CHAPTER 37
Thanksgiving

"So, this Thanksgiving thing sounds AWESOME."

Trevor grinned at Bumblebee as they watched as the base prepared for the big celebration in question. He leaned against his father's leg silently, he looked up at him calmly. He'd never had a big Thanksgiving, given his family was so small. So he definitely liked the sound and idea of a big celebration of this kind. "It's awesome," Trevor nodded. "I've never had a big celebration like this, y'know. Since it was just me and my parents," He shrugged. "But I know that it was still an awesome time of the year for us. Lots of great food, man, my mom made a killer turkey."

"Sounds like a good time," Bumblebee whistled. "Too bad I can't exactly ingest any food," He then added. "We'll have our own table, so everyone's just going to think the 'Bots are on a "special diet"," Trevor nodded, clearly impressed by the look on his face. "Don't look so impressed yet, bud. We haven't managed to fool anyone yet. The families aren't even due for another five hours."

Trevor sighed, but knew that Bumblebee was right. Chances are, they wouldn't fool anyone and this could end up a disaster of epic proportions. A fact which made him wonder if extraterrestrials could be deported. "Well, hopefully it will go smoothly," Trevor spoke up. "Because I rally don't want to think about what might happen. If you guys expose yourself and get, y'know, deported or something..."

"I'd fight tooth and nail before I left you," Bumblebee told him bluntly. "Besides, you can't exactly deport giant robots who could flick you, and you're dead," Trevor snorted at that, knowing that to be the truth. "Hey, Prime, is it time to meet about this or what?"

Trevor turned his head as Optimus approached them, smiling and waving. Optimus gave him a smile, his optics twinkling at his grandson calmly. He looked at Bumblebee and shook his head, putting his hands on his hips. "Not quite yet," Optimus noted. "I was simply wondering if our Thanksgiving teacher may have some advice on what I should be projecting my holoform as wearing?" He asked, staring at Trevor.

Trevor crossed his arms and smiled a bit, still surprised at how he was considering a teacher of anything. "Same thing as you wore at my parents funeral, I'm guessing," He explained. "I've never been to one of these things, but you do dress nice for Thanksgiving. And that's your formal wear, so that seems about right," He added.

Optimus nodded, and Trevor knew this was not a stretch, as he projected that attire a lot. Bumblebee however, would probably have to work on his own look, given he wore a much more relaxed look. "Well then, I definitely have to work on that," Bumblebee stated, crossing his arms. "Help me figure out what I'm "wearing" will you?" He asked Trevor, who nodded with a grin. "That's my boy."

Trevor shook his head, crossing his arms a bit. "Don't worry guys, you'll look good, and you'll have fun," He told them with a grin. "Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the greatest holidays ever, because it brings the family together," He explained. "It doesn't even really matter what you wear. Just that we're here together is awesome." He added.

"Christmas?" They both questioned at once.

"You'll find out about that next month," Trevor explained. "Just google it though, you'll see the basics."

After a long moment, Bumblebee tapped the side of his arm plating. "So, ummm, do you still believe in this fictional "Santa Claus" character?" He questioned politely, tilting his head.

Trevor facepalmed at the use of the word "fictional" in that sentence, especially given the question. Trevor finally let out a light chuckle, shaking his head, and looking up at his father. "No, but try not to say that around the little kids," He explained with a wink. "Unless you want about a thousand angry mothers smacking your holoform with their purses. Santa is a pretty big deal to kids around this time."

Bumblebee nodded, noting that for the kids that would be around today. As well as for whenever Trevor got old enough to give him grandkids, something that he pushed aside as well. He definitely was not ready to start thinking about that, not even a little. "Human holidays are complicated as slag," Bumblebee joked gently. "But either way, I'm stoked. I've got a lot to be thankful for this year," He gently scooped Trevor up and held him against his chest. "Starting right here."

"Awww, dad," Trevor blushed slightly. "I'm thankful for you guys too."

Bumblebee ran a finger along the thick of Trevor's back, a smile crossing his face. It was clear by the warm look in Optimus' face that he concurred. And what's more, he was thankful for all of this as well. "Indeed, we have much to be thankful for. Both regarding the reunion of our small family," Optimus motioned to Trevor with a wider smile. "And the addition of a great young human to it."

Trevor felt for Optimus on the whole "dual thankfulness" feeling. In fact he was thankful for multiple things: that he had not had to go to foster care, that he had such a great new family who loved him, that he had everyone there to support him as he grieved. In short, he was thankful that though he had lost his parents, he had found a support and love system, rather than falling through the cracks. "A lot of things, you're right," Trevor replied. "I could make an eight page list of things I'm thankful for this year." He smiled a little more, but his eyebrow slowly furrowed. "Even if this is going to be by first Thanksgiving without mom in forever, and without dad since he came into the picture."

