The moon still shimmering over the calm sea, Penny lifted her head off of Gumball's shoulder and glanced at her watch.
"Oh my Goodness honey, it's midnight! We better get back to our cabin before the kids get worried sick about where we are!"
Gumball smiled.
"No worries Penny, I told them that we were just going for a little evening stroll, plus they're watching their favorite movies on the television."
Penny smiled.
"Awww thank you so much homey, I knew I could count on you!"
The fairy giving an enthusiastic tone to her remark, as she leaned into the blue feline's shoulder once again; walking along the boardwalk towards the cabins.
"You sure you don't want to stay out here for a little while longer?"
Gumball asked the yellow fairy, as she assessed her surroundings for a bit.
"It is a rather tranquil night, but I think we should spend the rest of the night with the kids; it's their vacation too. I'm sure they'd love to spend time with us for a late night movie."
Penny exclaimed, as Gumball brandished a grin showing his canine tooth.
"That's one of the many reasons I married you, always considerate of others."
Gumball stated, as Penny blushed.
"Are you sure it wasn't because you were just madly in love ever since you laid eyes on me?"
Penny asked, as Gumball gave a raised eyebrow at the accusation.
"My lovely wife how could one so fair as I, be so blinded by just your physical appearance?"
Gumball giving a sarcastic and sophisticated demeanor to his tone, as Penny now raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Well my knight in shining armor...you did have a tendency to have a...barrier to details."
Penny had a slightly smug inflection to her statement, as Gumball now had a confused look on his face.
"Oh...how so?"
The blue feline was curious now as he asked the fairy. Penny soon placed a finger to her chin, as she began to recall past events.
"Remember when you had me trek through a barren desert and accidentally had blueberries in my ice cream?"
Penny asked, as Gumball's eyes opened wide with realization; his cheeks now red also with embarrassment.
"Oh, heh...that is a fair point. Perhaps I did miss some crucial details about you as a kid. Sorry about that Penny..."
Gumball stated, as his ears drooped in sadness at recollection of the memories. Guilt now beginning to overflow within in him for having Penny endure through his juvenile recklessness.
Sensing this, Penny placed her hand on Gumball's cheek.
"But I couldn't have asked for a better man in my life, your quirks and mistakes are what drew me to you. You were the unapologetic, authentic blue cat that drew me to you; and you have always been there for me. Thank you Gumball."
As she finished saying this, she gave a peck on the cheek to Gumball, which effectively caused him to blush.
"Tha-thank you Penny...I feel the same way for you."
Gumball stated through the upwelling of emotions almost exposing themselves, as the two lovers hugged.
"Come on, let's get going, the kids will surely be wanting to watch that crazy cartoon movie of theirs again with us. Tristan insisted on having us watch it with him and Penelope, I cannot remember what the name of it was, but it was something to do with a train..."
Penny went into a face of contemplation, as Gumball quickly put the pieces together before answering.
"Alligators on a Train?"
"Yeah! That's the one! How did you know?"
Penny asked, as Gumball scratched the back of his neck.
"I have a history with that film, ever since I was a kid."
Gumball chuckled, as Penny smiled.
"Well it seems that your son really does share a lot of your traits!"
Penny exclaimed, as the two now began to move down the hallway towards their cabin, when suddenly a cabin door swung open.
Standing in the doorway was a groggy and sleepy Nicole in her pajamas and bathrobe.
"Oh...hi Gummypuss, hello Penny *Yawn*, how was your evening?"
Nicole asked, as the two lovers who were at first startled; quickly regained their composure.
"Oh! It's you mom, you scared us!"
Gumball said in surprise, as Nicole began to rub her eye.
"Oh...did I? Sorry about that...I was just up to fetch a glass of water from the water cooler down the hallway. Your father has been keeping me awake ALL night, and I figured stretching my legs would do me a bit of good...so what have you two love birds been up to this evening?"
Nicole asked, as Penny stepped in to talk.
"Well Mrs. Watterson, Gumball and I were just coming back from an evening walk on the outdoor boardwalk, and we're just going back to watch a movie with the kids. Would you like to join us?"
Nicole gave a slight smile.
"That would be nice...thank you. What movie is it?"
The blue female feline asked, as Gumball scratched the back of his neck and kept his eyes averted from his mother.
"Alligators...on a Train."
Gumball said, as Nicole's eyes opened wide; as she placed both paws to her chest.
"Awwww, Gummypuss! That was your favorite movie to watch as a kid!"
Nicole now started to giggle slightly as she began to talk again.
"Re-remember when you guys, ha ha ha, when you guys were being chased by me across half of the neighborhood? You and your brother were quite fast!"
Nicole was still laughing, as Penny turned to face Gumball.
"Honey? You never mentioned this story before. Why was your mother chasing you and Darwin?"
Penny asked, as Gumball let out a long sigh.
"Well...Darwin scratched the disk, we were charged with a late fee, events transpired beyond our control and-"
"None of it would have happened if you had taken my first suggestion and accepted the responsibility of your actions!"
Gumball was slightly startled as he turned around to see Darwin and Carrie, along with Anastasia and Vlad in their pajamas.
Darwin gave a slight smile as he crossed his fins.
"It was the very first piece of advice I gave you in that situation, and of course your hubris got in the way...but the chase was pretty exhilarating, I'll admit."
Darwin stated, as Gumball also smiled.
"Yeah, we made a pretty good duo didn't we?"
Darwin placed his fin on Gumball's shoulder as his brother finished his remark.
"We still do bro."
The two brothers shared a hug, as Nicole was smiling in the background a raised eyebrow.
"Well it was pretty cool...except when you consider the fact that I had to leave my post at work abruptly because my motherly instincts were kicking in again."
The two brothers soon had expressions of guilt and with bod turning bright shades of red.
"We're sorry about that Mrs. Mom."
Gumball nodded as Darwin finished his apology.
"Yeah Mom, we truly are sorry for that and we didn't mean to put you through so many shenanigans and-"
Before the blue feline could finish, Nicole simply put her paw in front of her; showing that she still commanded respect and authority over the two brothers after all this time. Her notoriety of settling disputes in the household was her trademark, one she had not let go of after all of this time. Something was different this time around though, as her serious expression and tone soon shifted to one of warmth and compassion.
"Boys...an apology is unnecessary. Those moments, however troubling and tiresome as a mother; are ones I will never forget. Not to mention they provided a little bit of zest and fun to our family life."
As Nicole finished her statement, Gumball's and Darwin's eyes soon lit up as Gumball soon stepped forward with a teasing smile.
"Mom? Having fun? What have you done with Nicole Watterson?"
As Gumball finished this remark, Nicole grabbed his shirt collar and looked into his eyes.
"Don't push it little man."
Nicole giving a now intimidating and low growl to her voice, as everyone soon gasped at the sudden change in the mood.
Quickly Nicole started chuckling and laughing, progressing each laugh with more force than the last.
"I got you all once again!"
Everyone gave slightly terrified laughs at first after Nicole said this, but soon the atmosphere changed back to one of fun and laughter.
"You certainly did Mom! Geez, you certainly didn't have to grip my neck collar so tightly though..."
Gumball grasping his neck soon saw the response of Nicole be swift and quick, overridden with motherly instinct and guilt; quickly wrapping her arms around her son in a hug.
"Sorry Gumball, I guess I don't realize my own strength sometimes..."
Nicole soon wrapping her arms in a bit of embarrassment, soon transitioned the subject.
"Say, didn't you mention a movie in your guys' room? Why don't we go accompany Penelope and Tristan?"
Everyone soon nodded, as the group of Watterson's soon started to move down the maze of hallways to Gumball and Penny's room.
Gumball quickly swiped the keycard to the door lock, its mechanism soon shifting to green.
The blue feline turned the nob to be greeted by a small blue kitten jumping into his arms.
"You're finally back Dad! Where were you guys? We were just about to start the movie without you and Mom!"
The small kitten then noticed the party of the Watterson family behind his father.
"Oh! That's why you were a bit late, you were gathering everyone else for a watch party! Good thinking Dad and Mom!"
Gumball chuckled slightly at Tristan's remark.
"Heh, not exactly Tristan, we just got caught up in chatting along the way and everyone else decided to tag along. We might need an extra few chairs for everyone else to sit in the room with us, it's going to be a little crowded in there for us."
Gumball finished his statement, as a voice soon piped up in the background.
