After a long morning of shopping for clothes and visiting the hospital, Pearl, Harry, Connie and Lion made it back to the beach house in the early start of the afternoon. Once settled inside, Pearl gently sat Harry down on the couch and went into the kitchen to make them sandwiches for lunch.
Harry was tired and hungry at the same time, after experiencing his very first doctor's appointment and check up. But he stayed silently awake and waited patiently for his mother to come back. Connie placed the shopping bags full of Harry's new clothes to the side and also sat down opposite to him near the corner of the couch. Lion laid himself down on the floor and slept once again.
After a few minutes of waiting, Connie curiously notices Harry shyly looking over at the kitchen where Pearl is, with his adorable emerald eyes. The older teenager then smiled, who saw how much Pearl really meant to him, after being adopted by her just yesterday.
"So Harry, how are you enjoying your new home so far?" Connie softly asked the little boy.
Harry got slightly startled and blinked after he heard Connie asking him about his new home here in Beach City, while he was looking at his mother distractedly. Then he slowly turned his attention to Connie with a tiny smile.
"It's very… Big… And colorful" Harry gently answered, describing parts of Beach City that he likes about. "And everyone here is really, really nice."
Connie closed her eyes and giggled in response, feeling glad that he is adjusting and feeling comfortable with his new surroundings.
"Well, I'm glad you think so. And I take it you like being with your mum and the other gems?"
"Yes… I-I love my mommy" He cheerfully replied with a nod. "She… And the gems give me lots of hugs and kisses and feeds me good food".
Connie enjoyed hearing his adorable voice, as he spoke positively about his time with Pearl and the rest of the crystal gems. It shows he has grown to like them all. His energetic language reminded her of Steven when they first met on the beach and became best friends. But at that moment, this made her miss her boyfriend. Which made her express a bit of sadness on her face and her eyes lowered down to the floor.
It was hard for everyone when Steven left town last year, especially her and the gems. Connie found it difficult but understood why he had to leave. He had to move on and wanted to have a normal life. Since all the gem battles and stress he endured as a boy affected his mental and trauma state. Especially after he accidentally turned himself into a pink kaiju monster that nearly destroyed his home town.
Hopefully, when she leaves for college next year she will meet him again, which they discussed and planned together before he left. With Lion's help, the pink feline has the ability to create pink portals to any destination with his roar. So, she can hopefully see her boyfriend again.
"Connie?"
A soft concerned voice suddenly made her blink and splitted her away from her sad thoughts. The teenager immediately lifted her eyes up to see Harry looking worried for her.
"A-Are you ok?"
Connie blinked her eyes once again and quickly changed her expression with a reassuring smile.
"I'm fine, thank you Harry" She politely assured him, not wanting Harry to get involved in her thoughts and problems.
"Oh, o-ok" He simply said.
By her answer, Harry could tell that Connie is upset with something. But decided not to ask as he didn't want to make his new friend upset or get punished for it in case. But, instead, he wanted to ask her something else with interest.
Ummm… Connie… Mind if I ask you something?" He asked curiously.
"Sure, what is it?" Connie asked, gladly to answer any question to the little boy next to her.
"I… I was just wondering what it is you do here in Beach City?"
Connie was surprised to hear that Harry just wanted to know exactly what she does or what she is doing at the moment in Beach City. The teeanger was more than happy to answer that.
"Well, what I have been doing for almost a year and a half is studying. So, I can go to college early this year, " She happily explained.
"College?" Harry titled his head on his right in confusion but with curiosity.
"Yes, college is like school, except it's further away and offers a higher level of education there. It's where students like me have to study and work really hard in one or a few courses to achieve a career of our interest."
"For example, one of the courses I'm doing is aerospace engineering which is building aircraft or spacecraft vehicles. Where I could be given an opportunity to become an astronaut and go into space in a rocket ship."
"Wow, that's cool" The boy mumbled, with his eyes widened, expressing great amazement and interest.
"Yeah, it sure is," Connie chuckled, seeing him being keen on one of her goals and education.
"I… I kinda wish I went to school too" Harry softly spoke, then his voice changed to a bit of a sad tone as he continued on. "But… My aunt and uncle wouldn't let me".
Upon hearing that, it startled and disturbed Connie sadly to know this unexpectedly from the poor sweet child. It made her feel guilty because she thought she might have brought back up any painful memories to him when discussing her education. She had to carefully remember that this is a child, who was abused by his own family and is sensitive about his past.
"Oh… I'm so sorry, Harry" She sadly and quickly apologizes. "I-I hope I didn't bring any bad memories to you…"
"It's… It's ok… You didn't know" He innocently and simply forgave her.
