CHAPTER 15
The Big Day Arrives
"Bumblebee, we have called you here today because we have decided Trevor's fate."
Bumblebee looked at Rhodes nervously, tapping his fingers together nervously. This was the moment of truth, sitting there in the government issued base and waiting for an answer. It was two weeks before he, Lennox, and Ironhide were scheduled to leave for NEST. And to say the least, he was a nervous wreck regarding whether or not Trevor would be joining them. What would happen if he didn't? Would the Lennox's keep him? The thought made him feel slightly better, but not by much. These thoughts made him miss what Rhodes said, and thus he had to look down again. "I'm sorry," Bumblebee replied. "Can you repeat that?"
"Despite minor opposition," Rhodes began, clasping his hands together. "We are allowing you to adopt the boy, Trevor Ridley," Bumblebee's spark nearly skipped a beat. "This is a very odd situation, I can't lie about that. But Lennox, Ironhide, and I all agree you have done all we asked." The mech basically bounced up and down on his feet slightly. "You've proven yourself a loving, although somewhat immature father. And though we will be watching closely, we think you have earned the right to call him your son. Especially with the way he seems to admire, and look up to you."
Bumblebee finally smiled and felt his doorwings perk up in delight. "Thank you so much, Mr. Rhodes," He finally managed. "I swear to you, you are putting your trust in the right person," He explained. "Oh Primus, I have to go tell Trevor, he's going to be so happy. He's hardly been able to sleep the last few nights," He explained.
Rhodes nodded, actually managing to smile at the mech's excitement himself. "Before you leave, we have some things to go over," Rhodes explained. "You'll be expected in court next Thursday at four o'clock," Bumblebee nodded vigorously. "Lennox knows which one, so he'll lead you both there. They'll ask Trevor a few questions, and you as well. But once you sign those papers, he's yours and you're free to take him to Diego Garcia. Where, as I said, we WILL be watching." He then added. "My congratulations in advance to you and Trevor."
"Thank you, sir," Bumblebee immediately began to walk towards where Trevor was waiting, switching on his com. :Congrats Prime, you're going to be a grandsire.: He shot Optimus the message rather quickly. :Next Thursday, Trevor will officially be my son.;
It took a few moments, but Optimus's reply came soon, and was vibrant. :I will begin plans immediately to clear my schedule for that day.:
:Prime, you don't-.:
:Nonsense, Bumblebee.: Optimus interrupted, reading his adopted creation's thoughts. :I would not miss the adoption of my first grandcreation for anything in this world.: Then, with a gentle, loving voice he spoke. :Congratulations, young one. You will make a wonderful sire.: He then added. :And please pass my congratulations onto my "grandson" as well.:
:Thank you, sir.: Bumblebee revved his engines. :And I will.:
Bumblebee found Trevor waiting just outside of the meeting room. The boy was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, and his body somewhat hunched over. It was a tell-tale sign that he was, quite obviously he might add, nervous about the whole thing. Trevor glanced up finally as he heard Bumblebee approach him. "So," Trevor muttered. "How did it go?"
"Well, I hope you actually enjoyed living with me," Bumblebee replied, a grin on his face. "Because, you my young friend are a week away from being Trevor Nathaniel Prime," For a moment, the way his eyes bulged, the mech thought they might come out of their sockets. "Oh ye of little faith, you look more shocked than I expected."
Trevor just blinked, unsure of how to respond. Though he wanted to jump up and down in excitement, he also wanted to break down crying in happiness, and multiple other responses. This was over: the waiting, the worrying, and everything in-between. He would soon have a legal family again, the one he wanted more than anything by now. "I can't believe it," Trevor finally breathed out. "You're serious, right? I'm going to Diego Garcia with you guys and everything?" He asked, sucking in a breath. "No foster homes?" He asked.
