Pearl : White Diamond's

eleven.

It took a few days but Steven finally came back home with Ruby. Sapphire was thrilled and quickly made her way to Ruby outside. You, Pearl and Steven, watched Ruby and Sapphire from the porch. They looked so happy.

"Steven, is everything okay with them now?" I asked still slightly worried.

"Yeah. They're okay now. I think they just needed some time to think."

"Hmm. I think I can understand that." I remembered the times when things became a bit too intense for reasons outside of my control. It took me time to learn but there are times when I have to take a few steps back, breath, and try to think about things differently. But mainly, to give me more time to process depending on the situation.

We watched as they twirled and spun on the sand. Ruby would toss Sapphire high into the air and catch her. It was wonderful. They kissed. My sigh displayed my happiness for them. I noticed that Pearl's eyes kept moving rather quickly to the left then the right. I couldn't help but to ask if she was alright.

"Pearl? Are you okay?"

"Would you want to do that too!?" She blurted out. I blushed.

"Have you throw me in the air like that?" You asked while laughing. The thought was humorous.

"I know it's silly but, we don't really do stuff like that and I thought you might like us to try maybe." You took Pearl by her hands and kissed her softly on the cheek.

"Pearl. Don't worry about some of the small things like that. Our relationship is wonderful. Plus, things like that have to come naturally to truly warm and reach the heart. Don't you agree?" You said to her with a nice smile.

"You're right, Pearl. I was being so silly." She held her head down a little.

"No, you were trying to be romantic. And I love you for it." I said giving her another kiss.

"OOOOOOH! All this love is making me so happy!" Steven shouted as he hugged himself. I giggled at the sight. Indeed, this moment was very special. While holding one of Pearl's hands, Ruby and Sapphire came back to declare their engagement.

"Everyone! We're getting married!" Pearl and Steven shouted and cheered. I was confused considering I thought they were already in an engagement. Everyone noticed.

"Pearl, you seemed perplexed."

"I am. I do not understand due to you two already being in an engagement. No? You two are together."

"Ah. Well, on Earth, you can ask someone to marry you. That is when two people who really care about each other get married."

"Married? What is that, Steven?"

"It's when you get to be with the person you love the most for a very long time. And you get to share and show your love to other people you love."

"Oh..." I responded while blushing a little bit. The thought of sharing my love with others to see. My free hand was covering my mouth because I immediately thought about my relationship with Pearl. Was that something she'd want with me one day? Is that something I'd want one day? I uncovered my mouth to speak my next statement and congratulate the happy couple.

"I'm so happy for the both you. Being able to spend even more time together as gem and gem."

"Thank you." Ruby and Sapphire said as they kept holding hands. They went inside giggling and sounding cheerful. Pearl and Steven went inside too. When they noticed I wasn't following, they asked if everything was okay.

"Yes. Everything is fine. I think I'll stay out a little longer. Maybe watch the sunset."

"Alright. We'll see you later." Steven said as he let Pearl go inside the house first. He closed the door. I decided to go down the steps and walk onto the beach towards the sun. I used my gem to summon a blanket and laid it on the sand. I sat on top of it and wrapped my arms around my knees. My chin rested on top of my knees and I couldn't help but to get lost in thought. Thoughts about marriage.

Another strange Earth custom. Strange to me. But, Ruby and Sapphire appear to be in nothing but happiness about getting married. I've never heard of such a ceremony. My body spread out on the blanket as I watched the sunset. It helped soothed me. I breathed in slowly and let it all out. It was something I had to think more about. For now, I was going to try to be present to Ruby and Sapphire's wedding. Afterward, I can figure out what I want as far as my relationship goes with Pearl.

                                                         **

It took a few weeks to plan but the wedding was underway. Everyone had shown up to the ceremony and the gems were finishing the last touches. The weather was perfect for the occasion. Pearl was wearing what is called a tuxedo on Earth. She looked dashing. I decided to wear a lovely light yellow dress that hugged me quite well. Pearl said it looked wonderful on me. There was another crystal gem who made the rings for Ruby and Sapphire. Her name was Bismouth. I haven't the chance to have many encounters with her but the ones I did have, she appeared lovely to me. Lovely enough to volunteer to make their weddings wing. How kind of her.

They were wonderful.

Everyone watched the ceremony. Some were teary-eyed. Others faces were filled with joy. Pearl held my hand halfway. The vows were shared and the rings were exchanged. They kissed passionately. It was something out of one of the Earth movies I've watched with Pearl and the others. They laughed and smiled and began to twirl. In moments, they were Garnet once again. Her appearance was marvelous. After the ceremony, everyone was chatting and dancing. I was dancing with Pearl and having a great time. 

"Pearl."

"Yes, Pearl?" I asked her.

"I wanted to ask you something now that most of our worries are in the past and Earth is pretty much finally at peace. We don't have to worry about the Diamonds anymore We don't have to worry as much about protecting Earth."

She was rambling again. I actually found it cute on her.

"Pearl. You haven't asked me the question yet." I mentioned in a playful voice while lightly tapping her nose. She chuckled a little.

"Oh right! The question." She paused for a moment. She looked like she was recollecting her thoughts. "Would you want to do the same thing as Sapphire and Ruby around this time next year?"

"Fuse?!"

"No!" She said sheepishly. "No. Um...get married." I blushed. She was doing what they call on Earth proposing. I didn't expect any of this at all. I had taken some time here and there to think about if this was something I really wanted. It didn't take me long to realize that of course, I'd want to marry Pearl. There was no one else I'd see myself with for thousands of years. I was overjoyed that she asked and on such a memorable day.

"Pearl, I would be honored to be your wife." Pearl was about to lean in to kiss me when Steven quickly turned his entire body towards us. He had heard the whole thing.

"Pearl and Pearl are getting married!?"

"Steven! Um...yes. I and Pearl are getting married. I just proposed and she said yes." I said yes. Pearl's cheeks were so rosy.

"I said yes," I said with a big smile while looking at Pearl. I didn't let go of her hands for a second.

"Woohoo! Yay for wedding number two!"

And that was it. That was how I got my happy ending. That was how I was able to leave my abuser, White Diamond. I learned that no one else knew about Pink Diamond and I learned more about her ambitions and goals as Earth's protector. The Crystal Gems learned more about her too. I learned to heal. I learned to love and I learned to love myself. I'm so happy Pearl proposed. By this time next year, we'll be having our wedding ceremony. Pearl mentioned an idea to me for after our marriage. She brought up another thing that humans do call adoption. She explained it had something to do with Earth children and fostering them. 

But, I think that's another story for another time.