The following morning finally came around. Saphira was excited and felt bright as a daisy as she practically jumped out of bed with excitement when she woke up early that morning. She knew that she would be driving down to Texas today, and she knew it would take a few days to get there. But she did not mind at all. She got dressed and took her last suitcase out to her car before she would have breakfast. None of the autobots were around at the moment, but that was okay. She grabbed out her phone to send a text to Optimus.

'Good morning, Optimus. I hope you are feeling okay today. I am almost ready head off on the road. Did you want me to wait for you and the others to get here, or should I maybe go fill my car's tank up and meet you outside the city?'

Saphira guessed the autobots could be back at the base grieving for their lost bots. She was still feeling sad too, but she knew that Optimus did not want her to be focused on the grief. She was almost finished with her breakfast at this point. She didn't know what would happen with this house once she leaves, but it was no longer her responsibility. Once she leaves, she would only come back to Washington to visit the NEST base. She glanced at her phone when she heard it go off.

'I am okay, Saphira. Losing any of my autobots is extremely painful for me. However, it is a life that we have been forced to endure thanks to Megatron. Bumblebee, Barricade, Ironhide, Dino and Sideswipe will meet you at the house. Ratchet, Wheeljack and I will meet you outside of the city. We have a few things to finish off with before we can leave.'

Saphira smiled as she read the text. She hugged the phone slightly, wishing she could hug Optimus right now. She finished off her food and washed up her plate before she responded to him. She heard the sound of engines outside the house as she typed back to him.

'I still think we don't have to celebrate my birthday, Optimus. I will have another one next year. I am glad you will still travel with me to Texas. I am admittedly nervous and excited at the same time, even though I know there is no reason to feel that way.'

Saphira walked to the front door and opened it, looking out to see Bee and Barricade's holoforms approaching the front door. "Hey, guys! I was actually just about to tell you I'm ready to go. I just need to use the bathroom and we can head off."

"Aw, you don't want to do something before we leave?" Bee asked in a fake, sulky voice.

Saphira grinned at him and walked back inside. "I would rather not waste the time of the day, Bumblebee. Besides, I also booked a room at the Ancient Lore Village for tonight, and we need to get there today."

"I see…" Barricade walked into the house as Saphira ducked into the downstairs toilet and closed the door behind her. "Is it just for you or two people?"

Saphira chuckled softly. "Take a guess, Barricade. You know that I want to spend a bit of private time with Optimus. We haven't had much private time, and I feel like we are missing out on just having a good time together."

"I know. I was only teasing." He and Bee stood in the hallway as they wait for her to finish using the bathroom. "Is the Ancient Lore Village the only place you want to stop at? Or do you have another place in mind for tomorrow night? I am just curious so we know where we are going and we don't end up somewhere as a surprise."

"I haven't really thought that far, I think the Ancient Lore Village was the place I really wanted to stay at," Saphira admitted as she waited for a response from Optimus as well. "It might actually being a surprise, though somewhere off the road and camping at some national park might be the best option. I really do not mind."

"Well, at least we know tomorrow's going to be a spontaneous decision," Bumblebee said with a light chuckle. "And it's not entirely bad. We might find a place where all of us bots can spend time with you, Saphira. I know the day after we're supposed to arrive at Everett's old house and celebrate your birthday, though I am sure there will be nothing like a pre-birthday pond dash or even a game of volleyball or something…"

"Volleyball?" Barricade stared at Bee in disbelief. "Of all human games you would think of, you come up with that?"

"What's wrong with it?" Bee questioned him, while Saphira began to giggle as she finished with the toilet. "Lennox showed us how it was played, and it is a lot of fun. Don't tell me you hated playing against the man because they knew the rules and game better than we do."

Barricade groaned a little. "Maybe…it was fun, but I still don't like being beaten by humans. That really gets me in the wrong mood…though I know it was just a fun game."

