Chapter 49: Gem Harvest
Steven made his way to the barn. He made plans with Peridot and Lapis that he was staying over with them for the weekend.
Steven: Peridot! Lapis! I'm here!
No one answered at first, so he tried knocking.
Steven: Come on guys. Did you forget you're favorite Steven was coming over for the weekend?
The door was finally opening and Charlie jumped out and onto Steven knocking him on the ground, licking him.
Steven: ( petting him) Ha,ha ha. Hello Charlie.
Charlie: Hello Steven.
Steven: AH!
Steven got up all surpirsed. Did he hear that right? Did Charlie just talk? He spoke with a deep, soldier like resonant voice.
Charlie: Is something wrong Steven?
Steven: Charlie, you, you can talk now?
Lapis and Peridot: Hey Steven.
Peridot and Lapis got out to check him.
Lapis: Did that surprise you?
Steven: Uh, yeah.
Peridot: What do you think? I used parts from elites that were defeated and used their technology along with vocal cords to create this collar that will allow him to speak through this microphone. Now we can understand what he's saying.
Steven: Oh wow. That is so cool. You're probably the first dog to ever talk.
Charlie: Steven could you scratch behind my ear? I have this itch I can't reach.
Steven: Oh sure.
Steven scratches Charlie's ear as he enjoys this.
Steven: When did you make this collar?
Peridot: About two days ago. We've been having issues trying to understand exactly what he's saying, so I made this.
Lapis: We wanted to take him to you, but since we made plans for the weekend, I thought we should surprise you by having you come here.
Charlie: I was so eager to tell you Steven. You are my favorite next to these two and...
Charlie stops in the middle of his sentence and looks away with his ears tucked back.
Charlie: Bruce...
Steven and the others looked concerned for him for a moment.
Lapis: Charlie are you okay?
Charlie: I-I'm fine, sorry.
Steven then notices the garden.
Steven: Whoa, did you guys plant all this?
Lapis: It's really cool isn't it.
Steven: When did you start this?
Peridot: Oh um... I'd say uh... a while back. I have all the skills required for growing gems. So I thought why not grow something else?
Lapis: Not to mention, Charlie said he's been feeling lonely lately since we always go on missions with you and he has to stay behind.
Charlie: It really gets lonely here when no one else is. Peridot you said I was getting one today right?
Peridot: That's right. Unfortunatly we can't afford another dog, but since everything is looking great here I thought we could grow one. Let's look and see.
Steven: Um Peridot that's not how...
Peridot takes a corn from the vine and talks to it.
Peridot: Hello Corn.
The corn doesn't respond.
Lapis: Maybe she didn't hear you.
Peridot: I MADE YOU IN MY IMAGE AND YOU WILL DO AS I SAY!
Steven: Peridot that's not how vegetables work.
Frowns formed on Peridot and Lapis's faces.
Peridot: It's not? Then what's the point of corn?!
Peridot throws the corn on the ground.
Steven: It's food. People eat them.
Peridot( sighs) I'm sorry Charlie. I wanted to make you a friend.
Charlie looked down at the corn sniffing it and looked back at her.
Charlie: It's okay Peridot, it's the thought that counts.
However they could tell the disappointed look on his face.
Charlie: Excuse me.
Charlie walked away leaving the three of them behind.
Lapis: He looked really sad.
Peridot: It's my fault. I got his hopes up and turned him down. I just wish we could have atleast one living vegetable.
Steven: Hmmm, wait I know.
Steven picks up a pumpking seed and licks it.
Lapis: What are you doing?
Steven: I can make a living veggie for you guys. I did it once when I made a whole bunch of watermelon me's.
Peridot: Uh, what?
Steven: It's a long story, I'll tell you inside. But first.
Steven plants the seed on the ground.
Peridot: So now what?
Steven: Well this is going to take some time, I'm sure it'll be here in the morning.
Peridot: I hope so.