"Then we'll make it one to remember, for the right reasons," Optimus offered. "But for now, I believe it is time for you to get ready. I am going to go and inform the troops so that they are ready when the families arrive," He then added, pointing at Bumblebee. "See to it your sire is dressed nicely."

"Yes sir," Trevor saluted him as Optimus walked off down the hallway. "Alright, dad, let's go make ourselves look like studs."

"Shouldn't take too much," Bumblebee joked. "I'm sexy like this or as a human."

Trevor rolled his eyes as they started off toward his bedroom. Even if he knew that from a girl's point-of-view, that was probably true enough.

...

Five hours later, Trevor was in a nice suit that he had had shipped from the mainland. Bumblebee himself had been a very picky person when choosing how he himself would dress, but finally settled for a nice look of his formal military wear, just like Optimus. By the time they'd made it into the mess hall, it was already a sea of unfamiliar faces. Families were being reunited, laughs and introductions were being shared, and the smell of turkey, gravy, and everything in between wafted through the air, causing his stomach to growl in anticipation. "Primus, that smell," Bumblebee commented as they entered. "Slag, if we could only EAT human food. It smells like a gift from Primus."

Trevor laughed a little as he looked at the buffet of fresh food that had been laid out. He wasted no time in grabbing a plate, looking over at Bumblebee with a grin. "I told you, food is one of the best parts about the holiday. Back at home, it was one of the only big meals we ever got," He took a large carving of Turkey from a man as Bumblebee followed. "But yeah, it's pretty awesome. If you could digest this stuff I would literally give you one of everything to try." He shook his head slightly.

Bumblebee chuckled, wishing silently that he could as well. But knowing Ratchet was preparing his own special energon meals for them in order to get on the celebration. Or as the humans would think, a special experimental diet being tested on their select group. "Primus, you do know that Ratchet will have a field day with all of that gravy," Trevor gave a frown to him, looking down at his ladle, and the doused turkey and mashed potatoes. "Maybe just take it a little easy?"

"It's Thanksgiving, dad!" Trevor replied. "Ratchet can deal for one day. This is the one day that gorging yourself on food is actually a thing."

"Alright," Bumblebee rolled his eyes. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Trevor was barely through a helping of stuffing when he noticed Sarah Lennox waving him over. The boy was glad to see both her and Annabelle there, given he knew Lennox had missed them deeply. But moreso, because he had missed the two of them, especially after all the time they spent together. "Sarah," Trevor made his way over once he had finished. "Happy Thanksgiving!"

Sarah pulled an arm around him, pulling him close to her side. "It's so great to see you!" Sarah replied. "And happy Thanksgiving to both of you too," She added as Bumblebee made his way up behind her. "How have you been? It feels like ages since we last saw you," She looked over at Will, who was holding Annabelle, who got excited at the sight of both Trevor and Bumblebee. "I think Anna's missed you too."

"Things have been going good, really good," Trevor explained with a grin on his face. "Just been getting to know my new family lately. A bunch of them came in recently, I don't know if Will told you," He explained. "So I've been helping the 'Bots kind of get into the whole Thanksgiving business and all.:"

Sarah nodded, pushing her hair aside as Lennox chimed in. "Careful with how loud you are. Most of these people don't know, remember?" Trevor nodded, making a sign of zipping up his lips. "But seriously, you guys are welcome at our table if you want. We have enough room for all of you and then some," Trevor looked at Bumblebee who smiled and nodded. "Great, I'd hate for you guys to get singled out or feel like you're not a part of all of this."

"I thank you for the offer, Major," Trevor and Bumblebee turned as Optimus approached with Elita behind him. "We would be honored to join you and your family for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner," He added, placing an arm around his son and grandson's shoulders. "Mmmm the food smells wonderful, if only we could dine on it."

"That's what I said," Bumblebee replied with a sigh. "Having a son like Trevor is a tease."

Trevor only laughed as they each took their seats at the table. To Trevor's surprise, Optimus and Elita were holding plates, clearly holograms, projecting actual food from the buffet. "I thought you guys were going with a unique diet or something?" Trevor asked, looking at Will, then at Optimus. "You guys actually managed to do that? Really?" He asked.

Optimus nodded, as he looked over at his grandson calmly. "This way we can drink our energon without suspicion later on. And yet, we can still be part of the Thanksgiving feast," He noted, a smile on his face. "Now, William, does your family traditionally say grace before the meal? From what Trevor has told me, his family always did. And I am quite curious how your people say grace to the deity you call, God."

Will straightened a bit, surprised at Optimus's question. Lucky for him, however, many of the Autobots had made their way into the mess hall, creating holograms of their "meal" as they made their way down the buffet line. "Well, yeah, I guess it kinda is something our family does," He explained, putting out his hand. "Well first we all have to link hands," He explained.

