Ratchet's P.O.V.
As I feared, Jasmine has pneumonia, and it's bad. I'm glad it's not to the point I need to put her on a ventilator, but hearing her breath hurts. At least she can sleep, which gets Jolt insisting I visit the baby. He hesitantly suggests transferring the baby here, since she does not require breathing assistance. I lie and tell him I'm going to the hospital, but I go to the conference room and sit at the table. I hate I don't know the future, which leaves me not knowing what to do now.
I didn't know Dr. Morton would come by. Great, add to my stress. It's concerning that Rung, Lennox, and Prime walk in with him. Sure, let's add having an anxiety attack in front of the doctor who'll be talked to by whoever is handling the baby's case. I think even the lawyer we hired would be concerned.
"She's doing well, Ratchet," Lucus starts, "I think she's ready to be transferred to the medbay."
"Do you-?" I start.
"Yes, I know, but I think this will help Jasmine. Even if she has to wait until she's over being sick to see her sister."
"She's scared to bond with her sister," I explain, "afraid the system will decide she's only fit to visit her sister."
"You didn't tell her, did you?" Prime asks.
"I don't think it'll make a difference knowing her aunt and uncle are set to let us take her sister even if the system deems them the baby's legal guardians. She's worried the system will decide she can only visit," I explain.
The three mechs aren't sure what to do. Even if Damian and Ryley talk to Jasmine, there's still the chance she's right. There's not much our lawyer can say either, but we all agree Jasmine avoiding her sister is hurting the chances of outcomes we hope for. Prime suggests transferring the baby, and I hold her while with Jasmine — being careful not to get the baby sick. At least it's spending time with the baby and not forcing Jasmine.
"Good news is the baby is taking the pacifier well," Lucus explains, "she's almost ready to try a bottle."
"Can't wait to know what her name will be," Prime smiles.
With Jasmine asleep, Prime insists I visit the baby. It's hard to believe how far this little one has come. She's still getting a little oxygen support via a nasal cannula, which allows her to have a pacifier. I give in and hold her. She likes holding my pinky finger even though her tiny hands can't go around my finger completely.
"As strange as it sounds, she won't do that for everyone," the nurse explains.
She can't understand I could be her guardian soon, can she?
Perhaps she does as she cries when I put her in the crib. Even refusing to go to sleep — but that doesn't last long.
"You are safe little one," I whisper to her.
How likely does she know her mom was killed, and she was saved? I know a human femme's physical and mental health affects a pregnancy like for Cybertronian femme, but this seems unusual. Before I leave, I talk to Lucus. We plan for the transfer to happen tomorrow morning, and he'll come by once a day. Even he's puzzled by the baby's behavior.
"Perhaps it's psychology we don't understand fully yet. As of now, there are no signs of disability, but I remind you again; there's no way to know 100%. She could be physically disability-free but struggle in other areas," Lucus explains.
I'm not going to tell him I'm used to that already. Though he'll be happy to know I'm prepared.
Damian and Ryley are still at the base, though they'll be going back home at the end of the month since the kids start school. Prowl told them no, but Prime believes we can keep them safe if Yazmine targets them.
They plan to take their kids on one last trip, wishing they could take Jasmine.
"Even if she wasn't sick, I don't know if she'd be ok mentally to go," I admit.
"I know it's too soon," Prime jumps in, "but think how great Thanksgiving will be. I hope this doesn't take until November to get everything figured out, but I believe that day is fitting for a party celebrating a new family."
We agree with this idea, though I think we'll end up having a little party if everything is figured out before Thanksgiving.
Damian and Ryley visit Jasmine before they leave, hoping she'd be awake to talk to her.
"She'll be feeling better by the time you get back," I assure them, though I dread the conversation they want to have, even if it's all good news on their end.
"I promise you things will end in a good way," Ryley says as she stands by Jasmine's bed.
The two leave the room as I sit by the bed.
I hope you are right, Ryley. Jasmine is already going to struggle with what happened to her, and I don't want to add dealing with her sister is taken away from her.
Jasmine's P.O.V.
I didn't think I'd sleep all afternoon. Ratchet is asleep on a recliner by the bed. Oh, Ratchet, please don't tell me you're not going back to our room to sleep?
"I'm just as surprised as you he brought this in," Jolt comments, "Do you feel better?"
"Yes, but because of the medication I'm on."
"Fair point, at least you feel better. Ratchet doesn't know I've been working on soup. There's a recipe our friend, Drift, uses when he makes soup for his charge."
Jolt records my vitals from the monitor before leaving the room. At least I feel better with medication, and I'm scared to know how my mental state will be once I'm not sick.