The next morning for Gumball and the rest of the Watterson family was rather spontaneous. Every last member knew that they were one step away from reaching home again. After all they had endured on this vacation...there was just one more obstacle they had to climb together.
Gumball was walking at a swift pace down the street, as he passed Watterson after Watterson on his way to the front of the group.
Tristan was swiftly jogging to reach the front to catch up to his father.
"Hey Dad! Wait up!"
Gumball quickly turned around to see his son running, attempting to make pace with his father.
"Oh, hey Tristan! What's up?"
Tristan stood in place for a moment, regaining his composure and stamina once again before speaking.
"You've...been acting a little odd ever since this morning! You hardly said a word during breakfast, and when everyone was getting ready...you were in the corner preparing alone...are you okay?"
Tristan asked, as Gumball returned a warm smile to the small blue feline.
"Oh...I see...well I'm sorry for giving you that worry and concern Tristan. I...guess I have been anticipating seeing your Mother and Sister again...and returning back to Little Elmore; and eventually...home."
Tristan returned with a warm smile as Gumball finished his remarks, and placed his paw within his father's; grasping it tightly.
"Hey, it's okay Dad...I'm anxious about seeing them too and returning home...it's been a long adventure here, but guess what?"
Gumball perked his ears upwards accompanied by a smile, as he held his son's paw with a gentle grasp.
"What, little man?"
"None of us would have ever been able to make it this far without you being here! You've held our family together through thick and thin, and...you're the best son, grandson, brother...and Dad any of us could ask for!"
Tristan exclaimed with enthusiasm, as Gumball's eyes widened with this outpouring of admiration and words of kindness and affection from Tristan.
"Wow...Tristan I...don't know what to say...thank you...that really means a lot for you to say that to me!"
Before Gumball could say anything else through his restrained and choked up emotions, Tristan quickly jumped into his father's arms for a tight hug.
"You will get us home Dad...I know you will...I love you."
Tristan spoke softly, as tears started to stream down his fur slowly; as Gumball's own emotions commenced a flurry of affection start to pour out of the larger blue feline.
Gumball returned the tight embrace, as both Father and son shared a few moments of bonding.
"I love you too little man...more than you will ever know."
As Gumball held and stroked his son's head, a soft cooing could be heard from the kitten.
Gumball recognized this sound when he was still a newborn, which was signature to his son when he felt a sense of happiness and warmth.
Gumball reciprocated these feelings, and joined in on his son's cooing with a deeper purr, one that the larger feline used to do with his mother when he himself was a kitten; usually when he looked to her for safety in a thunderstorm.
As the brief moments passed, a soft sniffling could be heard next to the two felines.
Gumball and Tristan soon disengaged their hug, and turned to see none other than Nicole standing in front of them softly crying.
"M-Mom? Are you okay? Have you been standing there this whole time?"
Nicole, who was unable to speak through her emotions and quivering lips, slowly nodded and smiled, before pulling a handkerchief from her purple sweater pocket and wiping away her tears.
"Awwwww, is everything alright Grandma Nicole?"
Nicole let out a soft chuckle, before regaining her composure.
"It couldn't be better Tristan...I'm so proud of you both!"
Gumball and Tristan turned to each other with confused expressions.
"Proud? Mom, why would you be proud? We haven't done anything worth commending!"
Gumball exclaimed, as Nicole shook her head.
"But that's where you're wrong Gumball...you both have been by each other's side, and I swear it's like I'm seeing your younger self in Tristan all over again, Gummypuss! I couldn't be a prouder Mother to have a son like you, a prouder grandparent to Tristan...and most of all; proud to call myself a Watterson. You both have been the glue that has kept us together you two...that's the part Tristan forgot...you two are what complete the family and what brought us all together thus far..."
Gumball and Tristan both smiled as they turned to each other, before Gumball glanced back in his mother's direction.
"No Mom...every single one of us is integral to the Watterson family...when one of us is in trouble, we all step in to help. That's what makes this family special...remember when Tristan got caught in those rapids last summer? Who was it that rushed to his aid and stopped the impact of the rocks from hitting him, and took the blunt of the impact?"
Nicole smiled, before attempting to fight more tears of joy from falling.
"And who was the one that saved both Tristan and I from being swept away into those rapids?"
Gumball raised an eyebrow.
"Wait...you both were unconscious how did you-"
"Know? It's what Pe-"
Nicole stopped for a moment, as her eyes widened with a sudden realization; quickly followed by Gumball and Tristan.
"PENNY AND PENELOPE!"
All three shouted in unison, as they ran down the street to catch up to the rest of the Watterson family.
As they turned the block, they saw the rest of the Watterson family standing next to a golden portal, symbolizing that it was indeed Penny's and Penelope's.
Anais soon turned around with the rest of the group following suit.
"There you guys are! We were wondering what happened to you!"
The pink rabbit exclaimed, as Nicole, Gumball, and Tristan stopped to regain their breath.
"So-sorry guys, Anais. We got a little sidetracked...but awesome work finding the portal!"
Gumball stated, as Anais gave a slight smirk.
"More like it found US! It just appeared abruptly when we turned the street corner!"
Nicole, Tristan, and Gumball all turned to face one another.
"That...is rather peculiar..."
Nicole stated, as she placed a claw on her chin with her elbow rested on her arm.
"Indeed it is, I presume it to be another part of the erratic nature of the Void; but I wouldn't dismiss it being another reason either."
Anais explained, before Gumball intervened.
"Do you mean-"
"It could be Rob or Penny and Penelope helping us? Perhaps..."
Gumball then stepped forward to the front of the group of Watterson's.
"Well...are we ready for our final rescue before home?"
The entire family nodded and gave a slight warm smile in assurance that they were right behind him.
Gumball returned the warm smile to the rest of them, before shifting his head towards the portal; taking a deep breath to compose and prepare himself for what laid beyond the other side.
"Okay Gumball...time to save your wife and daughter...and go home."
With that final remark to himself, he stepped forward into the portal before him, unsure of who or what he was going to face as he breached the other side.
As Gumball was thrusted through the portal, he soon made impact with soft grass.
Disoriented at first, he soon lifted his body slightly; only to be met by an entire dogpile of Watterson's who were also coming through the portal as well.
Darwin, who was the last to enter through the portal, lifted his face only to be greeted by a gleaming brightness that temporarily blinded him.
He soon adjusted his eyes, to begin surveying his surroundings and to pinpoint exactly where they were.
He saw a school, or more specifically, a kindergarten facility with chalk drawings covering the sidewalk.
He soon saw a Star Spangled banner flag pole, hoisted and waving in the gentle breeze; before turning his attention to the school itself which read: "Elmore Kindergarten and Primary School".
Darwin immediately recognized the place as being the school Gumball and him attended as young kids.
Quickly dismounting the dog pile of Watterson's, he turned to everyone.
"Come on guys! Get up! We're back in a memory of Elmore again!"
Soon, Watterson after Watterson began shifting themselves off of the dogpile to gather themselves and their bearings of where they were.
Once everyone had arisen once again, Nicole noticed someone was still not standing.
"Guys? Where's Gumball?"
Almost instantaneously upon the female blue feline asking this, Gumball lifted his face off of the ground; showing a mouthful of grass that was humorously in the shape of a beard.
He quickly spit out the grass, and remnants of ground and dirt that were coating his mouth to give a thumbs up.
"Right here Mom..."
Nicole placed a paw to her mouth to hold back her chuckles of her son in such a humorous predicament, but upon everyone else realizing what had happened; every Watterson soon burst out into spontaneous laughter.
Gumball soon rose up from a prone position, and started wiping off the ground and some of the grass stains on his clothes.
"I'm glad you're all finding this very amusing..."
Before giving an apprehensive smile and eye roll to the rest of the family.
"So, bro? Where exactly in Elmore are we?"
Gumball asked, as Darwin gave a slight smile.
"Take a look for yourself bro!"
As Darwin said this, Gumball's eyes widened as he saw his old Kindergarten.
"Oh boy...is this memory what I think it is?"
Before Gumball could contemplate and theorize internally further, he recognized a familiar yellow station wagon pulling alongside to the school.
A young blue feline mother stepped out from the car.
"Oh crap, it's Mom!"
The two Watterson brothers exclaimed, as the family scrambled for a place to hide as to not be spotted.
Anais then started to pinch her nose, before speaking.
"Guys! Do you seriously believe that the woman with the most heightened senses, the ability to smell fear, to sense trouble, hear mischief, and most CERTAINLY see a family in the middle of a park, not see us already?!"
Soon, the rest of the Watterson's stopped in their tracks and began nodding their heads, giving Anais another eye roll.
"I swear sometimes this family is the equivalent of a person being born with having every organ upon birth, EXCEPT a functioning brain."
The pink leporid said to herself quietly, as the younger Nicole across the street walked towards the back door of the station wagon.
The Watterson family soon watched with intrigue, as the younger Nicole reached in to pick up a small, five year old Gumball.
As she emerged, she held in her arms a small blue kitten wearing a yellow shirt underneath a pair of denim suspender pants. It was clear who it was to everyone in the Watterson family as they awed at the sight.
Tristan soon stepped next to his father and smiled.
"Dad? Is that you?!"
Gumball soon moved his head downwards with a warm smile.
"Yep...that indeed is your old man, and your grandmother..."
The entire family continued to watch, as the younger Nicole continued to walk towards the sidewalk; before placing the small kitten on the ground.
She now assumed a kneeling position, as parents and other kindergarten students continued to walk past them.
"Okay Gummypuss, it's your first day of school, and I know you're nervous but...you'll see Mommy and Daddy in a few hours, okay?"
The smaller Gumball soon looked around in fear and doubt, before the younger Nicole placed her paw on her son's cheek; turning his head back gently in her direction once again.
"Hey, it's going to be okay...I know exactly how you feel, and I've been there...and guess what?"
Gumball soon sniffled, and a few faint tears began to form as his fear started to spill over physically.
Nicole gently wiped them off of his fur with her fingers and claws, before pulling a tissue out of her jean pocket.
"W-w-what M-mo-mom?"
The younger Gumball stammered as he attempted to vocalize his words.
"Eventually...that fear subsides, and you begin to adjust...until eventually you meet that one friend that can change your life forever...so try not to be scared okay? It's all going to be alright."
Gumball slightly smiled, as the warm and considerate words of his mother began to alleviate a bit of the fear he had within him and some inhibitions.
Suddenly, the school bell rang as Nicole quickly went back to the car to pull out her son's backpack from the back seat.
"Here you go sweetie, I'll be back here to pick you up in no time, Mommy loves you very much!"
The two felines soon embraced for a hug, as Gumball tightly gripped his Mom for one last reassuring hug before facing his fear. Nicole placed her chin on Gumball's head and gave a kiss on top of his forehead, before looking at him with a warm smile.
"You'll be fine Gummypuss, I just know it."
Nicole quickly assumed a standing position, before Gumball started walking to class; Nicole standing with the other parents; with her arms crossed with a slightly worried expression.
Gumball looked back one last time, as Nicole waved to the small kitten garnering a small wave from Gumball; as the other kids were assembling at the front door waiting for their teacher to let them through the entrance.
Nicole let out a worried sigh, before Patrick Fitzgerald stood beside her.
"Everything alright, Mrs. Watterson?"
Nicole slightly jumped, after focusing intently on her son and making sure he was okay; soon turned to Mr. Fitzgerald.
"Oh! Mr. Fitzgerald! I didn't know you were there!"
Patrick slightly chuckled, as he waved his hands in front of him.
"It wasn't my intention Mrs. Watterson, sorry about that!"
Nicole chuckled back.
"It's quite alright, and please, call me Nicole."
Patrick smiled, relieved he didn't startle the blue feline too much.
"Very well, and you can call me Patrick. So...your spouse couldn't make the first day either?"
Nicole looked down and sighed.
"Yeah, there was a few chores and errands that Richard had to do at home and in town, plus today was my day off from the factory. Is everything alright with Judith?"
Patrick smiled.
"Oh she's quite alright, ironically enough she's in the same predicament as Richard today and couldn't make it. It was also my day off from my company schedule, so we both decided that I would bring Penny along for her first day of school."
Nicole smiled, before turning back towards the school with slight concern.
Patrick noticed the shift in her expression, and quickly asked.
"Did your son have a bit of nerves about the first day?"
Nicole turned her head, and quickly nodded in confirmation.
"Oh indeed he did, he's usually fearless and rambunctious at home with Richard and I; but today? A complete wreck of anxiety..."
Patrick smiled slightly.
"That seems to be the consensus on most of the parents on their kids today...I guess we were like it too on our first day."
Nicole nodded slightly.
"Yeah..."
Patrick soon noticed the slight concern in Nicole and quickly moved into action.
"Hey, they'll be alright...who knows? Maybe both of our kids will find a friend today that makes them want to come back here every weekday!"
Nicole smiled.
"I hope so too, Patrick...I hope so too..."
Across the street, Nicole and Gumball were both glancing at each other with emotions welling up; as well as understanding who Gumball was going to meet that day...something that his mother mentioned earlier in the memory that hit the nail on the head...he was going to meet that friend that was going to change both of their lives forever...
The Watterson family soon approached the entrance, as the rest of the adults from the memory began to return to their vehicles to return home or go elsewhere; until they had to return to pick up their kids.
Gumball soon took a deep breath, before turning back to the rest of the family behind him.
"Everyone ready?"
The rest of the Watterson family nodded and smiled warmly, as Gumball placed his paw on the door handle.
"Okay Gumball, moment of truth..."
Gumball slowly entered the classroom, as he saw the rest of the kindergarten kids all bustling about, but no Penelope, Penny, Patrick, or Judith.
Gumball's ears quickly drooped in disappointment, before Anais approached from behind him and placed her paw on his shoulder.
"Hey, don't worry they're in this memory...we just have to wait."
Gumball glanced over his shoulder to his sister with a slight smile, as she nodded in reassurance and a smile of her own.
The Watterson family soaked in the sights of the classroom soon after, the bright and vibrant space of the classroom itself was rather expansive, even for themselves; let alone a small kid.
Tristan soon moved forward, along with Vlad and Anastasia to interact with the toys and other items they saw in the classroom. Knowing that they couldn't be seen, Carrie and the rest of the family allowed the kids to play; as the rest of the adults placed themselves in the many miniature chairs of the classroom and watched...with Gumball in particular waiting in anticipation for his loving wife and lovely daughter to appear at some point.
Nicole was surveying her son from across the room, and motioned Richard to move their chairs to sit next to Gumball.
Gumball noticed his mother and father pull their chairs at each side of him, as Nicole soon looked into her son's eyes.
"Do you remember this day?"
Nicole asked with slight enthusiasm.
Gumball quickly glanced at his mother with a smile, as he quickly wiped away a small tear that cascaded down his face.
"Y-yeah...I do, mom..."
Nicole soon smiled.
"Awwwwww, come here!"
Richard said, as the three embraced for a group hug.
A minute passed, as they finally parted from their hug; as Nicole began to speak once again.
"I'll always remember how jubilant you were when your father and I picked you up from your first day, you just wouldn't stop shouting: "Penny is my friend! Penny is my friend!"
Gumball chuckled as he recounted the memory.
"Yeah...she became so much more than just a friend as the years passed on though..."
Gumball glanced to the floor, before Richard nudged him with his shoulder.
"Look ahead, son."
Richard said this in a soft tone, as a small peanut girl soon approached a small blue kitten in one of the play corners of the classroom.
"Hello! My name is Penny Fitzgerald! What's your name?"
The young Gumball soon glanced up from the floor, to quickly be awestruck at the sight of the peanut girl.
He soon blushed, as he quickly blurted out his name.
"Gu-Gu-Gumball Tristopher Watterson!"
Penny soon giggled at the cute and adorable nature of the small boy, as she knelt down beside him.
"That's a cute and funny name...it suits you well!"
Gumball slightly smiled, as he continued to blush.
Soon, the classroom door opened and a female Raccoon lady entered.
"Alright kids! Settle down, settle down!"
Every kid soon stopped what they were doing and gathered around the teacher around the carpet in the middle of the classroom.
"Very good attentive skills, children! I think we're all going to have a very good year judging by first impressions already! My name is Ms. Johnston, and just like the rest of you I am doing something new as well! It's my first year teaching, so don't feel bad if you're nervous; because I am too!"
The rest of the kids smiled in relief, as Gumball and Penny both smiled as well.
"Now, I want you all to get into groups of two and have the rest of the day getting to know your classmate and partner for the day! I want you to become comfortable with the classroom and everything that encompasses it! Feel free to check out the arts and crafts center, or one of the many play areas scattered around the classroom!"
Ms. Johnston exclaimed, as Penny quickly turned to Gumball.
"Hey! Do you want to be my partner for the day?"
Gumball quickly turned beet red, as he nodded his head after a few moments of initial shock.
"S-sure!"
Penny giggled once again.
"You're so silly and adorable!"
With that, the hours passed, as Gumball watched his younger self, and the girl of his dreams and eventual wife interact together for the first time in their lives.
Gumball watched as they created finger-painting's and other various drawings, playing roleplay games with makeshift toys and dolls, as well as their own puppet show for the rest of their classmates and teacher.
Gumball was smiling at the memory...he recollected how happy he felt on that first day...the anxiety from earlier completely dissipated.
Before he could look on any further, the door in the back of the classroom soon opened.
Gumball's ears perked up, as time itself began to shift in slow motion.
Standing in the doorway, were none other than Penny and Penelope, along with Patrick and Judith behind them.
(If "I Will Always Return" by Bryan Adams is compatible with your device, please press play now)
Gumball quickly widened his eyes in shock and relief, as he quickly arose and toppled his chair, quickly rushing to his wife and daughter.
"Penny!"
"Gumball!"
"Dad!"
The three jumped into each other's arms, as Gumball quickly embraced the two fairies.
"I thought I had lost you..."
Gumball said in relief and in tears.
"It's okay honey, it's okay...we're together now...and we can go home."
Gumball smiled, as he continued to hold Penny and Penelope.
"Yes...finally...home..."
*END OF CHAPTER*