(Please see all previous disclaimers. M preg in this chapter)
After several long hours, Aquaformer finally roused after having been sedated for the operation she didn't know she had. She had passed out when it was mentioned she was sparked again. She felt terrible and it showed. "Love?" Optimus asked gently, seeing that his mate was rousing. Aquaformer just looked at her mate, her vocal processors not yet on. Then she noticed the newly soldered line on her abdomen and it was obvious she didn't like it. "Love, please calm yourself. The unsparked sparklings are safe. When we realized your systems were sparked too soon after sparking, I had Ratchet check me. I have two chambers, the same glitch you have. Ratchet put our sparklings in my chambers so that your body wouldn't be overtaxed."
Aquaformer shot a look to Ratchet, seeking confirmation that what Optimus said was the truth and that the sparklings had not been killed off for any reason. "He speaks the truth, Aquaformer. Take a look at Optimus' abdomen (Aquaformer looks at her mate's abdomen). See the newly soldered line? (Aquaformer nods slowly as her systems are still coming online). I created that when I placed the sparklings that were in your sparkling development chambers into our Prime's sparkling development chambers" Ratchet explained, confirming what Optimus had told his mate. Ratchet knew Aquaformer wanted those little ones safe and to grow and thrive no matter what.
Aquaformer understood but turned her head away, fearing that they thought her weak. Optimus gently turned her head back to him. "No one is strong all the time, love. That is part of being a regular bot. And I don't think of you as weak, as I know you aren't. But to tell you the truth, I'm going to need your help as I've never carried or been sparked before" Optimus explained. Slowly, Aquaformer smiled and hugged her mate. She didn't need to talk right now, she could show her happiness through her actions. Optimus was glad to see his mate happy. Aquaformer snuggled into her mate. She hoped he realized what he was getting into, but she knew she could help him out no matter what.
A short time later, once Aquaformer was completely online including her voice, Aquaformer escorted her mate home. He didn't say anything while they were out, but he was glad she was there to help him as he felt a bit off balance thanks to the added weight. She helped without saying anything, knowing actions spoke louder than words and not wanting to embarrass her mate. Optimus really realized then that he would really need all the help she could offer. And since the little ones were with their favorite sitters, Aquaformer helped her mate to bed. They were both tired and soon were fast asleep, Aquaformer holding her mate close to her.