Gumball awoke to the sounds of rain outside. It was quietly pitter pattering on the roof and outside onto the pavement below. It seemed to bring a sense of calm in Gumball. He really was always eased by the sound of rain. Only when he was stuck in the rain did it become irritating. Having matted fur didn't help in that regard. But now, he was listening to it in the comfort of his home...next to his mother. Gumball turned to face Nicole. He saw her sleep soundly next to him. It then occurred to him that she was smiling while still fast asleep.

'I wonder if she's dreaming. If she is, I wonder what it's about?' Gumball thought as he decided to kiss her on her forehead.

Gumball wasn't born yesterday. He knew his mother was hurting last night. They both were. But only after she punched that tree and broke down in his arms did he know that she had it worse. Much worse. This made Gumball's ears twitch. This was unhealthy for her. She shouldn't be like this. He always looked up to his mother for comfort and security, not the other way around...

Gumball then thought of something. What if that was his problem? What if he and their entire family had solely relied on her for nearly everything? This thought was slowly crushing his spirits and opening a new door to reality. It was like placing everything on a table with only one wobbly leg. It was bound to break and fall eventually...

Gumball felt tears start to well up in his eyes. How could he have been so blind?! He knew his mother was strong, but to have the problems of everyone focused on her, along with her own problems combined with years of back breaking work; it was like a ticking time bomb. No wonder she seemed so angry at them for the simplest things of things. It was the only way she could vent...

Gumball wiped his eyes, leaned in and hugged his sleeping mother. He needed to change. Not just for his sake...but for hers. He was going to be more independent. Gumball let go of his mother and kissed her forehead one final time before heading downstairs. Making a surprise breakfast, in Gumball's eyes at least, would be a wonderful thing for his mom. She would always make them breakfast before school, so why shouldn't Gumball return the favor?

He opened the still very strange fridge, and pulled out a few items. Eggs, cheese and some milk. He was going to attempt to make an omelette. Sure he had...attempted to cook something before, a cake in fact, but it didn't go as smoothly as he had hoped; considering he had forgotten a few key ingredients. But Gumball was determined he could at least make an omelette right. How hard could it be?

After a few "failed" attempts, Gumball had done it! He had made a successful omelette. He flipped his magnificent creation onto a plate and set it to the side, very carefully. He had been glad he knew how to work the stove right. Better yet, he was glad it turned on when he tried it. He still was leery touching strange things in this house, considering many things were still unknown and freaky to both him and his mother. But regardless, he had done it to the stove; for his mother's sake. Gumball poured a glass of milk and placed an apple next to the omelette. He then carefully walked up the steps with a big grin on his face. His mom was gonna love this!

Nicole was dreaming a wonderful dream. She felt so happy. She was skipping through a green grass meadow and having sunshine pour onto her body. She felt light as a feather. She opened her eyes and saw Gumball on top of a hill in front of her. She skipping over to him, now in a faster pace, and finally stopped. He was smiling up at her. This made her body feel warm. He then outstretched his arms for a hug. She bent down and hugged him with all the love she could muster. She felt so happy... When she opened her eyes again...she saw Gumball was gone. In his absence, just a few feet in front of her stood her husband, along with Darwin and Anais. They all had angry glares. Nicole stepped forward and reached to hug them too, but they backed up; away from her grasp. Nicole felt tears in her eyes.

"Please, let me hug you! I missed all of you!" She said, coming closer.

Suddenly Darwin and Anais seemed to fade into nothing and disappeared. Only Nicole and Richard remained. Richard seemed full of anger now. He raised his arm and hand above his body and looked like he was about to smack Nicole. She fell to her knees, begging him to not do it.

"No Richard! Please! I'll come back and feed you. I'll feed everyone. I'll go back to work..."

As Nicole wiped her tears and looked at them, she saw her tears turned into tiny credit cards. The cards that Richard had maxed out to pay for his "food binges". This infuriated her. She felt her body grow and her eyes turn red. She felt her teeth extend into sharp daggers. She now looked down at the puny pink bunny, the man she fell in love with, and growled. She was at her ends meet. Too long had she had to endure him and his whining. This time...he would pay!

Nicole launched down at Richard. He screamed up at her...now having red eyes too. He readied himself for the fight and swung his tiny fist towards hers. Just as they were about to make contact...she woke up to the sound of a knocking door.

Nicole looked around frantically, before focusing on the door. As the door opened, Nicole felt her heart beat drop with calmness...then pick up pace when she saw what he was carrying. He was carrying food. She then saw him place the plate and silverware on her lap, and placed a glass of milk on her bedside table. The food...was for her! Nicole looked at Gumball with disbelief. She hadn't been served food like this except at a restaurant, or as a kid. Never by her own kids or husband. This made her heart flutter. She looked at Gumball, and saw him smiling a big grin. Nicole was still speechless. Eventually, she mustered up the few words in confusion.

"Gummypuss, did you...did you make this?"

Gumball nodded.

"I made it for you mom. I knew you were feeling down...so I decided to make something to cheer you up."

Nicole set the food aside and pulled Gumball into a big hug. She was so happy, just like in her dream of skipping through the meadow. This time...there was no nightmare to follow.

Gumball then wiggled out of the hug, and set the food back on her lap.

"Alright mom, I want an honest answer. How does it taste?" He spoke, with both his hands and arms wrapped around his back in anticipation.

Nicole took a big bite and was overwhelmed with the flavor.

"Gumball, this tastes absolutely amazing!" She said back. The amount of cheese was just perfect.

Gumball made a "heck ya" gesture with his fist, before climbing in bed next to her. Nicole leaned in an kissed his cheek. This time, it made him blush. Nicole could see it. She was truly proud of Gumball for doing this for her. It was truly something special. Sure it was small, but right here, right now; it meant the world to her.

Gumball laid back and folded his arms behind his head and closed his eyes in victory. He had done it! He had made his momma proud! He could get used to making breakfast. Well, omelettes at least. He heard the crunch of an Apple from Nicole as she had finished her eggs and then felt a bump on his arm. He opened one eye and saw Nicole offering her Apple to him. He accepted and started eating the rest of her Apple.

As Nicole looked over as Gumball was eating his Apple happily, she felt that warm fuzzy feeling throughout her body again. That same feeling she felt when he was comforting her last night. She was truly taken aback by this. Why was she feeling this way? It could have been appreciation, but something told her it was much more then that. Maybe it was parental love? That could simply be it. It fit all the check boxes to her. Yet...it felt like even something more...

Nicole then smelled something. It smelled a bit like smoke. She glanced down at her plate. Perhaps it was from the eggs she ate. But surely she would have tasted the burntness of the food, right? She then decided to ask Gumball and see if he smelled it too.

"Gumball? Do you smell smoke?"

Gumball turned towards her face in confusion, before sniffing the air. His face seemed to confirm her suspicions. He smelled it too. But where was it coming from? Gumball now was deep in thought. Where on earth could smoke be coming fro-

Nicole heard Gumball bolt up in his bed and look towards the door.

"Oh shit." He said, causing his mother to form a frown on her face.

"Gumball! There is no need for that type of laug-, wait! Where are you going?!" She asked confused as she saw her son dart out of the room.

'Oh nonono! I can't believe I left the stove on! I feel like an idiot!' Gumball thought to himself as he ran downstairs and towards the kitchen.

As Gumball rounded the corner and was about to step into the kitchen, it was met with a very fiery sight. Almost the entire kitchen was on fire. He stepped back slowly and felt like he was in shock.

'H-how did it get spread so fast? How did this start?!'

Gumball started to run back towards the steps when he almost plowed into his mother. She had a look of serious concern on her face.

"Gumball sweetie, what is it? What's wrong?" She asked, how smelling more smoke then before.

Gumball was at a loss of words. He simply pointed towards the kitchen. Nicole walked past him and looked into the kitchen. He heard her gasp before running back to him and pulling him towards the door. Just as they were about to open it, they both heard a large hissing sound, followed by a deafening roar of an explosion. Gumball and her were both thrown back into the wall with immense force. Nicole felt the air forced from her lungs and something shattering in her arm. She tried to scream, but couldn't. She then felt the world around her go blurry, then black.

Nicole woke up to the overwhelming amount of smoke in the air. She kept coughing but eventually ducked down to the floor and was granted enough air to breathe. She looked around wearily, before seeing Gumball groaning in pain just a few feet from her. She tried making her way towards him by crawling, but noticed her right arm seemed to be in a lot of pain, and was limp. She attempted with all her might to reach him this way, and eventually she made it. She was so broken and covered in blood. She needed to get both of them out of here. She shook Gumball, and he turned to her. His face was bloodied and his body was covered in debris and cuts. Nicole wrapped her still working arm around Gumball and tried to bring the both of them up to stand, but felt her body was too weak to do that. She and Gumball then slumped back against the wall. She looked over towards the door, and saw fallen wood in front of it. It would have been no use. She then looked around and saw a broken window. She had to get them out of here through that window, or they would surely perish. She looked over towards Gumball.

"Gumball, I need you to be strong. We need to get out that window over there. We need to work together." She said, now starting to cough again.

Gumball looked weakly towards her, and nodded. He and Nicole locked arms, and slowly raised their bodies off the floor. They then step by step made it to the window. Nicole felt as though her body was about to shut down, but she was not going to give up. Not for Gumball.

She then leaned against the window, and swung her arm around his waist. With the power of both pain and the will to live, she put her foot on the window frame, and jumped over to the other side, sending glass around her and Gumball. She hissed in pain, but used the rest of her strength to pull her and Gumball away from the fire, and into the street.

She collapsed by Gumball onto the paved road, and breathed in the fresh air. She then looked over towards Gumball. He was still breathing, although she could see he was struggling to do so. She slowly sat up and moved over to him. She then saw the rather large piece of wood lodged into his chest. She felt her blood turn cold. This can't be happening. Not to her child...

"Gumball..." she spoke, clearly shaken to her core.

Gumball looked where she had glanced down at him, before meeting her eyes; now filled with fear.

"Mom...I can't feel my chest." He said weakly, before leaning towards her.

She noticed his face was pale. She quickly caught him, and pulled her towards her own chest. His breathes were short and weezy. Nicole felt the tears come out. She knew it was too late. She gently pulled his face up to face her. Her now calm and sorrowful face was met with one of fear and panic. She felt the gentle breeze of the wind and of the heat from the fire on her face. It was like the battle of the elements. To her, right now, it seemed like the world had stopped. In this moment of seemingly endless time, it occurred to her fully. Her son was going to die. She couldn't protect him from the fire. She was going to lose her oldest son...the son she loved.

She felt the memories of him flow through her. The moment of his birth, the moment of his first steps. The moment...that she fell in love with him. It all made sense now. The lovely cuddles, the reassurance that everything will be alright; Even the breakfast he made for her. She then knew why he did it. He was trying to be what Richard wasn't to her. Something he should have been. Gumball was there when nobody else was...

Nicole leaned closer, and kissed him. To her, it felt like it was the only thing to do at that moment. She was still so overwhelmed with the pain. Kissing Gumball brought her numbness to the world around her, and only felt happiness and pure unfiltered love. She ended the kiss before looking back at Gumball. She saw him open his own eyes too with now a sense of calm.

"I love you, Gumball." Nicole said, with the most sincerity she could muster.

Gumball slowly started to close his eyes, but squeezed his mother's hand one final time...

"I love you too, Mom..."

With that, she watched as he closed his eyes one final time, and felt his hand in hers go limp. Nicole slowly leaned her head against Gumball's forehead, and cried. She cried for what seemed like hours. She wailed and screamed. She felt the mix of emotions, the pain, the suffering; all of it return to her at once. This wasn't fair...this goddamn world wasn't fair. It should have been her that died. Not him. He didn't deserve this...

Nicole stayed with Gumball's body all through the night. Even the rain that returned and fell onto them and the burning home didn't seem to phase her. It didn't matter to her now...it all didn't matter. She was now truly alone. Alone...in a world of unknown.

Alone...alone...alone...