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I woke up feeling exhausted. Last night's talk with Rosalyn was nice. I got to know her a little more, and it made me respect her a little more as an individual.

O.O.O.O

"The kids' father wasn't the best," Rosalyn said, looking almost embarrassed. "We weren't married, but we were engaged. He was unfaithful and abusive."

"Why did you stay with him, then?" I eyed her worriedly.

"I just had Rosalína," she said timidly. "I thought, maybe, having a baby would change his whole..."

"Everything?" I finished. She nodded.

"His name was Lucian," Rosalyn said. "He was Italian. Part Italian from what he told me. He said his grandmother was German." She sighed. "That doesn't matter... After Rosalína was born, Lucian became more erratic. He would scream at me in front of her; he'd threaten to kill me if I left. Then I got pregnant with Violet..." Her eyes watered.

"You don't have to keep telling me," I started carefully.

She laughed harshly. "It's fine," she mumbled. "Emilia's the reason I'm still alive. She's the reason the kids weren't hurt or killed by Lucian."

"What about Rory?" I asked quietly.

"By the time I left Lucian for good, I didn't know I was pregnant." She shrugged. "I found out two weeks later I was a little over a month along. I never told Rory about his father."

I didn't say anything. If she didn't tell Rory about his father, no matter how much of a scumbag he was, he'd ask questions, he'd want to visit. Not to mention the hostility he would have toward Rosalyn. I chewed on my bottom lip.

"I know it's not right to keep Lucian a secret from Rory," Rosalyn said exhaustedly, "but I just... It feels like I'm protecting him for now. I know he'll ask questions and want to see him, but after I called off the engagement and left, I haven't heard from him since."

"Whatever you think is right, I won't judge you," I assured her, "and I'm proud of you for doing what you did. This Lucian guy sounds like a total asshole. You're brave."

Rosalyn shook her head. "Emilia helped us..." she muttered. "She bought the house, took care of the kids when I was recovering...she's more of a mother than I was."

"You needed time to get better." I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Emilia was being a really good sister, helping you like that. You're brave, Rosalyn. You just needed a little nudge!"

O.O.O.O

I rubbed my eyes. I looked at the girls, they were still sound asleep next to me. It was the first time in too long that they had a real bed to sleep in. They looked content. I didn't want to wake them up.

Getting myself out of the comfortable bed, I stretched and yawned. Emilia was nice enough to let me borrow some of her clothes.

A soft knock interrupted me from my thoughts. Looking at the door, I saw Rosalyn's eldest daughter - Rosalína - poke her head in.

"Buenos días, señorita Desirée," she said softly.

"Buenos días," I said, smiling. "Did you have a nice rest?" I tried and failed trying to figure out how to say that in Spanish. Rosalína's expression looked slightly confused before she nodded. "That's good," I said, laughing.

"Mamá," Rosalína said, "she...wants to see you." Her English was very good.

"Thanks, sweetie," I said. "Just let me get the girls cleaned up."

Rosalína stood next to me, looking at Saoirse and Eden curiously. Looking down at the girl, I saw how similar she looked to Rosalyn. She had Rosalyn's eyes and skin tone, but her hair was a caramel brown.

"What are their names?" Rosalína asked.

"Saoirse and Eden." I pointed to the two of them as I said their names.

"Mamá says their papá was in the military," she said. She watched as I picked up Eden and as Saoirse scrambled out of bed.

"He was," I said. "He and I both. Then we both got hurt; really, really badly. We had to quit because of it."

I saw Saoirse study Rosalína carefully. Those blue eyes meeting the brown ones. Saoirse's blue-black curls were wild, framing her face. Rosalína studied Saoirse carefully.

"My name is Saoirse," the five-year-old said cheerfully, those blue eyes lighting up.

Rosalína looked at me, unsure what to do. I chuckled, grabbing my daughter's hand.

"Rosalína is busy right now," I said carefully.

"You have a pretty name!" Saoirse exclaimed.

"Um, thanks," Rosalína said nervously.

"She's always like this," I said to the six-year-old. "Don't worry, we'll be down in a minute. Thanks."

The six-year-old girl gave a sheepish smile before scurrying out of the bedroom. I looked down at Saoirse, who was smiling brightly at where the poor Rosalína had been.

"C'mon, squirts," I exclaimed, "cleaning time!"

After we were all washed and clean, I took the girls to the kitchen. Everyone was sitting at the kitchen table, eating something Emilia had cooked.

"About time you showed up," Emilia said jokingly. "The little ones were about to eat your food!"

I smiled. It was still weird, knowing this small family was so accepting and easygoing. They didn't question us; they didn't treat us like freaks. They didn't ask why our kids had glowing blue eyes (with the exception of one of Abby's twins, who had her eyes) and why I had strange markings on my arms. I tried covering it up as frequently as I could, I didn't feel all too comfortable with them, nor did I trust them entirely yet.

Saoirse ran to the table, scrambling to sit between Abby and Rosalína. Saoirse gave the other girl her thousand-watt smile, the other girl smiling shyly.

Sitting next to Rosalyn and Blossom, I placed Eden on my lap. Emilia served us our breakfast, a fancy looking one from the looks of it, and we all dug in.

"I forgot something in my truck." I was helping Emilia and Rosalyn with the dishes. They insisted I not help, since I was their guest, but I didn't want to feel useless.

"Oh," Rosalyn said. "Do you need to get it?"

"Yeah, it's really important," I said. I bit my bottom lip. I didn't want to lie to them, but I needed to talk to Optimus. He was worried sick!

"Do you need help?" Emilia asked.

"No, no! It's fine!" I held my hands up, giving them a small smile. "But, if you could tell the others I'll be right back..."

"Do you want us to watch the girls for you?" Emilia asked, giving a lopsided smile.

"It's fine, really!" I said, chuckling. "You both have done so much for my friends and I already. Besides, I think they would like a little sightseeing."

Emilia and Rosalyn nodded, seemingly unfazed by my little white lie. Groaning internally, I continued helping them with the dishes. Why do they have to be so nice?! I thought.

QUICKY A/N:

HEY-YO! I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS UPDATE. I NORMALLY WOULDN'T UPDATE ON A MONDAY ANYMORE, BUT I JUST FELT LIKE IT!

ANYWHO, HERE YOU GO.

NONE OF THE CHARACTERS OR STORYLINE IN THE TRANSFORMERS MOVIES ARE MINE NOR ARE THE FOUR OC'S. I OWN MY CHARACTERS AND MY FILLERS.

OH! I BELIEVE IT WAS ASKED BY A KIND REVIEWER THAT OUR GROUCHY MEDIC OFFICER, RATCHET, BE WITH EITHER EMILIA OR ROSALYN. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY