Reunion
Laughter fills the air as children run about, playing games of tag with each other and a few smaller gems. Sunshine with a few clouds and a light breeze makes for a beautiful, comfortable day. A perfect day for everyone to get together for their annual reunion atop the hill above the temple. They hold this reunion every year, always in the same place. Thank goodness they fixed the fence on top of the hill, and closed off the lighthouse. Some of these kids get a little too rambunctious for their own good.
Pearl smiles at the children running about, the adults chatting with various gems, and the overall peace and tranquility. They all worked so hard to earn this peace, and continue to work hard to protect and maintain that peace.
Her eyes, like always, are drawn to a few specific people. A child, short with a familiar smile, a young preteen with long limbs and unique pink eyes, and a young adult with dark skin and silky curls with pink highlights. The diversity of the group before her never ceases to amaze her, along with the sheer similarity they all seemed to bear to two particular people.
Two people who are the reason they all gather today, humans and gems from all over the universe. Hundreds of them all gathered to reconnect with each other and celebrate. Even the diamonds join in, cautiously sitting near the edge of the festivities, and are often used as jungle gyms by the children, thanks to the encouragement of Spinel. The parents would worry, but they've all known the diamonds their whole lives, and they know the diamonds wouldn't let anything happen to them.
Loading a plate full of various foods Pearl turns towards her fellow Crystal Gems. She walks over to join the group, and hands the plate to Amethyst who takes it gratefully. Garnet sits next to Amethyst, arm around her shoulder while she munches. Bismuth stands next to Pearl, wrapping a muscular arm around her shoulders in support, while Peridot and Lapis sit on the ground leaning on each other.
They all stand before a group of memorial gravestones. On one side is a large memorial statue of a lion sleeping. Next to it is a small unassuming gravestone bearing the names of Greg Universe, and Rose Quartz, with dates under their names and engraved with a small rose in the center. On the other side is another small unassuming gravestone bearing the names of Priyanka and Doug Maheswaran with dates under their names as well.
In the center is a slightly larger memorial gravestones bearing the names Connie Universe-Maheswaran, and Steven Cutie Pie DeMayo Diamond Universe. On top of the stone is a small stone house-shaped structure, protecting a bubbled pink diamond gemstone inside.
The crystal gems will never forget the day age finally caught up to Steven. He passed peacefully in his sleep, his gem never reformed, even when removed from his body. To protect him, just in case, White Diamond herself bubbled his gem. The bubble, clear and iridescent, allows them to see him clearly where they placed it upon his gravestone.
He and Connie both lived much longer than most humans, Steven outlived many, many of his descendants, and though they'll always miss them both, the gems know they're both at peace now.
After a few moments longer of mourning and remembering, and a few tears, the group returns to the festivities. Amethyst speeds off to roughhouse with the Famethysts, Pearl joins some younger family members in a game of volleyball with Bismuth, while Lapis and Peridot join a group of gems and humans chatting about various plant life found on other planets.
Garnet pauses before joining the others and turns back to the gravestone. Light shines across the diamond. Her visor reflects the light for a moment, a small smile plays across her lips as she turns and walks away to join the Universe Family Reunion.
