Pearl loved her.
"Wahh!" A cry alerted the pale gem suddenly, and her heart nearly stopped. The baby known as Steven was crying loudly, his brown eyes staring at her azure eyes fearfully. The child was frightened by something. Rose wouldn't have been, though.
Pearl glanced around, confused, then spotted a small crab crawling towards the two of them. She held Steven tighter, rising to her feet carefully. "Shoo," she grumbled to the creature, stepping backwards, reaching for her weapon.
Did this child have any of her memories? He had her gem. Did he have her weapon?
"Pa-e!" The child screamed fearfully. He couldn't say her name yet. The crab stared at them, snapping one of its claws, and Pearl summoned her weapon, impaling it. There was a long silence. "Pa-e?"
She hugged Steven tighter, careful not to hurt him, a tear dripping down her face .It wasn't the same, but...
She loved him.