Saphira flushed the toilet and washed her hands before she walked out into the hallway. "And losing is part of the games, Barricade. At least in a game like volleyball, nobody dies and we all can say we had a lot of fun and did our best. To be honest, in a casual game, there's no prize. Just fun and laughter, that is all there is." The bot nodded in agreement as Saphira turned to Bee. "Volleyball sounds like fun. I actually intend on playing that game when we get to my house." Bee smile widened at the very idea. "Along with other games too. It will be a lot of fun and lots of laughter."

Barricade chuckled lightly. "And I probably made sure that everyone is going to pick on me because I didn't fully enjoy myself when we played again Lennox and some of the other men." Saphira and Bee nod at him. "Oh well…I probably will enjoy the game more when facing off with you, Saphira. So I think I should be fine."

"We will see about that." Saphira looked at her phone when it went off and smiled. "Ah, Optimus sent me another text."

Bee and Barricade grin. They both now knew that Saphira and Optimus had a way of communicating privately. Though they did not say it out loud in case one of the others would hear. They knew that someone might spill that information unintentionally and they did not want the military to find out. Saphira could be in trouble from that, though there was likely nothing that they could do as Optimus would just find another way to communicate with Saphira.

'You are turning eighteen, Saphira. I know it is considered important, and it only happens once. Yes, Chromia and the twins have died and we can continue to grieve for them. They will want us to celebrate your birthday. So I will ensure your birthday is good. And there is no need to be nervous, Saphira. I can understand you are likely feeling that way because Everett was your grandfather, and you are close to finding out what kind of job he had. I too am curious on how he had made his money, but money is also a concept I do not really understand. At least you will never have to live in a small, rundown garage again.'

Saphira chuckled softly. It has been a long time since Saphira has even considered owning several cars to work on for racing. She no longer needed that lifestyle. She still will likely practice her driving, but in general, she was unlikely to return to street racing. That life was over for her. It helped her be able to earn money at least, and gave her an escape from her life with her parents. She was still thankful for it, but it was a life that was over for her.

'I like living in a small, rundown garage. You know it never bothered me one bit. It was a place I could come back to, stay warm, dry and it was a safe place to sleep every night. There was nothing else that I wanted at the time. Having a big mansion has never been a dream of mine. But anywhere that I can feel safe, especially with you, will feel like home to me. I am going to get into the car now so I can go and fill up the tank, I won't be able to text you until I get to the station.'

She sent the message and looked up at Bee and Barricade. "Alright, you two. It is time for us to leave." She smiled at them as she walked to the front door and stepped outside. "The day is already getting old, and we are not getting any younger. I would like to be at the motel before nightfall." She smiled at them both as she walked towards the BMW.

Ironhide's holoform was leaning against the side of his vehicle mode as he watched Saphira walk towards his car. "How do you want us positioned?" Saphira looked at the bot in surprise of his question. "You know, do want some of us in front of your car and some behind?"

"Oh, uh, I am just going to get fuel first," Saphira responded in an uncertain tone as she had not been expecting that kind of question. "And there is no need to be formally protective, Ironhide. Driving in that kind of formation might draw some attention. I personally would rather not have that."

"Very well, I was just wondering if you felt the name for that kind of protection." He smiled at her as she opened the door of her car to turn on the motor to warm it up. "Though I guess since there are supposedly no cons in the country, I guess you can take the lead. Plus, you are the only here who knows where we are going. I only know we are going to Texas, and that is it."

Saphira chuckled at him. "That is correct. I would be surprised if something was to happen on the way to Texas. If it does...you can rub it in my face about that I needed the additional protection." Ironhide smiled at her before his holoform disappeared. She stepped into the vehicle. "Let's get going. Farewell NEST." She closed the door and drove out of the driveway.

Saphira intended to find a gas station on the outskirts of the city on the way out. It was better to do it that way, and she knew that the autobots can let Optimus know with their own com link. She drove away from the house one last time, smiling to herself and put on some music to sing along to while she drove through the city.

