Optimus smiled as he was sitting on a box sipping a cube when Arcee, Bumblebee and Bulkhead returned to the base with the human children. He was glad that he had agreed to have a break from working on the renovations to Azura's room, and he certainly felt like he would simply wait for the following day to continue working on it. He saw that the children were excited to be here, as always, and he knew that they would be wanting to work on the mural for the room. He was definitely interested to see if they have been able to come to a conclusion. He did notice though that Jack had brought something large in his bag. Optimus assumed this was another toy for Azura, and it amused him, even though Optimus was not interested in spoiling Azura to the point where she would become a brat. He would never allow his daughter to become that way.

"Hey, Prime!" Miko waved enthusiastically after she stepped out of the vehicle, and Bulkhead transformed. "Bulk was telling me that a lot of work has been done on Azura's room. Is it okay if we go and take a look? I bet it is starting to look very pretty!"

Optimus nodded with a smile. "You may view it, Miko. Just do not touch the walls, the paint has yet to dry. And I would also advise to not remain for too long, so the fumes do not damage your lungs. I would hate for you to get sick from viewing my sparkling's nursery."

"We will be careful!" Miko turned and ran towards the hallway excitedly, followed by Raf. Bumblebee chuckled and followed the two humans to keep an eye on them.

Optimus looked at Jack as the boy had not followed them. "Are you not going to view the room, Jack?"

Jack nodded. "I will. But I think I might wait a little bit. Besides, I believe that I have another little something for Azura." Optimus's smile widened as he rubbed his abdomen gently. "But I can't really say it out loud, since…"

"You need not worry, Jack. Azura is in recharge." Jack raised an eyebrow in surprise, but he did not question Optimus. "She has been in recharge since I woke up this morning. It is a very deep dream for her." His optics shifted to Jack's bag as the boy made his way up the stairs. "Jack, Azura already has a lot of toys. Many of these toys you have gifted her are ones I am sure she will enjoy playing with. But understand that I will make sure she will be grateful for each of them."

"I know. But I kind of have been enjoying spoiling her a bit." Optimus knew that, and Jack also knew that Optimus would ensure that Azura would not become demanding of new gifts. "What I got is a little bit different from the other gifts. Simply because this one had to be ordered, and it only arrived at home today while I was school. I am just glad no one stole the parcel."

"A bit different? Is it another plush toy though?" Optimus questioned curiously, and Jack looked at him with a smile. "Then how is it different?"

"Because it's from a franchise I don't think Azura knows much about, but I know she will love this toy anyway." Jack stopped near Optimus, as he didn't want him to lean down, so it was easier for the teenager to be on the platform. He placed his bag down and unzipped it. "I am just surprised I was able to stuff this in my bag. It's a lot bigger than anyone might think."

Optimus looked at Jack's bag to see something that was purple with a lot of fluffy material. As Jack began to pull it out, the boy seemed to struggle a little bit, and it seemed that Jack had to really pack this toy into the bag. It was a serpentine type toy, and the belly was white, and Jack seemed to have pulled out the tail. It had a very fluffy tip, and it was quite long and thick, and it actually looked a bit heavy for the human.

The back legs were pulled out, and Optimus saw that the legs were white from the leg joint down to the paws. There were dark line marks on the leg, with the paws having blue claws and a light, yellow mark on the top of the paws. He was not sure what kind of shape it was, as it seemed to be unusual to him. Regardless, Optimus was certainly curious to see what this toy was. He already knew that Azura would love it, regardless if she knew what it was or not.

Jack pulled more of the toy out, and the same dark lines on the back legs were on her stomach too. Optimus did not question it, since it was a design choice. Jack seemed to be happy about it as this toy was finally being pulled out. It certainly was a lot bigger than Jack, and when he pulled the front paws out, it had the same markings as the back legs. And the neck had white, fluffy fur on it as well. Optimus guessed this was a dragon, because it looked like it.

When Jack finally pulled the head out, the toy had a moveable mouth on it. Something that Azura probably would like. The dragon had purple ears, and it seemed to have two, small, deer antlers on the head, which was different to the other dragon toys they have brought it. The eyes were large and they were gold in colour. And there was light blue fur from the top of the snout and over the eyes. It was definitely a very pretty looking toy.

"I can certainly see, Azura liking that. But…I fail to see how Azura would not know what this is. It is a dragon."

"Technically, yes, but also no." Optimus raised an eyebrow at Jack, not understanding what he meant. "I know you won't understand. But this is actually a plush toy of Nudyarl, a dragonmaid monster from the Yugioh card game." That confused Optimus further, and Jack simply chuckled. "Don't worry, you don't have to understand it. I just happen to find a place that sells these, and this thing is bigger than me…" Jack held the toy up by its stomach, and with the head and tail limp either side of Jack, both ends were almost touching the floor of the platform. "And I know Azura will love it. It is a fluffy dragon toy, and I doubt she will care what it is designed after."

"She probably won't, but I can see she will like it. I find it amusing that this toy is large than you, but it makes sense. I have to admit…" Optimus shrugged with a smile. "I have considered learning how to make them as well. Azura will get bigger, and she will outgrow the toys. Which will mean we have to make them."

"I think that is a great idea! Unfortunately, I have no idea about sewing, fabric dyes and all that. So I am of no help. But…" Jack hummed softly as he thought on it. "You would need large machines to make it all…though I suppose, if it is possible, it can be done."

"Pfft, well, that just means I will need to build something else around here." Jack and Optimus look towards Ratchet, as the medic had been listening, but not paying much attention. He had his hands on his hips, looking at Optimus. "You know I am the one who has made the technological advancements around here, Optimus. A device that you will want to make her new, plush toys is something I am not sure how to make. I would need to research what humans use to base it off that."

Optimus was amused by Ratchet's response. "Ratchet, I am not expecting you to make the device. It sounds like you are offering, which I appreciate. But I was willing to learn by hand without a device. Wheeljack made that metal toy that Azura loved to carry around before he left, so it would not matter the material we use to make new toys for her."

Ratchet chuckled a little, hearing the response from Optimus. "I suppose it is good you will try and make the toys by hand, and you are right. There are other materials that we can use to make her new toys. But I think we should also try not to have too many. Otherwise, the most items we will be taking back to Cybertron are going to be boxes of toys."

"I don't think that would be a bad thing," Jack responded with a chuckle. "Besides, I am not sure what else we can get for her anyway." He placed the toy down for a moment and looked at Optimus curiously. "So…how are you feeling?" Optimus raised an eyebrow at him and looked away from him. "Right, I can see you are probably feeling all the aches and pains of carrying."

Optimus nodded as he sipped some more his cube. "You could say that. Though that is not something for you to worry about, Jack." He looked back at Jack, appreciating his concern for him. "I understand you are concerned, but it is normal."

"Sort of normal." That made the leader raise an eyebrow. Jack shrugged with a smile. "You have said it yourself. You don't have a gestational chamber, so it's sort of normal." The boy looked at Ratchet curiously. "I imagine that he would experience everything a lot worse than a bot who would have a gestational chamber."

"Well…" Ratchet was glancing at Optimus as he thought about how to respond. Optimus was a little irritated at the moment, and while he was hiding it well, Ratchet could tell that he was. Even though the boy was simply curious. "To be fair…each bot goes through it differently…but yes, it is on the more intense end for him. That is nothing unusual." Arcee chuckled lightly as she listened to Ratchet explain it to Jack. "But you also need to remember Azura's age, and how impacted she was from the incident. I think that has contributed to the extremes a bit as well. But yes, he certainly is noticing the symptoms. And he has been handling it quite well."

"But I bet the closer to the time she is due to be reborn, Optimus will silently be wishing for it to be over," Arcee commented with a chuckle. "All mechs and femmes feel that way when they get closer to the due date. Optimus is just lucky he only has a few short months, compared to a full term carry. Azura would be very big if that were to happen."

Optimus sighed as he listened in amusement, and irritation. "I hope this does not mean you have been making light fun about it."

"Of course not." Arcee shook her head immediately. "It would not be right to laugh at your expense. We are not that immature." Optimus did not seem to believe her, but he finished off the cube he had in his hand, and grabbed another cube he had beside him to keep ingesting the energon. "But it is simple observation. And to be fair, none of us can really understand, until we go through it ourselves. Obviously, Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee will never experience it, since they have no gestational chambers."

Jack smiled as he guessed that confirmed Arcee had one. "And what about you, Arcee?"

The femme nodded. "I might get to experience it. But…" Her expression changed to sadness almost immediately. "My sparkmate is dead. It might be years before I find another who can give a sparkling to me. So I think, for me, it will be a long time before I conceive any sparklings. But…I don't think I would have the patience for a new born sparkling at the moment anyway."

"I think everyone feels that way, Arcee," Ratchet said softly as he seemed amused by the femme's comment. "But I have raised many sparklings, so I have a lot of experience. So I can't really comment how it feels like to raise a sparkling for the first time. However, I think I might agree with your comment." Arcee chuckled a little, as she knew her own feelings, and was glad that Ratchet understood. "But I hope that you can find patience when Azura is reborn. She will most likely be like a new born sparkling for a short time, and while Optimus will be experiencing the brunt of it, I expect you and the others to help him. I know I will be assisting, but I expect you be helpful as well."

Arcee nodded affirmatively. "Of course, I will help, Ratchet. I am not that selfish. I love Azura, too. We all do. I am expecting that she will be quite seasonable though. So I am not really sure what to expect."

"You say that, and then she keeps Optimus up for several days…" Optimus could not help but groan at Ratchet's comment and roll his optics. Ratchet looked at him with a smirk. "I doubt it will be the case, Optimus, but…"

"I understand." Optimus stood up from the boxes he was sitting on, placing his hand on his back as he straightened up. Jack's expression softened as he observed the strain Optimus's body was clearly under from carrying Azura, and he felt guilty about the conversation. "It is possible. The only time I would expect such a thing to happen would be if Azura would get sick. Hopefully, with a reinforced system, she will be more resilient."

"She most definitely will be. She might even have a better system than my own." Optimus smirked at Ratchet as he rubbed his back. "Don't take our sarcastic remarks too seriously, Optimus. It is also reality, in a sense. While I expect Azura to still have her maturity, I also expect regression. It is good to be prepared."

Optimus was fully aware of this. He sighed deeply and rubbed his abdomen. "I am not taking the sarcasm seriously, Ratchet." He sipped some more energon from the cube thoughtfully before he turned to Jack. "The mural that you have designed for her room, Jack, you said that you were going to create pieces to help the painting process. How does that work?"

Jack smiled immediately and gestured over to the computer. "I will show you." He walked over to the computer quickly and looked at Ratchet. "Is it okay if I connect the computer with the console so you can see better, Ratchet?" The medic nodded affirmatively. Jack was glad that he agreed, as Jack got onto the internet to find a video showing a speed spray painting of a mural in a bedroom. It was a Disney character mural, but it was still an example of what to expect. "Okay, this is just a sped-up video of a bedroom mural a parent has done for their child. But you will see what is used to make the mural in it, and give you an idea of what to expect. The pieces I'll make will be larger, since the wall is taller than a regular human room, but it should still work. Bulkhead…" Jack looked at the wrecker who was listening quietly. "Would you mind giving measurements of the wall itself, so I get a better idea of the sizing of the pieces?"

The wrecker nodded. "Of course, Jack. That will be no problem at all. But I want to see this video for myself, because I assume it will be myself or Bumblebee painting the mural, given that it is a lot of wall to cover."

"Well, yeah, because you are the only ones who have the right equipment to spray the paint. Though Miko, Raf and I will have to help with the colour choices as well, to make sure it is all correct and that it will look good." Jack made sure to bring the website page up on the console screen before hitting play on the video. "It was these kinds of videos that gave Miko, Raf and myself the idea to make the mural in the first place."

Optimus, Ratchet, Arcee and Bulkhead do not say anything as their optics were on the screen. They saw a bedroom that had white walls, and a man was using stencils against the wall to create the outline of the images of the different characters first before he would use other stencils to fill in the colours. The man did use paint brushes to paint in places that were a little more difficult to do with a stencil, but the idea of this was certainly extremely well thought out and creative. The autobots were immediately drawn into it as well.

Optimus himself watched as the man painted the walls for the child, and he could already imagine Bulkhead and Bumblebee working on the wall for his daughter. The way it was done was just so beautiful and Optimus really hoped for it to turn out very well. He was certain that it will turn out well, and Azura would love it. While Optimus himself would like to also participate in painting the mural, he wasn't exactly about to move easily like he used to. It was obvious from observing the video, that painting the mural would require him to be able to move with ease. And he could not at this time.

"This is so fascinating…" Arcee stared at the video with a smile on her face. "I can definitely see where you go the idea from, Jack. This is wonderful!" She was certainly enjoying the progress of the mural as the characters that the man was painting were starting to look complete. "I wonder how long this would take."

"Honestly, it would depend on things. But, since your equipment is much larger than ours, I would say that it would not take too long," Jack said with confidence. "It should definitely be finished before Azura makes her reappearance."

"We certainly will need to get to it. We intend to paint that wall completely white tomorrow, and I will put some fans in the room to hasten the drying process." Bulkhead was certainly taking notes as he was watching the video. "We want this to be as little time consuming as possible. Especially since we do not yet know if and when the decepticons decide to rustle the feathers again."

"Yeah, it is strange." Jack looked at Optimus curiously. "You usually have good intuition about Megatron's next plan, Optimus. Do you have any idea what he might be up to?" Optimus shook his head. Jack hummed softly as he thought about what the possibility could be. "Do you think, maybe, he could be feeling guilty for what happened?"

Ratchet scoffed a little, as he did not believe that Megatron would feel guilty, but Optimus did believe differently. "It could be possible. I think when Megatron was harbouring Bumblebee's mind, and he got to see Azura, and to interact with her a little bit at the time, I think a part of him definitely reopened. There is a reason why they did not use the device again after the first time." Optimus caressed his abdomen as he thought about the possibilities. "If Megatron is taking time due to guilt, it is a surprise it has been this long. But we cannot relax and accept that reason. He could easily be planning something else."

"Have you…made side plans in case something happens?" Jack asked curiously. "I worry, because…" He gazed over Optimus's body. "Well, your body is stiff compared to before." Optimus raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I know you probably don't really like it being pointed out, but it is normal. You probably feel heavier, and it's straining your body. So…I just…"

"It is very spark warming that you feel concern for my well being, Jack. I assure you, I am in good hands." Ratchet nodded as Optimus gestured to him. "And as for your question, no. We have no plan, because we cannot plan for something that has not happened. While we will be prepared, we have no plan."

Jack felt that it would be a good idea, but he understood that it was hard to plan for something that hasn't happened. He looked back at the video for a moment before turning as he heard Miko's loud laughter echoing from the hallway. He knew she had been so excited to see the progress of Azura's room, and it must be very good at this time, because the girl was laughing so loudly. He hoped it would not cause too much of a distraction to the autobots, as he knew that they were still watching the video, even though it was almost finish.

Optimus sipped more energon from the cube and groaned a little. Ratchet looked at him curiously, not knowing what was bothering him. "Are you okay? Do you want to sit again? You seemed more comfortable."

"I am okay. It is just…" Optimus seemed unsure of how to answer his question. "I am not sure how to say it. But…Azura's been strangely tense for the last hour. I can feel it." Ratchet raised an eyebrow as that was new to him. "I know she is dreaming deeply, but I keep sensing bits of her feelings. Mostly confusion, fear and frustration. I am not sure yet if that is a sign of a good dream, or it is a dream that is…maybe teaching her."

Ratchet hummed softly as he listened. "Is she…moving a bit?" Optimus nodded. "Hmm…well, I suppose that kick earlier was probably a sign…but…to me that does not seem like something you should be concerned about right now, Optimus. Azura is dreaming very deeply. And if she is in a dream where she is learning, that is still good."

"I know. I guess…it is making me a little more uncomfortable. Especially as her weight presses against my sides, which is the most uncomfortable. I know I can't stop her, and I am only complaining..." Ratchet did not see it as complaining, as he knew that Optimus was experiencing discomfort. "I just hope that it will not turn into concern."

"I think it would if Azura happens to be in recharge for longer than a week." Optimus looked at Ratchet in slight surprise, and Jack was surprised as well. He would think that there would be concern if Azura did not wake after a couple days. "I say it because there might not be any concern, Optimus. There might be a way for you to see what she is dreaming, but it will require a particular procedure to do that. And I don't think it is necessary right now."

Optimus hoped that Ratchet was right. He could not help but think that something more was happening, but he trusted Ratchet. "Very well. I just hope you are not making a mistake, Ratchet."

"Azura's room is already so beautiful!" Miko's ecstatic voice filled the room as the girl ran into the lobby. She looked at the screen to see Jack was showing the bots a video of a bedroom mural painting. "And I see you are showing them how the mural will be done. Have you shown them the final draft yet, Jack?"

"Not yet. I figured it would be better if you and Raf were here so we can show them together." Miko pumped her fist excitedly and ran towards the stairs. "I assume Raf is with Bee." The girl nodded and Bumblebee walked into the lobby with Raf on his shoulder. Jack was amused, and Raf himself looked like he had a good time too. "What do you think of Azura's room so far, Raf?"

"It is fantastic! I can't help but feel a little bit jealous…" Raf giggled as Optimus hummed in amusement. "But I am a bit too old for that kind of stuff anyway. I think it will look fantastic when the room is finished. Bee…" The scout turned his head to look at the boy. "Put me down on the platform. I think it is time we finally show you all the mural design we finally agreed upon."

Bumblebee was thrilled by this, as he was excited to see what they had designed. "I am excited to see it, Rafael! The room almost feels half finished, but I am certain that the mural is going to take the longest to complete. Optimus will have the berth all finished, and Bulk and I will complete the mural with you and the other humans helping."

Rafael chuckled softly as Bee gently placed the boy on the platform. "We tried to focus it on dragons, but also things Azura likes. So hopefully she will like it, because it will be hard to change it."

"I am sure she will like it." Optimus looked at Miko was the girl pulled out the sketchbook from her bag. He stepped closer as he was extremely curious to see what it would be like. "Please share it, Miko."

Miko giggled as she turned the book around, and Optimus's optics glance down at the page. And he was met with a full page with various creatures and characters Azura loves. The children had drawn images of trees on each end of the mural, with the natural, blue sky above with white clouds. Several dragons in the back with wide eyes were smiling kindly. Three of these dragons were European style, and two were celestial, Chinese dragons. The European dragons were gold, blue and pink, while the celestial dragons were silver and purple. And they were very beautiful.

They also had drawn Toothless and the Light Fury from How to Train Your Dragon, Stitch and Angel, Simba and Nala, Lady and the Tramp, and several otters of different colours. It was very colourful and cute. Not all the Disney characters were in this mural design, and it was okay. Azura did not like all of them a huge amount, and it was okay if she stuck to the ones that spoke to her the most. And the children had done a wonderful thing designing the mural.

Optimus definitely approved of the design, which the children were happy about, and it was planned to paint the wall white the following day so it could dry quickly. With the design now down, Jack knew that the stencils needed to be made. Ratchet offered to help make them, but needed a copy of the draft, which the children were happy to give him the actual design so he could help make the stencils, while the children could focus on the colours for the mural. It was just a wonderful thing.

But while Optimus was pleased with the mural, his mind would go back to Azura. While Ratchet might not be concerned, Optimus had other feelings. He did not know why, but something did seem to be concerning him about Azura's deep recharge. He hoped that the deeper feelings are simply just feelings, and Azura would wake just fine the following day. But if she kept recharging over the next few days, he was going to be on Ratchet's tailpipe on figuring out what might be going on. If he is able to see into Azura's mind to see her dream, maybe he would feel more at ease. That is, if the dream was good, and that she didn't need his help.