Gumball once again awoke from a beautiful night's rest to the embrace of sunshine, glimmering through the window, with the birds outside chirping their morning songs.
"We have been tremendously lucky for the weather on this vacation. Honestly couldn't ask for anything better!"
Slowly rising from the bed as to not disturb Penny, conducting the same routine he had done so many times on this vacation and at home, he got changed, fixed his fur, washed up, and brushed his teeth to prepare for the day ahead. Before leaving the bedroom, he gently planted a kiss on Penny's forehead and slowly pranced out into the main hallway.
Everyone in the household, as expected, were still snoring and dozed off in their deep slumbers.
He descended the stairs in a brisk fashion into the kitchen, to prepare a pot of coffee.
Although, something caught the eye of the blue feline instantaneously upon turning the corner of the entrance to the kitchen.
A pot of coffee had already been brewed, but there was not a soul in sight. Everybody had been fast asleep upstairs, or at least Gumball ASSUMED everyone was still asleep upstairs. He approached the freshly brewed pot.
"What the what? Hazelnut too?! How could someone have known my favorite bre-...wait. How did someone know I would be up at this hour?"
Gumball, somewhat unnerved, nonetheless poured a fresh brew of coffee into his mug and took a sip. The warm liquid soothing his throat, and providing a sense of ease and comfort to the morning.
Suddenly, he heard chuckling not too far away.
"Hello? Who's there? Tristan? Penny? Penelope? Mom?"
Suddenly he could somewhat make out a black outfit peering behind the couch in the living room.
"Carrie? Vlad?"
Suddenly two ghosts popped up from behind the couch.
"Hey Gumball! How's the coffee?"
Carrie was sporting a smug grin and flicking her hair as she always did whenever she had accomplished a task or bested someone, her signature gotcha move.
Gumball was now playing out multiple scenarios in his mind, none of which entailed a good ending for the cat.
"They got me again didn't they? They tainted the coffee with something, I know it! I knew this was all too suspicious! Okay, okay, play it cool, they want to rouse a reaction from you, just play it cool..."
"Oh the coffee is great thanks! Why do you ask? Did you guys make the pot yourselves?"
Both ghosts nodded their heads in unison, knowing full well by their expressions, that this was indeed another prank concocted by both of them.
Suddenly, facial hair began to grow on the blue cat's face at an exponential rate, soon a beard had grown the length to which it had touched the floor.
Both ghosts busted out laughing, realizing they had once again succeeded in tricking the blue feline, along with him being completely off guard.
"Ha,Ha,Ha! We brewed that batch of hair enrichment potion the night you were fixing the fireworks! What better way of finding out its potential, then to put it in Gumball Watterson's coffee!"
Both ghosts were now filled with tears of laughter, Gumball, now looking like a medieval wizard, was standing with an unimpressed expression. But he quickly changed his expression and demeaner to one of amusement.
"Well they got me yet again, I have to give credit where credit is due. But mark my words, I will get my comeback prank Carrie Krueger!"
"Well played guys, well played. But how did you guys know precisely when I was about to wake up AND my favorite flavor of coffee?!"
Carrie wiped away a tear from her laughter and regained her composure.
"Well we asked your mother Mrs. Watterson of course, duh! She was all on board with the plan when we told her. She was the one who devised when we should have the pristine opportunity to pull off our prank!"
Gumball, even with a beard covering his face, let off a smirk.
"Well Mom, you got your payback from the mountain race at least..."
Gumball then pointed to the abundance of facial hair now covering him.
"You guys do realize though that I cannot be walking around the entire vacation like the merchant from Legend of Zelmore, right?"
Carrie crossed her arms, before raising her hand.
"No worries, you still have that razor from when you had your fur full of lice in college, right?"
Gumball scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah, I think so. It should be in our bags packed upstairs, I'll ask Penny."
The ghost gave a smile, as the feline placed his mug on the kitchen counter and began to make his way back to his bedroom. As he walked out, he noticed his mother descending the staircase.
"*Muffled chuckle* Morning Gummypuss!"
The blue feline now covered in facial hair, looked up begrudgingly to his mother.
"Hey Mom... it seems Carrie's little prank worked, eh? I haven't been this full of facial hair since dad switched our cereal for his supplements when we were kids. It also seems to have been even more successful due to an anonymous insider providing crucial information about my favorite coffee flavor...you wouldn't happen to know anything about it would you?"
Nicole was usually able to maintain her composure and mature demeaner, but she slipped a burst of laughter and quickly covered her mouth with her paws.
"Not...Not...heh,heh,heh, Not at all sweetie! Why do you ask?"
Gumball crossed his arms, and smiled.
"Mom I know you were the one who told Carrie about my favorite coffee and when I wake up in the morning..."
"Awww..."
Nicole now gave her son a hug.
"I'm sorry sweetie, it was actually your father who encouraged me to provide the details to Carrie! He wanted a bit of payback from that prank you guys pulled all those years ago, sending him out to sea on a raft..."
Gumball then rolled his eyes.
"Of course, although to be fair, he did achieve that when he chased us around the house; which led to me having ketchup squirt back into my face. That also was the cause for the house being in such a mess when you came back with Anais...".
Nicole then crossed her arms and gave a glare.
"Oh you little troublemakers! We spent a large portion of my paycheck trying to refurbish and clean up the mess you guys left!"
Gumball then grabbed his arm and looked down at his feet.
Nicole then lifted the chin of her son to face her.
"But it's a memory I will look back to until the day that I die, the two young boys and man who made every day special and interesting."
Nicole then planted a peck on her son's cheek.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to pour a new brew of coffee, and you need to shave that beard!"
Nicole then walked past her son with a smile.
As he ascended the stairs he could hear three distinct voices chatting in the kitchen, before a chorus of laughs could be heard echoing throughout the house.
Gumball finally made it back to the bedroom, Penny was humming a soft tune in the washroom.
Gumball sat at the end of the mattress, before pulling a mirror from the end table as he got up.
"This is going to be one of the longest shave sessions ever..."
Suddenly, the door knob handle to the washroom rattled, indicating Penny was about to enter back into the main bedroom.
As she exited, she wore a beautiful sundress that Gumball had purchased her on the honeymoon of their wedding a few years ago.
She was looking down at her phone for a moment, before looking up to see a shocking sight.
"Hey hone- OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!"
The yellow fairy dropped her phone onto the bedroom carpet, the screen protector and case shielding any damage to it.
"Hey honey..."
Gumball provided a greeting, as he outstretched both arms.
"How do you like the new look? I decided to get up my usual time without waking you, and went downstairs for some coffee. Lo and behold, turns out the coffee is tainted with another one of Carrie and Vlad's potions. I got pranked again, Penny..."
The fairy, at first scared, now transitioned to giggles.
"We could dye it white and dress you up as Santa for Christmas, the kids would love that!"
The fairy now came over to lean and laugh on the blue feline's shoulder, taking her phone out for a selfie with her now bearded husband.
"That's one for the scrapbook!"
Gumball rolled his eyes with a smile.
"I guess I better get this shaved off...hey do we still have that heavy duty razor from when my fur got an infestation of super lice?"
Penny arose from the bed.
"Yeah I think so! It should be in one of the bags we packed...ah here it is!"
The fairy pulled out a shiny razor that appeared sharp enough to cut through concrete.
"Thanks, Penny!"
The yellow fairy then smiled, as the blue feline disappeared into the washroom.
Gumball then stepped out of the washroom after what seemed like an hour, shaving every follicle he had.
"There we go, all freshened up. I better go check on the rest of the family to start the day. I'm sure they're all awake by now!"
The blue feline then walked out into the hallway, to hear distant chatter in the living room downstairs, become more clear and crisp as he approached the staircase.
He peeked around the wall to remain unseen, to see Penny with her phone showing the entire Watterson family, which was no doubt the picture she had captured earlier; of the blue feline having a ridiculously humorous beard.
"Well, at least they're happy that's the main thing. Even if it was indirectly because of me...and at my expense."
The blue feline still held onto a bit of ego that he had as a kid, but was not nearly as assertive or concerned about it taking a hit like back in those days. Plus, it was another memory of many that had been made on this vacation so far, and for that it was a picture of joy to see his family spending time together.
Gumball then walked out and descended the stairs.
"Ah, there he is! Ivan the Terrible himself has come back from the grave!"
Darwin joked, as the rest of the family belted out another sequence of laughter.
Gumball even let out a few chuckles at this, and at looking at the photo his fiancé had captured. It was truly a ludicrously funny beard that the potion had caused. He then began joining in the chorus of laughter that the family was having.
"Yeah well, hopefully I just have the appearance of Ivan and NOT the personality, Darwin!"
Gumball remarked, as his brother looked at him still smiling.
"Of course bro! Anyway, what are we all doing today?!"
Gumball then stepped to the center of the living room underneath the sun roof, grasping both paws together.
"Well I am so glad that you mentioned that Darwin! Everyone, I have a little surprise for you all. I heard from a local in Reedsville, that there is a quaint little recreational center downtown that we can all enjoy! There is a nice little "fun zone" and there is a restaurant we can dine in afterwards! In short, it should be an awesome day!"
With that the Watterson family cheered in jubilation.
With everyone dressed and having had breakfast, everyone filed into their vehicles, with Penny, Gumball, Penelope, and Tristan occupying the sedan this time.
As they drove out to the main highway, the Watterson children were playing "I spy" over the walkie talkies.
The drive was rather quiet, until a voice came onto the other end of the walkie talkie.
"Say, Gummypuss? How about we have a rematch for the race on the summit?"
It was Nicole again.
Tristan grasped the walkie talkie with Penelope and him looking towards their Father, who had his paws held at the wheel.
"Uh Dad? I think Grandma Nicole is talking to you."
Gumball kept his eyes forward and smirked.
"I know..."
Penny sat next to him and recognized the look he had displayed on his face now.
He gave her a nod.
"Okay kids, make sure your seatbelts are strapped in and tight, things could get a little out of hand in a few moments!"
With that Tristan handed the walkie talkie to his father, who now grasped it in his paw.
"On the count of three Mom?"
"Let's do it!"
Both now gripping their steering wheels tightly and revved their engines.
3.
2.
1.
The two vehicles then spun off from their mental countdown, receiving blaring horns from the cars they passed.
"Watch out Dad! There's a construction zone ahead!"
Gumball was now racing neck and neck with his mother's vehicle adjacent to him.
Mary and Daniel both sat in the backseat of Richard and Nicole's vehicle.
"I'm sure you had nothing to do with this reckless behavior when you taught her how to drive, did you Daniel?!"
The beige cat then looked to his mistress.
"I can assure you, whatever our daughter is doing now is under her own volition, not my own teachings!"
Both cars were now swerving in and out of construction scaffoldings.
"Honey, there's a ramp!"
"I see it!"
Gumball then pushed the gear shift, the car sped up to a blinding speed as it approached the ramp.
"Here it comes!"
The sedan now hit the ramp full tilt, soaring through the air for what seemed like forever. Nicole and the other members watched the flying sedan soar past them, like an eagle surveying over a valley; it was majestic and terrifying all at once.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!"
Gumball and the kids were enjoying every moment of adrenaline this was giving, Penny held on for dear life hoping it would not result in a catastrophic wreck.
Soon the Reedsville sign greeted the convoy of vehicles, indicating an end to the race, with Gumball the clear winner.
"You got lucky again Gummypuss! Perhaps another time?"
Gumball smirked.
"Sure thing, Mom!"
The convoy of cars and vans soon approached the Reedsville recreational center.
Gumball pulled into a vacant parking space.
"There it is kids! Pretty nice facility for such a small town huh?"
The kids in the back seat were collectively marveling at the complexity and size of the rec center.
"Alright then, let's go see what the place has to offer us!"
The Watterson family exited their vehicles and walked together to enter the center.
They were greeted by a small cupcake-like secretary, who provided admission tickets at the front entrance booth.
"Don't worry everyone, I'll bear the responsibility of the cost of admission!"
Darwin walked over to the booth and paid for the ticket stubs required to enter.
Each Watterson family member received their stubs and made their way inside.
What they were greeted with, was beyond comprehension.
An arcade was lined up at the far end of the room, a "Fun Zone" which consisted of a large fort- like structure that had obstacles and rooms that were vast and vibrant, and a beautiful family restaurant in the far corner. For elderly guests, a small coffee shop stood alongside the restaurant to accommodate their needs while the younger patrons were busy enjoying the various activities.
Tristan spotted a basketball arcade machine at the far end.
"Hey Grandma Nicole! Want a chance to reconcile your defeat last time?"
Nicole watched as the small feline pointed to the machine with the basketballs lined up to shoot.
"Oh, it's on little man!"
The two walked over, with Tristan grasping his Grandmother's paw.
The elders made their way to the coffee shop, while the rest of the adults went off with the kids to enjoy the various sights and sounds of the rec center.
Penelope raced off with Vlad, Carrie, Anastasia, Penny and Anais to the "Fun Zone".
The last two left standing together were Darwin and Gumball.
"So?"
"Hmm?"
Gumball looked over to his brother who had asked him a question.
"Are we going to join in on the fun?"
Gumball looked to the rest of the kids and parents enjoying the activities.
"Aren't we a little old to be doing this?"
Darwin's eyes opened wide once again.
"I thought you stated that you were going to be bringing back the old Gumball again? Did you just throw that out of the synapses of your brain? Dude! Look at how happy everyone is! Do you really want to stand by on the sidelines and not join in?"
Gumball heard these words and felt them as if it were a bullet piercing his heart. His brother was right, he almost retracted back to the old shallow self he was trying to shed on this vacation, and almost didn't realize it. The younger him would have slapped him in the face for not wanting to engage in something fun with his family just because he was now an "adult".
"You're right...I'm so sorry, I was honestly going to let myself stay idle here and watch everyone soak in on the fun this place has to offer. Thanks Darwin..."
The orange fish smiled.
"No problem! Now come on! We can't let the rest of them have all the fun!"
The two brothers raced off to join the family near the fun zone.
"Ha Ha, now you're even with your Grandmother!"
Nicole approached the fun zone with Tristan grasping her paw.
"Yeah I guess...but I was super close to beating you! I had a height disadvantage too, that certainly played a factor didn't it Grandma Nicole?"
Nicole chuckled.
"Well to be fair little man, I was oblivious to the controls of your video game, so consider this an exception."
Both cats smiled at one another, as Richard approached with a hot dog in his paw.
"Richard we're supposed to be saving the food until later, remember?"
Richard then waved his paw.
"Don't worry honey, I kind of forgot breakfast this morning, so this is just to satiate my appetite until dinner!"
Nicole let on a confused expression.
"Richard Watterson forgetting breakfast? Now that's a first!"
The three then walked to the fun zone.
They spotted the rest of the family inside the fort having bountiful loads of fun with the obstacles offered inside.
Nicole spotted Gumball and Darwin having a sword fight with the rest of the Watterson kids, their sister Anais, and their wives.
"WOAH! THAT LOOKS LIKE FUN!"
Tristan now broke the grasp of Nicole to join the others, as Richard wrapped an arm around the blue feline.
"Now Richard, does this scene remind you of anything?"
Both were now looking at the scene inside the fort.
"It...really reminds me of when they were in the backyard as kids!"
"Exactly..."
The two were now almost tearing up.
"Where did the time go? It was only yesterday you had a milk carton and a straw to Gumball's mouth, now he has a family and is all grown up!"
Richard then cut in.
"Not quite."
Nicole looked up at the pink bunny, who was now smiling.
"What do you mean?"
"Look again..."
Nicole looked at her son, who was engaged in a duel with Tristan, both reenacting a scene from "Stellar Odyssey".
"That part of him never left, he just grew and added on to his old self. All he needed was a reminder that he could still enjoy that part of him and be an adult as well. You played a large role in that Nicole, even with your serious demeaner and abiding by so many rules, you were able to help our son be reminded of who he was; and who he still is!"
Nicole was now ready to let the waterworks fall, but instead let out soft sobs as to not ruin the atmosphere of the rec center, nor cause a scene amongst the crowd of families there.
"Not just me Richard, we all helped him see that..."
The blue feline now leaned against the pink bunny, as they waved to the Watterson kids in the fort.
The Watterson family enjoyed their time at the rec center. A beautiful family dinner was had, accompanied by the singing of songs with the local band that played for the venue.
The drive home was also filled with the conversations of the day the family had, recounting the fun and joy everyone experienced, which in turn of course; was accompanied by laughter in each vehicle. The bond amongst the Watterson's was now stronger than ever before.
(If Saving Me by Nickelback is compatible with your device, please press play now)
Tristan sat on the living room couch with the rest of the family. Some were reading, watching the television, or chatting. For him, this was his leisure time he had to himself and his handheld gaming console. It provided him a breather and recharging of his energy, and also allowed him to collect his thoughts.
Gumball sat at the table with the rest of the adults, disengaged from the current conversation.
He glanced over to the living room. The elders were watching another live broadcast of "Win or Don't Win", while the kids sat in the living room playing a board game.
Then he saw Tristan sitting alone on his hand held. Engaged in what he was doing, but Gumball sensed he would rather be engaged in another activity with someone else. Gumball then glanced out the window to the setting sun, it's orange and crimson aura painting the landscape outside.
He then had an idea.
He excused himself from the table and gave a kiss to Penny. He walked over to the living room and knelt down to Tristan.
Tristan instinctively paused his game, and looked up.
"Yeah Dad?"
"Are you alright kiddo? Did you enjoy your day?"
Tristan smiled.
"Yeah it was awesome! Thanks Dad!"
Gumball then returned a smile.
"Oh that was nothing, anytime! Say, do you want me to show you a part of this house you haven't seen yet? Darwin and I used to do this all the time at our old house!"
Tristan then got up.
"Yeah sure! Where are we going?"
Gumball then motioned the small blue feline to follow him.
They both walked up the staircase to the balcony window at the end of the hallway.
Gumball opened the door to the outside balcony and looked up to the roof.
"Alright I'm going to give you a boost up there."
"We won't fall will we? It seems rather high off the ground!"
Gumball chuckled.
"Don't worry, you're safe with me."
Gumball then hoisted the blue feline onto the rooftop, and then proceeded to jump onto the ledge to hoist himself up.
He then guided the small blue cat up to the highest point of the roof.
"Now look out to the distance over there..."
Gumball pointed a claw to the west, where Elmore laid glowing in the sunset.
"Woah!"
The blue feline was in awe of the beauty of the scene in front of him.
"Pretty cool huh!?"
"It's beautiful Dad!"
Both felines now sat next to each other on the roof, the sun dipping further and further beyond into the horizon.
Tristan turned to face his father, who was still looking at Elmore in the distance.
"Hey Dad?"
Gumball now looked down to meet his son's eyes, of which bared the reflection of the sunset's glow.
"Yeah little man?"
"Were you always that fun as a kid? Grandma Nicole told me you were always a little firebolt of energy!"
Gumball smiled.
"Tristan...those were some great days, and I miss them dearly..."
The small blue feline didn't like the somber tone his Father now had in his voice, it seemed genuinely sad in every word uttered.
"But you know what?"
The small blue feline then looked up, as more emotion was heard the older cat's voice.
"That side of me never left! I just wasn't able to show you guys what I'm really like because of work and taking care of you both with your Mother. But even when this trip is over the fun is not going to stop for the summer! No sir! Grandma Nicole and Grandpa Richard will be staying with us and it's going to be awesome! Who knows? Perhaps you'll even find out more about our past as kids. I'm sure your Grandmother's memory is still as sharp as ever!"
The blue feline then hugged the larger cat, catching him somewhat off guard.
"You're the best Dad!"
Gumball then wrapped his arms around the blue kitten.
"Thanks...son."
The sun soon disappeared, and all that could be heard around the lake house were the crickets and sounds of the ducks swimming in the nearby lake. Fireflies soon appeared as the moon began to rise.
Tristan leaned against his father and began stargazing.
"This vacation could not get any better...could it?"
*END OF CHAPTER*