Ratchet's P.O.V.
Jasmine and I didn't go out for New Year's. We already had fun on Christmas Eve. Now begins the anxiety of knowing the court date approaches. Even if it's two months from now. The thought of this possibly being the last two months with Audrey before the situation turns into Jasmine and I can only visit her, or she's taken from everyone and put into the system. Even with how far Jasmine has come since September. The whole situation could be used against us. I don't know if I can hide how worried I am from Jasmine, who I know will be anxious as the day approaches.

Audrey is loving bath time since we bought the bath chair. Jasmine and I have been debating on taking Audrey to the pool room.
I don't know if I want to add something we do for a few months just for everything to fall apart.
Ratchet: Ryley, I don't know what to do. I feel like Jasmine and I shouldn't do anything new, but we don't want to cause Audrey to fall behind. I know she might be a little behind because she was born thirteen weeks early.
Ryley: I know it's hard to act like there isn't a pending court case before adoption, but I believe everything will be ok. You know Mason and I have a plan if we are to adopt Audrey.
I think that's the best she can do in terms of positivity, which did very little as I look at Jasmine feeding Audrey her bottle on the couch. Audrey is at the point where we could see a lot of development. I don't know how Jasmine can handle this, knowing we might not watch Audrey grow up.

"Ratchet?" Sunstreaker asks, sitting on one knee in front of me in the hallway, "what's going on?"
"I don't want to talk about it. Not like you can do anything about it."
"I can threaten the judge."
"That's not even funny."
"Jasmine has recovered. I know she still has that worry about Yazmine returning, but she's in a good place mentally to take care of Audrey."
"I hope you're right."
"I know Rung is still reporting to the lawyer, so you two have to keep taking care of Audrey as if there's no court date."
He walks away.

Jasmine and I decide to talk Audrey to the pool before her nap. Only in her diaper. We know if Audrey likes the pool, we'll have to get her a swimsuit. Once the pool is heated, I put Audrey's feet in. She smiles as she looks at her feet in the water. I wait a few minutes before having her sit in the water. She's sitting in two inches of water with me sitting behind her. Jasmine sits next to me.
"Audrey, look, you can splash," I take her hand and do the splash motion, making the baby laugh. Jasmine and I smile, seeing Audrey understand splashing and hearing her laugh.

Fifteen minutes is enough, but Audrey is not happy to be taken out of the water and wrapped in a towel.
"You can't play in the water for long yet," I explain as if she understands. She puts up a fight as I dress her, "you're spending too much time with Sunstreaker."
Jasmine laughs at my comment.

Once Audrey happily plays on her playmat, Jasmine talks about the next two months. Both because she's afraid of the court date, and because she wants us to do better going out on dates. Audrey has a schedule, but we're both thinking of adding a couple of pool days a month. Things are going to be routine, but it's just because of our lives rather than the court date. It's good for Audrey's development and our relationship.
I have time to plan a little trip for Valentine's Day.

Jasmine's P.O.V.
I can't say Ratchet is terrible at planning surprises since I was surprised with the plan for Christmas Eve, but he'll have to try harder this time since it's common to go on a date or a little trip for Valentine's Day.
"What do you think Ratchet has planned, Audrey?" I ask as if she can answer.
She plays with the hanging toys on her playmat.
Wonder if she'll ask Ratchet once she's older. Or even help him plan?

Ratchet tells me the night before Valentine's Day that he got the same suite as he did on Christmas.
"... Sunstreaker is not pleased I didn't plan a weekend trip," he finishes.
"I still can't believe how much he loves to take care of her."
"At least we have a babysitter we can trust. Not sure about Sideswipe."

This time, Ratchet carries me to the hotel room and lays me on the bed. He lies on me and kisses me.
"Are we having a little fun?" I smile.
"If you want," Ratchet smiles, "wish I could have prepared the room better."
We have an amazing time before bed.

