Second to last @glowweek prompt!
Day 6: Vacation
Beach Day
Beach City in the summertime! Sun shining, barely a cloud in the sky, people and gems mill about with their ice cream, or slushies. Families gather together on the beach, enjoying the warm sand, basking in the sunlight or splashing around in the water.
On a single blanket with a large umbrella to protect them from the sun's harmful rays sits a new, young family. Majority of the fellow tourists steer clear of the small family with their giant pink umbrella, mostly because of the equally pink lion sleeping next to them. Though that doesn't always stop some of the more adventurous children from indulging their curiosity when their own parents' attention on them wanes.
Steven huffs as he discourages yet another kid, this one barely 4 years old, from trying to climb into Lions mouth. He and Connie know Lion would never hurt anyone, but the last thing they need to deal with while on vacation is panicked parents who, upon finally noticing their absent kid, see them inside the mouth of a massive predator!
“Try to relax hon,” Connie says as she smears a little sunscreen on the face of the small child in her lap, “Lion wouldn't bother opening his mouth for those kids anyways, let alone let them try to climb in!”
“I know, I know, it's just I want you to be able to enjoy your time off without dealing with angry parents.” He slumps onto the ground and gently pats his furry friend's head.
“Thank you, but really, don't worry so much.” She smiles at him, then hands the baby to Steven.
“Here, hold Amie for me while I put sunscreen on your back.”
Steven takes his favorite little bundle of joy from his wife. While he enjoys a light shoulder massage from Connie he plays with Amie, blowing raspberries and making her giggle like crazy.
“Steveeeen! Stevenstevensteven Steven!! And Conniiieee!!” A short green gem screeches as she zips across the sand towards them.
Peridot slides towards them, doing a perfect hook slide, and Steven quickly lifts Amie up and away from the impact zone. No sand is getting in his baby's eyes, not today, not on his watch! Peridot jumps up, dusts off some sand and stands proud, hands on her hips, giant grin on her face.
“Finished your gardening lessons for the day?” Connie asks.
“Indeed I have and I'm the first to arrive! Yes!” She cheers and leaps against Steven to give him a tight hug.
Connie takes Amie so Steven can hug her back, “You humans and this whole “growing up” thing! I can't even get my arms all the way around you anymore! Stop that you clod!” Peridot complains.
“Pretty sure I'm done growing now, Peri.” Steven snickers.
“C-mmm… cwrod!”
The two adults and Peridot freeze, all three heads turning towards the small human in Connie's arms.
“Did… did she just…?” Steven mutters, stunned.
“Her first word!!” Connie practically squeals with joy! “Wait… isn't clod a kind of… gem insult?” Connie asks.
Steven looks to Peridot, “You're the only one I know who regularly says clod… Peri did you… basically teach my daughter a gem swear word!?”
“YES!” Peridot shouts with glee, “That's right little Amie! Clod! Cl-od!”
“Cwod!” Amie says, then blows a spittle bubble. Peridot giggles like a little gremlin, positively delighted. It's obvious to her that Amie doesn't understand what that means just yet, but it won't be long before she does if Peridot has anything to say about it, and much more!
“Peridot. I can tell what you're thinking. No more teaching Amie bad words!” Steven scolds the green gem.
Amie just keeps giggling from where she sits perched on her momma's lap in the shade of their umbrella.
Later that day Pearl nearly faints when she picks up her sweet little Amie and she calls her a clod.