A/N- Thanks to everyone who reviewed and is supporting this story, I really appreciate it! I'm working hard on trying to sound like the characters as I usually use OC's I do have a few chapters planned and already in the works, please enjoy!

Chapter III

Pearl's Turn

Greg entered the temple, holding a now three month old Steven who playfully tugged at his Father's beard. He had been visiting every weekend upon his return to Beach City, renting a place within the town so that he was nearer to the Gems and his new car-wash business. Today was a weekday, and he had to attend an important matter without his son.

"Hey Greg" Greeted Amethyst, eating from a bag of chips. She sat up from the sofa placed to the side of the temple. Now that Steven was older, the Gems thought it a good idea to buy some amenities for their frequent visitors. This included a sofa, a small fridge for Steven's bottles (and Amethyst's food hoard), some toys and a few other things. Although it looked out of place in the ancient building, Greg was grateful that they were making the effort.

"Hey Amethyst, Garnet and Pearl around?" He asked, going over to sit next to her.

"Yep" Garnet appeared from her door, smiling pleasantly at the two. "Pearl should be here any minute. What brings you here?"

"Well, I've got this meeting and no babies allowed…I was wondering if you guys could watch the little guy for a bit? Well…it'd be until late afternoon, but he's not too much of a handful" As he said that, Steven pulled especially hard on his beard. "Y'owtch!"

"Well, we've actually got a mission today but I'm sure—" Garnet was cut off by Pearl who ran from her room.

"I can look after Steven!" Pearl looked up pleadingly to Greg, hands together.

"Are you sure? I mean, I'm sure I can hire a babysitter or something…"

"Nonsense" Said Garnet putting her hand up, "Pearl can handle it, we don't want a stranger handling our baby"

Greg chuckled. Although he was still unsure about leaving Steven with Pearl, part of him wanted to give her a chance.

"I suppose I should put more trust into Rose's friends" he thought.

"Okay then" He handed Pearl a large bag that was hanging on his shoulder as well as his precious cargo, "Everything he needs is in here. Don't forget to feed him, I know you don't get hungry but he sure does. Oh! And his naptime is around two – he also has this toy that-!"

Garnet began to push Greg out of the temple, "He'll be fine, Pearl wouldn't let anything happen to Steven"

Still sweating, Greg nodded. "I know, I've never left the kid before though. Being a parent is tough"

After he was at the door, he turned to wave, "Bye guys! Bye Son! I'll see you at six!"

"See ya later Pea, bye Ste-man!" Shouted Amethyst from the warp pad, who disappeared the next second along with Garnet on their mission.

Pearl sat back on the sofa and sighed contentedly, looking down at the bundle she held. He gazed back intently, sucking on his fist.

"Aren't you just the sweetest" She cooed, picking him up and holding him high. Steven laughed, his arms outstretch towards the gem. Bringing him in, she kept him close to her chest.

After a few minutes, Steven began to squirm.

"I'm guessing that you're hungry?" Said Pearl, ruffling his hair. She got up and walked over to the fridge to get a bottle. Although he was quite small, the three-month old had no trouble downing the bottle in a matter of minutes, much to his holder's dismay.

"You really shouldn't drink that fast" Said Pearl, smiling nonetheless. After burping him, she propped Steven up on the couch with the aid of a few pillows. Crouching to his level, she tickled his chin and gave him his stuffed toy. Steven put half the thing in his mouth.

"Steven!" She took it out, grimacing at the drool-dripping teddy bear, "That's dangerous!"

The tot started crying, immediately breaking Pearl's heart.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She picked him up and kissed his forehead. With the crying only subsiding a little bit, she began to twirl around in an attempt to calm him.

Wailing turned to laughter as Steven was spun around again and held up, he gurgled at Pearl happily. Continuing to dance, Pearl did a small leap, keeping the baby close to her chest to ensure he was fully supported. She relished hearing the young boy's enjoyment at dancing with her, and performed yet another spin. She cut short when she felt her top was a little wet.

Steven looked up at her with a gummy grin, as well as milk upchuck on his chin. Pearl found that she didn't care, that smile meant everything.

After cleaning up Steven and herself, Pearl sat back down whilst rocking him softly.

"If only you knew your Mother" She said, touching her forehead to his for a few seconds. "Rose would have loved you, so much" Steven looked at her through lidded brown eyes, yawning sleepily.

Her laughter made the stars align,

Her voice a gentle melody.

Graceful and glowing, with eyes that shine,

I could love her endlessly,

Yet she was never mine. ~

She was courageous, confident, and compassionate,

She was the best comrade I'd ever known.

Even in our own entanglement,

She refused to be overthrown.

I stood by her side, fighting for this Earth,

And I fought by her side, sacrificing my worth. ~

"But you're not like your Mother Steven" Said Pearl, holding him tighter.

You are something different,

Something this world has never seen.

You are the laughter in my cries,

The grass that is always green,

You are the rose to my thorn,

The best I've ever been,

The light to my demise,

The binder to the torn ~

And I will always love you, protect you, and guide you,

Even when it's dark and the shadows come out to play.

I'll be there to hold you, whenever the days look grey. ~

You may not be the flower I'm looking for,

But you'll bloom to be even bigger.

Becoming the legacy, and following the river,

To your destiny which awaits,

Your bright future and shining fate. ~

Steven smiled as he slept, snuggling closer to Pearl who watched him sleep contentedly.

"You really are my everything" She murmured, placing a palm on his cheek.