Thanks to Victoria, aka Stringer, on Quotev for helping me with writing how Tracy and Ricky's parents first met and Mary's median name.
Tracy's POV
Ivan and I are sitting on a bench in the garden. I spent a few minutes playing with Professor Gonzales's card with information on how to apply to ZIPA, spinning it around in my pocket. Several anxious thoughts race through my mind as I take my hand out of my pocket and tap my fingers on the bench. A few seconds later, I feel Ivan's tough hand take hold of mine and then gently squeeze it to help me calm down.
"Are you okay, Heart's gleam?" Ivan asks.
"I'm fine, Sir-Loves-A-Lot, just thinking about how my landlord will react when I tell him I might be going to performing arts school,"
"Honey, you won't get evicted. You'll need a place to stay when the school is closed for spring break and when you want to visit home for the holidays." Uncle Marco says as he walks up to us.
"I know, but I feel like I'm letting my new co-workers down. We just started a big project, and it would be wrong of me to quit without finishing it with them as I promised," I sigh.
"Sweetie, I know your anxiety can cause you to overthink things, but before you start playing out any more future scenarios, you should apply to the school first," Uncle Marco says.
I suddenly feel really tired and faint.
"Heart's gleam," Ivan shouts as he tries to wake me up.
"Relax, son, she's okay grief can be exhausting. Tracy needs to rest for a bit," Uncle Marco says.
Normal POV
Ricky and Matais are sitting on Ratchet's shoulder. The medic is at the computer trying to track down another energon mine in the hopes he can locate it before the Decepticons do.
"Ratchet, I'm sorry for interrupting your focus. But, dad, there is something I've wanted to know for a while, but if you're not up to talking about it now, I understand," Ricky says.
"Son, you want to know how your mother and I first met, right," Matias says.
"Yes, and I'll apologize to Tracy when she returns from Zandar. Since I know, she probably would ask you about this too," Ricky says.
Flashback starts
Fifteen-year-old Mary Wilder is volunteering at the Jasper animal shelter. When Matias Ramirez walks in carrying a tabby kitten in his arms that he found trying to get into the garage bag, he left next to the trash can the night before. Matias's heart begins to race when he looks into Mary's eyes for the first time as she walks over to her.
"Hello, how can I help you," Mary asks.
"I found this little tabby burglar trying to get into a trash bag I might have forgotten to put in the can last night," Matais says, handing the kitten to her.
"This little one is more of a purrgular," Mary says.
Flashback ends
"Wow, even as a teenager, you were bad at puns," Ricky says.
"I know, son, your mother's beauty wasn't the only thing I liked about her," Matias says.
"So, who asked who out?" Ricky asks.
Flashback starts
After falling for Mary's great sense of humor and beauty, Matias started to volunteer at the shelter, too, hoping that he would drum up the courage to ask her out. one day, they walked a border collie named Oreo around town. He got excited as a squirrel zipped in front of them. The leash gets tangled around the teens' legs. They got pulled together and shared an accidental kiss. The teen backed away from each other and blushed after realizing they had had their first kiss.
"I've read that dogs are good at telling when two people are right for each other, and for us, I guess squirrels too. Do you want to go out with me?" Mary asks.
Flashback ends
"Wow, I thought you asked her out," Ricky says.
"Nope, your mom was the bold one," Matias smiles.
Ivan walks into one of the place's spare bedrooms. He lays Tracy down on the bed, then kisses her forehead, "Rest well, Heart's gleam," The knight quietly leaves the room. Tracy's eyes begin to flutter a few moments later as a dream starts.
Dream
Tracy is walking up to a pond in front of a big waterfall at Blossom Vale on the island of Griffin Rock. She and her mom loved coming here whenever she and Matias would take her on vacation to Griffin Rock.
"Trance, we always loved coming here," Mary says.
Tracy spins around and runs over to her mom, giving her a big hug.
"Mom, I know I'm not dead. What are you doing here?" Tracy asks.
"Trance, we both know you didn't dream me to ask me that," Mary says, hugging her daughter back.
"Sorry, mom, I'm afraid you'd be mad at me for turning down Julliard," Tracy sighs.
"Trance, sweetie, I'm not mad at you for that," Mary says, kissing her forehead.
"How come, you know how badly I wanted to attend," Tracy says.
"That's true, Trance, but moving so soon after my funeral would have taken a huge toll on your mental and physical health. You made the right choice," Mary says.
"I know that now, and one more question why do you call me Trance," Tracy asks.
"When you dance, you transport yourself to another world," Mary says.
"Mom, will you still show up when I need some adult life advice," Tracy asks.
"Yes, and I'll even pop up in Ivan's dream to give him a chance to meet me," Mary says.
"You won't embarrass me, will you," Tracy asks.
"No, sweetie, I won't. That's your father's job," Mary says.
Dream ends
Ten minutes later, Tracy wakes up with a smile on her face. She gets out of the bed and heads down the hall. Ivan walks up to her.
"Dove, I'm glad your awake," Ivan says.
"I'm sorry if I sacrad you," Tracy says.
"It's okay, Dove," Ivan says.
"This may sound strange, but I had a dream about mom. She said that she'd pop up in your dream so you can get a chance to meet her," Tracy says.
"I'm looking forward to meeting the woman who created you," Ivan says, kissing her cheek.
