Hope. It was something that kept them all going. Something that helped them achieve the impossible. This small word seemed to fill their home and their souls. It was all they needed to survive.

Sam walked out of the hospital and sighed forcefully as he closed his eyes. He felt the sun on his face and the wind in his hair. He smiled and felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at his grandfather as the man stared blankly at the horizon.

"Things... will get better... right?" The boy asked hesitantly. Troy looked at him and smiled a little as he ruffled his hair.

"There's a bright side to every situation. Good comes after the storm and trials of life." He said gently. They looked to the entrance of the hospital and saw Jess walking out as she held Eriks hand. They were talking about something they learned. Jess stopped suddenly and looked around then behind her.

"Come on Oliver." She said as she smiled brightly. The little boy ran out of the hospital as he held his lion and fixed the beanie on his head. He grinned excitedly as he jumped some stairs.

"Easy there." Troy chuckled as he picked up the boy before he ran passed.

"Grandpa. Look! I'm outside." He grinned as he looked around and hugged him tightly. Troy chuckled again and held the small child as they waited for the family to gather.

"Let's go home." Jess said and looked to the hospital. She thought about everything they had gone through in there.

"Don't look back... we can go home and not have to worry." Erik said and gently kissed her.

"Eeeewwww!" Oliver and Sam said as Troy laughed at the boys reaction. The small family made their way down the stairs and to the parking lot. Oliver was grinning as he looked around the area at everything.

"Grandpa!" He gasped and they all jumped in surprise. "Look it's Optimus!" He shouted excitedly. They looked to where he pointed and saw two men talking as they stood by the red and blue semi. Oliver wiggled down and ran across the parking lot with his brother close behind.

"Boys!" Troy shouted and ran after them with their parents close behind. The two men looked at the boys running over then glanced at each other.

"Peter! Peter!" Oliver wheezed not used to running so much and still recovering. The man knelt in front of him and gently gripped his shoulders.

"Oliver, you should be resting." He said quietly. Gregory frowned and looked at Sam who was grinning at him. The man raised an eyebrow at the boy.

"No, I got better. It's gone." Oliver smiled brightly and hugged the man. Peter blinked in surprise and hesitantly hugged him back. He looked at his friend who kept staring at Sam as if the boy would attempt to hug him.

"Would you like to sit in my big truck cab?" Peter asked. Oliver grinned and nodded quickly. Troy smiled as he watched the man lift his grandson and carefully put him behind the wheel.

"I am Optimus Prime!" The boy yelled as his voice squeaked a little. Peter smiled slightly as the child reached for the chain to blow the horn. The man chuckled softly and helped him.

The trucks horn blared and filled the once silent air. Gregory jumped in surprise and glared at his friend. Troy chuckled softly as he watched and soon Oliver was helped out. Sam wanted a turn and the man let him. Then the boys had their fun they went to their parents.

Oliver turned back around and ran to Peter. He tugged on his sleeve until the man knelt in front of him. Oliver stared into his eyes then hugged him tightly around the neck.

"Thanks for being my friend... Optimus..." he whispered quietly. The man blinked in surprise but didn't say anything. The boy stepped back and held up a smaller version of his lion.

"What's this for?" Peter asked as he hesitantly took it.

"So you can remember to be brave all the time. Optimus needs a reminder too." He whispered to him. The man smiled a little and gently rubbed the boys head then watched him go. Troy carried his grandson and held the others hand. The two men watched the family and smiled a little.

"Do you think it was worth your time to stop by?" Gregory asked as he smiled a little and looked at the other man.

"Indeed old friend." Peter whispered as he thumbed the lion. "Indeed..." he mumbled as a small smile played on his lips.

~~

The End.