It was late when Ford, Dipper and Mabel returned. They had gone out bowling with Candy and Grenda. It was silly, but it was just what Ford needed to keep from getting too depressed with what was happening tomorrow. He knew that James was a good guy and that this was a natural thing that needed to happen, but something about sending that sweet girl off to start her new life felt bittersweet to Ford. Bowling provided all of them a temporary escape from all of that and to get one last glimpse at Mabel's gentle innocence that he had grown to adore in her.

Candy and Grenda were trying to convince Mabel to have a sleepover with them like old times, but as much as Mabel loved them dearly she really wanted to be alone with her family tonight. The two of them were disappointed, but understood. Dipper and Wendy were staying the night in the shack so that Wendy could help Mabel get ready in the morning, and also because Wendy knew her husband well enough to know that he wanted to be with his sister right now.

Dipper began to head up the stairs "I'm going to bed, you coming sis? You should get some sleep you have a big day tomorrow, and I know James will love you anyway but you wouldn't want to show up with those ugly bags under your eyes!" he teased.

Mabel playfully stuck her tongue out at him, "I'll be up in a second bro, and you need more beauty sleep than me anyways!" she chided.

Dipper gave a laugh as he headed up the stairs. Mabel smiled at him, and then took a deep breath; there was something important she needed to do. Mabel and James had decided against doing a wedding rehersal, as Mabel had put it "the best moments in life don't need a rehersal!" and James wholeheartedly agreed. They had done a quick check of all the decorations and left it at that, but it did leave Mabel with one last big decision and she hadn't made it lightly. She headed into the living room where he two great-uncles and dear father figures sat, "ummm….do you guys have a minute?" she asked quietly.

"Of course pumpkin," they said at the same time.

Mabel began by going over and hugging both of them tight.

"What's this for pumpkin?" Stan asked. He always welcomed a hug from his niece, but this came out of nowhere and he was worried something was wrong. Not helping his fears was the fact that she had tears building up in her eyes.

Ford noticed this as well and began gently rubbing Mabel's back, worried it was some pre-wedding nerves.

Mabel then smiled at both of them, which calmed them down considerably. Mabel then took a deep breath before she spoke, "I just….I just want to thank you both….for everything when Dipper and I lost mom and….and dad….you guys could have turned us over to the state and gone and lived the lives full of adventure and fun that you deserved, you could have finally enjoyed going on those trips as….brothers, but instead you gave all that up to be….to be fathers to Dipper and I, and I know we wouldn't be where we are or who we are without you both,"

Ford and Stan were about to step in and insist that Dipper and Mabel had done nothing but made their lives and their twilight years far richer than they ever hoped, but their niece and adoptive daughter wasn't done yet.

"I know James and I haven't really been the most traditional in planning the wedding, but….but there are some traditions I want…I want you guys to be part of,"

Stan and Ford glanced at each other, and then at Mabel.

"I wish mom and dad could be there tomorrow more than anything, and a part of me likes to think that part of them will be there, but I love both of you just like fathers, and….and I think dad forgives me for thinking that way, cause I think he would agree so…." She looked up at Stan with those sweet, beautiful brow eyes, "Grunkle Stan….will you give me away in his place?"

Stan was positively speechless. To think that a man like him, one that for most of his life had been looked down upon as a no-good, trouble making, con man had made enough of an impact on this sweet little girl that she wanted him to give her away to her new life. It was more than he could handle. He couldn't even get the words out, but he embraced her tightly and sobbed tears of joy. She held him back, delighted that he had agreed.

Ford looked on and forced a smile. Stan deserved the honor. A series of unfortunate events had given Ford the chance to grow closer to Mabel and form a strong bond, but Stan had been there for her since the beginning, encouraging, loving, caring for her, assuring her that just because her mind was not brilliant in the bookish way like Dipper's that she was still unique and wonderful just the way she was, but Ford would be lying if he said he wasn't slightly hurt, until Mabel looked up at him and spoke again.

"and Grunkle Ford? Will you dance with me at the reception?"

Ford's heart nearly burst as he joined Stan in holding their precious baby girl close. Mabel smiled as she got lost in their loving embraces, she felt like the luckiest bride on earth.

After a while of sitting on the floor holding each other Mabel finally looked up and spoke again, "so I'm guessing that's a yes?" and they all three laughed.

She stayed in their arms for a few more minutes before standing, "well it's like Dipper said we have a big day tomorrow," she kissed both of them and headed upstairs. Leaving two very happy old men downstairs.