Broken 💔

Chapter 11

They had finally arrived at the motel in Empire City. Once Greg got the keys for the room they would stay in, he made his way to the backseat to wake up Steven while Pearl was grabbing their luggage

Greg poked his head through the open car door and gently nudged Steven's shoulder

"Steven? Son? We're here." Steven groaned as he opened his eyes. Greg ushered for him to step out of the car. But Steven was hesitant as he was still groggy from his nap. He looked up at his father with tired eyes

"Dad? Can you carry me please?" Greg couldn't say no to his son when he's been through so much already

"Of course Steven." He grabbed his exhausted son from underneath his arms and hoisted him up over his shoulder. Steven's arms were wrapped around Greg's neck while his head was resting on his shoulder

The kid had fallen back asleep in his dad's arms. Greg handed the key to Pearl and she opened the door for them

Once they were inside, Greg layed Steven down in one of the beds and tucked him in. Then he pet his hair and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead

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It was later that night and both boys were sound asleep. While Pearl quietly sat down on the floor in between them

She was lost in thought when she heard a small whimper. She looked over to see Steven in a cold sweat

She figured he must have been having another nightmare

Steven started tossing and turning. He kicked the blanket off his body and onto the floor. Pearl quickly stood up and came to his aid

She went to the other side of the bed and tried to wake him up

"Steven wake up! Steven?" She tried shaking him a little to see if that would work. His whimpers were getting louder and more frequent

"Steven!!" He suddenly woke up with a start. He started hyperventilating a little

"Steven it's okay. Calm down. It was just a dream." Once Steven realized what had happened, he slowed down his breathing and sat up in bed

"I'm really sorry Pearl. I don't know why this keeps happening." His eyes were welling up with tears

"No Steven, you don't have to be sorry. We've all put way too much pressure on you and you've had multiple near death experiences. It's okay to be feeling like this........Here, lay back down."

Steven layed down in bed and Pearl layed right next to him. He layed on his side. Pearl got on her side as well and spooned him (Note: not in a sexual way so don't even think about it)

Their bodies were huddled close together. Pearl wrapped her arms around the child. Steven smiled in bliss. Which is something he hasn't felt in a long time

"Wow. This feels nice." They layed there for a few moments until Steven broke the silence

"Hey Pearl? Would you mind singing a lullaby for me?"

"Oh, uh sure Steven. Let me think. Oh! I think I know the perfect song."

If I could begin to be
Half of what you think of me
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
When I see the way you act
Wondering when I'm coming back
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you

Steven smiled contently and closed his eyes. But right before he drifted off to sleep he whispered something that nobody was expecting

"Thank you mommy."

Pearl's eyes widened as shock took over her body. He had always seen Rose as his mother. Now her closest ally was taking that place

Pearl thought that could be because he desires that kind of love right now. It could also be that he didn't think so highly of Rose anymore

Before she even had a chance to respond, Steven had already gone back to sleep

She had just finally accepted that this is how things are going to be from now on. And she was okay