Hello friends! I just wanted to update the story, and give you guys a clue as to where I want this story to go. We are reaching the end of all the major points of the kids' first year in Gravity Falls, so after this very touching chapter the stories will be even more split apart and random, and probably a bit less consistant. I want to explore the kids growing up and going through things like puberty and first date's and all of that, I have not decided yet where I want this story to stop, and I intend to keep going until you guys say stop or until I decide. I also want you guys to know that any feedback/ideas left in the reviews will be taken into account. You all are what is keeping me going on this project, so please keep those reviews coming. The more I get the more determined I will be to continue on. Without further delay please enjoy Chapter 13.
Eventually the cold snows of winter melted into the warm beauty of spring, which was a time of great change for Dipper and Mabel. They had both begun to really grow into wonderful young adults. Both emotionally and physically. Mabel finally got her braces off (she celebrated by eating an entire barrel full of gum). Dipper grew significantly taller and quite handsome (still had his wonderfully awkward voice though), By the end of the school year they had also really found their nitches. Mabel starred in the big end of the year school musical to rave reviews, and Dipper took home the lucrative 1st chair tuba at band. They still got sad sometimes, of couse, but overall life was truly good for them.
Before long school let out, and summer had once again returned to Gravity Falls. The twins were excited to have more time spend with their friends and family. Mabel, Candy, Grenda, and even Pacifica had planned out a sure-fire way that this summer they would all find their dream boyfriends. Dipper looked forward to spending time with Wendy. They had really grown close this past year, but they didn't have much time to hang out during the school year since they went to different schools, but they had vowed to fill this summer with adventures just like last summer. Yep, things were really looking up, but before they could get their summer started the twins had another painful obstacle to overcome.
That dreadful Sunday morning in may had come, and for Dipper the pain was very real. He had gotten up before Mabel that morning, and stepped onto the roof of the shack where he would go when he needed to think. He pulled out a picture of himself as a young child dressed in his lamb costume being lovingly held by his mother, "Oh mom….I miss you so much, Happy Mothers Day…." Dipper said letting tears hit the photograph. He sat up there alone for what felt like a long time when a familiar voice broke him out of it, "Dipper! Good I found you! Help me put the finishing touches on Grunkle Stan's gift!" Mabel said presenting a glue covered mess that was meant to be a picture frame. "Mabel….what's this for?" Dipper asked trying not to get upset.
"It's a Mother's Day gift silly," Mabel said simply. "Mabel….Grunkle Stan is not our mother!" Dipper said anger beginning to build up. "I know Dip….but Grunkle Stan is kind of like our mom….if our mom was a fat, hairy, old man," she said. "What about our actual mother!? Did you even care enough to think about her!? You know Grunkle Stan is a good guy, but he is not nor will he ever be our mother!" Dipper said finally letting his emotion flow.
Instead of yelling back Mabel walked over and wrapped her arms around her brother, "of course I thought of mom today Dipper….I made her another gift. I was hoping we could go down and visit her together later, and of course Stan will never be our mom or dad, but he is like our mom were it really counts. He takes care of us, and is there when we need him, and he loves us like mom did…like mom still does," she said.
Dipper wiped his eyes, and decided that Mabel was right. They spent the rest of the morning working hard to make sure the frame looked nice, "You know…we are getting close to the age where these home-made gifts aren't going to work anymore," Dipper commented. Mabel just smiled," that Is one of the benefits of Grunkle Stan. Mom and dad had to put up with 12 years of our homemade gifts, and when you have a daughter as artistically gifted as me you are going to get a lot of homemade gifts. Stan has missed out on all of that…it's only fair that we play catch up with him!" Mabel commenting seeming to have an excuse for every chance to grow up. Dipper just laughed as they continued working.
Stan was touched by the gift. He had thought the kids would have spent the whole day moping. That's what he would have done, but the longer the kids stayed with him the more he realized how strong they were. They truly amazed him with their endurance, and they were a great reminder for him every time he thought of giving up.
Later Stan and the kids went out to the lake. Stan laid a bunch of flowers on Mrs. Pines grave. He wanted the kids to know he loved their parents too, and took every chance to demonstrate this. He thought it made them closer as a whole family. Dipper and Mabel laid their gifts at the grave. Mabel had made her a beautiful wreath of flowers, and pinecones (their mom adored pinecones), and Dipper had spent weeks crafting a lovely music box that played the special song he and his mother shared during his youth. The three of them stayed at the grave until nightfall when the early summer fireflies began to light up the lake in a beautiful way. Suddenly two of the brightest fireflies landed on Dipper and Mabel's noses before flying away into the night. Mabel looked up at the sky and then at Dipper and smiled "I think mom just sent us a kiss from heaven." Dipper nodded putting a hand on his sisters shoulder as they both stared into the beautiful endless night sky.