Turquoise patrolled the crib, poised to attack anyone who came near it with ill-intent. The wooden floor of the living room didn't even creak under the light weight of the gemling as she looked around, her wooden sword at the ready as she paced all around the crib.
"Hey, sweetie," Lapis said, leaning down. "Whatcha doing?"
"Making sure that nobody hurts sissy!" Turquoise replied dutifully. Lapis smiled as she picked Turquoise up.
"Aw, sweetie," Lapis chuckled. "It's time for your nap, though."
"But I gotta make sure she's super safe! Mommy said that I'm a brave knight!" Turquoise announced.
"And you are. Brave knights have to sleep sometimes," Pearl explained. "That way, they're able to stay alert to fight."
"I don't wanna go back to my room," Turquoise pouted, yawning despite herself. "I have to stay here to make sure sissy is safe."
Lapis and Pearl exchanged a look.
"Well, we could let you nap on the couch," Pearl decided.
"Yeah, that way, we can make sure she's safe until you wake up," Lapis said as Turquoise rested her head against her shoulder.
"You promise?" Turquoise yawned as Lapis sat down.
"I promise," Lapis swore, giving the gemling a soft kiss on the forehead. In mere seconds, Turquoise had fallen asleep in Lapis' arms.
Moonstone began to fuss from her crib several minutes later, just waking from her sleep. Pearl quickly picked her up, knowing that the crying would wake Turquoise. Before she could even begin to prepare a bottle, the baby had calmed down again.
"You just wanted to be held, huh?" Pearl asked, smiling at the young gem as she went back to join her wife on the couch.
"She's a cuddle bug, just like you," Lapis pointed out, leaning her head against Pearl's shoulder. "Watching them almost makes me want to sleep."
"They're so peaceful when they're sleeping," Pearl noted, looking at their daughters. "You would almost forget how much of a handful they can be."
"I wouldn't trade this for the world," Lapis murmured. "I don't know how I ever got so lucky…"
"You know," Pearl started, looking at Lapis, "I ask myself that every day."