"Dipper…Dipper…Dipper," a soft yet energetic voice broke through Dipper's slumber.
He opened his eyes and was shocked to see what appeared to be a face with goggle eyes staring down on him.
He jolted awake, startled at first, until he realized it was just his twin sister doing her old Mr. Upside-Downington routine.
"Morning, Dipper!"
"Ah, Mr. Upside-downington, haven't seen you in a while," Dipper said wryly. "What's the occasion?"
"It's my 100-day-iversary!" Mabel exclaimed as she headed over to the calendar on the wall. Sure enough, today's date was circled with a huge "100" on it.
Dipper smiled proudly at his sister. She had overcome so many traumas that would break a weaker person. Over a year ago, she had nearly been raped and murdered. Even though justice had prevailed, overcoming the mental scars of the event had not been easy. She had worked hard to get through.
She spent the last couple of months going to therapy with Tad Strange. One of the challenges he had issued her was to keep track of how many days she had gone without having a panic attack. That way, she could see for herself how far she had come. One of the milestones she had worked so hard for had been the 100-day mark. She knew reaching this milestone didn't mean she would never have a panic attack again, but at least it meant that she was getting stronger for when panic came knocking again.
"I'm really proud of you, Mabel," Dipper said as he put his arm around his sister.
"I'm proud of you too, bro-bro. You know, it's funny, I thought after all the adventures we had this summer that you and I were really strong. I mean, we took down a triangle demon together! But only since…everything." Mabel looked sadly over at a photo of their mom and dad on their nightstand. Dipper noticed too and rubbed her back. "Only since everything have I realized how strong we really are…together,"
Dipper nodded and the two did their mystery twins fist bump.
"And you know, life has actually been pretty good to us lately! I mean with my work in the drama club, and you getting first chair tuba! And us having a real family again." Mabel smiled at a picture she hung up on the wall of herself, Dipper, and their adoptive fathers. "I just feel like despite all the bad stuff there has still been lots of good stuff."
Dipper nodded an affirmative. Despite all the hardships, it was hard not to consider themselves very fortunate for this life they had been given here in Gravity Falls.
Mabel went over to her closet and pulled out a sweater with a big "100" on it. She had knitted it to wear when she reached this milestone. Dipper gave his sister a lingering smile as he himself got ready for the day.
The two of them headed downstairs. Normally they would have just rushed into the kitchen, but for whatever reason, Mabel paused to admire their adoption certificates on the wall. She was proud of her accomplishment, but she was very aware there was no way she would be as far as she was without the old men who had gone from reluctant summer caretakers to their forever fathers.
She was snapped out of her blissful thinking by a pair of familiar hands tickling her side, causing her to giggle.
"How's my pumpkin?" Stan asked playfully.
Mabel turned and smiled at him before engrossing him in a tight embrace. Stan was a bit surprised, but he never turned down a hug from his daughter.
"Mabel, honey, has it really been 100 days already?" Ford asked noticing her sweater.
Mabel beamed proudly and nodded.
"100 days? This calls for a celebration! I'm thinking candy for breakfast!" Stan said joyfully as he ruffled both his children's hair.
Dipper and Mabel let out mischievous grins. They may be getting older, but they were still kids, and Stan, of course, would always be a kid at heart.
"Stanley, your nutritional habits are going to give us all diabetes!" Ford said trying to be the authoritative parent.
"Aw, Sixer, you're just no fun. Come on, I got those gummy chairs you like so much." Stan said in a sing-song voice as he offered his brother a bowl of candy.
Ford smiled in spite of himself. As much as he tried to be the responsible parents, he could be just as much a kid at heart as his brother. "I suppose Mabel deserves it."
"Grunkle Ford, you like all the loser candy!" Mabel said with a giggle as she popped a piece of chocolate in her mouth.
"It is not loser candy. Gummy chairs are delicious, and they don't rot out your teeth quite as fast as chocolate."
"Personally, Grunkle Ford, I'm glad someone is eating them," Dipper said remembering his and Mabel's encounter with the Summerween trickster.
The four of them had a wonderful time eating candy and joking with each other, as well as discussing weekend plans and the goings on at school.
Before long Dipper and Mabel had to head out to catch the bus. They bid their adoptive fathers goodbye and rushed towards the bus stop.
No sooner had they left before the telephone rang. Stan answered it and cleared his throat to give his Mr. Mystery spiel. "Hello, you've reached the Mystery Shack, now with 50 percent more mystery. Stan Pines, AKA Mr. Mystery speaking,"
"Hello, Mr. Pines," a familiar, yet surprising voice said.
"Brendan Michaels?"
Brendon Michaels was the lawyer who represented them during Brad Edwards's trial. The stingy Stan Pines's first thought was that Brendon's call was about finances. "What do you want? We've already paid you. Don't go asking for more from us! We had a deal before the trial!"
"Mr. Pines, this has nothing to do with finances. I'm afraid I have some…difficult news, but I think it would be best if I told you in person."
