AN: Chapter three has arrived! Before we get started on the story, I'd like to thank Neterlan for providing me with the reason for Penny's breakup with Gumball. It was a huge help. So, without further ado, let's get on with the story!

Much More than Maternal

Chapter 3

The Goodbye

Nicole stretched, letting out a grunt as her back cracked loudly. She opened the fridge, took the milk out and put it under her arm. Then, she retrieved the cereal from the pantry and placed both items on the dining room table. She went back to the kitchen to get bowls and spoons when she heard a door open and close. Going back to the dining room, she saw Darwin and Anais coming down.

"Morning, kids," she said, placing the bowls and spoons on the table.

They answered her and took their respective seats, taking a bowl and spoon each. As they made their breakfast, Nicole joined them with a cup of coffee.

"Sleep well?," Nicole asked, taking her seat at the table.

Both children nodded, their mouths too full to properly answer their mother. Nicole stared into her drink, watching the steam from her coffee coil lazily into the air. With a yawn, Richard stumbled from his bedroom scratching the back of his head. Turning the TV on, he promptly fell back to sleep in his usual spot on the couch.

"Where's Gumball?," Nicole inquired, turning to face the stairs as she took a small sip from her cup.

"I think he's still asleep," Darwin replied, sticking another spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

"I'm going to check on him," Nicole said, getting to her feet. "Clean up after you're both done, please."

"Will do, Mom," Anais said, refilling her bowl with more cereal.

Leaving her coffee behind, Nicole strode past the sleeping form of her husband, who snorted loudly, and started up the stairs.

She arrived at the kid's bedroom, knocked twice and entered. Gumball was sitting in front of the computer, the screen displaying a photo of him and Penny. He looked over his shoulder at her, his eyes puffy from crying. Nicole froze, feeling an uncomfortable twinge in her heart at his expression. He whimpered at her, a tear running down his cheek.

"Oh honey, come here," she said, holding her arms out to him.

Gumball did not hesitate, throwing himself into his mother's embrace and sobbing uncontrollably. She held him tightly, rubbing his back softly and shushing him gently. His crying sent needle-like darts into her heart, making her own eyes brim with tears. His whole body shook with the force of his sobs, his cries drowning out all other sounds. Nicole squeezed her son tighter, wishing she knew what to do to ease his suffering. She saw the computer screen, noticed the picture and realized that what had happened at the mall involved Penny.

"Honey, did something happen with Penny?," she ventured, the two halves of a torn photograph on his bed caught her eye.

Gumball's crying intensified, answering her question for her. She said no more, instead hugging him close until his crying had devolved into quiet sniffles.

"Tell me what happened, sweetie."

Gumball mumbled something into her chest and started to cry again, albeit, not as hard as before.

"Come on honey, sit down and tell me everything," she took him in her arms and sat on the edge of his bed with Gumball in her lap. His face remained buried in her chest, arms wrapped around her waist. He drew in a deep, shuddering breath before speaking. He spoke softly, his voice watery from crying.

"P-Penny broke up with me."

"I know, honey," she said, rubbing his back. "But what I want to know, is why."

He was silent for a moment, but finally spoke, "She has to move away."

"What on earth for?"

"Her d-dad was offered a work contract. They have to m-move to another town."

Nicole nodded silently, rocking her son back and forth on her lap.

"Did you ask her if she wanted to give a long distance relationship a try?"

Gumball fidgeted, "Yes, but she said it just w-wouldn't work."

"When do they leave?"

"In a week."

"Would you like me to take you to her, so you can say goodbye?"

He nodded, silently crying against his mother. She held her son, gently shushing him in an attempt to soothe him. His crying finally subsided after a few minutes and she wiped a tear from his cheek.

"Feel a little better, sweetie?"

"A little, thanks."

She released him from her embrace and he jumped to the floor from her lap. She smiled at him and he gave her a weak one in return.

"Go clean yourself up, then come downstairs" she said, running her hand through his hair. "I'll make you something for breakfast."

"OK," he stopped at the door and turned to her. "Mom?"

"Yes, honey?"

"Thanks for being there for me," he said, offering Nicole another watery smile.

"I'll always be here for you, Gummypuss."

He thanked her and walked out, leaving Nicole behind. She went to his bed and examined the photograph. She sighed, throwing the photo into the wastebasket by the computer and headed downstairs. Gumball came down a little while later, still very quiet. He was still upset over the breakup, which she understood, but it looked like the worst had passed. He was smiling a bit during breakfast and he'd laughed at one of Nicole's corny jokes. It had been a small, timid laugh, but it meant the world to Nicole. After breakfast, Gumball joined his sleeping father in the living room to watch some cartoons. Nicole also joined them, sitting between her husband and son. She put her arm around Gumball's shoulders and he responded by snuggling up to her. The cartoon her son was watching bored Nicole to tears, but Gumball was enjoying it so she didn't mind.

Occasionally, she would take her eyes from the screen to look down at her son. He moved closer, pressing against her side. She began to imagine that it was just the two of them, snuggled together in each other's arms. The daydream trailed off, diving deeper into her sub-conscious desires. She saw herself kissing him deeply. Her hands ran up and down his back and her claws left little grooves in his fur. The dream shifted noiselessly and sent ripples through Nicole's mind, awakening her deepest desires. She was on her bed, coaxing her nervous son into her arms, wanting to show him there was more to love than just kissing.

"Uh, Mom?" his voice suddenly burst through, bringing a flustered Nicole back to reality.

He had caught her staring at him like a love-struck teenager. She gave him an awkward smile and blushed, turning away so he wouldn't see it. He returned her smile, turning his attention back to the cartoon.

After a while, the cartoon proved too mind-numbingly boring for Nicole and despite having her son beside her, she ended up dozing off. Later, she awoke to find Gumball had also fallen asleep, his head nestled in her lap. She watched him fidget in his slumber, giggling at the way he kicked his legs. Richard stepped from the kitchen with an apron around his middle.

"Aww, isn't that cute?," he spoke, pointing at his sleeping son.

"Yes, he's beautiful," Nicole said softly, giving her husband a cursory glance.

"Yeah, he is a pretty good looking boy," Richard said, wiping his hands on the apron.

"Dinner's nearly finished, Nicole," he mentioned, heading back into the kitchen.

Nicole nudged her son softly, getting a groan from him.

"What's happening?," he said, his voice heavy with sleep.

"Shh sweetie, dinner's almost ready," she soothed.

He sat up a little, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Anais came downstairs, sniffing at the air around her.

"Mmm, what's dad making?," she drooled, smacking her lips together.

"It smells good, whatever it is," Darwin said, thumping his way down the stairs.

"Dinner's ready!," Richard called, coming out with his hands laden with plates of food.

The family gathered around the table, the three children congratulating their father on his cooking. They ate in relative silence, Darwin and Gumball did most of the talking. Afterwards, when everyone had eaten their fill, Gumball pulled his mother aside.

"Mom, can I talk to you later...in private?"

"Of course, sweetie."

He thanked her and went upstairs to brush his teeth, leaving Nicole who was putting the dishes away. As she was placing the last plate in the cupboard, she heard Gumball call for her.

"I'm in the kitchen, honey," she replied, shutting the cupboard door and going out to meet him, hitting the light switch on her way out.

In the darkness, she could make out her son's figure sitting on the couch. Nervously, she went to him and banged her shin into the coffee table.

"Ugh, dammit!," she cursed, hopping madly on one foot.

Gumball didn't move to comfort his mother, he was too busy laughing at her instead. In spite of her pain, she burst into laughter as well. After hopping around madly for a second or so, she sat down beside him, tentatively rubbing her leg.

"What did you want to talk about, Gumball?," she said, flicking a lamp on so she could see her son..

"It's about Penny."

"OK, sweetie, ask away," she said, hoping he wouldn't start crying again.

"Will you be with me when I say goodbye?"

"Of course I will, Gumball. This has to be so hard on you," she replied.

"Promise?"

"I promise, honey."

When he didn't reply, she reached out for him, her hand coming down on a shaking shoulder.

"It hurts, Mom. I want it to stop hurting," his voice wavered, he was starting to cry again.

"I know it hurts, sweetie, but it will go away in time," she said, giving him a hug.

"Have you been hurt before?," he suddenly asked, shocking her into temporary silence.

She thought of all the times Richard had snubbed her, remembering the rejection and pain that had tormented her.

The pain of trying to keep their marriage alive, it had been too much for one person. She had grown so tired of the same excuses Richard gave her, of the pain and the self-doubt. She felt like she wasn't good enough for him anymore. Her self-worth plummeted, making her feel like nobody even cared. Until that night, when Gumball had come across her, crying alone. She remembered seeing him standing there, silently watching her. She'd meant to say something, to ask him why he wasn't in bed. Instead, Gumball did what her husband refused to.

He'd held her, made her feel like she mattered to someone. She loved her son so much, it physically hurt that she struggled to fully express her feelings to him. But this time, it was her son who was suffering and he needed her to be there for him. And she would be there for him, no matter what. She shook her head, clearing her mind of the painful memories.

"Yes, honey, I have been hurt before. It's not something you forget."

"But does it really go away?," he asked, his voice made Nicole's heart sting with sadness.

"Yes, eventually, it does go away," she said quietly. "And you will fall in love again."

"Really?," he sounded like he didn't believe her.

"Yes, honey, it really does fade away," she hugged him again. "It just takes time."

He bowed his head, crying weakly. She kissed his cheek and smiled, turning off the lamp as she stood up.

"Come on, Gummypuss, it's late and you have school tomorrow."

She offered her hand and he took it, letting her guide him through the dark to the stairs. They quietly entered Gumball's shared bedroom, being careful not to wake Anais and Darwin. Gumball climbed into his bed, letting his mother tuck him in. She wished him a goodnight, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Sleep well, honey."

"Goodnight, Mom," he answered, rolling over.

