The sun peaked through the curtains between the clouds. Thunder could be heard in the distance rolling through the sky. The storm had passed and headed to a different place.

A man sighed quietly and shivered a little from the cold. He slowly opened his eyes and stared blankly as he let his mind focus. He listened to the thunder then glanced at his uniform. He smiled slightly then inhaled deeply as he smelled bacon and eggs. The man slowly got up and winced as his joints popped. He slowly got out of bed and shuffled to the kitchen with bare feet. He looked around the home as he thought about the day. A lot had happened but it was all good. He went to the kitchen and smiled slightly as he stared at his wife. He hugged her gently from behind and carefully kissed her neck. She smiled and nuzzled him in return.

"Good morning Optimus." She whispered quietly and closed her eyes.

"Morning Elita." He mumbled and looked around a little. "Are they coming today?" He asked quietly.

"Of course silly, it's your birthday." She said and chuckled softly. He frowned a little and stared at the floor as he set his head against her shoulder.

"I... do not... want to be... older." He mumbled and sighed quietly. She furrowed her brow and rested her head against his.

"Why is that love?" She whispered quiet then gently kissed his black and gray hair.

"I... don't... want to." He muttered and sighed again.

"Well until you come up with a better reason, our family will be here soon." She said as she smiled slightly. He chuckled quietly and looked around then at the time.

"It'll have to be short. I have to go to work soon." He muttered. She sighed quietly and turned around, she gripped his face between her hands as she looked at him.

"Honey... you're retired. You have been for almost a year now." She said seriously. He furrowed his brow and nodded slowly as he thought.

"So I am..." he mumbled almost sadly and walked off to his room. Elita sighed quietly, she hoped he would be in a better mood later.

As lunch time rolled around their children came to the house. Optimus smiled as he greeted them and hugged them tightly. He knelt down as Peregrine and Orion told him about their day.

"Were you good and nice to your parents?" He asked seriously and gave them a look. They nodded slowly and smiled brightly. He glanced at Cliffjumper who chuckled softly and nodded. He then went back to talking with the others.

Optimus glanced at Elita then at the others. He looked at the children and put a finger to his lips as he winked. He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, and pulled out two candy bars. He looked around as if it was a secret and gave it to them.

"Don't tell Grandma." He muttered and smiled slightly as they hugged him. Elita already knew he did that.

Every time they went shopping he slipped treats into the basket. She would just smile and give him a look. She knew he ate the Oreos but he would always give the other treats to the kids. He had a special place in the cupboard for them.

"Thank you." They said and ran to the table to eat. Optimus chuckled softly and slowly stood up. Elita smiled slightly as she watched from the living room.

The grown ups were all talking about different things. Bulkhead came to the house a few minutes later with a moody Miko. She wandered off to the kitchen, and leaned against the counter with her arms folded. She glared at the floor as Optimus watched her. He walked over and did some dishes then glanced at her.

"How was your day?" He asked quietly and watched her before doing more dishes.

"Don't want to talk about it." She huffed angrily and glared darkly at the floor. He nodded slowly but didn't say anything. She wasn't quite long.

"I mean. What does it take for the idiot to look at me?" She vented and huffed angrily. Optimus nodded slowly understanding the problem. Boys.

"Mhmm." He muttered and continued washing the dishes.

"Sure I'm different and don't necessarily act like everyone else. But that's what makes me unique." She said as she sighed in exasperation.

"They don't know what kind of person you really are." He said seriously as he worked.

"But he doesn't even give me the time of day." She muttered bitterly as tears filled her eyes. "How is he supposed to get to know me if he won't talk to me?" She asked quietly.

"Boys are dumb at this age." He muttered and looked at her. "Trust me... I raised three." He muttered and smiled a little. She didn't respond and wiped her tears away angrily.

"What am I doing wrong Grandpa?" She asked quietly and stared at him. He stopped finally and looked at her. He remembered when Arcee had the same problem. The man gently pulled her into a hug and sighed quietly.

"Nothing is wrong with you Miko." He said seriously and looked at her. She sniffed sadly and wiped her tears away angrily. He was quiet for a few minutes as she calmed down.