Connie quietly sighed in relief and smiled sadly, finding it upsetting to see a very sweet young boy being reduced to such unacceptable treatment. His family abused him and did not allow him to go to school. That was just cruel and unfair. Including, after learning about the results of his poor health and condition when her mother did the check-up on him back at the hospital earlier.
However, she should learn that some families out there in the world aren't always loving and caring towards one another.
To make up for her mistake, she happily thought maybe she could take Harry out with her on a ride on Lion at the beach later. After they had finished eating their lunch and getting Pearl's permission of course.
Speaking of which, Pearl finally came back from the kitchen with their lunch. The white gem held two white plates in both of her hands full of two slices of ham and cheese sandwiches, which looked delicious.
"Here we are, you two" Pearl smiled, placing one of the plates on the coffee table near Connie and set the other small one on her son's lap.
"Lunch is served".
"Thanks, Pearl" Connie politely said, feeling hungry and ready to tuck in to her food in front of her.
Thank you, mommy" Harry kindly said as well, feeling happy to see his mother come back.
"You're very welcome".
When Connie began to eat her lunch first, Pearl then almost forgot to get the teenager and her son some refreshments to drink and decided to get some for them. But before that, the white gem wanted to make sure her little boy was eating. She looked to see him take one slice of his sandwiches on his plate and nibbled on it.
His expression showed enjoyment and delight as he gently continued to eat it.
Pearl slightly smiled, grateful to see him eating as he needed to. The gem intends on feeding him three meals a day until he has gained weight to have a healthy normal human body. Seeing how bad his skinny and starved body was caused by his old family.
Without any worries, Pearl went back to the kitchen to get them their drinks. She quickly returned with a drinking glass and a small pink plastic cup full of cold apple juice from the fridge and placed them on the coffee table. Then sat down on the couch beside her son as the gem happily continued to watch him and Connie eat the rest of their lunch.
Fifteen minutes later, Harry and Connie eventually finished eating their lunch and gulped down the last sip of their drink. Feeling satisfied with his stomach being full, Harry laid his back comfortably down on the couch, placing his hands on his tummy.
"Did you enjoy your lunch dear?" Pearl kindly asked, pleased to see her son looking relaxed after having something to eat.
"Yes, Mommy," He nodded eagerly with a big smile. "It was really yummy… Thank you".
"Aww, I'm glad you like it dear" Pearl cheerfully said to her polite son.
Since both Connie and Harry had eaten their lunch, Pearl thought of getting them both a small sweet treat to fill their stomachs more. But just then, she heard and saw Harry let out a cute yawn from his mouth. His eyes started to droop off.
Both her and Connie realize he is drifting off to sleep straight away. Guessing that going shopping and the hospital this morning had worn him out tiredly.
Pearl is a bit disappointed that she didn't get the chance to feed Harry more food. But the gem knew she couldn't blame him for needing an afternoon nap and to catch up to more sleep as well. She could tell by the dark circles under her son's eyes and sadly thought his old family probably didn't allow him to have naps at any time.
"Come on dear, it's time for your afternoon nap" She softly said, gently picking Harry up under his armpits and cradling him in her arms against her chest.
"A-Are you sure that's ok?" He mumbled, looking up at her with an uncertain and drowsy expression.
"Of course it is, my dear" The white gem said reassuringly. "Now, close your eyes and rest my child. We'll be here when you wake up".
"Oh… O-Ok" Harry tiredly let out one more yawn and slowly closed his eyes for his nap with his head resting on his mother's chest.
Smiling, Pearl leaned her head down and gently kissed his forehead.
"Sweet dreams, little one".
After one minute, his tiny soft snores could be heard by both the gem and the older teenager as they watched him in his sleep.
"He looks very exhausted and sleeping so deeply" Connie quietly remarked, sliding herself forward to sit next to Pearl silently and observing Harry.
"Yes, He hasn't had enough decent sleep for a while before I found him the other day,'' Pearl recalled, looking at her sleeping son.
"Poor little guy" Connie stared sadly at the horrible status of the boy and remembered his test results back at the hospital. "What did he do to deserve this?"
"I have no idea" The white gem solemnly answered and then sighed. "But he was in a far worse condition when I brought him home." His entire body was covered in bruises, scars and burns that look a few days old. It's clear his family did harm him."
"I've just never seen such pure cruelty like this in humans before."
"Yeah, I know the feeling" Connie replied, understanding how the white gem felt about all this.
"When I spoke to him earlier about college while you were making our lunch… He told me his aunt and uncle didn't allow him to go to school."
"What?" Pearl said in a surprised voice without waking up her son and her eyes were lit in shock.
"Well… Why I am not surprised" Pearl lowered her head down and had a frown on her face. It really was hard and horrible to think about what other terrible things Harry's relatives had done to him.
It breaks her heart and the gem on her forehead even more to learn the blank parts of her son's previous life. Her thoughts are fuming at how truly awful guardians were his aunt and uncle. However, she managed to hold back her emotions as she didn't want to risk waking up her son from his nap.
"You know what the worst part is?" Pearl concerningly asked Connie, lifting her head up at the teenager with a now sad expression.
"He called himself a freak".
Connie softly gasped in shock and sorrow appearing on her face, opening her eyes wider.
"What? But why!? Why would he call himself that?"
"Well-" Pearl paused herself for a moment in complication. She wasn't sure if she should mention to Connie about what happened yesterday at the beach. Feeling worried Harry might wake up early or overhear her talk to Connie and get frightened when discussing his unusual ability to her.
Then, the white gem decided to just tell Connie and hopefully without Harry hearing them.
"When we were out on the beach yesterday, everything was normal. Until, out of nowhere, Amethyst's hair color suddenly changed blue. Which is very unusual. As it's unheard of for any gem or diamond to possess that kind of ability before." She explained.
"However, it wasn't Amethyst or any of us who did this … It was Harry."
"WHAT!" Connie exclaimed, shockingly loud and surprised.
"How did he-"
"Shhhhhhhhh" Pearl quickly placed her two fingers on Connie's lips before the teenager could continue her sentence out loud. Afraid they might have woken Harry up. Pearl then looked down and luckily saw her son still sleeping peacefully in her arms.
The white gem softly sighed in relief and held the little boy closely to assure him that she was still here with him. Then, she looked back to see embarrassment and regret on Connie's face and gently removed her fingers from her lips.
"I'm very sorry" The teenager immediately and quietly apologized. "I didn't mean to nearly wake him up".
"I just-
"It's alright, I know you didn't mean to" The white gem softly accepted the teenager's apology and understood why. Herself and the other gems had the same reaction as Connie, after discovering about Harry's strange ability.
"So… You said, Harry was the one who changed Amethyst's hair color?"
"That's right," Pearl corrected Connie. "But I believe he did it by accident".
"Because when I saw him… He was completely frightened of me and the others. He generally thought I was going to throw him out back on the streets after what he did. Then he finally told me his aunt and uncle were the ones who abused and abandoned him."
"I also believe they mentally poisoned his mind and made him think he is a freak and a waste of space."
"That's terrible" Connie sadly astounded by Pearl's story about her adopted son.
"I know," Pearl gloomily repiled.
It angered and upsetted Connie to learn more at how much Harry has suffered by his own family to the point where she almost cried. It just wasn't right. What did he do wrong to them? I mean look at him, as Connie looked over at the adorable sleeping boy. And all she could see was a sweet and polite boy who just wanted to be loved by someone.
If Connie had instead chosen public services as her career at college, she would find Harry's relatives and bring them to justice for their crimes, either as a police officer or a detective.
But Connie knows that Harry is safe and far away from his abusive family, who couldn't put their greedy hands on him anymore now. If they did, she would be there to protect him along with Pearl and the crystal gems.
The teenager sadly looked down at the sleeping boy in the gem's arms, as she reached out her hand and gently rubbed his cheek without disturbing him. Showing she also cares about him too. In response, Harry unknowingly nuzzled his cheek against her hand in his sleep. Which made Connie giggle in a cheerful way.
"Oh, you're just so cute!" Connie adored and allowed Harry to nuzzle her hand affectionately even more.
Pearl just sat and watched Connie spending time with her little boy in her arms with a smile. As all of their sadness suddenly fades away and is replaced with happiness. Thanks to Harry's cuteness.
The white gem thought maybe Connie could be one of Harry's babysitters. In case she and other crystal gems are away on a gem mission or on important business at Little Homeworld. But she won't have to worry about it. She plans to spend most of her days happily raising her newly adopted son in perfect harmony.
Just as Pearl was about to daydream of the many things she wanted to do with her son, she was suddenly cut off from them when she heard Connie's voice.
"But, there's something else that troubles me Pearl?" Connie said looking up at the gem, with curiosity on her face and in her voice too. "How exactly did he change Amethyst's hair color?"
"Does he have some kind of magical power similar to a gem? Can he use it on gems and humans? Does he have any other abilities like this one?"
"I don't know Connie, '' Pearl honestly answered. "But can you please try not to say anything about it when Harry wakes up? He will easily get scared whenever we mention what he did yesterday".
"Yes, of course, Pearl," Connie gladly nodded, agreeing to keep that promise to her fellow crystal gem and to Harry's well being.
There was a great mystery about Harry that Pearl and the others didn't understand yet, as she looked down at her son with concern. But she had a strong feeling inside of her gem on her forehead that there is more to Harry's abuse than she realized.
However, those questions can wait for another time.
For now, she wanted her son to rest and have a wonderful afternoon with him and Connie. Without mentioning his old family or his unusual ability again. Just for the rest of the day.
