Cat had a good day. Brother went all bipolar on me when I tried to throw momma cat out for terrorizing my own cats. Kittens old enough to eat real food, and can learn to cat alone. Momma will have visiting rights until they go to their forever homes in three weeks. Meanwhile, my brother thinks the "I'm leaving" threat will keep Dad from sticking up for me. He's 21, officially, as of yesterday. He shouldn't still be here!


"Normal Talk"

"Bee's Talk"

"Bee's Talk Holoform"

"Other Side Over the Phone (Comms)"

'Thoughts'

~Bond communication~

~Telepathic communication~


Christmas Day

The Next Morning

"Wa'e up, Rat'et! It C'istma'!"

"Stephanie, let them sleep!" Quick footsteps followed by the same voice follow. "And don't wake the—" A shrill yet familiar cry cuts through the stillness. "Baby."

I sit up and check the time before having to fight back a growl. "5:30 in the fraggin' morning. At least Mariposa usually waits till six before pulling me out of recharge." I climb out of my berth and activate my holoform before crossing the room to my daughter. After soothing her with a bottle, I grab a red "Baby's First Christmas" blanket and a red solid pacifier with "My First Christmas". I then carry Mariposa into the main room and set her into the playpen, causing her to scowl at me.

"Merry Christmas, Ratchet."

I start and turn, only to find Optimus behind me.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like scrap." I sigh. "But I can get through this, Optimus."

"The others should be up shortly. Stephanie was thorough if nothing else."


Five Minutes Later

Once the rest of the team joins us, we settle around the tree. Agent Fowler starts handing out the presents quickly, most of them going to the two little ones, though it doesn't matter to any of us.

First I see the presents that Agent Fowler had picked up for me. Besides a silver tiara headband with a swirl design and an elastic strap to keep it on, encrusted with white diamonds, she also got a white velour stuffed dog with pink ears and a pink nose, soft pink and white blocks, a pink and lavender toy cell phone, a pink and purple dump truck, a pink and purple plastic semi-truck, a soft baby doll dressed in pink and white, a light pink and lavender plush rocking horse, and a pink and purple "Walk & Play".

Arcee had gotten her a light pink old-fashioned riding car, knowing that, even if she won't be playing with it for a while, she'll grow into it within a few months, and she can sit inside it until then.

Bumblebee got her a bumblebee Pillow Pet and a light pink bumblebee print blanket, but I discover quickly that they are only part of his gift. One of his most prized possessions from his early youngling years were Cybertronian Fairy Tales—his favorites being those about the Star Healer, whom he had known personally before the war sent her off-line prematurely. Deep within the crate he had used, wrapped in the blanket, are his favorite data-pads, painstakingly translated by the young scout to be exactly word-for-word.

"Bumblebee, this is—" I sigh. "Mariposa may not yet know what these meant to you, but I do."

Mariposa looks curiously at the data-pad in my hand before patting the screen, turning it on. An image of Shining Star comes on the screen. Bumblebee whirrs sadly, causing Mariposa to crawl to him. He lifts her gently, knowing she didn't know what she had done. To our surprise, she hugs him as well as she can before patting his chest plates.


Mariposa's Mind

'She still here, Bee—I still here.'


Ratchet's POV

We slowly return to the remaining presents. Cliffjumper gave Mariposa a rainbow xylophone, and Bulkhead had made a tricycle with Cybertronian detailing on the metal parts.

Optimus had translated several of our planet's myths and legends from his days as a Historical Archivist onto data-pads.

Agent Fowler had gotten several toy sets: a wooden musical instrument set containing a triangle, two bells, four red tambourines, two jingle bells on dowels, jingle bells, a round pink tambourine, a noisemaker, and drumsticks; a bath toy set containing a yellow rubber duck, a red rubber duck, an orange pelican, a pink octopus, a white swan, and a pink sea star; a toy set with two dumbbell rattles, two smiley face rattles, and baby keys; and a pink and purple toy bin rack for her play space in our berth room.

