Pearl looked carefully at Steven`s bedroom; she was trying to find something meaningful to the little boy so she could have an idea for the present. She saw toys, photos, posters, and his videogames.

The gem struggled with her thoughts about this ritual, she knew that Steven was very enthusiastic with birthdays, she even remembered what the chubby boy prepared for Greg`s birthday.

-It was a slow day at the carwash and Greg Universe was closing up for the day, he was looking forward to the evening because he made a deal with his son so they could spend the night together, since it was Greg`s birthday, he only wished to be with his son.

He locked the door and kept the keys in his pocket; he headed to his van and took off his jacket. "Man I wish I had chosen a better business". He enjoyed working there, and when Steven was able to visit his father they would have a fun water fight, but it was days like these that Greg got bored out of his mind.

"At least I`m going to spend the rest of the day with my beloved son." He looked around and chuckled. "Heh… I think I`ve been so lonely that I`m starting to talk to myself…"

Then a loud growl startled the man, he turned around and to his surprise there was Lion. Greg thought to himself "Lion? What is he doing here?" Nervously, he petted the big feline`s head and asked "What are you doing here big boy?" The pink cat growled again; Greg thought that this kind of stuff only happens when Steven is in trouble.

"Where is Steven?" And as the long haired man finished his question a young boy jumped out of Lion`s mane and shouted "SURPRISE!" The scream was so loud, even Lion gave a small jump.

Greg cried in confusion and fell on his backside "Steven!?" Greg placed his hand in his chest area. "You almost gave me a heart attack!" Steven`s facial expression changed from happiness to worry; he got in his knees and helped Greg on his feet.

"I`m sorry dad.. I thought it would be funny." The two men got in their feet and embraced in a tight hug. "Are you ready for your special day dad?" Greg nodded.

They walked towards the van and Greg tried to start a little talk with his son. "How can you fit in Lion`s mane? I mean it`s hair is long but this is ridiculous!" Steven laughed and turned to his father. "Well… its not only it`s hair… he kind of has this huge place inside him with a tree and other stuff!" Greg looked back at the Pink animal and said "Like my storage?"

"Yes, even I keep my stuff in here!" He extended his arms and inserted them in Lion`s mane, took out a couple of sodas and offered one to his dad. "Oh. Thanks kiddo" The Universes opened the cans of soda and took a small slurp.

"Anyway… what do you want to do today kid?" Steven stopped drinking from his soda, chuckled and said "Its your birthday dad, lets do whatever you want to do."

"Well-" Greg tried to respond but as soon as he opened his mouth, Lion growled and walked towards a bush.

"Lion! No!" Steven cried, but the feline ignored him. "I`m sorry dad, but I must go check on him so he won`t put anything disgusting… or alive…. in his mouth." Greg nodded and helped Steven get off the van`s roof.

As Steven walked towards the bush, Greg hoped that nothing would get between his son and him and he sure hoped Lion didn`t get in between their special night.

Steven struggled as he crossed the bushes. Out of the darkness appeared a tall white woman with a blue dress and something like a ball on her forehead "Pearl!" Steven whispered.

"Is it time Steven?" Pearl looked down at Steven; the young boy shushed her and said "Try to keep your voice down would you? Now… do you have clear what will you do?" The gem nodded and responded to Steven "I wait for your signal, I come out, I tell you -You must come on a mission- and we leave so your dad can begin with his little quest"

Steven gave a thumbs up and whispered "Yes, and my signal will be –Lion is hungry- okay?" Pearl nodded once more and as Steven gave a sound of approval, the gem grabbed his hand "Steven are you sure this is a good idea? And why must I wait in this…. filthy place?" Pearl looked around her and saw several insects, containers full of garbage and a couple of rats.

"Because! Its my dad`s birthday and everything must be perfect… and I know you don`t like birthdays.. but us humans do! And I`m only asking you this once, I promise." Pearl released the wrist of the boy dressed in pink and returned to the shadows.

"Steven?" Greg called for his son, it has been too long since Steven entered the bushes and he was getting worried. "Are you okay?" he called once more "Yes I`m fine!" Steven shouted back to his father and came out of the bushes with Lion by his side.

Greg gave a sigh in relief and scratched the back of his head "What were you doing in there? I was getting a little bit worried." Steven scratched Lion`s mane and said back to his father "I had to get several stuff out of Lion`s mouth because he tried to eat potato chips` bags and also he tried to eat a bird."

The elder man saw with a little bit of disgust at Steven`s big pet and heard the little boy said "Bad Lion!" Greg chuckled and said "Ha! Give him a break kiddo! When was the last time you fed him?" Steven looked at Lion. "Not long ago.. but I bet LION IS HUNGRY" Steven had practically shouted the last sentence, confusing his father and queuing Pearl`s entrance.

With a powerful jump Pearl landed right in front of Steven and his father, she cleared her throat and said in a nervous tone "Steven.. we need you uhm… we need your help with.. the giant… magic bees?" Pearl somehow knew this would happen, after all, she was a terrible liar and she didn`t enjoy doing it.

"Oh right! I totally had forgotten about the giant.." Steven looked back at Pearl. "… Bees?" Peal shrugged and blushed, she was afraid Greg wouldn`t fall for it.

Steven looked back at the long haired man, now with a sad expression in his face, and tried to explain "I`m sorry dad… this must be really important!" Pearl picked up the little boy with one arm and jumped so high Greg lost them in the black sky.

Greg was speechless, he was hoping for his son and him to be together, but that hope vanished with the single apparition of Pearl, he looked at the sky for a couple of minutes and sat down in the inside of his van, he had a tear on his cheek.

"… but what about our deal?..."