It was late evening, the last evening that Dipper and Mabel would be spending in the Shack before they left for home. Dipper and Mabel sat in the living room with Stan and Wendy, playing cards and laughing. Mabel threw her cards on the floor for her opponents to see, and pumped her fists in the air.

"Boo-yah! Take that, suckas!" She shouted triumphantly. Everyone else groaned in frustration, but smiles still played on their faces.

Behind Mabel, Ford timidly stuck his head around the corner, hand gripping the doorframe with six fingers drumming on the wood. He cleared his throat.

"Um, Mabel…would it be alright if I talked to you for a moment?" His voice was soft, just as nervous as he looked. Mabel turned in surprise, then shot a glance to the others. They looked as confused as she did.

"Uh…yeah. Be right back, guys." She rose to her feet and followed her great-uncle out of the room and up the stairs. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked into her and Dipper's room, holding the door open for her and she walked in and sat on the edge of her bed. He sat on the edge of Dipper's bed, taking care not to disturb any of Dipper's possessions. Half of them were already packed into his suitcase. He wasn't looking at his niece; rather, he was looking at his hands, twiddling his fingers nervously. Mabel looked imploringly at him.

"Grunkle Ford? Is everything okay? There isn't another snow globe of doom, is there?"

He finally looked up at his niece, a look of guilt on his face. He sighed.

"Mabel, I would like to apologize to you."

Mabel blinked. Here she'd been, thinking she was in trouble. He continued.

"I…I would like to apologize for several things. I would like to apologize for paying more attention to your brother. I would like to apologize for not taking your feelings into account when I offered him that apprenticeship. I would like to apologize for…for almost taking your brother away from you, mainly." His cheeks had actually begun to darken a little with shame. Mabel leaned back a little, using her hands for support, silent. Ford went on. "I-I made assumptions about you two based on…on memories and hurt feelings between me and Stanley. I projected too much of myself onto Dipper, thought that he would want the same things that I've wanted in my life. I…Mabel, the last thing I want is for you to go home thinking that I'm not sorry for the pain I caused you. I was blind, and selfish, and inconsiderate. You don't have to forgive me, I'll understand. I just wanted you to know that I was wrong, and that I know I was wrong. And after seeing you two work together these past few days, saving the world…" He smiled. "I would never want you two to be torn apart, much less be the cause of it."

The room was only quiet for a second, as Mabel slid off her bed and walked over to Ford, placing her hand on his.

"Grunkle Ford, I forgive you." She smiled, nothing but sincerity on her face. "You don't have to worry, I definitely forgive you. Yeah, you hurt my feelings, not gonna lie…but I know your intentions were good. You thought you were helping Dipper, because you love him."

The gray-haired man stifled a sob and pulled Mabel to him, hugging her tightly. "I don't just love him, I love you, too. I'm so, so sorry for anything I've done to lead you to believe otherwise, Mabel."

His niece grinned and hugged him back. "I know you do! I love you too, Grunkle Ford!" She sighed; his sweater was so warm! "I wish we could've gotten to know each other better." Ford let go and smiled at her.

"Now now, this won't be the last we'll see of each other. You can't get rid of this old man that easily."

Mabel giggled, and Ford chuckled. Then, standing, he reached out a hand to her. "Shall we go back downstairs?"

She took it happily.