Maya had gotten her a wooden shape-fitting toy and stacking rings, stating that Stephanie had enjoyed toys like those at Mari's age. Stephanie, having wanted to get a present for "the baby", had begged Agent Fowler to buy a pink sock monkey in a tutu for Mari.

Maya climbs onto my knee and slips the tiara onto Mariposa's head before climbing back off my knee.

"What is that?"

Arcee turns to Bumblebee with a sigh. "It's called a tiara. Princesses on this planet wear them."

Agent Fowler smiles. "She's a princess. She deserves to dress like one."

It's all I can to hold back a groan at the wave of nausea. "Optimus?" He lifts Maya and Mariposa onto the floor. A second later, I stand and run into the bathroom.


Optimus' POV

I watch Ratchet for a moment before turning back to the confused humans. Mariposa reaches up to me, asking to be held. I pick her up gently.

Agent Fowler looks up at me. "What the heck just happened?"

"I will allow Ratchet to explain once he returns. You should know that he has not been feeling well."

He sighs. "I could tell yesterday that something was up with the Doc. I hadn't known it was this bad."


Ratchet's POV

I stand up weakly before leaving the bathroom. 'Slaggin' morning sickness.'

"Ratchet?"

I turn to Optimus from the doorway. "I'm fine."

"What happened?"

I look down to Agent Fowler and his family before sighing. I then kneel to the trio. "I am carrying, Agent Fowler."

Maya looks horrified. "What?"

Agent Fowler explains. "Their females, as well as some of the males, can carry. Optimus, Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Arcee are carriers, Cliffjumper and Bulkhead are Sires."

Maya then looks up at me. "Morning sickness?"

I nod. Optimus reaches over to help me up. I sigh and brush him off before standing. "Yes. But I will be fine, Maya." I reach over to Arcee for Mariposa. "I need to get Mari dressed, and I would advise the two of you to get Stephanie dressed as well."


Ratchet's Berth Room, Ratchet's POV

I change Mariposa and dress her in a spring green long sleeved polka-dot T-shirt with a Rudolf graphic, red pants with frilled red polka-dot cuffs, and red socks, opting to leave the tiara on. Once she is dressed, I prepare her breakfast and feed her. After she's fed, I move to set her into the fenced-off play space. I'm interrupted by a knock at the door. I sigh before shifting into my normal form to answer it. "Optimus? What did you need?"

Optimus shakes his head. "I just came to offer to watch Mariposa if you wanted to lie down."

I hand her to him gratefully. "Thank you."

"Try to recharge."

I nod slightly before returning to my berth with a sigh before laying a hand on my plating. "You're not making this easy, are you?"


Third POV

Optimus carries Mariposa into the main room before setting her into the playpen. Across the room, Maya is putting Stephanie's shoes on. Stephanie is wearing a red polka-dot shirt with a Santa appliqué, red and white striped pants with flared legs, red socks, and teal and green Velcro tennis shoes.

"Op'mus?" He turns to the platform before leaning down to the little girl. "Tan I pway wif Ma'i?"

He glances across the room to the bored-looking baby in the playpen. "As long as you are careful. Mariposa is not a toy."

"Tan' you."

He lifts Mariposa out of the playpen and crosses the room to the other platform as Maya lays out a blanket. He sets the tiny princess onto the blanket before turning back to the monitors.

"Hi, pwincess!"

Mariposa smiles up at the two-year-old. She reaches for one of Stephanie's toys—a doctor kit—before starting to crawl to it.

"Wan' pway do'to'?"

Mariposa nods.


Two Hours Later (8:00), Ratchet's POV

I come out of recharge with the nausea almost gone. "Thank Primus." I sigh before joining the others in the main room after getting some energon. What I find is quite surprising. Mariposa and Stephanie are on the platform together, playing. Stephanie's toy medical kit is scattered over a quilt, and Mariposa is holding one of the tools against Stephanie. I smile slightly before pulling out a camera and snapping a picture of the two.