"No foster homes," Bumblebee told him with his grin broadening. "You get to be my little youngling from now until eternity," He scooped Trevor up, and held him close, happiness filling his spark. "Prime sends his congratulations, he'll be coming down on Thursday for the adoption," Trevor grinned a little, excitement starting to build up. "Primus, we have shopping to do. Diego Garcia is going to be slagging hot, even moreso than Texas. So I'll have to have Sarah take us into town," He then added. "You still have your passport in your wallet right? That'll take forever to get!"
"Bee, Bee," Trevor hushed him slightly. "It's cool, Lennox got me a new passport first thing when I moved in, remember? Precautions and all?" Bumblebee nodded, venting out some air and relaxing as he remembered. "And I'm sure I've got enough for Diego Garcia, minus the nice clothes I'm gonna need," He then added. "Do you think they'll give me a cool NEST uniform like Lennox was sent?"
Bumblebee laughed, enjoying the fact that his son was getting so excited. Bumblebee's optics brightened as he thought that, his son, Trevor was his son now. No one could look at him and correct him. No one would be watching him as closely anymore. He was a father, a father with a kid he considered to be the coolest he'd ever met. "Slow down, I'm sure you'll learn all of that in two more weeks," Bumblebee snorted. "Come on, we should go tell Will the good news. No doubt he's driving Ironhide up a wall by now."
"Yeah, he was pretty much a nervous wreck, wasn't he?" Trevor joked.
"We all were," Bumblebee noted. "We'll have to celebrate tonight, just the two of us. You, me, and that drive-in we discovered. We'll go see some horror movie and get the slag scared out of us," Trevor laughed a little at that. "That new Halloween movie is out, I bet it'll be there," He explained.
"Sounds like a plan," Trevor grinned.
Inside, Trevor felt his heart swell even more, he had a family again. It was an odd family, and would be a very different life, but it was a family none-the-less. And the fact it was a family that consisted of Bumblebee and Optimus? Trevor sighed in absolute happiness, he couldn't have asked for anything better.
...
The week passed without much more excitement, and Thursday the next week came quite quickly. Trevor hated having to dress up in the same suit that he had dressed in for his parents funeral. But unfortunately for him, it was the only one he owned, and going to court was a formal affair. The Lennox's had decided to come to court with them, not to Trevor's surprise. Bumblebee, after all, had invited them being they had become close friends. And what was more, had been quite integral to ensuring that this day even happened.
Optimus arrived the night before the adoption was supposed to take place. Which required him to take three days off to make the drive, but luckily most of the government had understood. After all, most of them would want to be there if their first grandson was being adopted too. The entire afternoon was, of course, chaos, as they got ready. With Sarah readying her own camera to take pictures of the big occasion, and Bumblebee nearly becoming a nervous wreck over nearly forgetting what few legal forms he had to bring and had been faxed to the Lennox's.
Trevor was more than thankful not to be the center of attention during the chaos. Using it all as an excuse to play with Annabelle, who was dressed in a cute, frilly, pink dress. He was surprised at how quickly time flew by, as before he knew it, it was two o'clock and time to leave. Of course, all of this had been some time ago, as it was now 3:50, and nearly time for their appointment with the judge. And to be honest, the more the time dwindled down, the more Trevor grew antsy. He wanted to get this adoption over with, and go home with his new family. And yet, there was still time to go before that.
Still time for the government to change their minds.
Granted, no one had called or talked about doing anything of the sort. The only sign of government involvement being that Rhodes had showed up to oversee the adoption given the circumstances. Trevor looked up at the clock on the wall in front of him, 3: 55. He tapped his foot impatiently, only stopping as he felt Optimus placed his hand gently on his knee. "Nervous?" Trevor looked up at the mech's holoform, and only nodded silently. "It's going to be alright, youngling. Soon this will all be done and you will be ours."