The three of them went back into the barn to spend the night playing games, making shadow puppets and watching Camp Pining Hearts.
The next morning.
Peridot: Steven! Steven wake up!
Steven: Huh, what?
Peridot: Get up! You gotta see this!
Peridot grabs his arm and pulls him out of the barn.
Steven: Wait I didn't brush my teeth.
Peridot: That can wait. This you gotta see.
Steven: What is it that you're so excited about?
Peridot: It worked Steven! You're magic touch worked!
They went through the corn field and met up with Lapis and Charlie who were next to a living pumpkin. It had a Jack o lantern face and walked on four stubby legs. It acted like a dog as it barked around excited. Lapis kneeled down to it while Charlie was behind her, looking nervous.
Steven: Whoa, it's a living pumpkin.
The pumpkin dog ran up to Peridot and Steven greeting them as they pet it.
Steven: So what should we name it?
Peridot: First of all it's not it. It's her.
Lapis: How do you know it's a her?
Peridot: I uh... it looks like a her that's all. So let's see how about Pumpkin.
Steven: That's just the vegetable name.
Peridot: I know, but I mean if you ask me it sounds like it could be a name too.
Lapis: Well it does sound better than when Revenger called Cat Steven just cat.
Steven: Okay then, Pumpkin it is. Charlie did you say hi to her?
Charlie just looked at Pumpkin still nervous. Pumpkin saw him and approached him. He stepped backward slowly.
Peridot: Charlie what's wrong? This is you're new friend.
Charlie: This is... this is no dog.
Lapis: She isn't a dog. She's a pumkin.
Charlie: I know that. But I don't know about this.
Pumpkin approached him again, Charlie backed away and got behind Lapis. Pumpkin wimpered of him avoiding her.
Peridot: Charlie you're hurting her feelings.
Charlie: But look at her, she's, she's different.
Steven: Charlie, I know this is not like anything you've seen before. But different isn't a bad thing. Just give Pumpkin a chance, I'm sure you two will get along great.
Charlie: I'll...I'll try Steven.
Charlie walked up to her and nudged to her.
Charlie: Huh, hello.
Pumpkin gets excited and nudges him.
Lapis: See, she likes you.
Charlies: It seems so.
Steven: It's nice to have a new addition to the family.
Suddenly a plane flew over them, it appeared it landed near the barn.
Steven: What was that?
They go through the corn fields and see's a man wearing a pilot uniform and hat and next to the barn was the plane he flew in and he did not look happy.
Andy: What the? What happened to my frickin barn!
Peridot: Hey! Just who the heck do you think you are?
Andy: You hobbettes! A hobos a mans job!
Lapis: Who's the human and what is he yelling about?
Peridot: Charlie, sick em.
Charlie: But, he doesn't seem to be a threat. I can smell it.
Andy: Wait a minute. Those mysterious constructions. Your weird appearences. Your strange jewels. I know what you are...You're hippies! I heard you on AM radio. What are you doing here messing with this fine american barn.
Peridot takes out a remote control.
Peridot: Where are my attack drones?
Peridot has issues summoning her attack drones while Lapis gets impatient and just lifts the man up with her water hand. Finally her attack drones show up.
Peridot: Oh there they are.
Steven: Wait, don't hurt him.
Lapis: But he's attacking us and our home.
Peridot: How do we know he's not a Gara Elite in disguise?
Steven: What would a Gara Elite want with your barn?
Peridot: Well obviously they would... huh. What would they want with our barn? Our meep morps maybe.
Steven: Hold on just don't do anything yet. Uh, hey up there. How you doing?
Andy: Me? Ah gee I don't know. How do you think?!
Steven: We just want to know what you want?
Andy: What I want? I want you hippies out of my frickin barn!
The trio looks at each other confused.
Steven: Your barn?
15 minutes later.
Greg and the others arrive at the scene.
Pearl: Greg got you're message and we came too.
Amethyst: Is that the human giving you trouble?
Bismuth: Don't worry guys, I'm here and ready.
Garnet: I told you two needed to train Charlie better.
Charlie approaches them.
Charlie: Hello everyone.
They looked surprised after seeing Charlie now able to talk, with Garnet still having her stoic face.
Garnet: Well this couldn't get any weirder.
Pumpkin approaches them and now they looke even more surprised, with Garnet still having her stoic face.
Garnet: Okay I'm just going to stop talking.
Greg: What are you doing to that guy up there?
Lapis: Just, putting him down.
Lapis puts him down.
Andy: Not cool. ( see's Greg) Greg?
Greg: Andy?
Pearl: They know each other?
Everyone was confused how Greg knew this man named Andy.
Andy: This is perfect. Come on, help me chase of these free loaders. They're using som kind of hippie magic. Who told you, you could move in here and mess this whole place up.
Greg: I did Andy.
Andy: You did?
Greg: Yeah but...
Andy: This is my parents frickin barn!
Greg: I know it is. Andy it's just...
Andy: Just look at it. They wrecked it, the bejesus and back.
Greg: Andy calm down, I can explain this.
Steven: Dad, who is this?
Andy: Dad? You mean...
Greg: Steven this is Andy, he's my cousin. Andy this is Steven, he's my son.
Steven was amazed to meet a relative from his dad's side.
Steven: Wow, it's really nice to meet you. Does that mean you're my first cousin once removed?
Andy: Ah forget about that nonsense.
Andy picks up Steven and hugs him.
Andy: You just call me Uncle Andy. I'm an uncle, I can't believe this. Greg, ya little turd. How come you never told me?
Greg: How was I supposed to? I haven't seen you in years.
Andy: And who's fault is that? You thought you were so much better than us that you just got into your van and drove away like you're king of the world or something.
Greg: That was like two decades ago.
Steven: Uh, Uncle Andy can I get down now?
Andy: ( puts down Steven) Oh sorry Steven. I'm not used to holding nephews. Because I didn't know I had one. So which one of these girls is the wife I have to give them my condolences right? Ha, ha, ha!
The main Crystal Gems either looked away or down not knowing what to say to him.
Andy: Oh what I gotta guess here? ( points to Garnet) It's gotta be you. I bet his useless lump needs a big girl to keep him in line. You're not big I mean, you're tall is what I'm saying.
Greg: Rose is... no longer with us.
Andy: Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know.
Greg: These people are sort of like her family. So I offered these two to stay in the barn.
Andy: Really? Oh that was really nice of ya. But the barns for the DeMayo family.
Steven: What's a DeMayo.
Andy looks at him as if he lost his mind.
Andy: Andy DeMayo. Greg DeMayo. Steven DeMayo. We're the DeMayos.
Greg: Actually we're um...the Universes now.
Andy looks at him, now mad. Steven was also surprised.
Andy: Ya space walnut, you didn't keep the family name?! But you're going around giving family property like candy like some kind of... candy giving out holiday?!
Steven: You mean to tell me that Universe isn't a real last name?
Greg: It is a real name I had it changed. Andy look, they just needed a place to stay. They're alien refugees from sapce and...
Andy: They're illegal aliens?! What did you also meet a walking talking milkshake, a french fry and some pile meat with a werid voice too?!
Greg: What are you even saying?
Steven: Demayo is much cooler name than plain old Universe.
Andy: You turned your back on your family just so you can get in with some weirdo, hippie, martian immagrants? ( points to Lapis and Peridot) You two. Get the heck off of my planet, out of my country and out of my barn!
Peridot: Charlie do you want to sick em now?
Charlie: Still not there yet?
Peridot: ( groans) Reactivating attack drones.
Steven: Wait. Uncle Andy.
Andy: Yeah?
Steven: I'm sorry we took over the barn. I didn't even know we had any other family to share it with.
Andy: ( looking at Greg) You didn't huh?
Steven: But this barn, it means so much to all of us. We spent so much time together here.
Andy: Well my family spent a lot of time here too. Once year we get to together, have a big meal, catch up, have a good time. Years and years of family tradition.
Steven: Oh yeah, we can do that too. We got a farm here with plenty of food. Let's make a big traditional meal and eat it together. We'll have a good time and you'll admit that they're family. And would you kick family out of the family barn?
Andy: Ah, Greg. You're lucky you got such a cute kid. I know he didn't get that from you.
Greg: So, you're letting them stay?
Andy: I'll give your coven a chance. But only because I lost my sandwhich in the Atlantic. Now excuse me, I gotta get my junk out of my plane.
Andy goes to his plane.
Steven: Do you think this will work?
Greg: Maybe. Andy has never been the type to change his mind about something. It's gonna take a lot to calm him down.
Greg leaves and the gems approach Steven.
Amethyst: I don't like this guy. I don't like some... new Greg showing up out of nowhere.
Pearl: Our Greg is clearly the superior one.
Bismuth: Mmmm-hmmm. This guy is a real fruitcake.
Lapis: We're not leaving our home.
Peridot: If that clod thinks he can push us around!
Garnet: Andy is a part of Steven's family. We should all make an effort to get onto his good side.
Steven: If he's my family, than he's yours too.
Garnet: Gems don't have family. At least not until we got to Earth.
A smile forms on Steven's face.
Garnet: So for the sake of our family, tell us what to do.
Steven: Let's get cooking.
Steven has tasked the gems to do their part of tonights dinner. Garnet and Lapis gathered the vegetables. Pearl, Peridot and Bismuth built the oven out of old plane parts in the barn while Amethyst kept an eye on Pumpkin and Charlie, even shapeshifting into a dog and playing with them. Soon Garnet and Lapis finished and showed the vegetables they gathered.
Steven: This looks amazing.
Garnet: For a vegetable garden. I'd say we're pretty fruitful.
Andy: Is it going to be just a bunch of vegetables? I should of figured you're all a bunch of vegetarians.
Steven: A vegetable grown from a familiy's love nurtures a body and soul.
Andy: Ah don't let that get to you Steven. I'll get you a stick of pepperoni for your birthday.
Meanwhile Bismuth, Pearl and Peridot have just finished the stove they were making.
Bismuth: Alright. Give it a go.
Peridot turns it on as fire erupts from it.
Peridot: How's that?
Pearl: Hmmm. Let's turn it down to 2,000 degrees for now.
Peridot: Sound's puny.
Steven approaches them.
Steven: I like the propeller on it. It looks like it's Andy themed. He's gonna love it.
Bismuth: He better.
Pearl lightly elbows her chest.
Bismuth: Oof! I mean oh yeah I'm sure he will.
Steven: We're ready for the veggies now.
Greg and Andy approach them with the vegetables, but once Andy saw the stove they made, he looked even more mad.
Andy: Ah What have you done?!
Steven: Uh, Uncle Andy?
Amethyst: Dude what's wrong?
Andy: What's wrong? Oh no, nothings wrong. Everything is all fine and dandy really. Except for this abomination right here!
Steven: What are you talking about?
Andy: It's the engine boy. The engine! They butchered my parent's plane to make, make, whatever this thing is!
Pearl: It's an oven cook top combo.
Andy: It's terrible! That was the heart of the legendary wings of the daring DeMayos. I learned to fly on that plane!
Lapis: No one was even using that junk.
Peridot: Now it's being used for something.
Andy: See that' the problem with you. You think everything belongs to you and nothing belongs to anybody and you take it. And it's all cool, but it ain't cool. ( sighs) I'm gonna need a moment. I can't look at this right now.
Andy leaves the scene while Greg goes to talk to him.
Greg: Andy wait, they didn't know.
Andy: Right I get it, in-laws.
Steven: This is all going down into flames.
Pearl: I'm sure Greg can turn this around.
But they can't help but overhear their conversation.
Andy: What do you mean you weren't technically married?
Greg: Look Andy...
Steven: We gotta up our game. It's going take the ultimate party to turn this around. Like all the best parties of all time put together.
Pearl: Hmmm. I think we can do that.
The gems all get into Greg's van drives off to find things used for many parties and a turkey to cook. Meanwhile Steven, Greg and Andy cuts up the vegetables. Andy was also surprised to see that Steven has powers and used his shield as a pan to cook the vegetables.
Andy: He, he. Hey it actually works. You know I think it's good that these old plane parts are getting some use. Maybe recycling ain't so bad.
Greg: Looks like you gotta new plane anyway.
Andy: She's a good one too. I've been all over the world in that thing.
Steven: You've been all over the world?
Andy: You bet. Before I worked with planes I was part of the U.S army
Steven: ( stars in his eyes) You were in the army?
Andy: I was, but I wasn't really the best though. I had better talent as a plane mechanic than a soldiernso I settled with that. Now I work as a plane mechanic and honestly it's the best job ever. You're your own boss and make up you're own schedule.
Steven: Wow!
Charlie approaches him.
Andy: Oh, you guys got a German Sheperd eh. ( petting him) These are great dogs. I remember I had one when I was about your age. They keep you company and are very protective.
Charlie: I know we are.
Andy: Ah! You can talk?
Charlie: Just recently.
Steven: Peridot made him this collar for him to speak.
Charlie: From what you said, you remind me a lot of my old owner, Bruce.
Andy: Oh really. Was he a soldier too?
Charlie: No, but a park ranger. It may not sound much, but he was hero in Cherrystone Park. He helped people who were lost or in danger, helped animals that were hurt and stop poachers.
Steven: It doesn't sound much? Charlie that's amazing. Were you his sidekick?
Charlie: You could say that. He helped me and I helped him. We did so much together until...
Charlie's ears went back as he looked down.
Steven: Charlie are you...
Charlie: I'm fine. Excuse me.
Charlie walked away and headed into the barn, with Pumpking following behind him. The trio looked concerned for him. But before Steven could check on him, the gems return.
Andy: You're aunts are back.
Pearl: So Andy we heard you like marriage, so we thought why don't we all marry each other?
Peridot: ( presenting wedding cake) Ta-da!
Pearl: And if that's not enough for you we can also add for you being born and some dying.
Garnet was holding a balloon that said " It's a boy" and Lapis giving him a tombstone.
Lapis: We're very sorry for you're marriage.
Pearl: We tried to cover as many celebrations in the human life span we could.
Steven: ( in his mind) I didn't mean like that Pearl.
Steven was worried about how Andy was going to react, but to his surprise he was laughing.
Andy: Okay, okay I give up. It's too much. ( chuckles) Alright, where am I sitting?
Later
Everyone was gathered together on the table now to enjoye their dinner. It was a small one since most of the gems didn't need to eat.
Andy: Why don't we can't right to it huh? And hey, since we're throwing all tradition out of the window, why don't we start with this gorgous cake. Desert before dinner. Ha,ha,ha,ha.
Andy was about to have his piece, but should pass the rest down first.
Andy: Where are my manners? Steven pass this to your friend.
Steven: ( gives cake to Peridot) Here you go Peridot.
Peridot: Oh, where are my manners?
Peridot passes the cake to Lapis.
Lapis: Oh, where are my manners?
Passes cake to Pearl.
Pearl: Oh thank you Lapis. But where are my manners?
Passes cake to Amethyst.
Amethyst: Oh, where are my manners?
Passes cake to Bismuth.
Bismuth: Oh, where are my manners?
Passes cake to Garnet.
Garnet: Andy.
Garnet passes the cake back to Andy.
Andy: What? You guys don't like cake?
Steven: Gems don't really eat. Well accept for Amethyst.
Amethyst: I'm good. I had like three bottles of cooking oil earlier.
Amethyst burps out purple flame.
