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The girls and I had arrived at DC by seven that morning. Drift was nice enough to give us a ride over to DC (in his helicopter alt. mode) and even changed his alt. mode into his blue and black vehicle mode and drove us to Sam's residence by nine.

He had contacted the other Autobots and, from what he told me, and informed them of our safe arrival.

From the moment the girls and I walked in Sam's door, Drift's Holoform following behind us, Sam brought us to our old guest room and let us rest for a little while longer.

Optimus POV

By early afternoon, late morning, Optimus had landed on earth. He had landed somewhere in Texas, but he knew it was nowhere close to the Yeager residence. Though he had no idea where the Yeagers were currently residing...

He sent out a ComLink, asking the Autobots to help him find out where the Yeagers' residence was. Bumblebee had responded to his ComLink, giving him directions, but had said that he and the others were about ready to leave and join Desirée and the Sparklings DC. She had flown there with Drift earlier in the day, and they had promised to meet up with her before the everyone got together for the reunion.

Optimus found that just a little frustrating. He'd have to drive nonstop to be able to make to DC. He wasn't sure whether the Autobots were already on the road headed to where Desirée was, or if they were still finalizing their packing and whatnot and still on the Yeager property.

He had thanked Bumblebee for sharing the information before redirecting himself, heading nonstop where his Sparkmate and Sparklings were.

Bumblebee POV

Bumblebee had finished packing with Abby by the time it was midafternoon. The woman had packed just about everything for the stay over in DC. Bee had told Abby they'd be staying for, about, five days at the latest. But she insisted on bringing all of Alec's and Athena's clothing, all of their toys, all of their food - all of the necessities that she thought her babies would need.

Bee tried reasoning with her, saying they literally didn't need so much, but she only got frustrated at his attempts to do so.

If there was one thing the scout Autobot wasn't 100% clear on, it was why Abby thought bringing everything they needed for a five day trip to where Sam was would be necessary.

The Holoform is capable of wearing ordinary human clothes, but also capable of projecting clothes on themselves as well. But he didn't understand why Abby bought him a mountain of clothes for the trip. He made it clear he could make his own clothes! It was in the Holoform's programming! He had been told multiple times by Desirée that he should not, under any circumstances, argue with Abby on what she does. In her eyes, she's doing what's 'best for the family'. Bee found that hard to understand. Despite years of living amongst the humans and seeing how they interacted, he still couldn't comprehend human relationships.

"The only person I've ever been with is Optimus," Desirée had told him. "No human guy wanted to be my boyfriend. Optimus was the first to make a move, and I appreciate that! If it hadn't been for him, I'd be lonely and single."

Bee remembered the mischievous smirk that had been on Desirée's face when she said the last part. He knew she was only joking about being lonely and single. Certainly, Primus forbid, if Optimus hadn't made his attempt to court Desirée, she'd have found a human male to court with. But he knew that was impossible! It was almost as if Desirée and Optimus were destined to be together.

Bee felt his Spark rattle in his chest chamber. He found it difficult to imagine Optimus and Desirée without each other, Saoirse and Eden not having been born.

But instead of focusing on that, he intended to focus on the reunion that was in store. The one his human companions had worked hard on preparing!

Mya POV

Mya felt uneasy about the idea of leaving Texas. Though she was forced to leave before under different circumstances, she felt comfortable in Texas! Going to a new place like DC (even though she had travelled all the way to China!) was what made her anxious. She had never been to that place before.

She also didn't understand why Desirée invited her to the 'family reunion' she had put together. She didn't know any of Desirée's other friends.

She'd probably end up hanging in the back, being a wallflower. Maybe she'd interact with Ironhide, but she had a feeling the weapon specialist had special connections to Desirée's other friends as well. Mya wasn't sure what to think about that.

The green eyed woman didn't really have much to pack. She knew the stay at DC wasn't a long one - Desirée said it would be a five day trip at least.

Ironhide had offered to give her a ride over. None of them felt safe taking airplanes or anything like that. A good old fashioned road trip was something they felt comfortable doing.

Looking at the apartment that Joshua Joyce was kind enough to rent out for her, even helping her with the monthly rent, the green eyed woman frowned slightly. Joshua was also attending the family reunion, even though none of Desirée's old friends knew of him. Well, maybe they knew of him, but not as well as she and the others did.

Sighing, Mya picked up the few bags of clothes and necessities she packed and went to the waiting Autobot outside.

Marli POV

Marli and Celia had adjusted somewhat to 'ordinary human life'. They were still very cautious of others and trusted no one but each other. Celia and Marli understood each other's pain. They both were experimented on; humans had killed their Autobot significant other; none of their so-called 'friends' from before had rescued them from their pain.

They both decided they wanted to live in DC. They were able to...find a reasonable amount of money and find a nice house in the DC suburbs to live in. They lived decently as roommates, neither of them willing to find any kind of companionship in other human males. The day they found human boyfriends would be the day they stopped mourning over their loss.

Marli understood that, one day, she'd have to let go of the pain that had been inflicted on her, but she honestly found it difficult to do so. For more than five years, pain was all she knew.

She couldn't remember what it was like beforehand. It was as if KSI and Cemetery Wind had completely erased her ordinary life.

But Marli was planning on rebuilding her ordinary life. And she didn't care what she had to do to make that happen.

Desirée POV

It didn't take the Autobots that long to make it to DC. Since a lot of them were speed demons anyway, I was worried they might have run over a few people on their rampage to make it on time.

Since their arrival, only Lennox (with his family) and Epps (with his family) had made it. Sam said the others had called or emailed him saying they'd be arriving shortly.

Until they arrived, Sam, Lennox, and Epps got reintroduced to the Autobots, even getting to meet the new ones.

It was nice seeing them interact so normally. They looked like they were best friends, like they'd known each other their entire lives.

Out of the Autobots who made it, I couldn't see Optimus. I only suspected that he was still on his way to earth. He probably would miss some more important things in the girls' lives, and I'd have to make some more excuses as to why their father still hadn't popped up yet.

It was hard enough with not knowing exactly how far away Optimus was from earth, but having to deal with the fact that I would be the only one without my Autobot. Abby and the others had theirs, the father of their children. I tried not to let my jealousy overtake me, but it was a hard emotion to get rid of.

But as the day progressed, and more guests showed up, I started to feel myself getting distracted. Simmons and Dutch, Mikaela and Leo, Sam even invited Miles, after all these years. Ron and Judy showed up, naturally; all of our close friends and family.

Sam had planned out the five-day reunion to be a fun-filled one. We'd all get to catch up on the time we spent apart, reliving the glory days if we wanted to, or just enjoying the company of those who were dear to us. I had to admit, Sam did a wonderful job. He refused to let me help him in any way, saying that he wanted to do something spectacular.

The idea of having a newborn and a fiancée who had just begun recovering from childbirth didn't seem to cross his mind at all.

"You haven't aged a day!" Mikaela exclaimed. "You still look the same. I'm jealous of you, Desiree."

I chuckled. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," she laughed. "I'm so happy you're here! I was beginning to think I'd never see my best friend again." I smiled at that. "Oh! I forgot to mention this, but I'm getting married in a month!"

My smile widened. "Seriously?"

Mikaela nodded enthusiastically. "He's a really great guy," she said. She went on to explain her fiancée, what job he had, what kind of guy he was, how he treated her. From what she was telling me, he was a dream boat. "I want you to be my maid of honor," Mikaela exclaimed firmly. "You have to be there."

"I'll be there," I agreed.

As Mikaela went to go and talk to the others, I went on and had long conversations with Lennox, talking about how everything was going, how we had been since NEST's shutdown. Lennox had found a great job to support his wife and daughter, who had grown significantly in the past couple years. He said he missed the Autobots, especially Ironhide since he was basically apart of the Lennox family. Though the conversation between Lennox and I didn't begin without getting a fierce hug and a stern earful by Lennox. I almost forgot that he had that big-brother role in my life. Though he also sounded like a father scolding a child whenever he did that.

But everyone's conversation slowly died down when we heard a firm knock on the front door.

We all watched as Sam went to answer the front door. I couldn't see who was on the other side, but I saw Sam's shoulders stiffen.

He looked back at me, pale faced and tight lipped.

Sam stepped aside and the Holoform of Optimus stood on the other end. Never in my life had I passed out over something like that.

When I regained consciousness, I was lying on a bed. My mind was foggy and my throat felt dry. Rubbing my forehead with the back of my hand, I groaned in frustration.

It felt like a dream, seeing Optimus's Holoform there. I was telling myself that he was still in space, flying his way back to earth.

Clearing my throat, trying to ease the burning dryness in my throat, I scowled.

When the door opened, my legs would have given out on my if I hadn't been lying down.

Optimus's Holoform stood on the other side, looking worried. Those vivid blue eyes looked at me warily, as if he were afraid to move or speak, like I'd pass out if he did one wrong move.

I had almost forgotten what the Prime's Holoform looked like. The bluish black stubble that covered his strong looking jaw...those vivid blue eyes and bluish black hair that swept in a way that looked adorable. His tall frame, graced with lean, perfectly sculpted muscles.

His clothes...designed in blues and reds and whites. The Autobots emblem stitched onto a leather jacket he wore.

"Y-You're a-actually here," I stammered. It had been years since my stuttering had resurfaced. I felt embarrassed. I made an unnecessary scene in front of my friends and family, and now I had begun stuttering in front of the Autobot I was in love with.

"Yes, I am," he rumbled.

I almost forgot how deep his voice was...

"It's late in the night, Desirée," he said gently, sitting on the edge of the bed. The Holoform's calloused hands covered mine, those blue eyes looking at me adoringly but also with concern. "You were unconscious for hours. The others left. They're worried about you."

"I thought you wouldn't be arriving until later," I whispered.

He shook his head, kissing the knuckles of my hands gently. "I'm here," he said. "I arrived not too long ago. Bumblebee and Drift informed me of the reunion you and Sam were putting together. A wonderful idea!"

"Where're the girls?" I said hoarsely.

Optimus nodded to where the girls were, nestled in some spare beds Sam managed to get into the room.

"We didn't want to disturb you," he rumbled.

I looked at him carefully, wanting to believe that Optimus was truly in front of me. I didn't want to find out I was having some dream where I thought he was there but he wasn't.

"You've missed so much," I said solemnly.

Optimus looked down, squeezing my hands gently. "I know," he said sadly. "What I've missed can never be made up, but I'm here now! And I promise you that I will be more involved with the girls. I'll be the father they deserve."

Smiling at Optimus, I nodded wordlessly.

Everything felt a lot lighter. Optimus kept the Holoform activated for a few more hours, at least until I fell asleep. I hadn't had a good night sleep like that in a long time.

QUICKY A/N:

SORRY IF THIS ENDING WAS STUPID, BUT IN THE NEXT UPDATE, THERE'LL BE A QUICK EXPLANATION ON HOW THE REST OF THE REUNION WENT. THERE'LL BE SOME FLASHBACKS, WHICH I RARELY USE IN THIS FANFIC, ON WHAT OCCURRED AFTER OPTIMUS SHOWED UP! YAY, OPTIMUS IS BACK!

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CH., BECAUSE I AM VERY TIRED!

REVIEW PLEASE! REVIEWS ARE COOL, JUST LIKE YOU GUYS!

STAY SNAPPY.

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY