Thanks to the great Tomoyo-chan284 who beta this story.

So fast I could barely notice it, I no longer was in the temple…it was a street. The houses were built on what appeared to once be a hill, in fact I could see that the street was at its peak and that down was a long way. At the end of the street there was a small street that looked like it ran parallel to a river. To my left I could see an old aqueduct standing proud. The houses were painted in bright colors and I could see a lot of pines…the air was fresh but not cold, it must be autumn. Feeling a hand on my shoulder I turned fast and saw the same man that had visited us in the temple. Looking as smug and smarmy but now dressed with blue jeans, brown boots, a thick brown belt, denim jacket and a white hat. Under the jacked he was wearing a shirt with some kind of neck wear that looked silver (perhaps a polo tie?).

-So…hum no, that won't do.—he said looking at me.

I finally noticed that I was dressed exactly as how I was the very first day on the place where I and Lalo lived for nearly 2 years, but before I could react, the man snapped his fingers and now I was wearing black boots, dark blue denim pants, a belt with the buckle adorned by a ruby, a red cotton shirt, a denim jacket of same color as the pants, a black hat and a tie like his but with a sapphire on the center…that last bit I noticed in the glass of a parked car.

-Now you look like everybody here…and also positively delightful.—He said clearly entertained…but it was short lived as I grabbed him by the lapel of the jacket and asked.

-Where I am? Why you did not appeared me with him?—I said barely calm but nearly losing control…after all he and the other entity had put me through…he still joked around?

-Calm down jewel…he is here, in this neighborhood, I just thought that I needed to explain to you the hard reality of the situation before you…see him.—he said now sounding serious.

-The gravity of the situation?—I said to him…then I catch on at what he was going to say.—How long I was in Beach City before you brought me here?—I asked now dreading the answer.

-51 minutes and 31 seconds—He said with finality—yes…that will put the time now at…—

-51 years and six months and three to four days.—I said nearly defeated…he was 46 when I was separated just a little less than an hour ago…it mean that he was now 97 on his way to be 98. I had lost so much time…my daughter probably was an old woman now…my daughter grew up without me...She could be dead and I would not know it…I swallow slowly felling complete dread…I was too late.

-Shush girl, don't despair…well yes but don't worry…your girl is not dead.—he said in his attempt to be sympathetic…

-Is she alive?—I asked relived…just to waddle into new questions…how did she grow up? What did he tell her? I was about to verbalize my concerns when I saw that he was walking down the street.

-Stop wondering about…I will explain this on the way to the house,—he said now walking the… "claveles" street…Without need to be explained I follow him to where he was going—Now…here is a resume of what happened after you came back. About six years after he came back, with your girl, he saved up enough money to buy the house of his grandfather's from the new owners…

-He bought the house?—I asked wondering why he will spend that much money.

-Yes, call it nostalgia or a desire for his girl to grow up in a place that gave him happiness both on his childhood and when he was happy with the woman he loved.—he said ironic.

-After that…—I probed to him to continue.

-Your girl joined the local primaria school where she went for 6 years as per standard of this country, it was close to home and he walked her there while he worked at the public "secundaria". He transferred to that one due to some connections that he had and some good luck…He did well, he eventually got seniority and retired at 65 with a decent pension.—he said passing the second block.

-By then Ruby would have been 19,—she said—so he is enjoining his retirement?- I asked hopeful...maybe they had good life.

-Yes and no.—he then stopped and turned to see me—You know that some humans as they get older they forget things? They…

-I understand.—I said resigned.—Alzheimer or Dementia?—I said as stopped to look at him.

-Alzheimer…he began showing the symptoms in his late 70s…but it did not fully cripple him until his late 80s, he lives with a young student of the state university who takes care of him…she gets paid by your daughter who visits him every weekend. So today,—he finished when turned to his left and pointed down the street—it is the third house to your right…you will recognize it.—

Without word I walked down the street…it was really inclined and I was surprised to see cars parked there, as I walked looking at my right I saw it. It was very close to how I remembered it. The solar panels where a new addition, as was the house built besides the principal one. In front there was a black gate, I walked to the gate and saw that it was locked. There five meters away was the door where I once entered the house with him and our daughter, there was no longer the front big yard. I was about to try to find a rock to sound the gate when I heard a car…turning I saw a red car…a beetle like the one I drove with him before…at the wheel there was a woman with short graying hair combed with a side part on the left side, the hair in the front covering her forehead. Her hair is a little curly... but her eyes are blue. As she gets out of her car I notice other things…she is just a little shorter than I am. She is wearing a long black skirt that stops at her ankles, she wear glasses but not sun glasses. And she is talking to me.

