Hey everybody. I never expected to be back writing another story. But after high demand, I guess I have no choice. Welcome to the sequel of No Goodbye. I'd like to give shoutouts to everyone who wanted a sequel: YrooXrksvi618, Sixer618; Django; Purseus46; Guest (4) Because of you guys, you're all in for a treat.
At first though, I was unsure if the original story should even have a sequel. I was really at a lost for some time, trying to figure out what I could possibly write about. Yet I received a review from Sixer618 who left me a plot line. After careful consideration, I have decided to write the sequel, based off of his suggestion. So, credit to you, dude for your plot. I will be writing it.
After thinking very carefully, I decided to make this into another five-chapter story. With the amount of time it took me to write No Goodbye, it should take me the exact amount of time to write this sequel. My goal is two weeks; three weeks max. I want to get it out before college life kicks in. This story will be rated T again, for mentions of abuse and child endangerment
I know many people have moved on from Gravity Falls fanfics since the show ended last year. And that's okay. But the only reason why I'm doing this is because I clearly caught a lot of people's attention. But even though my first day of college is set for August 23, I promise when I say I will get this done. I will work around my schedule to give you guys a proper conclusion. There may be times where I might have to go on a hiatus in case the college workload gets a bit overboard. But if that does happen, and I miss my goal, my only wish for you all is to bare with me. I know I lost a lot of viewers for Decisions and Disappearances because of my Senior Year, but I did manage to get it done. Just like I will with this story. I will get it done.
Before we get into the sequel though, I just like to clarify some things. In the series finale of Gravity Falls, we all know that Waddles went home with Dipper and Mabel. But if you can recall in the "CHEPILOGUE", his name appeared right at the beginning. Waddles remained in Gravity Falls after the summer ended. And good thing for that.
And also, in Sixer618's review, some plot points you mentioned, I don't plan on writing in. But I'm still basing this story off of your suggestion. Thank you again, dude for inspiring an interesting plot.
Alright, I kept you all waiting long enough. Let's get this started. May I present, part one in the No Goodbye sequel...I Promise.
-Williebadger618
I Promise-Part I
Dipper's POV
Gravity Falls, Oregon
It has been about three weeks since my sister and I moved up to Gravity Falls, and the transition has been a bit rocky. Not even after a full week into the move, Soos had to drive us back down to Piedmont for Frank's trial, our mother's funeral, and moving our belongings out of our old house. All three stops turned out to be an emotional rollercoaster, filled with fear, agony, and sadness. Mainly sadness for my sister, but a mixture of all three emotions for me. Hopefully with the outcomes that occurred two weeks ago, things can potentially try to get better for the two of us.
The day we arrived back in Gravity Falls, the moving truck from the house was just finishing unloading the boxes of our belongings we chose to take with us. The men were placing them on the front porch. I saw Melody helping the movers by taking the boxes and moving them inside, saving us the hassle of moving them to the indoors. When we stepped out of the truck and walked up to the main entrance of the Shack, I saw Wendy talking the boxes from the main floor, up to our shared bedroom. It was nice the two of them were helping us with the move, but it wasn't necessary. Mabel and I could have done it. I still appreciate all they have been doing for us; to make it feel like we're home. They really do try their best, and I give them credit for it.
Once the movers left, and the last bits of our belongings made its way up to the attic, Mabel and I spent the rest of the day separating our belongings from each other, and finding areas in the room where we could store them. It took a lot of time and unboxing to do, but we manage to get the majority of the boxes done by dusk.
We recently had heard from our school back in Piedmont, and the secretary said she had shipped our student records up to Gravity Falls. They would arrive in the mail sometime this week, where either Stan or Ford, possibly both, will take our records up to the middle school in Gravity Falls, and enroll us after the school's winter break ends. The only reason why Soos would not be doing it is because Stan and Ford just came home.
December 4, 2012 (Present Time)
About two weeks ago, Stan had called Soos to let him know about their return date. They were set to dock at a beach coastline by 7am this morning, and then get a taxi to drive them back to the Mystery Shack, where we would all being waiting. They hoped to be at the Shack no later than 9am, which gave us plenty of time to get ready for their homecoming. Mabel and I were going to go down to the beach to see them pull in from the ocean, but it was too cold to see them. Oregon's temperatures in the winter constantly drop down to the low 50's. Since Grunkle Stan's call, my sister and I, along with the help of Soos, Melody, and Wendy, cleaned the Shack from head to toe, preparing for their "Welcome Back" celebration party. Mabel mainly took control, trying to make it the best homecoming celebration the Pines family ever saw. With my sister's party planning expertise, there is no doubt in my mind the party would be fun.
Around 8:30am that morning, Stan and Ford returned to the Shack with open arms. Out of the five of us, Soos was the first to embrace Grunkle Stan. Someone was really happy to see the original man of mystery again after four months. Wendy and Melody were next to exchange greetings with Stan and Ford, which left Mabel and I at the end of the line. Our Grunkles got down on there knees, spread their arms wide in unison. We took off running towards them simultaneously, wrapping our arms around them tightly. I really missed seeing them; four months was far too long for me. Hopefully with the four of us living under the same roof permanently, we could possibly form a functional family. But it all comes with time.
During the party, Grunkle Stan and Great Uncle Ford shared their stories with us about their adventures up in the arctic ocean. Soos caught the Stan brothers up to date on the Mystery Shack business, explaining some new attractions he and Melody created, which caught a lot of customer's attention. Wendy talked about how school was going, elaborating how high school was treating her, and mentioning about getting detention on a weekly basis with her friends. She hasn't been working at the Shack since school got back in session. All the conversations exchanged across the living room were very entertaining and interesting.
Of course though, the only thing I disliked the most about the party was the fact that Stan and Ford started to press my sister and I for answers about the attack at our old house. Even though the incident was weeks ago, it still brought back flashbacks and heartbreaking memories for the both of us. I don't know how many questions they attempted to ask, but I know I didn't answer them. I'm pretty sure Mabel didn't answer any of them either. We just completely shut down, and stopped talking to everyone for some time. My sister and I would constantly grab hold of each other's hands in comfort as an act to reassure that we were okay. This has happened on multiple occasions whenever someone from town, or one of our friends, bombarded us with so many questions. I knew they all wanted to know the full story, but neither one of us were just not ready to talk about it yet.
Soos stepped in after several minutes of inquiries and told the Stan brothers to stop. "When they are ready, they will talk about it."
Despite the bombardment of questions about the attack, the party was a lot of fun. The homecoming mainly lasted until late in the afternoon, as we enjoyed one another's company. Stories were still being told by Stan and Ford, who attempted to brightened up the mood after making things awkward. Wendy and Melody soon left around 5pm that afternoon, just leaving the five of us at the shack. The rest of the day was spent watching movies and reruns of Ducktective, eating popcorn and pizza until our stomachs got full. Those moments brought back good memories back from last summer; the summer I personally did not want to end.
After the fifth Ducktective episode ran through its allotted time, Mabel and I started to grow tired. Stan saw our sleepy expressions beginning to spread across our identical faces, so he sent the two of us up to bed around 9pm. At first, my sister and I attempted to change their minds, trying to them that we were not tired, but Grunkle Stan's mind was made up. I didn't want this fun day to end; I wanted to keep hanging out with my Grunkles, catching up with them; making new memories to replace the horrific ones from Piedmont. But no matter how much the two of us tired to fight back, we were sent to bed anyways.
My sister and I exchanged goodnights to our Grunkles and to Soos, sending the trio hugs and faint smiles. In unison, Mabel and I retreated from the living room, and started to climb the creaky staircase to our awaited shared bedroom. However, the minute I had cut the corner and placed my foot on the first step, I heard someone turn off the television from the living room. I then removed my foot from the step and hid behind the small wall that led into the den. I heard the shifting of sitting positions as three similar sounds of sighs echo through the room. The three of them were about to talk about something...and I think I had a good idea as to what it was.
"Soos," The voice of Grunkle Stan spoke out as he tried to whisper as quietly as possible. "it's been weeks since what happened. When will Dipper and Mabel talk about it?" Seriously? Okay, I know it was weeks ago. And even though it may seem like Mabel and I don't look upset, we are. It's not been easy for either one of us. The constant flashbacks, the endless night terrors, the millions of news reports that have most likely spread around the country. This is something personal that I am just not ready to talk about. Grunkle Stan and Great Uncle Ford may be family, but it'll end up being too hard to say without me choking on words.
"I don't know, Mr. Pines." Soos replied in a whisper tone. He released another sigh, yet this one sounded as if he grew defeated. "I tried to press for answers myself out of both of them when I first picked them up. But neither one of them were willing to talk about it."
An awkward silence rose between the three of them for some time, as I patiently waited to hear the next move. I knew they wanted answers just so they could help us in a way. Yet help us how? How can they relate to a pyscho nutcase who went off the deep end and killed his own wife? How can they compare the horror my sister and I went through with their own lives? "Well, I would like to know what happened before Ford and I drive down to the foster home and sign off on permeant custodianship." Stan finally said after breaking the silence.
"Me too. I'd like to know so that way, we can help the twins get through this. It's never easy going through a traumatizing experience." Ford replied. And he was right. The event happened three weeks ago and its still hard to cope with the consequences that occurred.
"Maybe we'll get some answers soon." Soos said. Man, they all really wanted answers, huh? I was at war with myself for some time. I wanted to tell them the entire thing; let them feel the pain I had to go through for the longest time. But then again, this was my business. And I don't want them spreading around the story to anybody else. However, they're family; and family tells each other everything, whether or not they want to hear it. Gosh, I'm just hope I'm making the right decision.
I then moved from behind the wall that separated the walkway to the family room and looked at the three of them, sitting around on matching chairs. They all saw a figure standing in the door frame, and jumped up, not expecting me to be downstairs. "Sorry, Dipper. We all thought you went to bed. We didn't mean to talk behind your back." Ford says apologetically.
I suck in a huge deep breath; similar to the ones that I did back at the murder house. Similar to the ones I did when my sister and I talked to CPS. Similar to the ones when I spoke to Frank in the hospital bedroom. They want answers? They're gonna get them. "I'll talk if you really want to know." I replied suddenly, which surprised all of them. Not one of the men were expecting me to say that statement. I wasn't even expecting those words to escape through my teeth. The trio of men looked at each other in astoundment as I then re-entered into the living room and sat in an open chair. Stan, Ford and Soos retook their seats, and remained silent as they waited for me to begin the story of how that one man changed my entire life.
I told them everything. From the moment it all began, to the final blow I initiated down in the basement. I told them about Frank killing my mother. I told them how CPS came and took my sister and I to the foster home. I told them about meeting Frank in the hospital room, sharing the words I spoke with him weeks ago. I didn't leave anything out. Some parts of the story were hard to talk about, but I fought back my emotions for the greater good. I talked about the brutal punishments Frank initiated on my sister and I, and how I would take the majority of the blows for Mabel's sake. I elaborated about protecting my sister, shielding her from sharp objects thrown towards our direction back in that house. It even got down to the point where I ended up showing them the scars and bruises that were left behind from those punishments. Most of them have faded away; blending into my skin. Yet some were still visible to the naked eye.
The story itself took about an hour and a half to talk about; mainly because I choked back on tears numerous times. Towards the conclusion of my point of view, I could see tears brought to all three of their eyes. As they absorbed in my point of view of the story, I could tell they all felt bad for me. I assumed I answered all of their questions they must have built up in their minds as I spoke, because when the story was complete, they didn't utter any inquiries to me. I asked them to promise me to keep all the information I said tonight to themselves, and not to spread it to anybody in town. The last thing I would want is the full story ending up on the news.
"I promise." Is what they all replied to me in unison.
Once the story was fully complete, the three of them embraced me in a tight hug, assuring me that things would be okay. I just took their words into consideration, hoping in my mind things would actually work out for my sister and I. It was after 10:30pm that evening when they sent me up to bed. And to make sure I would actually head up to bed this time, the trio of men followed me upstairs and to me and my sister's shared bedroom. I reached for the doorknob and opened it quietly, checking to see if my sister was sleeping. She was indeed past out in her bed, as Waddles slept by the foot of her little cot. I stepped inside and turned to face Stan, Soos, and Ford. I wished them goodnight, while closing the door, trying not to wake my sister up from her slumber.
Three pairs of soft footsteps silently walked away from the attic bedroom door as I took off my vest and crawled into bed. I leaned on my side and looked at my sister's sleeping figure. I smiled knowing she was sleeping soundly and peacefully. I whispered "goodnight" to her as I shifted positions onto my back and looked up at the ceiling. Another grin spread across my face in relief; the relief of getting my side of the story off of my chest. I think I did make the right decision. Stan and Ford were family. Even Soos was considered family in my eyes after sacrificing his needs to take my sister and I in. They had a right to know, and I believe them when they said they would keep this story to themselves. They promised. And I know for a fact this version of a semi-functional family, they won't break this promise.
With the smile still plastered on my face, I allowed my tired eyes shift me into the unconscious state with ease and no troubles swarming in my head.
At least, not yet.
A/N: Part one, complete. Sorry its kind of short, but this chapter was sort of like an overview of the epilogue from No Goodbye. Things start to get more interesting (and longer) in the second chapter. So, bare with me, please. Hope you enjoyed. See you in the next installment.
-Williebadger618