194

Once everything was finalized for the Yeagers to get their new home, I gave them a goodbye as Sam and I prepared to leave. I told them that I'd probably be gone for about five days, a week at least. I just wanted some time to catch up with Carly, see how she was doing.

"I hope you have fun," Cade said, giving a one-armed hug. "You deserve a little time off."

"Thank you, Cade," I said. "The Autobots are staying with you guys."

"I still think you should bring Bumblebee with you." Cade gave a stern look at Sam and I. "Optimus said they have to watch over us."

"I know, but I'll be fine." I understood Cade's worries, but I could still defend myself. "You guys stay out of trouble. I'll be back soon."

Giving them hugs and a final goodbye, Bee drove us to the airport.

It took way too long, in my opinion, to get to Sam and Carly's place. It took a few plane rides to get there, and a lot of anxiety on my part. I was still worried on whether I'd still be recognized as that "alien loving fugitive". Sam tried reassuring me, telling me that there was bound to be a leak of information on what's been happening the past couple years.

I tried to believe what he was saying, but my mind was wild with all these scenarios and thoughts. By the time our last flight landed in DC, where Sam and Carly thought was a nice place to settle, I was mentally wrecked.

"Just calm down," Sam exclaimed. "Everything's going to be all right, there's no need to panic."

I grunted. Holding Saoirse and Eden close to me, I looked at everyone warily. We were in DC. Washington DC. I felt panic and anger whirl inside of me. The occasional person would throw a strange look my way, but shrug it off the moment they passed. I swallowed thickly. Sam had a car he left in the parking lot of the airport and took us to it. The car itself was relatively big (which I suppose it had to be if he was expecting a baby) and very roomy.

"Have you thought of any baby names?" I asked, trying to distract myself. Once we were on the road, I felt my heart beat painfully against my chest.

"Carly and I like the name Daniel," Sam said. "We're still thinking of other names, though, just in case we change our minds."

"Daniel's a nice name." I tried not to look out the windows. I saw Sam look through the rear view mirror, where I was sitting with Saoirse and Eden.

"Don't look so tense. If you want people not to notice you, you're doing a bad job at it." I chewed on my bottom lip. Was I? I was trying not to look suspicious.

You're trying too hard, I thought. Someone's bound to notice you. Just shut up and listen to Sam! I hesitantly relaxed a little, trying to get comfortable in the car seat. The remainder of the ride was quiet.

Sam and Carly lived in a lovely suburban home. Whatever jobs they took on since I saw them last, it paid well.

"It's a beautiful house," I said quietly. We all got out of the car and Sam led us to the front porch. Once we were inside, it was even bigger. The house was very roomy - with a second story, a big kitchen and living areas, everything just looked bigger.

"Thanks," Sam said. "Carly and I are just renting this place for a little bit. We're still saving up for a house of our own."

I nodded wordlessly.

"Sam?" Carly called. "Are you back so soon?"

Sam motioned us to follow him to the upper level. Their room was at the end of the hall.

"Yeah, I'm back sweetie," Sam called back before entering the room. "I just ran into some old company."

"Old comp..." Carly's words trailed off as she saw the girls and I. Tears filled her eyes immediately, a lopsided smile on her face. "Desirée?"

"Hey," I said nervously. "Sam said you're pregnant! Congratulations!"

"I can't believe it's you!" Carly sobbed. "I knew you'd show up. I told Sam that you would!" I gave a chuckle. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Carly motioned me over. "Did he tell you we're engaged?" I nodded. "I didn't want the wedding to happen until you showed up," she continued. "It wouldn't be a wedding without you or your precious girls."

"Thank you," I murmured.

"What happened to you?!" she exclaimed. "You disappeared for five years! You didn't leave a note or call...you just left!"

I looked down for a moment. "I'm sorry for making you guys worry," I said.

"We saw you on the news for quite some time," Carly added. "It said you were harboring alien fugitives..."

I felt almost ashamed. "I was going through some problems these past five years," I said, avoiding Sam's and Carly's eyes. "I didn't want you guys to worry about us. It wouldn't have been right to drag you guys in all of this."

"Not knowing what happened to you was horrible," Carly said, grabbing my hands. Saoirse and Eden had climbed onto the bed beside Carly, observing her swollen stomach carefully. "Your parents called every day hoping we heard from you. Your mother had panic attacks, from what Ron said, from not knowing what happened to you!"

I tried controlling the emotions I felt. Judy had panic attacks? I felt guilty. Beyond guilty. I felt like a monster.

"Are they OK?" I asked softly.

"Yeah," Sam said.

"Have you told them?" Carly looked at me, worry and tears filling her eyes.

I shook my head. "I don't know how to tell them."

"We'll save that for another time," Sam concluded. "We came here to have a good time. It was Desirée's idea to come by and visit, she wanted to know how you were doing."

Carly's expression immediately flipped to a bright smile, her original tears and worry vanishing. Right away, Carly started filling me in with everything that's happened with her and Sam. She started babbling about wedding ideas, bridesmaids outfits, location, the time of day, etc. She told me all the names she planned on giving her little boy, but Daniel was the name she loved the most.

For the first time in a while, I was distracted from all of my worries. I felt an ounce of normalcy.

QUICKY A/N:

SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO UPLOAD! I'LL ADD MORE TO THE SMALL REUNION IN THE NEXT UPDATE. I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE ENJOYING THIS STORY SO FAR; I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ALMOST AT 200 CH.'S! IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE I'VE DONE THAT MANY.

ANYWHO, I SAID I'D BRING BACK MARLI'S CHARACTER, AND I WILL. I JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW I'M GOING TO DO THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO BRING CELIA (JAZZ'S OLD GIRLFRIEND) BACK, HER CHARACTER DIDN'T SEEM TO BE THAT IMPORTANT. GIVE ME AN IDEA ON HOW YOU'D LIKE TO SEE MARLI COME BACK, THOUGH! WHAT YOU THINK HAPPENED TO HER!

OH! I ALSO GOT A REQUEST (A QUESTION, MAYBE) ON WHETHER MARLI AND CADE COULD POSSIBLY GET TOGETHER. WOULD THAT BE OK WITH THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MARLI? SHE ISN'T MY CHARACTER, SO I DON'T WANT TO PUT HER UP WITH SOMEONE THE ORIGINAL OWNER WOULDN'T LIKE.

YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! I DON'T HAVE SCHOOL TODAY, WHICH IS AWESOME! BUT I HAVE SCHOOL TOMORROW, WHICH ISN'T SO AWESOME.

HAVE A FABULOUS WEEK, EVERYONE!

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY