Last night was one of the most beautiful nights Nicole had experienced. She had confessed her love to Gumball. Despite her thinking he would never accept such strange love, she was wrong. Gumball did. To top it all off, he had kissed her back. This had sent her mind into a mix of emotions and feelings. Despite it, she had returned his acceptance of her with a very loving embrace...and a near total breakdown of happiness. Sure, it was a surprise to her; but ultimately, it had made her feel SO much better. So much stronger. The cracks of weakness that had sneaked into her were finally now being patched. All thanks to Gumball...

Nicole was awake. She was lazily playing with her son's still messy hair. A smile was still on her face. It came to be as soon as she awoke and saw Gumball wrapped in her embrace. She couldn't remember exactly when they had fallen asleep, but she did remember feeling such ecstasy just embracing him for what felt like hours.

Nicole leaned forward and kissed Gumball's forehead, making him start to stir. Gumball eventually opened his tired eyes just enough to see his mother's face. Upon seeing her smiling, he returned the favor with a smile of his own.

"Hey." Was all Nicole said.

"Hey." Returned Gumball.

Gumball was still in awe waking up and seeing his mother's beautiful face. It was truly a sight to behold. He was glad she was smiling. He was truly worried for her last night. She had confessed her love to him, along with breaking down in front of him. He couldn't stand seeing her in such a saddened state. He remembered the kiss. How could he forget. It had made her so happy... Something he truly wished her to feel. He would be there for her. Just as she was there for him. After all, he loved her. He loved her back...

Gumball reached his hand over to Nicole's, and intertwined them. He then nuzzled her chest. Gumball felt her free hand wrap around his head and continue to play with his hair. It still felt amazing. Oh how he had missed this...

After a little while, Nicole heard Gumball's stomach start to make gurgling sounds. This made her snicker softly.

"Sounds like someone's hungry." She said to him.

"I guess your right." He replied, giving her one final nuzzle.

With that, they both decided to get up and head downstairs. Nicole was about to pull out something from the fridge, when Gumball reached for the eggs beside her.

"Allow me mom! I think I can make something good with these."

Nicole looked at him for a moment, then glanced towards the stove, before quickly removing the eggs from his grasp and put them back.

"Gummypuss, as much as I love you right now, I don't think that would be...a very good idea."

Gumball being confused for a second, glanced over to where she had looked previously, before realizing his mistake.

"Oh, heh, right. I'll just uh...make us some toast."

Nicole nodded, before giving him a quick kiss on the head and made her way over to scoop them both a dish of fruit.

After eating a hearty breakfast, Nicole suggested a morning exercise. Gumball agreed, and followed her outside for their stretches.

The weather outside was nice, but Gumball could see a few darkened clouds in the distance. As he told Nicole this, she seemed pleased.

"If it rains tonight, hopefully it will help the soil before we plant our garden." She said to Gumball as she positioned herself to stretch.

"Me too. I'm looking forward to growing those veggies."

As Gumball started his stretches, he quickly thought of something mischievous...

"Hey mom, if we were to grow enough surplus food, could we have... ya know... a food fight?"

"Gumball Watterson!" She said to him sternly.

"What? Come on, it would be fun! When was the last time you had a food fight?"

"Gumball! I-..." Nicole spoke before halting herself.

When WAS the last time she did something like that? She would remember her parents would have KILLED her if she even spoke of doing such a thing. So she never done it as a child, and she guessed she could have counted having a "food fight" with Gumball when he was still a kid in a booster seat. Gumball would throw a piece of celery at her, and as a sign of playfulness, she would flick it back at him; much to his amusement. That was SO many years ago...

Coming back to her situation mentally, she glanced towards Gumball before replying.

"Perhaps that could be arranged..."

Gumball looked at her now with a great deal of surprise.

"Wait,really? You...would actually be up for that?" He asked, raising his eyebrow.

"We will see. As long as you help me plant the crops AND they grow well."

Gumball now seemed very excited with this information, and made a quick victory fist pump, followed by a few giggles; much to her satisfaction. After this, they resumed their stretches.

The afternoon came and went for them as they decided to just lay in bed together. Nicole was loving every moment of it, and so was Gumball. They both had taken their own showers after eating and smelled delightful to each other. To Nicole, Gumball's scent was almost addicting. She wasn't sure what caused it, but it was something she definitely wanted more of. This time, she rested her head on his chest, and was receiving a lovely dose of hair play. Gumball, being in love with it, decided to try it on his mom in return as a 'thank you present'. Nicole let out a heavy sigh of relaxation as Gumball doubled his efforts. She was in pure bliss again. She really needed this. After a little while, she felt herself drifting off to sleep. She couldn't help it. It was too good to her. Before she completely fell asleep, a single thought lingered in her mind...

"I definitely got to return the favor to Gumball..."

With that, sleep took hold.

————————————————————————

Nicole awoke to the sounds of...snoring? She cocked her head and body around to check, and sure enough, it was. Gumball was snoring in a rather cute way, well at least in Nicole's eyes. His head rested on a propped up pillow behind him, and his hand still remained on her head. Slowly and quietly, Nicole wiggled out of his embrace, and got up to stretch her body. The evening sunlight poured in through the window. Nicole guessed she had been out for quite a while. After glancing back at Gumball's resting position, Nicole formed yet another smile on her face. Frankly, she was glad to have rested so long in his embrace again. She could get used to this...

Nicole went to the bathroom before heading downstairs for an evening drink. She poured herself a cup of orange juice and decided to sit by the window to watch the evening sun set across the horizon. As she drank and watched it slowly fade, it reminded her of Gumball's and her 'Little Date'. She felt her body slowly being overtaken by that familiar warm and tingling sensation. It basically sent her to cloud 9 with happiness and joy.

'God am I glad I made the right choice...' she thought, as she finished her drink.

As she made her way to put her cup away, she took a few happy steps followed by a twirl. She couldn't contain it anymore. It was like she was in the best time in her life right now. She quietly hummed a made up tune to herself as she decided to do a few more twirls in the living room. The last rays of golden sunlight trickled through the window and bathed her in it, sending shimmers of light all through the room as some reflected off her clothes. She could stay in this state forever...

'Here I thought life wasn't fair. Perhaps I was wrong... I-'

"Wow..."

Nicole froze. She stopped her movement and looked towards the voice. Just near the end of the room by the stairs stood Gumball. He was resting his head on the railing, just smiling. Nicole straightened herself, before speaking.

"Oh...hey Gummypuss. I...I didn't hear you come down."

Nicole felt so embarrassed. He wasn't supposed to see her like that. Her cheeks started to heat up. She knew they must of been bright red now. She was hating every second of this.

Gumball on the other hand was loving every second of this. He had woken up to an empty bed, and decided to grab some water and maybe a snack. When he had nearly reached the bottom of the stairs, he heard...humming?

After stopping at the final step, he glanced towards the living room; and witnessed something truly breathtaking. There, just a few feet away, was his mom. She was twirling in the most elegant way that he had ever seen her do. Her nightclothes swirled around her in a graceful way, with sunlight reflecting off it and cascading the entire room with golden sparkles.

"You look like an angel right about now..." he said, raising his head off the wood.

Nicole felt her cheeks grow warmer from him saying that.

"You and your compliments always get to me..."

Suddenly remembering her question for him, she coughed and composed herself again.

"What are you doing down here? I thought you were asleep?"

Gumball gave her a smile, and made his way over to her.

"Well, I awoke to find you missing, and decided to come find you. And perhaps to get a evening snack."

Gumball now stood in front of her, and gave her a smirky grin.

"Since when could you dance so beautifully?"

Nicole relaxed her body now, and gave him a smile.

"I don't dance THAT beautifully, and I guess I've danced ever since my parents taught me. After all, they expected me to learn it to increase my flexibility for future self defense classes."

"Not just for fun?" Gumball asked.

Nicole shook her head sadly.

"I was rarely allowed to pick such things like that. It all had to be strategic to them. After I left them, I would dance like that for fun...but only when I'm very happy, of course."

Gumball felt joyful for her telling him that last statement. It seemed his 'all day cuddling' with her really improved her mood.

'I wonder what I could do to improve it more?...' He thought, before getting an idea...

"Hey mom...I got a question." He said.

"What is it Gumball?"

"Well, I was wondering something. Would you...teach me how to dance? I'm sure it would be fun, right?"

Nicole was surprised. Perhaps Gumball did fancy her moves more than she thought. Regardless, she felt so excited for him to ask that. With now a glowing smile, she pulled him close and hugged him.

"Of course I can, my Gummypuss." She said, with a small giggle.

'Bingo!' he thought, before moving into position with her.

Nicole started out with the basics with him. How to stand, where to move your feet, and how to hold her. It was going quite well. Much better then she had expected. Soon enough, they were doing a few basic movements together. The graceful and fluid movements of Nicole seemed to far surpass Gumball's somewhat blocky and amateur footing and movements, but right now Nicole didn't care. This was too much fun for her.

Soon enough, Gumball's seemingly inner grace took hold and the pair danced much more elegantly. She helped him twirl, followed by Gumball returning the favor. Their minds each played a different tune, but apparently the same tempo as they both danced in unison. Soon enough, Gumball pulled her in close and held her as they transitioned into a slow dance. The gentle sway of them set both their minds at ease. Nicole closed her eyes and decided to simply enjoy the feeling in its entirety. It was so blissful. So touching. So...loving.

She opened her eyes, and looked down towards Gumball. He seemed to have had closed his eyes too when she did, for his were still shut. But it only seemed to take a second before he seemed to sense her gaze, and opened his eyes and looked up into hers. They both shared faces of such joy and peace of mind. It was right at that moment that Nicole got an idea of her own...

"Gumball. You said you were hungry just a while ago, didn't you?"

Gumball being slightly confused by this, nodded. Nicole returned a rather mischievous grin.

"Well, how about I give you some sugar?"

With that, she tilted his chin up, and bent down and kissed him. Gumball was silent as he pushed forward into her kiss. Nicole still felt shivers down her spine from that, but continued, this time with more passion of her own. Soon, they pulled away from each other, each catching their breaths. Gumball was the first to speak up.

"Here I thought I was the best flirter. Looks like you bested me again."

Nicole laughed at that, and pulled him into a hug.

"Well, for now, you are the best kisser." She whispered in his ear.

This seemed to flip a switch in Gumball as he guided her face to only a few inches from his.

"Oh? Is that so?" He asked softly.

Nicole let out another laugh, yet smaller.

"Of course, my Gummypuss~"

With that, they locked lips again, this time with more force. Gumball caressed her cheek and she pulled the back of his head in closer to her. Nicole didn't want this to stop. Not now, not ever.

The faded sunlight was now replaced with falling rain, as it gently fell outside. The soft pitter-patters of the rain were heard all around the home, but little attention was paid to it as the two lovers were still in their embrace.

Their ever needy lips soon broke apart from each other once again for air. Gumball looked up at her with an exhausted yet accomplished face.

"Still number 1 kisser?" He asked coyly.

"No doubt about it." She said, now resting her forehead against his.

After a moment of catching their breathes, Gumball spoke again.

"I guess dad has some true competition, huh?"

Nicole felt her relaxed body and eased mind become tense.

'Why did he have to mention Richard?...It must have been a simple mistake, but still. Why?'

Gumball felt her tense body, and looked up to see his mom was seemingly deep in thought. Something was wrong...

"Mom? Are...you okay? What's wrong?"

"Gumball...it's...it's nothing."

"Mom, you can tell me. You don't have to hide it." He said, looking at her with pleading eyes.

Nicole held both of his hands in a firm grip, contemplating weather or not to tell him. It was such a personal thing that she had been trying so desperately to contain, but it was starting to peak through her barriers and affect her more ways than one. She had to tell him. She knew she couldn't hold it in forever after he had done so much for her to help her heal mentally. But was now the right time?

Nicole let out a heavy sigh. After a second more of thinking, and looking at his desperate eyes, it proved too much for her. It was time to tell him...

"Gumball, can we sit down please?" She asked him.

Gumball nodded, before sitting down next to her on the couch by them. Nicole let out another sigh before speaking.

"Gumball, it's about your father and me..." she spoke softly, lowering her gaze.

Gumball held her hands and waited for her to continue.

"Ever since we married...I've felt, distant from him. Sure we had our moments, but those were rare and usually over quickly..."

Nicole felt her body start to shiver slightly.

"I...remember when he forgot our anniversary. It was supposed to be a lovely day for us...but he forgot it entirely. Another time, I had so much stress from work and came home when all of you kids were away at sleepovers, and just wanted to scream. Your father hadn't cooked us dinner like I asked him to, he simply hoped I would change my mind when I got home. I felt so angry. I just stormed upstairs and fell asleep hungry. Richard slept on the couch that night too..."

Gumball felt her grip in his hands tighten.

"Your father also maxed out several of our credit cards for his food binges. I wanted him to order food for the whole family, but NO! He used it on himself. For his own selfish, greedy, no good stomach. Sometimes I just wanted to rip it out from his body, and-...and..."

Nicole's trembling body intensified. Her eyes became wet with the forming tears.

"I should have made him get a job. I should have made him not lazy anymore. I...I should have left him..."

Nicole felt tears trickle down her cheeks as she said those last words. Gumball seeing her cry, pulled her into a tight hug, before carefully wiping away her tears.

"Mom...I had no idea..." Was all Gumball could say at that moment.

Nicole didn't look him in the eyes. She couldn't. She slowly rested her head on his shoulder, and continued to empty her tears. This was so much for her. As she closed her eyes, she felt her mind race. She knew things would get better for her now. This temporal pain now would mean a greater happiness in the future; she just knew it. She nuzzled his neck for additional comfort, and listened to her surroundings. She heard the rain outside pour down, and the wind blow. She opened her eyes again and looked out the window at it. The darkened colors combined with the rain and wind seemed to cast a sense of calm in her.

'Why did you do this to me Richard?...why?'

That thought played in her mind almost on repeat for several minutes. She then remembered Gumball. She pulled away from his shoulder and looked him in the eyes now. As she did this, something new occurred to her. His eyes...His eyes seemed to have tinge of...brown. Just on the outer parts of his irises. The same color as his fathers...

Nicole realized something else. Gumball seemed to treat her just how she had wanted Richard to treat her. It was like he was the better Richard...The Richard she never had...

She felt more tears form in her eyes before fall down her cheeks. Gumball was the Richard she never had...of course! No wonder she had started to fall in love with him. She saw a part of him in Gumball that was truly better in every shape and form...

Nicole smiled wearily and finally spoke with a soft, wobbly voice.

"I love you..."

Gumball looked back at her with such love and and sincerity. He then pulled her into a passionate kiss, before pulling away.

"I love you too, Nicole."