A birthday fic written for Tirya. As always Sky, Nocturn, Trace, Bug plus half the flock Feather and Cloud and Searchlight are mine. Moon, Nightstrike, the other half of the flock Wing and Bird, Celeste, and Path are Tirya. Echo is Shades'.

Surprise!

They'd been whispering about it for weeks. Hound and his oldest Granddaughter, Nocturne, had decided to throw a surprise birthday party for his mate, First Aid. Being one of the first generation of Autobots built on Earth, everyone knew his date of activation. When Nocturne had found the date out, she'd approached Hound with the idea and since nobody had ever thrown a party for him before –it wasn't a custom among the Autobots since most didn't know their dates of activation–Hound had cheerfully gone along with the idea.

Hound had promptly enlisted the help of anybody who'd stand still long enough for him to grab and they'd done an amazing decorating job. Streamers and balloons hung everywhere including a huge sign strung across the back wall that said, "Happy Birthday, First Aid."

The entire family began gathering in the lounge and it was a large and active group. Nocturne's parents, Sky and Nightstrike, kept a close eye on her little sisters while she made sure there would be enough energon for the adults and sparkling rations for the children. The flock, as the little girls were known as, flitted around the room like birds inspecting all the decorations and asking questions of anybody who'd pay them attention.

Trace, Hound's and Aid's youngest, and his two mates, Moonstone and Echo, came in while the flock was being removed from the highest cabinet in the lounge. The tiny sparkling on Echo's shoulders squealed in delight and sent out a chorus of chirps and trills, which the flock immediately responded to. They came rushing over, surrounding the new arrivals.

"Ce'st, Ce'st," the girls chorused. "Put C'est down so we can play."

Celeste's parents exchanged looks, came to a seemingly silent agreement and Echo set the little girl down on the floor. She was immediately buried in a pile of little girls. She finally emerged clicking, chirping and trilling and giggling. "Birdies," she crowed and the flock dragged her away to play.

Sky grinned at them as she came over. "We'll watch them. She'll be fine."

Trace chuckled and hugged his sister in greeting. "I'm not worried, Sis. Celeste is a scrappy little thing."

Moon nodded but Echo looked worried as his blind daughter was led away by the wild flock of birds, but the sounds of the birds and Celeste talking and chirping in their own language calmed him and he finally grinned. "As long as they don't take her flying."

Sky looked shocked and then realized he was teasing. "I am not ready for that, Echo. Don't even tease about it."

Trace laughed and noogied her. "I can't wait. When do they get their wings?"

Sky just shook her head. "Whenever it happens, it'll be too soon. Not my decision though. Well, it is since I'll be building their new shells but … Heh, sorry, you don't want to hear the gory details."

Trace smirked. "No, not really. " He glanced at the giggling mass of little girls who were inspecting the pile of presents. "I don't think I ever thanked you enough for the great job you did on Celeste's shell."

"You did, little bro and it was my pleasure. She's very special and deserves it. Besides she made it hers. I only provided the framework."

Moon nodded in agreement next to him and Echo dragged his optics from his daughter long enough to give Sky a hug. "Above and beyond, Sky. Thank you."

Sky blushed and kissed him on the cheek. "Just doing my job, guys."

Thankfully, she was saved by the arrival of her twin brother, his mate and their little one. Little Bug clung to Path's hand, thumb firmly in his mouth, and took in everything with large bright blue optics. He spotted his cousins and looked up at his mother.

"Mama, go play?"

Searchlight grinned and nodded. "You don't have to ask to play with your cousins, Bugaboo. Go ahead."

He hugged her and then hugged Path and trotted over to the gift table. The girls squealed when they saw him and he was lost in a pile of giggling cousins.

Sky watched with a grin as her daughters buried the hapless little mech before greeting her brother and mate with hearty hugs. "Sandy! Search!" She gave Path a long inspection, searching his face carefully. "You look happy. Everything going well? Bug looks marvelous."

Path grinned at her. "I am happy, sis. And everything is good. Bug is a joy, Search is my life…" He glanced lovingly at his mate who blushed brightly.

"He's exaggerating, Sky," Search said with a sigh. "Besides, he's got it wrong. He saved my life." She kissed him on the cheek.

Sky smirked at them. "Right, got it. I'm happy for both of you and for Bug… still no name for him?"

Search smiled indulgently at her. "When the right name comes along, he'll know it. Just like his father. Sometimes these things take time."

"Ah, right, got it. I won't ask again."

"it's okay, sis, you're not the first to ask." Path hugged her again, but before he could say anything else, Hound interrupted them with an announcement.

"It looks like everybody is here so I'm going to get the guest of honor here. Everybody knows what to do? I don't think we need to hide, do you?" Heads shook around the room and he nodded. "Okay, comming him now."

Nocturne made one last inspection and glanced at the little ones. Not wanting them to be lost in the commotion, she gathered them up and herded them to the front of the group. She had a feeling her grandfather would love to see them altogether like this, eager to greet him. The little girls giggled and fidgeted until she sent them a "be quiet" message over the gestalt bond that was growing stronger between them every day. The flock immediately settled down and Celeste and Bug, sensing the change, calmed too.

Hound watched everyone settle into place with pleasure. This was his family. He'd never imagined he'd had children let alone grandchildren but here they were and he loved every one of them. He let the conversations go on for a few more minutes but when he sensed his mate over their bond, he raised his hand. "Shhhh, he's here."

Silence fell as everyone eagerly turned towards the door. It slid open seconds later and First Aid entered not yet aware of who was there to greet him.

Nocturne grinned and shouted, "Surprise!"

The rest of the room shouted with her and the children squealed and ran towards him. First Aid froze in astonishment as six tiny sparklings tackled him.

"Happy birt'day!" they chorused. Wing and Feather climbed up his legs and settled in his arms and gave him matching kisses on his cheeks. Bug clung to his right leg and Celeste glomped his left. Bird and Cloud hung back just a bit and gazed up at him with huge optics. Nocturne arrived and picked them up and held them out so they could give their grandfather kisses.

First Aid stood in stunned disbelief for a few moments but the hugs and kisses from the little ones woke him up and he smiled softly behind his mask. With sparklings clinging to his legs, he walked slowly into the room taking in all the smiling faces, the decorations and the table of gifts.

"I…don't know what to say…" his voice was soft.

Hound touched his shoulder. "You don't have to say anything."

First Aid glanced at his mate, his children and their mates and the grandchildren. "Can I say thank you?"

"I think that's adequate," Hound said, winking at him.

First Aid shifted Feather and Wing so he could use his hands. Reaching up, he removed his mask and visor, revealing the tears on his cheeks and the happy smile. "Thank you, all, for being my family." He hugged and kissed Wing and Feather as the rest of the family rushed to his side to share the hugs and kisses.