Starting New: Returning Home

Chapter 4: A Family Reunited

"Thank you both for the separate interviews. This will help us with your case. Please, have a seat here in the lobby and we will get you two some spare clothes." The kind officer said, before gesturing for Gumball and Nicole towards the nearby cushioned seats.

"Thank you..." Nicole said, wrapping her arm around Gumball gently, attempting to comfort him a bit as they made their way over to the chairs and sat down.

Gumball rested his head against her in silence, obviously tired. Nicole gave him a small smile before leaning back against the wall behind them. They both were tired. Who could blame them? They had reported their circumstances, and were both separately interviewed before being medically checked by medic professionals before they were deemed well enough not to be transported to the hospital. They had a small amount of blood drawn, just like Bobert had predicted before they left them to the officers. Now, they simply waited for whatever was to happen next...

"Mrs. Watterson?"

Nicole looked up towards the doorway and an officer that appeared to be a giant pink donut shaped man came out.

"Good to see you again...and of course, you too Gumball. All of Elmore high was missing you..."

"Mr. Glaze?" Gumball said, feeling a hint of joy seeing him again, after all this time, despite their somewhat shaky past.

"The one and only!" He replied back, giving him a bit of a smile.

"Don't worry you two, I've informed your family that you both have been found. They are very relieved to hear that you two are both safe and sound. I've also been instructed to drop you two off at home in the meantime. So, what do you say?"

Nicole and Gumball looked at each other with immense joy before they both got up and hugged the officer.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Nicole said happily.

"You're the best!" Gumball chimed in.

"Easy, easy you two! I'll turn to mush if ya hug me any harder! Haha!" Mr. Glaze mentioned as he patted them both on the back lovingly, before feeling them let go.

With that, they followed him to his police cruiser and hopped in the back before he backed out of the police station and started driving.

Finally...they were going home...

———

The police cruiser soon stopped out by the sidewalk and Gumball and Nicole both looked out the side. There, just a few feet away from them now, was their home...The Watterson home. Even the mailbox said it, clear as day. This was it. After so many years...they were finally home.

Mr. Glaze got out of the drivers seat and stepped out to open their door.

"Your family will be waiting for you two inside. Get some rest, you'll both need it. It was nice to see you guys again..."

"You too!" They both said in unison, before they saw him get back in his cruiser and start to drive away.

With a final wave, they watched him disappear down the road. Now all that remained to do was to meet the family...

Walking up the front porch steps, they soon arrived at the door. Nicole looked at Gumball, as he looked towards her.

"Ready?" He asked.

Nicole averted her eyes for a brief second before closing them and letting out a deep breath.

"Ready..."

With that, Gumball knocked on the door.

A few seconds later, they heard footsteps, then saw the door handle turn before it opened. There, on the other side of the doorway...was a tall pink rabbit, a medium sized fish, and another much smaller pink rabbit; their family.