A while later and the two arrived home, closing the front door behind them.
Nicole was still sitting at the dining room table, now with a coffee in hand, her face that of sorrow and exhaustion, deep in her own thoughts.
"Hey Mrs. Mom!" Darwin greeted her.
She looked up and managed a weak smile. "Oh, hey kids!"
Anais paid no attention to her and continued straight upstairs.
Nicole sighed, her ears lowering a little. "Is she still upset with me...?"
"I think so...she hasn't said much about you since we left. She's been too focused on the case."
Nicole sniffed and looked down, feeling a little guilty for causing Anais to get as upset and worked up as she had.
Darwin noticed and sat down next to her, placing his fin on her paw. "Hey, it's okay. I know you didn't mean to upset her, and I'm sure she does too. She just needs time to cool off, that's all."
She sighed. "I know, I know..."
"And you know she didn't really mean any of what she said to you right? You're a great Mom, and we like you just as much as Dad!"
She smiled weakly. "Thanks, Darwin, you always know exactly what to say to cheer everyone up..."
"Yeah, that's me alright..." He chuckled. "
"It's no wonder I love you so much!" Her smile grew. "Come here you!" She held out her arms, and Darwin happily accepted a hug from her.
"Hey, speaking of Dad, where is he?" Darwin asked.
"Oh, he's at that club of his until this evening."
"Club? Oh, that roleplaying one?"
"That's the one. I honestly don't know how he has the confidence to go out dressed up like that. I mean, I could never..."
"That's Dad for you..." Darwin laughed, shortly followed by Nicole.
"So, how's your investigation going then? Find anything yet?" She asked after she regained her composure.
"Nothing concrete but we do know Gumball was definitely at Sarah's at the time. We saw photographic proof. All that really did was confuse things more though as whoever was there looks exactly like him, just like you said..."
"You saw the CCTV footage? I would have rather you hadn't...." She replied concerned.
"Why not?"
"Well, even if it wasn't your brother, in the footage it still looks like him, and I'd hate for you to see him doing something like that..."
"You're right, it was a little difficult to watch but we had to if we wanted any chance at solving the case."
"It's okay, if it helps you find out who really did it then it was all worth it."
"Who really did it? So you believe Gumball is innocent now?"
She hesitated. "I'm...not sure. I mean, sure hope he is, but..." She sighed. "I don't know what to believe now..."
"Don't worry, I promise we'll get to the bottom of this. In fact, watching the CCTV actually helped us find a new clue too, one that Anais is analyzing right now. Hopefully, it'll give us a new lead. We're closer to cracking the case than ever!"
"Oh really/!?That's great!" She sighed. "I really do hope you manage to prove his innocence. It breaks my heart to think that my little Gummypuss could be a thief..."
YOU ARE READING
The Detective Returns
FanfictionGumball's life is completely turned around when he is accused of shoplifting, and despite adamantly insisting upon his innocence his mother refuses to believe him. Anais, however, does and after Gumball is harshly punished she, along with Darwin, is...
