CHAPTER 6
Family Values

When Christmas came that year, Tony had already been with the family three months. Now, Tony was going to meet the rest of the Lennox's family. Sarah was also an orphan, but unlike Will, hadn't been adopted. So Tony had learned he'd mostly be meeting Will's family. Which included his brother, Jedd, his wife, Pearl, and their son, Tim whom he stated was around Tony's age. They also included Will's Father, Conner, whom Tony was surprised was alive, but apparently had just not wanted the home anymore. Then, of course, there was Annabelle, who was of course coming for Christmas.

If Tony had been any more overwhelmed, he might have been 'shitting bricks' by that point. He'd always spent Christmas in a group home, as he'd never been in a Foster Home around that time before. So the thought of having 'family' over made him very nervous, moreso than he probably should have been. He was just now barely getting used to Ironhide, and that was mutual. But now he had to impress all of these people, he had to prove he could integrate into this family if he had any hope of Will or Sarah even considering adopting him.

Quite frankly, he was scared.

Of course, he was brought out of his fear by Will's playfulness. "Why so stiff, bud?" Will asked as he playfully pulled him over his shoulder, carrying him around "If you don't stop standing around like a statue. They'll mistake you for one." He laughed.

Tony grinned a bit, trying to squirm from the former Colonel's grip. "Oh come onnnn Will, put me down man!" He laughed, Tony leaned his head against the man's back "Not cool, man." He noted.

Will smiled, putting the boy down and roughing up the boy's hair. Will put a hand on his shoulder, and stared down at him. He already knew what was bugging him, as he'd been in almost the same exact situation before. "Hey, just relax, Tony. They're going to like you just as much as we do." Tony smiled, he looked up at Will "And if they don't, well, tough shit, you're not exactly going anywhere, now are you?" He shook his head "I didn't spend money on those gifts under the tree to give them to my brother's kid." He noted.

"I just feel out of place, I haven't spent Christmas with a family in a long time." Tony admitted "And I mean this is more than family come Christmas Day, right? You invited Sam, the Autobots, Epps and his family." Tony shook his head slightly "I don't know, I guess I just feel like I'm intruding since I've only known you guys for a few months." He added.

"You're as much family as everyone else coming, bud." Will replied, he stared over at Ironhide "Even 'Hide's starting to consider you one of us. And God knows that was a work in progress, and still is." He took a deep breath, then added, placing his hands on Tony's shoulders "Besides, we love you, bud. You know that." Tony stared up at Will "Wow, I guess that's the first time I said that, isn't it?" He asked.

"Most people don't as it makes it harder to see us go." Tony replied, leaning against Will "But I love you and Sarah too." He replied.

Will smiled, he wrapped an arm around his arms yet again, and walked him towards the house. He rubbed Tony's arm, and then added, quietly. "And they're going to love you too, alright? I know my family, I know that they're going to love you." The teen gave an uncertain nod of his head "Come on, put on that smile of yours, you have a good one." He tickled Tony's side lightly and the boy let out a giggle before smiling "There's that smile, yep, you got it." He noted.

Tony smiled shyly, but nodded his head slowly, he stared over at the shed. Slowly, he turned to Will. "Hey Will, I'll meet you there, okay?" Tony asked.

Will stared for a moment, but nodded his head. Tony crossed over for where Ironhide usually hung around slowly. He never used to go up there, but since he and Tony had reached an understanding, he found himself visiting once in a while. They still weren't exactly 'friends', but they'd hit friendly levels. Ironhide was a lot like an Uncle, just one that needed to warm up to you before becoming at least friendly with you. It vaguely reminded him of his Father, and for once, in a good way. Making his way to the small secondary barn he occupied, Tony slid open the door.

"I thought you'd be out there meeting the family." Tony turned his head as Ironhide spoke "Don't tell me yer getting cold feet now, Anthony. Last I checked you were well on your way to becoming a part of the family." The Autobot didn't really seem to have an emotion at that last bit, still uncertain about his thoughts regarding that.

"That's why I'm in here, hiding." Tony noted as he closed the barn door.

Ironhide tiled his head a bit, yet again, Tony's actions throughly confused him. Primus knew he was never going to understand this boy, even if he now somewhat-respected him, he didn't like him yet, but he respected him. "Why are ye scared? Will tells me all that Foster Kids want is a home, right?" Tony nodded his head, and turned away slowly "Then I seem to be missing the reason for your fears, Anthony." He noted.

"I've..." Tony hesitated, he was unsure of if he should say anything, or be quiet and hide as he planned "I've never actually MET the families of my Foster Parents before... Like, EVER." He shook his head "I've barely gotten you to NOT resent my presence. And now I'm meeting Will's entire family." He then added "Not to mention, Sam, Carly, the Autobots, and who knows who else in a few days." He seated himself in the hay "I guess I'm just scared they're all going to be the EXACT same way you were when I got here." He admitted.

Ironhide sighed, he always got Will and Sarah's kids in the midst of problems, it felt like. Annabelle always came to the barn when she had a problem, and now Tony looked like he was going to do so too. Perhaps it was a good hiding spot, he wouldn't know as he lived in there, didn't hide in there. "I swear, something about me must read "helper monkey"." Ironhide muttered before he stared over at Tony "Look kid, I was WRONG to judge ye early on, as I've said a thousand times now. And while I still ain't sure of ye, yer slowly proving me wrong." He noted.

"I know that, you've been treating me a lot nicer." Tony smiled a bit "You even scared away Matt and his cronies."

"Well, I can't stand bullies, why do ye THINK I take on Decepticons?" Tony chuckled, Ironhide paused for a moment "Now, listen to me kid. You have no reason to be afraid. You've sure hit it off with William and Sarah." He noted, then stared at the boy calmly "Which means that Annabelle, if no one else, will easily take to ye as well." He then noted "And you'd better treat yer Foster Sister with respect by the way. I don't care if ye are-" He began.

"I know, Ironhide, you've told me that before." Tony replied, with a small laugh.

"You still need to treat her with respect, she is yer sister. And I know she'll treat you with nothing but KINDNESS." Ironhide noted, then added "The rest of the family are kind as well. Very welcoming to newcomers, unlike myself." He explained "Both Will AND his sibling are adopted, so I figure you'll have much in common with yer 'uncle' as well." He then added "Be weary of his son though, he's a troublemaker. If I catch you letting him talk you into anything yer going to be in big trouble." He noted.

"Ironic choice of words." Tony smirked.

Ironhide snorted a bit, but then again, he had been serious. He didn't want to see either of Will's kids in trouble, hence why he'd scared the bullies off. Before they could start a fight that would have ended badly no matter what the turn-out. "These people are yer family too, to get technical. Just remember that kid." Tony looked at Ironhide and nodded slowly "And hey, if it goes well, you might not have to leave, as far as I can see." He noted.

"I know you'd hate that."

"Don't be so quick to judge how I feel about you. You said it yerself, I protected you from those bullies." Ironhide told Tony, he smirked down at him a bit "Ye ain't like Annabelle to me... But yer a good kid, Anthony. And I do care about you." He made a small finger gesture "A little, for now. But keep up the way you're acting, and I can guarantee ye it will grow in time." He noted, he then stared at Tony "Would I be here, right now, trying to make ye feel better if I still resented yer very existence?" He asked.

Tony smiled, Ironhide was right, he had to care about him even slightly to be doing that. "Thank, Ironhide." Tony slowly smiled "You really are a good guy." He noted, as he headed towards the barn door again "You coming in, I think Annabelle is already here." He noted.

"I'll be right there."

Tony nodded and left, leaving a very confused Ironhide behind. Three months ago, he wouldn't have done that, but today, he had wanted to. The mech sighed, a bit and rubbed his helm, perhaps, just maybe, he was starting to like the kid.