The final day of the vacation saw another gleaming sunrise for the Watterson's to wake up to.
"Couldn't have asked for any better in terms of forecast for the day! Hopefully this remains true for the festival!"
Gumball quickly arose from the bed and got prepared for the festival and day ahead. Penny was still fast asleep, her quiet snoring indicated to the blue feline that she was at peace and tranquility in her slumber.
Gumball flicked on the bathroom light with one of his claws, and stared into the mirror.
"Huh, is this really how mom appeared EVERY morning?"
Gumball then switched on the faucet tap, and prepared some water to wash his face.
He flicked and caressed his face with the warm liquid, as he felt rejuvenated and revitalized for the day ahead.
"Nothing like a bit of water to come to one's senses!"
He then glanced over to the washroom wardrobe where he had placed his outfit. Hidden behind some face cloths and towels, was his attire. He carefully placed and put on each piece. The dark blue denim jeans, the shiny brown leather dress shoes, and last but not least, the beige-brown button up hoodie he had all purchased in Reedsville.
Gumball took one last look in the mirror to admire how well the outfit complimented him and his fashion tastes.
"Well Watterson, we know you like the outfit but the question remains, will the rest of the family like it too?"
Gumball finished combing his fur, and sprayed a cologne that Penny had purchased him as a gift for his promotion at the Rainbow Factory.
"Hopefully this is not overkill..."
Gumball stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, where Penny was reading the forecast on her phone.
"Hey sweetie, it looks like the weather is going to be perfect for the festival today! That's great news for the kids and us for the dan-"
Penny abruptly stopped, as she broke her gaze away from the mobile device.
"Oh my goodness...Gumball?!"
Gumball seemed a bit timid and shy as his wife scanned over his new appearance.
"Hey honey...I tried to go for something that was appropriate for the occasion and was not overly formal...so, what do you think?"
Penny quickly arose to her feet and rushed over to the blue feline, for a deep and passionate kiss.
As they pulled their lips back, her brown eyes met with his.
"Gumball...it's perfect!"
Penny then noticed the digital clock which read the time: 9:00 A.M
Commotion could be heard all around the house, as family members were almost certainly making the necessary preparations for the day ahead.
"Well, I better get myself ready as well! Can't have myself in pajama attire can I?!"
Gumball smiled.
"Honey...you look stunning regardless of whatever attire you choose to wear."
Penny looked back to the blue feline just before entering the bathroom.
"I must say, you've really improved with compliments over the years, certainly an improvement from our first real date night out in college."
Gumball scratched the back of his neck and blushed.
"I did call Mom for some pointers on how to impress a girl that night..."
Penny let out a cute chuckle.
"Never change Gumball, don't worry I'll only be a second!"
"Take all the time you need!"
Penny then slowly shut the door of the bathroom, as Gumball sat at the edge of the bed. He glanced down at his wedding ring, recollecting the night he proposed to her, at the Elmore Mall in the "Dinner" diner. How he returned home to his mother and father, Nicole and Richard, to be the bearer of some wonderful news. How his mother welled up with tears of joy at the news of her little man becoming a husband...and of how it would be the last time he would see her for an extended period of time after he was hired at the Rainbow Factory...
Gumball suddenly snapped out of his inner thoughts from the slow turning of the door knob of the bathroom door being opened slowly. Gumball stood up to greet his wife...but he certainly was not expecting to see her in such a stunning manner.
The fairy stood in the doorway, in a beautiful and elegant blue flower sundress, complimented by a beautiful pink daisy in one of her antlers.
"How do I look?"
The fairy's question flew by the conscious of the blue feline, he was completely mesmerized and infatuated by the beauty the yellow fairy was exuding. It brought him back to the day he first laid eyes on her all those years ago as a young kitten.
"Gumball?"
The blue feline still did not respond, his pupils had dilated to the point of appearing starry eyed.
"Are you alright?"
"You look...absolutely breathtaking Penny!"
Penny blushed.
"I was contemplating on wearing an orange flower sundress, but the blue seemed to fit better...plus I thought of you..."
Both lovebirds made their way to each other, grasping each other in their arms, for the warm gentle embrace of a hug.
Suddenly small footsteps could be heard running down the hallway.
"Dad, Mom! Are you ready for the festival today!?"
Tristan shouted, as he burst into the room wearing his outfit which consisted of a black hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, Penelope was also behind him wearing a sundress similar to Penny, but had an orange floral pattern to match her glowing yellow skin.
"There's my two favorite kids in the whole wide world!"
Gumball stated, as the two kids jumped into their parents arms.
"What are we going to do first? The rides? The food? The awesome entertainment center? When is the dance?!"
Tristan was practically on overdrive from the anticipation and excitement of the entire event that they were about to attend.
"Woah! Woah! Slow down there you two! We'll get there and have fun, but try to calm down in the meantime; okay?"
Nicole then knocked on the bedroom door, wearing a beautiful dark blue version of her pink dress, with a black wool overcoat to match.
"Is that you Gummypuss!? My little man has certainly become spiffier for the occasion!"
Penny and the kids chuckled.
"Uh, thanks Mom! You look fantastic yourself!"
"You really think so? Richard thought it was nice as well, but I wasn't sure how the colors would match."
Penny then walked over to give a hug to the blue feline.
"It looks perfect Mrs. Watterson, you really outdid yourself!"
Suddenly a pink bunny's voice could be heard down the hallway.
"Nicole! If you don't mind, I've seemed to have misplaced my tie again, would you care to help me search for it?"
Nicole planted a paw on her face and grinned.
"Nearly 40 years together with him, and he hasn't changed one iota. But that's ultimately what made me fall in love with him. Plus...look at the wonderful family this has grown to be!"
Gumball and the kids then walked over for a group hug with the female feline.
"We're glad to have you with us Mom."
Gumball stated, as the female cat's eyes started to fill with joyful tears, waving her paw to quell the emotion overcoming her.
"Awwww, you're all too kind...now if you'll excuse me, there's a certain lovable husband of mine who needs my help yet again. I'll see you soon when we depart for the festival!"
As the feline waved to Gumball, Penny, and the kids; who were standing next to each other in the room.
"Well it seems everybody is getting prepared to go, are we all set here?"
Penny looked to the kids who gave a nod in unison.
"It seems we're good to go honey!"
Gumball clapped his paws together.
"Excellent! I'll go prepare some breakfast for us and the rest of the family, and then we'll be on our way to the Reedsville Festival!"
A small cheer filled the room, as around the house, the guests were scrummaging and preparing to enjoy a long day of fun. The Watterson's were not going to miss this event for the world, and it certainly was going to be a landmark occasion in the family's history.
"Alright! Is everyone set?!"
Gumball asked, as the rest of the Watterson family gave the thumbs up, as they piled into their vehicles. This time, the arrangement was each subset of the family travelling together. The elders were placed in a vehicle, Nicole and Richard were together with Anais, Darwin and Carrie with Vlad and Anastasia, and last but not least, Gumball and Penny with Tristan and Penelope.
The sun was gleaming, and provided vivid landscapes of the valley and national park. Once they reached the overlook of Reedsville nestled in the valley, they were greeted by a large convoy of travelers converging on the town.
"Anais wasn't lying, this must really be a special festival! Look at how many people there are!"
Gumball was in awe, as was everyone else in the sedan.
"It must be a tourist favorite, there was a lot of promotion and marketing put into the local tourism industry when your mother and I were checking the listings on the lake house. The festival brings in a lot of funding for the town, and helps the park make necessary upgrades to park infrastructure and recreational projects. I guess that's why it explains how it is such a booming town!"
Penny finished explaining, as Tristan and Penelope took notice of the license plates of the vehicles that were passing them.
"Wow! Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, Louisiana, Illinois...Mom how popular did aunt Anais say this national park was again?"
Penelope asked, as the family chuckled; before Tristan spotted another license plate.
"Dad? What's a British...Columbia?"
Gumball chuckled.
"They're from Canada, Tristan."
"Didn't you say the awesome store fled across the Canadian border when the Elmore police department tried to make a bust on it a few years ago?"
Gumball contemplated the event, and the unfortunate set of circumstances that transpired afterwards with Rob and himself.
"Yeah...his contraband items were legal by Canadian law, so he fled to remain incognito for a few months before he returned to Elmore to set up shop again..."
Tristan then had a contemplative expression.
"They have some weird laws up in Canada...eh?"
The sedan soon burst out into spontaneous laughter, as Gumball and the Watterson family convoy pulled within the town's limits.
"Gee, it seems as if the world has converged onto this one particular town!"
Gumball remarked with an observation, as a flood of traffic remained in front of him as the lead car.
"Oh wait! There's some parking spaces over there!"
Gumball initiated the turn signal to alert the convoy behind him to take note, with each following his lead.
Gumball pulled into the parking space with the family cars behind him, pulling into the vacant spots of the lot.
As the family got out of their vehicles, Gumball turned to Nicole.
"Still easier than the time we tried to find parking at the Elmore mall, right mom!?"
Nicole chuckled.
"You can say that again, Gummypuss!"
Penny then smiled, as Tristan and Penelope gave confused expressions.
"What did you mean by that Dad?"
Gumball placed a paw on the shoulder of the small feline.
"Just one of the many awesome stories Grandma Nicole will reminisce about when we get back home. She'll tell you guys all about it!"
Tristan and Penelope then looked at each other and smiled.
Soon the entire Watterson family were walking together towards the music festival.
Darwin soon caught up and started walking alongside his brother.
"So, do you plan on experiencing the rides?"
Gumball gave a chuckle.
"No doubt the kids will want us to accompany them as to not get scared!"
Darwin then gave a one eyebrow stare with a grin.
"If I recall, you were not too fond of rollercoasters when went together with Penny and Carrie as kids!"
Gumball then looked at his brother with gritted teeth and a hushed tone.
"Yes, I'm completely terrified! But please do not tell the others, I must maintain a calm demeaner as to not give the wrong impression to the kids!"
Darwin let out a hearty laugh.
"Don't worry Gumball your secret is safe with me!"
Soon the family reached the main entrance to the festival, the admissions gate was just ahead. A large barrier was blocking the view and scope of the entire event and venue, but judging by the bombastic sounds of laughter and joy on the other side; it was surely going to be a wonderous surprise.
Gumball approached the turnstile of the admissions gate, where a clerk was standing to sell tickets.
The price of a family of 6 or more, amounted to $50.
"Greetings! Welcome to the Reedsville festival! Are you being accompanied by 6 or more persons?"
The Canine clerk asked, as Gumball stepped up to the booth.
"I am, I would like to purchase some ticket stubs for my family to attend please!"
The dog clerk retrieved the necessary stubs for each Watterson family member, as Gumball exchanged the necessary amount of money to pay for the admission fee.
"Thank you so much sir! Enjoy the festival, it's not one you; or your family will ever forget!"
As the Watterson's stepped through the turnstile, it became clear just how massive the festival truly was. It was packed with thousands of patrons, rides, food, and entertainment to prepare for the Independence day festivities!
"Wow, now this exceeds my expectations!"
Gumball was in awe, if he was still the kid he was from junior high, he would have fainted by the sheer scale of awesomeness around him; along with Darwin.
"I told you it was marvelous and wonderful! Now come on everyone, we didn't travel all this way to be the observational party did we? Let's have some fun!"
Anais shouted as the family cheered around her, with separate groups of the family dispersing to try out the various activities available.
The elders spread out towards the bingo event, while Nicole and Richard attended the various rides and activities with their kids and grandkids.
"Woah Dad! Look at that one over there!"
Tristan grabbed tight to his father's paw, as he guided him towards the shooting targets mini game.
Tristan had spotted one of the grand prizes being a new video game console, if the participants were to reach a collective score of 100% accuracy at shooting the targets, without hitting a friendly target.
"Excuse me, sir? How much to play with four players for the grand prize?"
The vendor then stepped over with a smile.
"You're actually the first competitor to attempt the prize today! I must say it is a pretty daunting task, but the prize is certainly worth the trouble! Do you have three among your group who are willing to help you compete? You get a new Polystation 5 out of it if you succeed!"
Gumball then looked back towards his group, and immediately saw the three people to accompany him in the challenge. He walked over to Penny, Darwin, and Carrie.
"What do you say guys? For old times sake and for the kids?!"
Darwin smiled as he raised his fin to initiate a high five, Gumball obliging eagerly.
"Let's do this!"
The four adults, who were once the classic group of Elmore junior high, were about to relive a glimpse of the glory days.
Nicole and Richard stood with their four grandkids, along with Anais, who were nervously wondering if their parents were going to pull off this feat.
Vlad looked up towards Nicole.
"Grandma Nicole? Do you believe they're going to pull it off?"
Richard and the four kids were now looking towards the female feline.
Nicole glanced at her son Gumball, who gave a smirk and a wink.
This reaffirmed Nicole's initial belief.
"I KNOW they will..."
Richard then looked down with a warm smile towards the kids.
"I believe that answers the question kids, brace yourselves! You're all in for a treat!"
The four adults then stood up at their designated and marked positions for the game.
Some members of the crowd were in disbelief that the four were even attempting the challenge, seeing as it was near impossible.
"No way, they're actually attempting that?"
"Do you know how precise they need to be to hit EVERY single target up there without making a single mistake?"
"They're crazy!"
Unbeknownst to the crowd...crazy was the name of the game the Watterson's played, and they were experts of the craft.
Cat, Fairy, Fish, and Ghost took deep breaths to steady their focus and calm their nerves, clutching the rifles filled with plastic bullets.
"Alright, are you guys all set?!"
The vendor asked, as the four challengers nodded their heads in unison.
"Okay then!"
"5"
"4"
"3"
"2"
"1"
"GO! GO! GO!"
Suddenly a barrage of plastic bullets were hitting the targets. With deadly precision, all four were in the zone, and were dead set on winning the prize for their kids.
"30% of the targets are down, keep going!"
The vendor announced on a microphone, as more people gathered to watch what was happening.
"They're going to do it Richard! I can feel it!"
Nicole stated with competitive spirit burning within her, along with love and pride.
"Half of all targets hit, you've hit the plateau! Time to descend the mountain to safety!"
Soon cheers accompanied the vendors words, as more and more people were anxious to see if the four could pull it off.
"I think you might be right honey, they're doing spectacularly well at this game!"
Richard remarked, as the marksmanship of the four adults was unfaltering, and was precise to not miss a single shot.
"80% OF ALL TARGETS HIT! THIS COULD BE IT FOLKS!"
Cheering and chants of encouragement were soon echoing around the four friends shooting at the targets.
"You can do it Mom and Dad!"
Shouted all four kids behind them, this providing the extra drive needed to keep their aim steady and deadly.
"We believe in you kids!"
Shouted Richard and Nicole.
"You got this guys!"
Shouted Anais.
Suddenly the last target had popped up for Gumball, a large gasp could be heard from the crowd behind him, perception of the blue feline's surroundings seemed to come to a grinding halt; as he took a deep breath and clenched his claw on the trigger.
A plastic bullet was soon discharged from the barrel of the rifle and seemingly was in slow motion through the air, as its course of trajectory was speeding quickly towards the target, when suddenly...
*Ping*
The target was down...100% accuracy had been achieved.
The deafening silence was abruptly cut by a rapturous roar from the crowd behind the four adults, as the Watterson kids ran towards their parents in glee and jubilation.
"THEY DID IT! DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!? YES!"
The vendor was just as happy as the rest of the crowd, as the Watterson's gathered around one another, the crowd began chanting their names.
"WATTERSONS! WATTERSONS!"
"Let's give one more big cheer for the Watterson family everyone!"
The vendor once again encouraging a gigantic cheer from the crowd.
"You did it Dad! You did it!"
Tristan shouted as Gumball smiled, turning back to his wife Penny, and Darwin with Carrie.
"No son, I couldn't have done it without those three who were up there with me!"
As the four former Elmore Junior High friends gathered for a group hug, that sent an echo to the past, and created old memories into the future.
Nicole, Richard, and Anais smiled just behind them with the kids.
"Well Mom and Dad, you guys were right and wrong about one thing..."
Nicole and Richard looked at their daughter with a confused expression.
"You were right about Gumball always having that old spirit in him, but you forgot a part of that assessment...our Gumball also helped those around him find their old selves too on this vacation. We ALL helped one another."
As they converged on the four young adults, sharing in the group hug. The Watterson family of old, were back in a new way, one that would see more memories in the years to come.
The day progressed further, activities such as rollercoasters, in which Gumball desperately tried to hold back tears, houses of mirrors, fun houses, go karts, and the spinning circular swing set, were just a glimpse of the fun the family had that Independence Day; and it wasn't over yet...not by a long shot.
Soon evening approached, as the festival and its spectacular light display lit up the town in the valley, the mountain range in the distance had the moon peeking over it, giving a beautiful summer atmosphere.
Gumball was walking with his paws in his hoodie pockets, as Tristan walked beside him, witnessing all of the festival scenery and happenings around them.
Tristan was chewing on a kid sized proportion of cotton candy, some of the pink and fluffy substance sticking to the whiskers of the small feline.
"Hey Dad, how did you get so good at shooting things?"
Gumball chuckled.
"Well your grandmother used to take us on family outings to the local Elmore Paint Club, and it kinda spilled over into our high school days. Occasionally, your Mother, Uncle Darwin, Aunt Carrie, and I would go there a few weekends to have a little friendly competition. It was actually one of the fonder moments we had together. But oh man, we had so much fun back in those days! Movies, sleepovers, the beach, camping, pranking Ms. Simian...yeah...they were the best days of our lives...of course, until you guys came along!"
Tristan chuckled.
"Thanks Dad! Say...do you think I'll have memories like you did when I grow up?!"
Gumball rustled the fur of the small feline.
"Of course you will little man! You'll be able to tell all of this to your kids too and they'll pose the same question you asked me. It's all part of being a happy family, and creating memories with friends that will last a lifetime...or in Aunt Carrie's case, forever! Because you know she's kinda..."
Tristan chuckled, as Gumball joined in.
"Oh! Also you got a little bit of cotton candy on your whisker...right there!"
Gumball then stuck a piece of cotton candy onto Tristan's nose.
"Hey! Not fair!"
Gumball laughed, as he cleaned the pieces of candy off the small feline's face with his paws.
"Don't worry, one day I will teach you the tricks of the trade with being a prankster! Then you can teach it to your kids... you know if you decide to have them..."
Tristan chuckled.
Suddenly, the Watterson family approached the large Ferris wheel.
"Hey Dad! Do you think we have enough time for one more ride before dinner and the dance?!"
Gumball smiled and checked his watch.
"Well we still have at least an hour before dinner...alright let's do it!"
Tristan cheered, as the family marched up to the Ferris wheel.
"Tickets to go on the Ferris wheel please!"
Gumball requested, as the manager passed out the stubs of admission to enter the Ferris wheel.
The Watterson kids and Anais stepped into their own Ferris compartment, the elders, Nicole and Richard, followed by Carrie and Darwin, and lastly Penny and Gumball all entering their own separate compartments.
(If I Believe in You by Don Williams is compatible with your device, please press play now)
The Watterson family were soon slowly rising to the top, as everyone was enjoying the sights and sounds of the festival and town of Reedsville.
The stars were shining above them and the stage for the dance was being established and prepared. Performers were checking equipment, along with tables and chairs for the patrons to sit and enjoy their evening; being set up by festival employees.
Penny was resting her head on the shoulder of Gumball.
"Honey...we had some great memories on this vacation didn't we?"
Gumball looked down, his arms wrapped around the fairy, the pink daisy on her antler blowing in the wind. Her perfume and natural beauty were breathtaking to the blue feline.
"It truly has been...you do realize that without your consideration and planning, none of this would have been possible?"
Penny looked up with her shining brown eyes to initiate a kiss.
"I knew the life we had back home was taking a toll on us mentally and physically. The monotonous cycle and endless stress of our lives, and the four of us desperately needing a break...something had to change, and that's when I decided to look up your mother's phone number. She was certainly surprised and delighted that I made that phone call!"
Gumball chuckled.
"Yeah, she would be too...it's unfortunate how we didn't do this earlier..."
"Be at least we did do it! Listen, what has this vacation taught you Gumball?"
The blue feline pondered this question, as the Ferris wheel was now rotating their compartment to the top.
It then hit him, the one thing that was constant throughout this entire vacation, was to teach him about the most important possession of all: The importance of family.
"Family...it has taught me about those around me Penny."
The yellow fairy smiled.
"There he is...now you're back to being Gumball!"
Gumball smiled, as they both looked towards the stage where the dance was to be held.
"Are you excited for the dance?"
Penny asked, as Gumball looked blankly with a one thousand yard stare.
"As long as it's more functional, and less embarrassing than high school prom...I'm sure it will be excellent; Penny."
*END OF CHAPTER*