About an hour and half later, Harry remained asleep as he enjoyed the peace and quiet, still held in his mother's arms and snuggling against her. Pearl and Connie had spent the time catching up about what they had been up to in the past few weeks.
Pearl discussed the progression of some of the gems in her classes at Little Homeschool that she and the other crystal gems have been teaching. She was pleased to say they have achieved excellent results and were nearly ready to graduate to live on Earth. Which herself and the others were really proud of. She also said they will schedule the second graduation for their students in July this summer.
Connie was happy to hear this news about the new gems now ready to live on Earth, after learning everything at the school about their planet's culture.
And speaking of learning, Connie excitedly told Pearl about her plans to leave Beach City and study at University of Jayhawk. The teenager explained she will be leaving at the end of September and Lion will easily help her get there by using his portal wrap ability. Since Lion will be coming with her.
Pearl couldn't be more happier and prouder for her former duel sword pupil.
But she knew that it's going to be sad seeing the older teenager leave too. Same way as Steven left. However, it doesn't mean it isn't the end of their goodbyes. Connie will still keep in touch with them on their phones while far away and she can simply come back home on her term breaks with Lion's help.
This means Pearl, the other gems, Greg, Connie's parents and the rest of Beach City's residents will have to arrange a large farewell party for Connie before she departs.
As they continued to speak more about college, Pearl suddenly felt a slight stir and squirming in her arms. The white gem looked down and her face morphed into concern. She saw Harry shaking, looking scared and mumbling in his sleep.
Pearl quickly realized her son was having another nightmare. So, as silently and slowly as she could, she gently began to rock him back and forth in her arms to wake him up calmly.
"It's ok Harry. Remember what you're seeing in your sleep isn't real, my little one. Mommy's still here" She whispered softly into his ear. "Don't be afraid, it's time to open your eyes and wake up to the real world now."
Connie was also worried about Harry and stayed silently seeing Pearl trying to gently wake her son up from his nightmare.
Eventually, Harry woke up. He opened his emerald green eyes and jolted up, quietly gasping. He slowly looked around in a panic, then gently lifted his head up to see his mother still here with him.
"M… Mommy" He timidly spoke, feeling relieved to see her.
"Yes, Harry, It's me" Pearl consoled, sitting Harry up in her arms and leaned him against her chest in a comforting hug.
"Are you ok, sweetheart? Did you have another nightmare again?" She asked worryingly.
He hesitated and anxiously nodded at her and leaned his head against her shoulder with a terrified expression.
"Do you want to talk to me about it?" You can always talk to me about anything dear. You don't have to hide or be afraid of whatever's bothering you while I'm here."
"Umm.. O-Ok" Harry shyly replied in an anxious voice and with a bit of reassurance from his mother.
"I-I was back in the same alley way you found me in… I was alone and cold there, until I saw someone behind me. "I thought it was you but-"
His voice trailed off in fear, making Pearl concerned more as she continued to listen to her son's bad dream. She gave him a slight tighter hug in her arms in support, which allowed him to continue telling his tale.
"But it wasn't you… I-It was my cousin Dudley and his friends. They… They kept calling me freak and started chasing me… Like, they always do. And then… Everything around me went black and I was falling, and then… I found myself back at home living in my cupboard under the stairs. B-B-But then my uncle throw me out and started to-
Harry couldn't say anymore, immediately whimpering in terror and afraid to say what his uncle did next. As small tears came leaking out of his green eyes and traveled down his cheeks.
Pearl, with a sad face, already knew what her son was going to say about what his uncle did to him next. The white gem wrapped her arms even more protectively around the human child in the best way possible. Harry clutched his tiny hand onto Pearl's teal top, wanting all the comfort and affection he could get from her.
"Oh, Harry, I'm sorry you had to go through with all that" She gently whispered to him and rubbed his back. It was hard to process learning more from Harry's past. It really boiled her gemstone to the core knowing that his relatives forced him to live in a cupboard.
She is surprised to hear Harry had a cousin and found it more disgusting that he and his friends actually bullied her son. Making it clear that both his aunt and uncle are also horrible parents, encouraging this sort of behavior to their own child to hurt others.
But she couldn't display her fury of how cruel these monsters were right now, as she is at the moment of comforting her human son. She softly hummed into his ear to keep him calm and relaxed.
"There, there, it's alright my dear, it was only a dream" She spoke in a reassuring and mothering voice. "They can't hurt you anymore".
Harry stayed snuggled against Pearl, allowing himself to calmly let out his tears silently and listening to his mother's smoothing voice. Her presence made him feel safe and happy.
After ten minutes, Harry felt much better and sniffled one more time, with the last tears coming out from his eyes.
Pearl sighed and formed a small smile on her face, feeling glad to finally see him calm down and with no more tears on his face. She pulled out a red handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped his tears off his cheeks.
"There you go my dear, much better" The white gem cooed, finished with wiping the last of his tears. "Now, is there anything else that's worrying you dear?"
Harry slowly shook his head up in response, feeling a bit cheered up.
"Very well. But if you feel upset about anything, you can always talk to me. Ok?"
'Ok, Mommy," He mumbled.
"Good Boy. Now, why don't I get you and Connie a little snack? That might cheer you up" Pearl quickly suggested, feeling that something to eat will help her son take his mind off things after crying.
"Connie, would you mind holding Harry for a bit? The white gem asked, turning her head round to the teenager.
Connie, however, briefly showed a glaring frown on her face. Listening to the boy's dream made her upset too, knowing that Harry's own cousin would bully him. It just made her feel angry to know his entire family scarred him for life. But she suddenly and surprisingly heard Pearl's request, then quickly shook her head and forced herself to smile before the gem could see her face.
"No, not at all," The teenager kindly replied, while keeping her emotions in check.
Pearl gently passed Harry over to Connie and settled him on the teenager's lap. The gem went back to the kitchen once again to find something for the two humans to eat. At the same time, Connie decided to chat with Harry to brighten him up after he had his nightmare.
"Hi Harry, are you feeling better now?" Connie cheerfully asked, with a smile on her face but still felt worried for him.
"I'm.. Ok, thank you Connie" Harry slowly nodded, but still felt a bit overwhelmed after crying.
"Awww… You poor cutie… You've been through so much pain" She sadly cooed. "But you won't have to worry anymore. You got me, Pearl and the gems to take good care of you. You will never be alone again, as long as you are with us."
Harry looked at Connie in surprise and then gently wrapped his arms around the teenager's waist, hugging her gratefully for her kindness. Connie didn't expect to be hugged by him, making her blush red by his pure cuteness and forming a large grin on her face.
"Awww, this isn't fair, why are you so cute?" She playfully said, hugging the little boy back. Despite how much Harry has suffered by his family, he still would care for others as well. Connie now just wanted to hug and play with Harry all day long.
Meanwhile, Pearl opened and looked through the cupboards and shelves full of food in the kitchen, still searching for a good snack for Connie and her son to eat. It wasn't until she delightfully found something. Inside one of the cupboards, she saw Amethyst's fresh leftover bag of donuts bought from the Big Donut. Pearl was pretty sure the purple gem wouldn't mind if she took her donuts. She will eventually pay her back for them later if she asks.
So, the white gem took the bag out of the cupboard and thankfully looked inside to see only two donuts left, which were chocolate flavored. She then went back to the couch to see Connie cuddling and playing with Harry, tickling under his chin and making him giggle.
Pearl stood there and smiled, feeling happier to see Harry looking like his positive and cute self again than he was before. She rejoined sitting down next to them and opened the bag of donuts on her lap.
"Here you two, have a donut," Pearl generously offered.
"Mmmm… I wouldn't mind if I do, Pearl, thanks" Connie politely said, taking one of them from the bag and started eating it.
Harry curiously looked at the round sweet treat inside the bag and recognized it. He had seen Uncle Vernon and Dudley eat a pack of those back at home. But he wasn't allowed to have some or any type of sweet treat. He sadly remembered being slapped hard across the face by his uncle for asking to have one and forcing him back inside his cupboard, telling him that they weren't meant for freaks like him.
"Here dear, you can have this one" Pearl kindly took out the last donut and gently handed it to her son. This surprised him and looked at it, feeling uncertain if he was allowed to eat it.
"A-Are you sure?" He asked his mother, speaking in a sweet hesitant voice.
"Yes, my dear. That's why I gave it to you to enjoy" Pearl politely said, wanting her son to consume more food for his skinny tummy.
Harry, given permission by his mother, brought the donut to his mouth and timidly took a small bite out of it. Just as he slowly chewed, his face lit up and his eyes widened in astonishment. It was really delicious, like nothing he ever tasted before. Which made him want more and dug right into it hungrily.
Both Pearl and Connie smiled to see the little boy devouring his dessert delightfully.
Once he had finished eating his doughnut, his mouth was covered by crumbs and chocolate icing. This made Pearl and Connie giggle while Harry titled his head right in confusion as to why they were laughing.
"Here dear, let me take care of that mess on your face" Pearl smiling took out a white napkin out of her pocket and gently wiped his mouth clean.
"There, all gone" The white gem happily finished cleaning her son's mouth. "So, did you enjoy your donut Harry?"
He happily nodded with a positive tiny smile. "It was really tasty".
"That's very good to hear sweetheart " Pearl felt satisfied to see her son feeling much more happy and better again.
