As always, I don't own the characters.
Rose Quartz was gone. No longer would they hear her voice, her laughter, or her songs. Only loud cried filled the air. A child took her place. Pearl wanted to scream and shout over how unfair it was, but she couldn't. The words stuck in her throat unable to get past the lump there. She rubbed at her eyes, but her vision blurred as more tears fell. She wiped at them again. This wasn't what Rose would want; she'd want her to be strong and take care of Steven. Rose wouldn't want them to be sad, but they couldn't help it. Still, Pearl had promised her former lover that she'd watch over Steven and stay strong for her. Cautiously she crawled over to the infant, and took him from Greg being sure to hold him as instructed. Her grief was still dominant but looking down at Rose's child stirred something in her. The urge to keep him safe surprised her with its intensity.
She looked over at Garnet and Amethyst. The purple gem looked ready to bolt, angry tears pouring her eyes. Pearl waved her over, knowing exactly how Amethyst felt. Rose had always been there for them. Now it was their turn to be there for her son. It seemed too much for the young quartz to handle and the white Gem watched her run off with a miserable, yet understanding, expression. She looked at her friend. The steadfast fusion was glowing brightly as Ruby and Sapphire struggled to stay together in their grief. In a rare moment of inspiration, the knight knew exactly what to do. She stood with Steven still cradled safely in her arms and walked over to her best friend.
"Garnet, don't use your future vision." she said her voice shaky from crying. This method worked; the glowing stopped, three eyes staring up at her. She kneeled in front of the taller woman to let Steven look at her for the first time. "You don't need it, not right now. I'm holding it. Steven, this is Garnet. I'm Pearl. We're going to teach all about being a Crystal Gem when you're a little more grown. Right, Garnet?"
The magenta gem nodded. She stared at the pair. Pearl's smile was too cheery to be genuine, but she took strength from the knight's obvious efforts to keep them together. Steven cooed at the pink-haired swords master. His tiny hand caught the tip of her nose and despite her misery she gave him a real smile, tears welling in her eyes again. Garnet never thought there'd be a day when Pearl would predict the future, and there it was in front of her. "Right."
After Steven had started to cry, Pearl handed him back to Greg. She didn't know anything about taking care of a baby, a fact Greg didn't mind at all. He laughed at off offering to take care of the human side of things while they taught him about Gems. Pearl agreed glad that she wouldn't have to clean up any messes. She left to find Amethyst and talk to her. Garnet was waiting for her, her shades once more covering her eyes and making her face unreadable.
"She won't want to talk yet," she said. "Give her a few days." The knight nodded.
"We'll be alright." The words were spoken so softly Garnet almost didn't hear them. For a moment the taller of the two thought Pearl was telling her until the words repeated again and again. The pale gem was telling her self they'd be fine. It told Garnet everything. Her secret love was trying to be strong for everyone, especially Rose.