Credit for this chapter goes to 2021FanGirl who wanted me to do a chapter where Bill throws a birthday party for Ford.
Funny thing about that. It just so happens that in Journal 3 it mentions Stan and Ford's birthday is June 15, well this chapter takes place on June 17, so their birthday party is going to be two days late. I did try to give a reason for the delay in the story, so hopefully it works.
Thank you to Energy witch, Berrybanana05, Female Fantasy Freak, Marisol777, CornChip, and 2021FanGirl for your reviews on the previous chapter.
So now begins the first chapter of part/season two.
Boyd shook his head as he looked over the photos in his hand. Bill glanced up at Ford who showed no change in expression then back at the doctor. This visit had been disguised as a routine check up incase Avery felt the need to check his medical records.
"I am baffled, Mr. Pines," the doctor said and handed the x-ray photos over to Ford. Bill craned his neck to glance at the x-ray that showed his jaw back in place. "Was it that potion?" Boyd asked.
Ford handed the photos to Bill then folded his hands behind his back. "I'm not sure," he answered. He stole a glimpse at Bill then returned his attention to the other man. "We're trying to figure that out ourselves."
Boyd sighed. "If that's the case, I might conduct an experiment for broken bones here." He closed the empty folded. "Split the patients into two groups and see if it has any effect on the healing process."
"I would say that's unethical, but I'm in no place to talk," Ford commented.
Boyd chuckled. "Still, I recommend that he eat soft foods for the next two weeks so as not to cause any possible damage." He turned his attention to Bill. "Mr. Cipher, you must eat. You are underweight." The report showed that Bill had lost eight pounds since acquiring the wires.
"Does that include cake?" Bill inquired. Ford rolled his eyes.
Again Boyd laughed. "As long as it's fresh, soft cake," he answered.
Ford thanked Boyd and handed over another vial of the potion. Although the doctor had a friend recreate Alicia's work, it wouldn't hurt to have an extra one on hand.
The two men walked out of the hospital room and down the hall.
"Speaking of cake," Bill said and poked Ford in the ribs. "Why didn't you tell anyone about your birthday?"
Ford started. "How?" he began.
"You forget I used to live here," Bill said and tapped Ford aside the head. "I don't remember much, but I do remember how sad you'd get as your birthday grew closer. You tried your best to keep the reasons quiet, but I knew."
"Then you know why I didn't say anything," Ford replied.
Bill shrugged. "Well, now that you and Fezzy are on good terms again, why didn't the two of you have a small celebration?" he asked. "Especially now that the twinsies are here."
Ford sighed. "We-we had already decided on a beach trip, and I didn't want to change it. That trip does count as a birthday celebration."
"You never said 'happy birthday' to each other once," Bill countered. "Now did you?"
Ford opened his mouth and quickly shut it. He turned his attention ahead.
"Did you?" Bill asked again and poked Ford in the side forcing him to squeak.
He glanced over at Bill who met him with a mischievous smirk. Ford spoke in a calm voice, "If Stan wanted to celebrate he would've told me."
Bill rolled his eyes.
Ford continued, "Besides, we're too old for birthdays." Bill stared in disbelief. Ford added, "When you get our age, it's just a reminder of our mortality."
"Ugh! You're so depressing sometimes, Sixer," Bill complained. Again he poked Ford in the side. "You already know you're nowhere near your end point." He then poked him three more times.
"If you don't cut that out I'm going to tie you down and tickle you mercilessly," Ford threatened.
"Oh," Bill said slightly blushing. Ford regretted his threat that seemed to have the opposite result on his boyfriend. "That actually sounds exciting." He extended his finger to poke Ford yet again.
"I think I liked you better with the wires. You were much quieter," Ford commented as he swatted Bill's hand away.
Bill's jaw dropped. He crossed his arms and muttered something under his breath that only caused Ford to smugly grin.
Bill stomped ahead of Ford. "Fine, then don't ask for a kiss, 'cause I'll say no."
Ford shrugged. "You'll cave before I do," he said.
Bill glared over his shoulder. With hands clenched by his side he spat, "Really? You were so quick to climb in bed with the shapeshifter."
Ford frowned. "That's not fair, I thought it was you."
Bill narrowed his eyes. Ford awaited the explosion that never came. Instead Bill's lips curved into a smirk.
"Since it's your birthday, I'm prepared to forgive you," he said threw his arms behind Ford's neck catching a few stares from those in the waiting room.
