After they'd regained their composure Darwin came in with dessert, which was a decorated chocolate cake with Nicole and Richard's faces, and a large heart behind them, drawn with icing on the top of the cake.
"Awww, that looks adorable!" Nicole smiled in delight seeing it.
Richard licked his lips. "It looks delicious too!"
"I hope it is!" Darwin smiled as he began to cut the cake.
He cut out and gave Nicole a piece, Richard two and then him, Gumball and Anais a slice each as well. "Tuck in!"
Richard and Gumball immediately began to scoff it down whilst Nicole and Anais took their time.
"Oh my God, this is delicious! Did you make it?" Richard asked his mouth still full of cake.
Darwin covered himself from the crumbs flying his way with a book from the table.
Richard noticed and stopped, swallowing his mouthful. "Oh...sorry..."
He chuckled. "It's okay! As for your question, yes I did though the other two helped me with the decorating."
"In that case, you need to cook more often! Your stuff is great!"
Darwin blushed with a happy grin. "You really think so?"
He nodded. "This is phenomenal!"
Darwin beamed with pride. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome!" He chuckled, his mouth full again.
They finished off their slices of cake and Anais put the rest away in the fridge.
"Whew, that was amazing! I'm stuffed!" Nicole chuckled.
Darwin chuckled back. "I'm glad you enjoyed it!"
Gumball suddenly stood up. "Right you two, up you get! Come and sit down on the sofa, we have one last thing for you."
Nicole gave a mock gasp of insult. "Oi, I'm your mother, you can't order me around like that!"
Gumball chuckled. "Okay then, please go and sit on the sofa"
They both laughed as she and Richard went and sat down on the sofa, with Anais cuddling up next to her and Darwin sitting on the floor.
Gumball went upstairs which made Nicole and Richard look at each other in confusion. Nicole raised her eyebrow and Richard just silently shrugged back.
A couple of minutes later he came back downstairs holding a DVD.
Richard's ears rose. "Ooh, are we having a movie night?!" He asked with excitement.
Gumball smirked. "Not exactly..." He put in the DVD and sat down next to Darwin.
"What do you mean?" Nicole asked.
"Remember earlier when we said we went round both of your parent's houses for the spaghetti recipe and wine?" Anais looked up at her, smiling.
"Yeah, why?" Nicole still didn't understand.
"Well, that isn't the only thing we did whilst we were there..."
She nodded to Gumball who pressed play and started the DVD.
Nicole and Richard gasped as a video of Granny Jojo and Louie appeared, as they sat on the sofa at their house.
"Is this thing on?" Granny Jojo asked.
"Yes Granny Jojo, you can start." Anais' voice could be heard saying off-screen.
"Alright. Hey Rich, hope you're okay. So uh, the grandkids here asked us to record a message for you and Nicole for your anniversary."
She adjusted herself and sat up more.
"Now, you know I'm not really the soppy sentimental type, but I hope you two have a good day on your anniversary, really I do. That may come as a surprise, and for good reason. I know I may be a little...overbearing and grouchy around you all, but that's only because I care about you and want you all to be safe and happy, but with Nicole there I know I don't have any reason to worry. She and I may not get along all that well but I know you and the kids are safe with her looking after you. She proved that to me a while back. Just make sure you look after her too, alright? Even she needs someone to take care of her sometimes, and she's lucky that it's you."
Now Louie spoke up. "I don't really have much else to add, 'cause I haven't really known you all that long, but like Jojo said I hope you all have a good day. I'm really grateful to have gained a huge family like all of you, especially in my old age, and I look forward to spending at least a good few decades with you all! I may be old, but I'm not ready to go anywhere for a good while yet!" He chuckled.
The video cut to static as it ended, and Richard sniffed, tearing up a little.
The static disappeared and the next video began to play, this time of Frankie, much to Nicole and especially Richard's surprise.
"Hey, son! I uhh...the kids kinda sprung this on me, so I don't really have anything planned but uh, I hope you and your girl have a good day on your anniversary. Treat her to something nice for me, alright? I don't really know the rest of your family all that well but I'm glad you found someone, and that you're happy. Despite what happened in the past you still turned out great. I only wish I could've been there to see you grow into the man you are now but...what's done is done." He sighed. "Anyway, that's about it I guess. Hope to see you again soon!"
The video ended and cut to static. Nicole slid her paw over Richard's and gave it a squeeze as he wiped his eyes, having been crying softly.
"You okay?" She asked softly.
"Yeah, just a little overwhelmed that's all."
She smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
The next video began playing. Nicole gasped and teared up as Mary and Daniel came into view. Even though she was expecting them to appear, she was still surprised when they did. She'd never expect them to agree to something like this...
"Hello Nikki, hope all is well with you and...Richard." Mary began. "About an hour ago we received a knock at the front door. Imagine our surprise when it was the grandkids!"
Gumball waved his paw in front of the camera before Anais' pulled it back, with her voice being heard saying "Hey, stop that!" quietly off-screen.
Mary and Daniel quickly glared at them offscreen before Daniel continued. "Turns out they wanted us to help with something they're planning for your anniversary. They needed a bottle of wine for some meal they were gonna make for you. Imagine coming all the way to your grandparent's house just for a bottle of wine!"
The two of them laughed, much to Nicole's shock. Her parents were actually laughing and...and having fun?!
Mary regained her composure and continued. "You'd never do something like that for us, for...completely understandable reasons...but your kids going out of the way to do something like this for you...it really shows how much they care about you, and how much better you did raising them than we did with you."
She adjusted herself and began to speak more seriously.
"I know we were really hard on you as a kid, too hard, but we really did just want the best for you. We just took it way too far and tried to micro-manage everything you did, trying to ensure you had the best life possible, but what we didn't realise was everything we were doing was having the exact opposite effect. We were making you completely miserable and angry. We were so overly strict and overbearing that it's no wonder you hated us..."
She looked down slightly, the guilt weighing down on her.
Meanwhile, Nicole began to tear up as she watched. She'd never seen her parents be so...real with her...
Daniel smiled weakly. "Luckily, you found someone who did what we couldn't. Someone who made you happy and allowed you to be yourself, and although we never approved of him, in hindsight he was the best thing that could've happened to you. Thanks to him, you're happy. You've raised a family together. A loving husband and three kids who absolutely adore you, and we couldn't be more happy and proud of you."
Nicole gasped and covered her mouth with her paws, beginning to cry softly. She couldn't believe what she was hearing...her parents were...were proud of her? Happy for her?!
Anais noticed and held her paw with a smile, giving it a squeeze, knowing how much that must have meant for her to hear.
Mary smiled. "We deeply regret how we treated you as a kid, and we're so glad we finally get an opportunity to make it up to you now. We hope you, Richard and the kids have a great day on your anniversary and we look forward to whatever time we get to spend with you in the future. We love you so much dear!"
The video ended and Nicole was in tears, feeling incredibly touched.
"Aww, come here!" Richard smiled and hugged her as she wiped her tears.
"That really meant a lot, huh?" He asked her as she continued to cry softly. She smiled weakly and nodded. "Yeah...I never knew how much I needed to hear that from them until now..."
He chuckled. "It's nice to have you and them back on good terms finally. It felt wrong you being so distant from them. Our family didn't feel complete without them, like...a jigsaw with a missing piece."
Her smile grew. "I know what you mean...it's so nice to have them back in my life at last. I missed them a lot, even with everything they'd done..."
"Well, now you get to make new memories with them. Pleasant, happy memories that'll hopefully make you forget the bad ones."
"Yeah...I look forward to it." She smiled.
The next video began and this time Ahab and Nicodemus (Darwin's real parents from 'The Parents') appeared, both sitting in the park.
"Hello, Mr and Mrs Watterson!" Ahab smiled as she waved. "Darwin here told us that it's your anniversary soon, so we just wanted to say Happy Anniversary!"
Nicodemus nodded. "Yep! We haven't been here long, but from all the stories Darwin has told us, it's clear what good parents you are and how much he, Gumball and Anais adore you. We're so glad you're the ones who found and adopted him, we really couldn't have asked for anyone better to do so!"
Ahab chuckled. "Quite right! We hope you and the kids have a good day, we hear they've got quite the night planned for you! It all sounds rather exciting! In fact, I'm actually a little jealous!"
The two laughed lightly. "Anyway, have fun and make sure to have a good time!"
They waved as the video ended.
"Wow, I haven't seen your parents since they first came over! How are they?" Nicole asked.
"They're doing great! We meet every week or so to catch up with them and tell them about more of our crazy adventures."
"Good to know you kept your word with them!" Richard chuckled.
The next video began and weirdly this one looked like it was being recorded on a phone rather than a proper camera like the last three.
The view lifted to show Penny at school at the back of the playground.
"Alright, go for it." Gumball could be heard saying off-screen.
She smiled and waved. "Hey, Mr and Mrs Watterson! I just wanted to say, Happy Anniversary! From what I've heard Gumball and the others have something pretty special planned for you...though if the stuff Gumball's done for me is anything to go by, I'd be pretty worried if I were you..."
"Wha-hey! What do you mean worried?!" Gumball could be heard complaining off-screen, making Penny giggle.
"Awww, I'm only kidding! You're both in for a great time, just you wait! Have a good day, I look forward to hearing how it went!"
She waved as the video ended.
"You told Penny about this?" Nicole smiled.
Gumball shrugged and smiled. "I thought it'd be nice to get her involved too. She actually helped us make some of the decorations."
"Aww, really? Tell her I said thanks when you next her!"
"Will do!" He chuckled.
The next video began and they were now inside Gumball and Darwin's bedroom, in front of the wardrobe, but to Nicole and Richard's confusion, no one was on screen.
"Okay, go." They heard Darwin say off-screen.
They heard Carrie begin to speak and let out a quiet "Ohhhhh" of realisation.
"Hey! I don't normally do this kinda thing but Darwin asked me to so, uhh, I just wanted to say-"
"Oh, wait a second they can't see you." Darwin realised.
"What?"
"You don't show up on camera, they can't see you."
"Oh, right..."
"Uhh, hang on a second, I know what to do!"
The video cut to static for a few seconds and came back to Carrie holding a hastily scribbled drawing of herself in front of her so she could be 'visible' in the video.
"This looks nothing like me..." She complained.
"It's good enough, just do the video" He chuckled.
"I...fine, where was I? Oh yeah, I just wanted to say, Happy Anniversary! I don't really know either of you too well but you seem pretty cool I suppose. From what I've heard Darwin adores you. You've made him feel like one of your own, and I'm glad he's so happy with you. Have a good day, I hope you have fun!"
"Hahaha, you can't see it but she's blushing really hard right now!" Darwin giggled.
"Darwin!" She dropped the paper and cried out embarrassed as Darwin began to laugh before the video ended.
"Awww, that was adorable! You two really do get on well don't you?" Nicole chuckled.
"Yeah, she's great..." He sighed happily.
The next video began to play, and an empty view of the dining room table, pointing towards the dining room wall, could be seen.
Nicole and Richard were again confused until two blue paws slowly lifted the turtle into view from underneath it.
They made the turtle wave at them whilst it hissed, before a voice that was clearly Gumball doing a silly high-pitched voice and pretending to be the turtle began speaking.
"Hello, Happy Anniversary! Thanks so much for buying me Dad, that van was really cold and noisy, and I much prefer it here! You're all pretty cool, except for the small pink one, she's really annoying!"
"Ow!" He cried out in his normal voice, as Anais could be heard punching his arm. Nicole and Richard smirked, trying to keep their composure.
Gumball let go of the turtle with one of his paws and moved it under the table to rub his arm with it.
The turtle, now able to move slightly, turned and bit Gumball's thumb.
"OOOW!"
He leapt up in pain from under the table and hit his head with a loud thud.
"OW, OW, OW!" He fell backwards clutching his head, the turtle still holding onto his thumb.
Anais in the video and everyone watching began laughing, except Gumball who began to blush instead.
"DON'T JUST STAND THERE AND LAUGH, GET IT OFF, IT HURTS!"
Anais, still laughing, picked up the camera and filmed him as he ran around waving his paw around and trying to get the turtle to let go as Anais laughed even harder, as well as everyone watching. Gumball began to smile weakly before chuckling, slowly transitioning into full-on laughter with the others.
Eventually, he managed to get the turtle to let go and threw it into the tank as he continued to suck his thumb in pain. He noticed Anais still filming and she giggled. "I'm so uploading this to Elmore Stream-It!"
"WHAT?! NO, COME BACK!"
Anais laughed and ran upstairs, with Gumball chasing after her before she stopped recording.
Nicole and Richard continued to laugh for a while before regaining their composure. "God, I haven't laughed like that in ages!" Nicole chuckled as she wiped her eyes.
"Yeah, that was great! My stomach hurts from laughing so hard!" Richard held his stomach as he sighed happily.
The last video began to play, one of the kids sitting on Gumball's bed in their regular clothes, as Gumball waved.
"Hey, Mom, Hey Dad!" Gumball grinned. "We just wanted to say, you're the worst parents ever, and we all hate you both immensely!"
"We hope you have a really bad anniversary!" Anais giggled.
"Yeah, have a horrible day! I hope it's really boring and miserable!" Darwin smiled as he let out a chuckle.
"Anyway, that's all we wanted to say, bye!"
The video cut to static as Nicole smiled and chuckled at the kids teases.
The video came back and Gumball chuckled. "Ah, we're only kidding! We hope you enjoyed your night, we really put a lot of effort into it!"
Darwin nodded. "Yeah, we went all out so we hope you liked all the surprises! We really wanted to make sure tonight was a special one for you, and I hope we succeeded."
"We love you so much, you're the best! We look forward to seeing your reactions!" Anais smiled.
"We hope you had a good time, bye!"
They waved at the camera as the video ended for real.
The kids all turned to their parents, who were both smiling.
"Well, did you?" Darwin asked.
"Oh sweetheart, we had a great time! This was one of the best anniversaries we've ever had, all thanks to you three." Nicole rubbed the top of his head.
Richard nodded in agreement. "I had a great time and I really enjoyed the food.
He then held Nicole's paw and looked into her eyes. "but more importantly, I enjoyed spending time with my amazing wife and kids and seeing you all so happy."
"Awww, me too honey." She kissed him on the cheek.
"We would have gotten you an actual gift too but we didn't have enough time or money." Anais rubbed her arm.
"Aww, that's alright, you've already done more than enough tonight. Besides, I was already given the best gift I ever could have asked for.." She smiled.
"What's that?" Anais asked
"One amazing, caring husband and three wonderful, loving children who I love more than anything in the world."
Gumball teared up, beginning to cry. "Lame..."
She opened up her arms up. "Aww, come here you three!"
They all hugged her and Richard tightly as she began to cry.
"Thank you so much for making tonight so special for me and your father. You went out of your way for us and we appreciate it more than you could ever know. We love you all so, so much."
They all smiled. "We love you too, and you're absolutely welcome." Darwin said as the other two nodded in agreement.
They continued to hug for a while and Gumball gasped and began to smile in delight when he noticed she was purring. "It's really nice to hear you purring Mom, we rarely ever hear you do it, so to know we made you happy enough to do so tonight means all the work and effort we put into this was absolutely worth it."
She smiled and teared up, placing her paw on her chest, feeling touched. "Aww, sweetheart..."
He thought for a moment before nuzzling her and beginning to purr too which made her giggle. She nuzzled him back before they looked up at each other and touched their noses together, grinning happily.
Gumball sat on the edge of the sofa still grinning.
"So now that you're in a good mood, there's a new PolyStation coming out soon and I was wondering if maybe..."
She looked at him with a mock look of offence before grinning and grabbing a cushion, hitting him with it repeatedly.
He laughed and covered his face with his arms. "Ah, stop, I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"
She smiled, letting out a chuckle and turned away only to get hit in the back with a cushion.
She turned back around to see Gumball hiding one behind his back, looking around and whistling.
She frowned. "Oh, do you have any idea what you've just done little man?!" She said with anger, her eyes narrowing and burning with rage.
He suddenly jumped up off the sofa, ears and face falling and letting out a whimper as he thought he'd genuinely angered her. "N-no...?"
Her face suddenly returned to normal as she grinned. "You've started a war!" She hit him with the cushion.
He laughed and they started running around and fighting each other with their cushions.
The other three glanced at each other before grinning and taking cushions themselves, joining in with the fight, the five of them all running around the living room and throwing cushions at each other, the room filled with their laughter.
