28 Minutes Later

*This title is a parody to the movie "28 Days Later". And the picture this chapter is of Galthea, who awaits the end of the world. What will happen to our favorite family?*

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"Penny, where do you want these sweet buns?"

"Place them by the macaroni. I want the party to start a bit soon."

Penny stared at the bustling picnic table in he middle of the park. All her kids, Meg's kids, and Izzy were helping out with the party preparations. Balloons were strung to each individual chair, little postcards marking who sat where. The tablecloth was a nice orange, matching the color of her hair. The table was crowded with various foods, each not had a favorite dish she made. Izzy even brought a ton of lollipops to scatter around the table. What was the glorious celebration they were preparing for?

Penny smiled as she remembered the day of her finding the children. The box that had brought them closer. They were little babies that had grown in the span of months. She had only been a mother for a short amount of time. Her arms crossed as she took a deep breath. All the memories of her kids flooded back to her. Had her whole life changed due to these munchkins?

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"This book has a lot of content Optimus? Are you sure you want to read that?"

Optimus retrieved the book from the shelf and placed it in Penny's basket. "I want to learn so that I can grow up and be a teacher like you!"

Penny's eyes widen with amusement and surprise. "You want to be a teacher OP? I am flattered you want to be like me."

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"Thank you for visiting the children's hospital! We give our thanks for playing with the children."

Penny nodded and turned towards Ratchet, only to see him waving up at a small girl on the third floor. She was leaning out the window, a grin wide on her face. Ratchet was blushing widely, feeling happier than ever.

"Would you like to visit her again Ratchet?" Penny teased, nudging the small orange and white bot.

"Huh! What the-?" He stammered, making her laugh.

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"Catch it Bee! That is a rare Monarch Butterfly!"

Bee beeped and raced across the meadow with his net. Penny ran behind him, her jeans stained yellow from the pollen. She watched in amusement as Bee struggled to catch a butterfly. After a few quick tries, he successfully snagged it in his net and brought it over.

"Look momma! I caught a butterfly!" Bee exclaimed, waving the net in her face.

"Way to go Bee! I'm so proud of you!" She kissed his helm, making him giggle.

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"Pin him Bulkhead! You can do it!"

All the parents looked at Penny with annoyance, but she ignored them. Bulkhead was part of the wrestling team and was trying to pin down his opponent. Penny was cheering loudly in the audience as she watched her son successfully take down his opponent. He looked up to see her waving down at him, making him smile through his mouth guard.

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"Arcee, you would look so cute in this!"

Archer shook her head at the dress that Penny was showing her. She wasn't the girly type so that didn't surprise Penny as much as it should. She smiled and tossed it aside. The shopping she did with her would have to be something that she would want to wear. Picking up a cute jean jacket, she waved it in front of her face.

"At least try this one on. You would look so darling!"

Arcee eyed the jacket before taking it and trying it on. She had to admit, it was cute.

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Penny wiped the grease from her face as she and Smokescreen took a step back at their handiwork. A derby car race was in town and they had spent all night working on it. Smokescreen wanted to win the race so he added a few "modifications".

"Are you sure adding turbo boosters is street legal?"

"Trust me on this Penny. We are going to win this."

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"Days like this are nice if I can spend it with you."

"I agree Megatron. I'm so glad we have some time to ourselves."

They were in the park, Megatron snuggled against her chest. His optics were closed and he had his arms crossed. Penny was rubbing his helm, making his chest rumble in delight.

"I see you are enjoying this. You know we have to go home soon."

"No, I want to stay like this forever. Let's not go home."

"Megatron..."

"A little more longer?"

"Fine."

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"Higher Penny, push me higher! I want to touch the sky!"

"Starscream, you know this is a swing-set, not a catapult."

But he laughed as he held his arms out while Penny pushed him on the swing. They were having a fun time on the playground. Her seeker child loves the swings, hoping that one day he would be able to fly like the planes in the sky.

"I love you Penny!"

"Love you too Screamy."

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"I have no words to say, just wanted to know how you got them."

Penny looked down from her station at the kitchen counter to see two miniature robots tugging on her skirt. Lazerbeak gazes at them from his spot on Penny's shoulder. Soundwave walked near the two, scolding them for playing around her when she was preparing dinner. The two bots looked up and bowed.

"Sorry Grandma." They both mumbled, their heads down.

Penny patted their helms. "No worries, just be careful around me when I cook. I wouldn't want you two to be hurt."

"Soundwave: Will take care of Rumble and Frenzy." The faceless not used his tentacles to pick them up and leave the kitchen. Penny smiled and shook her head before going back to dinner.

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"I'm going to beat you Penny!"

"No way Knockout! You are going to lose!"

The race was on towards the front door. They were neck and neck as both reached out for the front door. Penny gasped as Knockout placed his servo on the door first. He did a little victory dance before hugging her.

"I am getting faster! Maybe one day I will win the Olympics!" Knockout said.

"You'll be the first robot to do so. I would be there to cheer you on." Penny said, wiping the sweat from her face.

"Uh huh! Right there to see me in all my glory!"

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"Hit one out of the park Breakdown!"

"You can do it Breaky!"

Penny and Sera were in the stands as Breakdown stepped up to plate. He was about to set up for his swing. The blind girl was asking Penny questions on how the game was going. She kept relaying to her the play-by-play to her, making the girl blush with happiness. Breakdown waved at them, keeping his eye on the ball. The pitch was thrown and he swung for the hit. The bat cracked against the ball, making it sail through the air. Both of the girls cheered as he ran the bases.

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"Keep your stance nice and sharp! Don't falter with your moves."

Penny watched as Dreadwing practice his fencing with the instructer. She bit her lip as she saw him stab through a test dummy with extreme precison. She was nervous, but tried not to show it.

"You have excellent skills! You look as if you are trying to protect someone."

Dreadwing turned around and smiled at Penny. "You could say that!"

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Penny snapped out of her flashback as she looked up to see dark clouds shrouding the sky. She frowned, it looked as if it were about to rain. The bots and cons ran over to her along with Izzy and Meg.

"Shoot! Just as we were about to have a good party!" Izzy said, getting out her umbrella.

"Guess we have to move this party inside." Meg said, gathering all the food. "Triplets, help mommy get the rest of the food."

The Vehicon trio beeped and followed her to gather all the food from the table. The wind started to pick up as the rain came tumbling down. Penny yanked the car door open, coraling the kids inside. Lightning flashed in the sky followed by a roar of thunder. She hastily put her seatbelt on as the winds were heavier and faster. Trees were bending so far they were touching the ground. A lightning bolt cracked a tree in half. The bots and cons screamed and covered their helms. Meg was comforting them from the backseat. Izzy held on to the basket, feeling the car toss them from side to side. A tornado was forming right behind the car. Penny felt her heart beat rapidly pounding in her chest as she tried to gain control of the car. The car veered off road, a loud screeching noise was heard. Her eyes opened one last time to see something glowing purple down below.

Then there was darkness....

To be Continued..