"Isn't this a little awkward?" Ironhide asked. "Praying to a deity that is not our own?"

"It is a human custom," Optimus lowered his voice to the mech calmly. "One that I would like to honor for the sake of our human friends, and family here," He nodded to the Lennox's, and Trevor in-sync with his words. "Primus would not shame us for embracing the cultures of another. Only see it as a kind act, of that I am sure." He then added. "Even if this is more of a Christian tradition, according to the internet. It is still a fact of the cultures of the humans at our table, after all."

Bumblebee and Optimus's hands each wrapped around Trevor's, as the boy watched them slowly go down the line, linking their hands awkwardly. It almost seemed odd, watching all of the Autobots sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, but it was definitely a good odd. Once they had all bowed their heads, Will said grace, as each of the Autobots listened intently to the soft spoken words. They were clearly curious to see in what way that humans worshiped their own God, as, in some ways, Trevor was curious as to how they themselves worshiped "Primus". "And we thank you for all of the friends gathered at this table today," Lennox began to wrap up the grace. "And that they are here to spend many more "human" holidays with us like this one," He explained. "In Jesus name we pray, amen."

"Amen."

As they slowly raised their heads, Optimus turned to the Major calmly. "That was beautifully spoken, William," He told him. "Now, I believe we can all, ahem, "eat"," He added.

"You heard the man," Lennox told Trevor with a grin.

Trevor didn't need to be told twice, quickly digging into the meal. Almost four bites into the mashed potatoes, Trevor looked up to find that Bumblebee was right, and Ratchet was watching him intently. "You're going to gain at least three pounds if you continue to gorge yourself like that," Ratchet told him sharply. "You should not be eating so much, or even beginning to put so much on your plate." He then added. "You need things with more nutritional value, and-."

"Ratchet, it's Thanksgiving," Lennox laughed. "It's all about gorging yourself. So you'd better get used to it if we do this every year."

"This is an annual event in which you gorge yourselves on food?" Ratchet looked like he was about to go on the fritz at that. "Primus help me, next year there will be changes! I will be giving healthy alternatives to the staff of this "USO"," He stated.

"You'll be the buzzkill of the party then, Ratch," Trevor joked.

"As opposed to...?" Both Sideswipe and Sunstreaker asked simultaneously.

Rather than a wrench, both found a fork thrown at their heads. And though when it hit either head, it didn't do any damage, they both sulked back in their seats and decided not to comment further. No one paid much attention to how much Ratchet got frustrated, not even after he nearly tried to yank Trevor's third helping of Pumpkin Pie away. "So you guys must all have something you're thankful for, right?" Lennox questioned. "We usually talk about that, Sarah and I, that is, once we're done."

"I'm thankful for the fact neither of the boys at the table have hurled," Sarah joked, looking over at her husband with a wink. "But even more, I'm glad that I got the chance to spend Thanksgiving with you," She leaned forward, and kissed him on the lips gently. "And for baby number two," Trevor's eyes widened. "That's right, we were going to announce it later, but I can't wait."

There were several congratulations from all around the table. With Trevor even getting up to hug both of them, given they were still like a second family to him. "So now the munchkin's going to be a big sister," Trevor ran a hand over Annabelle's head, as she grinned up at him. "You're gonna be the big kid in the house with me gone, pipsqueak, have fun."

"You can settle for "uncle Trevor" I think," Lennox patted the young man on the back.

"Well I know what I'm thankful for," Sideswipe spoke up as Trevor took his seat beside Bumblebee again. "The fact that Megatron is rusting in the Laurentian Abyss as we speak," Optimus looked over at him. "No offense since he's your brother and all, Prime. But I think we can all rest much easier with that freak far, far away."

"Agreed," Was the only response he got from most of the table.

"I'm thankful of the new allies, and home we have been given with the humans," Optimus told him. "I am also thankful for the fact that my family has been reunited. And that we could add into our sparks young Trevor," Trevor blushed a little as Bumblebee put an arm around him, and hugged him. "And I am also thankful for the service, and friendship you have all given me as you have every vorn."

"And the same can be said for me," Elita spoke up, a smile in the direction of her family.

"What do you know? Mine hasn't changed since this morning either," Bumblebee grinned. "I'm thankful for my little bundle of joy right here too," He pulled Trevor close, making the boy blush even more. "Oh, and while we're at it. I'm thankful that the new arrivals came. I missed every last one of ye," He then added, pointing at Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. "Even the two pit-spawns over there."

"Missed ye too, Bee," The twins replied in unison.

Trevor only smirked, leaning deeper into Bumblebee's side. This would be a Thanksgiving to remember alright, that much he was definitely sure of.