Ratchet was hoping to surprise me with room service breakfast, but I woke up before he could make the call.
"Then maybe we go to the hotel pool," Ratchet smiles, "no rush to go home."
We enjoy some cuddles before calling room service.
Ratchet makes me stay in bed when the room service gets here. He's prepared with a bed tray in his subspace. Once he puts the tray on the bed over my legs, he gets another test from his subspace and gets his breakfast. I don't know what to talk about. I don't want to talk about the future until court day.
"Everything will be ok," Ratchet assures me, "we'll be taking care of Audrey, you're working in the medbay and training to be a soldier. Everything that should have been part of our lives since last March."
It's going to be a rough two weeks until the court date.

I'd say I'm terrified rather than anxious now that the day is here.
"All rise, the honorable Joseph Gray," bailiff Morris calls.
We all stand as told until the judge sits.
"We are here today to decide if Mss. Jasmine Graham and Dr. Ryker can care for Mss. Audrey Graham and can adopt her," judge Gray explains.
I feel sick now that we're here. I'm glad Audrey is only eight months old, and currently napping in her stroller. This would be hell if she was older.

I somehow cut out what everyone is saying, but watch as Florence, Ratchet, Rung, Optimus, and Prowl make their case. I didn't think the twins would be involved, but I'm not worried. Sunstreaker wouldn't dare threaten the judge.
"Jasmine?" I hear Ratchet before seeing the judge in front of the table, holding Audrey.
I can't tell if she wants to cry or not.
"I believe this little girl will be well taken care of," the judge says, "and after what you went through, I can't take her away from you," he puts Audrey in my arms. She smiles as if she knows what is going on. The judge leaves to get the papers Ratchet and I will need to fill out.
"Everything is ok," Ratchet smiles as he hugs me, "she's with us forever."
He kisses me in front of everyone. It's funny Audrey laughs.
We decide my aunt and uncle should be her godparents. There's no one else in the family, and though I trust many Autobots, I'm happy with this decision. The Autobots would help my aunt and uncle,

Optimus didn't tell us he planned a party. I don't know if he was told about the decision, or if this was planned and could have been bad if things didn't go well.
Everybot and many soldiers are in the cafeteria. They wait until Ratchet holds up the adoption paper before cheering.
Audrey's excitement gets everyone laughing.
They can't believe Sunstreaker is the one to take Audrey out of her stroller or that Audrey is smiling. I'm thinking no one knows Sunstreaker wasn't guarding in the hallway and would join n us when we go into the cafeteria. I'll worry about that later.
"That better not be a smile before a blowout," Sunstreaker scolds.
This gets many laughing. Sunstreaker sits at a table with Sideswipe.
"I'll deal with anyone now realizing Sunstreaker has been bonding with Audrey, and not pleased we let him near her" Ratchet assures me.
He goes to make breakfast while I sit with the twins.

Audrey is having fun playing with Sunstreaker's fingers.
"Oh wait until she's teething," Sideswipe smiles.
"You're enjoying this too much," Sunstreaker argues.
"You're the one who took her out of her stroller."
"Not even a year old and you have mechs arguing about you, Audrey," I joke and get her bottle.

After the party, I go with the twins to their room while Ratchet talks to the others.
"So are you thinking of giving Audrey a... uh...?" Sideswipe asks.
"Seriously?" Sunstreaker scolds.
This is funny.
"If Ratchet and I have a baby together, the baby would be Audrey's cousin. I don't know if Ratchet wants kids, but we have Audrey to worry about. She's not behind yet, but she could be."
The twins think Ratchet and I should talk about this now. Before either of us want a sparkling, as they put it, but the other doesn't.

It's hard to bring up the subject. I'm worried Ratchet will think I'm saying 'now'.
"I get it, Jasmine," Ratchet smiles, "I haven't thought about having sparklings, but I know I'd love to with you when you're ready. Audrey will keep us busy along with work in the medbay and your training."
He pulls me in for a kiss. My life is mostly as it should be. My parents shouldn't be dead, but there's nothing I can do about that. All I can do is work on my goals and care for Audrey. While worrying if Yazmine will return. This shit is over, and there are many new beginnings.