Penny hit play on her laptop and set it down on the carpet in front of her. "Alright." She said, strapping on her old sweat bands. "Get ready kid. You're about to see what Momma's got."

Cheesy outdated exercise music blared as the instructor stepped into view on the screen.

"Welcome to Elmore Early Exercise! This video is to help those planning children so you can be in the best shape for your child!"

Unimpressed, Penny rolled her eyes. "Just get on with it lady."

"We're gonna start off with some basic stretches just to get the blood pumping."

"Okay." Penny mimicked the action on screen. "Just put one hand over your back and try to grab your elbow with the other hand, niiiiice and slooooow."

"Way too easy."

"Okay next, we're gonna do a six minute handstand."

"Wait what."

"Ready and… begin!"

Penny planted her hands on the floor and pressed with all her might. "Kind of a ramp up in difficulty but, I've done worse." She muttered, remembering the stupid exercises cheerleading in school had put her through.

5 minutes and 39 seconds later, she was almost purple in the face but still standing strong. Mostly.

"Aaaaand release. Good job, now for a rest."

"Oh thank goodness." The fairy flopped to the couch.

"Ok that's our three seconds up, next we're gonna do 50 pushups!"

"Jeez, lady, please just gimme a secon-"

"If that's too hard for you, just remember! Only a bad mother wouldn't put herself through this!"

"Okay fine!" Penny yelled, dropping to the floor. "Could do without the shaming."

"Shaming is an element of parenting you can never escape! Just remember, Someone will always be judging!"

"Huh?" Penny panted, already onto push-up number four. She looked at the date the video cited it was recorded. "This is fifteen years older than me, how is it hearing- know what, nevermind."

"Then after that, we're gonna do 500 jumping jacks!"

"What?!"

"Just kidding! We're only gonna do 100! Get to work, ladies!"

Penny sighed, halfway through push up fifteen. "Know what? Why not? At least now kid, your moms gonna be the most fit mom ever!"

"And once that's over, we'll settle down with a 10 mile run!"

"Oh son of a-"

~

Darwin opened the front door, yawning. "Anyone home?" He called out tiredly. A loud wheeze echoed out in response.

"Hey, who's there?"

"H-h-hey Darwin." A voice panted. Darwin walked around the couch to see Penny collapsed on the floor, sweat dripping from every orifice.

"Penny? Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she coughed, sitting up. "Just did a massive exercise for moms like me. And oh boy I am winde- SNOOOREEEE"

Penny's eyes shut as she collapsed onto the floor again. Darwin

snickered. He picked up a blanket from the couch and sheeted her snugly with it, before crawling upstairs to his bowl.

Penny found herself hours later being gently shaken awake. "Penny. Pennnnnyyyyy" Nicole said softly. "Time for dinner."

The fairy yawned. "Okay. Thanks Nicole."

The cat noticed Penny's sweatbands and the long-finished video on her screen. "Aw, you're doing Elmore Early Exercise too?"

Penny nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Yeah, you know it?"

"I did that when I was having Gumball and Anais. Heck, I used to do it with this old tape my Mom had from the 80s."

"Does it work?" Penny asked, stretching her back.

"I mean, I'd say so?" Nicole pondered. "Definitely helped me stay active."

Penny winced. Nicole laughed. "Don't worry sweetie, you're only supposed to do it a few times, several months apart. Anymore is total overkill."

"Did you do it much?"

"Oh absolutely." Nicole boasted. "Overkill is my family's motto. Well, that and "Get off the road, idiot.""

Penny laughed. "Yep, I can definitely see that. I'll be with you guys in a second, just gotta go to the bathroom real quick."

As the elder cat returned to the dinner table, Penny hurried up the stairs. Hanging up the still-soaked sweatbands, she filled the sink with warm water, splashing it against her arms and face. As she was about to pull the plug, she felt her pocket shake as her phone rang.

She groaned, pulling it out to see who was calling and groaned once more. Sharon. The worst manager in the world.

She rolled her eyes, answering the call. "Heyyyyyyy Sharon." She said, faking politeness.

"Penny, hi!" The bubbly voice responded. "Hope you and your baby are doing alright!"

"Yeah we're doing fine." Penny said casually. "Until you called." She thought.

"Good good, ummmm, is it walking yet?"

"It is not born yet, Sharon."

"Oh super, super, yeah listen Pens, I know we said we'd cut your hours back and all."

"Yes, I'm really grateful for that." Where's the but?

"But…"

Called it.

"So Carmen called in saying she's sick so she can't be in tomorrow, I was wondering do you know if you could come help out at the cafe a little?"

Ugh, that job. Her shift yesterday was exhausting enough, but the mere idea of going in on her day off was more winding than any workout.

"Yeah, Sharon I wish I could but, y'know, I've got a doctors appointment and-"

"Oh please please please! We've got no one else!" Sharon whined. "Can't you just reschedule and take one for the team?"

You never took one for me, you could easily do something yourself for once.

"Ugh, fine."

"Oh thank you soooo much! I've been really looking forward to attending this golf game, oh you're such a lifesaver, you know that?"

"Golf game?! Wait, so you're not gonna be in tomo-"

"Okay I'll tell Larry that you'll be in tomorrow, byeeee!"

As quickly as she had entered, Sharon darted out of Penny's day, leaving the fairy furious. Muttering to herself, she shoved her phone back into her pocket and stormed downstairs.

Gumball was busy laying out a plate for his girlfriend, his ears pricking up as he heard her stomping down. He turned around to show her the art he'd made out of her food, only to be startled by her sour expression.

"Hey, Pen, what happened?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." She snarled, sulkily seating herself.

"You look mad, did something happen?" Richard asked, trying his best to be supportive.

"Richard!" Nicole scolded.

"I said I don't want to talk about it!"

Anais was unfortunate enough to be fetching herself some water from the kitchen, oblivious to what had happened. As she entered the dining room again, she noticed the smoke pouring from her sister-in-law's ears. "Penny, are you okay?" She asked.

Gumball instinctively ducked for cover. Spotting this, Nicole pulled Darwin and Richard to the ground just as the flames spew across the room. "I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!" The dragon bellowed.

Anais stood dazed, her face covered in ash and soot. "Okay then."

Penny shifted back to normal, burying her head down on the table. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry just…" she trailed off.

"What?" Darwin asked, peeking back up.

"Sharon called."

The family shared a knowing groan.

"She is the worst!" Nicole grunted.

"She made my job a living nightmare when she joined!" Darwin said.

"At least you got to experience your job without her!" Anais protested. "She was at my job before I even started, and she's never done anything, all because she's the mayor's daughter!"

"And she's everywhere, She's like Larry but without any of the…. well, whatever's good about Larry."

"Hmmm, yeah." Richard agreed. He pulled out a calendar. "I really hated it when on the 9th of March at 3:28 pm she only gave me one and a half scoops of ice cream when I asked for two."

The Wattersons all gave Richard a puzzled look.

"…What?" Richard looked stumped. "I thought we were all sharing ultra specific details about Sharon that we all knew as common fact?"

"… So, Penny." Nicole said, changing the subject. "What did she say to you?"

"Yeah," Anais chuckled. "What, does she want your first born?"

"Worse." Penny harrumphed, pushing her dinner around her plate. "She wants me to come in tomorrow."

Gumball rolled his eyes. "Oof. Are you sure we can't offer her the kid instead?"

The fairy sighed. "Not til they're born. Until that happens, I gotta keep going in."

"I thought you had a check up with the doctor tomorrow?" Darwin asked.

"I did. But guess that's cancelled now, because of course it'd be! My life was going way too easy, better crank up the difficulty!"

The cat comforted her. "Don't worry baby, I'll just go into the checkup for you. I'll tell you what the doctor says."

"Ummmm Gumball?" Anais said, stifling a laugh. "What exactly would the doctor check?"

"Well, the baby of course. Duh."

"Mhmm, and where is the baby exactly?"

Gumball opened his mouth, ready to retort, before actually thinking the question over. He looked down at his girlfriend's belly, then up at its unimpressed mother.

"Oh. Right."

"Sure took you a while, didn't it?" Penny grumbled. Gumball could only look away in embarrassment. Noticing his hurt expression, the fairy sighed. "Look, I'm sorry Gumball, but this news, it just… it really bummed me out."

"It's okay. I'd probably be sulky too."

"I'm not being sulky!" She protested.

"Nope, you definitely are." Nicole said, sipping her water. "It's natural."

Penny crossed her arms and slouched back into her chair, pouting. "I'm not sulky, you are…"

Gumball nervously cleared his throat. "So, honey, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yeah, could we go out for my lunch break tomorrow? I think I'll need some cool off time."

"Why don't I get lunch and bring it to you instead? Joyful Burger maybe?"

"Uhh, sure why not? Anyway, I feel like we've been hogging the conversation a bit." She turned to the rest of the family. "What's been up with you guys?"

"Well Penny." Richard proudly announced. "I've figured out another sound proofing technique for the baby." He leapt up from his seat and ran to his room. He quickly returned carrying a small stack of foam panels. "These cancel out sound, using these the baby will barely make a noise."

The young adults nodded amongst themselves, impressed. Darwin raised a fin- han- one of the upper limbs on his body.

"It's impressive Mr. Dad, but are you sure that's enough to cover a room?"

"Oh we don't need it to cover the room. We just make a little box like this;" He assembled the panels into a small cube. "Baby goes in here, put this panel on top and there we go, we won't hear a thing."

Nicole rubbed her temples. "Tell me Richard, how does the baby breathe then?"

Richard looked at his creation, realising the fault yet again. He hung his head, ashamed. "Dang it, I'll never figure this out."

Nicole patted her husband on the shoulder. "You'll get it eventually, honey."

The younger members at the table shared knowing looks.

The next morning, Penny woke up and went upstairs to the bathroom to do her usual routine of throwing up and brushing her teeth. As she spat the toothpaste out, something in the mirror caught her eye. She turned to her side to get a good look at herself.

"You're not getting bigger honey, don't worry."

Penny jumped. Nicole stood in the doorway to the bathroom still dressed in her pyjamas.

"It's just baby fat." She reassured the fairy, closing the door behind her. "It's all normal, just keep doing things the way you are."

"Are you sure? I feel like I've been eating a lot, more than I should."

"Penny, please, I ate more than Richard when we were having Gumball. Just give yourself a break, babies ask for a lot."

"Guess that means it's really a Watterson, huh?"

"Yep. You're in the same boat as me now. Hope you're ready to help a little goofball raise an even smaller goofball."

"Haha, yeah." Smiling for only a moment, a thought drifted into her head as her grin shrank. Penny splashed her face with water, hoping to cool her head but to no avail, gripping the edge of the sink harder.

"Hey uh, dumb question, is it wrong to be scared?"

"Pff, of course not! You know how nervous I was?"

"No?"

"I was a wreck!" Nicole laughed. "But that's normal. You're making a person, Penny, a lot can go wrong. Richard and I had it so rough- not even all the baby manuals could prepare us for when Gumball came around!"

The fairy rubbed her shoulder, sniffling as she felt the tears start to form. A blue paw grabbed her hand. "But don't worry. It'll be different for you. Richard and I… we didn't have a lot going for us when I first fell pregnant. But you've got us! You've got a job, and friends to support you with every step of the way. We're right behind you, sweetie. We've got your back."

"And above all else, remember that you've got Gumball right beside you. And that kid's dumb luck is bound to rub off on you. Not to mention, he's the type of boy that would never let anything bad happen to you, if he can help it."

Penny smiled, wiping a tear with a small giggle. "He's not that overprot- ah ah AH CHOO" She sneezed. The loud patter of rushing footsteps was briefly heard before Gumball flung the bathroom door open. "You okay Penny?!"

"I only sneezed."

"Yeah, and? You want some water? A tissue? Ice cream?"

"Gumball, I'm fine!"

"Okay, okay, if you're sure. But if you need anything, just ask."

He closed the door, leaving the two women alone. Nicole snickered as Penny rolled her eyes.

Penny retreated to the living room, digging through the chest they had set up as a temporary closet. Grabbing her shoulder bag, she stuffed in all the necessary parts of her uniform.

She retrieved her name tag, groaning at its tackiness. The shiny purple badge with "Hi! I'm PENNY" printed in bold letters to eliminate any possible chance of anonymity.

Gumball whistled in a cat (haha) calling manner. "Wowww look at you, working girl." He glanced at the shiny name tag. "Excuse me, Penny, is it? Do you think I could get one, um… your number, please?"

She snorted. "I hate this dumb badge."

"What? Why, what's wrong with it?"

"Penny? Is your sister Dime here?" She retorted in an obnoxious voice. "Or worse, "Nah, I'd much prefer a dollar!" Hahaha! Hahahaha

HaHaHaHAHAHAHAHAAAHAAA BECAUSE IT'S SO FUNNY AFTER THE THOUSANDTH DARN-"

She stopped, realising she'd shifted into her Medusa form, the snakes in (or uh, of) her hair hissing and rattling at the cat. Gumball trembled, gently parrying a snake that had gotten too close for comfort to his face. He'd all but backed himself into a corner, pale in the face.

Penny shook her head, shifting herself back to normal. "Ugh, sorry. It just gets so old so quick."

"That's ok." Gumball squeaked, his face regaining colour. "So um, what time is your lunch break usually?"

"I get a break at about half-past one?"

"Hey, that's perfect! I'm off at around one too. Why don't I call you, get your order and then we can find somewhere nice to hang out, okay?"

"Okay, that sounds nice."

"Great. See ya then… then? Then then? Eh, whatever, I'll see you later."

"See ya, honey." Penny kissed her boyfriend on the cheek before grabbing her bag and departing.

Penny walked along the street, cars and buses roaring past on the road. She hated driving, and cars in general. She groaned as she passed the Wilson's house, Harold Wilson parking a shiny new car in his garage.

Stupid cars. She rolled her eyes. The Wilson's new car of the week was always a gross display of their wealth, especially considering how Tobias ended up denting, scratching, crashing or otherwise obliterating them before they'd even been there for a week.

The fairy enjoyed walking. It was relaxing, not having to worry about hurting anyone or going over speed limits. Soon, the looming sign of the Cosy Caffeine Cafe came into view, the cardboard cutout of a steaming mug hanging below it.

Around the coffee shop, she saw lines of cars backed up in traffic, angrily honking at each other. She sighed. At least it had been a nice walk. It was good that she could go at her own pace, not being rushed to-

"Penny, there you are, finally!" Larry snapped. "We've been running things here without you for ages!"

"Gee, sorry Larry." She rolled her eyes, making her way towards the break room. "I just… got a little held up." She fibbed.

"How did you get 'held up', exactly?"

Penny pointed outside at the honking cars. "Blame them, not me!"

"Yeah, well this is the one of my only jobs I have where I'm the boss of someone, so if you don't mind, I am going to blame you!" He pointed dramatically. "Penny Fitzgerald, on behalf of the Cosy Caffeine Cafe, I declare you late!"

Penny only stared, unimpressed. Larry sighed, his posture falling. "Sorry, after a million managers do it to you, you start to think it'll be satisfying to do it to someone else."

"Uh huh, sure." She nodded. "Look, let me just get changed and I'll come out and help."

"Fine, fine, just… be quick?" Larry said, biting his fingernails. "They're approaching."

Penny looked outside. Across the street, a swarm of office workers, the crowd of browns and greys decorated with dull ties and briefcases, all sharing the same zombified expression staggered slowly towards the shop.

"The Monday rush." Larry squeaked.

"Okay fine, just give me a second!" She hurried into the changing room.

Laying her bag on the floor, Penny swapped out her regular shirt for her uniform's black tee and tied her apron around her, as well as donning the black and white cap the shop had provided.

"Alright, where do you want me?" Penny asked, adjusting her cap's tightness.

"Just clear the leftover tables and give Carmen a hand when she's out here." Larry commanded. "The doors are locked, but it won't hold them for long." The workers were now halfway across the street, patiently lining up and waiting for their turns at a pedestrian crossing.

"Got it." The fairy confirmed, starting to head out to the main seating area before stopping, doubling back. "Wait, Carmen?"

As if she was summoned, the cactus burst out from the kitchen, carrying a stack of clean dishes, laying them down on the counter. She wiped her forehead, turning around only to see her fairy coworker standing there.

"Oh, hey Penny!"

"Carmen, what are you doing here? I thought you called in sick!"

"Sick?" Carmen raised an eyebrow. "No, I'm fine."

"But Sharon told me she needed me in because-" Penny realised what happened. "Gosh darn dang it!" She yelled, stomping her feet.

"What?" The cactus asked, even more puzzled.

"She told me you were sick and I had to come help! She practically begged me!"

"Ugh, let me guess, she wanted to see a golf game?" Larry sighed. "Yep, Sharon loves blowing off work to go to those."

"Surely, there must be some law against that? Just abandoning work?" Carmen argued.

Larry shook his head. "Nope. Ever since she entered this economy, all jobs had their policies updated, courtesy of her father." He pointed to a piece of paper on the wall. Several policies were listed, typed out and printed in clear black letters. Scribbled on at the bottom in what seemed like green crayon was an additional rule. "Sharon can leave work anytime to go see a golf game. - The Mayor."

"You know," Penny huffed. "I think I'd be less angry… if it wasn't specifically golf. Worst sport ever."

"Mhm." Carmen nodded in agreement. "Terrible sport. Barely any physical exercise, awful for your body."

"How is it even a sport?!"

"Uh, guys?" Larry interrupted, pointing to the door. The office horde stood, their hands pressed firmly against the tall glass windows, moaning for a crumb of caffeine.

"Oh yeah, right." The two waiters rushed over to the counter to collect their notebooks. Larry gulped and reluctantly pressed the button, unlocking the doors, letting the flood of grey and black suits pour in.

Penny forced her 'customer' smile as the first person stepped up to the register. "Hi, welcome to the Triple C, can I take your order?"

"Coffeeeeeee." the man groaned, the bags under his eyes larger than golf balls.

"Of course." As usual. She thought as she jotted it down. "Do you want anything in it? Cream, sugar?" The man slammed his fist on the counter defeatedly, making Penny jump. "Coffeeee…"

Penny recovered. "3.95 please."

The man thrusted a few coins her way, before shuffling off to take a seat.

"Next please!" She called. A desaturated woman came up. "Cof-"

"Black Coffee? 3.95."

As the lady dug into her pockets, Penny looked at the long line of dead inside (and some outside) customers. She groaned inwardly, tapping her fingers against the bench as she waited for her payment. At last, the woman slided over some crumpled notes. "Thank you, have a seat."

The line still stretched through the door as Carmen and Penny made their way through the many customers. She never knew that even while carrying a child, she could feel so dead inside. After the twentieth consecutive order for black coffee, Penny lost patience.

"Alright!" She bellowed. "If you just want black coffee, it's four dollars, pay it and sit down!"

The queue all pulled out their wallets, fishing for the money. They placed it down on the counter one by one before retreating to a seat, some settling for the ground. Penny breathed a sigh of relief.

Larry put his hands on his hips. "Fitzgerald! Did you just overcharge our customers by five cents?"

"Yes." Penny nodded.

The rock gave a thumbs up. "Great work. Carmen, take notes." He returned to making the black sludge the patrons craved. Carmen raised an eyebrow. "You okay, Penny?"

Penny held up her hand, putting up a finger for each grievance. "I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm bored and I've been smelling cheap aftershave for the past twenty minutes."

"Well, you dealt with the morning crowd." The cactus shrugged, looking at the cafe's deflated inhabitants. "That's a win at least. It's all uphill from here (I hope)."

"Order up!" Larry called, passing over a tray of coffee mugs, all steaming with the same deep black goo.

Penny seized the platter, carrying it out to the seating area. Despite every order being exactly the same, Penny made a note to deliver them in the same order the customers paid in.

Soon, the shop was alive and bustling, colour returning to the patrons' faces. Several joked and laughed, before the cafe was filled with the collective realisation that they had to go back to their offices.

As they all trudged back outside, several made an effort to mumble a thank you to the staff. When the last one was out of earshot, the cafe workers sighed. "Okay ladies, that's our busiest time over and dealt with."

"Why are you explaining our routine to us? We've worked here for ages, we know what we're doing."

"Yeah." Penny nodded in agreement. "Why are you treating us like it's our first day?"

Larry thought for a second. "I don't know, I guess it just helps to say some things out loud." It was then Larry noticed the time on his watch.

"Ah!" He shrilled, darting into the employee room, popping back out wearing a small orange cap. "If you'll excuse me girls, I have 83 other jobs to get to this hour. " He ran to the moped parked outside. "I'll be back lat-" his phone ringing interrupted him. "Hello? Oh, okay." He slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"Make that 82." He sighed. "I'll be back later!" And he tore off down the street.

Penny and Carmen watched onward, the pair filled with a conflicting mix of pity and amusement. On one hand, one man doing everything in town was really sad, what he was willing to give up for Elmore. Or, well, what his rent forced him to give up.

On the other hand, one man doing everything in town was really funny.

As Carmen wiped down the coffee machines, Penny grabbed a tray and started gathering the used mugs.

"Sooooooo" Carmen cooed, looking back over her shoulder at the fairy. "Do you mind me asking about… you know…?"

"What, this?" Penny pointed at her stomach. "What do you wanna know?"

"Well, what's it like?"

"Let's see…" the fairy said, stroking her chin. "I have to pee all the time, I'm always throwing up, I'm hungry 24/7, everything hurts and-"

"Okay, I get it." The cactus cut her off. "But like, are there positives?"

"Oh yeah, it's amazing to feel like I'm always carrying a bowlin-"

"Penny…"

"Okay okay, fine!" She threw her hands up in frustration. "I… well, I never feel lonely, even when I'm by myself. And there's that feeling that I'm doing something that's just… beautiful. Like all the aching and throwing up means we'll have a little person to take care of. It's actually really touching. But I will say; this?" She patted the baby bump. "I don't blame anyone who doesn't want this. Definitely not for everyone."

"Yeah I can see why." Carmen chuckled. "Alan and I are talking about it, but we're not sure. Adoption might be good for us."

"I think you guys would make amazing parents." Penny smiled.

"Awww, thanks. I'm sure you and Gumball will do great with your little scamp."

"Hey, hey!" Penny laughed. "Not where they can hear you!"

"Oops." Carmen covered her mouth. "Sorry, kid."

Her apology was cut short as a small group of bricky construction workers barged through the door.

"Morning, Carmey, Penny." Said the leader.

"Morning, Hank!"

"Hey, Hank. George, Steve." Penny greeted the three as they seated themselves, pulling out her notepad. "Just the usuals for you guys?"

"Yeah, nothing special for us today."

"Woah, hang on." George squinted up at the board, resting his cup shaped hand against his non-existent chin. "I kinda wanna try something different."

"Oh yeah?" Penny raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah." The grey man nodded. "Penny, gimme the usual, but this time… add cream."

"George, that is your usual." The fairy rolled her eyes.

"Oh." George blushed. "Just the usual then."

Steve sighed. "Why do you do this… every time?"

"Uh huh." Penny scribbled it down. "Nothing else for you guys?"

"Nah we're good."

"Okay, coming right up."

The hours rolled by as customers slowly trickled in and out. It was only the usuals: businessmen, college students, people tapping away at their laptops trying to write the next greatest Stellar Odyssey fanfiction.

Penny trotted back and forth from the counter, taking and delivering the orders as Carmen produced them. Before long, Larry had returned and took over manning the machines, giving Penny some much appreciated help.

"So, just one caramel latte?" She asked.

"Yep." The man confirmed. He glanced at her name tag. "Oh, hey sorry to ask but, is Nicole here today?"

"Nicole?" The fairy was confused. "Uh there isn't a Nicole who works here."

"Can you check the cash register? There's sure to be one in there."

"What do you- oh." She inhaled. Exhale. Deep breaths, Penny. "Hahahahaha, Wow, that's so funny!" She hid her fury behind a fake smile, secretly wishing to strangle the guy. The customer chuckled, oblivious to the rage clearly building inside the waiter.

Still fuming, Penny tore the paper off her notepad and slammed it down on the counter where Larry worked. She glanced up at the clock on the wall, noting the time. 1:27. Just a few more minutes and-

"Hiiii Penny!"

No. No.

Sharon folded her sunglasses back, tucking them behind her collar. "Fancy seeing you here!"

What, at my job? Shocking, right?!

"Hiiii Sharon…." Penny gritted teeth, trying her best to force a smile. Please please please, bring me back to the guy with the lame jokes. "So cool to see you…."

"Yeah, what are the odds the gals would wanna stop here?!"

"The gals?" A horn sounded outside. Penny looked to see a group of multi coloured birds seated in a gold plated car, waiting impatiently for Sharon's return, one leaning over to repeatedly toot the car's horn.

"Sooo, Pennessee, could we get 5 iced coffees, please?"

"I thought you had a golf game to go to." Penny grumbled.

"Oh, yeahhh, that was over real quick. Did you know this town sucks at golf? I got a higher score than everyone else combined!"

"Mhm." Penny nodded, holding back her intrusive thoughts. "Y'know, it's a good thing Carmen was here today…"

Sharon's carefree look instantly snapped to a guilty one. "Oh, Carmen's in today? That's so odd, haha… She told me she was sick!"

"No I didn't!" Carmen called from across the shop. Sharon gulped, dismissing the accusation with a wave of her hand. "Well that's all just hearsay. ANYWAY, I'm just a customer today, so could I get those coffees please?"

Penny nearly broke her pencil. "Fine." She muttered, scribbling it down. "Take a seat 'miss'."

"Super, thanks Penny Pie." Sharon turned her back, oblivious to the loud snap.

The fairy dumped the pencil's remains in the bin, dusting her hands off, before taking the order over to the barista.

"Here you go, order from Her Highness herself." She slid the paper over. Larry looked at the order, recognising it immediately and sighed.

"Ah, well, I'd better scrap this then." He dumped the drink he was in the middle of making, starting a new brew. The fairy gasped at the waste. "Larry, what the heck?!"

"Well," the rock responded. "If her coffee isn't ready in five minutes her dad has the right to fire me."

Before Penny could protest, he pointed to the rules where another change had seemingly just been added.

'Larry Needlemyer can be fired if Sharon's orders are not fulfilled in five minutes or less.'

"Of course." She rolled her eyes. Why Sharon even bothered to get all these jobs baffled her, considering she barely attended any of them. Yet mysteriously, her paycheck was always the largest.

Her thoughts were interrupted by something ringing in her pocket. She breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Gumball's goofy picture on her phone. Smiling, she raised the device to her ear. "Hey Pen! How are you two doing?"

"Hey Gummy." Penny glanced up at the clock. "Perfect timing, I just got my break."

"What?!" Larry cried. Penny simply pointed to the clock, the rock sighing in defeat.

"Fine. Just, please be back soon."

"I'll do my best." She shrugged.

"Larry!" Sharon called. "Still waiting over here!"

"Coming!"

Penny hung up her apron and cap before returning to her phone call. "Hey, sorry about that. I'm off now." She stepped out onto the sidewalk, escaping the cafe's distracting chatter.

"No problem, I'm just waiting in the drive through."

"You're what?"

Gumball leaned out of his car window, observing the queue of impatient cars behind him. "In the drive through."

"Are you going to order yet, sir?" The teenage employee's impatient voice grumbled from the crackling speakers.

"One second." The cat said, causing all the drivers to honk even louder.

"Gumball, you're not at the order window, are you?!"

"Whaaaaat, of course not!" He gulped. "But, let's just say, if I was, hypothetically speaking, what would you want from JB?"

"Sir, can you just order already?"

"In a minute!" He hissed. "So what do you want, honey?"

Penny sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Could you just get me some kind of chicken nugget combo? I'm not really feeling in a burger mood."

"Okay, what size-"

"As much as they can legally give me." She demanded.

"Uhh… roger that." The cat relayed the order to the relieved speaker, finally allowing the long queue to continue moving.

"Okay, I ordered it… is what I'd say if I was at the window, but I'm not, obviously. Just uh, rehearsing."

"Uh huh." Penny nodded. "Should I come to you?"

"Nope, you just wait there, I'll be there soon. Anywhere you wanna go?"

"Not sure, how about the park?"

"Yeah, why not? The park sounds lovely. Hang tight Pen, won't be long. See ya."

Flicking her phone off, Penny took a moment to look back at the store, seeing Larry still scrambling to meet Sharon's order in time. She chuckled, walking over and finding a seat at a nearby bus stop.

After a few minutes of scrolling through old photos, a small green car pulled up. "Hello there, Madame." Gumball purred with an awful British accent. "Would you care to join me in my automobile?"

"Oh yes, that sounds rather splendid." Penny replied, her accent somehow worse than his.

"Marvellous! Climb aboard th-" The feline reached over to open the passenger door, but his seatbelt locked him in place.

"Oh for- come on- one second, Pen." Gumball muttered, losing his accent. He unbuckled the strap and attempted to lean over, only to flop onto the passenger seat. Flustered, he resorted to pushing the door open with his foot instead. "Er, step inside Madame!" he chuckled, nervously.

"Flawless." Penny rolled her eyes at his lack of decorum, giving a slow clap. It was just about what she expected from a guy like him, in all honesty.

Climbing into her seat, she felt her stomach grumble. "Um, babe, where's the fo-" She trailed off as Gumball held a greasy paper bag in her face. The fairy drooled for a moment, before snatching the bag and tearing into it.

"Hey, hey, slow down!" The feline cautioned. "Save some for the park, okay?"

"Don't tell me to slow down!" Penny said, her mouth full of chicken. "If anything, tell the baby to quit making me hungry!"

"Ok, I will." Gumball said, lighting tapping on Penny's tummy. "Hey, kid, stop making Mom eat so much!"

Penny rested a hand on her bump, waiting for a response. "…Nope, I'm hearing nothing back." She reached for her chicken again.

"Come on, at least let us eat together?"

"Fine." Penny reluctantly put the bag down on the car floor. "But we'd better get there quickly."

After what felt like hours to Penny (three minutes), they finally arrived at the park. Just as Gumball finished locking the car, Penny grabbed his hand and sprinted over to a spot under a large oak tree. She ripped the Joyful Burger bag open and resumed wolfing down her chicken.

"Jeez, really couldn't keep it in, could you?"

"Hey, blame your son. He's got your impatience."

Gumball chuckled, opening up his food, before it dawned on him. "Wait. Son?!"

"Uhhh, yeah." Penny said, picking up another nugget. "Pretty sure this'll be a boy. You know, at the start at least."

"Uh-uh, no way." Gumball shook his head, popping a fry in his mouth. "I'm getting girl vibes all over."

"Sorry, are you feeling this kid at all times? Is 'she' constantly making you throw up? I'd no idea you could feel it like I could!"

"Yeah yeah, but what about it is telling you it's a boy?"

"Well, let's see. What's it have in common with you?" She said, striking a philosopher's pose. "It's always wanting attention, it's got weird food tastes-"

"(You put ketchup on your pancakes…)"

"...And it never stops bothering me. Oh, and it's completely stuck to me."

Gumball smirked. "Aaaand?"

Penny blushed. "…and I can't help loving it." She gave the chuckling cat a soft playful punch in the arm. "Also, those pancakes are your kid's cravings, not mine!"

"You're the one eating them."

"Touche, I suppose. Alright, what's it got in common with me?"

"Well to start, I'm sure it'll be a very beautiful baby. The most beautiful, even."

"Uh huh? Is that so?"

"And I'm sure she'll be really smart. And talented. And funny."

"Go on…"

"And." He grabbed Penny's hand, looking into her eyes. "She'll have the greatest mom ever."

"Awww." Penny blushed. She leaned back, laying herself gently down on the grass. "I'm sure her dad will be okay too."

"Pfft. Just okay?" He teased.

"Alright then. I'm sure her dad will be adequate." She countered mockingly.

"...I'll take the 'okay'."

The cat settled next to her, brushing some of the fallen leaves aside. The pair stared up at the clouds slowly drifting across the sky.

"Okay, stupidest idea for a gender reveal party, go!"

"Alright..." Gumball stroked his whiskers, lost in thought for a moment. "Two planes." He said at last. "Each filled with buckets of paint, the pilot of the 'winning' gender crashes into a field."

"Not bad, not bad." Penny nodded. "Oddly specific though. How'd you come up with it?"

"The news."

"Ah, makes sense. Wait, did someone-?"

"Yep."

"Of course they did." Penny sighed. "Glad we'll never be like that."

"By the way," Gumball craned his neck a little to face his girlfriend. "You don't actually care what it is, right?"

"Oh, of course not. I'll love this little goofball no matter what." Penny smiled, rubbing her bump tenderly.

"So would I." A smirk grew on the feline's face. "Know what you wouldn't love though?"

"What?"

"Tickles!" Gumball pounced on her. "Eek!" Penny shrieked, trying to push him off. "Wait nono- HAHAHAHAHAHA GUMBALL HEEHEEHEE STOP HAHAHA."

"Admit I'll be a good Dad, admit it!"

"HAHAHA OKAY HEEHEE OKAY." Gumball stopped, giving Penny the chance to recover.

"I wish you'd stop doing that." She huffed, a few more giggles slipping out. "Fine. I'm sure you'll be a good dad."

"Aw, thank you, Penny." Gumball purred. "That's so kind and spontaneous of you to say. You spoil me!"

"Yeah, yeah." Penny faked a groan, trying to suppress her amusement at Gumball's dumb, but lovable, charm.

They lay there for a moment in silence as more leaves slowly drifted to the grass around them.

"Hey, Gumball?" Penny asked, her voice containing a slight tone of worry.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think this baby might… change us?"

"Of course it will. We'll have…" he shuddered dramatically. "Responsibilities."

"No, I mean, like you and me. Do you think it'll change how we feel about each other?"

"What? Why?" Gumball sat up, raising an eyebrow at the fairy.

"I'm scared, Gummy." Penny sniffed. "What if this baby comes and we just… don't love each other anymore?"

"Huh?!" Gumball snorted. "Penny, do you think I could ever stop loving you?"

"No, of course I don't. It's just… I've no idea what's gonna happen."

"None of us do." Gumball shrugged.

"And even if we're fine, what if the baby isn't?!" Penny frantically tugged at her hair, sweat pouring down her face. "What if it gets sick, what if something goes wrong at the birth, what if there's an accident and mmm mmmph mmhm, mph? Mph? Mmphll!""

Penny's voice became muffled as Gumball sealed his paw around her mouth. The fairy glared at him and tried to tug his hand away, only for him to resist, making her temper flare up by the second. "Shhh." He soothed. "Something I learned from Mr. Small. Just breathe."

Penny continued trying to grumble, eventually giving up and rolling her eyes, taking in a deep breath. As her face returned from an angry crimson to a calm yellow, Gumball lifted his paw.

Penny spat out onto the grass. "Your hands are covered in muck." She muttered. Gumball took no notice.

"So, Penny, tell me what's scaring you." Gumball instructed.

"Are you kidding? Everything."

"What do you think is gonna happen that's making you worry so much?"

"Were you not listening? So much can go wrong with a baby, I can't even begin to-"

"Is any of it happening now?"

Penny stopped, stunned. This sense of profoundness Gumball was showing was so strange to her, at least for him.

"I- no…"

"Hmph." Gumball scratched his chin. "Are you still feeling sick in the morning?"

"Most days, yeah."

"You still got weird cravings?"

"Yep."

"Do you still have a little bump on your tummy?"

"I- yes? Of course I do."

"Well then." Gumball settled back down into the grass, resting his hands behind his head. "I don't think we've got anything to worry about.

It's like Mr. Corneille said. All that matters is what's happening here and now."

"When did he say that?"

"I dunno, it just sounds like something he'd say."

"Can't argue with that." Penny shrugged. She flopped back into the grass next to her boyfriend, staring back up at the clouds.

"Do you ever wish," she mused. "That time could just freeze and we could stay in this moment, like this forever?"

"Maybe. But then it wouldn't really be a moment anymore, and isn't that what makes our time together special?"

Glassy-eyed, Penny smiled warmly at her boyfriend before turning back to the sky. For somebody who often quotes others like Mr. Small and Mr. Corneille, he seemed to have more wisdom of his own than meets the eye. Always full of surprises, this one.

A shrill beeping noise pulled them out of their thoughts. The cat pulled out his phone and sighed. "I've gotta get back to work."

"Okay, have fun." Penny said, waving him off. Gumball huffed, crossing his arms. "Come on honey, you've got work too."

"Nooo." She pouted. "Just leave me here."

"Penny, come on." Gumball bent down to try and pull her up. The fairy rolled onto her stomach, shielding herself. "I don't wanna go back to work."

The cat yanked at one of her feet, trying to drag her away. Penny dug her hands into the ground, clinging on to any bit of grass she could. Passer-bys shared confused looks as they observed the couple's feud.

"How did we get to the point where I am telling you to go to work?!" Gumball grunted, still trying to pull her along. At last, Penny relented. "Fine!" She snorted, climbing to her feet before storming off to the car, brooding over her wrongs.

~

"See you two later, sweetie!" Gumball chirped as Penny shut the door. The fairy gave a half-hearted thumbs up before turning and walking back to the Triple C.

The street was quiet, only a few cars passing through. The calmer hours for the store.

Penny pushed the front door open, mentally preparing herself to enter the mind-numbing state of 'work mode' when her ears were blasted by; "PENNY!"

The fairy jumped at the sight of her fellow prickly barista. "Carmen! What the heck?!"

"Sorry, sorry, it's just, did you hear the news?!" The cactus beamed, barely containing her excitement.

"What news?!" Penny scoffed. "And what could it possibly be that would make it worth screaming about?"

"Shaaaron quiiiiiiiIIIIIIIiiiiiit!" Carmen sang, off-key. Penny's eyes widened, hope returning to her soul.

"She… she did?"

"Yep! She made a tiny spill while making coffee and she just walked out!"

"…Huh?"

"It's true!" Larry chimed in. "And thanks to our newest policy, she can't ever be rehired! Not here at least…"

The rock presented the new rules board with a third new rule crudely added. "Sharon can't work here anymore."

"They let you put that up?"

"Yes! In exchange for only half my salary! But, I don't mind making a dollar an hour if it means I don't have to work with her."

"So, we're paying her not to work?"

"That's it in a nutshell, pretty much."

"So, nothing changed?"

Larry's face fell. He scratched his chin, deeply in thought. "I… guess not. We'll have to find another worker though."

At that moment, the door was flung open as a young goat girl strolled in. "Hiya!" She greeted the workers. "I was curious, do you have any job openings? I love the look of this place and I can't-"

She paused, looking at the sign displaying the rules.

"Oh…" she whimpered, beginning to cry. "Okay. I'll just go then." She turned around and headed for the exit, still sniffling. As she was about to open the door, she suddenly spun back around, snarling at the staff. "Shame on you for not hiring someone because of their name!"

'Sharon' slammed the door shut behind her, rattling plates and leaving the employees bewildered.

"…We should've probably worded that a bit better."