"Yep, no one can beat the best doughnuts than the Big Donut" Connie remaking one of Steven's favorite food stores to visit, after chewing and gulping down the last piece of her donut.
As the three of them were relaxing and settling down just fine in the living room, just then, they suddenly heard a loud growling yawn near them. Connie smiled, recognizing it, turned her head round to see that Lion had awoken from his afternoon nap too.
The magical pink feline lifted himself up off the floor on all four paws, then stretched his back and let out one more yawn out of his mouth, fully waking up.
"Hi, Lion," Connie greeted. "Good to see that you're awake now". Lion turned his attention to Connie and let out a friendly small silent grunt in response.
Next, the large cat walked over to them near the couch and sat upright next to Connie in position. He gently turned and lowered his head down, blankly staring at Harry, who still is sitting on the teenager's lap.
"Oh… Hi Lion" Harry shyly said to the feline. Without any hesitation, the boy reached his tiny hand out and started to gently stroke Lion's pink fluffy mane once again.
In response, Lion closed his eyes, purring happily and enjoyed getting more strokes from his new friend. Harry smiled and softly rubbed the top of the feline's head as well. Lion suddenly leaned his head slightly forward to the boy's head and playfully licked his cheek affectionately. Harry laughed cutely as the giant cat kept licking his face everywhere next.
Pearl and Connie happily smiled, watching both of them give each other affection, finding it so wholesome and adorable. The two only just met today and have already grown a strong bond between each other.
"Lion is definitely going to be spoiled when we come to visit next time," Connie smirked.
"I think I can stand for your opinion, Connie," Pearl enthusiastically agreed with the teenager and continued to watch Harry and Lion.
There was something strange about Harry's interaction with Lion that made Pearl curious. But she just shrugged it off, thinking it's just Harry being himself. His polite and cute personality brings a feeling of joy inside anyone he meets.
Over the past five minutes, Connie decided that Harry had enough getting his face licked and pulled the boy away from the pink feline.
Not wanting Pearl's son to have a wet saliva face for the rest of the day. Lion protested in a disappointed grunt and stared at Connie with a funny frown.
"Come on Lion" Connie laughingly responded to his protest. "You know you can't keep licking his face forever" Lion let out one more grunt at her, sounding disapproval for interfering with his time with Harry.
"So, Harry, what do you think of Lion?" The teenager asked the little boy on her lap.
"He's a really nice kitty" He cutely replied with a smile. "He's so fluffy".
"He sure is," Connie commented with a smile. "If you like, I can give you a ride around the beach on Lion?"
"Really? Can I?"
"Yeah, of course you can. But only if that's ok with your mom?" Connie turns her head to Pearl and hopefully gets the gem's approval to do this with her son first.
Pearl was uncertain at first about Connie's suggestion to take Harry on a joy ride on Lion's back around the beach. Thoughtfully worried for his safety, as any parent should be for their children. However, she knew she could trust both Connie and Lion to make sure he was safe and looked after. So she made up her mind.
"Yes, you may Connie," Pearl replied, giving the teenager permission with a smile.
"But, as long as you don't go too far and make sure Harry comes back, then that's fine" The white gem added in a concerned and cautious expression.
"I will Pearl," Connie happily assuredly nodded. "Don't worry, I'll make sure the little guy is with me at all times."
"So, what do you say Lion? Are you up to take Harry on a ride at the beach?
Lion blankly looked up and responded at Connie's request by opening his mouth, showing his white sharp teeth with a happy growl. This meant to Connie that he is willing and happy to give his new friend a joy ride on his back.
"Great!" Connie excitedly said.
In the middle of the afternoon, they all left and made their way down to the beach for Harry's first ride on Lion. Once there, Lion stood patiently still, waiting for his passengers to climb aboard his back.
Pearl gently lifted Harry up and placed him on Lion's back first. Then Connie came next to climb on Lion, sitting behind Harry. She also securely and gently wrapped her arms around the boy's waist, making sure he doesn't fall off before they start moving for his own safety.
Harry slightly wobbled on the other side of Lion and carefully grabbed onto the large feline's fur without pulling any of his hairs. This made him feel anxious and not sure if he should do this. Pearl noticed his worries and quickly kneeled down to ease him.
"It's alright Harry," Pearl cooed, with a reassuring smile. "Connie and Lion will go easy on you and make sure you won't fall off. I promise you, you will enjoy this. Ok?"
Listening to his mother's encouragement, Harry slowly nodded at her, giving him some confidence back to still go along with this.
Pearl smiled, feeling proud of her son for trying to be very brave for his first ride on Lion. The white gem lifts herself up to her feet and turns to Connie before they leave.
"OK, Connie and lion, you're all set to go."
"But, try to go slowly, as he will easily be scared at how fast you can go. And please bring him back safely when you're done" She gently advised the teenager and feline, still wanting Harry to be safe and unharmed.
"No problem, we'll be back with him before you know it" Connie reassures the white gem once more, still keeping her arms tightly and gently around the boy's fragile body.
"Alright, little guy, are you ready to get moving? The teenager cheerfully asked, trying to make Harry feel excited for his first time riding on Lion.
Upon hearing her, Harry turns his head around to Connie and quickly nods with a bit of nervousness and interest on his face, but still feels ready to get it over with. Connie smiled at him and then looked down at Lion.
"Alright, Lion, Let's take our little friend out for a ride of a lifetime?"
Lion aimed up at Connie with the corner of his eyes, letting out a happy growl, giving her the signal that he is ready to roll out.
"Then, let's go!" She gently commanded amusingly.
Immediately, Lion took off like the wind.
Lion ran at a steady speed leaving Pearl and the Crystal Temple behind. Still remembering Pearl's request to both him and Connie to be extra careful and ensure Harry's safety is their top priority.
Harry, at first, slightly yelped out in fright at how fast they were going and closed his eyes after they started moving. But, Harry opened his eyes and was quickly amazed to see that they were actually moving. His fears melted away on his face and were replaced by excited expressions of enjoyment.
It was like a theme park ride that he never got the chance to experience. Except, he is actually riding on a real life lion.
Connie looked down and grinned to see the little boy in her arms already enjoying the ride, making her heart feel satisfied.
Once they left the path leading from the beach house, the three of them approached the seafront boardwalk along the way. With many gems and residents roaming around.
A couple of them were relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea. Some are eating inside the seafront restaurants and outdoor snack bars such as the Big Donut, Fish Stew Pizza and Beach Citywalk Fries. And many were playing games in the Funland Arcade.
Connie smiled, enjoying the scene of both gems and humans living together in harmony. All thanks to Steven. Her boyfriend's kindness and understandable way of life had led to their home planet, the Gem Homeworld and other planets to have a better future. She was proud of him for achieving this.
Hopefully, Connie will see him again soon after she leaves for her college. Sure, he does call her on her phone once a week to see how things are going for both of them, but to see him in person and give him a very tight hug would make her day fabulous. But for now, she wanted to spend the rest of her time with everyone here in Beach City before departing. Especially with this little cutie in her arms riding with her.
Soon as they proceeded on, Lion carried them across the west side of the beach near the outskirts of Beach City.
Harry, still had joy on his face, felt the smoothing wind gently hitting his face and brushing through his hair. He closed his eyes, embracing the air and letting out a relaxing cute sigh.
At that moment in his life, this experience really made him feel free and forget all of his worries and fears.
Ten minutes had passed, as they continued to ride along the west side of the beach. But, their path neared its end. Harry saw in the distance ahead of them that they were heading towards the face of a cliffside.
This is when Harry became concerned, as he thought Lion would stop or turn the other way around right now. But Lion kept on running, getting closer to the cliffside. Harry swiftly turned his head round to see Connie who didn't seem worried at all with what's happening.
"Umm… Connie, shouldn't we stop?" He quickly asked in a worrying voice.
"No need to worry, little guy, me and Lion know what we're doing" Connie answered, smiling confidently at the little boy.
Just before Harry thought Lion was going to crash into the hard black cliff wall with them, Connie called out to the pink feline with a thrilling and excited voice saying "Ok, Lion, show Harry what else you can do!"
Lion let out a gentle roar and then, to Harry's surprise, turned left avoiding the cliffside and leaped into the sea. Harry immediately closes his eyes, expecting both him and Connie to get wet in the clear blue water.
However, he didn't feel his clothes getting soaked nor did he hear the sound of Lion splashing. He opened his eyes, looked down to his shock to see Lion was actually standing and walking on the sea itself.
The child then saw Lion turning around and heading straight towards the large blue ocean without falling into the deep. His mouth was awestruck and his green emerald eyes widened in amazement. He had no idea Lion could do that.
Connie brightly smiled to see his surprised reaction to one of Lion's unique abilities and they continued running towards the sea.
When they reached the middle of the ocean, in the far distance, both the teenager and child could see the entire seafront, homes and buildings of Beach City. Including the lighthouse on top of the hill, below the Crystal Temple. Harry thought the view of his new home here truly looked beautiful.
Back at the seafront, Pearl sat down on one of the large stones near the broken stone carved hand remains of the Obsidian statue from the temple, trying to look out for both Harry and Connie. The white gem pulled out a pair of light blue binoculars from her gemstone and spent her time looking for them, checking across both the sea and land.
