Thanks for all the kind reviews so far :) Sorry for the melancholy ending on the last chapter. This one will be a little bit better. Promise. Anyhow, the story will probably be going a lot different than the original one. Just changing things where I see fit. If you have any suggestions then just let me know okay? Thanks a lot!
It was the morning following Pearl's little breakdown that Steven had witnessed. He was still very worried, and couldn't stop wondering what it was that had made her cry in the first place. She seemed really upset, so it must have been really sad. He was currently sitting at the kitchen counter as Pearl made his breakfast. She seemed to be alright this morning. Nothing seemed off or unusual about her this morning. She stopped eating again though. He noticed before that she had started sampling his food a bit. And he really didn't mind at all. But today she kept her hands to herself. Maybe she didn't want to eat anymore? Or maybe...could she be sick?
"Hey Pearl?" Steven asked.
"Yes, Steven?" Pearl responded as she pushed his eggs around the pan.
"Are you feeling okay?" He asked. Pearl froze up. Why was he asking? Did he see her get sick last night? No..no that wasn't possible. He was fast asleep at that time. She continued to move the eggs so that they didn't burn.
"Yes, Steven. I'm fine. Why do you ask?" She asked in return. She had gone back to her room last night after talking with Garnet a little more and didn't come out until the sun had risen. She was feeling fine now.
"Just...wondering." He answered. Maybe he'd ask Garnet later. She'd probably be more likely to talk to him.
"Steven, did you want bacon as well?" Pearl asked. Steven nodded and Pearl got to work. She moved the eggs to a plate, washed off the pan, and placed some bacon into it. Despite not usually eating herself, she found culinary enlightenment to be quite beneficial. Especially when it came to cooking for Steven. He liked most anything so it wasn't hard cooking for him. So she got to test out new recipes on Steven occasionally. As the bacon began to cook, Amethyst bounded into the kitchen and sat next to Steven.
"Yo Pearl! I want some too!" She said, slamming her fists on her counter. She knew it annoyed her, and she just loved to see her cute, mad expression. Pearl rolled her eyes. She could take this moment to teach Amethyst about proper manners but knew there would be no point in arguing with her so early in the morning anyway. She placed a few more strips of bacon in the pan. "Hey Steven, where's Garnet?" She asked.
"I think she's in her room," Steven answered. Pearl nodded to confirm this. As she cooked, her mind wandered to Garnet. They had talked last night and decided to tell Steven and Amethyst when they felt that the time was right. But Pearl wasn't really sure when exactly that would be. Perhaps once...oh my. Pearl scrunched up her face a bit. The bacon was now beginning to get that strong smell. Normally she didn't really mind it but...this time it was awfully strong for some reason. And while she didn't particularly care for the smell, this time it was very putrid to her. She tried to only breathe through her mouth, but she could still smell it. That sensation began to rise in her stomach again. That dreadful sensation that could only be called nausea. She bit her lip and tried to fight it back. She didn't want to be sick in front of them.
But her gut suddenly twisted tightly like she was in a vise grip and she knew she couldn't wait. The spatula clattered to the floor, getting their attention. She knew she didn't have time to hurry to the restroom, so she suddenly kneeled over the kitchen sink and starting retching. Steven's eyes were wide, and Amethyst had jumped to her feet and hurried over. "Whoa! Pearl are you okay?" Pearl didn't answer and gagged again. She didn't bring up anything but a bit of acidic spit. "Should I get Garnet?" Before Pearl could answer, Steven was banging on the door to the gems room, hoping that she could hear it. And thankfully for him, a moment later Garnet emerged, a bit worried that something was wrong when she heard Steven so frantic.
"Garnet, something's wrong with Pearl!" He cried. At that, she hurried to the kitchen, where she saw over the sink, now just panting. She switched off the stove, where the bacon was burning, and then to Pearl.
"Pearl. Are you alright?" She asked.
Pearl waved her hand. "Please.." She said feebly. Would you take the pan and throw away what's in it?" She asked. Garnet nodded and obliged, throwing away the burned meat. Then she placed her hand on Pearl's back at let it remain there.
"Pearl, are you okay?" Steven asked. Pearl stiffened her shoulders a bit. She forgot that Steven was standing there. She turned her head to face him.
"Yes, Steven. I'm fine. Just..felt a little sick is all." She answered. Steven stared at her, incredulously. Sick? Was he right? Was that why she was crying last night? He found tears prickling in his eyes when he thought about what he had seen. Pearl modeled down to be at her eye level and wiped at his eyes. "Steven sweetie? Why are you crying? I said I was fine." Steven stared at his feet for a moment.
"I..I saw you." He confessed. The two taller gems shared an exchange before she turned back to Steven. "Last night. I saw you crying. And I'm scared because I don't know why you were crying. I was worried that you were sick." He trembled a bit. "I don't like it when you cry because that means something bad is happening or is going to happen right?" Pearl's mouth was agape. He saw?/oh dear. Amethyst meanwhile was confused. She hadn't seen that, so this was very new to her. "What's wrong Pearl? What happened?" He asked. "Please, you're my friend. If something bad is happening then I want to know." Pearl stood up straight now and glanced at Garner, who nodded. Now was the perfect time to tell them.
"Well..".Pearl began. "Steven, do you remember what happened three weeks ago? With the Jade stone?" Steven nodded. "Well..apparently the wish actually came true. I am pregnant." Steven gasped, and Amethyst nearly fell off of her stool.
"Whoa, pregnant?!" Amethyst said. Pearl nodded, letting a hand rest on her stomach. Amethyst jumped from her chair and rushed to Pearl. The three gems began to talk amongst one another as Steven just stood there, dumbfounded. Pregnant? Pearl? He knew that he shouldn't be all that surprised, seeing as how he saw the wish being made but still...it was really quite amazing. He looked back at the gems. Garnet was answering every question Amethyst had very casually. And Pearl would occasionally chime in as well. Steven moved from his spot and approached Pearl. She stopped talking for a moment and looked down at him. He had big stars in his eyes and seemed astonished.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her and hugged her. "I'm so happy." He whispered. Pearl smiled and pat his fuzzy head of hair. He pulled from the embrace and was just a bit ball of excitement. "Oh wow! I'm gonna get a little gem brother! Or gem sister! This is gonna be so so cool! I'm gonna be a big brother!" The gems watched him as he hopped about with excitement. Well..it's good that he was happy but..they didn't want to burst his bubble. But each gem was thinking the same thing.
Once this baby was born, Pearl would have to give her gems energy over to the new baby in order for it to survive. So that would mean, Pearl would have to die. Just like Rose did. And the gems would be left to raise another baby. Steven didn't seem to realize this yet and they didn't want to make him realize it just yet. It was for the best to let him have his moment of happiness. But they had to tell him sometime..but when?