Rose would sometimes feel regret over Pearl's death.
It was her choice and she didn't deny her that...but she hadn't tried to sway her either. The allure of getting to meet her son, to spend the rest of Greg's lifespan together was too great and when she had suggested it, Rose had reculently said yes.
Their transfer had occurred without telling anyone else about it. Pearl saying nothing because no one else's opinion mattered and Rose because she knew it wasn't the right thing to do, even as she pretended that Pearl was simply being noble in giving her that. In giving Rose her own life.
Rainbow Quartz was not at all unsure of what she should do. Pearl had planned everything out perfectly before forming her. Rainbow Quartz would switch Rose's womb with the one that Pearl had recently made, and after giving her body time to adjust, would separate for the last time. Effectively by allowing one of her components to accept the transfer, she was killing herself. Rainbow was scared, but she felt that she had no other choice as per the emotions coming from both Rose and Pearl.
It was over in an instant, and as Rainbow sat down on the warm sand, she whispered her last words. "Goodbye Beach City."
One became two in a sudden burst of light. Where Rose had once been rounded, she was smaller and flat. She turned to look at Pearl with a small smile, only to freeze when she saw the strain that her newfound baby bump was putting on her body. Her pale skin seemed near translucent, but it was not like it was before retreating into her gem; It was closer to the color of a disrupted gem, as their body fought to keep their light solid. Her gem was glowing dimly, like it was on the verge of drawing a weapon.
Rose met her eyes, full of poorly described panic. "How does it...he feel?"
Pearl smiled softly. "Like you."
That day was still a big regret. She had seen the strain that Steven had on her; if she had cared enough, she should have taken Steven back to spare her friend the next two months to come. Those next two months…
Garnet was mad at her. She rationed her words more than she usually did, refusing to say anything unless it was essential to their mission. Amethyst was confused. She still didn't understand what was going to happen to P after Steven was born, no matter how many times Rose explained the process. Greg was relieved, although he tried to hide it. He didn't want her to die any more than she did, but he also felt guilty that someone else was carrying her burden. It was he who brought up the question: Does Pearl carrying Steven make him more hers than Rose's?
Rose wasn't sure how to answer that. She had put some of herself into him as she held him in her womb, but her main contribution would have been her gem. Pearl was to have that honor now, or rather, the burden. If she would make any biological contributions was to be seen.
Steven's birth, and consequently Pearl's death, was a somber experience. Garnet had said nothing to Rose throughout the ordeal. She spent Pearl's last few minutes talking to her, telling her sweet nothings that she had been afraid to tell during their years of war. It was quite obvious, to Rose at least, that Garnet loved Pearl, though the latter had never seen it through her own devotion for her leader. Rose did not speak until Pearl turned to her, a confused smile plastered on her face to hide her slight offence at not being coddled by the one she was dying for.
"I know you plan to call him Steven, right?" She asked, her voice hoarse and barely over a whisper.
Rose hesitated. "I do."
"Steven Akoya Universe." She stated, her gem glowing brightly as she finished. "Do you love me Rose?"
"I…" Rose choked on the last two words. "Love you, my Pearl." Her words were drowned out by the sound of Pearl screaming, juxtapositioned with the sound of a child crying, until the bright light faded and the only thing left was a screaming, pale faced child with a semi- circular pearl embedded into his forehead.