Ford's face turned red and he whispered, "Not now."
Bill pursed his lips. "Come on, why don't we slip into the broom closet?" he said with a suggestive wink.
Ford's face already resembling a rip tomato brightened even redder. "Bill, that's highly inappropriate," he hissed under his breath. "Not to mention unsanitary."
"Where's your sense of risk and adventure?" Bill teased.
Ford frowned. "I spend it all on anomalies and dangerous situations we constantly find ourselves in."
"Eh, you got a point there," Bill said and walked away.
"We're not teenagers," Ford added as they exited the hospital.
The two walked towards their car. Ford climbed into the driver's seat while Bill threw himself into the passenger side. They both clicked their seatbelts and headed back to the Mystery Shack.
"You know," Bill said adjusting himself in the seat. "Your analogy doesn't make much sense since you weren't like that when you were a teenager."
"Pardon?" Ford asked, taking a quick glimpse at Bill then back at the road.
"When you were a teenager all you did was classwork, work on your boat with Stanny Boy, and that one summer your senior year you helped your dear ol' dad at the pawn shop." He looked over at Ford and with a smirk added, "You were a virgin until your third year of college."
Ford was transported to his junior year at Backupsmore when a quarter of the way through the semester he got his first girlfriend, a beautiful and bubbly, yet struggling senior by the name of Sandy. His mother beamed with pride when he told her about Sandy over Thanksigiving dinner. Fiddleford and his other friends were happy for him. However, it still pained him how she crushed his heart after the semester ended when Ford finally found out she only used him to pass her last class.
He recalled how he had to face his parents when he went home for winter holidays and confessed that Sandy never truly loved him. His mother had held him while his father assured him he didn't need a girl like her getting in the way of his education. His mother had been fond of Helen Bocchino, but they never were a couple despite how much she wanted them to be.
Ford sighed. "It's an expression."
Ford looked longer than he should have at Bill. He looked up in time to see the light switch to red. He slammed on the breaks causing Bill to flail as he flew forward.
"Yeesh, learn to drive, Sixer," Bill complained.
Ford chuckled. He wondered what his parents would think of his current relationship were they still alive. Even more he considered what they would think about him repairing his friendship with his brother and that said brother was engaged to marry his second wife. Odds are his father wouldn't be happy with either outcome.
"This one!" Mabel shouted as she pulled a pale blue veil from the shelf. She threw it over Susan's head and the three girls gasped in delight.
Susan frowned at her reflection. "I don't know, Mabel, it looks too close to my hair color," she said and pulled the tulle fabric from her head.
Mabel sighed as she grasped the item and placed it back where she found it. A few feet down Candy pointed to a satin white veil lined with pearls. Mabel squealed as she pushed her hands into her cheeks. She snatched the veil from the styrofoam head and placed it over her future great-aunt's hair.
"This one will definitely suit the dress you picked out," Mabel gushed.
Grenda folded her hands. "She's so beautiful I'm already 'bout to cry," the girl bellowed.
Mabel clapped her hands. "You know, I think Grunkle Stan actually has a pearl necklace is his vault of stolen jewels." The brunet nodded. "Yes, it would go perfectly with this."
Susan sighed. She pushed the fabric away from her eyes with her bright red fingernails and leaned against the back of the chair.
Mabel frowned. "You don't have to get that one if you don't like it," she said. Susan looked up as her fiance's niece put a hand on her shoulder. "This is your special day and you'll have anything you want."
Susan gave the girl a smile before it quickly fell. "You're a big help, dear," she said. Mabel noticed the older woman's downcasted look as she removed the veil and let it fall on the vanity table.
The saleswoman approached the four, asking if they required any assistance to which Mabel assured them they were fine on their own. The Pines girl looked over to see Lazy Susan fiddle with her engagement ring. She called her friends to check the designs on the other side of the shop. Candy and Grenda exchanged glances, knowing the veils where Mabel sent them were out of Susan's price range, but complied nonetheless.
"Lazy Susan, what's wrong?" Mabel asked. "You're-you're not getting cold feet, are you?"
The old woman looked up into the girl's concerned eyes. She lowered her gaze again to the stolen ring on her left fourth finger.
"I think I might be rushing," she said. She smiled at the brunette and said, "I dreamed about this day since I was your age." She shook her head. "But I wonder if I'm so desperate to marry I'm making a mistake."
