Ratchet's P.O.V.
The baby was moved to a room in the medbay an hour ago. Jolt and I wait until Jasmine is eating for me to sit in the room holding the baby. I didn't think our lawyer would stop by.
"Yes, I understand you have to evaluate Jasmine's mental state," I say in a sad tone, "it's been hard; she's afraid of what the judge will decide, which makes her not want to bond with the baby."
"They'll send someone else to evaluate her mental state, and you're right; if she's refusing to see her sister, they'll take that as she'll refuse to take care of her sister."
"Maybe I should have let the system deem her aunt and uncle guardians and waited until Jasmine recovered."
"Even I know she won't fully recover in a few months. This is a situation that never has a set timeframe."
Jasmine is scared seeing the two of us walk in. I know she thinks she'll be told to say goodbye to her sister. I have Florence hold the baby. However, I'm still carrying the oxygen concentrator.
"Hey, hey, easy. It's ok; Florence is here to talk."
Tears roll down Jasmine's face, and I feel her shaking. Her vitals are slightly elevated. Jolt rushes in, uncertain if I need help.
Florence's P.O.V.
This is a good sign. It's clear Jasmine knows I'm a lawyer and thinks I'm telling her she can't see her sister. Its sad Ratchet has to resort to drugs.
"She's here to talk," Ratchet repeats.
"Are we too late?" Damian asks as he walks on with Ryley, "we pushed the trip back one day when we heard the baby would be moved to the medbay. Didn't think you'd be here, but this is better," Damian explains even though he sees what's going in with his niece. Optimus and Rung also walk into the room.
Ratchet sits on the bed, holding Jasmine, trying to calm her down as the drug kicks in. I move the chair by the bed and sit down, holding the baby.
"You know I'm a lawyer, but we haven't hade the hearing yet," I explain and take her hand, "Ratchet tells me you don't want to bond with your sister, but I have to inform the judge, and you know the judge will consider that when deciding the outcome for this little one. I know it's scary you may be granted only visitation, but you have to think you'll be granted guardianship."
"Even if we are granted full guardianship, we agreed to let you and Ratchet take her," Ryley adds, "it'll be a little harder but doable."
"Of course, we'd like to be in her life if you two take her," Damian adds.
"Please bond with your sister," Prime insists.
I hand Jasmine the baby, and we watch the baby spit out the binky and smile.
"Look, I know everything isn't set, but please give this little one a name," Ryley insists, "we want you two to name her."
This case is interesting, aside from the fact the baby's potential guardian and possibly one day brother-in-law is an alien, but how understanding the five adults involved are. I haven't told Jasmine and Ratchet that they are not married may make this more challenging. I don't want to make them rush getting married. I can tell they love each other, and Ratchet will likely propose one day. One step at a time; first guardianship to keep the baby out of the system when she has family, then adoption.
Everyone is happy to see the potential family bonding and takes pictures.
"Ok, I hate to kill the mood, but remember everyone, Jasmine is still sick, and we need to be careful," Jolt says and takes the baby, "don't worry, little one, she'll be holding you more often soon."
He takes the oxygen concentrator and leaves the room.
Jasmine's P.O.V.
Even hearing this has been well planned to the best of everyone's ability; it's still scary knowing the other outcome this could have. I hate I have to bond with my sister to have her taken away from me possibly. Like I don't have enough mental struggle. Yazmine is still out there. I don't know if she wants to kidnap me again or will skip right to killing me. I still can't believe she killed our parents. Something tells me this is more than because she struggles more doing things than me.
I eat the remainder of the soup Jolt made and ask him to make more. It's so good, and I don't feel I can eat anything else. While I am on a slow infusion, Ratchet takes me to the Lounge room to watch T.V. for a while. I find myself thinking about how this room might have some baby stuff, but I'm afraid to talk about it for now.
I watch T.V. for a while before I need to lay down. Ratchet takes me back to the room in the medbay and starts a new infusion of medication, and kisses me before leaving the room.
Jolt's P.O.V.
Ratchet is pleased with how today went. We know it's still going to be rough, especially once Jasmine is no longer sick. We both worry about her mental state especially considering how she panicked seeing Florence. Then we realize who will take care of the baby in the middle of the night? Ratchet goes to the hospital to talk to Lucas.
"I guess he will have his first taste of taking care of you," I smile, looking at the baby, "wonder what name your sister and future brother-in-law will pick? Oh, believe me, little one, Ratchet will pop the question one day. He might wait a year, but it'll happen."
That has me thinking about what they'll teach this little one to call them. Would she be confused if she's told to say, mom and dad? I don't think any age is the right time to explain her parents are dead. Definitely, no right time to explain her other older sister is a psychopath. There's so much Jasmine and Ratchet need to talk about, but they're afraid.
Please, Primus, give them two what they deserve.