When All Lights Go Out II (TFP)

Chapter 28

Azura smiled as she stumbled while lifting her right foot and putting it down in front of her as she practiced walking while holding onto Optimus's hand. It had been a few days since Azura received her coverings, and Ratchet had given Azura the clear to start talking again. The sparkling's leg joints were strong enough to stand on again, but when she tried to walk the first time, she found herself to be very unsteady and she was surprised that she had to relearn how to walk again. Ratchet reassured her that it would not take long, her body just needed to regain its strength.

It made sense though. She had been inside Optimus's gestational chamber for several months and she wasn't walking on her feet, so her legs needed to regain their strength. And she was already getting stronger as she has been practising every day for the last two days as she didn't want to rely on the autobots to carry her around all the time. So she has been persistent, but Optimus has had to make her take breaks so she wouldn't overwork herself.

Being in the lobby as well, Azura was practising walking over the first level platform while Optimus stood close and ensuring she was holding his hand as she walked. She was smiling as she walked over the metal surface of the platform with her knees wobbling slightly as she was worked on strengthening her legs. Optimus was enjoying the experience as he had missed being able to teach Azura to speak and walk, and he was able to at least help her learn to walk again.

Jack, Miko and Raf were watching from their couch. Jack had offered to help, but Optimus warned Jack that Azura could hurt him if she fell on him. Azura was taller than Jack, and she was heavier now with the coverings on her body, and also due to being larger than him too. Jack accepted that, but it was nice that he offered to help. Especially as Jack has been feeling really guilty about letting Azura down regarding her tanks, which has improved some. But she lost three more fish and the other fish were now showing signs of improvement. So Azura was hopeful that she wouldn't lose any other fish.

Azura continued walking and she thought about letting go of Optimus's hand to try and walk on her own, but as she was considering that, it would seem that her own body has had enough as when she put her left foot down, she almost stumbled and fell suddenly, which Optimus quickly caught her before she even fell. She smiled and looked at Optimus in relief. "Thanks, daddy. That was a bit close."

Optimus nodded in agreement as he gently moved Azura to sit on a large, pink, soft couch that was made for Azura specifically since she would break the current couch the kids sit on. Azura frowned as she wanted to keep practising. "It was. And it is a sign that you need a break. I know you want to keep practising, but you are only going to cause additional damage if you are not careful."

Azura sighed as she relaxed back against the seat. It was super soft to her and she rubbed her knees lightly. "But we haven't even been practising for very long..."

"Really? You were at it for the last half hour, and you were trying to stand and walk on your own for a whole hour in the nursery." Azura frowned and looked at Jack as the boy spoke up. "Optimus is right. You can't be pushing your little legs too much."

"Little legs? Pfft..." Azura giggled as she lifted her right leg up and held her hand underneath her knee to support it. "Little? Compared to yours, not so much. Your legs are skinny."

Jack chuckled with a shrug. "Sure, but in comparison to the other autobots, you do have little legs. I am sure Optimus would agree." The mech nodded in amusement. "But I bet you'll be walking around in no time. You can at least stand on your own, it's just the walking part."

"Yeah. I know." Azura lowered her leg with a sigh and looked around for a moment. "Now I don't know what to do..."

"How about some drawing, or painting?" Azura looked over to the platform she had used for her drawing and painting, and she looked back at Jack with a smile. "It's been a while since we got to do that. I brought some clay in case you want to do some modelling instead."