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It took about a day and a half for Ron and Judy to finally make it. Their reaction was heart-wrenching. Tears filled Judy's eyes, Ron fought off his. Before I had time to react, they had thrown themselves on me, hugging me fiercely. I tried my best to hug them back, trying to control my overflowing emotions. Judy sobbed loudly, clutching my tightly.

"I'm so happy you're OK!" she exclaimed. She kissed my forehead multiple times! She held my face in her hands, her eyes red and puffy. Ron struggled to keep the tears in his eyes from falling. "Where're the babies?"

I sniffled a few times before leading them to where Sam was keeping Saoirse and Eden occupied. When Sam saw us enter where they were, he gave his parents a quick hug before giving me a look. I watched as Sam left the room, probably going to talk and spend time with Carly. Once he was out of the room, I turned back to Ron and Judy. I felt an anxiousness that was chewing inside of me relentlessly. It was a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time.

Their attention had immediately been occupied by Saoirse and Eden. They picked up the two young girls and hugged them just as fiercely as they hugged me. I could see the look of utter confusion on my daughters' faces, looking at me desperately, as if they were silently pleading for help.

I tried explaining to them, the best I could, that their grandparents would be paying us a visit soon, that they already met Saoirse, but Eden hadn't met them yet.

Saoirse seemed excited; Eden looked indifferent about it.

I could tell Eden wasn't the kind of person who seemed excited when it came to meeting new people at one time. She already met Sam and Carly, introducing her to two more people she hadn't seen before didn't really make her enthusiastic.

When I took them from Ron and Judy, I saw my parents become an emotional wreck.

Placing Saoirse and Eden down, and they stood close to me.

"Saoirse's birthday is coming up," I said awkwardly, trying to stop the tears that were trying ruthlessly to fall. "She'll be turning six."

Judy let out a sharp wail, startling the girls and I. "Six?!" she exclaimed. "She's growing up so beautifully!"

I closed my eyes, trying to control my breathing and my emotions. I took a calming breath and felt myself slowly relaxing.

Kneeling down, I looked at the girls and offered them the best smile I could. "These are your grandparents." They looked between Ron, Judy, and myself. "Grandma Judy and Grandpa Ron," I said, pointing to them. "You met them, Saoirse. Remember?" Saoirse shook her head. I kissed their foreheads. "They love both of you very much. Go spend some time with them."

While Ron and Judy spent time with their granddaughters, I was given enough time to think up some possible excuses and/or reasons as to why I had to vanish for five years without any kind of call or letter. I occasionally glanced their way, and saw that Saoirse and Eden had no longer looked hesitant of their grandparents, and seemed slightly at ease in their presence.

For the duration of Ron and Judy's visit, Sam hadn't come back to spend time with us. He knew I needed to get, in a sense, re-acquainted with my foster parents.

I had changed since the last time I saw everyone. Nowadays, I had become way too paranoid, anxious, and tense. I didn't trust people as easily as I should; I didn't think I was safe anywhere. With Optimus gone and the Autobots still in Texas, I felt as if Cemetery Wind and other government goons would pop out any minute and try to inflict damage on all of us.

Cemetery Wind can't hurt you anymore. You're overthinking this. You saw Lockdown get killed; you saw Attinger get killed; Cade said he saw Savoy fall to his death back in China. Stop worrying so much! Ron and Judy came all this way to see you and the girls; and you're worrying about a government attack?!

I shook my head sharply.

"Desirée? Are you OK?" I saw Judy look at me curiously. She seemed a bit suspicious.

"I'm fine," I grumbled. I rubbed my temples, trying to ease my overly-active brain. I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

Judy stood next to me, her hand gently placed on my shoulder. She looked almost hesitant, as if she wasn't sure if I wanted to be touched or not. Ron looked at us intently; his face was stoic.

"You don't have to keep it bottled in," Judy assured me.

Forcing a smile on my face, I gave a nod. How was I supposed to tell them what was bothering me? They wouldn't understand it. They wouldn't be able to comprehend what I went through.

"What happened to you?" Ron said.

Oh God... How am I supposed to explain this lightly? I had a whole system of how I was going to handle this... Don't panic! If you panic, they'll think it's something even worse than it's supposed to be. Wasn't it pretty bad to begin with? Gah! Just calm down...you can do this...

"Uhm, something...very bad happened," I said vaguely.

"Stop being so vague," Judy snapped. "We have been worried sick about you! All you've done has been vague about what you've been doing these past few years! You better tell us what happened, or so help me..."

