Ratchet's P.O.V.
The baby is doing well and is drinking the four ounces she should be. She's thirty-two weeks gestation and getting a little medication, but this is a big improvement. We figured out a name, but only Damian, Florence, Lucus, Ryley, and the judge will know for now.
"That name is fitting," Ryley agrees when we tell her and Damian, "the kids will be happy to meet their cousin. We told them the unfortunate news in a child-appropriate way and how this little one is doing. It's hard to explain what happened to their older cousins."
We will not be lying completely, but even the oldest shouldn't know the truth. We change the subject to shopping for baby stuff.
"We'll keep the stuff in our storage unit for now," Damian explains, "I'm sure we can get several Autobots to help set up after the party."
I can tell as we prepare that Jasmine is getting more anxious. The next week leading up to the hearing is going to be rough. I think the break from nightmares is over. She doesn't know Florence is interviewing the others. Even though her job is to get the evidence showing we'd be able to care for the baby, Jasmine will still panic because everyone has to be honest and point out concerns. My only concern is Sunstreaker's dissatisfaction with the idea of a baby being in the base. Prowl has said nothing, though I'm not sure how thrilled he is with the idea. He never insisted on a no having kids rule or even no relationships with humans. We won't know what they said until the first.
Jasmine stayed calm until everyone, but Jolt left. I take her to my office and have her sit on the floor. Then she lets herself cry, and I worry she'll have an anxiety attack. I see Jolt watching as I hug Jasmine, feeling her tremble. He knows what to look for if we need to resort to drugs.
"Everything is going in our favor," I assure her.
I didn't want Florence to tell Jasmine, but she believes we'll get one of the two outcomes we're hoping for.
This hurts knowing how Jasmine was years ago. The attack affected her, but it seems Yazmine's kidnapping affected her to the point the accident was nothing but a little traumatizing. I don't think I can do anything but let her cry.
Optimus and Rung walk in. No doubt Jolt called them. I don't think we can do much to help Jasmine until after the hearing except give her sleep aid. I take Jasmine to our room and try to get her to take a nap.
Lucus permits me to bring the baby upstairs for an hour before she needs more medicine. It's also time for a feeding. I am happy that time with her sister makes Jasmine feel better, and I know this time with her sister increases her thinking it'll be one of the last times with her.
"awe, such a cute baby," Jasmine smiles as the baby drinks her bottle, "even though you aren't in clothes yet."
I brought her up swaddled, but she is now only in a diaper. Now we need a rocker, and I'm not bringing that up yet. Once she finishes the bottle and is burped, Jasmine lays the baby on her stomach while holding her. I still can't believe Lucus is letting us do all this, and it has made things easier. It's a fun hour, but we need to get the little one back to her room in the medbay.
"I guess this is our first walk together," I joke.
"I didn't know if you wanted her to know," Lucus starts as he closes the door to my office, "I think the baby is ready to be taken off oxygen, but you know what we have to do."
"Yes, and I'm not sure if Jasmine can handle setbacks. It'll be a nice surprise for her to see her sister off oxygen."
"And the feeding tube," Lucus adds, "I'll do the trial tomorrow."
"Jasmine needs to get out more; I'll take her to the park tomorrow."
Jasmine's P.O.V.
A day at the park is fun, but I was hoping Ratchet would wait until we can take the baby with us, even if it's for a walk around the park. I don't tell him this, though, as it's probably also good to be out of the base. Even staying in our room, I'd want to go to the medbay and ensure my sister is doing well. Lucus is now working on taking her off oxygen. It shouldn't be a problem since she's been getting very little, but I know that's not always the case. She might need a little extra oxygen for a few months.
A few other Autobots join us. Hard to believe Sunstreaker wants to join us. It's a nice day walking around the park before eating lunch.
They all look like they want to talk about the baby living at the base, but I still don't want to, even though we picked out baby stuff and told my aunt and uncle the name yesterday. I hate feeling like this, and I'm trying not to ruin the day.
We watch the ducks for a while before going back to the base. My anxiety gets worse; hoping the baby is doing well off oxygen.