Without a word, Stan and Ford went downstairs and sat at the living room coffee table with Janice. There were no more words they could say. They figured the manliest thing would be to just sit and accept whatever Janice had planned for them.

Janice cleared her throat and spoke. "I have decided to leave Mabel and Ma…Dipper…with you."

"WHAT?" Stan and Ford said at the same time.

"I never really wanted kids. I know I'm not the motherly type. But I loved being an auntie." Janice's eyes travelled to the picture of the kids' parents they hung up on the wall. She stared wistfully at the twins' mother. "She looked so much like Mabel when she was a little girl. We were so close back then. She loved all the clothes and accessories I got her. We had so much fun dressing up together. She called us 'dress-up buddies.' But then, she met your nephew, and I made my disapproval of him quite clear. We didn't speak much after that."

Tears formed in Janice's eyes. "I wanted to do right by my niece after not being a part of her life all those years. Maybe…maybe I just wanted another dress-up buddy. But Mabel's not her mother, and it wasn't fair of me to try to make her be her mother. Mabel doesn't need me. Neither of them do. They need you."

"Janice…" Ford was still in shock. He had to admit he felt sorry for the poor woman. Sure, she had put the family through hell and back these past few days, but he could see how much the loss of her niece pained her. Misguided as she was, she had just been doing what she thought was best for the children.

"Don't get me wrong. I still think you're reckless, untrustworthy, glorified conmen."

Ford took offense and scowled, but Stan shrugged and said, "Eh, that's fair."

"But you're the ones who have been there for the kids, not me. To those kids, you're everything. And for all your faults, it's obvious you love them very much."

"We do," Ford said.

"More than anything," Stan added.

"I do too. I just wanted to protect them. But after what happened with Mabel tonight, I'd never forgive myself if, under my care, she…" Janice put her hand over her mouth as a few tears slipped out. "I just hope she doesn't hate me for all I've done. I hope neither of them do," she said remembering Dipper's harsh words to her earlier that evening.

Ford put her hand on Janice's shoulder. "I can tell you from personal experience that Mabel is a very forgiving soul."

"Dipper is too," Stan assured.

Janice gave a small smile. "They are sweet kids…just like her mother."

Stan began twiddling with his thumbs. He still had one more thing on his mind. "So, um, about me and Ford...and the, um, questionable criminal activity…" Stan wanted to believe that Janice was truly going to put everything from these past few days behind her, but his years as a conman had taught him nothing if not to make sure all your tracks were covered.

Janice gave a tiny laugh catching on to what Stan was talking about. "I know the letters Mabel wrote to her mother and father must hold a lot of sentimental meaning to her, and I will make sure she gets them back. But I don't think she will have much use for this one." She pulled out Mabel's incriminating note from her purse, got up from her chair, and started a small fire in the fireplace.

Stan and Ford watched her not sure where she was going with this. Once she got the fire going, she, without any hesitation, tossed the letter into the fire. "Well, darn, there went any physical evidence. Now, I have no proof to bring criminal charges," Janice said coyly.

A moment of shock quickly gave away to gratitude. Ford stood up and shook her hand. "Thank you, Janice."

"I hope you don't look back on these past few days in complete anger. I only wanted to do what I thought was best for the children." Janice gave the men a sad look before getting up and heading for the exit.

"Hey, Janice," Stan called. She turned to face him. "You may be a rich persnickety old snob—"

"Thanks," Janice said sarcastically.

"But you're family. My nephew's gone, your niece is gone, and we'll never get that time with them back. But the kids are still here, and you can still be part of their lives. So, uh, come by and see 'em every once in a while."

Janice looked surprised before giving Stan a smile. "Thank you, Stanley. I appreciate that."

Janice opened the door to leave. She looked back at the two old men one more time and said, "Take good care of them, alright?"

"You can count on it," Stan said.

Janice nodded and went out the door. And just like that, she was gone.