((Well, there is no better inspiration for writing than a bout of insomnia to where you can't even lay down. And you can thank my fans on Fanfiction for this fic even continuing.))

Steven wasn't a child, and he wasn't an idiot. He was thirty-five and had helped raise several children by this point, he knew how kids were made. He understood more than most how gem kids were made, such as his own conception and birth. So it wasn't the mechanics that had him confused or scared, it was the fact that this was currently one of the situations he had no clue about when it came to kids, namely his own.

The way he understood it, the whole process is simple with humans. Between gems and humans, apparently there was a choice between regular birth or half-gem, one of which passed along the gem. But between a human and a half-gem? No one knew what was going to happen, but much like his own story, Steven would be among the first to know what this meant.

"Well, at least we know you aren't disappearing on me," Connie offered from her position sitting in her husband's arms. "I mean, with your mom, she disappeared when you were born, but since biologically you won't be directly involved in that, I think—"

"I get it, honey, you're relieved that I'm not disappearing on you. And I think we can assume our kid will be completely human since I've still got a gem. So now I think we just…prepare for our kid."

"When do we tell everyone?" Steven didn't have an answer to that. "And what about all of the corrupted gems? I'm not going to be able to flip around and swing a sword with a baby bump."

Steven sighed and kissed her into silence. "Connie, we'll figure it out. And when you can no longer fight, well, it's not like I'll be fighting alone. The kids can hold their own well enough now."

"Maybe…"

"I will remind you I didn't fight anything today, the kids took down those gems all on their own."

"I suppose so… But what about the house? You can't rebuild it alone."

"Connie, relax. You are months away from giving birth and months away from having that big of a baby bump, we'll be done with plenty of time before you're laid up in bed." Steven chuckled and turned his wife to look at him. She was biting on her lip again and she looked frazzled, unprepared. "Connie, you have nothing to worry about. Honestly, we should be excited. After all of this time…"

She nodded and finally relaxed, laying her head on his shoulder and nuzzling into him. She laughed softly as some stray beard hairs tickled her and Steven joined in. Soon, the couple was laughing loudly about everything, letting all of their emotions settle finally.

"Okay, Steven, you're right. It's all okay and I'm just acting like my mom. We'll be fine." He nodded and kissed her. "We'll be parents…"

/0\

By the next day, Beach City was back to normal, the citizens long since used to gem business occurring and easily returning to normal business. The kids were almost disappointed to go back to their human lives, feeling invincible after that victory. But, they knew that more would come and that they had to be ready. So, they decided to each train on their own.

Rodney figured that if he held back (to not break anything), he could use some of the arcade games to train. Reflexes, decision making, aim, that kind of stuff. Meanwhile, Mr. Smiley kept him busy carrying things around. The elderly proprietor seemed to realize that Rodney needed to stay in motion and so always had something for him to do. But, it was the singing that made everything okay. Every night, Mr. Smiley would play that same recording of his only single and Rodney would drop off right to sleep. They no longer sat through dinner in awkward, angry silences. It was still quiet, but it was more comfortable.

"… So, I see you beat your high scores again today. That's some good work. You keep those scores high, people will keep coming back to beat them." "If you say so… … Oh, um… Whack a mole seems like it's stuttering, I might have hit it too hard. We should fix it." "I'll show you how tomorrow."

Tim was finally starting to come to terms with his dad through the utter kindness of his step mom. He'd been initially worried, what with them having a child already in their home, especially about Sadie feeling angry at him because of her husband and his mom, but his dad was actually the more troublesome one, but only because they were so much alike. Whenever the two would fight, Sadie would act as mediator and counsel for each. And when necessary, little Rose would make an appearance, her adorable face enough to end any argument. Sadie was nothing but kind and patient, exactly what Tim needed to relax there.

"I promise, Tim, it's fine. Accidents happen." "I shouldn't have been practicing in the store, dad already told me not to…" "Tim, it's okay. You can just as easily clean up the spill as you can make it."

The twins were starting to enjoy the theatre more than Adam expected (Eve of course knew that the theatre was the type of non-violent outlet that her brother needed). Adam had eventually learned the lines himself after enough practice runs, so Eve took over helping their father manage the stage. Her vision helped them avoid almost every possible disaster, the key word being almost. They were only a couple days away from the night of the show when the head actress tripped and sprained her ankle.

"With no understudy, the play is going to be ruined! If only…" "That's an excellent plan father, I will do it." "What do you-? Wait, that's genius! Did I think of that?" "Yes, you did. Well done, father." "Oh, uh, thank you."

Beth found an environment that not only accepted her propensity to tinker but encouraged it. Back at home with Steven and Connie, it was generally looked down upon for her to take apart the microwave (after the sixth time it happened, Steven started getting old units from the junkyard or from Amethyst's old room). Ronaldo would bring his daughter all sorts of gadgets and gizmos (some of which were military property and by all rights should not have been in the hands of a child so young) to work with, cataloguing each amazing invention.

"And with that, we should have the beginnings of a gravity leveler system. Of course, it won't be complete until I can make a particle accelerator that can fit in a belt." "Amazing, and you say you got this idea from…?" "A popular science fiction film. Much of it was hogwash, but it gave me the idea."

Eric practiced with Centipeetle and helped Sour Cream during the day. He'd worked to master his shapeshifting more and had gotten much better. Unlike his mother, he didn't have the issue of always being purple, a likely benefit of his half-human heritage. And every day, Centipeetle seemed to understand that bit more. At night and when he wasn't doing anything else, he was reading surprisingly enough. His father kept him loaded up with books to keep him out of trouble, but it caused a rather unexpected issue with the ragged party-child.

"Eric, it's almost one, it's time to sleep." "Come on, dad, this chapter is almost over, and then it's the big climax." "Hey, I've pushed back curfew three times this week already. Besides, weren't you and Centi doing something tomorrow?" "Fine… Let me finish this chapter?"

Surprisingly, Mary was the one having the most trouble. Her father's family was far more energetic than she was used to, always doing something together either at home or on the boardwalk. Her stepmother and her aunt were always trying their hardest to get Mary to come out of her shell while Buck, when not busy as mayor, tried to connect with her through her primary interest.

"So, I put my arms in and spin—" "Yes, but faster, or else you're liable to wobble, father." "Tsk, man, this ballet stuff is too quiet and soft, let's get something fun in here." "Sister, ballet is smooth, it's not like dancing in a club." "Please don't fight…"

There was one very important change in their schedules with their human families. At least once a week now, the groups all came together to allow the kids to relax together and talk about hybrid things.

"So you're going to be in a play? Might just have to get a ticket to see how it goes," Rodney said with a challenging grin, subtly trying to goad Adam into something more rambunctious. "I'll have you know I'm becoming something of a proper thespian. That means actor." "I know what it means. Well I'm learning business, and I get to play in the arcade whenever I want." "You two, stop fighting or you're going to break something."

"Mary, how are things going with… Hey, you okay? You look tense." Eric talked with Mary, trying to make sure she was okay, which she assured him she was. "Well… If you ever just need to talk or anything, I'm here."

"So, Beth, you been working on that suit of yours?" "Yes, Tim, I have worked mainly on the battery pack since last time. I wish to be more useful more often." "Have you learned anything else?" "I can manipulate magnetic fields on a small scale. That or I keep breathing too hard on the paper clips. Tests are inconclusive."

Slowly, each half-gem started to find their balance. Rodney learned to control his strength, the twins adapted their teamwork for choreography and monologuing. Eric learned more and more about Centipeetle while Mary, very slowly, learned to be more open with her feelings. Tim started controlling his temper and thinking things through while, thanks to her uncle Peedee, Beth started to realize more about how to be a kid ("It's a jellyfish that rocks back and forth." "Trust me, Beth, your uncle Steven showed this to me way back when and it's better than it looks.") If only the good times could last longer than a week.