Chapter 8: Do you want me?
When Coral and Garnet arrived home, Brass and Copiapite were waiting on the couch downstairs.
"Garnet, can you sit with us for a moment? We need to talk," her aunt beckoned.
Garnet quickly climbed up the couch, and sat next to her aunt.
"Garnet... A time comes in a mineral's life... when we want to have a child," Copiapite explained, placing her hand on top of Garnet's and her husband.
"From now on Garnet...things will be different. But it's okay, me your aunt, and grandma will always be with you," Brass said, leaning down to Garnet.
The gemling snapped her hand back.
"What do you mean... What's happening?" Garent asked, her voice shaking.
"Garnet...Very soon, you'll have a little cousin running around her," Her grandma gently remarked.
Garnet jumped back, and held her chest.
"You two... are leaving?" Garnet gasped.
The couple solemnly nodded.
"What about me?! Are you two just going to die and leave me here?! " Garnet retorted, as tears gathered in her red and blue eyes.
"Calm down sweetie!" Mamma Coral begged.
"No! No I won't calm down! I don't have my mom and dad with me, and you are the closest thing I have to parents! Aren't I good enough! Why? Why do you want to leave me?" Garnet wailed.
" We love you sweetie, and we'll always be with you, no matter what. I know this is difficult for you to digest, but we need you to understand, that this is a big responsibility. We wouldn't do this if we didn't think you were ready," Copiapite responded.
"I won't do it!" the gemling protested with her arms crossed.
"Garnet, you won't be alone, Mama Coral will be here," Brass explained.
But Garnet wasn't even listening anymore. Her young mind was clouded with grief and anger against her guardians. When the three adults tried to approach her, Garnet backed away, and broke through the screen door, running into the night.
"Garnet! Come back!" the minerals called after her.
Through the dimly lit streets, Garnet ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. Behind her, she could hear feet running after her. Suddenly the little gemling tripped over a rock, and skinned her knees. She laid there, in the dark road, sobbing. The footsteps came closer, and Garnet closed herself into a ball.
"There you are Garnet!" a voice said, closing in on the gemling.
"Leave me alone..." Garnet whispered.
The streetlight revealed Copiapite.
"Garnet...Sweetie?," her aunt croaked, closing in on her niece.
In the distance, the could hear green thunder crack, while the smell of rain tickled their nostrils. Without a word, Copiapite scooped Garnet in her arms, and began to whipe the tears fr her eyes.
" Don't... Don't you want me?" Garnet whimpered.
Copiapite squeezed Garnet a little bit harder.
"Garnet... Of course I want you, WE want you. We wouldn't be a family without you Garnet," the yellow mineral cooed.
"What about the new baby...?" Garnet sniffled.
" She'll be here with you, and mama Coral. But Garnet, there's something important I need you to do while I'm gone,"
"What is it?"
"Well, since the new baby is coming, he or she is going to need some guidance. I need you to guard him or her. I know this is a big job for you Garnet, but there's no other gem I see fit to do it,"
Garnet's eyes widened with the proposal.
"Are you sure auntie?"
"Garnet, I know you can do it,"
The gemling narrowed her brows, and nodded.
The skies cracked once more, letting down buckets of cold rain.
"Auntie... I'm cold..." Garnet shivered.
Copiapite stood up and narrowed her eyes into the
"Then let's get you home," she breathed.
Home at last, Copiapite gently dumped Garnet on the carpet, and collapsed on the couch.
" Garnet, Copiapite, what were you thinking?! You had us worried sick!" Mama Coral scolded.
Brass quickly took off through the house and gathered blankets to cover his pregnant wife and niece.
"Are you alright honey?" Brass asked I'm a concerned voice.
"I'm fine, and so is Garnet, "Copiapite replied, weakly smiling.
The orange mineral leaned down over the soaked gemling, and picked her up.
"Your going to bed young lady," Mama Coral huffed.
Garnet usually protested going to bed, but tonight, she didn't even put up a fight. After stepping out of her soaked overalls, the red gem slipped into her yellow nightgown and slid into bed.
"Goodnight Garnet, sweet dreams," Mama Coral said, stepping out of the room.
The gemling rolled over, and closed her eyes, comforted by her new sense of purpose.
