Steven wakes up, to a brand new day with his newborn daughter.
But he quickly finds out he's missing a few essentials...

Picking Things Up, Part One

Steven yawned. He sleepily rubbed his chin, the coarse hairs of his beard brushed against his hand. He'd have to shave soon. Connie always liked it best when he was freshly shaved. He'd just been so busy lately that it'd been slipping his mind.

He felt something, or more appropriately, someone stirring against him.

"Mmm… We need to get you a crib, Kid." He stifled another yawn. "Maybe Bismuth could make you one…"

Steven pushed up against the bed, resting his back against the pillow and headboard. Carefully, just like Dad (and Connie) had shown him, Steven lifted the infant from his side, being sure to support her head and right hand. He held her against his chest and she cooed softly, snuggling closely against him.

Steven couldn't help but smile. Even though she wasn't even a month old yet, Kid always seemed to get right to his heart.

He leaned close to her, and kissed the gem on the back of her hand. Perhaps it was just Steven's imagination, but the gem suddenly seemed to shine a little brighter.

"Come on. Let's see if we can find some breakfast."

Steven slowly got up from his bed, carefully supporting Kid as he did, and then began to walk downstairs. The old wooden steps creaked underneath him, but otherwise the beach house was perfectly quiet.

Still holding her firmly with one arm, Steven opened the refrigerator and began to look inside. Besides some leftovers from the night before (taco night, Steven and Amethyst's favorite) there were a few things of note. Some individual cups of chocolate pudding. A few jars of various condiments. A bag of apples. And three bottles, all pre-filled with formula.

It wasn't quite breakfast time for Kid, and sadly, it looked like it wasn't breakfast time for Steven either. He grabbed an apple from the bag, before shutting the refrigerator door.

"I'll need to go to the store soon." Steven bit into the apple before setting it down on the counter. He opened up one of the cabinets. Among the dried goods like pancake mix, flour, and several boxes of raisins, there were still two cases of formula for Kid- one opened and one not. "At least you'll be alright," he said, closing the cabinet and picking his apple back up to take another bite.

Steven was about to head back up to the loft when he heard the telltale sound of the warp pad activating. He looked over and saw not only Pearl, but also Sheena. They were both dressed rather nicely (Pearl in actual human clothes), although their overall disheveled appearance told Steven more than enough about why they were getting back only now.

They were still giggling and whispering to each other, when Steven revealed his presence to them.

"Well," he said, smirking broadly. "You're getting home rather late. Or early, I guess."

"Ah, Steven!" Pearl's cheeks flushed with color as she quickly tried to brush her hair with her hands. "You're… uh, up."

"It's almost 8." Steven shrugged one of his shoulders. "Kid actually let me sleep through the night." He looked down at her in his arms, still fast asleep in his arms. He looked back up. "Oh, and hey Sheena."

Sheena flashed him a lopsided grin. Unlike Pearl, she seemed unbothered by her messy hair and the fact that her top was hanging off one shoulder-although maybe it was meant to be worn like that.

"Hey, Steve," she returned as she walked over to them. "And hi, baby Kid." She looked at the small child in his arms, still smiling. "You've got a lion named Lion and a kid named Kid. You're certainly a masterstroke with naming, Steve."

"What can I say? I like names to be descriptive."

"Hm. Well then, feel free to go back to calling me 'Mystery Girl', if you want." She walked past them, opened the screen door before looking over her shoulder at Pearl. "Don't worry about dinner, dear. The ride was more than worth it." She winked and waved at her. "See ya later, Pearl."

The door shut behind Sheena as Steven looked back over at Pearl, who genuinely looked like she was about to explode with embarrassment.

After a moment's thought, Steven decided not to tease or press for any details. Even though Pearl and Sheena had been together for almost four years now, Pearl was still a nervous wreck about their relationship. It was understandable. At least as far Steven knew, Sheena was technically Pearl's second romantic relationship (certain complicated interactions with the rest of the Crystal Gems notwithstanding).