Ron put a hand on Judy's shoulder, stopping her from her ranting.

"Desirée, you have a lot of explaining to do," Ron said calmly. "Just tell us what's been going on. Please."

Pursing my lips, I tried to think of the best way to start. I struggled with my words, trying to figure out how I could possibly start the explanation.

Just as it took to explain everything to Sam, it took a few hours to explain everything that's happened. Ron had to hold Judy back from interrupting what I was saying.

When I finished, I saw a furious look on Judy's face. Ron was struggling to absorb the information I told him. The silence in the room was almost deafening. Even Saoirse and Eden were quiet. I swallowed thickly.

"They've been hunting you down for five years?!" Judy exclaimed. I flinched at the tone of her voice. I had a feeling she'd be furious; it was to be expected. But it still caused some fear in me.

"It's going to be handled accordingly," I said, trying to ease the situation. "We're going to put up a trial for..."

"How is that going to work out?" Judy exclaimed. "It's the government! They'll do anything to cover their asses! How are you going to have this work out?!"

"I don't know!" I shouted. "I don't know! I'm still trying to wrap my head around being normal again! Can you just give me some time to figure everything out? We're all just adjusting to normal life again."

Judy looked at me with pursed lips. She was struggling with herself. Rubbing her eyes furiously, she gave a sharp intake of breath before sitting on the sofa, looking defeated.

"Desirée." I looked at Ron. "Everything that's happened to you isn't your fault. The fact that you came out of this alive - you and the girls - is a sign that everything worked out perfectly. I'm sorry you had to endure something like that; neither you nor the girls had to undergo something like that." He approached me, putting a firm hand on my shoulder, looking conflicted in his emotions but trying to put a smile on his face. "You're a Witwicky. You can handle this."

Chuckling, I gave a single nod. Dealing with the fighting between the Autobots and Decepticons, it was something I was accustomed to. But what I had to deal with, having Saoirse and Eden endure the terror of it, and having complete strangers get involved with it, was something I wasn't expecting. I hoped no one had to get involved or have something like this happen to us again. I didn't want anymore family and friends, even complete strangers, getting in the crossfire of the Autobots and Decepticons.

While everyone tried to comprehend the information that had been released, we tried to settle our emotions and keep ourselves calm. Saoirse and Eden tried playing with Ron and Judy, trying to keep them occupied. I felt a little guilty - it seemed like they felt they had to ease tense situations, using themselves as distractions when something went wrong. But I was a little happy they tried.

I knew, before Ron and Judy left, if they decided to leave, they would want to discuss what I told them even further. For now, though, everyone tried to enjoy each other's company. That was all we could ask for at the moment.

QUICKY A/N:

IN THE NEXT UPDATE, I'LL TRY AND PUT MORE POVs IN THE CH.'S. I'LL TRY AND ADD OPTIMUS'S POV IN A FEW OF THE NEXT UPDATES AS WELL! IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO ISN'T PLEASED WITH THIS UPDATE - RON AND JUDY'S REACTION, DESIRÉE DEALING WITH RON AND JUDY SUDDENLY APPEARING, ETC. - JUST LET ME KNOW AND I'LL TRY AND FIX WHAT I CAN.

AND AS FOR BRINGING BACK MARLI (AND CELIA, FROM SOME OF THE REVIEWS I'VE GOTTEN) I HAVE RECEIVED SOME REVIEWS FROM KIND REVIEWERS ASKING THAT MARLI AND CELIA COME BACK AFTER BEING EXPERIMENTED ON BY CEMETERY WIND AFTER BEING CAPTURED BY THEM (AFTER JAZZ'S AND DINO'S DEATH). I HONESTLY THINK THE IDEA OF MARLI AND CELIA COMING BACK, HAVING BEEN EXPERIMENTED ON, SEEMS LIKE IT'LL BE A NICE ADDITION TO THE STORY. BUT! OWNER OF MARLI'S CHARACTER, DO YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE MARLI BE EXPERIMENTED ON? IF I MAKE ANY CHANGES, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S OK WITH YOU!

ANYWHO! I HOPE EVERYONE'S HAD A WONDERFUL DAY. SORRY THIS UPDATE TOOK LONGER TO POST, BUT I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED IT, AT LEAST.

MY SCHEDULE'S CHANGED A BIT SO I MIGHT BE ABLE TO UPDATE ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS NOW. I'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE FOR THE MOST PART.

STAY SNAPPY!

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY