Gems in Uncharted Waters

chapter 3

Pearl was awake before everyone else. Luckily, the morning sickness didn't seem to be an everyday thing, at least she hoped so. She started with her usual routine. Pearl reached up to the cupboards and pulled down some pancake mix to make Steven breakfast.

By the time Garnet woke up, she was finished making the pancakes.

"You didn't have to do that, Pearl. Steven can make his own breakfast."

"I don't mind."

"You're pregnant. You should get more rest."

"Oh, Garnet! I'm not completely helpless!"

"I know," Garnet sighed. "I just don't want you to overwork yourself." She kissed Pearl on the cheek.

Then, Steven walked up to them. He grabbed a plate of pancakes. "Thanks, Pearl." He said as he sat down.

"You should get some food too," Garnet said, already pouring her some orange juice. "I know you don't like it, but the baby needs it."

Pearl sighed. She looked down at the plate of food in front of her. Eating seemed like such a waste of time. And it was so disgusting! But Garnet was right. Rose ate when she was pregnant with Steven. But the baby won't be half human. Did she really have to? She figured it was better safe than sorry. "Maybe I'll start with the juice," she thought to herself.

Just when she started slowly sipping it, Lars came though the door. He spent most of his time with the Off Colors, rescuing rebel gems from diamond colonies. But he came back to earth from time to time to help the crystal gems capture the rest of the corrupted gems.

"Uh, guys," Lars said "We've got a bit of a situation. I found a corrupted gem in the ocean near here."

"I'll go wake Amethyst," Steven said. He put his plate in the sink and went into her room.

"Pearl, you should stay here," Garnet said. She figured Pearl didn't want the whole town knowing yet, so she whispered to her. "I don't know what will happen to the baby if you're poofed, but it probably won't be good."

Pearl nodded. She knew Garnet was right, but she still felt a little disappointed. Garnet, Amethyst, Steven, and Lars left.

- - -

A few hours later

Greg walked up to the door. "Anyone home?" He yelled.

"Come in!"

Pearl was a little nervous. She wasn't sure how to tell Greg she's pregnant. How to explain the situation since to his knowledge, being pregnant as a gem is a death sentence. She sat in the kitchen, the table hiding her belly. Greg walked in holding a pile of pants.

"Hey Pearl, I brought these pants for Steven. He's getting tall isn't he?"

Pearl panicked as Greg came closer to hand her the pants. She was showing a bit. It was easier to tell she was pregnant since she was thin. Pearl tried to calm herself down. He was going to find out sooner or later. She stood up.

"Thank you..." she said awkwardly.

Greg noticed. He set the clothes down on the table, a shocked look on his face. He ran.

"Greg, wait!"

"No! I'm getting involved with this kind of thing again!"

"Well, shit," Pearl thought. She didn't think he would panic that much. She went after him. Luckily, Greg can't run very fast, so she was able to catch up with him. He stood on the beach, staring off into the distance.

"I'm sorry," He said in a mournful voice. "I... just don't want to lose you like I lost Rose. I know you don't like me very much, but I still care about you. And I don't want people thinking I'm the father."

Pearl stood with him in silence for a moment, thinking carefully of what to say next. "The gems know. They don't think that at all..." she paused again. "Ruby is the..."

"Oh..."

"Yeah. We're not entirely sure yet, but I should be fine."

"Alright... well... if you need any help just let me know." Greg walked away.

Even though the encounter was a little nerve wracking, Pearl was glad he stopped by. She sat on the beach for awhile, watching the waves and thinking. She thought about what her baby would be like. The thought of her baby's birth excited her, but she was also scared.

- - -

Later...

Pearl was sitting on the couch when they came back. Amethyst was holding a bubbled gem. It was blue.

"Hey, Pearl!" Amethyst said. "The one might be a corrupted Lapis! It was so crazy! It looked like a giant crab and it was throwing water all over the place! Then Garnet..."

Pearl zoned out as Amethyst excitedly told her about the fight.