-Señorita me oyo? Me podria decir que se le ofrece? (Young lady did you hear me? Could you tell me what do you want?)—she said what appeared to be the second time...She was now standing to her full height looking at me confused.

-I…si…yo busco a Isidoro Mendoza Zubia…vive el en esta casa? (I…Yes…I am looking for Isidoro Mendoza Zubia…Did he live here?)—I asked hoping that what I said was coherent and did not raised questions.

-Si…el vive aqui, quien lo busca? (Yes…He lives here, Who is asking for him?)—she asked searching in a purse. I heard the rattle of keys, soon she had out one small key which she used to open the door taking a moment to look at me. I realized how bizarre it must have been for her point of view to see a tall strange woman looking towards her father's house. But I had no time for those thoughts I needed to come up with a name.

-Sofia, Sofia Smith.—I said hopping that the name was better than the last one that I invented.

-Smith? Oh ya veo…eres del otro lado (Smith? Oh I see…you are from the EUA)—I could swear I hear her saying "gringuita", then she opened the gate and walked turning to say,—Le gustaria que le hable en ingles…es obvio que usted apenas habla español. (Would you like that I spoke to you in English…it's obvious that your Spanish is not very good).—she asked looking at me still like I was some crazy stranger…which I think I was to her. I just nodded and walked behind her while she got up those steps. She turned to see me a couple of times with suspicion. Then she entered the house and I realize how much time has passed. The sink was different, new. The oven was also new, it did not look like it worked on gas anymore, the lights were different and the circular big table was gone, there was a small bed where a young woman near Kiki's age laid listening to music. The girl had white tan skin, light brown hair nearly blonde and green eyes. She was dressed in white jeans and a pink shirt.

-Doña lupe come le va (Mrs. Lupe, how are you?)—the young woman said as she raised up to give a hug to my daughter, she then kissed her in the check, then she turned to me and extending her hand.—Buenas tardes…(Good Afternoon…)-she said.

-Giovanna, Sofia Smith—My daughter said pointing with her palm to me—Sofia, Giovanna Vizcarra Torres, she takes care of my father through the week.—She then turn to Giovanna and said—Perdona el ingles, creo que Sofia no habla español muy bien. (Forgive me the English, I think Sofia doesn't speak good Spanish).—After she finished saying that to Giovanna she nodded and left the house.—Giovanna takes the day, she will come back tomorrow very early…I will stay the night.—She then walked to the kitchen and asked,—Do you drink coffee or tea?—

-Tea.—I said. That moment I heard the sound of someone sleeping, turning slightly I saw the curtains to the room that barely one hour ago I used, the same room where I gave birth to her, the same room where I was just a little more than an hour ago with my family.

-He is sleeping, and even if he was awake I don't think he will know who you are,—she said grabbing one chair and sitting down,—Nowadays he recognizes me but thinks that I am still in "secundaria" or…how did you call that? Jr. High school?—she asked trying to make small talk.

-Jr. High School—I told her. I picked up a chair and sat with her at the square wood table, I just did not know what to say to her.

-Where do you know my father from? I mean…I don't think you worked with him when he was a teacher…you are younger than me.—she said looking at the oven where a kettle was heating up—Probably still a baby when my dad retired.—she said laughing a little.

-The sister of my grandmother…knew your father…when they were young…—I said hoping that I sounded calm and secure enough.—I discovered that I had family here so I…—

-You went searching for them…what was your grandmother's sister's name?—she asked standing up to see the kettle.—Maybe I heard of her.—

-Garnet—I said…the moment the name reached her she stop walking to the oven, turned to see me surprised.

-Her name was Garnet?—she then walked and looked at me…I wanted to say to her that she was my daughter, that I was sorry for never being there for her, that I loved her, but I know that she would never believe that, if she was like Lalo then she would be hurt and angry, I did not want to make her upset...WHAT COULD I SAY?.

-Yes.—I simply said…the she walked out of the room and left me…the kettle began to whistle. I walked and put the kettle off of the oven and poured myself water on one of the two cups that were there, and then I searched for the tea. It was in one of the cabinet in the left. I just sat there, waiting…after what I feel like an eternity she came back with an old notebook and put it in front of me. The cover was green now faded; it was sewn with red yarn.

-Look inside, is she the woman?—she asked walking to the counter to make her coffee.

Opening the book I saw a lot of drawings, some of them were the forest where we would pass the time, there was the pyramid and…myself. There where drawings and drawings of me, walking, sleeping and a lot of them were simply my face…the drawings improved the closer I got to the end of the book.

-This is Garnet,—I told my daughter.