...

They sat speaking about what they were thankful for for another several hours before the excitement died down. Before Trevor even knew it, it was time for all of the families to return home on the convoy, which although he wasn't among them, made him sad. He only now recognized how lucky he was, getting to live on base when all of the other children that were there that day would not see their parents for several months. "So, if we're not back by then," Trevor began as he stood in front of Sarah. "You're going to skype when the new one is born, it'll be awesome!"

"Of course," Sarah replied, giving him a hug. "We'll be moving whenever you guys move bases though. So with any luck you'll be able to meet him or her not long after," Trevor smiled, nodding in response. "Take care of yourself, okay Trevor? I know things are getting tough out there, and I don't want to hear about anything happening to you."

"Worry more about Will," Trevor laughed. "He's the one on the front lines."

"I'll worry about you both and everyone else here," Sarah told him honestly, poking him in the chest. "But now that you mention it, I should go find my husband before he stashes Anna somewhere on-base," Trevor snorted, knowing that was true with how much he seemed to miss his daughter.

"Bye Sarah," Trevor replied.

As she walked off to find Lennox, he sighed quietly. Even though it didn't bother him that he didn't have a mother, Sarah was a very close mother figure of his. And in his own way, watching her walk away again did make him sad. The idea that Thanksgiving itself was over made him sad, for that matter. It felt like so much anticipation and excitement had truly ended too soon. But then again, he knew it usually did. "Why the long face?" Trevor was surprised as he was scooped into Elita's palm. "We've been looking all over for you, y'know!"

Trevor smiled up at his grandmother, who had come as if to remind him he had her too. He shook his head, running a hand along her armored plating on her arm. "I was just saying goodbye to Sarah. I already said goodbye to Annabelle before Will took her off to say goodbye," He shifted a bit. "Why were you guys looking for me? Is everything okay?"

"It's our understanding that Thanksgiving doesn't end a few hours after the feast," Elita commented as she started to carry him away from the main hangar. "We were going to go and watch some holovids from back on Cybertron," She explained. "Old ones of the good times before and during the war," Trevor grinned. "I figured you might want to spend the rest of the day there with us."

"Does it have juicy embarrassing videos of dad again?" Trevor chuckled.

"Of course it does," Elita joked. "Just don't tell him yet, though. He's going to offline if it's not THAT embarrassing."

Trevor laughed, allowing Elita to carry him to the rec room where he found the Autobots. They were all sitting near their area, using a detachable projector to view their memories, and therefore "videos". He smiled, his eyes gleaming at the thought of what might be on the videos. And his heart beating happily at the thought of spending more quality time like this. Without the war on their minds/processors, without any danger, just him, and his new family, spending one day together in peace.

"Prime, you are not seriously showing this video!" Bumblebee could be heard whining. "Oh Primus, my first try at transforming is so embarrassing."

Elita found a seat next to Optimus, who looked over at her and Trevor with a soft look in his optics. Trevor looked at Bumblebee, who also shot him a warm smile, despite the "I'm going to die" look on his face. "Dad, is that... What is that? A skateboard? You transformed into a high-tech skateboard?" Trevor chuckled. "All those cool alt modes you've told me about-."

"I went through a "skater" phase!" Bumblebee insisted. "Sue me!"

Trevor only laughed, getting comfortable as Optimus gently reached over. The mech gently ran circles around his back, turning to the television before the boy noticed him looking over. "Hey," Bumblebee pouted. "That's my cuddle buddy you've got there, you know," He teased. "I should have him so that I can cover his eyes at the parts he has no business seeing!"

"You're such a wimp! It's just a skateboard." Trevor crossed his arms. "It's not like it's going to get THAT embarrassing."

"Just wait until we get to the time where Bumblebee and the twins-."

"Oh Primus!" Bumblebee shouted, as if knowing what he was talking about already. "Give me my cuddle buddy back! I need my cuddle buddy over here if I'm going to survive this family hour!"

Trevor laughed as Bumblebee reached over to get him. Carefully scrambling over to Optimus's outstretched hand as they assisted in a playful keep away. Before long, Bumblebee finally had hold of him as all four family members chuckled gently. Bumblebee carefully pulled Trevor to his chest, tickling his sides as the boy giggled before finally allowing him to see the memories again. "What happens in these videos," Bumblebee noted. "Stays in these videos."

Trevor snorted. "As if."

At that point, the tickling continued, with the laughter carrying into the hall. A sign that this had been a very successful first Thanksgiving after all.

...

A/N: WOO! It took me a while to get it done, but I actually got it done in time for the holiday! This is my first "holiday" chapter for the holiday in a while, so I hope it ended up good. :) I hope everyone has had a great Thanksgiving!