Pearl: That's what we forgot. More cooking oil.
Peridot: And the shopping cart. We should have taken it.
Lapis: We could have put in the wall next to the truck.
Pearl: That would've been stealing.
Peridot: Excuse me but, how many times have we saved the Earth from Gien and the Gara Droids? We should have access to everything by right.
Lapis: Or at least get a discount
Pearl: Saving the Earth from Homeworld and the Gara Droids is it's own reward.
Peridot: You know what would also be an reward? A reward.
Lapis high fives her.
Greg: Alright, we don't want to start another gem war at the table.
Garnet: Oooooh, don't start it.
The conversation went from being serious to just playful now.
Peridot: What if came to this table and started destroying it because I'm the clone of an insane sociopath?
Amethyst: ( gasps) But you can't. This table has corn on it and it's beautifuleand will defend it.
They all started laughing.
Peridot: You're right. Now that I spent time on the table, I can now see the value of your corn.
Lapis: ( chuckles) Wait, wait. Why don't you put that corn in a mirror for thousands of years and then see how it feels about the table?
Lapis and Peridot laughed together, while some of the others watch them awkwardly.
Greg: You know what? Thank you Steven, putting this meal together was a great idea.
Steven: Oh no I should be thanking Garnet. She gathered up the vegetables.
Garnet: Peridot and Lapis grew them. Thank you.
Peridot: Oh but it was Pearl who drove us to the store.
Pearl: Well I have to thank Steven for cooking the vegetables and Bismuth for helping us build that cook top oven.
Bismuth: Well I gotta thank Amethyst here for putting out that grease fire.
Amethyst: And starting it. Oh and thanks to Greg for lending his van.
Greg: I guess you can say we can thank everyone.
Pearl: Yes was everyone thanked? Raise your hand if you were thanked.
Everyone raises their hand except for Andy.
Steven: Hey, what about Andy?
Peridot: Hmmm. Thank you Andy for showing up. Because of you, everyone came up here to the barn and we're all having a great time here. And it's actually, pretty great.
Andy was taking this in and had something to say to them.
Andy: Well uh listen. I'm not really good at these things, but I think I should say I'm sorry for the way I act. Being judgemental and not liking how things changed, but you know you all ain't so bad. Weird at times sure, but nice. I mean Greg, even though I still don't understand what goes on in your mind, I did miss you a lot ever since you left.
Greg: Well, I'm sorry for what I've done. I missed you too and I'm glad to see you again.
Andy nods and turns to Peridot and Lapis.
Andy: So, you two. The barns yours now. Take it as an official thank you or apology gift from me. No hard feeling right?
Peridot: No hard feelings. ( raise plate) So, cheers!
Everyone: ( raises plate) Cheers!
With Andy now being comfortable with the gems, everyone was now starting to have a good time, but someone was missing.
Lapis: Wait, where's Charlie?
Steven: Is he still in the barn?
Steven, Peridot and Lapis went in to check on him. Pumpkin followed them in. They saw Charlie just lying in his bed, looking sad.
Lapis: Charlie what are you doing here? Everyone is outside.
Charlie: I just came inside to be alone.
Peridot: Is something wrong?
Charlie: I just wished Bruce was here. He would have loved this.
Peridot and Lapis exchanged sad looks realizing what this is all about.
Charlie: We used to do something just like this every year. He and I along with his parents, brother and fiancee did this as well. We get so caught up with our work that he loved it when he got to see them.
Steven: Charlie, if you don't mind me asking but, what exactly happened to Bruce?
Peridot: Steven don't ask him that, he's already missing him he doesn't want to talk about how he lost him.
Charlie: It's fine Peridot.
The three of them looked at him as he told them his story.
Charlie: It was three years ago. He and I were on duty, it was supposed to be a simple task to make sure visitors were okay and no disturbance in the wildlife. We heard the noises of a bear, roaring in pain. We hurried to the sound and saw the bear, with it's paw caught into a bear trap. It looked at as aggressivly, but Bruce knew his ways to let animals know he wasn't a threat and freed the creature. But moments after he did, the poacher who set the trap saw it all. And he was not happy.
