[A/N: Hello, readers! So, it is with a heavy heart that I must say that this is the last chapter of the story. It has been such a pleasure to write and to hear your feedback. Your reviews pushed me to make this heck of a story for you all, and I hope you've all enjoyed it thus far. I hope you enjoy the epilogue, and have a happy moment today.]

Greg felt like he could sit right where he was with Steven forever. He'd have no problem with it. His happy thought was intruded when Steven's phone rang loudly, as if it could pierce the air. Steven smiled nervously as he slowly rose from Greg's side and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Steven, we need you to head back home; it's dark out."

Steven sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Okay, Garnet. We'll be there in a bit." Steven had gotten a little shut eye while he was leaning on Greg. A cat nap was something he very-well needed. "We gotta head back, Dad. Sorry."

"Ah, that's okay, bud. I know I gotta get you back. Let's get going, then."

As Greg and Steven started making the while-long trip back to the Temple, Steven pulled out his phone and texted Connie. For some reason, he couldn't let the night end. Something inside of him was urging him to have Connie come over. For what reason was unknown, but he just had to.

S: 'Hey, Connie, are you still awake?'

C: 'Haha, yeah, it's only 7:30ish. Why? What's up?'

'I was wondering if you could come over? I know it's late and all, but I really wanna see you. If you can't, that's okay.'

Connie took a while to respond. By the time she finally did, Steven and Greg had reached the beach shore.

'My mom has an emergency case. She said she can drop me off really quick before she goes in. I'll be over there in a bit!'

'Awesome! Tell her thanks!'

Greg opened the door for Steven, chuckling as Steven bumped into the door frame. "Busy there, kiddo?"

Steven smiled shyly. "No, sorry, hehe. I was texting Connie. She's coming over. Is that okay with you?"

Greg smiled. "It is with me, but you gotta ask the Gems, too, bud."

Steven's eyes widened as Garnet placed her hand on his shoulder. He turned, and all three Gems were there. "Ask us what?"

"Hnnnnng," is what Steven muttered.

"'Hnnnnng'?" Amethyst mocked, snorting. Pearl elbowed her, smirking as Amethyst yelped a bit.

"Uhm, isitokayifconniecomesoverbecauseshesalreadyonherway- -"

"Steven," Garnet smiled. "Slow down."

"Is it okay if Connie comes over? Because she's already on her way..."

"Sure, it's not so late. We just wanted you home because it's dark out, is all."

Steven perked up. "Cool! I'll call Connie and see- -" Steven's words were interrupted by a knock at the door. He turned and saw Connie there, with her white torso and green skirt dress, waving at him. He smiled brightly as Greg opened the door and she stepped in. "She's here!"

"Hiya," Connie smiled, greeting everyone. She walked over to Steven, and they both gave each other an awkward laugh. "It's been a while..."

"Yeah," Steven replied, his hands slapping his sides. He bounced up and down on his toes a bit, darting his eyes around for a moment. "So, are you hungry?"

"Kinda, yeah."

"We can eat some snacks," Steven suggested. Why was it so awkward between them?

"Sure, okay," Connie replied, following behind Steven.

The Gems and Greg were a bit puzzled, but they all figured that Steven could resolve this awkwardness himself. Greg and Amethyst started watching some shows on Steven's TV, Pearl went into her room, and Garnet went outside. Steven and Connie were snacking on the couch in silence, the only sounds provided being Greg and Amethyst's laughter. Connie swayed her feet up and down as she ate, wondering why it was so awkward between her and Steven.

"So, how have you been?" Connie asked.

"I've been great, actually," Steven replied, smiling mid-bite. "How about you?"

"Good, good," Connie replied. She twiddled her thumbs, biting on her bottom lip. 'Say something!'

"So, I wanted to say sorry," Steven said quietly. "And thanks."

'Wait a minute, Connie.'

"I wanted to say sorry for making you cry. I never want to make you cry ever again, it was one of the most regrettable things I've ever done in my life. I just- - I thought if you were gone, I wouldn't make you sad- -"

"You already told me, Steven," Connie chuckled. "I said it was okay."

"No, but, I was just," Steven sighed, trying to find the words. "I tell you everything. Not wanting to tell you everything I wanted to say hurt me a lot because I knew it was hurting you, but I just couldn't tell you. I thought I would spare you some pain if I didn't tell you what I was feeling. I'll try to be... better next time I get this sad again."

"'Be better'?" Connie said, a bit surprised at his wording. "Steven, you can't help how you feel. I'll be there by your side no matter what. If you need space, I'll give you space, but I'll still check up on you. I am your best friend, after all."

Steven smiled. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being my best friend."

Connie smiled, pulling Steven in her embrace. "No problem, best friend."

