The Gift: A TAWOG Story

Chapter 21: The Reassurance

Gumball and Nicole returned home from the hospital to his sister and adopted brother, who were worried sick about him, hugging him all over the second they could. Gumball never felt so relieved and safe to be with his siblings.

"I'm really sorry that I scared you guys," said Gumball humbly as he returned their hug.

"It wasn't your fault, Gumball," said Anais. "I'm just so glad to have my brother back."

"I see the beige balloons have made a reappearance," said Nicole, glancing at the balloons her family used to attempt to throw a party the day she thought Richard forgot their wedding anniversary. "So, what happened while I was gone, Richard?" she asked her husband.

"Ah, nothing," said Richard, "Just we watched TV and ate and Penny came over and we slept and..."

"What the what?" Gumball exclaimed at once. "Penny was here?!"

"We told you we weren't gonna tell him, remember," said Darwin with gritted teeth.

"Oops," said Richard. "What I meant to say is that Penny did not come over!"

"Nice save," Nicole said sarcastically.

"What was she doing here?" asked Gumball. Anais just sighed.

"She just wanted to make sure you were okay after yesterday," said Anais. "And Dad just had to tell her you were in the hospital. I've never seen her act so hysterical."

"Hysterical?!" reacted Gumball. "But, d-what the... what did she say? Did she break down in tears?!"

"Just text her right now and say your fine and checked out," said Darwin.

"Why else do you think I just whipped out my phone as you said that?" Gumball replied. He sent a text to Penny immediately, stating "Just checked out of the hospital and am doing great" with the 'thumbs up' emoji. He never felt so concerned with how worried Penny was about him. He headed upstairs to reunite with his own bed, and Darwin followed him up the stairs.

"Mrs. Mom told us what happened," said Darwin, following his adoptive cat brother into their room. "It had to have been pretty scary, huh? How much did it hurt?"

"A lot," said Gumball. "And I know you don't like hospitals, so I will happily describe my experience."

"Gumball, please," pleaded Darwin, who indeed did not want to hear what Gumball had to endure.

"They hooked me up to machines, and injected me with a bunch of needles," said Gumball in a maniacal tone.

"Stop it!" Darwin shouted, covering his eyes with his fins. "Stop it! Stop it!"

"Aww, come on, buddy," said Gumball. He hugged his brother.

"I'm just glad you're okay," said Darwin. In the midst of their hug, Gumball felt his phone vibrate. He looked at it and saw that Penny replied.

"So happy you're doing well! You wanna meet up at Dinner Diner?" the text said. Gumball was confused upon reading this.

"I thought we were broken up," Gumball replied. The second he sent the text, he regretted it. Nevertheless, Penny retained her upbeat enthusiasm Gumball had come to love.

"Idk," said the text. "I just wanna see you again!" Gumball was still confused, but nevertheless replied that he would meet up with her again.

"Wait a second," said Darwin, crossing his fins. "I thought you guys were no more!"

"So did I," said Gumball. He immediately realized that, since the massacre was probably still fresh in everyone's minds, it was best that he laid low for the time being and remained at his house, at least for the weekend. He texted to Penny again.