The two of them begun to fight. Bruce was a strong fighter, but what we fought was no man I ever saw, but a monster as he was much stronger than he looked. I helped as much as I could, biting onto his arm. But he knocked me off and was about to fire at me. It looked like it was my end, but Bruce tried to save me. He grabbed the gun, punching him multiple times across the face. But then he was hit by his gun and fell onto his back. The poacher finished him off by shooting him right between the eyes.
I witnessed his death myself. I caught him by surprise and jumped up, biting his face. As he stepped back, he tripped and his head hit the edge of a rock, breaking his skull and dying in the process. I managed to stop him, but Bruce was gone. The staff and authorities wanted to take me back, maybe take him to his family, but I couldn't leave the park. I ran away and stayed in the cabin we resided in. It was all I had left of him and I didn't want to forget him. I remained there for three years until...
Peridot: Unitl we came.
Charlie: Yes.
Steven: I'm, I'm really sorry. He meant a lot to you didn't he?
Charlie: He was my hero, partner and best friend. But he's gone. I'm getting old and the reason I feel this way is because, I'm starting forget what he looks like.
Peridot: You won't forget what he looks like.
Peridot got up and returns with what appears to be a present.
Charlie: What is this?
Peridot: It was supposed to be our one month anniversery of you living with us, but I think you should have it now.
Charlie: Could you open it for me?
Peridot: Sure.
Peridot unwraps it and it was to his surprise, it was the plaque of his owner's memorium along with a broken frame of the picture of him and Bruce. The picture itself was burnt a little on the edges, but the photo of the two of them were still fine.
Peridot: We went back to the wreckage of your cabin and salvaged what we could from the remains a few days back. This was all we could find.
Charlie: You did this for me?
Lapis: Charlie, I know we can't replace Bruce, but we're still here for you. We love you because of how brave and protective you are. You could've died against Huntress, but you still fought anyway. I didn't want to leave you all alone out there.
Peridot: Even if you're home wasn't destroyed, we wanted to take you back with us. Nobody wants to live alone for the rest of their life.
Lapis: I know I didn't.
Charlie looked up to them and got up facing them.
Charlie: The day I met the two of you was the best thing that ever happpened to me. I should thank you for finding me and giving me my voice.
Peridot and Lapis smiled at him, tears in their eyes and grouped hug him. Steven and Pumpkin tried joing thier hug too.
Peridot: You know Charlie, Lapis and I have been thinking and we decided to start a farming buisness here, selling our crops. We thought you could be our guard dog and keep intruders away from it.
Charlie: I think I would like that.
Pumpkin nuzzled him and he licked her in response.
Peridot: I'm glad to see you two getting along now.
Lapis: ( petting him) And I'm glad you're feeling better Charlie.
Steven: Shall we head back outside now?
Charlie: Yes Steven, let's go.
They got back up and headed back outside to join the others. Charlie looked back at the photo of him and Bruce. As much as he missed him, the only thing he can do now is just move on and be happy with his new owners. He went back with the others as they all spent the rest of the day together having a good time.
To be continued...
Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. I know what you're thinking, this is something you'd expect to see back in November, it's December now. Well whatever consider this a Holiday special. I know it's nothing too special, but I just wanted to do this for fun. I tried making this retelling as different as possible and I know this wasn't in the show, but I wanted to give Andy some backstory. Also I couldn't help but make some Aqua Teen Hunger Force jokes in this since Andy is voiced by the same guy as Carl. Charlie's new voice in case you're wondering is supposed to be like Sam Elliot's voice and I wanted to explore a bit more on his backstory and I thought this might have been the best part to do it. Special thanks to Lady Shadow92 for her help on this and giving Charlie his voice. I hope you enjoyed. Please read and review. Thank you and Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.