~~ Two Weeks Later ~~

Steven's P.O.V

Sighing, I look up at the building in front of me and then back down at the little slip of paper in my hand. Yep, it's the right place. Shoving the slip into my jacket pocket, I walk up and open the glass door, entering in some sort of lobby area with small business outlets on both sides and a staircase coming down the dead center. My aim is past this though, so I walk to the exact opposite side and down the hallway until a door on the left wall makes me stop. Sure enough, it has her name on the plaque. That's all I need to know to go inside.

The room I step into has a waiting area sort of vibe that you'd see at a hospital, only with fewer people around and not having the fear, dread, or uncertainty of someone close to you possibly dying. It actually has a very relaxed feel to it, soft jazz playing in the background as an assortment of different kinds of chairs are cluttered together along one wall and the wall opposite it. There are a few people waiting as well, a mom with two kids, an older man, and a kid who looks to be a few years younger than me. Since my appointment doesn't start for another few minutes, I sit down next to the mom with two kids. They glance at me briefly before going back to their own thing, giving me a chance to rest my chin on my fists.

I never would've seen myself coming here at any point in my life. Nor would I have seen anything that's come to pass in the last month or two. Even though in my heart I feel like I handled things the best I could, I don't know, some part of me always thinks I can do better. It's my innermost drive of always wanting to fix problems, whether they exist or not, but it also tells that I'm someone who can never truly be satisfied about whatever's around him. I didn't realize this about myself sooner but thanks to all the quiet and peaceful days of the past week and a half, I've had plenty of time to self reflect on everything's that happened. Spinel really wanted to help but Pearl and Garnet insisted that I have that time to myself. I really wanted to include my girlfriend in on this but it's like I said before. Sometimes, people just have to handle things on their own.

"Steven Universe?" A voice calls out.

Looking up from my deep thoughts, I see Dr. Nayumi standing just outside her office door, gazing over at me with a smile. She's a lady that looks to be in her mid-twenties to early thirties with lightly tanned skin, long black hair, and dressed in corduroy pants, a white shirt with a light tan jacket, and a multicolored scarf around her neck. Returning the smile as best I can, I stand up and walk over. She nicely moves to the side to let me in and enters behind me, shutting the door behind her.

"Hello, Steven. My name is Isabella Nayumi and I'm gonna be your therapist" Dr. Nayumi chirps happily, a youthful warmness in both her tone and facial expression.

I reach out and shake her hand, liking her already.

"Nice to meet you. Thank you for seeing me" I reply.

"Of course. It's always fun working with kids like you, even though by the looks of it you're on your way out of that whole department" She jokes, "Please, have a seat anywhere you like and we can begin".

Nodding, I look around and see just the setting I've found myself in. Complimenting a desk in the corner of one wall are some shelves on the opposite and adjacent walls, which are painted bright blue, that have multiple different children's toys on them. By that alone, you'd think she works with younger kids most of the time but the part that seals the deal is the drawings she has pinned up on the wall that have the crude style of a small child. Settling on the small couch placed parallel along the wall, Dr. Nayumi sits down in her chair by her desk, legs crossed over one another, and looks at me patiently with a clipboard on her lap.

"Now before we start, please know that anything you wish to speak to me about can be confidentially reserved between us. I can tell your parents/guardians about it but only with your given permission" She says.

"Right" I smile halfheartedly.

"So, with that out of the way, tell me, what is it that's troubling you, Steven?" Dr. Nayumi asks, her tone the equivalent of a worried mom.

"I just...I just feel like I'm put in a difficult spot because of my heritage. Do you know about the Crystal Gems?" I start.

"Indeed I do. Your record indicated as much" The therapist replied simply.

"Ok, good. Well, the thing is with them is that it's been a long while since I thought I could trust the Gems. I think it started back when I was fifteen and had found out my mom was Pink Diamond and that Pearl knew about it but didn't tell anyone until I forced her to tell me. It really made me look back at everything I did up to that point, making me wonder if what actions we did and the courses we took were actually justifiable" I vent, thinking back deep in my memories.

"So because of these past instances, you feel like they haven't changed since then? Do you feel like they don't hold your best interests in mind?" Dr. Nayumi questions, her arms folded over one another.

"I feel like they wanted me to be too much like my mom, like they wished that my mom was still around and I wasn't" I reply, my voice cracking a bit before regaining composure, "But that was only at the start. In time, I do think the Gems grew to move on, or at least attempted to. However, when problems from the gem homeworld kept happening because of the past, I was put in a spot I didn't want to be put in. I wanted Mom's problems to be her own, not fall onto me and have me fix them instead of her. It didn't help that I was part gem and part human and feeling like I had to be the best of both worlds simultaneously. I just don't want to have to deal with that much. It's not something I think I can handle!".

"Oh sweetie, that's not something you should have to handle. Your parents are responsible for their problems. No good parent would ever dump their issues onto you. If you were any younger, I'd have to call CPS given what you're saying but since you're technically an adult, I can't do that. Let me say this though. Never feel like you have to own up to the image of another. Each person is born in their own unique way and can be whoever they choose to be. The same applies to you too, Steven. Your parents can say whatever they want but the fact of the matter is that they can't define who you really are. Only you have that privilege, nobody else cans squander it, not even me" Nayumi explains sentimentally.

I nod, feeling like a bit of weight was just lifted off my shoulders.

"Now I know you've said that you feel as if you have to fix your mother's problems. How far of an extent has this gone for you?" She then asks a follow-up.

"Well, the extent has probably been Little Homeworld and Little Homeschool. It's this place outside of Beach City that serves as a home and a school, based on the initial titles, for gems from Homeworld that wish to change. I felt as if it would help strengthen the peace between my world and theirs because our worlds were at war due to a rebellion on my mom's behalf. That's what I felt that I should fix. Too much fighting, too much kidnapping, too much everything. I thought it would help heal the rift between the humans and gems. I thought it had for the most part but as recent events have shown, not everyone wants to change" I elaborate.

"And what was that?" She inquires.

"Little Homeworld was almost destroyed by these gems Eyeball, Aquamarine, and Emerald. They tried to sow the seeds of discontent within the walls of Little Homeworld and almost got away with another mini rebellion of their own. I was able to stop them but....it cost me the life of my best friend Connie" I say, biting my lip at that last part.

"Oh my lord, I'm very sorry you had to go through that" Nayumi gasps.

"It's...It's fine" I sigh, not wanting to think about it any further.

"Are there any other topics you'd like to cover that we haven't yet?" The therapist asks.

I think about it for a minute.

"Umm...none that I can think of at the moment" I reply.

"Alright then, let's end this with just an overall question. How is your social life at the moment? Friends? Girlfriend? The whole nine yards, Steven" Dr. Nayumi smiles.

I smile back, really liking this lady and let out what I feel I can talk about.

"It's pretty good. Lars and Sadie, my two best friends beside Connie, are going strong in their own relationship and Sadie's band mates are doing good as well. I have other friends too but they've been the most mainstream in my life up to this point and they've really improved since I was young. Also, yes, I do have a girlfriend. We've been going strong ourselves for a couple months now and I could not be more happy when I'm with her" I answer, sighing happily while thinking of her cute face and wide smile.

"I'm happy for you, Steven. It's always pleasing for me to hear about a young couple going strong. I wish the same for my daughter when she grows to be your age" She replies in that same motherly tone.

I nod and Dr. Nayumi then sets her clipboard aside and stands up, me doing the same.

"I think that's enough for today. If you wish to schedule any further appointments in the future, here's my contact info" The therapist concludes, handing me a slip with her email, phone number, and fax info, "I very much appreciate your cooperation with me, Steven, and thank you for stopping in today. I don't get very many kids that are nice and patient like you".

"Hey, it's a pleasure to meet someone who's nice as well. The world needs more people like you" I grin, shaking her hand.

She faintly blushes from embarrassment and opens the door for me, to which I reply with a thanks and a heartfelt 'goodbye'. Walking out of her room, I pass through the waiting room and fewer people than when I arrived. They've probably gotten into their own appointments by now considering Dr. Naymui isn't the only therapist here. Pushing it to the back of my head, I exit the waiting room, head through the foyer, and out the same front door I came through firsthand.

Almost immediately do I notice that it's gotten a bit sunnier out during my time inside, the day on it's last leg since afternoon is slowly turning into evening. As a matter of fact, I quickly check my phone and see that it's a quarter past five. I better do this next thing I have planned with little time to waste, cause I wanna get home before Spinel starts to worry about me. I walk promptly to my car and get inside post haste, barely paying attention to the two sets of flowers and take-out bag from the new noodle outlet that opened a few days ago. Keys in the ignition and hands on the wheel, I back out of my spot, shift to forward drive, and slowly drift my way out of the building's parking lot.

The place I wanna go sits in a dreadful back pocket of my mind, not wanting to think about any specifics since of how much I know it'll be hard for me to stir on. All I do on my short trip to there is pass by the many establishments of my home city and wave back to those that instigate it originally. Once I'm out of the city, it gives me a whole other feeling to what I'm about to do and where I'm going. Like I'm more alone in this than before, even though I'm going about this solo anyway. I keep my breathing consistent and grip the wheel a bit tighter, the destination itself coming into view shortly. It takes a little driving around to find where she is but I eventually recognize the spot and park alongside the road. I then reach over into the passenger's seat and grab the bouquet of chrysanthemums, swiftly closing the driver's side door behind me. Padding through the grass and passing by the other tombstones, my eyes then settle on hers as I ease to a stop in front of it.

Here lies:

Connie Maheswaran

"Someone taken too soon but will never leave the hearts of those that loved her"

Kneeling down in front of my best friend's grave, I gently place the flowers down in front of her tombstone. The silence around me, mixed with the soft breeze of the wind against my skin, gives the most somber tone I've ever experienced in my life. Just being here makes the memories of the funeral resurface. Her parents, the gems, and even quite a few citizens of Beach City attended, Mayor Nanefua giving a speech about Connie. Everyone then took their turn placing flowers, nobody saying a word and the only sounds being the sobbing from Priyanka and Doug. We all stayed a decent time before people started to slowly trickle away. I talked to Mr and Mrs. Maheswaran before they left though, telling them that if they ever needed anything, I'd be there for them. The pair gave tearful and heartfelt thanks before leaving with everyone else. Only I remained the longest, kneeling in the same spot as I am now.

Oh, Connie. I had hoped that this day would never come. I feared that it would happen too soon, just like after the Jailbreak. Nobody ever wants to bury their own child and I'm sorry that your parents had to bury you. But I know you wouldn't want me to be sad. You'd want me to be happy, wouldn't you? To not fester on this for the rest of my life and let it go to waste. I'll do that for you. Slowly standing from my kneeling position, I gaze down solemnly while I utter one last thing.

"Goodbye, Connie. Thank you for being my friend" I say quietly.

I then turn away and head right back to the car, looking to go home. After shutting the door, I sigh, gripping the wheel again before forcing myself to turn the key and get to driving. It's a slow pace out of the cemetery but as I pass by the entrance sign not much later, I take it as my final farewell before getting back on the main road. I increase my speed as I head for Little Homeworld, the trees zipping by a rapid pace while the Sun dips deeper in the fading sky. Some music comes on the radio but it stays in the background of my mind as the trees part and the towering structures of the mini metropolis come into view. Repairs are still underway with all the damage Bluebird and Emerald did to the city but given time, everything will be back to normal. My grin widens, knowing that I'm gonna see my baby really soon. I skirt around the outer edge of Little Homeworld and then come to a stop by this house that looks like a near-perfect replication of the Temple.

In truth, this is actually my new house. Bismuth built it for me and Spinel after the whole incident happened. Not too long after it was finished did I move out of the Temple, the Gems crying a bit thinking that it wasn't gonna be the same without me there. But it's been nice though. Having a place all to ourselves and letting us do whatever we want and I do mean whatever we want. Let's just say that after the first time we had sex, Spinel was anxious on doing it again and with a house all but empty except for us, there were many places for us to do it. Chuckling to myself over all those memories, I grab the second set of flowers, red roses, and the take-out bag as I exit the car. I then walk up to the front door and hear voices inside, clearly meaning that the Gems have arrived for dinner. Just as I'm about to open the door myself though, it's opened for me by my lovely girlfriend.

"Garnet predicted that you'd come at this time so she told me to get the door. I'm glad she was right~" Spinel grins, looking at me seductively.

I grin back and hold out the flowers to her, catching her completely off-guard.

"Are...Are those for me?" She asks in disbelief.

"Only the best for the most special person in my life" I reply.

She squeals in delight and kisses me very passionately.

"You're the best, Steven!" Spinel cheers lovingly.

I merely shrug and follow her as she speeds into the kitchen. As I suspected, Bismuth, Pearl, Lapis, Amethyst, Peridot, and Garnet are all present at the table, chatting aimlessly among each other as we enter the room. Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, and Lapis then begin gushing with Spinel over the flowers as I set the food down in the middle of the table, drawing a smile from Garnet.

"I see you went through with it" The fusion says, glancing over at the happy Spinel.

"You kidding? Of course I did" I say, unpacking the contents of the take-out bag, "She deserves nothing less".

"Very right you are" Garnet muses, watching as I set the table.

Once Spinel calms down, she's at her seat next to me and dinner is started. Plentiful conversation was thrown back and forth throughout the meal, most of it about how Little Homeschool will go. I take part in it too because I've decided that it's time that I find something to dedicate myself to and what better than helping those gems learn how to change and be better. Spinel particularly enjoys her mac n cheese, probably flashing back to when we had it with the Diamonds on Homeworld, but also sneaks some of it onto my plate as well. I tease her back and slip some of my spaghetti onto her plate too, earning a snicker from Amethyst.

Dinner lasts long into the evening, the Sun going down but our conversations not. Even after the plates were cleared and taken to the sink, the Gems were still chatting away on the sofas. Spinel and I took care of the dishes, occasionally exchanging kisses in between. Once those were done though, we headed out into the living and relaxed with her on my lap. We'd pretend to be interested in what the Gems were saying but really, Spinel and I were only on each other's minds instead. She teases me by kissing the soft spot on my neck from time to time and I'd counter by gently squeezing her butt. Out of the corner of my, I could tell Garnet knew what was going on but she knew a couple in love shouldn't be interrupted, the rest being obvious.

The hour turned late much sooner than any expected, their talking making time go fast much quicker than any of them thought. We then exchanged goodbye's at the door, followed by some hugs from Lapis and Peridot, and before long, everybody had left besides Spinel and me. We were both pretty full and warm from dinner so we decided to call it early, shutting off the kitchen and living room lights and going directly to our bedroom. As soon as she touched the sheets, Spinel pulled me into a cuddling position. We both got comfortable, her head in my neck and my arms resting over her back. We lay in peaceful silence for a while before Spinel then speaks up.

"Steven?" She asks.

"Yes?" I reply.

"There's...something that I've been wanting to tell you. For a little while now, actually" Spinel continues nervously.

"Sure, sweetheart. What is it?" I respond soothingly.

Spinel then looks up at me with happy eyes.

"Steven, I'm pregnant" She smiles tearfully.