Mariposa suddenly looks up and sees me. "Dada!"

"Keep playing, little one."

"Ma'i do'to'!"

"I can tell. She is doing well."


Main Room, 10:30 AM, Ratchet's POV

"Ratchet?"

I turn to Maya. "Yes?"

"We're taking Stephanie to my mother's in an hour." She sighs. "Bill told her about Marianne, and she wanted to meet her. She's under the impression that Bill and I took her in."

"You may take her, Maya. I trust you and Agent Fowler will take care of her."

"Just one thing…it's formal."

"I can have her ready within half an hour." I sigh. "Just…keep her safe."

"We will, Ratchet."

I sigh before picking Mariposa up, causing her to glare at me. "I'm sorry, Mari. It's time to get you ready to go."


Ratchet's Berth Room

I lay Mariposa on the changing table and buckle her on it before turning to her closet. After gathering extra clothes for her and packing them in a bag with her other supplies, I turn back to Mariposa. I change her and dress her in a white long sleeved dress with red trim, a peter-pan collar, and a holly bodice, white tights, and white knit Mary Jane shoes with holly on the toes.


Main Room

I carry Mariposa and her things into the main room, her bag and car seat in one hand while I carry her in the other. I set her down beside Agent Fowler before turning to watch Maya finish dressing Stephanie. She's wearing a teal short sleeved dress with brown scrollwork, white tights, brown patent leather Mary Jane shoes, and a teal cardigan sweater. I sigh softly. "Take care of her."

"She'll be just fine, Ratchet. We'll take care of her."


Maya's Mother's House, Third POV

Maya climbs out of the car before getting the girls out. "Come on, Stephanie. Bill, get the bags."

The four quickly get inside. Once there, Maya releases Stephanie's hand to take Mariposa out of the car seat.

"Is this Marianne? She's so precious!"

Mariposa waves shyly.

"Gwanma! Ma'i fu'!"

"I'm sure she is, Stephanie. Maya, could you help me finish cooking?"

Maya nods. "Keep an eye on the kids, Bill."

He sets Mariposa on the ground beside Stephanie, then sits on the couch to watch them play.


Half an Hour Later

Maya lifts Mariposa into a high chair before putting Stephanie into a booster. After she sits between the two, she fixes plates for them, then lets Stephanie feed herself while she feeds Mariposa.

"Do you know who her old family is?"

Agent Fowler sighs. "They live in Indiana. My friend Rick found her wrapped in a blanket in some grass beside her family's trash."

"Who is this Rick?"

Maya sighs. "Mom, he's Marianne's guardian. Bill and I are helping him."

"He's a single father." Agent Fowler shrugs. "Besides, he likes that Mari's around us. She doesn't have anyone save his friends and his niece and son around."

Maya smiles. "You could be like a grandmother to her."

"I would love that." She smiles before frowning slightly. "Why does she have a tiara?"

"Rick… discovered that she was a royal."

"An abandoned royal?" she sighs. "I never thought anyone would abandon a princess."

Maya sighs. "But abusing a princess is fine?"

Camella turns to Agent Fowler in shock. "Abuse? What the heck happened to the little princess?"

"She had evidence of abuse and neglect when Rick found her. He's working on adopting her now."

"That's good. At least she'll grow up loved."


3:00 PM, Ratchet's POV

Agent Fowler pulls in and parks their car. I turn expectantly to take my daughter and her supplies. "How was she?"

"Good. Camella loved her." Agent Fowler smiles. "I think she's going to look at Marianne as another granddaughter from now on."

"That's good." I sigh. "I'd better get her changed and into her berth." Agent Fowler follows me with the present she had gotten from Maya's family. After dressing her in a yellow fleece sleeper with a pink ballet slipper print and dark pink trim, I lay her in her crib and cover her with a pink heart quilt.