A/N – Thank you for all the follows, favourites and reviews! SU starts up again next week, I can't wait :D Please don't forget to review, I love your feedback. Hope you enjoy

Chapter IV

Day at the Beach

Greg Universe tried in vain to keep his squirming boy still in his hold – multitasking was not his forte.

The six-month old, dressed in little red swim shorts, fought to be put down so that he could explore the beach they were currently parked on.

The temple loomed ominously behind them, only partially blocking the sun from behind which lay unmasked in the clear blue sky. Today was certainly a nice day, one that Greg was to take advantage of on his day off.

Beach bag in one hand, diaper bag balancing precariously on one shoulder, and Steven sitting impatiently in the crook of his elbow, the former musician took leave of his van and walked across the empty stretch of beach. After finding a decent spot to set up, Greg finally let his son onto the sand.

"Crap!" Dropping his load he picked Steven up again, to find his mouth filled with sand. "You can't eat that bud," He scolded lightly, "There'll be no beach left by the time you're done"

Placing a stripy towel down, and then Steven onto it, Greg sighed contentedly. "It's such a nice day, ninety-five degrees with a sweet sweet breeze" He stopped to chuckle, "I should really start songwriting again"

After a few minutes of gazing at the calm waves that lapped at the beach, Greg remembered the importance of sunscreen and took to applying it to his son, who was not happy about it.

"You'll be more sorry when you look like a tomato, kiddo" Said Greg, putting a small glob on the end of the half-gem's nose. "Thank me later"

A frowning Steven started whimpering, as he attempted to get the substance off. Greg laughed whilst he applied some to his arms.

"Hey Greg!" Shouted Amethyst, jogging onto the beach along with Garnet and Pearl.

"Hey Guys! Lovely weather we're having, I was wondering when you'd join us" He greeted. Steven, who'd just learnt the art of rolling, barrelled into Garnet's leg, which felt like more of a wall. Gazing up at the tall gem, he stretched his arms out to be held. Garnet picked him up, swinging him onto her shoulders.

"It's about time he started rolling back-to-font" Said Pearl, hands on hips, "In the book I read he should have started at least two months ago, considering he's half gem"

Greg sighed, "He can't help being chunky, like his old dad."

Amethyst laughed, elbowing him in the stomach.

"Hmph" Said Pearl, turning her attention to the one who had buried himself in Garnet's mass of hair. She wiped some of the sunscreen off Steven's nose.

Greg rolled his eyes, "Who wants to go swimming?"

"I do!" Said Amethyst, shape shifting into a miniature dolphin.

"Amethyst! We shouldn't be showing Steven our powers yet, he isn't ready" Pearl crossed her arms, "Change back this instant"

"Awh come on P, it's not like he'll remember it" She changed into a starfish, which Steven reached out to hold.

"Amethyst, I'm warning you!"

"Geez calm down," The purple gem changed back to her original form, "When did you turn into the fun police?"

Ready to answer her, Pearl was cut off by Garnet.

"Let's just go swimming" She said, walking towards the sea with Greg behind her.

"Race you!" Amethyst sped off, kicking sand into Pearl's face, who gritted her teeth and chased after her.

Having not been in the water before, Steven was certainly apprehensive. Although the water was warm, he clung onto Garnet for dear life as she began to lower him in.

"Come on Steven" She encouraged, gently placing him in waist-height. Greg stood opposite Garnet, smiling as his son became familiar with the sea. Kicking excitedly, the boy grew accustomed in a matter of seconds.

Amethyst splashed him lightly, being careful to not startle him too much. Pearl had abandoned her ballet pumps, and waded in to join them.

Steven splashed back, giggling as Amethyst dodged by going underwater and popping up next to him. Although he couldn't swim, he attempted to wriggle out of Garnet's hold to copy the gem.

"Ah ah" She handed him back to Greg, "Human's aren't the best swimmers, especially at your age. She tickled his chin, and went to swim a little deeper.

Greg began to throw him in the air, creating a large splash when his son half-landed in the water. Pearl began to have a full-on splash fight with Amethyst, which began to get a little bit out of hand. With one swipe of her hand, Pearl created a wall of water which not only soaked Amethyst, but Greg and Steven. The little boy spluttered, and began to wail.

"Nice going Pearl" Said Amethyst, restraining her need to completely burst out laughing at the drenched pair.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" Pearl dashed over to Steven to hold him.

"It's fine Pearl" Greg handed his son over, and began to wring out his hair, "We'll live"

Although Pearl was more concerned with Steven surviving the water impact, she smiled apologetically at him. After a bit of rocking and coaxing, Steven quietened and began to splash around again.

"I think that's enough water for now" Said Greg, who then suddenly froze. "Argh!" He ran out of the water with a large purple lobster attached to his swimming trunks.

"Amethyst!" They both squawked at the gem's laughter emitting from the sea creature.

After towel-drying the youth, Greg began to unpack some food from his beach bag.

"Oh boy, cheese puffs!" Amethyst ate the entire bag in one gulp, licking her lips. "Got anymore?"

Greg sighed, "I always come prepared" and handed her a second bag.

He got out Steven's baby food, and began to feed it to him.

"Can I try?" Said Pearl, to which Greg handed her the 'sweet potato and apple puree'.

The turquoise gem grimaced at the orange-tinted substance, but nonetheless began to feed it to the boy.

"Do humans really have to eat this? Why is it so…" She let some slide off the spoon, "Gloopy?"

Greg turned to her, swallowing the rest of his sandwich. "Humans this young aren't used to eating solid food, so usually you feed them on the pureed stuff because it's easier on their stomachs. Also, they have to learn to swallow it, that way we can slowly introduce more solid food to him"

"Ah, I see" 'I have to start reading those other books on baby care' She thought, putting another spoonful into Steven's mouth, only for it to collide with his face as he turned to avoid it.

"Sometimes you have to make the food a little more…enticing" Said Greg, demonstrating. "Open up little guy" He wiggled the spoon, performing a little circle with it in front of Steven's face.

The impatient tot swiped his arm, causing the implement to fly past Greg.

"Oops…hehe, sorry Garnet" The gem's expression was even, as she wiped it off her face.

"I'll live" She said, chuckling at the boy who had now thrown himself at his food and was pretty much rolling in it.