood there, his confidence slowly growing. "My parents couldn't take care of me, I don't know why. And I don't think I ever am going to know." He peered at Breakdown "But he's always been there for me, even if I didn't know it. He took care of me then, and he's taken care of me now." He then added "Everyone is so focused on what people "used" to be. But honestly? We're all just... People." He then added "I couldn't want this any more if I tried. Because I think it was always supposed to happen." He then added "And I'm ready for whatever comes of that." He added.

The judge only seemed to smile a little wider, turning to Optimus a bit. The Autobot leader winked, as if he had known already what Luke would say and how the judge would feel. "Well then, I see no reason to keep this any further." The judge finally spoke politely "If you'll sign here, Breakdown." He set a data pad in front of Breakdown, and within a few minutes, took it back "I hereby officially grant legal custody of the minor, Lucas Steven Blithe, to Breakdown. This court recognizes him from this day forward, as Lucas Steven Downs." He then added "Congratulations."

In all the years he'd lived with Breakdown, Luke had never thought he'd hear those words uttered. To think after all this time, and after all the stress, it was all over, he had a family, a real one. It took him a few moments to realize that Breakdown had lifted him into his hand and hugged him to his chest plate, but as he did, he merely leaned in closely and let the tears fall. "Thank you." He heard Breakdown say to the judge.

"Is it really over? That's it?" Luke questioned.

Breakdown could only smile, his face softening. "It sure is, sparkling, you're mine now." He added "And that'll never change."

And for a moment, for a single, solitary moment, he was the happiest person in the world.

...

The festivities and celebration that night died down slowly that night. And though Luke had felt like the happiest person in the world for a moment, Breakdown felt that way the entirety of the night. His life had changed more than he'd ever expected it to since his days as a Decepticon, and as odd as it may have sounded back then, he was happy it had. He was silent as he watched from the doorway to his son's bedroom as he prepared for bed. His son, he had always wanted to be able to think that way, but until now it had seemed like a dream.

Taking a few steps in, he pulled the coverings over Luke gently, and stared at him slowly. Luke stared back, as if just as at a loss for words as he was. They had a long lifetime ahead of him, and neither was sure what it would bring. But through their eye contact, Breakdown knew they were happier than they'd ever been. "Now if you have any nightmares..." Breakdown paused "You know I'm just down the hall."

"I know Dad."

Breakdown smiled a bit, and nodded. "I love you, son." Breakdown stated as quietly as he could "No matter what being the son of a former Decepticon brings you... I hope you always understand that." He then added "I have no regrets for what I did today." He added.

Luke could only smile at that, laying his head against the pillow. He stared up silently at Breakdown for a few moments, and let a tear streak down his face for the fifth time that night. "No regrets here either, Dad." Luke shrugged his shoulders "Like I've told you, I don't care what you did, what you've done..." He paused a bit "I'm proud to be your son." He added.

Breakdown nodded his head. "And I'm even prouder to be your Father." Breakdown cleared his throat "But if anyone asks..."

"They already know." They both laughed quietly "I love you Dad."

"I love you too, Luke."

As Breakdown left the room, flicking the light off as he did Luke laid there, and thought over his life until now. And for the first time, with his past fully behind him, he found himself thinking to the future, to spending the rest of his life as Luke Downs. From now on, he would never go it alone, or be unloved again. And as his body slowly drifted off into a deep sleep, he could feel nothing but excitement for what came next.