One Day At a Time ✔️

Ch. 69 Afternoon at The Beach

Drift's P.O.V.
I'm still deciding about taking Jamie to the beach. Sideswipe could be right; even if Jamie was fine in the cafeteria, at the beach could be different. I'm so tired of this scrap. I was so distracted that I didn't hear Crosshairs walk into the room and hug me. I hate how he hides his feelings for me like this isn't hurting him. 
He doesn't say anything. Even if it's the same thing every time in the past eight months, I'm concerned that he's not saying anything.
We look at Jamie asleep, hating the medical equipment we still need to use. Even if it's not oxygen equipment. Ratchet didn't say anything about removing the G-tube while talking about surgery. Surely he'll remove it. Jamie will probably be a little underweight, but we can get her to gain without the tube. Not sure how long he'll want to continue the immune boost infusions.
The silence is interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Are you three going to the beach?
"I don't know....," I trail off.
"It's good for her," Crosshairs reminds me.
"I packed up the pool floats and noodles," Sunstreaker tells us, "Sideswipe is getting sandcastle-building stuff. I have no idea what else he'd get besides buckets, and I don't think she'll be upset."
Sunstreaker leaves the room.
"Wouldn't surprise me if those two are up to something," Crosshairs smiles.
I sit back on the bed beside him, hoping today isn't a disaster.

Crosshairs' P.O.V.
I understand why Drift is worried, but he knows taking Jamie to the beach with our friends is a good idea, even with our routine of going for a walk after breakfast and dinner.
Jamie isn't sure about going to the beach, but she's not refusing. She's not embarrassed to be seen by our friends. Drift, and I take Jamie for a walk and then meet the others at the beach. Drift does what he needs to cover the G-tube and IV catheter before we leave. Though we're unsure if she'll want to go in the ocean.

The twins aren't back before we leave, and we assume they'll meet us at the beach.
"What are they planning?" Drift questions.
"Other than getting cookies and maybe lunch, I have no idea what else they could be planning."
"So what are they going to do for two hours?"

The ducks are used to Drift and Jamie sitting by the pond to feed them. At this point, we have a small bag of duck feed. I love watching the two feed the ducks. Now I can take pictures that we'll want to look at.
We didn't think we'd be here for an hour. Optimus texting, questioning where we are.

The twins reach the beach as Drift and I do.
"What have you two been doing for ninety minutes?" I ask.
"You'll see," Sunstreaker says.
We find the Autobots and soldiers who decided to go to the beach. Many are happy to see Jamie came to the beach. They know Drift, and I wouldn't make her go. 
"Ok, we got lunch and beach toys," Sideswipe explains as Sunstreaker takes the McDonald's bag and a stack of buckets with shovels out of his subspace, "we'll eat in a little bit."
He puts the bag back in his subspace. I wonder why he even took the bag out.
Once Sideswipe takes Jamie to a spot to play in the sand, Sunstreaker gets a few floats out as if Jamie will be frightened seeing the floats. While uncertain how she'll react, Drift does want to take Jamie in the water. We're here until two, and he might wait until it's close to going home.

Drift's P.O.V.
I worry about causing Jamie to cry, but I want to take her into the ocean. 
"I don't think she'll be afraid," Ratchet tells me, "she trusts you."
The twins and femmes hope to get Jamie to build a sandcastle before lunch. They tell me to relax in the sun.
Crosshairs and I sit on beach towels close to Jamie and the others.
"How's it relaxing if you're watching them?" Crosshairs asks, "she'll be fine. You are worrying me."
"I know this is beyond caring about the one I love. I... I am terrified to take my eyes off her, afraid cons will get her again."
Crosshairs makes me go for a walk with him.

It's embarrassing Optimus and Ratchet followed us. I am so tired of talking about how afraid I am. I can't avoid crying as I hug Crosshairs.
"She's safe," Optimus assures me, "she'll be fighting with us sooner than you think."
Ratchet believes Jamie's health will be as before she left. It's the challenge to get Jamie to want to go slow as she needs to. Other than the challenge to get Jamie to relax come surgery day, Ratchet believes we're through the challenges we've been dealing with for eight months.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to take a lunch break. Some made lunch to pack, while others also went to a fast food restaurant and kept the food in their subspace like the twins did. We're here for another two hours, and I still don't know if I want to take Jamie into the ocean with me.
"I think she'd like that," Optimus believes.
The twins also believe Jamie won't be afraid.
Crosshairs thinks I'll regret waiting til the last minute to take Jamie into the ocean. Thirty minutes before we go home should be enough if Jamie isn't frightened.

Jamie lets me carry her into the water, but I'm waiting for her to panic as I slowly get deeper. I stop once the water is at chest level and Jamie is still relaxed. She rests her head on my shoulder.
"Should have gotten one of the floats," she tells me. I can only smile hearing this. I enjoy this and lose track of time. Crosshairs had to get in the water to tell us it's time to go home.
He'll probably be lecturing how I had nothing to worry about later.