"Already done!"
A pink bunny soon got up from her chair reading her novel, and crossed her arms.
It was none other than Anais.
"Anais? You decided to watch over the kids I'm assuming?"
Gumball asked, as Anais crossed her arms and gave a smug smirk.
"Well, SOMEONE had to watch over the kids right? Did you know that the chances of abductions exponentially increase when children are left unattended?"
Anais said, as Gumball returned an expression of smugness.
"Yes indeed little sis! Did you also know that water is also wet and grass is green? More to come on the Elmore News Network!"
Gumball with a sarcastic tone in his voice, as Anais scoffed at the remark.
Penny soon stepped in to relieve the tension between the two siblings.
"It's quite alright honey, your sister was just trying to help out! We're not bad parents for enjoying a night out for a few moments."
Penny then turned to face Anais.
"Thank you so much Anais, we appreciate the kind gesture very much. Are you going to be staying to watch the film with us?"
Anais then smiled at the proposition made by the yellow fairy to her.
"Of course, Penelope and Tristan wanted me to stick around for a bit longer anyway, we really enjoyed the games of chess and amazing arithmetic, didn't we guys?"
This roused a cheer from Penelope and Tristan as they hugged their aunt, as Gumball gave a blank stare.
"Oh my goodness...she's turning my children into nerds just like her!"
Gumball quickly stepped in to interrupt.
"Yeah, but it's not as fun as watching childhood classics like "Alligators on a Train!", right?"
Tristan and Penelope both shrugged their shoulders.
"It seems like an interesting movie Dad, but Aunt Anais said that it rots the brains of those who do watch it."
Tristan finished his statement, as Gumball looked to Anais; who rolled her eyes with a slight smile.
"What? After you finished watching it, you weren't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed for a few months during summer break. I had to teach you and Darwin how to handle a pencil properly again because you two thought it was a weapon to gouge out the eyes of Alligators!"
Anais explained, as Gumball soon put on a slight frown.
"That. Movie. Was. A. Classic."
Anais then shrugged, and hugged her brother.
"I was only joking around Gumball, I...may or may no have watched the movie too in my own spare time as well."
Gumball's opened wide at his younger sister's statement.
"HA! SO YOU DO LIKE THE MOVIE!"
Gumball said, as he pointed at his sister with dramatic effect.
Anais rolled her eyes.
"Well, it was a viewable movie at least. It was certainly entertaining enough to keep you interested, but not enough for multiple viewings in the future."
Anais finished her observation, as Gumball stepped in.
"That's okay sis, even with your vast intellect, you still absolutely adored "Daisy the Donkey".
Anais was going to refute her brother's point with a finger in the air, but slowly lowered it.
"Touché Gumball, Touché"
Carrie soon interrupted.
"I think our tight knit family group here should get to viewing this movie, it's already late in the night as is!"
Everyone nodded, as Gumball helped Darwin to situate everyone into their seats, ensuring that the kids and women were comfy and had snacks aplenty.
The movie soon concluded within an hour, Nicole, Anais, Carrie, Darwin, Vlad Jr., and Anastasia soon filed out of Gumball's and Penny's room, waving goodbye to each of them. Tristan and Penelope soon went to the washroom to brush their teeth, before hopping into their separate beds next to one another. Gumball and Penny slept in the closest bed to the main door of the room.
Gumball was the last to fall asleep, as he stared at the ceiling of the room.
"So far so good Mr. Watterson, how long will it last; is the looming question..."
Gumball awoke to the sound of knocking at the room door.
He flicked on the nightstand light, and checked the clock.
"8:00AM"
Gumball nodded.
"Yeah that seems like a reasonable time to wake us up."
But once again, the knocking on their door persisted.
"Just a second!"
Gumball groggily got up in his pajamas, as he shuffled his way to the door.
He looked through the peep hole and saw that it was his Mother and Father, Richard and Nicole.
He quickly removed the lock to the door and greeted them.
"Mom? Dad? What's wrong? Why are you up early, it's our vacation; you guys should be relaxing!"
Richard had his arm wrapped around Nicole, as the blue feline began to speak.
"Gumball, honey...I think it would be best if you calmly get Penny and the kids up from their sleep, they're going to want to see this."
Gumball put on a confused expression as his mother finished her remark.
"Is it good news or bad news?"
Nicole looked down at the ground for a split second, then quickly brought her eyes back up to meet her son's.
"It's really a matter of personal perspective sweetie."
Richard and Nicole soon departed, hastily walking down the corridor; where a stream of passengers were also moving.
"What the what was that? Why was mom so...calm and collected, and not in a panic? More importantly...why was Dad not in a panic?! Something is definitely fishy here..."
The blue feline quickly finished his internal assessment, as he turned to go back into the room.
He gently nudged the arm of his wife Penny.
"Honey? Penny?"
Gumball asked, as the fairy yawned and slowly opened her eyes.
"Wha-what? Gumball? Is everything *yawn* alright?"
The fairy asked as Gumball went over to Tristan's bed and picked up the blue kitten, still fast asleep.
"I don't know, Mom and Dad just came by to tell us that we need to see something right away, they didn't specify what it was though..."
Penny, out of curiosity and slight fear, quickly arose from the bed; making sure to also pick up Penelope gently from her slumber.
"Should we be worried?"
Asked the yellow fairy, as both of them made their way out into the ship corridor.
Both parents were walking with haste down the hallway as Gumball opened his mouth to speak.
"Not sure, but it didn't seem like my parents were in any urgent rush or panic."
The blue feline now pointing his claw to gesture to Penny to turn the corner.
"Could the ship be in a storm? Is it sinking?"
The yellow fairy asked, as Gumball shook his head.
"Not enough induced panic amongst the passengers with us, plus the sun was shining through the curtains when we left the room; this is something else.
Gumball and Penny were soon navigating the crowd that was in front of the, all leading to the exterior boardwalk balconies that surveyed the sea around them.
As they walked outside and emerged from the crowd towards the railing, they soon saw what the commotion was about.
(If Burning Love by Elvis Presley is compatible with your device, please press play now)
The ship had indeed arrived at a tropical island, but it was no the Hawaiian islands they were anticipating.
The cruise ship was in a cove, the exit blocked by tall and steep rockfaces; preventing them from leaving.
Gumball soon looked around, the sun was beaming down, and calm conversation amongst the passengers about the current situation were rampant.
"*Yawn mixed with slight high pitched meow* Dad? Where are we?"
Tristan exclaimed soon observing and surveying his surroundings,
"Hey little man! Good to know you're awake! Nothing is wrong, but I'm going to need you to stay with Mom for a bit okay? Dad needs to figure out what is going on."
Gumball finished explaining to the small blue kitten in his arms, as he slowly lowered him onto the deck, as Penny loosened a free hand to grab onto Tristan's paw.
"I'll be back in a few moments guys, I love you."
Gumball said, as Penny smiled.
"We love you too Gumball, be safe!"
Gumball winked, as he did a slight jog across the deck floor.
He soon spotted his brother Darwin and Tobias conversing with one another near the balcony railing and quickly went over to them.
"Hey Gumball! Glad to see you're up to all of this commotion on this fine beautiful day!"
Tobias said with a friendly tone, as Gumball smiled.
"Good to see you guys as well! Do you know exactly what's going on and where we are?"
Darwin shook his head.
"Even the captain and his crew don't know where we are. They announced over the PA that we were off course and their navigation systems malfunctioned last night, leaving us here at this seemingly deserted island with no way out."
Suddenly a loud car horn was heard in the distance, drawing the passengers attention to it, causing an abrupt silence.
Gumball slowly turned his head to face his brother.
"Well Darwin...the island is no longer deserted. We're not the only ones here now."
Tobias soon scoffed and smiled.
"Pffft no worries! It's not all bad! We were looking for the tropical vacation of a lifetime, and look at where we ended up! A beautiful tropical island in the middle of nowhere, with the looming possibility of a hostile tribe, creatures, and who knows what else; just waiting for us to disembark the vessel and venture into their territory!"
Both Gumball and Darwin looked at the rainbow llama with confused looks.
"Oh yeah...now that I put it THAT way it sounds rather ominous and foreboding..."
Tobias remarked.
"Ya think dude?"
Said Darwin, as Gumball looked out towards the lush island over the horizon.
"Can this family EVER have a normal vacation for once?"
*END OF CHAPTER*