Thank you Princess Dia for your kind review!

Here is part two!


Mabel sulked in her bed for the next three hours. Ford's words replayed in her mind. She cried into the pillow about how she could have accidentally caused the deaths of everyone she loved because of her own carelessness.

She was interrupted from her thoughts by a soft knock. Mabel hid her face in the collar of her sweater.

The door slowly opened. The head of a twelve-year-old boy poked inside. He softly called his sister's name to receive no reply. Dipper pushed the door open wider and stepped into the room.

"Mabel," the boy tried again. The only response from his twin was a sigh. "Um, it's time for dinner."

"I'm not hungry," Mabel replied.

"It's enchiladas," Dipper said, hoping one of the girl's favorite meals would pull her out of her funk.

Mabel thought for a moment then said, "Save me some for later."

Dipper sighed and agreed to her terms. He turned for the door. His hand hovered over the doorknob when he heard his sister call his name. The boy turned to see Mabel rolled over on her side with only her eyes and forehead poking out of the sweater.

"Why does Grunkle Ford respect you so much, but treats me like a pest?" Mabel asked.

"He doesn't..."

"Yes he does," Mabel cried. She turned away from her twin. "Tell him I'm sorry he ever had to meet me." Fresh tears fell down her cheeks.

Dipper stared at the girl then turned to go downstairs. He sauntered into the kitchen.

"What's eating you?" Stan asked at Dipper's downcast appearance.

"Mabel's not joining us," Dipper announced. He headed towards the gift shop. "I don't have an appetite either."

Stan and Soos could only watch as the male twin left from their view.

"This is really bad," Soos commented.

Stan shook his head. "That's my brother for ya," the elderly man grumbled.


Ford sat at the desk with his head resting on one hand while the other wrote out the results of his most recent discovery. The scientist glanced up from his calculations at the sound of approaching footsteps.

The gray-haired man smiled at the presence of the child he intended to appoint as his apprentice, if he accepted. Ford couldn't think of a single reason why someone of Dipper's caliber would turn down such an important opportunity.

"Dinner's ready," Dipper said.

Ford caught the somber tone in the boy's words.

"Everything okay?" Ford asked. He had hoped the work and monster hunting had not been too much for someone so young to handle. He made sure to give Dipper enough hours to hang out with his friends and get proper rest.

"No, Grunkle Ford," Dipper replied. "Everything's not okay."

Ford placed the document down on his desk. He stood and faced Dipper so the child would know that he had his full attention.

Dipper moved his gaze from the floor to look his uncle straight in the eyes.

"You really hurt Mabel," Dipper said. "I don't know what you did or said, but she feels lousy."

"Dipper," Ford said. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "She needs to know that that kind of foolishness is unacceptable in here, not to mention dangerous."

A few moments of silence fell over the two.

"Grunkle Ford," Dipper said softer. "She thinks you don't like her. She said to tell you she's sorry you ever met her."

"That's just ridiculous," Ford replied.

"Well...it's what she thinks," said Dipper. He stepped forward. "Grunkle Ford, I know Mabel. Whatever she did, she's sorry for it."

Ford sighed. "Tell Stanley to put dinner on hold," he said to the boy. He pushed by and stepped into the elevator with Dipper in tow.

The vending machine swung open and the two stepped out. Dipper watched as his great-uncle slowly made his way up the stairs. He wondered if he should accompany Ford, but decided that it was something that he and Mabel needed to work out on their own.

Ford felt himself grow nervous the closer he approached the attic bedroom. He stood outside the door, contemplating if he should put it off until later. He shook away those thoughts and knocked. He received no answer prompting him to knock louder.

The girl said something that was muffled by the door.

Ford chose to open the door. His heart dropped at the sight of his niece curled into herself. He cleared his throat then called her name.

Mabel was surprised to hear Ford's voice. She poked her head out of the sweater and sat up on her bed.

The two just stared at each other for what felt like hours.

"I'm really sorry I messed with your work," Mabel said then laid back down on the pillow.

Ford's heart sunk even lower. He slowly made his way over to the girl's side of the room. The great contrast in the two sides reminded him of his own childhood.

Ford sat down on Mabel's bed and placed a hand on her back. The girl shifted at the touch. She looked up at the man who she believed detested her.

The six fingered hand patted a vacant spot next to him. Mabel moved and sat down where Ford instructed.

"I'm the one who needs to apologize," Ford said. He cleared his throat and waited for the words to form. It had been years since he last apologized to another soul. He wondered if he could still manage the words.

"I was angry when I said those things to you," Ford explained.

Mabel nodded. She recalled a few times when she had said things she didn't mean in a fit of anger.

"I didn't mean to be so...well...harsh," Ford said. "I'm sorry I scared you."

Mabel nodded again.

"Please don't think that I hate you, because I don't," Ford said. "You and Dipper are very important to me."

Mabel smiled.

"That's why I got so angry," Ford said, his tone firmer. Mabel looked into his stern face. "I need you to understand that anything in that lab can be hazardous to you." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please don't touch anything without permission." He paused then added, "It's the same rule that applies to Dipper."

Mabel leaned her head against her grunkle's arm. He pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. Mabel leaned her face against his chest.

Ford gently pet her hair. "You don't know how scared I was," he said. Mabel shifted and looked into his eyes. "That monster could've killed you." He tightened his grip on his niece. "I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you."

"I'm sorry, Grunkle Ford," Mabel said. She wiped away a falling tear. In a voice barely above a whisper she asked, "Am I still banned from the basement?"

Ford shook his head. "No," he answered. "But I do need you to let me know when you plan to come down. Also to promise not to touch anything unless I give you direct permission."

Mabel nodded. "I love you, Grunkle Ford," she said.

"Same," Ford said and hugged her tighter.

They broke from their embrace.

The girl jumped down from the bed. "Well, I'm starving!" she shouted. "And it's enchilada night!"

Ford chuckled, though he wondered when Stan learned to cook such a variety of meals. Surely it wasn't from his mother's lousy cooking.

The rest of the family looked up when two new figures entered the kitchen. Mabel took her spot next to her brother. Soos handed her a plate with a generous portion of one of her favorite meals.

Stan looked over at Ford as he sat down. The scientist felt his brother's gaze on him and looked up at Stan's smug grin. Ford rolled his eyes, but he returned the other man's smile.


And everyone is happy. I think that I really like writing (and reading) fluffy stories. Family fluff with Mabel and Ford is just so cute for some reason. It's probably the same reason that I think family fluff with Dipper and Stan is adorable.

Yes, I consider Soos to be a part of the Pines family. I have a headcanon that Stan thinks of Soos as a son and often invites him to stay for dinner, hence his inclusion in this chapter.