Authors Note: I think I'll continue this as more than one chapter. You guys seem to like it, and I did enjoy writing it. It's probably going to mostly one-shots with plot connected chapters in here too.

Also, I really wanted to write Jasper and Peridot with a baby Steven.

This chapter was inspired by a Tumblr comic by SketchedAtrocities

"Jasper! Jasper, no!" Greg yelled, trying to reach desperately for the baby held in the gems hand, But Jasper was keeping him back effortlessly with her other hand, keeping him just out of reach. "You can't hold him like that, you've got to support his neck, he's fragile!"

"Like this?" the orange Quartz asked, adjusting her grip into an almost strangle hold as she held Steven by the shoulders and neck in her hand, clearly not quite understanding how the proper way to hold a baby was. Steven didn't seem to be complaining too much, but his eyes were wide with what Jasper would call excitement.

Greg wrung his hands, looking warily towards the Warp Pad behind her in the unfinished house, "Are you sure Peridot isn't here?" he asked. Personally, he was a lot more comfortable with Peridot holding and watching over Steven than Jasper. Even Lapis was preferable, but the water gem was currently at the shop where she was helping him out today with the car washes.

Usually it was just Greg down there, but Lapis enjoyed coming down to help when she had nothing better to do, saying she enjoyed it, and Peridot was always ready to assist when he needed help making car repairs. Jasper, being the strongest of them, also helped out now and then, she was like a living tow truck when they needed cars to be moved and Peridot wasn't present to use her metal powers to get the job done.

"I told you, she's out Stars know where doing her nerd work," Jasper said, adjusting her grip on Steven again. Was she holding him to tightly, not tight enough? Why was he so tiny anyways, he was a Quartz, did he stay in Rose's stomach too long, and that was why he was so tiny? But Jasper had never heard of a overcooked gem getting to be that small.

That didn't do much to ease Greg as he tried to wretch his son from the Quartz warrior, "you know, maybe I should just take him to the car wash with me. You know how Steven loves those bubbles, and the rainbows Lapis makes with the water," he said with a nervous laugh.

His words fell on deaf ears as Jasper pushed him back once more, keeping the baby well out of the father's reach, "It's fine, he'd be a distraction for you too if you kept him around," she said, bringing him closer to her face. Steven stuck his tongue out at her, blowing a raspberry without really knowing why.

"True, but some father-son bonding never hurts, right?" he asked, looking around once again and adding under his breath, "Peridot, where are you?"

Almost as though an answer from God himself, the Warp Pad sprang to life and a tall, lanky green Gem stepped from it. Finger screen out in front of her as her attention focused on it, writing down notes and working on her log as she made her report for the mission she just conducted.

"Ocean Warp Pad has been repaired," she said to herself as she stepped of the pad, "Damage was minimum. Cause of damage; a sunken ship landing atop it. All tests completed without failure, all functions working, all problems fixed, and the ship dutifully removed," she said, detached fingers typing away at the screen. She had yet to take notice of Greg or Jasper and was well on her way of passing them completely to return to her room.

Greg could barely contain his joy as he saw her, "Peridot! Hey Peridot!" he shouted, gaining her attention as she looked over and began a quick approach "Hey, Peridot, can you watch Steven? I've got to run to the auto shop before Lapis floods another car."

Her eyes lit up as she saw the small boy in Jaspers hands, "Oh! Of course! I'll be sure to repair any damage Lapis causes as well."

The human gave a quick thanks, making a dash out of the incomplete house before the two gems could argue. He couldn't help but pray to whatever God watched over them that, when the house was finished and Steven old enough to live in it, that Greg wasn't going to regret letting him stay with the main supervision from the three gems.

Peridot wore a huge smile as she stood up on the tips of her toes, fingers splayed as she looked at Steven, "Why, hello there, little Steven!" she cooed, finger coming up to tap his small nose, receiving a wide smile in response, "Are you staying with us for the day? I think you are, isn't that delightful?"

Her gaze turned to Jasper, a hard glare, "Are you trying to pop his head off?" she asked, taking note to how Jasper was holding him, "Or are you trying to strangle him?"

"I know what I'm doing, I'm supporting his neck," Jasper retorted, holding him closer to her chest, "You have to do that, Greg said so."

"Well, you're doing it wrong, you clod! That's not how you hold a baby."

Jasper turned up her nose, "How would you know?" she snapped, loosening her grip on Steven at least, trying to hold him a little gentler.

The smaller of them gave a weird 'nyeh' laugh, crossing her arms over her chest proudly, "Remember which of us spent the entire incubation stage researching the human infant cycle? I know more about human babies than Greg."

Jasper couldn't argue with that, the little green nerd had spent Roses pregnancy reading and researching everything she could to ensure that Steven would be safe once born. But, Peridot tended to go a little crazy in that regard. Baby proofing everything and anything, a complete germaphobe in fear of Steven getting sick, and in a panic whenever Jasper or Lapis was holding him.

But, Jasper knew it wasn't an argument she was going to win, and reluctantly handed over the baby, "Fine," she muttered angrily, then, as Peridot took him, added softer, "Can you at least, you know, show me how to hold him?"

Tucked safely into her arms, Peridot gave Steven a warm smile, "There, there. All safe and sound now, aren't you, little Steven?" she asked, bringing a finger up to tickle his stomach before turning to Jasper. Examining her and thinking before coming to an answer. "I suppose I can, it couldn't hurt," she conceded.

Moving her body so that Jasper could see what she was doing, she used the same finger that tickled Steven to brush some curly hair from his face. "See how I'm holding him? Let him rest along your arm, then use your other to support his head," she said, though it was easier for her when her fingers could act like a safety bars to keep him in, "You weren't wrong, it is vital to protect his neck. Most importantly, you've got to be gentle. Steven's human body is not as durable as a gems, especially at this age."

Jasper nodded, crossing her arms and watching as Peridot gently rocked Steven who was growing drowsy now. Walking towards the living room where she had set up a play area for him. Sitting down beside the play pen, she looked at the tall gem.

"Do you want to try holding him, properly this time?" she asked, pretending not to see the way Jasper brightened, holding her arms out expectantly. With a sigh, Peridot gently deposited Steven into the thick orange limbs, "Just be careful, okay?"

Her hold was awkward, constantly shifting, and it had awoken Steven who was well on his way to slumber land. Peridot hovered over them like a hawk, criticizing and adjusting Jaspers hold until it was perfect.

Eventually, Steven was let onto the floor, set to play with his toys as the two gems watched over him, affectionate smiles on their faces as he placed with the blocks and plastic keys.

Needless to say, Greg was beyond relieved when he came back with Lapis. Finding his son was in one piece and the two weren't arguing. He too joined them on the floor, playing with the baby as Peridot took far too many pictures and Jasper and Lapis made ridiculous faces to get laughs from him.