-Then you are my cousin…distant but my cousin.—she said sitting and taking a sip of her coffee.—That is one of my father drawing books, there are at least a box of those…He said that he did not have a photo of her, that he lost them, I just thought that he invented her.—She then reached out and grabbed my hand.—I thought that she left us,—she said—I mean, no photos, no video of her and just this drawings of her.—

-What did he tell you?—I asked wondering how he managed my disappearance.

-He said that after she gave birth to me she fell sick and died.—she said—That she was a tall beautiful woman, a woman with long nice legs,—she said laughing…I could not avoid feel flattered—That I got her blue eyes,—she said and grabbing the notebook she put it side by side to my face—You certainly are related, the blue eyes, the hair, you are even tall like me.—

-Did he get married…after her?—I had to know.

-Oh no, he always joked that: "hay tonterias que no hago dos veces" (there are stupid things that I don't do twice).—she then added—But I think he was waiting for something…I don't know what...like he hoped to see her again.—Taking a long gulp of her coffee she continued—Then again, he was old when they had me.—

-He wasn't that old.—I said I little bothered by that.

-According to him she was 33 and him 45 when they met.—Finishing her coffee she said—He said it was during a travel in the forest.—Then she smiled—Then there were those weird stories when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.—

-What weird stories?—I asked a little nervous and curious.

-The first day when they gave him the diagnosis, he got drunk. I was informed by the neighbors that my dad was playing his music very loud and was singing,—then she leaned back and continued—After I came here I helped him to his bed and before he fell sleep he told me that maybe my mother was alive…that she was some sort of alien jewel being and that he met her in some dimension or place of infinite nothingness.—she then added seriously—I guess it was the first signs that his mind was never going to be the same.—

I knew that I could not keep myself from spewing something that could compromise her life or what she thought was her life without sounding like a crazy liar, so I did one last thing before I left.

-Can I see him, before I leave, I was passing through—not completely false—and I want to see him.—

-Yes, come with me.—she said standing up and I followed her to the room. It was changed, there was only one bed covered with a mattress where somebody slept. Gone were the twin beds, there was no couch; there was a sofa close to a table, a couple of books...there in the center was the book that I gave to him, it was still shining, but there were signs or use. On top of the furniture there was a pocket watch, I walked towards it…it was my watch. It looked scratched; it was not running and no longer had a chain but still shone. And on the top shelf, there was a panda with a faded red piece of fabric. The panda no longer had an eye and one of its arms was sewn back in place. Now it collected dust.

-Papa…despierta, te buscan (Dad…Wake up, somebody is asking for you),—my daughter said while gently moving Lalo…a confused sound later I heard a mumbling raspy voice

-Eh? Mija? Quien me busca?(Hum? My daughter? Who asks for me?)—said Lalo looking at Ruby…he looked so different. His hair was completely grey, the hair was receding at the sides but the peak still stood. His hands were wrinkled and dry looking, he never was fat but now he looked gaunt. His hands looked skeletal—Esta joven, es la nieta de la hermana de mi mama (This young woman, is the granddaughter of the sister of my mother).—She then pointed at me.—Vino a saludarte papito pero ya se va, saludala para que se pueda ir .(She came here to say hello to you daddy but she needs to go, say hello so she could leave).—she finished…

I got close so I was beside him and without warning, he opened his eyes in shock and raising his arms he hugged me…he began to cry.

-Hola (hello),—he said with a very tired and raspy voice-Gusto de...la conosco? (Good to...did I know you?)-he asked opening his eyes and staring at me...his glance grew more more and more intense.

-No...no creo que-I needed to control myself...

-Tu luces como (you look like)...pero ella se fue (but she is gone)...oh dios! (oh god!)...Volviste (you came back),—he finished now beginning to get distressed and his fragile grip in my hand beginning to increase in strength-Ruby...tu mamá volvio, ella volvio. (Ruby...your mother came back, she came back!).—

-Papá, ella no es mamá...mírala, si fuera mama ella seria de tu edad (Dad, she is not mom...look at her, if she were her she would be your age).—She then extended her hands to help get his hand that was firmly grabbing my arm...he didn't want to let go!-Sorry, he is sick...I wish you could have know him when he was young and healthy.—she said finally freeing my hands.

-No...NO! Mija por favor, ella es tu mamá! (No...NO! My daughter please, she is your mother!)—he said looking at me devastated.

-Dejemoslo descansar...esta confundido (Let's leave him alone to rest...he is confused),—my daughter told me with a maternal tone.

-POR FAVOR...GARNET! Don't leave me again...-I heard him said as I walked up the two steps...