As Pearl finished straightening her clothes and getting her hair in order, Steven asked, "Hey, Pearl. Can you watch Kid this morning? I need to make a run to the store. We're running low on… everything, basically."

"Ah, Steven. I would, but…" she trailed off. "I was going to go with Garnet and Lapis to scout locations."

Kid cooed again in his arms. Steven shifted her slightly in his arms. "Right… I forgot."

"But I'm sure I could stay behind and watch Kid," Pearl quickly offered.

"No, no. That's alright," Steven said, sighing. "The scouting project is really important."

"What about Connie?" Pearl asked.

"She's got classes this morning."

"Hmm… And Greg?"

"Dad's spending the week with Uncle Andy and some of the rest of the DeMayos out of state," Steven answered. "The only reason I'm not there is because of Kid."

"Right, right… Well, then I suppose you have two options left," Pearl said. "You can let Peridot and Amethyst watch Kid."

Steven blinked at her. "Um, and option two?"

"You could see if the Maheswarans can watch her."

Steven scratched the corner of his mouth. "That would probably be better. In fact… hmm…"

"What is it?"

"Well, now that I think about it, I can't remember the last time Kid got to see her grandparents. Or, her other grandparents, I mean," Steven grinned.

Pearl, however, rolled her eyes. "I thought we agreed we would be her godparents."

"Grandparents, godparents… Maybe we'll just let Kid decide. Whichever one she feels fits the best." He looked at the baby in his arms. "You'd like that though wouldn't, Kid? Get to call Pearl 'Grandma Pearl'?"

Pearl sighed as she walked towards the Temple's door. "Don't you have a phone call to make?"

Steven chuckled. "Yeah, I do. You going to your room?"

The Temple door opened, but Pearl looked back at them. "Yes, I will. I need to gather a few things before I meet up with Lapis and Garnet."

"Alright. Well, if I don't see you before I head out: Good luck, Pearl. I hope you guys find something."

Pearl waved at him. "Me too, Steven. Thanks for the hope." She walked through the threshold and the door shut behind her.

Checking to make sure Kid was still asleep (she was), Steven climbed the stairs back to the loft. Again, as carefully as he had picked her up, Steven laid Kid onto the bed, double checking to make sure her right hand was resting comfortably.

Once she was settled, Steven grabbed his phone, sitting on the bedside table. With a series of taps, he picked Connie's name out of his contacts list and pressed "call". It rang several times before it was answered.

"Hello?"

Steven could hear rustling in the background. Connie must have been getting ready for classes.

"Hey, Strawberry. Listen, do you know if your parents are busy today?"

There was a pause on the other end, only the sound of Connie sliding her binder and organizer into her messenger bag could be heard.

Finally, she answered, "I'm not sure about Dad, but Mom's not on call today. Why?"

"Well, I need to run to the store and get a bit of… everything, really. So I was wondering if your parents could watch Kid."

"I'm sure they'd love too," Connie said. "Like I said, Mom is- Wait, 'a bit of everything'?" She paused a moment. "You... You haven't gotten a crib yet, have you?"

Steven chuckled innocently. "Well… yeah."

"Steven…"

"I'm sorry, Connie. But... you know." He looked over at Kid, still resting on the bed. "I get distracted easily."

Steven heard a sigh on the other end of the phone. "Yeah, I know what you mean." She laughed. "How did I let you talk me into this?"

"My charm, obviously."

"Obviously." Another pause. "Are you going to take her there soon?"

"As soon as I get off the phone with you."

Another pause.

"Alright. That's good, actually. I'm going to be heading over there before class. I left some stuff there during the holidays. So I can get a chance to see Kid before I go."

"You're just now realizing that you left stuff there? School's been back in for weeks now."

"No, I've known for a while but… well, I get distracted easily."

Steven laughed again. "Let's just hope that's not a trait Kid inherits." He looked over the the child, still lying on the bed. "Do your parents have any baby stuff?"

"I… don't think so? I can't really remember."

"Okay. Then I'll bring the diaper bag. Or, some diapers in a bag, anyway."

"And one bottle, at least. You haven't fed her, right?"

"No, not yet."

"Then hold off until you get there. If I know Mom, she'll jump at the opportunity to feed another baby."

"Alright, I can do that," Steven said as he grabbed his hotdog dufflebag and several diapers from the package at the end of his bed. "Are you heading out too?"

"In a bit. I'm almost ready, but you'll probably beat me there. Assuming you're taking Lion."

Steven stuffed the fifth diaper into the bag. "Do you think that's safe?"

"Well… Kid's going to be riding Lion eventually, right?"

"Yeah, but hopefully by then, she'd be able to hold on."

"You'd be holding on to her. And you've held me while we've ridden Lion."

"I know. But I think I'd feel safer if I just took Dad's van..." Steven trailed off.

"But you don't have a carseat," Connie finished for him.

"But I don't have a carseat…"

Kid stirred on the bed, letting out a small cry as she did. She was waking up. And she'd be hungry when she did.

Steven sighed. "I guess we'll take Lion." He hoisted the dufflebag strap over his shoulder. "Do you want us to pick you up? Since you're heading to your parents anyway?"

"Sure. Probably a good idea. Especially if Kid hasn't eaten yet. You know how Mom can get."

Steven started to agree before stopping himself.

Is that what they're like? Is that… what they were like when they saw Kid last?

Steven shook his head. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah. I've got all my stuff packed. So I'm ready whenever."

"Alright, we're heading over there now."

"Kay. See you in a bit, Biscuit."

Steven tapped the 'end call' button and placed the phone back on its spot on his bed side table. He looked back at Kid. She was beginning to stir. Steven easily picked her up and cradled her in his arm. She moaned a little, but soon fell silent again.

The two of them were about to head back downstairs, when something on the bed, half buried by the covers, caught Steven's eye. After a moment of contemplation, he realized what it was. It was Kid's doll. A simple thing- it had short craft strings for hair, a pink dress with a bright yellow star on it, and a small rhinestone gem on its right hand.

Just like Kid's.

Steven reached over and grabbed the doll, tucking it into his arm with Kid. She grabbed hold of it and pulled it close to her.

"Heh. Alright, Cupcake. You hold on to that, I'll hold on to you, and we'll both get through the Lion ride fine."

He walked down the stairs, Kid, doll, and duffle bag in tow. He made a stop at the fridge, grabbing one, then two of the bottles filled with formula and stuffed them in bag next to the diapers. He waited a moment to see if Pearl was going to come out of the temple, but she didn't. She still must be getting ready.

Kid stirred again in Steven's arm. Checking to make sure that the dufflebag was still in place, Steven exited through the screen door and began looking for Lion.

Their stop was hard and sudden, so much that Connie felt her face press firmly against Steven's back. She instinctively looked down, her child still cradled in her arms. She breathed a sigh of relief. Kid was still there, thank goodness, but she was now awake. Her eyes moved on and off of Connie as she looked all around her. She still tightly clutched her doll.

Connie smiled. "Well, we got through the ride all intact."

"She still has her doll?"

"Yeah, she does." Connie straightened the collar of Kid's onesie. "She must have woken up during the ride, but she didn't make a peep."

"Kid's pretty low-key," Steven said as he slid off Lion. "She lets me sleep through most nights. I'll wake up and she's just laying there, awake, but otherwise completely calm." He held out his hands to take Kid. Connie carefully passed her to him and then slid off of Lion.

Connie pursed her lips. "Hmm… I hope that's not a sign that something's wrong."

"Ah, I wouldn't worry. Dad's said that I was the same way when I was little."

"I suppose..." Connie sighed. She got familiar pangs of guilt in the pit of her stomach. She was living in a dorm on her college campus. Unfortunately, that- combined with classes, homework, extracurricular activities, and her internship- meant that she didn't have much time to spend with her family.

Steven told her not to worry about it. After all she was doing important things, like getting her law degree, securing a spot in the prestigious Dewey, Cheatem & Howe law firm, and "just generally being awesome" as Steven was fond of saying. He had no trouble taking care of the baby most of the time, especially with his Dad and all of the Gems to lend a hand.

And while Connie could agree with that, it didn't help that she still felt like she was missing out on quality time with Kid.

Connie didn't want to be like her own mother, waking up one day, realizing that she didn't really know her own daughter at all.

"Alright, Lion. Chill here while we go visit with the Maheswarans." Steven patted the giant pink beast's snout with his free hand. Lion glared at him for a moment before sitting down onto the front lawn.

"Good boy," Steven said, walking past Lion and towards the front door. "I'll be back in a bit. No wandering off."

Connie followed him up to the front door of her parents' townhouse. He was about to knock on the door when Connie instead just reached in front of him and turned the knob, pushing the door open.

"Oh, right…" Steven grinned. "I'm part of the family now."

"Technically, but I don't think Mom will believe it until she sees a ring."

Connie walked into the unchanged living room. Same coat rack next to the door, same floral print couch next to the same side table next to the same floral print loveseat. On the loveseat, Connie saw the textbooks she was missing. She sagged a little with relief, still kicking herself for having managed to leave them here.

"Mom? Dad? You home?" Connie called as she went over and picked up the books. She unslung her messenger bag and slid the book into it. "Mom? Dad?" she repeated as she put her bag's strap back over her shoulder.

Connie heard footsteps coming down from the stairs beyond the kitchen.

"Yes, dear. Your father and I just woke up." It was Mom. The slow way she spoke confirmed that she indeed hadn't had her morning coffee yet.

"Sorry, Mom. I was just coming by to grab the textbooks I left here," Connie said towards the kitchen.

"I'm here too, Dr. Maheswaran," Steven added. "I... kinda need to ask a favour."

A distinct sigh came from the kitchen before Mom, dressed in her nightgown and robe, trundled into view.

"Steven, if there's another medical problem and it's not an emergency, I'd really appreciate it if you just went to-" She stopped abruptly as her eyes fell on Steven. Her once dull eyes were suddenly bright and wide open. Her mouth dropped open. Connie was about to ask what was wrong, when Mom suddenly yelled, "A BABY!?"

The loud noise was a mistake. Kid shifted in Steven's arms, before finally starting to cry. A whimper at first, but it soon transformed into a desperate wail. Steven rock her in his arms, trying his best to soothe her. "Shh... Shh... It's alright."

"Mom!" Connie sharply said. "What's wrong with you? You upset Kid."

"What's wrong with me?!" she sputtered back. "Where did that baby come from?"

Before Connie could answer, they were joined by Connie's Dad, who came quickly from the kitchen.

"What's going on here?" he asked.

"Your daughter... She and Steven have a baby."

Doug let the answer settle over him before asking simply, "Is it theirs?"

Connie grimaced at her parents. "Yes, she's ours." She shook her head, unable to believe what was happening. "What's with you two?"

"So wait... The kid is yours?" Dad asked again. "Like, you gave... birth to her?"

Connie felt her cheeks burn

Mom pinched the bridge of her nose. "I can't believe this... It all makes sense now. All those times your father and I asked to come over and you declined, it's because you were hiding your pregnancy... Hiding our own granddaughter from us."

"Hiding your- No, I'm not!" Connie replied.

"Yeah, that's right. Connie was home during break," Steven spoke up, as Kid began to settle down.

Connie's parents blinked confusedly at the three of them. "That's right..." Dad said slowly. "You were here just a few weeks ago..."

"Exactly," Connie said. "So how could I possibly be hiding Kid from you?"

At first, her parents didn't say anything. They just stared as if Connie and Steven had gone mad. Finally, her Mom said carefully, "Dear... You weren't pregnant when you were here during break."

It was now Connie's turn to gape at her parents. "Not... pregnant...? No, I would have to have been. Kid's only about three weeks old. I would have to have been..."

"Connie, I can assure you that you weren't," Mom said. "You looked exactly as you do now."

"Sans baby," Dad added.

"Yes. Sans the baby, Doug." Mom rolled her eyes a little. Then she turned back towards Connie. "You haven't mentioned a baby once."

Connie was silent, instead looking over to Steven, who seemed to be puzzling out his own problems.

Slowly, hesitantly, Steven said, "Kid has a gem. On her hand."

At first, Connie wasn't sure what Steven was getting at- of course she had a gem- but then it began to dawn on her. Kid had a gem, but she wasn't a Gem herself. So the only way Kid could have a gem would be if her mother-

"Hmm… That looks familiar." Connie's Mom was right next to them, looking at Kid still cradled in Steven's arms. She carefully lifted up Kid's right hand and inspected the gem closely. "One of the Gems that live near Steven, in that old lighthouse? This is her's, isn't it?" She tapped her lower lip. "What was her name? 'S' something…"

"Spinel, isn't it?" Dad suggested.

And all at once, it hit Connie. Hard.

She remembered her first meeting with Spinel. She was young, maybe about fourteen, when she met this thin, nervous looking Gem. The way her bright golden eyes shone as she held out a hand to shake hers, a pink gem placed on its back…

But she also remembered the confrontation. The way she was on the ground, and Steven, Connie, and the Gems stood across from her, their weapons drawn.

"Spinel! How could you do this?!"

"I'm… I'm sorry… I never meant…"

"You can't just alter somebody's memories to suit yourself!"

"But… I didn't… I couldn't be forgotten again."

But there were more memories, pouring in and pouring in. Steven standing between the Gems and Spinel, saying that she deserved another chance, that they had the Protectors now so they'd be safe. Yells and screams and threats. A compromise.

More memories… Some filled with scornful looks and cold shoulders, with turned backs and veiled threats.

But others… others were different.

Connie could see herself, older than she had been, her arm draped over Spinel's shoulder. They both wore large, genuine grins. Spinel's hand rested on her round, pregnant belly. They both looked so happy. So trusting.

Connie could feel a squeezing sensation at her temples. She pressed her palm against her head in an attempt to stop it.

"Connie! Are you okay?"

She opened her eyes, not realizing that she had closed them. Both of her parents were looking at her, sharing looks of concern.

She blinked slowly at them. "Y-yeah… I think…" She trailed off, her gaze traveling to Steven next to her. His eyes were opened, though barely. He was looking down at Kid who stared back up at him.

"Steven?"

He blinked, before slowly looking over at her.

"I assume you just got a huge bag of memories dumped on you?" he asked.

"Yeah. Something like that," Connie answered. "So… Our memories were altered. Again."

"It's a feeling you never really forget, yeah." Steven paused. "Did… Spinel do this to us?"

"No… She couldn't have. The last memory I have of her is… she's on the couch. She's gone into labor, and… and some kind of flash. The next thing I remember is Kid crying."

A second of silence, and then Steven said, "She couldn't have, though. She didn't get off of the couch. And even then… Why would she? She's Kid now…"

The baby cooed and squirmed at the mention of her name. She was still holding on tightly to her doll.

A doll, Connie realized, that looked just like Spinel.

"Hey, you two. Are you alright?"

Connie turned. Both her parents were still there, concerned looks still firmly in place.

"I… think so," Steven answered. "I think we've been through some more memory stuff."

"I see…" Mom said slowly. "So, this baby…"

"Kid, Mom. Her name is Kid."

"Right, Kid. She's this Gem's child? And she passed her gem along, just like Steven's mother did?"

"I think so. Things are still a little hazy." Connie shook her head. It felt like her mind was racing hundreds of miles per minute. She needed to sit down and think for a while.

"So what are you two going to to do with the kid, er, Kid?" Dad asked.

They both hesitated.

Connie had no earthly idea.

"First, we need to talk to the Gems. I'm pretty sure they've got similar memory problems as us," Steven said. "After that… that's when we'll decide, I guess."

Mom nodded. "Alright. You'll keep us updated, right?"

"We will, Mom." Connie forced a smile. "You know I wouldn't hide any news about your potential granddaughter."

"I know, dear," Mom returned gently. Her gaze flicked down towards Kid. "She is a cute baby. She reminds me a little of you, when you were little."

"Yeah, maybe a little," Connie said. "Though, I didn't have a gem on my hand." She was silent a moment, before she quietly asked, "Do you think Steven and I should keep Kid?"

Her parents looked at one another for a moment, before her mother answered, "Why don't we talk about that after you've talked with the Gems?"

"That's probably a good idea." Connie nodded. "Well, I guess we better get to that."

"Alright, Connie," Dad said. "Like your mother said, keep us updated."

"We will, we will," Connie answered.

"Yeah… I'm sorry Mr. and Dr. Maheswaran. This… didn't exactly work out how I thought it would," Steven said.

"What did you come over here for?" Mom asked.

"I was going to ask if you'd watch Kid for a while. I have some groceries I need to pick up. And a crib. And a carseat. And maybe some toys? Is she too young for toys?" Steven wearily shook his head. "God, we're terrible at this…"

"Hmph. Please," Mom said. "If there are any two people on this planet who are fit to be parents, it's the two of you."

Connie lips trembled as she slowly smiled. "Oh, wow. Thanks, Mom."

Mom smiled back at her, before making a shooing gesture with her hand. "Get going, you two. Call us when you know something."

Connie nodded, first at her parents, and then at Steven as she laid a hand on his broad shoulder. His face lightened a little as he nodded back.

With waves and simple good-byes, Steven and Connie exited the Maheswaran residence, Kid still tucked snugly between her doll and Steven's arms.

Lion was still sitting there on the lawn. He raised his head as they approached, tilting it to the side as if he was asking why all three of them had come back out.

They gave no answer, however. Instead, Steven brushed his hand against Lion's mane. "Come on, Leon. We're heading home." Lion took the command and got down onto his haunches, waiting for the three of them get on his back.

Silently, Steven handed Kid to Connie, who took her and held her gently in her arms.

Connie looked at the small child in her arms and, for the first time, began to really realize what she was feeling. Amidst the confusion, there was also something else. A deep-seeded sense of uncertainty that only really came when you were about to decide something that would alter a life forever.

The feeling wasn't new, of course. She had similar feelings when she was deciding which school to go to, what degree to get, which classes to take. But what she felt now was still different. She wasn't making a major decision just for her life, or even for Steven's.

She was also deciding for Kid's life.

"Hey, hey. It's alright." Connie felt Steven put his arm around her waist. "We'll talk to the Gems, and then we'll figure something out."

Connie said nothing, instead closing her eyes and breathing in deeply, before letting it go. It seemed to help, at least to calm her nerves a bit.

"Right. You're right, Steven," she said as she laid her head against his chest. "You're right…"

Steven put his arm around her and brought both of them closer. And they just stood there, all three of them feeling the other two against themselves. It felt oddly soothing.

"We'll get through this. Together…"

Authors' Note: This is an AU we've been tossing around for awhile, and finally it just hit a point where we had to do something with it.

But before we get deep into this, a note:

This fic is a sort of a spin-off to Swordtheguy's fic, Long-Term Memories. We say sort of, because beyond sharing an OC and a few concepts, they're not really connected. As such, this fic stands on its own and you will not have to have read Long-Term Memories in order to follow this fic.

That said, this fic will spoil certain plot points in Long-Term Memories. So if you want to read that story, you might want to do that before reading this one.

Otherwise, we hope you enjoy!