Trevor smiled a little at that, still warmed by the thought of his new family. It was definitely a high honor, knowing he was being adopted into such a powerful one. Especially for someone like him, who had come from nothing. Of course, it was not that he regretted his background, he was thankful for his humble beginnings and the life of love his parents gave him. It was simply that, in the back of his mind, he still couldn't believe he was coming from the edge of poverty, to this. "I hope I'm ready," Trevor admitted quietly. "I want to prove myself worthy of carrying your last name, Prime."
"You already have," Optimus settled a hand onto his grandson's shoulder gently. "As of now, I could not think of a human more worthy," He explained, a fact which made Trevor smile. "Mmmmm, it would seem that a woman is approaching the door on the other side," He mused, to which Trevor stiffened.
Sure enough, a young woman stuck her head outside the courtroom doors. She looked at her clipboard, and carefully scanned over the likely many names they had to see today. "Trevor Ridley and Benjamin Prime?" She asked, as both Trevor and Bumblebee's holoform stood. "Judge Porter will see you now. Please, follow me." She waved.
Trevor leaned over, looking up at Bumblebee. "Benjamin Prime? Like what you told the people at the funeral? Don't they, y'know, know about you?" He whispered.
"Most civilian humans aren't ready to know about us yet," Bumblebee shrugged his shoulders. "So we crafted a human alias for me out of the name I gave myself there. Though I will be signing two sets of forms, one with my alias. And one, with my actual designation, for those who have the authority to know," Trevor nodded, letting Bumlebee wrap a gentle, but firm arm around him. "Come on bud, let's go make you my boy."
They entered the courtroom, and were motioned to two seats in front. The others sat where the audience most of the time sat, but the court was otherwise empty. Given the fact that only friends, family, and their representative, Rhodes, were allowed inside. "So this is the special case?" The woman in the judge's chair, whose tag read: Judge Annamarie Porter spoke, and gained a nod from Rhodes. "Well then, I am here to finalize the adoption of one Trevor Nathaniel Ridley by one Benjamin Bumblebee Prime."
"Odd name," The woman who had led them in muttered.
Porter simply began to look over the file that laid in front of her silently. She read over the home study (conducted at Diego Garcia), the many reports from Lennox, Ironhide, and Rhodes, and nodded her head a bit. "I see that you went through a lot of work to make this adoption happen," Porter spoke up, looking directly at Bumblebee. "The reports are splendid, and the home study almost completely devoid of issues."
Bumblebee smiled, and nodded his head. "Yes, m'am," He said formally. "I've worked hard to ensure my adoption of Trevor. He's been a big part of my life these last several months," He looked over at the boy, and placed a hand on his head. "And while I understood how unusual my situation was, I knew the moment he was orphaned," He began quietly. "That I wanted to take him in, and continue the outstanding job his parents did of raising him."
Porter smiled, seemingly impressed by the way that Bumblebee had put that. She nodded her head, and looked at him. "And you do understand, Mr. Prime," She began rather calmly. "That by adopting Trevor Ridley as your legal son, you will be responsible for him," She explained. "Financially, legally, and spiritually, you are bonded to him. Adopting him means that you agree to give him the same love, attention, and affection you would any biological child." She then added. "By doing this, you also are taking him out of the system, and therefore agreeing to leave behind the monthly expense fees."
Bumblebee ran a hand up and down Trevor's arm, and smiled proudly. "Judge Porter, it will be my honor," Bumblebee told her, with a look that spoke volumes as to how excited he was. "I will happily accept the task of raising this boy to become a "man"," He explained. "And as for loving him? Well, I couldn't love him any more if I tried, so I got those bases covered," That last part made Trevor blush. "I'm more than ready to sign those papers and take him home."
"Well then," Porter looked at Trevor. "Mr. Ridley," Trevor quickly stood at attention as she addressed him. "Being you will be turning sixteen years old in a month," She began. "You are plenty old enough to either agree to, or back out of this adoption," She explained. "And therefore, I offer you the choice. Is adoption truly what you want?"
