Blue Diamond grumbled in annoyance at the gemlings kicking her. She liked it, of course, but it got a bit annoying. That morning, Chalcedony had done Blue Diamond's scan of her. Everything was normal, she said, but she needed to speak with her later.

She sat in her bed, her head jerking upwards at the sound of a knock.

"Who's there?"

"Chalcedony, my Diamond."

"You may enter."

Chalcedony entered quietly. "I'm sorry to interrupt, my Diamond. I hope I didn't come in too late."

"You're fine. Sit." Blue gestured for her to sit on the bed. Chalcedony did so.

"My Diamond, how long do you wish to take childcare leave for?"

"Oh...I never gave that any thought."

"That's fine, that's fine."

"What's the least amount of time I can take?"

"Two years."

"I'll have that, thank you."

"Not a problem, my Diamond."

They sat in complete silence. Chalcedony looked over at her Diamond. Her eyes looked more droopy than usual and she looked as if she were about tear apart.

"My Diamond? I couldn't help but notice that you've been looking very...down."

"It's Yellow. I don't even want to think about what our next encounter will be like — if it ever happens, anyway." She looked down at her round abdomen with sad, sad eyes.

"I know it's not my business, my Diamond, but every couple has their arguments. Things will work out between you and Yellow, I'm sure of it."

Blue turned to her. "But not every couple has one component whose love for the other is conditional."

Chalcedony sighed, "I'm so sorry you have to go through all this, my Diamond. But really, the only way is up from here."

Blue nodded, "You do make a good point."

Chalcedony left the room quietly, shutting the door behind her, leaving Blue Diamond alone again.

She began to sing, tears falling and leaving about three stains on her dress.

♪ "What would a mother not do for her child

What lengths would a mother not go

There's a bond that exists between mother and child

With no end to how strong it can grow

It's a promise for life between mother and child

It begins from the moment of birth

And you're shaken you to your soul

With an ache you've never known

And you look into their eyes

And find you're looking in your own

And there's a pain you can't imagine

A special kind of torture you can feel

A cut that bleeds from somewhere deep inside you

A past regret you can not heal

And no one guesses all the while you're praying

The screaming little stranger in your arms

Might just grow up and save you after all

Might just grow up and save you after all..." ♪

She couldn't remember where she'd heard that song, but she did indeed love it. "Oh, my sweet babies," she whispered, whimpering. "Do you want to be here? Would you really want to see what happens out here? With your mother loving me and probably you gems conditionally, and your sister being late...Not everything is wonderful out here."

What Blue didn't know was that Yellow stood outside her room listening. She still had her brows in their angled, serious position, and she still had her horrifying glare. The only thing that was different were the tears running down her face. Her teeth were clenched together, she was so upset at herself. She made Blue believe that she loved her sometimes and didn't other times.

She muttered under her breath,

♪ "What lengths would a mother not go

There's a bond that exists between mother and child

With no end to how strong it can grow

It's a promise for life between mother and child

It begins from the moment of birth

And you're shaken you to your soul

With an ache you've never known

And you look into their eyes

And find you're looking in your own..." ♪

"I'm sorry I made you think that way, Blue. I'd change anything if it meant you knowing that I love you."

Yellow creaked Blue's door open. Said gem was still sleeping in her bed, squirming a bit, probably from the gemlings moving. Yellow sat on the bed, making sure she didn't wake up. Blue's stomach had the blankets draped over it, but the blankets were thick enough so you could still see the shape of it.

Yellow took in a breath, then let it out quietly, lightly resting her hand on Blue's stomach. Her lips parted slightly at the feeling of one of the gemlings' limbs brushing up against her hand.

"Hello, to you, too, stranger," Yellow said, quieter than a whisper. She looked at Blue. Still sound asleep. She lightly brushed a finger over another area on Blue's stomach. Another small nudge. She looked again to make sure that Blue was still asleep.

"Do you like me?" Yellow said, again, lower than a whisper. "I'll see you, soon, won't I? Three more months." Her lips curled inward, then she said, "Believe me. I love you. Every second, I do."

Yellow removed her hand, then stood up. She looked at Blue sleeping peacefully. She stepped closer, then pressed her lips to Blue's forehead. She whispered against the pretty, blue skin,

"Same goes for you dear."

And with that, she walked out.