Chapter 22: Love In You

The sky was clear now, but there was still a lot of snow. As she had previously thought, she needed to put up the barrier and have Ruby use her powers to melt the ice. The process turned out to be much easier than expected, and wedding planning resumed smoothly.

Blue sat in the chair while Connie stood behind her, twisting and braiding the leftover ribbon into her silky hair, finishing it off with a bow. "I think we're just about done," Connie said, looking mighty proud of herself. Blue smiled serenely at her reflection. Connie had brushed her hair to the side; even her parted bangs were swept neatly to one side, clipped in place by a fake flower pin. With this hairstyle and her pink dress, Blue no longer looked identical to her creator. For that, she genuinely felt joy and hugged the older girl in gratitude.

"Thank you," Blue said, squeezing her but being mindful not to overdo it.

Connie laughed softly, returning the hug. "You're welcome, Blue."

There must have been countless times when people saw Blue and only saw her mother. Connie felt a change was nice—and she was glad Blue was happy with it.

There was a knock at the door, and after being given permission, Steven entered the room. He was dressed in a snazzy black suit, a little bow tie around his neck, and a pink flower to match Blue's. Like the first time he had seen Blue in this dress, his jaw dropped. However, unlike the first time, this time he was unable to speak.

Blue's eyes widened at the sight of her mate in such different clothing from his usual attire. "Steven, you're radiating," she praised, walking toward him. She cupped his face, pulling him down to capture his lips in a kiss.

Connie chuckled at Blue's choice of words. Blue still had some Earth words to learn, but this was good enough.

"You look beautiful too," Steven said, staring at her with deep affection before glancing up at Connie. "You look pretty too, Connie."

He couldn't leave his friend out, of course. Connie gave a playful curtsy, thanking him with a laugh at the silliness.

"So, are you coming in my car, or is Destiny picking you up with her mom?" Steven asked, slipping his hand around his girlfriend's waist.

Blue tilted her head, glancing to the side. She noticed a picture of Connie and another girl on the dresser but had assumed it was a relative. Could Connie be courting a mate?

A horn honked outside, and Connie looked out the window. "Destiny's here," she said, answering Steven's question.

As they walked out of the house, Connie met up with another girl, hugging and greeting her warmly. Blue's eyes widened at the way the two gazed at each other. A spark of euphoria began to bloom within her. Connie had a mate? How exciting!

The two girls got into the car and began following Steven's car to the beach house.

"What delightful news! I didn't know Connie had a mate," Blue said gleefully, glancing at the side-view mirror. This explained why Connie had seemed so giddy lately. Oh, how wonderful for Connie—finding someone who brought her joy, just as Steven did for Blue.

"Yup, they've been going out since around the same time we started dating," Steven replied, turning the steering wheel to make a left before stopping at a red light.

Blue perked up as a thought crossed her mind. When Connie and her mate came of age, would they ask Blue to help with their wedding too? A bubble of excitement began to stir within her. Blue had genuinely enjoyed the wedding planning process, and the idea of helping her friend reaffirm her relationship with her mate felt thrilling. Connie looked wonderful in a dress, but what about her mate? Blue realized she needed to get to know this "Destiny" girl to understand her style. Would she prefer a suit instead of a dress? Or would they both wear dresses?

"How exciting," Blue squealed uncharacteristically, clapping her hands.

Steven glanced at her but wisely kept his eyes on the road, smiling with amusement. "About Garnet's wedding?" he asked as the light turned green, resuming their drive.

Blue took a breath, forcing herself to calm down. "That too, but I was thinking about planning Connie's wedding with her…"

Mid-sentence, something caught her eye. She quickly told Steven to stop the car before he could process her words.

The abrupt stop nearly caused an accident, but thankfully, everyone was fine. Blue leaped out of the car and ran toward the snowy roadside. Something had moved within the snow. She halted, kneeling down and digging until she gasped at what she had found: two kittens. One was black with a diamond-shaped white patch on its chest, and the other was a calico missing an eye.

Ignoring the sounds of car doors opening and closing behind her, Blue gently picked them up, using her shawl to bundle them. "How did you even survive?" she mused softly.

"Oh my god, are those cats? In THIS weather?" Connie asked, flabbergasted.

"How did she even see them?" an older woman muttered, watching from behind the girls.

"They're cold," Blue replied, running back to the car with the kittens bundled in her arms. Steven scrambled back into his seat, still processing the scene.

"We can continue," Blue said casually, cranking up the heat and directing most of it toward herself and the kittens. She was getting better at operating Earth vehicles.

Steven resumed driving, his expression a mix of surprise and fondness. They still had an hour and a half before the wedding, but now they had to figure out what to do with the kittens. He hadn't expected this—and was even more surprised that Blue had run out like that. She was becoming bolder lately.

One of the kittens sneezed while the other mewed softly. Both hybrids sighed in relief.

"Humans have pets, correct?" Blue asked.

The black kitten sniffed around before looking up at her, and she noticed its mismatched eyes—one blue and one yellow. It mewed again, capturing her heart.

"Yep. Lion's kind of like a pet," Steven said.

The black kitten's flat face, tiny tongue sticking out, and slightly off gaze were the most adorable things Blue had ever seen. "If only Homeworld were suited for pets. I desire this one," she said, rubbing its chin.

The calico kitten began climbing on her, making her giggle.

Steven sneaked glances at her, smiling fondly. He was glad the kittens seemed to be okay despite being found in the snow. They must not have been out long to bounce back so quickly.

"I don't mind keeping it. You can always visit," Steven said.

"Oh, that makes sense," Blue thought, recalling that Steven already had a lion as a pet. It would be ideal for him to take care of the little creature while she was gone.

"What do you want to name it?" Steven asked.

With one kitten nestled between her neck and the headrest of her seat, Blue tilted the other kitten in her hands to affirm its gender—a boy. "I've never named anything before. I've never had a pet," she admitted.

It had never once occurred to her to have a pet. In fact, she hadn't even known what a pet was until her mate had explained it to her while talking about Lion. Growing up, the concept had been entirely foreign to her. Even during her time on conquered planets, the idea of owning a companion animal never crossed her mind.

At another stoplight, Steven tilted his head to get a glimpse of the kitten's gender, likely brainstorming name ideas. Unaware of his focus, Blue was lost in a sudden, troubling realization.

These cute, vulnerable creatures—they probably once lived on the planets she had conquered. The thought pierced through her, making her consider, for the first time, halting her conquests altogether.

Her mind spiraled further as she thought of Yellow Diamond, then White Diamond. Yellow wouldn't stop colonizing just because Blue asked her to. In fact, Yellow might dismiss her concerns entirely, possibly chalking it up to Blue having a "Pink" moment—like when Pink Diamond wanted to stop colonization because of the "rebels." Alternatively, Yellow might think it was Blue's organic hormones acting up, something she had teased her about before during Blue's adjustment to Earth's cycles.

Then there was White Diamond, an even greater obstacle. Blue had never met her in person. While she planned to address her upon returning, there was no guarantee White would listen, much less agree to stop colonization or undo the corruption she had caused.

Blue briefly held her breath, her chest tight with the weight of these thoughts, before exhaling slowly. One crisis at a time, she reminded herself. First, she needed to get through the wedding. Then, she could focus on speaking with White Diamond.

"Shadow."

Steven's voice pulled her from her internal analysis. She turned toward him as the calico kitten napped behind her neck and the black kitten kneaded the shawl in her lap.

"The cat is black. I was thinking his name could be Shadow," Steven said. "Plus, he has a little diamond on his chest—like you. He's like your little shadow."

How clever. Blue smiled down at the kitten, who had already fallen back to sleep. "Shadow," she echoed softly. It was a rather fitting name. Shadow.

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Like his namesake, Shadow followed Blue everywhere. Back at the beach house, while Blue triple-checked that everything was in place, Shadow stayed on her heels, having finished the meal Steven had provided for the kittens. Meanwhile, the calico had taken a liking to Lion and now rested snugly inside his mane. Shadow, however, remained tucked in Blue's arms, wrapped in the shawl, as the guests began gathering outside.

Some guests spoke quietly among themselves, but Blue was too preoccupied petting Shadow, falling more in love with him by the minute. Occasionally, she and Bismuth exchanged glances toward the window where Ruby and Sapphire were finishing their preparations.

As the hour approached, Steven and Sapphire stepped outside, heading toward the arch. Once they were in position, Greg began to play a gentle tune on his guitar, leading the rest of the group onto the deck and down to the beach. They passed the seated guests and moved into their designated spots.

Steven leaned over to Sapphire with a teasing smile. "You nervous?"

Blue glanced over at them, her serene smile reflecting Sapphire's calm demeanor. Sapphire had opted for a tailored suit, which seemed ironically fitting for her.

"I'm not," Sapphire replied serenely, kicking away the ice forming at her feet.

The hybrids—Steven and Blue—exchanged knowing glances, struggling to stifle their amusement. They weren't the only ones entertained.

Next came Peridot, making her way toward the group with a determined stride. However, her enthusiasm resulted in every guest getting smacked in the face with flowers as she made her way down the aisle. By the time she reached the hybrids, all three—Blue, Steven, and Sapphire—were barely keeping straight faces.

Once at the end of the aisle, Peridot curtsied dramatically. "All flowers have been deployed, wedding commanders!"

Traditionally, there would be only one commander—in this case, Blue, since she had done most of the work. However, she had advised giving Steven the role of co-commander. His knowledge of Earth customs had been invaluable during the planning process, and, as the child of Pink Diamond, it made sense for him to share the responsibility.

Blue, ever humble, insisted she was merely ensuring things went smoothly. Steven secretly disagreed but said nothing.

"Thanks, Peridot," he said with a grin.

The music shifted to the wedding march, and all eyes turned toward the house. On the deck, Ruby stood in a sleek, stunning wedding gown. The moment she saw her fiancée, a large, wobbly smile spread across her face, and she took off running as fast as her legs could carry her.

Greg's music struggled to keep up, and flames trailed behind Ruby in her excitement. Blue, anticipating something like this—whether it was Ruby's fiery nature or a candle mishap—calmly summoned water from the ocean, extinguishing the flames with ease just as the music came to an end.

Steven stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Dearly beloved…"

As Steven spoke, Blue glanced up at the sky, half-listening to the proceedings. Lapis still hadn't shown up—not during the planning process and not now. It left a small pang in Blue's chest, but she quickly pushed it aside.

She caught snippets of Ruby's vows without truly paying attention, then Sapphire's, which were equally heartfelt.

Steven glanced at Bismuth, silently signaling for the rings. The butch gem stepped forward, tears streaming down her face—tears that were not of Blue's doing—and handed over the rings. Ruby and Sapphire each took one, sliding them onto each other's fingers.

"Ruby," Steven announced with a grin, "do you take this gem to have and to hold, on this and every other planet in the universe?"

Ruby was practically bouncing on the spot. "I do!" she shouted with infectious enthusiasm.

Steven turned to Sapphire. "And Sapphire, do you—"

"Yes," Sapphire interrupted, her serene voice brimming with excitement.

Blue stifled a giggle. The brides were so passionate and eager, it was both beautiful and slightly amusing to witness.

"You didn't let me finish," Steven whispered, pouting in his characteristically endearing way.

"I'm just very excited," Sapphire whispered back, her tone soft yet unmistakably gleeful.

Steven chuckled and took a step back, spreading his arms. "Then by the power vested in me by the state of Delmarva, I now pronounce you… Garnet!"

Ruby and Sapphire didn't even wait for him to tell them to kiss. Their lips met in a sweet, loving kiss, drawing cheers and applause from the guests. Moments later, Ruby swept her wife off her feet, twirling her in circles as they laughed with uncontainable joy.

Then, in a brilliant burst of light, Garnet stood before them once more—whole and radiant, back together as one.

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Blue sat by the buffet table, happily indulging in the sweets. She had already tried three cupcakes and sampled a little bit of everything, some frosting now adorning her nose. She smiled serenely down at Shadow, the kitten nibbling on a piece of ham from one of the sandwiches after she'd carefully ensured it was free of seasoning.

Nearby, Steven sipped on his punch, watching the lively party unfold. Pearl was chatting with Nanefua Pizza a little ways off, standing in the snow that had yet to melt. Peedee and Fryman were deep in conversation by the buffet, intensely debating food. On the dance floor, Garnet hugged herself as she swayed, a radiant smile lighting up her face.

She caught Steven's eye and walked over to him. "Steven!" she greeted, pulling him into a warm hug.

"Hey, Garnet," he laughed, hugging her back after setting down his cup.

"Thanks for everything," they both said at the same time, causing them to burst into laughter.

"I needed this," Garnet said once her giggles subsided, her voice soft but full of emotion. "What a wonderful idea. Humans found a way to make a moment's decision last forever. I won't need future vision to know I'll always remember this."

"I'm so glad!" Steven's eyes welled up with tears, but he quickly wiped them away.

At that moment, Lion ambled over, flopping down beside Steven and demanding attention. Steven chuckled, scratching Lion behind the ears and petting the little kitten nestled in his mane.

"Aww, who's this tiny creature?" Garnet asked, reaching over to rub the kitten's chin.

"Blue found her and her brother in the snow on the way here," Steven explained. "Blue wants to keep the black one, and we're still figuring out what to do with this one."

He picked up the calico kitten and held her up towards Garnet. "You want her?" he half-joked, but Garnet's delighted smile made it clear she was seriously considering it.

"I miss having something cute and vulnerable to take care of," she said softly, gently taking the kitten into her arms. Cradling the little creature, she scratched under her chin, earning a loud purr.

Steven cooed, feeling reassured. He had been worried about the kittens' future, but knowing Garnet was adopting this one gave him peace of mind. An unintentional but perfect wedding gift, he thought with a smile.

"I think I'll call her Steven," Garnet announced.

He raised an eyebrow. "Won't it be confusing with two Stevens?"

She chuckled. "Alright, Cat Steven," she amended, grinning.

Steven leaned over to pet Cat Steven, who let out an adorable meow, filling him with warmth.

He glanced toward the buffet table, expecting to see Blue, but she and Shadow were no longer there. A quick scan of the area revealed them on the dance floor. Blue was spinning around, holding Shadow up playfully before stopping to cradle him close to her chest, swaying gently to the music.

Steven smiled fondly. She looked so serene and content, her pink dress and accessories complementing her perfectly. Did Connie paint her nails pink too? He couldn't remember but made a mental note to ask later.

"Go get her, champ," Garnet encouraged, giving him a gentle nudge.

He shot her a grateful smile, nodded, and began making his way toward Blue.

"Mind if I join?"

Blue glanced up to find Steven bowing playfully, Lion standing tall behind him. She couldn't help but laugh at his silliness. "I don't mind," she replied, mimicking the courtesy bow she had seen Connie and Peridot do earlier.

Steven gently took Shadow from her arms, placing the kitten on Lion's mane. As if on cue, the larger feline trotted off, leaving the two of them alone. Steven grasped her hand, briefly noting that her nails were indeed painted a soft baby pink.

"What a wonderfully lovely event this is," he said as he twirled her around in a full 360.

"I never would have imagined humans from this planet have found a way to make a moment's decision last forever," she mused, her voice filled with quiet wonder.

Steven chuckled, momentarily pausing the dance. "Garnet said the same thing," he told her with a grin. Taking both her hands, he began swinging their arms back and forth in rhythm, pushing toward each other and pulling away like a playful pendulum. "She loves it."

The jazzy swing of the music seemed to fill the air with infectious energy, making it impossible not to smile.

"I'm glad," Blue said, swaying happily. "I've also found I quite like planning events. I enjoy seeing everyone so happy."

