Steven's First Christmas Part 3
The Big Day
When George woke up he found the farmhouse unusually quiet. For one thing it was the middle of the morning, the man had fully expected to be woken up by his impatient nephew eager to unwrap his presents. Instead he found the boy still in his pajamas calmly drinking a cup of tea. It was peace on earth.
Wait a second her spoke too soon. He heard Garnet hammering on the door.
"Peridot open the door," said Garnet. "Mrs. Universe needs to use the washroom."
"Garnet, I can't I am about to expel Swan remains very soon, at least I hope. I need to use the organic waste receptacle. "
"Open up or I'll break this door down."
The door slowly opened as Peridot reluctantly stepped out. She looked at Garnet. She looked at Momma Universe. Her eyes bulged but before she could reenter the bathroom Garnet held her back. It was I bad idea. With an act reminding George of the exorcist she vomited a noxious stream of half-digested swan all over Garnet. When she saw what she had done Peridot ran out as fast as she could out of the house.
The next few minutes brought home how alien his household was. The tree ran after the little girl. Both he and his Mom stared opened mouthed at the scene. His mom recovered first. She looked up at Garnet angrily.
"Gwen, you should save you're sorry to that Christmas elf," okay Mom was having one of her bad days.
Later on after Garnet had shower and George had changed his mother, Pearl came back in after searching for the green gem outside.
"Peridot and Balsam are hiding up a tree," said Pearl crossly. "No amount of coaxing will bring them down."
"So does that mean we can open our presents now?" asked Amethyst.
When they gathered round the where the tree should be. There was a forced air of jollity. It didn't seem right. One member of the strange family wasn't there. George noticed a strange note there. When he asked what it said his nephew answered that it came from Peridot and it said look inside the barn.
"Alright everybody let's look inside the barn then," said Steven.
When they got dressed and looked inside they saw the hard work the technician had done. Steven's presents were in full view, and the rest of the gifts were wrapped in bright red bows. She even made a present for Greg and George's mother. There was a guilty silence.
George spoke up first, "You know Mom's not lucid right now. I think Christmas should be delayed for a little while. So what do you say Greg marathon Space Truckers session."
For the rest of the day the strange family sat round the TV. Occasionally Pearl or Steve would pop out to calm Peridot down. During one such session Pearl took the car. When she came back a while later she had the family laptop in her arms.
Steven enjoyed being with Grandma and Uncle George and the TV show was great. His uncle would comment on the show. They came to a very interesting spot.
George sat up and said "Oh this is my favorite part. Vulna's mother comes in and it is revealed the Vulna is actually a princess. Ha, ha, nobody saw that coming."
Garnet fidgeted uncomfortably. Good she should feel ashamed.
Later on after dinner, a light affair considering Christmas was delayed. Pearl finally managed to bring Peridot in the tree followed then and set itself back in its place.
"Okay everybody's here. Let's unwrap our presents," said Steven jumping with anticipation. He dragged Peridot over to the tree as the rest of the family followed. Balsam handed the first present to Pearl, it from was from Peridot. When the Pale gem unwrapped it her eyes lit up.
"Just what I always wanted, thank you Peridot," said Pearl as she looked down at the taumergic oscillator.
Amethyst cleared her throat. Was she holding George's keys? "This is a symbolic gift, when we finally get back to the temple you can share my room with me. You know help me turn my junk into something useful. Oh Geez you're crying."
Peridot gave a rare smile and hugged the purple gem. This Christ mas was starting to be enjoyable. They unwrapped even more presents. Steven got a set of 2 paintball guns from his uncle and grandmother. Garnet frowned as she opened the present Amethyst and Peridot made. It was a bust of Garnet made out of coal. The others made a big show of receiving their presents there were near the end of unwrapping their presents when Pearl blindfolded Peridot.
When the blindfold was removed it revealed the laptop in the house. Pearl smiled down at the little gem.
"I set up the internet up here and put a bookmark on the library of Alexandria. After all what do you get for the gem who can make everything?"
For a while the technician stood stock still. Her mouth moved, "I think it's time we went back to the barn don't you."
As the family trudged through the snow they saw a set of car lights coming up the driveway. When the car reached the group out spilled Connie and her parents looking absolutely happy. Connie held in her arms a small present clearly meant for Steven. The boy excused himself and came back with two bundles.
When they finally got inside Connie's jaw dropped. Peridot made a big show of handing out her gifts. The human girl could see she was outclassed as Peridot handed Greg an electric guitar, grandmother and uncle universe a snowmobile and what looked like a holoscreen to Amethyst. But the worst was yet to come with a flourish the little showoff guided Steven to two giant robots one Steven and one for her. Her heart sank, her face fell.
Her heart lightened when Steven smiled, "I didn't have time to wrap this but will you please accept this."
In her boyfriend's hands was a green shawl decorated with stars. Connie laughed and grabbed the shawl from his hands.
"Steven this is beautiful, thank you," cried Connie.
Steven looked uncomfortable, "Um Connie that's Peridot's present. You're getting a homemade candle."
The green freak launched herself at Steven giving a big hug and a kiss. Connie felt humiliated as Peridot wrapped herself in the present that should rightfully be hers.
Steven's uncle laughed, "It looks like Steven takes after his old man right Greg?"
The two combatants circled each other as the other stayed back at a safe distance. Steven was in a pink rectangular robot with a star painted in the front. Peridot had wisely covered the cockpit with a clear hatch. While Peridot was in her old green diamond shaped robot.
"I've got my protection. I've seen your moves. Let's get ready to rumble," smirked Steven.
Peridot sneered, "Steven you're a lover not a fighter. I'm going to win this dance."
"Don't be so sure you see I watched you fight Pearl before and I learned." The young man launched a barrage of paintballs at Peridot.
"Nice try keeping your distance that would be effective if you used real bullets. Time to bring it up close."
Faster than Steven could react the green gem launched her robot at the boy knocking his robot and him to the ground. Peridot's robot straddled him as she pinned his robot limbs to the ground.
"Looks like I win," smiled Peridot triumphantly.
"Don't so sure Peri," said Steven launching his rear rockets.
The force launched Steven's robot upright, knocking Peridot over. Now Steven was on top. "The problem with you my dear Peridot is that you're too dependent on technology. Prepare to be boarded,"
The hatch door opened pinning Peridot inside her cab. Steven was also trapped as the space between was too small him to get out. Helplessly the robots flailed their limbs wildly as they tried to get free.
George howled with laughter, "They look like they're-"
"Don't you dare say it," warned Greg darkly.