Transformers Prime AU (Book 1) (Wattys 2017)

Chapter Forty

After a few days passed, the doctors were impressed with the father's progress. Ratchet was constantly monitoring him and making sure everything was alright. One of the kids were always by his side to watch him. They were still worried about losing their father. Once the doctors were satisfied with his progress and recovery, they let him go home. He wasn't able to go to work for awhile, and Ratchet had to continue to monitor his recovery. They agreed to the terms, just wanting their father home. Optimus wanted to work and stop the cons, but he knew he had to recover. He just hoped he could in time.

~

The kids did everything they could to take care of their father and help him recover. The boys would tell him about things at work, without saying something that would make him want to go back right away. He needed time to recover.

One day after the two younger boys and Arcee went to work, there was a knock on the door. Bulkhead looked at his father with confusion. Optimus shrugged slightly as he read his book. His son chuckled softly and left from cleaning the kitchen to answer the door. He hesitated as he stood by it. He looked at his father and for some reason was afraid someone would try and hurt him.

Bulkhead opened the door hesitantly and sighed quietly as he saw it was only Cliffjumper. The young man smiled slightly as he looked at him.

"Hey is Optimus around?" He asked, though he seemed a little nervous. Bulkhead raised an eyebrow and nodded slowly as he let him in.

"Wheres Arcee?" He asked as he gave him a serious look. Cliff looked at him and smiled slightly.

"She's at work. I'm on my lunch break." He said and walked to the table. Bulkhead went back to cleaning. The father looked up as the man stood there.

"Do you want to sit down?" He asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"Oh... uh yes..." he mumbled and hesitantly sat across from him. "I... um... need to ask you something." He muttered as he stared at the table.

"Alright then." Optimus said as he set his book down and took off his glasses. "What do you need to ask me?" He muttered as he looked at him. The room was silent for a while as Cliffjumper scratched at the table absentmindedly.

Optimus watched the young man as he sat there and fiddled with his fingers. He wasn't sure what he was so nervous about. Unless...

"Why did you want to talk to me?" The father asked as he kept his expression blank. Cliffjumper looked up at him and smiled nervously.

"I... well... I'm not sure..." he stuttered. Cliff sighed quietly and hung his head as he clenched his fists. Optimus watched him for a few minutes and the young man looked at him again. He sat up straighter and had a serious look on his face.

"Optimus. I love your daughter and would do anything for her." He said and set a small box on the table. "I want to marry Arcee. Out of respect for you and her, I've come to ask for your permission." He said confidently.

The room fell silent and the two men stared at him blankly. Cliffjumper started to get uncomfortable but didn't show it. After a few minutes Optimus stood up with a serious almost threatening look. He walked around the table and stood by him. Cliffjumper didn't know what to do so he just kept eye contact. The father gripped his shoulder and kept his expression serious.

"It's about time." He said and smiled slightly. Cliffjumper looked at him with surprise and Bulkhead chuckled softly. The young man smiled and stood up as he shook his hand.

"Thanks. I was worried about... well you know." He muttered and smiled nervously.

"Dad's not the one you have to worry about." Bulkhead said as he gave him a serious look. Cliff nodded once in understanding and chuckled.