A/N: Back and with more Small Mishap! This mini-fic is turning out longer than I had anticipated! Do forgive me, but I quite enjoy writing it!
Anyway, here is part 4!
Small Mishap - Part 4
"Ronaldo, is this really necessary?" Peridot piped. Her hands were wrapped around her five month pregnant belly as she waddled besides him. Ronaldo rolled his eyes.
"For the eighth time, YES. Peri, I don't want to leave you alone at home! What if something happens? What if-" Ronaldo rambled with concern. He had to go to work and leaving Peridot alone at home was not exactly the safest option.
"Ronaldo, nothing is going to happen! Honestly, why can't I just go to the fry shop with you?" Peridot said with a pout. She had followed Ronaldo to work for the past few months anyways. She had no idea why today was any different.
"Because you haven't seen the gems at all since you found out you were pregnant. Honestly, it's like you're trying to avoid them!" Ronaldo huffed as he made his way up the stairs. He kept his hand laced with Peridot's protectively guiding her up the steps.
"A lot has been happening, Ronaldo. Visiting the gems has been one of my least concerns." Peridot grumbled. Ronaldo lightly knocked on the screen door.
"I won't be long, Peri. Besides, the gems probably want to see you too." Ronaldo concluded.
"Peridot's back! Peridot's back!" Steven chanted excitedly, wrapping his massive arms around the shorter gem. Peridot let out a surprised yelp and stiffened slightly before returning an awkward hug.
"Hello, Steven. It's very nice to see you, too." Peridot said with a slight smile. She felt her baby shift uncomfortably as Steven squeezed Peridot tightly, and she chuckled slightly. "Steven, as much as I enjoy your hugs, I'm not sure our baby likes them as much." Steven gently let the gem go and put a hand on his chest in mock hurt.
"What? She isn't even out yet, and she already doesn't like me?" Steven gasped sarcastically. "That's not true, is it, baby? You love your Uncle Steven, don't you?" Steven said lightheartedly at Peridot's stomach. Peridot couldn't help but roll her eyes with a laugh.
"Our baby isn't even out yet, and you're already making assumptions? How do you know it's a girl?" Peridot added. Steven waved his hand absentmindedly.
"Just a guess." Steven shrugged and stood to the side letting Peridot in.
"I'll be back later, Peri! Steven, remember to make sure she's comfortable, and that she drinks enough water and doesn't work herself too much and-"Ronaldo rambled with slight panic.
"Yeah, yeah. Ronaldo you need to relax. I can handle this! If not, I'll call Connie! She is a doctor you know?" Steven reminded.
"Uh, right. Okay, well I guess I'll be going then…" Ronaldo said but still remained standing at the door. Steven rolled his eyes and gently shoved the human out the door.
"Bye Ronaldo! Don't worry! Peridot will be fine!" Steven chimed and shut the door behind him. Peridot rolled her eyes at Ronaldo's over worrying. He had been like this for the past few months since he found out she was carrying their child. He never let her do anything by herself and constantly pestered her to be careful. It was nice to finally get a break from his overly stressed aura.
At least, that's what Peridot thought.
"Oh, Peridot! How are you? Are you feeling alright? How is your temperature? Do you need any water? Perhaps a few pillows for your back? How about-?" Pearl had been rambling for the past ten minutes since she saw Peridot enter the house. Peridot grit her teeth with annoyance. She knew Pearl was only trying to help, but it was starting to get irritating, especially for a hormonal pregnant gem.
"Ah, give it a rest, Pearl! Honestly! I'm pretty sure the baby's already tired of hearing your voice!" Amethyst joked, making her way over to Peridot who was sitting on the couch. "Isn't that right, little baby-dot?" Amethyst said with her hands over Peridot's stomach.
"Amethyst!" Garnet said with warning. Amethyst flinched and looked at the fusion who wore a stoic expression. Amethyst chuckled nervously.