She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as she sang along to the music. She could see the autobots in her rear view mirror which made her smile. She was looking forward to seeing the peterbilt behind her. She was already imaging what she and Optimus could get up to. She did know that her dream was a stretch. Optimus could easily be waiting until it was her actual eighteenth birthday to make it official and become sparkmates. But she was free to dream about that. Especially with the first place they would stay at tonight.

The room Saphira had booked for herself and Optimus in the beautiful fairy cottage, and she was absolutely looking forward to staying the night there. Along with taking part in the archery and axe throwing activities that the motel had to offer. Though until they even arrived there, she didn't know if they would be able to do them. Maybe the next day, just for a bit of fun. And she was lucky the room was even available when she booked it.

It took a little over thirty minutes of driving through the city until she pulled into a gas station to fill up the BMW. She glanced at her phone while waiting for a bowser to be free as the autobots parked in empty parking spaces to wait for Saphira. She saw that Optimus had responded to her, and she smiled as she was really happy about that he did. And he had sent a second text as well, which she would read at the same time.

'Your humbleness is something I have taken a joy in seeing in you, Saphira. Being able to find a place of shelter is something not everyone can do. And you have taught me so much about how finding a home is more than a building. I love you, Saphira. And being with you is like being home for me, even if we will never return Cybertron. I will send you a text when I am on my way to meet you.'

Saphira smiled as she read the first text and scrolled down to the second text.

'Ratchet, Wheeljack and I have left the NEST base. We are heading in your direction. I am looking forward to spending the next few nights with you, Saphira. And I know we will have a few weeks to spend with you. I intend on making it as special as possible. I will see you soon.'

Saphira thought about responding to the text, but decided to leave it for now. The text was sent fifteen minutes ago. There was a chance Optimus would show up at the station before she finished. Plus, she intended on getting a few things to nibble on while on the road as well. Once the bowser was free, she drove forward and parked by the bowser before she shut off the car and got out to fill it up. She glanced over to the autobots and smiled as they sat in the parking spaces waiting patiently for her.

She took a few minutes to fill up the tank before she finished filling up the car and paid for it before moving the car away from the bowser to park it. She went inside the station to buy some water, soda, packets of chips and chocolate. She didn't know if she would have all of them today, but she would have enough to last over the next couple days before reaching her grandfather's house. With everything she had bought, she walked out of the station and back over to her car. She heard the sound of a familiar truck engine and looked up to see Optimus, Ratchet and Wheeljack parked in the lot.

She smiled and put her stuff into the car before she saw Optimus's holoform walking over to her. She noticed the many looks people were giving Optimus as he walked by them. Especially the girls. Optimus completely ignored them and Saphira stood, waiting for him to reach her. "I see you finally reached us. I guess you must have already been on your way when you sent the text."

Optimus chuckled as he reached her and placed a hand on her cheek. "I was. I wanted to make sure you saw my text before I arrived. Bumblebee kindly told us where you were going, and we simply followed your steps." He leaned forward to kiss her, which made people around Saphira jealous that she was with someone this attractive. "I look forward to tonight. You booked a room for the both of us, right?" Saphira nodded and he smiled. "Good. I will make sure that it won't go to waste. I'll be with you from evening until morning."

Saphira shuddered as she heard the purr of his voice when he spoke to her. "We'd better get going if we don't want to delay finding the place, and getting all checked in for the night." She kissed him again and hugged him, leaning against him with a big smile. "I love you…and I look forward to spending my birthday with you and the other autobots."

"Me too." He kissed her again and stepped back. "And you are right, we are delaying this off for far too long. It is best we head off now. We will make sure to keep an eye on the surroundings as we travel along the road. Even if the cons are not here in the country, Galloway could be."

Saphira raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that he could be?"

"Apparently, he was spotted at the Washington airport this morning. But that could mean other things too." She was not worried by that at all, so she simply turned away and got into the car. "Even if this man won't do anything, we will keep an eye out. He is still likely in league with Megatron."

"I know. He would be pretty stupid to try and do something with all of you guys with me anyway." Saphira started the car and looked at him. "Alright, go back to your truck now, Optimus." She blew a kiss at him. "I'm not likely to stop unless I need to use the bathroom."

Optimus nodded and he closed the door before her before turning and walking back to the peterbilt. Normally he would have made his holoform fade, but there were so many eyes watching him right now and he had to walk back like a human would. Saphira waited until she saw the holoform climb into the cab before reversing and leaving the station with the autobots following her in a line. She was still very happy and seeing Optimus behind her gave her a peace of mind.

She sang along to the music she playing as she drove along the road, driving towards Knoxville as she thought about the possibilities she and Optimus would have together. She did not know when he would need to return to continue working with the military, but that did not matter. Saphira could only think of what would happen over the next few days. And she would be soon known as Mrs Prime, according to the scrap bots.

I like being called Mrs Prime…it is quite endearing, even if it is not fully accurate.

Saphira's choice of music was mostly romantic music. The playlist she was playing included Listen to Your Heart, It Must Have Been Love, You Make My Dreams Come True, Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, Everytime We Touch and numerous Abba and Disney songs as she was definitely in the mood for romance. She just hoped she didn't have too high expectations for tonight. But Optimus seems to want to go ahead with it, but he could also be teasing her.

The next several hours would go by rather nicely, there was nothing that happened on the road that slowed their progress down very much. And Saphira kept her word in saying that they would not pull over unless she needed to use that bathroom. That happened only three times on the way, and she did need to stretch her legs when she needed to go anyway, with another stop where she had to fill the tank again. The drive to the Ancient Lore Village was seven and a half hours from Washington, so she did need a few stops in between.

But as Saphira had got up early, it had been four-thirty when she woke up, and left at five-thirty, they would reach their destination a little after one due to needing to fill up the tank again, and needing to stop for the bathroom. And she was very tired by the time they finally reached this very unique motel. And because it was just her and Optimus staying at the hotel, she and Optimus were the only ones to drive up the driveway to the Ancient Lore Village.

As they drove up along the driveway, she saw the hobbit-like building ahead of her. She as extremely excited! The place itself was not huge, but it was sitting on the side of a hill overlooking a forest with the road in front of it, with a gorgeous pool and the villas themselves were set up with different colors and themes to show which room was different. It really was beautiful, and there was a tavern-like building where the reception was and the restaurant beside it. She was really looking forward to exploring this place and staying here.

She parked her car and Optimus parked next to it as she grabbed out one of her suitcases with her clothes and toiletries. She looked at Optimus as his holoform walked around her car. He was looking at the motel in intrigue. "This place is rather spectacular." He smiled and looked at Saphira as she nodded in agreement. "Are you sure this is on Earth?"

"Some of us just really like to escape to something like this, Optimus," Saphira said as she locked the car and rolled the suitcase behind her as she walked towards the stairs to head down the hill. "And there's nothing wrong with a little fantasy. I mean, look at this place! It's beautiful!"

"It sure is." Optimus walked beside her and saw they had to go down a set of stairs to the reception. "Let me take the bag." Saphira did not argue with him as he picked it up and followed her down the stairs. "I am intrigued about the room you have us in."

"I have us booked into the fairy cottage. And I am also excited!" She glanced towards the pool with a grin. "I have packed my swimsuit." She looked at him as they walk down the stairs together. "I hope you don't mind sharing a little bit of swimming."

"Not at all. Let's get this into our room first." Optimus was fascinated about this place as seeing what the human imagination can come up with. This really had something about it that was inviting, and he liked it. "I am curious as to who decided to make something like this."

"Someone who wants to bring some kind of magic and escape for people…" Saphira looked around with a big smile and they soon reach the bottom of the stairs. "Just like when Walt Disney opened Disneyland all those years ago. He had that in mind, I am sure of it."

Optimus could not help but agree. He had the same feeling when he found the emerald field those many months ago. And it seemed like that he might have found a similar place, even if this place was not all natural, it just looked that way with how the buildings looked. They enter the reception area where Saphira spoke to the receptionist, paid for the room and took the key.

She and Optimus than walk in front of the different houses and they both saw the fairy cottage quickly. It was another round building with what looked like grey, wooden panels and the round windows had purple wood around them, along with the beams and door. Plus, there was a sign by the path with the name of the cottage on it.

Saphira giggled and ran over to the door. "I want to see! I want to see!" Optimus walked up behind her as she turned the key and pushed the door open, gasping loudly as she was met with a lot of pink on the walls. "Oh, wow!"

Optimus followed her and smiled as he looked around. The room was very large, with two white, rocking chairs by the white, brick fireplace and a white rug just in front of the fireplace. There is a kind size bed with a wooden headrest and cute, round, wooden side tables. There was also a small kitchenette with white counter tops, a set of stools with plates and utensils out ready for use. There was a high tea plate set, a cute, black kettle and panels of the cupboard doors were purple with a checkered design. There were light, pink butterflies stuck to the wall, golden chandeliers and a large painting of a pink butterfly by the bed. It was beautiful with a blend of golds, creams, pinks and purples.

"I really did just step into another world…" Optimus commented as he walked around, placing the suitcase down in shock. He looked at Saphira as she walked around in awe and he walked over to her. "A very lovely place…" She nodded and gasped as he slipped his arms around her from behind and pressed his body against her back, kissing her neck gently. "But you are still more beautiful…" She blushes, arching her neck as he kissed her and held his arms around her waist. "Someone who is beautiful on the inside, and the outside…shall we check out the bathroom?"

Saphira nodded and swallowed nervously, walking over to the wooden door and opened it into the ensuite bathroom. Smiling at the white tiles, vintage toilet, a white vanity with a beautiful mirror above it, candle lights either side of the mirror and large shower with white and grey tiles on the walls around the shower. It was small, but it was intimate.

"This is as beautiful…" Saphira smiled as she glanced in the mirror, seeing Optimus still kissing her neck and she turned her head slightly. Her heart was racing and she wanted to know. "Do you…want to do it now?" He glanced at the mirror when she asked the question. "Or should we use the pool first?"

Optimus smiled at her. "What do you want?" She frowned a little at his question. "I don't mind…" He brushed his hand over her ears, brushing away a strand of her black hair. "Besides, you probably need a massage from that long drive. You look very tired…I can help you…"

Saphira bit her lip and turned to face him. "Maybe after the pool…" He nodded in agreement while looking at the deep blush on her face. "I…uh…I am still nervous…" His face faltered slightly in surprise. "And it's normal, Prime. You are the first person I'll ever…and hopefully the only one I'll ever be intimate with."

"I understand." Optimus kissed her, holding her hands in his. "I will not force you…this is as much your decision as it is mine. If you say no, I won't do it. And if you tell me to stop, I will stop." She was grateful and walked over to the suitcase to grab out her swimsuit. "And now we shall enjoy the rest of the day."

Saphira nodded as she closed the bathroom door to change into her dark, blue one-piece suit. She placed a hand on her chest as it was beating really fast. And just before she put her swimsuit on, she realized she needed to use the bathroom. Optimus just happened to keep her mind occupied. Thankfully, she wasn't long and she finished relieving herself and put the suit on after flushing. She felt very excited and nervous at the same time…especially since it seemed like Optimus would take the opportunity of them being alone. And she was really to give into him, and be his sparkmate officially.

Little Note: I do know that the Ancient Lore Village only opened a few years ago, so it wouldn't have been around in the years the movies came out. But it is a beautiful place, and something I know my character would love like I do. So I included it here anyway.