261

Epilogue

I let out a shaky breath. Ratchet looked down at me with a firmness in his gaze. The bed had been prepared for the procedure, Ratchet's medical supplies were beside the bed. Optimus sat on the other side of the bed, holding one of my hands firmly in both of his. I had undergone two C-sections before, but I couldn't really understand why I suddenly felt so anxious.

"Are you ready?" Ratchet asked.

Looking at the medical officer's Holoform, I gave a strained smile and nodded.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I sighed. I looked over at Optimus, giving him a strained smile.

"The girls will be just fine," Optimus rumbled gently squeezing my hand.

I nodded.

Looking up, I swallowed thickly.

"Let's get this over with," I muttered.

I opened my eyes, feeling like my head had been stuffed with cotton and that my eyes had sand sprinkled on them. My abdomen felt numb and I felt really confused. My body felt heavier and my breathing sounded a lot louder than I remembered.

Blinking a few times to clear my vision, I looked around the room lazily as I tried to recall why I felt so strange. When I saw Optimus's Holoform, holding something in his arms, I gave my head a sharp shake.

Looking over, Optimus looked at me with the brightest smile I had ever seen on him.

"B-Baby?" I let out. My voice sounded thick and tired.

"Healthy." Optimus's smile widened.

Swallowing thickly, I smiled. Ratchet must've given me a lot of medication, I felt completely out of it.

"How much m-medicine did Ratchet give me?" I murmured, draping an arm over my eyes.

Optimus carefully walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Just enough to numb the procedure and to knock you out." His words were softer, gentler. Moving slightly so I could see Optimus and the bundle in his arms, I let out an audible sigh. "Ratchet said that the procedure went well. It was quick. It was only a matter of waiting until you woke up and checking your vitals."

I nodded.

"C-Can I hold the baby?" I asked.

Optimus studied me for a moment before looking down at the baby. It was obvious he was debating on whether or not he'd let me hold our child. I was probably more doped up on medication than I realized.

"At least tell me the gender," I sighed. "Another girl?"

The corners of Optimus's mouth twitched. He adjusted the baby in his arms so I could see the face. Stretching a little so I could see, I saw a perfect little face. Two bright blue eyes darting around, a full head of bluish black hair, a gorgeous little nose, and a perfect mouth. The baby looked almost identical to Optimus, in a sense.

"A mech," Optimus murmured.

"Mech?" I asked. My brows furrowed a little.

"A boy."

My eyes widened. A boy... A perfect little boy. The son I wanted Optimus to have. He looked perfect. He looked fantastic! Before I could even say anything else, the bedroom door opened and Ratchet's Holoform came in.

"You're awake." It was more of a statement than a question. When Ratchet came over, his eyes grazed over the baby before looking at me. "A healthy mech."

I felt tears well up in my eyes.

The baby yawned, one of his little hands managing to get itself out of the blanket he was wrapped in. His hand curled into a fist.

I placed a hand over my mouth as I looked at the baby. I was so distracted, I didn't realize the tears rolling down my cheeks.

"He's healthy?" I whispered shakily.

"He came out crying," Ratchet informed. "He didn't stop crying until Optimus held him."

I let out a teary laugh. I could tell that Optimus and his son would have an amazing relationship. I felt Ratchet move the blankets covering my lower half; my abdomen was still numb, but I was able to faintly feel a little pressure from the inspection Ratchet was doing.

"Your wound should heal up without any problems," he concluded, covering my lower half again.

Looking at Ratchet, I gave him a bright smile.

"Thank you," I said. "I owe you so much."

I saw a look flash in Ratchet's eyes before he firmly shook his head, clasping his hands behind his back.

"You don't owe me anything," he said with the utmost seriousness. "I do what I think is necessary, and what I know is the right thing to do."

"Well, what I think is the right thing to do is to give you something for all the work you've done." I wiped my eyes and cleared my throat a little, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Knowing that you and the Sparkling are alive is the only thing I need," Ratchet said sincerely. "You're my friend, Desirée. Not only that, you're a Prime's Sparkmate. Your safety, and that of your Sparklings, will always be important."

I nodded, knowing that there would be no point in pushing the topic further.

After the medication had worn off, Optimus let me hold our son. He was alert, which I was relieved for. He wiggled a little when Optimus gave him to me, giving little noises of protest, but calmed down a little after a few minutes. I gently stroked his baby fine hair, kissing his forehead.