A certain tightness came over Trevor's stomach at the question. Not for the first time, he thought back on the parents that Bumblebee would now be standing in for. It made his heart sink, knowing that by doing this, his old life was truly over. And yet, he reminded himself, he would always be a Ridley, but that didn't mean he couldn't be a Prime too. Taking a deep breath, he leaned his head against Bumblebee, and nodded. "Yes your honor," Trevor spoke up. "I don't think I've ever wanted something so bad."
That earned him a squeeze from Bumblebee, whose eyes lit up. He could feel his spark racing with anticipation as the woman smiled, and nodded. "Well then, last thing," She explained. "Is a confirmation of the change of name," She explained. "Under this adoption, Trevor Nathaniel Ridley will be changing his legal full name to Trevor Nathaniel Prime, correct?" She questioned.
"Yes, your honor," That time, both Trevor and Bumblebee spoke in sync.
"Alright then, Benjamin, will you please come forward so that you may sign the forms?" Porter motioned, allowing Bumblebee to approach the bench quietly. "As I'm sure Mr. Rhodes has informed you, you will need to sign two versions," Bumblebee nodded, carefully taking the pen, as she motioned to each place to sign.
Trevor squirmed slightly, his stomach tightening. This was it, this was the moment of truth; the moment that he'd waited for six months for. "Well then," Porter spoke up. "Everything seems to be in order, and I will now sign my name on these documents. With my stamp of approval," She quickly scribbled her name, and taking a stamp, punched on the word "ACCEPTED". "It is now my honor to, by the authority of the state of Texas, grant the adoption of Trevor Nathaniel Ridley to Benjamin Bumblebee Prime," She then spoke up. "He is to henceforth be recognized legally as Benjamin's son, and by the name of Trevor Nathaniel Prime," She then banged the gavel. "Congratulations to you both."
Before Trevor knew anything else, Bumblebee had pulled him into his arms. The embrace that Bumblebee gave him was quite possibly the tightest, and possibly even back breaking hug he'd ever experienced. But, without hesitation he returned the hug his new father greeted him with, his heart beating nearly out of his chest. It was over, he was adopted, he had a family again. "Told you it would happen," Bumblebee teased. "I am so happy right now." He whispered.
"Okay, okay, both of you look over for a picture," They both turned, with barely enough time to smile before Sarah snapped the first picture. "Alright, Grandpa," She nodded to Optimus. "You're in the next one, get in there."
Optimus was all smiles already as he approached them calmly. Soon, the holoform's broad, strong arm had wrapped around him, and the three posed. Once the picture had been snapped, it was Optimus's turn for a hug. Trevor was nearly surprised by it, as the mech wrapped his arms around him in the gentlest of embraces. "Welcome to our family, Trevor," He whispered into his ear. "I am honored to have you as my grandcreation."
For the next half an hour, the pictures continued, with every combination in the book. Including getting Ironhide, who had been somewhat reluctant, into the picture. It finally came to the point where they had to leave, thanking the judge before heading out. Once they were home, however, Sarah once again grabbed her camera. "Alright, one last one," She shouted, to which most of them groaned.
"Sarah, don't you think that's enough?" Lennox offered gently.
"He deserves one with his new family," Sarah commented. "And I don't mean those holoforms either," Trevor smirked at that, noticing that Optimus and Bumblebee had already transformed. "You two are going to have to crouch low," She stated, directing them as Bumblebee scooped up Trevor. "Trev, why don't you hold the adoption papers in front of you." Trevor rolled his eyes, but did as she said. "Alright, Prime, go down a little more."
Soon, the newfound family of three were crouched right outside the Lennox home. Trevor carefully seated in Bumblebee's palms, all smiles, and holding out his adoption papers proudly. (Despite being very tired of the pictures) While Optimus crouched next to them, a hand proudly on Bumblebee's shoulder. Soon, the camera snapped on a picture Trevor had a feeling he'd cherish for the rest of his life. "I'll get them all developed before you guys leave next week," Sarah pointed out as Bumblebee set Trevor down, and stood tall again. "We should really get that last one framed. I bet you'd like it in your room, right Trevor?"
