At some point in the evening Stan must have dozed off, because the next thing he became aware of was a blanket being wrapped around his body and a soft kiss being placed on his cheek. His eyes cracked open to see his grown niece looking at him with those same loving eyes he had grown to love.
"I'm sorry to wake you Grunkle Stan, James and I just came in and you were sleeping….I just wanted to make you comfortable," she said looking guilty for waking him.
"I wasn't sleeping pumpkin….I was just breathing with my eyes closed," Stan said as he became fully aware. He wasn't happy to see that James was still there.
"You know this is a small town, but we still got hotels," Stan said in a serious tone.
Mabel looked like she was about to protest when James put his arm on her shoulder, "Your uncle's right sweetie, I'll go check into a hotel and see you tomorrow ok?" He said as he rubbed her back.
Mabel gave him a nod and was about to give him a kiss goodnight, but seeing her Grunkle glaring at her she thought better of it. Instead she just gave him a smile, gave Stan another kiss, and gathered Waddles in her arms as she headed up to her old bedroom.
Stan watched her until she was out of sight, and then he finally spoke directly to James, "you aren't good enough you know?"
Stan was expecting to hear the boy refute his statement, but he was surprised by what he heard instead.
"I know I don't sir. She's smart, kind, beautiful, she's everything I could have hoped for and more. I know everyday that I am lucky to be dating someone like her, and everyday I wake up I think about how I can prove to her that I'm worthy of her love. I only hope one day I can convince you I am as well,"
'I don't know why you are so worried about my approval, you've already won over her brother and other uncle, that's two out of three," Stan said sadly.
"Getting their approval is important to me sir, but no where near as important as getting your approval,"
Stan gave him a confused look, so James elaborated.
"Mabel loves her brother and Grunkle Ford more than anything in the world, but you, you're a hero to her. She positively adores you, she's told me all these amazing stories about how brave you are, and how you've put yourself in danger so many times to ensure that she has stayed safe. In the grand scheme of things I'm nothing at all, but I hope if you'll allow me to learn that I can strive to become half the man that you are," James said in a way that even Stan knew was genuine.
Stan had to admit he was touched. It was not just the fact that the boy had such a high regard for his great-niece and himself, but it also felt good to be reassured that even though this guy seemed to be perfect that he couldn't take that special place in Mabel's heart that was reserved for him. He still doubted how much he deserved that heart space, but nonetheless it felt good to have it.
"Well I still don't totally trust you, but I figure I could try to trust Mabel's judgement of you….don't screw it up," he added.
James smiled, he knew he still had a long way to go to fully earn the old man's trust, but at least the night was ending with a glimmer of hope.
"I promise I won't! Thank you sir! Goodnight sir," he said as he headed out the door.
Stan remained downstairs for a few more moments in deep contemplation before heading up the stairs.
When he reached the top he decided to go into Mabel's room just to check on her. He expected to see her sleeping peacefully with one of her cute little smiles on her face. Instead he found her tossing and turning in her bed with sweat on her forehead and tears slipping down her face.
Stan gently rubbed her back trying to wake her from what was clearly a distressing nightmare, "Mabel….wake up sweetheart….you're dreaming, it's ok,"
Mabel's eyes popped open and she looked at Stan with a heartbroken expression, she instantly flung her arms around him and began to sob. Stan rubbed soft patterns on her back trying to calm her down, "it's ok baby….I'm here now…..what happened? You can tell me," Stan said as he continued rubbing her back, giving her time to calm down.
"Oh Grunkle Stan! I….I had a nightmare about Brad! It hasn't happened in so long…I didn't think I would have another one ever!" She said as she continued sobbing.
Stan was partially surprised. She hadn't had a nightmare about Brad in years, but he also knew that this was not something one ever fully gets over. He was just curious as to what brought it along. The only times she ever seemed to get upset or even remember Brad was around the anniversary, and she had gone to bed in such good spirits that Stan wondered what could have brought it on.
"You're safe Mabel….remember he's in jail, and he can't ever hurt you again," Stan said as he continued to hold the sobbing girl.
"But, but what if one day James hurts me like that! He's the first serious boyfriend I have dated, and I know I love him….and I think he loves me too," Mabel couldn't continue as she sobbed into Stan's shirt.
Stan felt a pang of guilt hit his heart. He really hadn't given James the chance he deserved, and in doing so he had unintentionally planted seeds of doubt in Mabel's mind.
"Pumpkin…listen to me, I have been watching that guy like a hawk all night and it is crystal clear that he is crazy about you. Remember all the things Ford and I taught you about love, and how Brad was the opposite of that? Well I can assure you that James models the right type of love. I was just hard on him, because you are so precious to me baby….no guy is gonna be good enough for me, but I'll tell you this, James comes pretty close to that, and I'm gonna keep my eye on him to make certain it stays that way,"
Mabel was touched and reassured by Stan's comments, but she was still nervous about going back to sleep, so she made a request that made both of them feel better.
"Grunkle Stan….will you sleep in here with me tonight? I know my bed is small and not very comfortable and I'm too old for this but-"
Mabel didn't even need to finish as Stan crawled into her bed and wrapped her up tight in his arms. He gave her forehead a gentle kiss and she snuggled close to him as she fell asleep. In that moment Stan knew that Ford wasn't 100 percent correct earlier. It was true that he couldn't turn back the hands of time, but for a moment he had his baby girl back again.