"Could you get the girls, please?" I asked softly.

Optimus nodded, looking at our son for a moment longer before leaving the room.

"You're such a handsome little guy," I cooed. "Just like your father."

When the door opened again, I saw Saoirse and Eden bolt over to the bed. Optimus instantly grabbed their hands before they could scramble onto the bed, murmuring something to them. I saw their excited faces dim a little but instantly come back when they saw the baby in my arms. Optimus helped Saoirse and Eden onto the bed, giving the girls a stern look before allowing them to come near us.

"This is your little brother," I said, moving a little so they could see his face better.

"He looks so squishy," Saoirse exclaimed.

"He's really tiny," Eden pointed out.

"Most babies are tiny," I said, "but you both were pretty squishy when you were babies."

"Can I hold him?" Saoirse asked excitedly, her blue eyes lighting up.

I looked at Optimus, he nodded.

"You have to be careful, OK?" I asked. "He's very delicate right now, anything could hurt him."

"I wanna hold him next," Eden whined.

"You'll both get the chance to hold him, OK?" I looked between Saoirse and Eden. They nodded. I helped Saoirse hold her brother, mostly just reminding her to support his head. When it was Eden's turn, I helped her out the most. She was a little unsteady when it came to holding her brother, but I knew she was trying her best. Once I got the baby back, Saoirse and Eden voiced their excitement on having a baby brother. "You guys will help me out, right?" I asked.

"Yeah!" they exclaimed.

The baby whined, moving a little in my arms.

"Not so loud," I hushed.

"You two will protect your brother, won't you?" Optimus asked. He looked at his daughters expectantly. Saoirse and Eden looked at their father for a moment before nodding. "You three will always look after each other."

"We know," Eden said.

"You've told us a bazillion times," Saoirse exclaimed.

Optimus had been teaching the girls bits and pieces on the importance of being Prime. They weren't old enough to learn any kind of fighting techniques - at least not Cybertronian fighting techniques - but I did want them to take some kind of human-based fighting class so they didn't have to wait so long to learn how to fight the Cybertronian way. Optimus and I agreed on talking to them about taking basic self defense classes, but it was only a matter on when to talk to them about it.

"And your father will keep telling you a bazillion times," I said firmly. "It's important."

"We know," Eden groaned.

"Let's not focus on that right now," I said, looking at the three of them. "I think this little stinker over here could use a little attention."

Cade, Tessa, and Shane had come into the room to see the baby. Optimus dismissed the Holoform, saying how he was going to recharge for a little bit. The girls stayed, still mesmerized by their little brother. I felt my heart warm at the sight of him, and how everyone just seemed to adore him the moment they saw him.

"He almost looks like Optimus," Tessa said.

I smiled at that.

"Let's hope he grows up to be like Optimus," I laughed.

"Tessie, isn't he super tiny!" Saoirse exclaimed.

"He's not super tiny, but he is small," Tessa laughed.

"Gonna be a lady-killer when he gets older," Shane murmured.

Eden's eyes widened at that. "Daddy says it's wrong to kill people!" she exclaimed.

"He's not literally going to be killing people," I sighed. "He'll probably have a lot of girlfriends when he's older - heaven forbid." The last part came out as a mutter.

Eden seemed to calm down at that, but Cade and the others had to stifle some chuckles at her exclamation.

"Have you thought of a name yet?" Cade asked.

"Optimus and I never really had a chance to talk about names." I frowned. Names were never really at the top of our list, we both were distracted by other things. "But I have a name in mind, I'm not sure if he does."

"I'm sure he does," Tessa said.

I nodded.

"You should probably get some rest," Shane suggested.

The others murmured their agreements. I nodded. The baby was handed back to me. I wasn't really sure what I would do with him if I was going to rest. We didn't have a crib set up in the room yet, so the only option I'd have would be to place him beside me while I rested. Ratchet said that I shouldn't move around a lot, especially when sleeping, since I didn't want to reopen the wound.

So, reluctantly, I placed the baby beside me and made sure I had enough space between myself and the baby so I could sleep without possibly harming him.

Time Skip - Six Months Later

"Saoirse, don't be so rough with your sister," I called. I stood in the kitchen, watching Saoirse and Eden playing in the living room. Saoirse pouted for a minute before she went back to playing with her sister.