-Sorry for that...here, let me...oh dear you are crying.—She said and picked a cloth to help me clean the tears—Don't worry, he will be fine, he will forget this encounter-.-she said. Swallowing hard I stood up, told my daughter a quick thank you to her, she walked me to the door apologizing for the confusion. As I walked out of the room I could hear him crying…I was assured he would forget tomorrow that this ever happened…I hoped so. As I was outside the gate I began to run up the street, I ran until I was in a basketball park. I didn't even make it to the benches; I sat in the curb and began to cry. I was sure; this was the last time that I would ever see him. Then I heard the sound of steps close to me...It was those brown boots. Quickly standing up I told him.

-Only the diamonds have hurt me in a worse way than you did, love is not a game, not bet, thanks to you, I lost a loved one, my daughter, and you made me hurt him when he should have…-I stopped when just snorted at the last one of my affirmations.

-You could have told Ruby that you will come back other day when he was awake, and in that way he could keep on dreaming of a woman who will never come back.—He then walked a couple of steps from her and turned.—You could have told your daughter the truth, you could have done so many different variations…the only thing that wouldn't have changed would have been, that yes…this is your last night seen them.—he said touching my shoulder and snapping his fingers.

I knew that we had returned to the temple and before I could form my gauntlets the being in front of me asked.

-What do you see?—he said completely serious.

Concentrating and calming myself I searched into the future…Finally after a while I answer.

-You want me to tell you what I decide, what I want based on my visions.—I said carefully.

-So you have seen way at the end…but what is in the middle?—he said going to the counter, and taking from human Pearl the glass while he poured himself a drink.

-If I ask for him to be in this world…I will see him and my daughter die…There is a variation of that route were I use Rose's tears and Steven's spit to lengthen his and my daughter life, but they never make it past their 200s.—I said seeing more variations clear as the water.

-Yes…a shame that humans grow bored with life.—he said taking a sip from his drink.

-Then there is the option of me going to his world…but I leave the gems leaderless, Steven without a mother figure…and I will regret it for my whole life.—I marched to the counter and grabbed a bottle and took a swing. It was a shame that it had no effect on me now.—Then there is the reality where we stay in that empty space, we grow old and die leaving my daughter alone, she goes insane from the isolation, the time to that varies by timeline.—I then finished the bottle.—Then…there is the future where you put us in the void, we live there with our daughter until we are close to death…the we return at the same spot and at the same age but that will put me on the path to desire the first options.—

-As you can see.—he said as a matter of fact.

-Not a single one of them end up with me and him being happy together—I finished. I did not scream and I did not cry, but I feel something inside me crack…I began to glow...concentrating I again thought "not now", and I stayed whole.-Why did you this to us.—I asked with the coldness of dry ice—Why?— Tears were running down my face.

-My acquaintance had seen this world and saw the strange case of your deceased leader,—he said pointing to the portrait of Rose Quartz—and he was convinced that it was a fluke, that you, the gem race simply could not fall in love with a human. He thought of you too much a genocidal self serving race to do it…so I bet him.—

-And you chose us?—I said clenching my fist...for the first time of my life, I wished to be able to kill him.

-I did not chose you…he chose the gem I just chose the human.—He then finished his drink and said,—He thought he had this in lock because you two…—

-I was a relationship.—I finished.—Of course pick the only one in a relationship and they will never fall in love with the human, great idea.—I said bitterly.-He never thought that being human will change us, that I could entertain the idea of-but the he giggled.

-No you got it wrong.—he then said—Being human didn't change the nature of who you are Garnet. Being human just fused you two in an nearly absolute form…Think of this, you are a fusion that balances each other, good old cool collected Garnet. But as human Garnet you were a melting pot, you got frustrated like Ruby, but keep anger bottled up thanks to your Sapphire side, were playful but elegant…don't tell me that all your actions were just one sided.—he said winking at her.

-Maybe you have a point,—I said still royally pissed at him—but I sense that you want a deal.—

-We got a winner.—he said as a gold medal hung around my neck.—Here,—he said giving me a red button—When you decide what you want with respect to Lalo just press the button and I will come here and give it to you, after all how I can deny something to someone so beautiful.—

After he said that he disappeared and I was left with three coins on the sink and a red button. I needed advice and I knew who to ask.

-Okay I am coming…Who can it be?—Greg Universe asked to nobody, as he made his way to the door of his van and opened it to receive whoever it was. In the door there was, in all her tall cubic afro glory, Garnet. She was without her glasses and looked him straight to the eye and with sadness behind her sight. Greg was about to ask Garnet if something was wrong with Steven when she said.

-Steven is fine Greg…I came here to see you.—she then entered…as soon as Greg closed the door she turned and said.—I need your advice on something important.—Garnet said as she opened her right hand and showed three coins to him. In her other hand there was a red button.