"Can I, Peridot?" Amethyst asked politely gesturing at Peridot's swollen stomach. Peridot looked at Amethyst with surprise. The rowdy gem usually never asked permission to do anything, let alone touch her pregnant stomach. Garnet probably scolded Amethyst for being so impolite.
"Uh, sure." Peridot stammered with an embarrassed blush. Amethyst gently placed her palms on Peridot's stomach.
"Woah! That's so cool!" Amethyst beamed with curiosity. "How does it feel?"
"Um, I don't know how to describe it. Tiring but amazing?" Peridot hesitated with her description, not sure how to explain the sensation of carrying another being inside her.
"Amethyst, be careful!" Pearl yelped with worry, gently placing her hand on Peridot's stomach too. "Human children are delicate! They're not as hard-headed as you!"
"Ah, can it, Pearl! I bet baby-dot is rolling around in there all annoyed of you too!" Amethyst laughed.
"What? Don't be ridiculous, Ameth-!" As if on cue, Pearl and Amethyst felt a tiny kick to their palms as the baby shifted. Peridot couldn't help but snicker.
"Ha! Looks like baby-dot already agrees with her Auntie Amethyst! Take that, Pearl!" Amethyst stuck her tongue out jokingly and laughed, dashing out the room from a fuming Pearl.
"Wait! What? Amethyst!" Pearl yelped angrily chasing after the smaller gem. Peridot laughed at the two. It was a wonder how they got along on the same team.
"Peridot." Garnet stated, crossing her arms. Although her shades were still on, she still wore a serious expression. Peridot's laughter dissipated and silence swept the room.
"Y-yes, Garnet?" Peridot nervously asked, slightly uncomfortable with the fusion's stare.
"How are you doing?" Garnet asked simply. Peridot was a bit surprised at the question. She had been asked the same question multiple times before, but hearing it from the fusion was a completely different story.
"I'm fine." Peridot said mechanically, as if she had already said it multiple times before. Garnet did not move. Her face remained stoic.
"Are you sure you will be able to handle this?" Garnet said. Peridot's eyes widened. She felt her fists curl against the couch with anger.
"What do you mean?" Peridot angrily snapped. "You think I don't know what I'm doing?" Peridot screamed with irritation. "I'm not a child, Garnet! You put far too little faith in me as a ge- ah!" Peridot winced, feeling a slight twinge in her head. Her hand went to her gem as she felt her vision blur for a second. Was she exerting herself too much?
Garnet sighed with worry. The fusion walked over to Peridot whose eyes were shut with slight discomfort and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. Peridot looked up at the leader.
"Peridot, we're all worried for you. Please, if anything happens, talk to us, even if it's something small. We…." Garnet trailed off as if she was at a loss of words, "…don't want to lose another gem." Peridot's eyes widened with realization, and tears threatened to fall.
"I-I'm sorry. I've just been very stressed is all." Peridot shivered slightly. She placed her hand on top of Garnet's. "I'll be fine, Garnet. Really. I'm sorry for making you all worry."
"Don't be sorry. You need to relax. I think it's best for you and your child." Garnet said with a soft smile. Peridot returned the smile gratefully.
"Of course."
Rocks crunched under the thud of boots. A clawed hand griped onto the cliff face as a large figure made its way to the shoreline. Jasper winced, gripping her gem painfully.
"Those Crystal Gems thought they could bubble me? Ha!" Jasper grinned. She had to admit, regenerating inside of that bubble was near impossible and took a huge toll on her body, but it was worth it. "As if." Jasper brought up a tattered communicator she had salvaged from the Kindergarten, speaking into it clearly.
"This is Jasper to Yellow Diamond requesting for backup." Jasper spoke clearly. Static rang through the communicator. Jasper growled angrily. Were all of her efforts in vain? Was she trapped here for good? Her claws dug into the cliff and cracks formed under her grip.
The static ceased. Silence.
"…Granted…"
A/N: There has already been a glimpse of the next chapter on my perinaldo-activity blog. Just a heads-up for those of you who just can't wait!
As always, reviews are much appreciated!
