Gregory's Diary: After the Pizzaplex
~ EPILOGUE 2 ~

It was a crisp autumn afternoon as I was laying comfortably against the grass with my head resting on Vanessa's lap, both of us simply chilling in our backyard. At the time, I was just enjoying watching the clouds go by. It wasn't that sunny outside, so the light casted by it was not a harm to me as the clouds passed. I felt Vanessa's hand gently caress the top of my head. I heard her chuckling softly before turning my eyes to her looking back at me.

W-What? Is there something on my face?

Vanessa shook her head.

"No. Just…call it something "new mothers" like to do with their kids." she teased. I started to blush before turning to my side, hoping she wouldn't notice. But it didn't seem to work as she was still laughing.

"Don't be embarrassed. I know…we started off on weird terms. But I meant what I said when I told you I wanted to be your new family. You've been through a lot, Greggy. And…I wanted to do whatever I could to ease the pain you endured." she continued, hand still rubbing my head. On the fence around our backyard, I happened to notice a sparrow sitting atop it. By its side was another sparrow and they looked quite chummy with one another. They chirped for a while before taking off at the same time. Right then, I thought again about what my life used to be and all the people that would yell at me or call me things like "thief" or "scoundrel". Those words seemed to fade away as, after the Pizzaplex, those same people started calling me "hero". So, even if I wouldn't admit it right away, I was extremely fortunate to have Vanessa take me in. Her hand came to a stop as I lightly looked back, seeing her staring up into the sky as well. I merely smiled and turned back before adjusting my head on her lap.

T-Thanks, Vaness…I mean, mom…

I said those words quietly, hoping she wouldn't have heard me. But, alas, I could hear her laughing still at me.

"You're welcome…Gregory." she replied softly. I just sighed.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll get used to calling me "mom" soon." she continued while I looked away. Just then, we heard the front doorbell ring. The two of us knew what it was. That was the sound the mailman usually gave when he made his delivery for the day. I sat upright and then turned to Vanessa, betting I could beat her to the front door. She agreed with a smirk and we simultaneously took off. Luckily for me, my smaller body meant I could move quicker and I was able to swerve past the kitchen table with ease. By the time I planted my hand on the doorknob, I looked back and saw Vanessa panting while leaning against the doorway.

"Y-You just got LUCKY.." she panted, trying to sound coy. But I simply stuck my tongue out before opening the door. I then scooped up the mail and brought it over to her, closing the door behind me. There were a bunch of envelopes this time, a lot mostly addressed to Vanessa.

"Oh….goodie. Looks like the BILLS managed to find their way back to me." she said in an exaggerated tone. I just laughed.

Just be glad we weren't stuck with paying for the repairs to the Pizzaplex! We probably couldn't afford to live here then.

She simply laughed back.

"Yeah….no kidding." she said while flipping through the envelopes. She came to a stop on a light purple envelope and handed it my way.

What is it?

"Looks like someone has some fan mail…probably from his "not-so secret admirer"." she said. The minute I heard those words, I knew exactly who sent it. It was from Charlie, the girl I met at the Pizzaplex that same night. But the idea that my new mom was calling her my "secret admirer" made me awkwardly uncomfortable, so much so that I snatched the letter from her and fled upstairs to my room, not trying to make eye contact. Luckily for me, I managed to make it to my room. Upon entering, I closed the door and headed over to my desk after flipping the light switch. At my desk was Freddy's head, the "remains" of my guardian from the Pizzaplex. As soon as I sat on the chair, Freddy seemed to notice as his eyes opened up and looked my way.

"What is that, Gregory?" he asked. I glanced his way while opening the envelope.

Just some mail that Vanessa….I mean, mom…said I got today…

I set the envelope aside, letter in hand, before I could feel Freddy's eyes looking at me.

"Do not worry, Gregory. I know it might be difficult at first…but I am sure you will…" he begun to say. But I quickly held his mouth closed with my fingers as we looked each other in the eyes.

I already heard that from Vanessa PLENTY of times. I don't need to hear it from you too, Freddy.

I then released his mouth and opened the folded paper to read Charlie's letter. I sprawled it out on the table and we begun to read it together.


Dear Gregory,

How are you? My mommy was able to help me find your address since you moved into your new home. Thank you, again, for all you and your friends did for me. If you'd ever like to, my parents said they wouldn't mind if you came to visit us or we could come see you. Can you ask your mommy if she would like to get together for lunch sometime? My mommy left a small note in the envelope with our contact info. Hope to hear back from you soon! Let's be good friends, okay?

- Charlie


I couldn't help but smile to myself, shifting the letter aside and rested my cheek against my hand prompted off the desk top.

"I hope you and Charlie make many more friends as well, Gregory…it would be good for you to be social with others. You don't have to be scared of strangers as much as you used to." Freddy said. I turned my gaze his way, a bit taken back from what he said. I knew what he meant, but he always had a "father figure" way of speaking that made things sound weirder than they should. We were best friends during our night at the Pizzaplex and yet I couldn't get over his protective nature.

Y-Yeah….don't worry. I will, Freddy. But…ehhh…if I can ask, can you PLEASE not talk to me in your "Papa Bear" setting? It's….embarassing when it's just the two of us.

Freddy seemed a bit surprised, glancing away briefly like he was embarrassed now.

"I…I will…do my best, Gregory. Please…"bear" with me." he said. It took me a few seconds to realize he made a pun, causing me to look at him again baffled while he simply grinned back. I groaned to myself.

Note to self: Find time to program BETTER JOKES into Freddy's software

Just then, we both heard Vanessa's voice calling us.

"Hey? Gregory? Can you bring Freddy downstairs? I need help figuring out how I'm paying bills this month." she asked loudly. I quickly responded that I'd be down soon and scooped up Freddy's head. I then brought him over to my backpack, a replacement one that Mr. Willson gifted me, and slipped it on my back. The backpack was the same design as the one I used while surviving the Pizzaplex and I kept the zippers open so Freddy's voice could be heard.

Come on, "Faz Calculator". Time to give that brain of yours a work out.

I said this as means of teasing him and I simply heard him chuckle for a brief moment.

"Gregory? Perhaps…can you find time to speak with Officer Vanes….I-I mean, your mother, about a possible replacement body?" he asked "I feel….a bit shameful to admit that…I wished she got a "replacement" for her "calculator"." he said. I couldn't help but laugh before the two of us headed downstairs and I left my door cracked open slightly.

~ THE END ~