Steven dipped her gracefully, then lifted her into the air, spinning her before twirling her gently back onto her feet. Blue laughed, the sound light and carefree. She'd never danced like this before, but she found herself enjoying the lively tune, simply following Steven's lead.

"Ooh, you wanna be a wedding planner, then?" he teased.

The thought of them leaving Homeworld someday to create a life together flitted through his mind. He imagined her as a wedding planner while he tended to beautiful gardens, helping craft floral weddings. But the realistic part of him knew how unlikely that dream was, considering what the Diamonds did and had done for eons.

The shift in her expression told him she was thinking along the same lines.

"Perhaps one day," she said softly as the energetic music slowed, allowing the human guests to catch their breath.

"After this song, I do have to leave," she reminded him, her voice tinged with regret as his hand settled on her lower back.

Steven frowned, his disappointment clear. "One more day?" he asked, his hopeful brown eyes locking onto her reluctant blue ones.

They hadn't spent much time together lately, aside from the other day when they composed a special song for Garnet, and even then, Blue had been focused on getting things done. He remembered how he'd tried to distract her with a movie and kisses, though her determination had kept her focused.

Blue sighed, unable to resist him. Steven immediately knew he'd won.

"Okay," she relented with a smile.

Overjoyed, Steven leaned in, capturing her cherry-flavored lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. Their bodies drew closer, and for a moment, it felt like the universe consisted only of the two of them. This must be what Ruby and Sapphire felt when they were together, he thought—whether as themselves or as Garnet.

But then, beneath her eyelids, Blue noticed something unusual: an ethereal glow, a blending of pink and blue light. It was a strange but pleasant sensation, like melting in the best way. Her eyes fluttered open slightly, and realization hit her like a tidal wave.

Panic overtook her, and she hurriedly pushed away from Steven.

"Blue?" he asked, utterly confused.

"I… I can't fuse," she stammered, her hair rising slightly as if in alarm.

Steven tilted his head, clearly puzzled. "Why not?" he asked softly, taking her hands and guiding her closer again despite her initial retreat.

Blue opened her mouth to explain but found no words. Her cheeks flushed a deep red with embarrassment. She couldn't fuse—well, evidently, she could, but this wasn't the time.

This was Garnet's wedding, not hers. Fusing would steal the spotlight, and besides, she'd never fused before. Was she ready for such an experience now?

The song they had composed together began to play, thanks to Greg's help. As the music swelled, Steven cupped her face gently with one hand.

"It's okay," he reassured her, his voice full of warmth and understanding. "You don't have to explain yourself. We can wait if you want."

Moments like this made Blue realize how fortunate she was to have chosen Steven as her mate. Through all the chaos of the past few days, he had been her other half—wasn't that the phrase humans used? She wasn't sure, but she knew she needed to learn more.

"Tell me, once again how it all began

Tell me, how the stars aligned

For our fates to be this intertwined.

Night and day, you're all I think of.

I know it feels like magic,

All the stars guiding us through and through.

Ooh, I see the love in you,

And I feel your love in me.

Hold my hand, keep me close,

Here in our own little galaxy.

Believe in me, like I believe in you (believe in you).

Keep me close, even if we're so far away.

I'll hold on, 'cause it's you I love so dearly.

When the storm, the uproar, and all has ceased,

Caress me and sing to me so sweetly."

From the sidelines, Amethyst nearly dropped her piece of cake. "Did they almost just fuse?" she asked, flabbergasted, her gaze darting between the newer couple and Garnet, who looked as if she was trying not to squeal in delight.

"It certainly looked that way," Pearl confirmed, tilting her head as the song continued.

Blue had truly outdone herself, crafting this song just for Ruby and Sapphire—for Garnet. She'd gone above and beyond to make this day as memorable as possible. Garnet smiled softly, pride welling up in her chest. She's a good girl, Garnet thought, feeling a sense of ease about Steven and Blue's relationship. This moment, all of it, was worth giving them a chance.

"Tell me, once again how it all began.

Tell me, and sing to me a sweet melody.

Sometimes, I like to be held tenderly.

Night and day, I think of you.

Shining stars flash across the pelagic.

Wandering around, we continue through.

Ooh, I see the love in you,

And I feel your love in me.

Hold my hand, keep me close,

Together we'll live happily.

Believe in me, like I believe in you (believe in you).

Keep me close, I seek for your hand.

I'll hold on, 'cause for you, my heart will always beat.

When the storm, the uproar, and all has ceased,

Caress me and tell me all is grand."

Blue held Steven close as they swayed together, blending seamlessly into the crowd of dancing couples—Connie and her girlfriend Destiny, Lars and Sadie, and even a few unfamiliar faces.

"I want to fuse one day," Blue whispered, her voice barely audible as she rested her head against Steven's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Steven tilted his chin, letting it rest atop her head. The fake flower pinned in her hair smelled faintly of perfume, adding to the comfort of the moment.

"There's no rush," he whispered back, his voice soft and reassuring.

Blue closed her eyes, basking in the warmth of his presence. Tonight truly was unforgettable—a memory that everyone in this small, unique village would carry with them forever.

"When things become dark,

Will you be my light?

When it feels too much,

Will you be my strength?

Promise you won't let us go.

I'll never betray,

I'll never look away,

My love will never waver.

Hold my hand, keep me close.

I see the love in you,

And I feel your love for me.

When the storm, the uproar, and all has ceased,

Caress me and be my savior."

Between Moments: Dad

Blue found herself captivated by the texture of Greg's hair. Long and thick, the hair on his head was complemented by the intriguing patterns on his face. She almost wanted to reach out and touch it, the way one might marvel at something unfamiliar yet fascinating. At the zoo, some of the humans had facial hair too, each with its own texture. She wondered if Greg's facial hair was as soft as the hair on his head.

Tilting her head, Blue watched Greg pick up a folding chair and place it in the van. Her gaze briefly drifted to Steven, who had started reminiscing.

"Hey, Dad, remember that time…" Steven began, recounting a memory.

Instead of brushing him off to focus on their current task, Greg listened intently, adding his own pieces to the story. Their shared laughter echoed, a joyful sound that spoke of connection and understanding. Blue observed them, intrigued. It must have been a funny moment, at least to them—creator and offspring. "A dad," she reminded herself, the term holding a foreign weight in her mind.

Excusing herself, Blue stepped into Greg's home to use the restroom. After finishing her business, she paused at the sink, her reflection catching her attention. Peridot once remarked how human she looked. Blue traced her features with her fingers: pale skin, thin lips. She had reviewed records of the previous Blue Diamond—her predecessor's fuller lips, pointed nose, and distinct eye shape were all missing from her own appearance.

"Was this what my dad looked like?" she wondered aloud, lifting her hand to examine a small mole on her pinky. Born with it, she questioned if he shared the same mark. What else might they have in common?

A peculiar thought surfaced: What's it like…to have a dad?

Are they kind, like Greg seems to be? Stern? Distant? At the zoo, parenting was a collective effort; there were no singular parents. When a human passed, their ashes were sent into space, and their records erased. Even if Blue wanted to learn about her creator, no files existed to offer answers.

Drying her hands, Blue stepped back into the hallway, her thoughts lingering. Laughter drifted through the house, drawing her attention. She followed the sound to a room where Steven and Greg had paused their work, seated with glass bottles in hand, swapping stories.

Curiously, Steven didn't share Greg's laugh. Yet he had his father's eyes—the same shape, the same color. As both men tilted their heads back in shared amusement, Blue noticed their mirrored mannerisms.

Did she share anything with her male creator? Perhaps she would never know.

But as she approached the two, a quiet acceptance settled in her chest. She had other figures in her life who filled that parental void.

Even so, the question lingered in her mind, a quiet refrain she would carry always:

What is it like to have a dad?

Between Moments: Mom

A mother. Another name for it: Mom. The female parent, the being who births an offspring.

Blue had just slipped into the soft pink dress meant for the wedding when the apothecary entered Connie's chambers. This apothecary—the one who birthed Connie—was her mother. Blue studied her. She carried an air of authority even as she fussed with the zipper of her own dress, which mirrored Connie's. Her hair was swept into a neat bun, and the wrinkles around her eyes seemed softer, diminished, as though smoothed away for this special occasion.

"Honey, can you zip me up?" she asked, turning her back to Connie.

Blue observed with curiosity. The woman exuded a presence not unlike Yellow's—caring but strict. Was this what a mother was?

"Sure," Connie replied, setting down her brush and hurrying over to help. Her mother bent slightly to make it easier, and once the task was done, she turned to fix Connie's hair with practiced ease.

Blue tilted her head, intrigued by the scene. Connie's hair was shorter than her mother's, and yet the older woman skillfully styled it. Blue's hand moved to her own long hair, fingers gliding through the silky strands as she compared the length. Connie had mentioned she would style Blue's hair for the ceremony, but what would that entail? Would it resemble the apothecary's style? Or Connie's?

As Connie's mother finished with her daughter's hair, her sharp gray eyes turned toward Blue, analyzing her in a way that felt clinical. The hybrid sat up straighter under the woman's calculating gaze. "Do you feel sick?" the apothecary asked suddenly.

Blue blinked, caught off guard. She quirked a brow at the question. She had never been "sick" in the human sense. The closest thing was the time she'd accidentally shape-shifted into a baby and gotten stuck in that form for hours while playing a game with Amethyst. "No," she answered politely.

The woman nodded and left the room, called away by her mate. "I told you to use the white one!" she shouted as she disappeared down the hall, closing the door behind her.

Blue's thoughts swirled as she watched her go. The apothecary cured humans. Mothers incubated life and created beings. Yellow's essence made gem forms. It all connected in Blue's mind. Were mothers essentially creators of life in general?

"Are all mothers apothecaries?" Blue asked, turning to Connie for confirmation.

Connie froze, the question catching her off guard. "You mean doctors?" she clarified, picking up the brush again. "Maybe? I don't know many people whose mom is a doctor, but I'm sure there are others. Why?"

Blue sat at the vanity, letting Connie begin brushing her hair. "It occurred to me that mothers are creators in general. They incubate the physical forms of their offspring. I've always known this, but I'm curious—what else makes a mother?"

Connie paused for a moment, letting the question sink in. Blue's hair was long and silky, the brush gliding through easily without a single knot. "There's more to being a mom than just giving birth," she said, brushing Blue's bangs to the side, subtly changing her look to something less reminiscent of her creator.

"What makes a mother, then?" Blue asked, her blue eyes locking with Connie's in the mirror.

"Well…" Connie hesitated, searching for the right words. Her thoughts drifted to Steven's complicated situation and Blue's own unique circumstances. "There's a saying on Earth that I think will help you understand: The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb."

Blue tilted her head, listening intently.

"It means family isn't just about biology," Connie explained. "You don't have a biological mom, but someone took care of you, right? Someone who loved you unconditionally?"

Blue nodded slowly. Memories flickered through her mind. Someone had bathed her when she was small. Someone had held her when she needed comfort, fed her, and sung to her when nightmares troubled her sleep. Pearl.

"Not everyone has a mom, and giving birth doesn't automatically make someone a mother, either," Connie added thoughtfully. "It's about how they love and care for you."

Blue's gaze softened as she looked at her reflection. "Pearl…" she whispered, imagining her caretaker brushing her hair just as Connie was doing now. Pearl had done all of those things. She'd held Blue, fed her, sung lullabies to soothe her when the dreams of the original Blue Diamond haunted her. Most importantly, Pearl's love had always been unwavering.

"Huh?" Connie looked at her quizzically.

Blue smiled, her expression warm. "On Homeworld, at the zoo, there is no concept of a single parent," she said softly. "But my Pearl… she is my mother."

The realization filled her with an unexpected giddiness. All her life, she had believed she didn't have a mother because Blue Diamond was gone. Yet, the truth had been in front of her the entire time. Pearl had always been her mother, even if not by blood.

And that thought—that knowledge—brought her more comfort than she had ever imagined.