"I'd love it in my office," Bumblebee spoke up.
"And mine as well," Optimus replied.
Trevor stared up at his newfound "father" and "grandfather" with a grin on his face. He took that in, he was looking at his father and grandfather now. He was looking at his family, and he could finally, officially call them that. "You guys are too much," Trevor rubbed the back of his neck. "I swear, I'm going to die of excitement if we don't all calm down, y'know, like right now?"
Optimus chuckled, and picked the boy up. Trevor's eyes widened, it was the first time the Autobot leader had done so. And yet, the way he did it, and how gentle he did, showed that he had nothing to freak out despite the heights. After all, he had once saved him from a fall from many feet, and he hadn't even dropped him once. "Do not offline on us too soon," Optimus chuckled, setting the boy on his shoulder. "There is too much cause for celebration at the present moment," He explained, causing a smile from Trevor.
"Yeah, I didn't spend four hours helping Sarah bake a cake for nothing," Lennox laughed. "So whenever you two are done savoring in the moment? You can let him down here to have some," Trevor's eyes perked up at the thought of cake. "It's chocolate, and let me tell you, I live for the stuff. So you might want to get down here before I completely devour it."
Trevor laughed, dangling his legs over the side of Optimus's shoulder. He looked between Optimus and Bumblebee silently, and let out a small breath. The Lennox's had entered the home, and Ironhide's holoform had as well, leaving them alone. "So," Trevor began. "I hope you guys don't mind that I'm not ready to call you titles yet," He explained. "I think I'm gonna stick to Bee and Optimus, or Prime, for a while."
"I figured as much," Bumblebee mused. "I think you'd make him feel really old if you started calling him Grandpa, anyway."
"You have a youngling now," Optimus chuckled. "That already makes me feel old."
Trevor grinned as Bumblebee poked Trevor, grinning a little bit. "Heh, that's gonna take some getting used to," Bumblebee admitted. "You're my youngling now, kid. Can you believe that?" Trevor shook his head a little. "Primus, things are going to be interesting when we get to Diego Garcia now," He added, looking at Optimus. "I hope you're as cut out to be raised on a military base as I was, kid," He added in jest.
"I hope you're ready to be stuck out in the middle of the ocean with me," Trevor laughed.
Bumblebee only grinned back, running a finger gently along Trevor's cheek. Soon, Optimus allowed his adopted creation to reclaim his own son, whom he carefully held close to his spark. He still couldn't believe this had happened. He was a father now, with a son to teach about the world, to watch grow and learn, to love and cherish. At that moment, on that day, he felt as though he were the luckiest mech in the universe. "You know, we should get in there if you want this "cake" they speak of," Trevor nodded as Optimus spoke up. "I believe there will be plenty of time for us as a family alone in the years to come, after all."
Trevor smiled, then looked up at Bumblebee. With a smile, he looked at Optimus, and shook his head. "Cake can wait a little while," He told him, his eyes gleaming with happiness. "I kinda want to just live in this moment right here, even for just a little while longer," He admitted.
Bumblebee smiled, and continued to stroke his back gently as Trevor did as he said. He lived in that moment, even if it would soon die down, and he would join their friends for cake. He still let himself quietly sit there, and take in the truth of all that had just happened. He had left an old life behind, and now, was poised to begin a new one. As a Prime, with what he had slowly accepted over time as two of the best mechs he'd ever known. (Next to his dad and Lennox, if they were counting human men) And for the first time, he felt a little more eased by the situation. As if he could finally, for at least some of the time, move on from what he had lost.
And if he could not go that far, which he doubted he would fully. He could at least now face the future in stride, a future he would face soon. And one he knew, with great certainty, he would not have to face alone.
...
A/N: Woo! So now that it's official, next chapter will, you guessed it, will bring us to Diego Garcia! :D