"Do you feel better?" He asked as he pulled back. She sniffed again and glanced at him.

"No..." she muttered and sighed shakily as she thought. A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips, and he gave her a chocolate bar.

"How about now?" He asked and she fought a smile as she looked at him.

"A bit." She said and let herself smile at him. He chuckled softly and ruffled her hair as he thought.

"Don't worry about the young men. But I suggest you give your friend Jackson a chance." He whispered quietly and gently kissed her forehead. She blinked in surprise and looked at him. He smiled a little and winked before walking off. She blushed deeply and quickly ate the chocolate.

Arcee walked into the kitchen as he walked out to the living room. She smiled at him and stopped suddenly as she looked at her kids. They were eating chocolate and had it all over themselves.

"Who gave you chocolate?" She asked in disbelief and put her hands on her hips. The two looked at each other then over at Optimus. He was sitting on the couch by Elita with his arm over her shoulders. She frowned then marched into the living room with the others.

"Dad, did you give them sweets again?" She asked as she folded her arms and narrowed her eyes. He stared at her blankly for a few minutes then searched his pockets.

"I do not believe I have any." He muttered and looked at her. The three boys choked back a laugh as they watched.

"Seriously?" She mumbled and face palmed. "You can't give them sweets before they eat lunch." She said seriously.

"Then I will before dinner." He said and fought back a smile.

"Oh for the love of Pete." Arcee grumbled as she pinched the bridge of her nose. He looked at the two younger boys who were snickering. He gave them a look and handed her a chocolate bar without looking.

"That... that doesn't help the situation." She muttered and took it before walking off. Bumblebee and Smokescreen burst into laughter. Elita gave them all a look as Optimus kissed her cheek.

After a few minutes they had lunch and celebrated their fathers birthday. He had decided to be happy about it and smiled when the kids gave him a hug. Their children cleaned up while Elita spoke with Miko, and Optimus wrestled with the grandchildren on the floor.

"Okay kids we have to go." Cliffjumper chuckled as he picked up Peregrine.

"Aaaaaaw man." Orion muttered and flopped on top of Optimus. His grandfather chuckled quietly and hugged him tightly.

"Don't worry I'll be back." Orion said with determination. He got up then grabbed his shoes and put them on.

"Need help?" Bulkhead asked as he looked at his father. The older man shook his head and tried to get up. His son smiled sadly and carefully helped him off the floor. He steadied the man and looked at him for a few minutes. He stared at his father for a long time then hugged him gently.

"I love you dad." He muttered as he fought back tears. Optimus smiled a little and hugged him tightly.

"I love you too son." He said and let go when he was ready. The others watched quietly and realized just how old he had become. They all hugged their father and mother then left to go their separate ways. A while later Elita walked into the living room and smiled and little.

Optimus was sitting on the couch, asleep with the TV on. She walked over and sat by him. After a few minutes she gently pulled him over and set his head in her lap. He grunted quietly but didn't wake up. She smiled and fiddled with his hair, looking at the gray in it. He coughed for a few minutes and stirred a little.

She furrowed her brow hoping he wasn't getting sick again. Megatron had come down with an illness shortly after the two retired from the force. He fought being sick for almost a year, but lost the fight a few months ago. Optimus had been depressed for a bit after his friend died. But his family helped him get through the hard times. Optimus turned so he was laying on his back. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. He smiled slightly and gently set a hand on her cheek.

"Elita..." he whispered quietly. She smiled and set a hand on his head, she gently rubbed his forehead with her thumb.

"Yes my love." She whispered and stared into those now old eyes. He smiled a little and just stared at her for a moment.

"I love you... to the end of time and back." He said seriously. She laughed quietly and watched him.

"Even though I'm old, grey and wrinkly?" She teased and he chuckled before becoming serious.

"Yes my love." He whispered quietly and gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "Your grey hair and wrinkles make you beautiful." He said as he smiled slightly. She blushed a little and looked at him for a few minutes.

"I love you Optimus." She whispered quietly and gently kissed his forehead. He smiled as he closed his eyes and enjoyed their time together.

"I love you too Elita." He breathed as he held on to her. He was so happy to be with her and his children. He loved them all so much.