CHAPTER 54
A Promise to Keep
Jeff sighed a little as he took in the sight before him. He had remembered a time when he was so young and in a social services building, seeing them play blissfully unaware of what was happening. Though they all no doubt would be given the good news of an adoption hearing when their foster parents came out. He, on the other hand, was the oldest of the kids in there waiting for his own foster parent to come out and tell him whether or not they'd see a date in court where he would or would not be adopted.
The sound of the door opening grabbed his attention, especially at the sight of Prowl walking through. Silently, Jeff met Prowl's glance, uncertainty in his eyes. Prowl took a moment, and a smile etched onto his face. "June 13th." Prowl finally spoke, Jeff frowned in confusion "That's the date that I get to take you home for good." He held up a couple of papers "Or rather, our adoption day date." He noted.
Jeff had to take a few moments to process the fact that Prowl had just said that. To say the least, he had half-expected to see his social worker walk out with Prowl. Yet the mech stood there, smiling widely in a way that Jeff had learned was rare for Prowl. "T-They said yes?" Jeff questioned, shaking a bit as Prowl nodded slowly "You're going to adopt me?"
Prowl merely held open his arms, and allowed Jeff to hug him tightly. Though there were things that could still go wrong, they both were aware a court date pretty much sealed the deal. Not just anyone got that date, it took time, and patience. In a little over two months, Jeff would stand before a court and attest to his wishes, and Prowl would have a son. "That is indeed the case." Prowl nodded his head, resting his holoform's chin on top of his head "Your eyes are leaking again." He noted.
"I'm crying. Get the term right." Jeff laughed "I just... I thought."
A gentle kiss on top of his head told Jeff that Prowl knew what he had meant to say. Taking a deep breath, Jeff leaned into Prowl a bit, taking in the warmth of Prowl's holoform. To say the least, Jeff felt the happiest he had been in a long time. "Don't think any more of it." Prowl noted "Let's go home, deliver the good news to Ratchet, celebrate." He noted.
"But it's not totally official yet." Jeff raised an eyebrow.
Prowl smirked, as he gently led him away from the office, taking a deep breath. He knew that Jeff was right, it wasn't official yet, but it would be. He had sworn to himself that he would do nothing to screw up what he had worked for so long for. "It will be, believe me Jeff. They were telling me how impressed they were with us and how we've taken care of you." He then added "You are without a doubt in my care for the rest of your Earthly life, my young human." He then added "Unless you tell me you want otherwise."
Jeff leaned his head against Prowl's shoulder, his smile widening a bit at the very notion. He had no reason not to believe Prowl, after all, not with the smile he had come out on, or the positive attitude. "Dad?" Prowl glanced over at Jeff calmly "Thank you... For doing all of this for me." He commented quietly "I know you didn't have to take me in, and that you probably wouldn't have wanted to a couple of months ago..." He paused "But you're the first foster parent who hasn't given up on me, and that means a lot." He admitted.
"No thanks necessary." Prowl replied honestly "It is my distinct honor."
And though he had said this many times to many officials, it had never meant as much as that did. It was Prowl's honor to soon be able to call the young man his son. Though Jeff was right, and he had not been certain of him at first, Jeff had proven himself to be worthy of the family he had now earned himself. Allowing Jeff into his passengers seat, Prowl revved his engines softly and buckled him in. Jeff stared at the social services building, one he had passed through many times while waiting for a family.
A building that, as Prowl drove off, he hoped he would never see the outside or inside of again. Leaning back, he thought over those times, every time he had gone through there. He remembered every bruise he'd come in there with, every family who had shoved him back. He remembered every time he was told that no family was "desperate" enough to take a "problem" like him. And now there he was, two months away from going in front of a judge and telling him he wanted to go home to the one family who he knew would never give up on him.
"Jeff?" Jeff jolted a bit as Prowl spoke "Are you alright?"
Jeff nodded his head silently, uncertain of whether or not it was true to say the least. Though he felt okay, a part of him felt bizarre, as if questioning if this was what he wanted. He was leaving behind the system completely, going to live with someone on a permanent basis if he told the judge he wanted to be adopted. What if it had all been a ruse? What if Prowl was going to change like so many others before him did? Sighing, and rubbing the seats, Jeff took in the thoughts as he reclined in his seat. "Prowl." Jeff spoke up "Promise me something."
"What do I need to promise you?" He questioned.
Jeff felt his lip as he chewed it tentatively, taking a deep, quiet breath. It was all that Jeff could do not to choke out the words. "Promise me that no matter how I screw up... You'd never turn your back on me." He stated quietly "Or hit me... Or tell me I'm worthless..." He then paused "Promise me I'm going to a loving home and this isn't all just some crazy dream that's going to go away in a few days."
After a moment, Prowl's holoform reappeared, placing a hand on Jeff's knee comfortingly. Jeff stared into the holoform's eyes yet again, Prowl smiled, genuinely and kindly, squeezing his knee again. "On that, I can very honestly promise all of those things." Prowl stated calmly, shaking his head "I would never do any of those things and you know it." He then added "Nor would anyone on that base." He added.
Jeff sighed in relief, taking in the honesty in Prowl's words. It was all the reassurance of the situation that he would ever need, Prowl's word. After all, Prowl was always a mech of his word, he prided himself upon that fact. If nothing else, his word could always be trusted in the same way he had been told Optimus's could be. "Then yeah, I'm okay." He then added "I think I'm gonna be just fine."
Prowl took in the look on Jeff's face, the faint smile on it. Prowl could not blame him for being afraid of being hurt, but Prowl knew without a doubt that he would never, and could never hurt Jeff. Jeff sighed a bit, leaning against Prowl, who only smiled a little wider. He laid his head against Jeff's own, feeling a great deal of happiness. Don't worry Jeff. He promised himself I will always be here for you.
It was a promise he intended to keep.
...
A/N: Figured it was time we got some news on this end. :P