Mabel and Dipper were driving up to Gravity Falls in Dipper's very old but very reliable pickup truck. They had been taking turns driving so they wouldn't have to stop anywhere for the night. It was Dipper's turn to drive. Dipper had gotten much taller, now standing at 5'11. His hair was short and messy, hidden by Wendy's hat. His awkward limbs caught up to the rest of him but he was thin and his muscles were non-existent.
He glanced at the radio clock. It was 6 am. He grabbed an unopened can of Monster and opened it. The sound startled Waddles, who was sitting in the back of the truck with a sleeping Mabel. Waddles was getting on in years, about 7 years old but Mabel was taking good care of him. Dipper chuckled, remembering their parents' reaction to a pig in the house. To say they weren't pleased would be to put it mildly but after an hour long phone conversation with Grunkle Stan, they finally agreed.
According to the billboard Dipper just passed, Gravity Falls was just 20 more miles. It wouldn't be long now. He had kept in close contact with Great Uncle Ford, eventually agreeing to an apprenticeship of sorts. Every week during high school, Ford and Dipper would stay up late into the night, discussing Ford's newest discoveries. In Dipper's spare time, he worked on restoring the journals, keeping in contact with Wendy and Soos to gain the latest news on the strange happenings in Gravity Falls. And once in awhile, he would have horrible dreams of one-eyed triangles but he ignored them, only confiding in Mabel.
Waddles was nudging into Mabel's face, oinking in her face. She murmured in her sleep, trying to push him away. He licked her face and continued nudging. Mabel opened her eyes and smiled at her pig. Two years of braces had transformed her smile, with perfect straight teeth.
"Oh Waddles, you silly pig. We're not even there yet." Mabel laughed, smoothing out her sweater. She still made her own sweaters and this one had the Mystery Shack knitted on it. Her hair was long and still curled in random places but now she usually kept it up in a ponytail. She was just a half inch taller than Dipper, a point she enjoyed rubbing in Dipper's face.
"Au contraire sister. We're less than 20 minutes away." Dipper said. Mabel squealed in excitement, a sound too high pitched for the early morning.
"Drive faster Dipper! Push that pedal to the metal!" Mabel cheered, finally sitting up in her seat.
"I'm already pushing the speed limit Mabel. We'll be their soon enough." Dipper laughed. Mabel pulled out her phone, already texting everyone to alert them to the arrival of the Pines twins.
Stan Pines was already up, getting ready for the arrival of the kids. Soos was more than happy to let Ford and Stan move back into Mystery Shack. Stan finished getting ready and looked at his phone. Mabel had persuaded him to get the phone, so she could talk to him while he was away. A text from Mabel flashed on the screen. He smiled to himself and went to find Ford. He looked in Ford's room but it was empty. So he went to the vending machine and punched in the code. When he got to the basement, he saw Ford, slumped over his desk, glasses askew and a book opened. Stan gave him a slap on the back and Ford just about jumped out of his skin.
"What? What? Who goes there? Show yourself- oh hi Stan." Ford said, adjusting his glasses. He winced in pain from the slap. "Aren't we getting too old for you to be slapping me awake?"
"Aren't you getting too old for your nerd stuff? The kids are almost here." Stan said, showing his phone. Ford took off his glasses and squinted at the screen.
"Fantastic! What are we doing down here? Get upstairs you old man." Ford said, leading the way to the elevator.
"Says the guy who slept in the basement." Stan quipped, pushing the button.
"Discogirl! Coming through! That girl is you! OH OH OH!" The stereo blasted, the twins singing along. Dipper drove faster, speeding by the Welcome to Gravity Falls sign. Suddenly, sirens blared behind them. Groaning, the pair pulled over and turned off the music.
"What can I do for you officer-Blubs?" Dipper said, looking at the old black cop.
"Dipper? Is that you? Geez you got tall kid. Durland, come here baby, it's the Pines Twins!" Blubs said, beckoning Durland over. The tall, lanky cop came over and stared at the kids.
"Hey guys!" Mabel said, rolling down her window.
"Ooo-whee! Mabel and Dipper are back in town! It's been how many years now?" Durland asked.
"Too many that's how many." Mabel replied.
"You know, I was gonna give y'all a ticket for driving so fast but I'm not about to do that to the town heroes. We'll never forget what you've done for us and this town." Blubs said, holding onto Durland's hand. Mabel saw two rings.
"Oh. My. Gosh. Did you guys get married?" Mabel squealed.
"It's our five year anniversary tomorrow." Blubs said, looking at Durland.
"Congrats you guys." Dipper smiled at them.
"I'll let you kids get going. Stan and Ford have been waiting for you. They're very excited about you guys coming back for the summer. Have a good rest of your day." Blubs said.
"Thanks. You too." Dipper said, driving off.
Stan and Ford waited anxiously on the porch. It's been 6 years since they last saw the kids in person. An old, beat up red truck pulled up. Mabel jumped out of the car and ran to her great uncles.
"Grunkle Stan! Great Uncle Ford!" she yelled as she hugged them.
"Hey there kiddo!" Stan said, hugging back. Ford broke away from the hug to go up to the truck. Dipper was leaning on the truck, waiting for his turn to greet his great uncles.
"Dipper my boy, how you been? How are the journals coming along?" Ford asked. Dipper's eyes lit up.
"I've been great! The journals are nearly done. I've been writing as much as I can remember but it's good to be back here, so I can properly finish them. I have so much to tell you." Dipper said, talking rather quickly. Ford smiled at his great nephew.
"Hey nerds! Let's go get breakfast at the Greasy Diner." Stan says.
"But I've got so much to tell Great Uncle Ford. Like about-" Dipper's words were interrupted by a grumble from his belly.
"Uh-oh, somebody's tummy is upsetty." Mabel teased, running up to Dipper and tickling his belly. Dipper burst out into laughter and leaned on the back of the truck as Mabel's fingers waged war on his stomach.
"Mabel, Mabel stop!" Dipper laughed.
"Say you'll eat breakfast." Mabel smirked.
"Alright alright! Just stop!" Dipper laughed again. Mabel stopped and let Dipper catch his breath.
"Glad to see literally nothing has changed." Stan smiled. He waved his car keys and led the group to the car.