Orion was in his play-crib, happily playing with the little toys that were provided to him. He had grown a lot since he was born. His hair had darkened a little, but still had a bluish hue to it; his eyes were bright and lively; his smile was very contagious; he had become a little grumpy because of teething. Two little teeth were starting to push their way through his bottom gums, but he had plenty of things to chew on.

Deciding to name the baby something like Orion was something I found to be appropriate. He was Optimus's only son, after all. Optimus had been a bit emotional when I suggested the idea.

O.O.O.O

"I always thought that we could name him after something important in your past," I said. I looked at Optimus with an arched brow. The Holoform was holding the baby securely in his arms, gently bouncing on his feet as he walked around the bedroom. It was amazing at how quickly Optimus could adapt to having a newborn.

"Like what?" he asked.

"Uhm, I don't know...something that has to do with Cybertron."

Optimus looked down at his son with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"You have a name, don't you?" Optimus rumbled, a smile appearing on his face.

"You know me too well." I smiled in return.

"I am your Sparkmate, after all," Optimus said.

I laughed.

"I was thinking, maybe, we could name him Orion."

Optimus stopped for a moment before he continued walking around the room, acting as if the suggestion hadn't affected him in any way.

"It seems like a good name for him," I went on. "He's your only son and I thought that naming him after you was...nice."

Optimus had his back to me so I couldn't really see his face.

"Is that a good idea?" I asked, a little uncertain. "I mean, unless you have an idea, then I'm sure we can go with that."

"You would name our son after me?" Optimus's voice trembled a little, something I never heard from him before.

I felt a little shocked. "I thought it'd be nice, ya know?" I said slowly. "He's your son, and sometimes it's traditional or whatever to name a son after his father."

When he turned around, Optimus's eyes were glistening. My eyes widened at that. I hardly ever saw Optimus get emotional over things - for him to truly get emotional, the situation would have to be very bad.

"Bad idea?"

Optimus smiled and shook his head.

"This tradition was never on Cybertron," he murmured, looking a little embarrassed. A blue tint came on his cheeks. "And after what Lockdown said, about me being built, I thought that maybe..."

"What Lockdown said doesn't matter anymore," I murmured. "He's dead. You're alive. However you were made doesn't matter because you're here."

Optimus looked at me with a small smile.

"I want our son to be named Orion," I said. "Even if you don't go by that name anymore, it's still apart of you."

The smile on Optimus's face seemed to widen.

"Orion it is," he murmured.

O.O.O.O

The day after Orion was born, I had called Sam, Ron, and Judy and told them they had another member of the Witwicky family. Ron and Judy were over the moon at having another grandchild; Sam was ecstatic as well. They all agreed to come visit soon - they had been too busy to visit immediately, but promised they'd all visit together when an opening came up. Sam had even called back and said he called Lennox and the others and convinced them to visit when the timing was right. I told him he'd have to be careful since Orion was teething and a little sensitive because of the pain. He understood completely.

"Girls, lunchtime," I called. Saoirse and Eden ran over to the kitchen and took their plates from the counter. I smiled as they ran over to the table and sat themselves down.

Cade and Tessa had gone over to Joshua Joyce's for the afternoon to discuss the situation of bringing everything that had been gathered to court. Optimus had gone with them, along with a few of the Autobots.

That meant I was alone with the kids. I wanted to go, but I knew I wouldn't have anyone to watch the kids.

Walking over to the play-crib, I picked up Orion, holding him at my hip.

"You've gotten so much bigger," I sighed. Orion looked up at me with those big blue eyes. Sitting with my back against the wall, I placed Orion between my legs. He was already a master crawler - he could crawl so quickly it was mind-blowing.

I watched as Orion crawled around. I glanced over at the girls as they ate their food. I rested my head against the wall, looking at nothing in particular for a moment.

It felt a little strange, not having any trouble for the Autobots to go rushing into. Galvatron hadn't been seen or heard from in months, and any news on the Creators had been paused. As for the Seed, Optimus said that it was important he go back and check on it as soon as he could. The one thing I was worried about was the possibility of other threats coming to earth to cause harm. Since there were no notable signs of Decepticons still being alive on earth, the Autobots seemed to have moved on from them and focus on doing what they could on the planet they were on.

I chewed on my bottom lip.

Stop worrying so much, I thought bitterly. You finally get some peace after so long, and you're too busy getting all nervous.

Looking over at Orion, he had crawled a great distance of the room. Pushing myself to my feet, I walked over to him and picked him up.

"Do you guys ever get that feeling that something isn't right?" I asked.

Saoirse and Eden looked at me, clearly confused.

"What do you mean?" Eden asked.

I shook my head.

"I don't know," I sighed. "Your mother's weird."

"You're not weird, Mama," Saoirse giggled.

I smiled at them. "I'm glad you think so."

Putting Orion back in his play-crib, I went back into the kitchen. I just wanted a moment where I could think. For the past six months, things had been running smoothly. Tessa was in college, Cade was making new inventions, the Autobots were doing better than they ever were - things were looking up for everyone.

But I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was going to happen.

Something...maybe even the Autobots couldn't stop.

And that worried me the most.

QUICKY A/N:

HELLO, EVERYONE! THIS IS THE FINAL UPDATE OF 'AT LEAST WE MADE IT THIS FAR'. I AM ACTUALLY REALLY, REALLY SAD THIS FANFIC HAS COME TO AN END. THIS STORY WAS SOMETHING I GREATLY ENJOYED DOING! I HOPE THIS FINAL UPDATE WAS GOOD FOR YOU GUYS; DESIRÉE HAD A LITTLE BOY NAMED ORION. A LOT OF REVIEWERS SUGGESTED THAT SHE AND OPTIMUS HAVE A LITTLE BOY JUST TO MIX THINGS UP. I HOPE IT WAS OK TO HAVE THIS UPDATE ALL IN DESIRÉE'S POV; I KNOW THAT IN THE LAST UPDATES I'VE WRITTEN FOR THIS STORY, IT'S BEEN ALL OVER THE PLACE WITH DIFFERENT POV'S. BUT I HOPE THAT HAVING IT FOCUS ON A SINGLE POV WAS OK WITH YOU GUYS.

ANYWHO, I AM SO SAD THIS STORY HAS COME TO AN END. THIS STORY LASTED THROUGH MY ENTIRE SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL. AND HAVING IT BE OVER 200 CH.'S LONG IS SUPER SURPRISING FOR ME! MY PAST STORIES HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS LONG BEFORE! AND I'VE ALSO NEVER HAD A STORY THAT'S HAD OVER 1,000 REVIEWERS!

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SUCH AMAZING REVIEWERS. THANK YOU ALL FOR STICKING WITH ME, EVEN WHEN IT SEEMED LIKE THIS STORY WAS KIND OF REPEATING ITSELF (IT WAS POINTED OUT BY A KIND REVIEWER, AND I'M SO SORRY FOR THAT!). I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED THIS LAST UPDATE; I HOPE YOU GUYS STICK AROUND FOR THE SEQUEL. I ALSO HOPE THAT YOU GUYS DON'T MIND THAT I TAKE A LITTLE BREAK FROM WRITING FOR A WHILE.

OH, AND THE TITLE FOR THE SEQUEL WILL BE: BY YOUR SIDE.

ENOUGH OF MY RAMBLINGS. I HOPE THIS FANFIC WAS A GOOD READ FOR YOU GUYS. I HOPE THIS FINAL CH. WAS A GOOD WAY TO END THE STORY. I HOPE YOU GUYS JUST ENJOYED YOURSELVES WITH THIS STORY!

YOU'RE ALL SO FANTASTIC! I CAN'T EVEN EXPRESS IT IN WORDS ON HOW MUCH YOU GUYS HAVE INFLUENCED ME TO MAKE THIS STORY BETTER.

THANK YOU CreativityIsWriting FOR LETTING ME USE ABIGALE IN THIS STORY.

THANK YOU Alice Gone Madd FOR LETTING ME USE BLOSSOM IN THIS STORY.

THANK YOU Jazz'z Favorite Human Girl FOR LETTING ME USE MARLI!

Sinister Dark, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME USE YOUR OC! I'M SORRY I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO USE YOUR OC IN THIS STORY, BUT I WILL USE HER IN THE NEXT STORY!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO LET ME USE THEIR OC'S, WHO GAVE NAME SUGGESTIONS, WHO GAVE SUGGESTIONS ON SIDE PLOTS - I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR THIS STORY.

STAY SNAPPY.

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

UNTIL I WRITE AGAIN,

~SMITHY