End of a delivery scene. Nothing graphic. Disclaimer in My Story!


"Normal Talk"

"Bee's Talk"

"Bee's Talk Holoform"

"Other Side Over the Phone (Comms)"

'Thoughts'

~Bond communication~

~Telepathic communication~

Arcee's Sparkling

The Next Morning

I sit up and look at the crib on the other side of the room. Mariposa is standing by the railing with her normal happy smile. I cross the room to her and feed her quickly, then change her into a white long sleeved T-shirt with a heart graphic and red heart print frilly cuffs, red heart print pants with pink frilly cuffs, her tiara, white socks, and red tennis shoes. I quickly fix her a bottle, then carry her and the bottle into the main room. I set her into the playpen, then turn to search for an energon signal.

"Dada?"

I glance over to where Mariposa is standing at the edge of the playpen, her bottle forgotten in the corner. "What's wrong, Sweetspark?"

She points down the hall. "Cee!"

I turn to see Arcee walking down the hall. "Good morning, Arcee."

"Morning, Ratchet."

"How are you feeling?"

She scowls. "Like throttling the next person who asks me that."

I glance down to Mariposa, who is standing on the side of the playpen closest to us, staring at Arcee in shock.

"Cee?"

"I'm just tired, Mari."

She seems content with that answer, and merely sits down and grabs her bottle.

"I'm sorry about what happened to Serenity, Ratchet."

Arcee's comment is completely unexpected, and it takes me a moment to respond. I look down sadly before closing my eyes. "That's the second little one I've lost." I sigh. "I lost the first one on Cybertron at two weeks."

"Oh…"

I sigh softly. "Don't, Arcee."

"Did you…know what it was?"

I sigh. "Not really, but the spark scans suggested a mech. I named it Siren." I shrug before changing the subject. "Optimus said we'd do the memorial tomorrow."

Arcee nods slightly before struggling to her feet. I step over and help her.

"Thanks."

"I thought Cliffjumper wouldn't let you out of his sight until the sparkling comes."

Arcee scoffs. "He's still recharging. I figured I'd comm him if anything happens."


Three Hours Later (9am)

I carry Mariposa into my berth room and activate my holoform, then feed her. I'm cleaning her up when I hear a knock on the door. Mari looks up at me curiously. I shrug in holoform, then return to my normal form to answer the door. "Cliffjumper?"

"It's Arcee. I think she's—"

"Calm down, Cliffjumper. I'll be there as soon as I get Mari down."

Cliffjumper sighs. "Hurry, please? It's Arcee."

"She'll be okay. Just get her into the medical bay."

He nods before rushing back to Arcee's berth room.

I sigh heavily before activating my holoform and walking back to Mariposa.

"Dada?"

I sigh. "You have to take your nap, Sweetspark." I fix her bottle before laying her down in her crib.

I return to my normal form and reach up to my comm. "Bumblebee?"

"What is it, Ratch?"

"I need you to come watch Mari for me. She's going down for a nap, but I don't know how long I'll be, and she'll only sleep for an hour."

"I'll be there."

"Thanks. I have to go. Cliffjumper is waiting in the medical bay."

"Arcee?"

"Yes."


Medical Bay, Ratchet's POV

I walk through the door and quickly join Arcee at the medical berth. I do a quick exam before getting what tools I'll need set out.

Cliffjumper turns to me. "How is she?"

Arcee growls. "Can't you shut up for five minutes?"

I sigh. These two never get along. I'm surprised they work together so well. "She'll be fine, Cliffjumper. He won't be here for another few hours, so you both need to calm down."


One Hour Later, Ratchet's Berth Room, Bumblebee's POV

I hear a cry and sit up against the edge of Ratchet's berth, where I had been playing my gamepad while I waited for Mari to wake up. I quickly slip my gamepad away and stand, then rush to the crib on the other side of the room, where I activate my holoform. "Mari?"

She stands and reaches for me. "Bee? Dada?"

I reach around for the latch. I hate being smaller than her crib. "He's still working, Sweetspark." I look over to her play area. "How about we get you changed, then you can play."

"Baba?"

I smile as I pull her into my arms. "Sure. I'll get you one soon as you're changed." I lay her on the changing table and change her diaper before changing her into a white long sleeved onesie with flared sleeves and a red heart, red pants with pink flared cuffs, a red and pink skirt, and red socks. I mix her bottle while holding her, then walk into her play area with her before closing the gate. I set her down and hand her the pink plastic bottle.


Four Hours Later, Medical Bay, Ratchet's POV

"Come on, Arcee. One more." I sigh before lifting the full-term mech. I examine the sparkling before wrapping him up and handing him to his Carrier.

"Hi, Electro." Arcee looks up at me for a moment. "I know this wasn't easy for you Ratchet, but thank you."

I sigh. "I'm fine, Arcee. You don't need to worry about me." I turn toward the door. "I have to see how Bumblebee is doing with Mari. You are free to leave, but I want you to rest."

Arcee nods.


Ratchet's Berth Room, Ratchet's POV

I walk into my berth room to find Bumblebee leaning back against my berth playing a gamepad. Mariposa is standing in her crib, reaching for me.

He sees me and stands, almost dropping the gamepad in his rush. "Ratch! I—um…"

"You're fine, Bumblebee. How was she?"

"Good. She ate well, and she's been asleep for two hours. She literally just woke up."

"I can take it from here, Bumblebee."

Bumblebee walks to the door.

"Thank you. I don't know what I would have done today without you."

He stops in his tracks. "I—I didn't do anything big, Ratch. I just played with her."

"I would have had to send her with Agent Fowler if you didn't agree."

"Oh…"

I watch as Bumblebee leaves before turning to my daughter.

"Dada!"

"Hey, Sweetspark. Let's get you changed."

"Baba?"

"After we're done." I activate my holoform and quickly change her diaper and dress her in a white long sleeved tunic with a tank top style pink overlay and a plaid "skirt" and a "Love" graphic, brown leggings, and pink socks, then fix her bottle. Once it's ready, I return to my normal form and head into the main room, carrying Mariposa in one hand.


Nightfall, Ratchet's POV

I change Mariposa into a white sleeper with a pink, azure, green, and blue heart print and pink collar and cuffs, then lay her into her crib. I cover her and watch her for a moment before returning to my normal form and sitting on my berth. I sigh and lay back on the berth. 'Oh, Serenity… Take care of each other. May Primus watch over you both.'