The Necklace

Chapter 2: Drifting Apart

"I know, son.." Richard agreed sadly.

Darwin looked up at his rabbit father. "You do?" Richard nodded and sighed.

"I maybe an idiot, but I'm not completely stupid…" Richard replied. He grabbed a framed wedding picture of him and his beautiful wife, Nicole. He shed a small tear remembering those wonderful wedding moments. It was basically the best day of his life, and no nacho cheese tub could top that.

Gumball started to feel a little sympathy for his bumbling father; even though his stern face didn't show it...

"Maybe you can make it up to her,dad" his daughter said, trying to have hope.

Richard hugged Anais. "Thank you, sweetheart."

They let go after five seconds allowing Richard to stand up. "Well kids, you better get to bed, I don't want your mother mad at you too." he said, showing concern.

"Alright, goodnight Mr. Dad." Darwin said before the three kids headed to their rooms. As for Richard, he slept on the couch. It felt depressing laying there knowing that his wife is probably still angry at him. He tried to rest his eyes, it was the best he could do.

As he regret forgetting those anniversaries ….

It was now Saturday, the day after the anniversary. It was peaceful day outside, but Richard only saw it as gray clouds of sorrow. Luckily it was Club Day at Elmore Junior High; which also means Anger Management Club for Nicole.

Nicole has not spoken to her husband at all this morning easily telling Richard that she was still upset. The way she even rapidly drove the minivan could show her feelings. When they arrived, Nicole stormed in causing those around her to fear her., while the rest of her family slowly followed behind her.

"Mom, calm down!" Anais yelled.

"I AM PERFECTLY CALM!" the mother shouted. She took deep breathes before speaking. "I just need to spend time in Anger Management…" she calmly confirmed before walking up to the president of her club, Mr. Small.

"Hello Nicole, glad to have you-" he greeted until Nicole threw him at the chalkboard for no reason. Nicole realized what she did, and immediately felt embarrassed.

Richard headed to his fantasy club, walking slowly this time with his head down. Anais went to the physics club while Darwin went to his synchronized swimming club. Gumball however, has left alone for an hour.

In the Anger Management Club, Nicole was tearing things apart to express her anger freely. Mr. Small observed her closely...and not just her behavior.. A wide smirk appeared on his face as an idea slowly crept into the depths of his mind.

"Alright, AMC,I believe our time is all are dismissed." he said before closing his book. "Nicole, may I see you after class?" he asked.

"Oh um..sure." she replied. "Should I sit down?"

"Oh no, its alright. I just wanted to talk to you a little."

Nicole nodded and listened.

"So Nicole...it seemed you were even more tense than usual today.." he informed.

Nicole blushed. "What makes you say that, Mr. Small? I'm perfectly fine." she assured.

"No there's something going on that needs to be spoken..not kept inside like a firefly in a jar. Its raging light must be free to express…" Small whispered.

Nicole sighed and she knew she couldn't argue with that logic. "Ok….so its marriage problems...Richard keeps forgetting our anniversary and now I'm fed up with it after all those years." she admitted. Small nodded.

"Now's my chance!" he thought in his head.

"Nicole how about I give you a relaxing back massage to relieve the core." he suggested. Nicole smiled.

"I'd like that very much, Mr. Small." she answered before unbuttoning a bit of her shirt, then laying on the teacher's desk. Small stared at his crush's beautiful bare back. He was practically drooling. He had the urges to do her right here, right now while rubbing special oil on her back.

"Nicole, call me Steve, we've known each since middle school." he chuckled.

Nicole giggled. "Well I thought I should address you formally."

"Nicole, we are friends. There's no need to." he assured her.

Richard was wondering why Nicole didn't show up at the main door like they always agreed on, so he decided to check if Nicole was still at Anger Management Club.

"Nicole?" he cried out.

Suddenly, he heard talking coming from the AMC room. The rabbit husband decided to take a peek in there… only to find out that the school counselor was massaging his wife.

Richard was shocked by what was happening before his very own eyes. He kept quiet, trying to get in on their conversation.

"What do you wish for your husband, Nicole?" Steve asked.

"Well...I just want him to show that he's dedicated and appreciates the things I do…" Nicole admitted. "I also want to to be a better role model to the kids.." she added on making Richard feel terrible inside.

"Nicole...if I was your man, I'd be dedicated to raise a wonderful family to venture the right path." Steve said with a serious and strong tone making Nicole giggle.

"Thank you, Steve.." she said with a smile.

Richard slowly walked away from the class, feeling terrible and useless..

"Nicole, ever since you and Richard were dating..we were wondering what did you see in him?" Steve asked.

Nicole thought for a second, but was shocked at such a question. "Well..Richard's sweet, friendly, loving, caring, and playful. When the kids were little he would play with them all the time while I go to work." she said thinking about her husband having fun with the kids, she couldn't help it but to smile.

Meanwhile with Richard, he was tearing up inside. He wanted to make Nicole happy, but he felt like he couldn't do anything except for one thing.

Which was to leave Elmore so she can be with someone she deserves….

He found his kids at the front door with worried faces, even Gumball's. Richard looked at his kids then he shed a tear.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Anais immediately asked.

"Sweetheart.." he said before hugging her. "Your mom deserves someone better than a fat flop like me...and you guys deserve a better father..that's why I'm thinking of leaving Elmore."

The kids were shocked wearing this. "No, Mr. Dad! no one can replace you!" Darwin cried out clingy onto his wide ankle. Anais cried as well doing the same.

"but kids..she's probably in love with Mr. Small.. I mean he has a job that helps kids, he's actually very good looking, and responsible..Nicole could have almost any guy she wanted…." Richard admitted.

"Heh, that's true." Gumball added making Richard feeling worse and Anais and Darwin angry.

The eldest son thought on what he was doing.. he was being insensitive with this father who's trying to make his mother happy. Gumball just stood there with beady eyes and his frown was getting wider. That led him to hugging his father tightly.

"DON'T GO, DAD! YOU'RE THE ONLY ADULT THAT I CAN RELATE TO! WE PLAY VIDEO GAMES, EAT JUNK FOOD AND PLAY BUTT PUPPETS, NO ADULT OUT THERE WILL BE WILLING TO DO THAT! NO ONE CAN SUBSTITUTE YOU! AND MR. SMALL? SCREW HIM!" Gumball cried before pouring out with tears. Richard smiled at his eldest and hugged them all closely.

"I could never leave you kids.." he admitted.

"Let's go to the mall, I'm sure we'll find a present there." Anais suggested.

"Great idea, sis!." Gumball congratulated.

"Ok.." Richard agreed. "Let's go to the car."

The gang walked over to the minivan. Richard immediately started the car and drove off, only to hit a fire hydrant. "Sorry!" he apologized before finally going in the right direction.

To be continued…