Mabel gasped. She expected to have this conversation with Stan, not his bride.
"But, you-you love Grunkle Stan...right?" Mabel asked.
It pained Susan to look the thirteen-year-old in the eye.
"Of course I do," Susan said. She placed her hand over her heart. "But I'm not so sure about this marriage."
The words stabbed Mabel in the heart. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Are-are you going to tell him?"
"I'm gonna have to," Lazy Susan replied.
Mabel opened her mouth to encourage her future great-aunt to give it some time when her phone rang. She reached into her sweater pocket and pulled out the cellular to see a smiling picture of Bill is his black cat costume from Halloween last year.
The girl excused herself while Susan picked up the discarded veils and returned them to their proper places. Mabel listened as Bill explained on the other end of the phone.
"Saturday? Are you sure?" Mabel asked. The girl listened to her friend's confirmation and dramatically dropped to the floor. "Well, we can't let that be." She jumped to her feet. "I'm on party planning mode now."
Lazy Susan approached Mabel from one direction while Candy and Grenda came from the opposite way.
Mabel closed her phone and looked the other three in the eyes. "Apparently Grunkle Stan and Grunkle Ford had a birthday on Saturday, and neither one said anything."
Candy gasped. "What are you going to do?"
Mabel stuffed her phone in her sweater pocket. "The only thing a good niece would do." She threw one arm in the air and had the other bent at the elbow as she leaned her right knee forward. "Throw them the best party of their lives!"
The other two teenagers offered to help Mabel with the planning. From behind Lazy Susan folded her hands; for now she would put off breaking her engagement with her fiance. The last thing she wanted was to hurt him on his birthday.
Later that evening the twins, Bill, Candy, Grenda, Soos, and Wendy ran around to set up the decorations for the party. Wendy wanted to use the over the hill theme, but Mabel and Soos wouldn't allow her. In the end they decided on simple black and blue streamers, matching balloons, and a two layered cake made by Abuelita.
Dipper held the door open for Abuelita who entered the gift shop from the kitchen with a tray of fresh cookies in her hands protected by floral oven mitts. Bill and Soos reached for a cookie to receive a warning glare and wagging finger from the baker.
Mabel hung up a crayon drawing she made of her great-uncles holding hands. At the bottom of the paper in gel pen was written: World's Best Grunkles. Dipper lifted a brow, but decided not to comment.
Fiddleford had taken Ford to a symposium on quantum physics that they had coincidentally planned two weeks ago, which worked out well in their favor. Currently Stan and Susan were on a dinner date; Mabel only hoped that Susan wouldn't let slip that she considered breaking off their engagement during the meal.
"We need more chairs," Wendy said.
"I'll get them," Dipper offered.
"I can help," the redhead replied.
Dipper shook his head. "I can't let you in your condition," he countered.
Wendy narrowed her eyes. "I'm only one month," she argued as Dipper disappeared outside to grab the needed chairs from the shed in back of the shack.
The moonlight and the single lamppost illuminated the path for the boy. He threw open the shed doors and grabbed a few folding chairs. He saw a shadow move out of the corner of his eye and turned to see the area vacant. The brunet pursed his lips and picked up a chair with each arm.
Just as he stepped the small figure jumped out at Dipper. The teenager screamed and threw the metal chair at his assailant. The chair collided with a small head after which followed a strain of curses that would have made even Stan blush.
Dipper moved to his knees to see two gnomes helping their leader to his feet. Jeff rubbed at his cheek that already sported a bruise. The leader of the gnomes glared at the human.
"Attacking an unarmed friend, how low of you, human boy," Jeff hissed. The other two gnomes also glowered at the boy.
"Don't sneak up on me," Dipper argued. He took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. "What do you want anyway?"
Jeff crossed his arms. "I don't think I even want to tell you anymore." With that he turned his back on the teenager.
"Whatever, I have something more important to do," Dipper said.
Jeff turned back around and extended his arm. "I-I know something you're going to want to hear."
"Later," Dipper called over his shoulder.
Jeff clenched his fists. The other two gnomes stood on either side of him.
"So, are we still gonna crash the party?" Steve asked.
"Of course we are," Jeff answered. He sniffed the air. "I can already smell the tasty snacks."
Steve beckoned at a group of gnomes hiding in the bushes. The ten of them scurried up the back stairs and three climbed atop each other to grasp the door knob. The unlocked door opened knocking the trio to the ground. Quickly, they scurried inside.
A half hour later a set of headlights pulled up in the driveway. Soos peered out the window to see Ford stepping out of the driver's seat with a smiling Fiddleford mirroring his action from the passenger side.
"It's Mr. Ford," Soos called.
Mabel ran over to the window to see only one of her great-uncles slowly making his way to the steps.
"We have to stall him until Grunkle Stan and Lazy Susan get back," Mabel whispered.
"Leave that to me," said Bill. He straightened his bowtie then stepped out on the front porch.
"Hey, Fordsy," Bill said as he made his way down the steps. Ford opened his mouth to greet his boyfriend when he noticed the look of panic in Bill's eyes. Bill looked from one man to the other. "Please say you have your journal on you."
Ford reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the desired item. Bill reached for the journal only for Ford to pull it out of his reach.
"We don't have time to waste," Bill cried.
"Do you plan on letting me in on what's going on?" Ford asked.
"It's Pinetree," Bill explained. "We were out in the woods. He-he chased after these strange howling noises people complained about in the newspaper."
"Did you stop him?" Ford asked.
"Of course not, Fordsy, where's the fun in that?" Bill replied with a laugh.
Ford's face switched to one of horror. "Please tell me he didn't go looking on his own."
"No, no," Bill said. "Me...me and Shooting Star went-went with him." He gripped at his hair to add to dramatic flair. "He saw the footprints and went ahead of us."
"Oh dear," Fiddleford gasped. He looked up at his old partner. "You don't think he went after..."
"He was bitten," Bill concluded. "I-I bandaged him as best I could. The poor little meatsack can't handle a bit of pain." Bill placed his hands against his chest. "Shooting Star's looking after him right now, and he's safe until the next full moon."
Ford grabbed the handrail only for Bill to block his path. Ford shifted to the right and Bill mirrored his move. Ford then moved to the left and again Bill blocked his way.
"What's your journal say?" Bill asked opening the binder in his boyfriend's hands. "We-we have to find out."
"We don't have time!" Ford yelled and pushed Bill out of the way. "I need to examine him at once."
"No! Sixer! Don't!" Bill hollered as Ford threw the door open.
"Should I call the hosp'tal?" Fiddleford shouted as he followed behind.
"Dipper!" Ford yelled.
The lights turned on and everyone jumped out of their hiding places shouting, "Surprise!" Ford placed his hand over his startled heart while Bill and Fiddleford peered over either of Ford's shoulders.
"Bill, Grunkle Stan isn't with him," Mabel whined.
"Yes, Grunkle Ford?" Dipper asked as he stepped up beside his sister.
Ford's eyes landed on his nephew. As far as he could see Dipper appeared to be in good condition. He didn't see any bandages and wondered where the boy had been bitten. He then looked up and saw the decorations. Above the table of presents was a homemade banner (handiwork of Mabel, Candy, and Grenda) that read: Happy Birthday Grunkle Stan and Grunkle Ford!
Ford's gaze again landed on the male twin. "Were you bitten by a werewolf?" he asked.
Dipper was taken back. "Um...no," he answered.
Ford took a deep breath and all anxiety left his body. He then turned to glare at his boyfriend who snickered behind his hand. Ford smacked Bill upside the head with the journal, causing the blond man to cry out in surprise.
"Happy birthday, Mr. Ford!" Soos cheered as he made his way over. He clapped Ford on the shoulder and laughed.
Ford turned to Bill and scowled. "I take it, this was your idea."
Bill stuck out his tongue and shrugged.
Ford inserted the binder back into his coat pocket. He walked closer to the decorations and smiled. He didn't know how Stan would take all their efforts, but he for one was flattered by how much they put into making it look nice.
"You aren't mad, are you?" Bill asked as he stepped next to Ford and put an arm on his shoulder.
"No, it's a nice gesture," Ford answered.
Bill smiled and swiped a sugar cookie from the plate. The blond whined when Ford snatched it out of his hand and pressed down on the treat to find it a bit too hard.
"Soft foods, Bill," he reminded the smaller man.
Bill stuck out his tongue then pouted.
The door opened to reveal a few of the teenagers Wendy had invited to attend the party. Stan wouldn't care, or even notice they were there. Lee high fived both of the twins and behind him followed Tambry on her phone. After her entered Thompson with a plump girl his age with shoulder-length black hair hanging.
Lastly came Nate with a younger teenager in tow. Mabel and Candy both fixed their eyes fixed on the younger teen. He had smooth dark skin with silver hair that hung over his face in a fringe in a much fancier way than Robbie. His eyes appeared to be a piercing reddish brown. He flashed the girls a smile then followed his cousin further into the shack.
Mabel excused herself from the group and rushed up behind the strange thirteen-year-old. Both the boy and Nate turned to see Mabel giggling as she extended her hand.
"My name's Mabel, but you can call me Mabel," she said while laughing.
"Torrance," he said and ran a hand through his silver hair. He took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. Mabel's face turned a bright red and she nearly shrieked.
Candy pushed up next to Mabel and introduced herself. Torrance bowed his head and shook the girl's hand. Throughout the exchange Mabel found herself unable to look away from her new acquaintance.
Torrance walked away leaving both girls mesmerized. Mabel and Candy looked at each other and giggled. Dipper who had witnessed the entire exchange rolled his eyes.
Everyone hushed when another set of headlights illuminated the shack. Soos shut off the lights and everyone hid. Ford crossed his arms, not willing to play along with their silly antics.
Stan threw the door open still in conversation with Susan. He screamed when the lights turned on and everyone jumped up. Stan ducked behind the closest shelf and grabbed for the baseball bat he kept hidden there. As soon as he realized the room was full of familiar faces that wished him no harm nor arrest, he dropped the bat behind the shelf and composed himself.
"Happy birthday, Grunkle Stan," Dipper said as he approached the older man.
Stan looked over at Ford who rubbed at his head. "Apparently the kids and Bill..." he glanced over at his grinning boyfriend, "threw us a birthday party."
Stan stared at the twins for a moment then his mouth formed into a sincere smile. He put an arm around each of them and pulled them in for a tight embrace. As soon as they parted Wendy handed each of the birthday boys cold cans of beer.
Soos took on his role as DJ and began the music. Stan made his way over to his brother and put his arm around him.
"Who'da thought, forty years later we'd be having our very first birthday party since our teenage years," Stan said. Some of the beer from his can splashed on Ford's shirt. Stan brought the can to his mouth and gulped half of it in one go.
Ford fiddled with his can, not really interested in drinking. "To tell you the truth, Stanley," he began and sat down. His twin followed his lead. Ford put the unopened aluminum can on the vacant chair next to him. "After you left I never celebrated my birthday again."
Stan lifted a brow and finished off his drink. He ordered for one of the guests to bring him another.
Ford continued, "Mom tried to, but in the end we just had a small cake and Dad gave me a few dollars." He hunched over. "After I left for college I never told anyone my birthday. Fiddleford tried, but I couldn't." He looked into his brother's face. "Every birthday I could only think about you and how I shouldn't let Dad throw you out."
Stan sighed. "Look, Sixer, that was Dad's fault, not yours." He accepted the beer from Dipper who then ran off to partake in some stunt with Lee.
Ford shook his head. "I could have done something," he argued. In his mind he could still see Stan standing in front of the apartment building begging for his twin, his only friend, to not leave him out in the cold. Guilt stabbed Ford as he recalled shutting the curtains on Stan. "The result: forty birthdays alone."
Stan leaned against the back of his chair. "To tell ya the truth, Ford, I didn't celebrate my birthday either," he confessed. "I mean I told a few waitresses it was my birthday to get free drinks and cakes, but I didn't see much reason to celebrate." He stared straight ahead. "I didn't have any real friends to celebrate with. Most everyone I knew wanted me dead."
Another stab in the heart, however Ford didn't stop him, he deserved every attack. Looking at the man who shared his face he wondered just how lonely Stan had been those four decades. At least he had Fiddleford, Helen, and a few others in college who he considered acquaintances. Even when he moved to Gravity Falls he had Herbert Wilson, the Valentinos, and once again Fiddleford. He looked over where Bill conversed with some of the teens who found him cool for some reason he didn't understand. Despite the betrayal, Bill had provided him with much needed company.
"Know what, I don't wanna think about the past anymore," Stan said. "It's only bad memories. From now on we won't have lonely birthdays." He held up his hand. "High six?"
Ford smiled and accepted his brother's gesture.
Dipper walked over to the snack table where the cake sat. He piled the candles on the top layer and asked Mabel to gather a knife and some plates from the kitchen. The brunette busted into the kitchen and gasped at the sight of the gnomes eating leftover cookies from the platter.
"What are you doing? Those are for the party!" Mabel exclaimed.
"Oh, about that," Jeff said as he moved to the ledge to face a glaring Mabel with hands on her hips. "I have something important to tell you, but we decided we'd wait until after the party."
"You weren't invited," Mabel said and flicked Jeff on the nose.
Jeff's hand clutched at his nose. Next to him stepped Steve.
"Then I suppose you don't want to hear about what we saw yesterday," Steve said.
Mabel grabbed the butter knife from the drawer and shoved it into her sweater pocket. She turned back to the two gnomes at the ledge of the counter.
Before she could ask she heard footsteps and saw a shadow in the doorway. Steve dove behind a cookie jar while Mabel snatched Jeff and hid him behind her back. The reddish brown eyes that appeared to glow in the dim lighting were the first thing she noticed. Torrance came into view and stopped right in front of the girl.
"I thought maybe you'd like some help carrying the dishes," offered Torrance.
Mabel giggled as she stared into his eyes. "Well, that is so kind of you to offer." Jeff struggled in her grasp. Mabel reached back with her other hand and pinched him on the side. Jeff let out a squeal which Mabel silenced by clamping her hand over his mouth and nose.
"It's the least I can do for you inviting me into your home," Torrance said with a bow of his head. He pushed by Mabel and grabbed the stack of porcelain saucers.
Jeff writhed in pain as the girl blocked his air supply from both passages. As soon as Torrance left the room Mabel looked down to see the gnome suffocating in her grasp.
"Oh my gosh, Jeff, I'm so sorry!" Mabel cried.
She set him down on the table where he took in a lung full of air. The other nine gnomes rushed to his aid as he continued to take deep breaths.
The girl put a hand on each side of her face. "I'm so, so sorry," she said. "I'll bring you all a piece of cake."
Half of the gnomes lit up at the mention of the sweet treat.
"We still have news you might-" Phil began.
"We'll talk later," Mabel interrupted. She took hold of the knife in her pocket. "I'll be back in a few. Stay in here until all the other guests leave." With that Mabel exited from the kitchen.
"What took you so long?" Dipper asked when his sister put the knife on the table.
Mabel glanced up to see Torrance standing right beside her brother. "I'll tell you later," she whispered to Dipper then pushed in between her twin and the guest.
"Everyone! May I have your attention, please!" Dipper called.
Soos quieted the music and the conversation gradually halted. All eyes landed on the twins.
"Today we celebrate our Grunkles' birthday!" he called.
Fiddleford pulled Stan and Ford to the center of the room in front of the cake table. Stan stood proud with his hands on his hips and Ford waved to the crowd.
"Sometimes people ask if it's weird, or I guess, annoying having to share your birthday with your sibling," Dipper said. He took Mabel's hand. "And it can be."
"Oh, it can be," Mabel echoed. "Especially when you have to compromise on the theme."
The comment earned a few laughs.
"But it's also good to know that someone's always got your back," Dipper finished.
All the guests applauded.
Stan stepped forward. "Good speech, you two," he said and ruffled their hair. The birthday boy turned to his brother. "Over forty years ago me and Ford had a falling out." Ford nodded, but kept quiet. Stan continued, "Ten years later we had a chance to fix it, but we were stupid and didn't."
There were a few murmurs. The twins looked over at Ford to see the shame written on his face. Bill crossed his arms, again angry at the guilt that welled up in his heart knowing he was partially responsible for their unhappy reunion.
"And thirty years later we got another chance, and still acted stubborn and stupid," Stan said.
"We did," Ford added. "I regret letting pride take away my best friend for so long." He patted Stan on the back.
Stan smiled. He cleared his throat and said, "But today marks our first birthday together in forty years."
The guests cheered and applauded. The Pines brothers turned and blew out their candles in unison. Another round of applause for the older set of twins.
"Now let's eat," Stan called.
The cake was passed out and consumed. Mabel snuck into the kitchen with ten slices of cake that raised her brother's suspicion, but decided not to say anything just yet.
As Ford took his last bite he felt someone grab him from behind. He grabbed said person and flipped him over his shoulder. He caught the face of his assailant and grabbed him before he hit the floor.
"Way to welcome someone, Sixer," Bill said in between laughs.
"Bill, I've told you about sneaking up on me," Ford chided.
The blond shrugged. He pulled Ford into the living room for some privacy. Before Ford could speak, Bill leaned in and licked away the stray bit of frosting in the corner of his boyfriend's mouth. He then pressed his lips against Ford's. Ford's arm grasped Bill's back and pushed the smaller man closer to his chest and they deepened their kiss.
Bill moaned and halfway opened his eyes. With a smirk he said, "I've missed the way you taste."
Ford grinned. "It is my birthday, and I will have you as my final present tonight," he said and claimed Bill's mouth once more.
Behind the kiss Bill grinned. He suddenly wanted the party to end.
The party lasted until midnight. By then Stan was halfway wasted. Tambry, Lee, and Nate weren't in any better condition. Wendy lamented not being able to consume alcohol, but Thompson and his girlfriend Charlotte refused drink so Wendy wouldn't feel left out. Thompson even offered to drive everyone home.
Wendy and Charlotte gathered the rest of their intoxicated friends and helped them into Thompson's van. Nate called for his cousin to get on the van.
Torrance made his way over to the thirteen-year-old girls. Both Mabel and Candy lit up at the boy's presence. He took one of their hands in either of his.
"I'm pleased to meet you two," Torrance said with a wink. He turned, the bottom of his frock coat flapping with flair. Candy put her hands over her heart while Mabel folded her hands and watched with glimmering eyes as Torrance made his exit.
"Girls, he's the cutest thing I've ever seen," Mabel exclaimed.
"Yes, and he's so mysterious," Candy added with a giggle.
"I like his charm," Grenda said.
"Well, we're certainly not going to fight over him," Mabel said waving her hand.
"No way, I've already got a boyfriend," Grenda answered and pulled out her phone. She opened up a smiling photograph of her boyfriend Marius. She pressed her lips against the phone leaving a smear on the screen.
Mabel and Candy exchanged glances and laughed awkwardly.
"Let's not fight over him, we are going to meet so many cute boys this summer," Mabel said.
Candy agreed and they shook on it.
A few minutes later Candy and Grenda's ride arrived. The girls hugged Mabel goodbye and made their exit. Dipper, Mabel, and Soos began on cleaning up the party. Bill and Ford picked up a few soiled dishes and followed the others into the kitchen. Stan followed after with his hands in his pockets.
Mabel gasped when she remembered the gnomes that she had left alone for two hours. All but Shmebulock had fallen asleep, the mentioned licking icing from his hands.
The girl tossed the fallen streamers in the trash and ran over Jeff where she gently roused him awake. The gnome leader jumped up and smacked at Mabel's hand. He put a hand over his pounding heart when he remembered where he was.
"He said he had something important to tell us," Mabel said to the others.
Jeff stood and straightened up his clothes and hat.
"Well?" Dipper asked, recalling his earlier encounter.
"You know, after you two abused me all night, I don't think I want to anymore," Jeff said.
"Tell 'em what they wanna know or I'll set you on fire," Bill threatened.
Jeff scoffed. "We all know you lost your powers, Cipher."
Bill grinned and his eyes switched to red. The blue flames also took on the crimson color.
"That spell only keeps me from hurting humans," Bill said with a cackle. "And I have plenty of magic left to roast a gnome."
"Look, I'm sorry for all that," Mabel said.
"Just let them go, it's probably just a lie to get free cake," Dipper said and turned his back.
"Then you don't want to know about that woman breaking into the shack yesterday?" Jeff asked with a smirk.
"What are you talking about?" Stan asked, the news instantly sobering him up.
"She broke in before noon, but stayed for a long time," Jeff answered.
Stan turned to Soos. "Take inventory on everything," he demanded.
"We didn't see her take anything," Steve said as he joined the leader.
"Yeah, she left empty handed, but she was searching for something," Jeff added. He looked over at Steve and Shmebulock then back to the Pines. "We looked through the window and saw her looking hard for something."
"What...what did she look like?" Ford asked.
Jeff stroked his chin. "Kind of pretty. Athletic build. Red hair. Glasses. Cute smile."
"I thought her frustrated frown looked cuter," Phil argued.
"No, she has nice teeth," Jeff retorted. "That made her smile much prettier."
Ford and Stan looked at each other and nodded.
"Do you still have the security tapes?" Soos asked.
Stan didn't answer. He headed for the room which contained the hidden security camera.
Well, I hope you all like the first chapter in part/season two of Bonded: Year Two.
The ending is credited to Energy witch who suggested someone seeing Avery break into the house.