52

The past few days were a bit awkward for me. Anytime I'd try to do something, Optimus and the others would be on me in an instant. It wouldn't be stuff that'd put me through any kind of stress. I could be getting up to go to the bathroom and suddenly Optimus is in his Holoform carrying me the rest of the way.

I knew that Optimus had to tell the others that this whole pregnancy was dangerous, but they were acting like I was incapable of doing anything. I couldn't go to the bathroom without assistance; I couldn't walk around base by myself; I couldn't sleep without being questioned for ten minutes by Optimus to make sure I'm OK. I understood the fact that this was unnatural and something like this had to be closely monitored, but what I was going through was completely irrational. If I needed their help with anything, I would ask. Instead, they're coming at me with anything they can think of to make it feel 'easier' for me.

I'm grateful for what they're trying to do; it's sweet that they're at least trying to make this comfortable for me, but I didn't need assistance with everything and to get questioned before I go to sleep.

"Optimus," I sighed; the Holoform was in my barrack with me, staying close by in case I needed something. "You really need to back off some. I know you're trying to help, but this is going way too far."

"I'm trying to make this comfortable for you," he rumbled.

"I know," I said. "I know you're trying and thank you for doing so; but I don't need to be carried to the bathroom, I don't need someone with me when I walk around the base, I don't need to be questioned before I go to bed every night. I'm really grateful that you want to help, but maybe with the little things."

Optimus looked at me carefully; those bright blue eyes studying me. He gave a single nod. "I apologize," he rumbled. "I was unaware of how this would make you feel; I thought I was helping."

"You are," I said, I put my hand on his cheek. "You're helping more than you realize. Just having you here with me is helping."

Optimus gave a small smile.

"Just promise me you'll give me some breathing room?" I asked softly.

"I promise," he rumbled.


I stood in the bathroom, my shirt lifted to reveal my stomach. Ratchet was right, the baby was growing faster than a human baby. There was already a small bump; slowly getting bigger as the days went on. You would have to look closely at first to see it, but standing sideways, it's a little more obvious.

I gently placed my hand over the bump; I sighed. So far, so good. Ratchet said in his daily check ups that the baby was developing at a quicker rate, but, for the most part, is healthy. My blood pressure was a little higher than normal; but there were no significant changes that needed to be checked.

The bump felt a little warmer than the rest of my body; the skin firm and stretched a little. I had already gone up a few bra sizes since I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to know when Ratchet would find out the baby's gender, he said it wouldn't be for awhile. But since this is the biological descendent of a Prime, I should expect a baby boy. I rolled my eyes. I didn't care what gender the baby was, but I knew that this baby wasn't expected to be a boy. I would have been happy with a girl; just as I would be happy with a boy.

The main concern I had was what happens if Decepticons discover the baby.

"Your Sparkling will be well protected," Ratchet said.

"That doesn't answer my question," I said firmly. "What will happen if the Decepticons find out?"

"A number of things could happen," Ratchet said. "The Decepticons could kill your Sparkling; a half-human descendant of a Prime, I would believe something like that would terrify them. If they don't kill the Sparkling, they could find you at any time during this pregnancy and just kill you. Why do you think we don't let you leave base? Once the Sparkling is born, the Decepticons could steal it away and raise it to be a Decepticon, bringing misery and destruction wherever it goes."

"I don't understand how they could be terrified of a baby," I said. "I don't want them anywhere near my baby; but it's harmless compared to them."

"You are such a naïve human," Ratchet sighed. "This Sparkling is a biological descendant of a living Prime. We can sense this baby is going to be as strong as Optimus, if not stronger; maybe even become a Prime when it's older. And if a hybrid Sparkling can become a Prime, then what else can happen? Optimus is one of the strongest warriors left from Cybertron, his only match being Megatron. If the Decepticons sense this Sparkling's importance, they will not hesitate to kill the Sparkling when it's born; kill you and the unborn Sparkling; or take the Sparkling and raise it as a Decepticon. Do you understand now?"

"What about the All Spark?" I asked. "Could I pass on some of this All Spark mojo to the baby?"

Ratchet thought it over. "It's a possibility."

"So this baby is going to be one hell of a problem?" I asked.

"A problem or a miracle," Ratchet said.

I didn't want to believe that Decepticons wanted to kill my baby. Or maybe even me. All the possible outcomes of what the Decepticons could do to my baby were terrifying. I found it frustrating when I was told I couldn't leave base; I didn't want to be cooped up in the same old place for nine months! But if the Decepticons found out about the baby, anything could happen.

A sharp knock on the bathroom door took me out of my anxieties.

"Who is it?" I called.

"Optimus," the deep baritone responded.

Opening the bathroom door, after pulling my shirt down, I saw Optimus's Holoform standing on the other end. He smiled down at me; I gave him my brightest smile. He had kept his promise of not being so over-helpful, only coming to my assistance when I truly needed it.

"Are you feeling ill?" he asked. "You have been in there for quite some time."

I shook my head. "Just thinking. You know, when my stomach gets bigger, I'm going to need bigger clothes."

"You are not allowed to leave base, Desirée," Optimus rumbled.

"Well when I get as big as a barn, I won't be able to fit in any of my clothes," I said. "I'm not friends with any women on base; only Arcee. Who's going to help me get the clothes I need when I get bigger?"

Optimus narrowed his eyes slightly. He frowned. "Lennox and Epps are creators, they can find the proper clothing you need," he rumbled.

I put my hands on my hips. "How are you going to convince two military men to buy pregnancy clothes for me? They wouldn't step foot in the women's section if they had to. Especially for pregnancy clothes."

Optimus looked down at me, his face stoic. I could tell he was trying to find a logical reason to keep me on base; but I already got a bump and it was getting bigger. I wasn't going to wait until I could barely squeeze into my clothes anymore to go out and buy the proper clothes!

"I will speak with Lennox," he rumbled, "to see what can be done." He didn't look too pleased.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest; the smell of metal mixed with his masculine smell made my head fuzzy my heart speed up a little.

"Don't be mad," I mumbled against his chest. "I just wanted to be ready. I'm going to get really big and I won't be able to fit into anything."

Optimus's strong arms gently wrapped around me, holding me close. "I am not mad," he said. "I worry for you and the Sparkling."

I didn't say anything else, just enjoying the feeling of him holding me. I knew he was going to worry; he'd worry his entire life with the baby around. I gently kissed Optimus's chest, resting my cheek against it, feeling the hum of his Spark against my cheek.

"Do you think the baby is going to be a boy?" I asked. "Ratchet said the baby would most likely to be a boy."

"Whatever gender the Sparkling turns out to be," Optimus rumbled, "I will love it either way."

I smiled gently. "This baby is going to have one, big crazy family."

Optimus rumbled. "Yes, I think it will."


QUICKY A/N:

TO THE LAST REVIEW I GOT, I AM AWARE THAT I DON'T HAVE TO USE ALL CAPS FOR THESE AUTHOR NOTES. I CHOSE TO USE ALL CAPS. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS A PROBLEM WITH ME USING ALL CAPS FOR MY AUTHOR NOTES, I WON'T CONTINUE WITH THE CAPS.

ANYWHO, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE NICE REVIEWS! ALMOST 200 REVIEWS, THAT'S PRETTY COOL!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY