chapter 2
Blackarachnia was sitting in her room. She was pregnant. Silverbolt want to stay close by just in case Blackarachnia needed him. He wanted to be a good sparkmate to her. Blackarachnia sighed she was happy but tired of the morning sickness. Like this morning she had spent it throwing up. But she had to learn to live with it.
Living with it was easy with Silverbolt by her side.
She had other things to live with. She was hungry all the time and had many other symptoms.
The others had to learn to live her too. Her mood swings made many of the Maximals flinch. Just yesterday Rattrap got on her last nerve she punched him and then started crying.
The other Maximals didn't want to make her upset. Other times she would start yelling and then be quiet other time she will start sobbing and then start laughing. It was confusing.
Sometimes in the morning Silverbolt rubbed her back when she had morning sickness. He handed her a towel to wipe her mouth. "Thank you." she said taking it. She wiped her mouth with it. She was grateful she had a sparkmate like Silverbolt. She loved him so much.
Now she was 4 months pregnant. She was starting to show a little. Silverbolt placed his hand on the slight bump. He felt so happy he couldn't put it into words.
She no longer had morning sickness. She had cravings and the craving didn't go away until it was met.
She sometimes had weird combinations. Right now she was dipping broccoli in peanut butter. Rattrap was wondering why the others called him disgusting. Sometimes she had cravings late a night while everyone was asleep. Silverbolt normally got her late night cravings for her.
Other times she woke up him by accident when she went to the bathroom which was very often.
Silverbolt didn't mind too much. He was even reading a book about what father should know about pregnancy.
Today Rhinox did an ultrasound everything was looking good. Rhinox and the others made some things for the sparkling a mobile, a bassinet that can rock and a changing table among other things.
Blackarachnia was making a sparkling blanket it was soft it was light blue with animals on it. The animals one were a gorilla, a cheetah, a rhino, a rat, a wolf with wings, and a spider. She was doing a good job so far. It was looking very nice.
She also made some more blankets just for those cold nights or nights when they couldn't use one of the other blankets.
"That's the animals of the crew." Cheetor said. He was watching her.
"Yes it is. I thought it would be nice. I'm about to add a tiger and a falcon and velociraptor and manta ray. To represent Tigatron and Airazor and Dinobot and even Depth charge I want us to tell the baby about Tigatron and Airazor before they disappeared and Dinobot before he died and I think the sparkling should also be familiar with grumpy Depth charge." Blackarachnia said.
"That sounds like a good idea." Cheetor said. He thought Dinobot, Tigatron, Airazor and even Depth charge would be honored.
"I thought it would be." she said.
At five months Blackarachnia would feel the sparkling move. It felt like little flutters like the flapping of a butterfly's wings. It made her happy thinking about the life within.
Now six months pregnant Blackarachnia was tired. It was hot today. Blackarachnia was staying inside. "Blackarachnia would you like to go outside?" Silverbolt asked.
"I don't think so Silverbolt, Blackarachnia shouldn't be out in this heat." Rhinox said.
"Is she alright?" Silverbolt asked. He was worried.
"Yes and she's not sick just pregnant." Rhinox said.
"Oh okay." Silverbolt said.
"Maybe some other time." she told him.
"That would be a good idea." Silverbolt said.
Today Blackarachnia was doing a little cleaning and other chores. "Blackarachnia don't do that." Silverbolt said taking the duster from her.
"Why not?" she asked with a smile.
"Someone in your condition should be relaxing not working like a pack mule." Silverbolt said.
"I appreciate your concern Silverbolt I'm fine, Rhinox said a little exercise won't hurt me." Blackarachnia said laughing.
"I know I'm just worried." Silverbolt said.
"Don't worry everything will be fine." Blackarachnia told him.
Silverbolt could accept that but it is hard not to worry. Then Blackarachnia kissed him. That made him smile.
Today was another check up. "Hey how do you feel?" Rhinox asked.
"Fine and kind of fat too." she said.
"Well I can see you are doing well." Rhinox said taking a look. "You are very healthy. Now it is time for an ultrasound to see how the sparkling is doing." he said. He got everything ready.
Blackarachnia was lying down. Rhinox spread some gel on her middle. Then rubbed the remote around. "Everything thing is looking good." Rhinox said. "So would you like to know if it is a boy or a girl?" Rhinox asked them. "Do what to find out or keep it a surprise?" he asked.
"What do think Silverbolt?" Blackarachnia asked Silverbolt.
"I think we should be surprised." Silverbolt answered.
"Okay then let's keep it a surprise." Blackarachnia said.
"Okay then, suite yourself. It's your decision." Rhinox said.
Later that Blackarachnia talk to Silverbolt. "Sweetie do you want it to be a boy or a girl?" she asked him. She was making some booties.
"I think either one is fine." Silverbolt said. He wasn't too picky. He would be happy with a son or a daughter either one would be wonderful.
"Are you sure? Which would you like better a son or daughter?" Blackarachnia said.
"Both do sound nice. A boy I can play catch and do many other things. But a girl I can play with her and she'll be my little princess." Silverbolt said.
"I understand both do sound nice." Blackarachnia said. "Main thing I care about is that the baby is healthy." she said patting her middle.
"Yes that is all that matters." Silverbolt said. He placed his hand on her middle and smiled at her.
Later Blackarachnia was sitting around. She was humming a little lullaby. Then she felt something. It felt like a kick. The baby kicked. She smiled she was happy about it. "What is it?" Silverbolt asked when he saw her smile.
"The sparkling kicked." she said.
"It did?" he asked.
"Yes it did." she said.
Then Blackarachnia took his hand and placed it on her middle. She began to hum again then there was another kick. "Looks like someone must like this song." he said.
A few months passed by quickly. Now Blackarachnia was nine months pregnant and really close to her due date. It was only three weeks away. "Hi sweetheart how do you feel?" Silverbolt asked.
"I feel fine, but the sparkling is pretty feisty." she said. " It has been kicking me." she added.
"I bet it is just eager to meet the world." Silverbolt said.
"Probably,I'm excited too I know everyone else is as well." she said. She was plenty excited too. She was also a little nervous she never been a mother before.
"I pretty excited too." Silverbolt said. He felt just as excited and nervous as his mate he hoped he would be a good father.
"It will be at least three weeks until the sparkling comes." she said.
"I know sometimes it is hard to wait." Silverbolt said.
"Since we came from protoforms we don't have any parents so our child won't have grandparents." Blackarachnia said.
"But that doesn't mean they won't have any other family besides us. The crew is like family." Silverbolt said.
"I know they are it is wonderful." Blackarachnia said.
"So what do you think it is?" Silverbolt asked.
"I think it's a boy." Blackarachnia said. "What do you think it is?" she asked him.
"I think it's a girl." Silverbolt said.
"Want to have a poll to see what the crew thinks it is?" Blackarachnia asked.
"Sure," Silverbolt said.
Silverbolt went out to where the rest of the crew was. "Blackarachnia and I are having a poll. We want to know if you think the sparkling is boy or a girl. Blackarachnia thinks it's a boy but think it's a girl vote for which one you think it is." Silverbolt said.
"I think it's a boy." Rattrap said.
"Okay two for boy." Silverbolt said.
"I think it's a girl." Cheetor said.
"I think it's a girl too." Optimus said.
"Okay three for girl." Silverbolt said.
"I think it's a boy." Rhinox said.
"Three for boy." Silverbolt said.
"What is going on in here?" Depth charge asked.
"A poll Blackarachnia is going to have the sparkling any day now so we're asking the crew whether they think it is a boy or a girl." Silverbolt said. "Blackarachnia, Rattrap and Rhinox say it's a boy. While Cheetor, Optimus and I say it's a girl." Silverbolt said. "Will you vote?" Silverbolt asked.
"I guess I will. I say a girl." Depth charge said.
"Okay 4 for girl and three for boy." Silverbolt said.
He went back and told Blackarachnia the results.
"When I win you give a big kiss." Blackarachnia said with a smile.
"If I win you give me a big kiss." Silverbolt said smiling back.
"Fair enough." Blackarachnia said.
After a couple of weeks Blackarachnia was getting anxious. It was a week be for the sparkling was to be born and she was getting more and more excited and anxious. "I hope the sparkling will come soon." she said. "Because I'm tired of the back aches and everything." she said.
Silverbolt was rubbing her back. "Well afterwards we have other things to worry about." Silverbolt said.
"I know, feeding, diaper changing and other things." she said.
"So stop worrying you are going to be a wonderful mother." Silverbolt said.
"You will be a wonderful father." Blackarachnia said.
"I can almost hear the patter of little feet." Silverbolt said.
"Me too," Blackarachnia said kissing him.
Today December 26th, Silverbolt had to go out on patrol. "Be careful." Blackarachnia told him.
"I will." he said and left.
About half an hour later Blackarachnia was reading a book. I wish this sparkling will be born soon Blackarachnia thought as she read. Then she felt a sharp pain. "AH!" she said. She figured it must be time for the sparkling. "Rhinox come in." she said into the com.
"What is it Blackarachnia?" Rhinox asked.
"It's time the sparkling is coming." she said.
"Okay I'm coming." he said. Rhinox came in and lead Blackarachnia to the medical bay.
"What is going on?" Optimus asked. He was worried when he saw Blackarachnia in pain.
"Blackarachnia is about to have the sparkling." Rhinox said.
"Wow," Cheetor said.
"Oh my." Rattrap said.
"I'll contact Silverbolt." Optimus said. "Optimus to Silverbolt come in Silverbolt." he said into the com.
"Silverbolt here what is it Optimus?" Silverbolt asked. He was about to check in anyway. He wondered what was going on.
"You need to get back here pretty fast Blackarachnia is labor." Optimus said.
"What?!" Silverbolt said he wasn't sure he heard just right. He almost fell out of sky.
"The sparkling is coming! Blackarachnia is headed to the med bay right now." Optimus said.
"Oh my! I'm coming." Silverbolt said and flew back as fast as he could. He never thought the sparkling would come today. This was very surprising.
He arrived as fast as he could. Silverbolt ran into the base.
Silverbolt ran into the medical bay. Optimus was by her side. While Rhinox was setting up equipment.
"Blackarachnia," he said.
"Oh Silverbolt you made it." she said. She was pretty relieved.
Optimus smiled and got up and moved out of of the way and let Silverbolt take his place at Blackarachnia's bedside.
"Nothing would stop me from being with you." he said.
"Silverbolt I love you so much." she said.
Optimus then left the room.
"I love you too." Silverbolt said.
"Silverbolt you are so, AH!" Blackarachnia said.
Silverbolt looked worried.
"Don't worry Silverbolt she's just having a contraction." Rhinox said.
"It hurts!" Blackarachnia said.
Silverbolt held her hand and stroked her arm to provide comfort.
Hours ticked by and seemed to drag on. "How long has it been?" Blackarachnia asked.
"12 hours," Rhinox answered. "You are at 22% dilation this sparkling seems to want to take it's time." he said.
"I wish my little one will hurry up." Blackarachnia said.
"Sorry Blackarachnia these things can't be rushed." Rhinox said. "It's late try to get some rest." he said.
Blackarachnia managed to get some sleep.
A few more hours passed it was almost 4:30 am December 27th. "It has been 22 hours." Blackarachnia said. She was in a lot of pain.
"Okay Blackarachnia it's time to bring the sparkling into the world." Rhinox said. "When I count to ten you have to push after I get to ten you rest. Understand?" Rhinox said.
Blackarachnia nodded slowly. "Okay 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10." Rhinox said. While Rhinox was counting Blackarachnia groaned, squeezed Silverbolt's hand and pushed.
"Relax, and take a deep breath." he said.
Rhinox started to count again. Blackarachnia closed her optics and squeezed Silverbolt's hand. "Relax." Rhinox said. "Okay Blackarachnia one more big push." he said.
Blackarachnia took a deep breath held Silverbolt's hand tight and closed her optics and did as Rhinox said.
Then a sparkling cry was heard.
"It's a girl." Rhinox said.
The sparkling was a little wolf Maximal with eagle wings. Her fur was a soft white like that of a fluffy cloud on a nice sunny day. Rhinox cleaned up the sparkling and gave the sparkling a check up. The sparkling was very healthy. Then he put the sparkling a diaper and wrapped in a small warm blanket. He hand her to Blackarachnia.
"You were right Silverbolt." Blackarachnia said. "Look at her Silverbolt isn't she beautiful?" Blackarachnia asked. She had tears in her optics.
"She is," Silverbolt said. Silverbolt felt himself starting to cry too.
"She looks like you." Blackarachnia said.
"Looks like beast modes can be inherited." Silverbolt said.
"For sparklings born like this alternate modes can be inherited." Rhinox said.
"Look at her fur it is a soft white." Blackarachnia said.
"My scans show there was change in her genetic structure making it white like a white tiger." Rhinox explained.
Blackarachnia and Silverbolt were amazed. The white coat made her so beautiful.
"She looks like a white fluffy cloud and her optics are like little stars." Silverbolt said.
"Cloudstar that sounds like a perfect name." Blackarachnia said.
"It's beautiful just like her." Silverbolt said.
The sparkling was now named Cloudstar she was a perfectly healthy little girl. Blackarachnia looked at her daughter and she knew she would one day be a very lovely Maximal. She would break sparks some day.
Blackarachnia kissed Silverbolt and held Cloudstar close.
To be continued.