Nicole closed the door behind her as she left, rubbing at her tired eyes. Entering the downstairs bedroom, she climbed into bed beside her snoring husband. She pulled the covers to her chin and closed her eyes, drifting off to a dreamless sleep. Sometime in the early hours of the morning, a small hand nudged her awake. She opened her eyes, squinting into the dark and recognized her son. His eyes pleaded for her comfort and Nicole wordlessly obliged, lifting the covers so he could climb in beside her. She wrapped her arms around him protectively, as if to shield him from harm. It didn't take Gumball long to fall asleep and she pressed tighter against him. After a short while, Nicole followed her son into oblivion, his slow, soft breathing comforting her as she drifted off.

"I don't want to do this, Mom," Gumball said, holding his shaking hands together as he gazed out of the car window at the Fitzgerald's residence.

"You can do it, sweetie," Nicole reassured him, patting his shoulder.

It was a week later and the dreaded day had finally arrived. They had pulled up at the Fitzgerald's home ten minutes ago but Gumball refused to budge. His nerves had gotten the better of him and he had lost every ounce of courage his mother had instilled in him over the week. Nicole undid his seat belt and turned the car off.

"Come on, honey," she said encouragingly, "You'll feel better afterwards."

Gumball frowned, "Will you come in with me?"

"I promised you I would and I keep my promises," she said, undoing her seat belt and getting out.

Gumball sighed and got out as well. They made their way to the front of the house, where a large removalist truck was parked. Gumball eyed the truck warily as they passed it. Gumball was shaking and Nicole put an arm around his shoulder.

"It'll be OK, honey," she said, knocking on the door twice.

The door opened and a large, antlered peanut stepped out, frowning disapprovingly at the two cats.

"Bringing him here will only upset Penny," Patrick spat, jabbing a finger at Gumball, who took a faltering step back.

'He wants to say goodbye, Patrick!," Nicole countered, putting an arm around her son.

"I don't care what he wants, he will only upset her!," Patrick shouted, drawing his daughter's attention.

"Dad, who is it?," Penny asked, stepping into view.

The orange fairy froze, recognizing Nicole.

"Mrs. Watterson, I-," she started, but was cut off by Nicole.

"I've brought Gumball here so he can say a proper goodbye, Penny," Nicole explained, speaking quickly.

"Is that true, Gumball?"

Nicole gave Gumball an encouraging look and pushed him forward.

"Y-yes," he cleared his throat, "I don't want what we had to end on a bad note."

She burst into tears, running to Gumball who embraced her.

"Come on, Penny, let's go somewhere private," he said, leading her to the adjacent room.

The hallway became awkwardly silent, save for the muffled sobs coming from the other room. Gumball could also be heard, offering Penny comforting words.

"Do you know why we are moving?," Patrick finally asked, breaking the tension.

"Yes, you were offered some kind of contract," she answered curtly.

"Yes, a very lucrative one."

"Is the money you'll be getting from this contract worth all the pain you're putting your daughter through?," Nicole asked, barely keeping her anger in check.

"I'm doing this for my family," he replied, putting his hands on his hips. "With the amount I've been offered, my family won't want for anything again."

Nicole did not answer him, fuming silently. She had never liked Patrick after the idiot had nearly ran her son over. Patrick said no more, suddenly taking an interest in his wallpaper. The minutes ticked by and Nicole noted that Penny's sobs had quieted down. After ten minutes, Gumball came out, wiping his eyes on his sleeve.

"How'd it go, honey?," Nicole asked him, giving him a small smile.

"It sucks, Mom, but we had to say goodbye. Even though, we never wanted to say it."

"That's good to hear, sweetie," she said, running her hand over his head as he walked past her.

Nicole eyed Penny's father, "Goodbye, Patrick."

He afforded her a small nod and she left, joining Gumball on the sidewalk. They turned when Patrick spoke up behind them, his anger had left his face.

"Son, for what it's worth, I'm sorry," Patrick said, offering Gumball an apologetic look.

Gumball gave him an understanding smile and walked to the car with his mother. The drive home was quiet, save for the light patter of rain on the car. When they pulled up outside their home, Gumball finally spoke.

"Mom, you were right."

Nicole raised an eyebrow, "About what, Gumball?"

"Getting closure, it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would," he said, looking at her.

"You've moved on, sweetie, You can only heal from now on."

"Thanks for being there for me, Mom," he said, smiling at her.

"I'll always be here for you, honey" she said, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before removing the keys from the ignition.

"Come on, it looks like it'll rain soon," she said, getting out of the car.

He followed her, matching her quick pace as she race-walked up to the house. They went in together, the door closing behind them with a soft click. Gumball trudged upstairs, heading for his bed. He threw himself on top of it, moaning a little. He felt emotionally drained, the talk with Penny had been hard. But in the end, they had both agreed, it was for the best. He would always cherish the memories he had of Penny, even the ones that pulled at his heart. His mother poked her head into his bedroom, asking him if he was alright. He truly was, and for the first time in days, Gumball found himself looking forward to the future.

AN: So, obviously I decided to focus on Penny and Gumball with this chapter. I didn't want them to breakup and suddenly have Gumball all OK with it the following day. It would've been weird. They deserved to have an ending before Nicole made her move. Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed the story so far and hope to see you here again for the next chapter. Thanks!