Until, she spotted a pink dot within the distance at the open ocean heading past her and the Crystal Temple. Then she finally found them. Pearl then adjusted her binoculars to get a closer look and is relieved to see her son is safe and having a great time on Lion. He displayed a joyful smile and excitedly laughed.
Then, to her surprise, Harry suddenly saw her and happily waved at her cutely while far away.
The white gem laughed and waved back at him as they were heading to the north west side of the sea, where the harbor and Beach City Funland amusement park is.
It was wonderful to see him content with happiness. This experience is exactly what he needed to take the next steps to recover and move on from his trauma. The more love and happiness her son receives the less he will remember his past life with his old family.
That is the white gem's main goal for her child.
After Lion explored most of the sea for nearly half an hour, Connie looked down to see Harry looking tired and felt it was time to take him back to his mother. She told Lion to take them back and he directly headed back to the beach house. The pink magical feline finally made it back to dry land and walked over to where Pearl was.
Once Lion stopped in front of Pearl, he lowered himself down on all fours, so two of his passengers could safely climb off his back. Connie was the first to get off, carefully, feeling pleased to be back on her own feet. Then, the teenager gently picked up Harry and gave him back to his mother.
Pearl smiled, happily got up, took her son from Connie and hugged him in her arms. She felt glad to have him back safe. Harry felt the same as he hugged her lovingly back as well.
Despite feeling tired, Harry had enough energy to eagerly tell his mother about his spectacular trip on Lion's back. Pearl sat down on the sandy beach, placing him on her lap, with Connie and Lion joining in to listen to his tale. His genuine and cute innocent voice as he told them about things he saw in detail on his adventure put smiles on their faces.
Both Connie and Lion were very pleased to see that they were able to cheer up and make Harry happy on their joy ride around the seafront.
After Harry finished his story, he still felt tired but stayed awake. So, Pearl laid her son against her and allowed him to rest, gently placing her arms around him to keep him relaxed. Harry felt happy being in the presence of his mother again while looking at the beautiful blue sea and sky.
As the four of them spent most of the time relaxing on the beach together.
After awhile of enjoying the view, Connie checked the time on her phone, saying it is now
quarter past four and decided it was time for both her and Lion to head back home. Herself and Lion got back up to their feet getting ready to move. But they could do that, they wanted to say goodbye to both Pearl and Harry before they left.
"Well, Pearl, This is goodbye for now. Me and Lion better head back home, before my mum freaks out and calls the authorities on me" Connie enthusiastically said.
Pearl chuckled a bit while holding Harry comfortably in her arms, knowing how protective and worried Priyanka can be sometimes with her daughter.
"Yes, and thank you again Connie… For everything you did today for my son" Pearl smiled, feeling grateful for the teenager's help.
"You're welcome, Pearl," Connie happily replied. "Me and Lion had a lot of fun hanging out with you and the little guy today. I hope we can do it again sometime later".
"Of course, we can arrange to meet up at another time. I was also thinking maybe you could babysit Harry at some point" The white gem suggested to the teenager. "In case, I'm away on an important mission or if the others ain't available".
"Yeah sure, I'm more than happy to look after him" Connie accepted the gem's proposal. "Especially, Lion".
Lion eagerly growled in agreement with the teenager, wanting to get more affection and playtime with Harry as well.
"Well, little guy, I'll see you around" Connie kindly said goodbye to Harry, crouching her legs down to see him in Pearl's arms.
"Bye, Connie" Harry politely cooed. "It was nice meeting you and Lion… T-Thank you both… For everything".
Connie smiled for his good manners, then gently and playfully ruffled his messy black hair for the last time.
As the older teenager was finished, she stood up prepared to leave. Before that, Lion came over to say his goodbye to Harry too. The large cat lowered his head closer to the boy and licked his cheek affectionately, making him giggle for the last time too.
Once they had said their goodbyes, Connie got back on Lion and both rode together running back home.
"See you later, Pearl and Harry" She called out to them and waved farewell.
"Goodbye, Connie and Lion, come back soon," Pearl replied, waving back at the teenager and Lion.
"Bye" Harry also said sadly to his new friends.
After they left, the first thing Pearl did was letting out an exhausted and happy sigh. Thinking today has been a long and successful day. This is all thanks to Connie for helping her buy new clothes for Harry, bringing him to the hospital to check on his injuries by her mother and taking him on a ride on Lion. The gem was ever in debt to her.
Pearl looked down to check on her son and saw him looking a bit sad and down. She smiled, knowing he is already starting to miss both Connie and Lion now.
"Don't worry Harry, we'll see them again soon" She softly reassured him with a comforting voice.
"Really" Harry mumbled, looking up at her with a hopeful expression. Pearl then responded by gently kissing him on his forehead lovingly.
"Yes, my little gem".
So with that, Pearl turned around and headed back inside the beach house, deciding that she and her son should return home as well.