Back at home, Nicole sat on the sofa with all three of her kids, Gumball having been allowed to come down by Nicole and Darwin now with a cast on his arm, as they finished watching a news report on Larry's arrest.
"I don't know what to say...Larry framed Gumball?! Paid someone to pretend to be him! I can't believe I actually blamed Gumball for it..."
Gumball looked toward her, ears pinned against his head and eyes wet with tears threatening to fall. "S-So...so a-are you still m-mad at me...? *sniff* A-A-Am I still in trouble...?"
She looked over and saw him almost in tears. "Oh, sweetheart....no, no, no, of course not!"
He sniffed as tears trickled down his face, his entire body trembling in fear, and as Nicole watched her heart broke at how terrified and worked up she had caused him to get. "Oh, honey...oh, come here!"
She held out her arms and he eagerly ran over into them, where they hugged tightly and lovingly.
"I'm so, so sorry I shouted at you earlier... I...I can't believe I falsely accused you of doing something like that...b-branding my own son a thief...a criminal...I...I feel horrible..."
She sniffed, tears beginning to trickle down her own face as the guilt piled up.
He noticed and hesitated before smiling weakly. "I-It's okay Mom, it really did look like me doing it, I don't blame you for believing it."
"No, no it's not! I screamed at you, terrified you! I watched as you cried and sobbed and did nothing about it! I made you cry! I refused to let you hug me, and turned you away when you needed me most! How could I do that to you!?" She replied, her voice breaking as the tears streamed down her face. "I'm s-so s-s-sorry!" She sobbed as she hugged him even tighter.
He hesitated before nuzzling her, beginning to purr lightly. "It's okay Mom, honestly. I forgive you. I know you didn't mean it..."
"R-Really? You forgive me?" She asked surprised.
"Of course I do." He smiled.
She smiled back and rested her head on his shoulder, beginning to purr too. "I love you so, so much Gummypuss. And that never changed, not even for a second, and it never will."
He rested his head on her chest. "I love you too Mom."
The two smiled and Nicole affectionately touched and rubbed her nose against Gumball's, and he couldn't help but giggle.
Anais and Darwin both smiled and let out an 'awwww' happy to see the two make up.
Gumball looked up at his Mom. "So...I'm n-not grounded anymore? I-I-I can go out bowling!?"
"Well, perhaps keeping you grounded and making you study more might still be a good idea. Help get your grades up at school a bit you know..."
"W-what!?" His eyes widened.
A grin formed on her face as she suddenly burst out laughing, "Awww, I'm only joking, of course you're ungrounded! And hey, now that you are ungrounded, how about I take you all out for a joyful burger, hey? My way of apologizing to you, and rewarding my two amazing little detectives." She crouched down and ruffled the fur on his head.
"Really?! Ah, thanks Mom, you're the best!" He hugged her again.
She chuckled. "I'm not the one you need to thank...those two brilliant detectives over there did all the work!"
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...