Steven hugged her back for a brief moment, and then they both pulled away. They started laughing and chatted as they usually would, which was an overwhelming relief and a surge of joy for the both of them. The Gems and Greg had all joined the two kids when they suggested playing a game for all of them to play, and everyone was having a good time. The Gems and Greg were sharing laughs and talking a lot, Connie and Steven helped each other with their strategies, and everyone was shouting with excitement. They had played a lot of games, and they even played hide and seek. After that was over, everyone went outside.

Steven, Connie, Amethyst and Greg all splashed each other with water, having fun in the water. Garnet and Pearl cheered for them on the sidelines, whooping and laughing at the sight. Connie grew cold as the winds of the night started picking up and grew crisp, shivering violently. Greg suggested it was high time to go back inside, and everyone agreed since everyone became hungry. Everyone except Pearl.

Before anyone could notice, Steven lingered back and knelt down in the water, placing his palm on the water, smiling warmly as the waves washed between his fingers, as if someone was trying to hold his hand. The smell of ocean salt satisfied Steven. He looked out into the ocean, admiring the ripples of the reflection of the moon in the ocean. He liked how blue the water looked at night. He glanced down at his hand and felt as if someone was grabbing his hand, so he closed his hand a bit as if he was grabbing their hand back. Steven closed his eyes and cleared his mind, and he was with Lapis. Their hands were laced together, and for the first time, since he repaired her gem, Lapis gave him a bright, warm smile.

"You resurfaced, Steven," Lapis whispered, her voice full of delight.

"I'll come back when you call me," Steven thought out loud.

Lapis's eyes fluttered shut as her fingers slowly slipped out from Steven's. "No need to say goodbye."

Steven's eyes flew open, and he stumbled a bit. He regained his posture, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. Before Greg could turn to call for Steven, the now usual go-lucky ran to his father's side, carrying on a conversation. He glanced back at the ocean one last time before he went inside. He would meet the ocean gem once again, as herself, hopefully.

"What should we eat?" Amethyst asked. "I'm pretty sure our food stash in the cabinets is running low. It won't feed all of us."

Everyone started making suggestions, and something popped into Steven's head. He and Connie hadn't made s'mores like he had said they would!

"S'mores!" Steven blurted out, and all eyes were on him. He chuckled bashfully, darting his eyes around. "I told Connie I would make s'mores with her next time she came, and I didn't do that. We could all eat s'mores, yeah?"

They all agreed, and so did Pearl- - to help make them, at least. So they turned on the fireplace and grabbed the bag of marshmallows and some skewers. Steven and Connie grabbed pillows and set it near the fireplace, roasting their marshmallows first. Pearl handed everyone their graham crackers and some pieces of chocolate, watching the mess she'd have to clean up unfold. Chocolate started dripping onto the floor as did over-roasted marshmallow goop. Graham cracker crumbs were all over the place, and sticky fingers were on many surfaces. Pearl's eyes rolled almost all the way back into her head, and she had a meek smile on her face.

Steven and Connie were roasted another batch of marshmallows for all when they looked at each other.

"It's good to have you back here, Connie," Steven smiled.

"It's good to be back, Steven. I missed you."

"I missed you, too. So, tell me what you've been doing!"

"Okay, as long as you'll tell me what you've been up to after."

"Done deal!" Steven chirped.

Connie started telling Steven all she'd done while their little 'hiatus.' Steven looked around as she rambled on, looking at Greg and Garnet talking as they ate their s'mores. Some chocolate dribbled down Garnet's chin, and they both shared a laugh. Amethyst and Pearl were having a little fit as Amethyst grabbed Pearl's hand and made Pearl's hand a bit sticky, but Pearl used this to her advantage and smeared the sticky contents on Amethyst's face. They were running around, and Greg and Garnet somehow got sucked into it. When Amethyst ran over and ran a line of chocolate on Steven's cheek, Steven let out a battle cry and splotched some chocolate on Connie's nose, and she laughed. Everyone was running around and smearing s'more ingredients on each other, laughing so loudly that it could probably be heard from Beach City.

After everyone ran out of things to stick onto each other, they started to wipe crumbs off of themselves and wash the gunk off. Steven looked at everyone as they all chatted and made bets on who would win next time and what games they should all play next time. Steven was smiling so big, his cheeks started to hurt as they grew warm. Steven felt his stomach grow a bit warm, too, so he looked down and saw that his gem was glowing. He kissed his finger and rubbed it on the gem, then ran to join the others.

Steven remembered back to the video Rose left for him before he was born. Her words marked true to him, and it always struck a chord inside him. He was determined to live the extraordinary life she wanted for him, and to live life to the fullest. Everyone around him was so determined on taking care of him, but they didn't realize that Steven would heed his mother's last words; that her words were something that he would have to do so long as he lived. They were determined, and Steven was, too. They were all damaged in their own ways. They have come a long way, making sure that Steven wasn't damaged along the way, but Steven smiled to himself at the thought. He wouldn't mind being damaged so long as they were getting better; it's just the Universe's way. He looked at the people around him and thought about the friends he had in Beach City. Rose's last words were words he made his absolute lifelong goal.

"Take care of them, Steven."