The Gift: A TAWOG Story

Chapter 33: The Finale

Gumball woke up peacefully in his bed after a good night's sleep, for the first time in a long while, to the sound of his alarm clock. Darwin woke up to the alarm too and stood up out of his fishbowl and stretched his fins.

"C'mon, Darwin," said Gumball. "Big day ahead of us!"

"But its school today, Gumball," said Darwin as he put on his green sneakers.

"That doesn't mean it won't be a good day," said Gumball with a big smile on his face. "Everyday is a chance to be a good day."

"Who are you and what have you done with Gumball?" said Darwin humorously with a chuckle.

In the bathroom, Gumball was so hit with joy that he voluntarily brushed Darwin and Anais' teeth for them.

"Wha's goin' on with him?" said Anais with her mouth full of toothpaste.

"I dunno," said Darwin with his mouth full of toothpaste.

"Just a complimentary gesture," said Gumball, retaining his big smile. He quickly wrapped it up by pouring them cups of water to spit the toothpaste into before charging out of the bathroom and down the stairs. He walked into the kitchen to see his mother grabbing cereals.

"Good morning, sunshine," said Nicole.

"It is a good morning, indeed, Mother," said Gumball in a mocking British accent. Darwin and Anais walked in, still not knowing what was up.

"Are you alright, Gumball?" said Anais as she took a seat at the table.

"Perfect," said Gumball confidently. "Never been better." Darwin and Anais looked at each other.

"Should we be worried?" said Darwin with a look of concern. He then looked over at his adoptive mother in the kitchen. "Mrs. Mom, do you even know what's up?"

"Well, I think Gummypuss can tell you why he's excited," she said with a grin.

"Fine," said Anais.

"What is it, Gumball?" Darwin and Anais both said in unison. Gumball tried holding it in for a little longer before he exploded with excitement.

"I don't have to wear the headband anymore!!" he shouted with the biggest smile.

"Oohhh," Darwin and Anais both said, rolling their eyes.

"I don't have to wear the headband anymore, don't have to wear the headband anymore," Gumball sang, dancing foolishly around the table.

"I think someone's excited he's finally back to his old self," said Nicole.

"A little too excited to be honest," said Anais.

"Well, make that two cats getting back to their old selves," added Nicole. "Darwin, Anais, you are looking at a brand new mom. No more tempers, fire breathing, glowing eyes, none of that stuff."

"That stuff never really bothered us to begin with, Mrs. Mom," said Darwin.

"Yeah," said Anais. "You do what you gotta do sometimes." Nicole then leaned in and put her paw next to her mouth to whisper something to them.

"If we're gonna ensure Gumball's sense of safety, I gotta do my part like Dr. Pill said," she whispered, glancing towards Gumball to make sure he was not listening. He kept dancing around without a care in the world. Nicole then sat up straight in her chair. "But on top of that, I want to spend more time with you kids."

"Um, what exactly does that look like?" Darwin said, slightly skeptical.

"Well, I don't know" said Nicole. "But I think I'll come up with some ideas Trust me, you kids will not be disappointed."