"Sweet dreams, Stanley," Mabel whispered, kissing her son goodnight.
She smiled down at his tiny form, gently brushing the light brown curls from his forehead as she processed the events of that day. It had been hard seeing Stan again. Hard beyond words. Harder when she spoke to him in the grove, told him everything she'd said and how much she regretted it. But he'd simply taken her in his arms like he used to, strong yet gentle and he'd spoken to her in that gruff voice she'd missed so much, and he told her-
She pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes and gritted her teeth as her shoulders shook, trying to stay as quiet as possible so as not to disturb her sleeping boy.
When she'd finally settled down she looked up at the ceiling, thinking back to the reading of the will. The gifts he'd given them all, mementos he'd collected over the years and specifically chosen to pass to the whole family. Every one had come with a message too, designed for each of them. She'd hadn't listened to hers. She always said she'd do it when she was ready. Two years and it was still locked away in the same chest, never touched.
Time to change that.
It took a while to reach it. She knew exactly where it was but she'd also made sure it was in a far away corner, hidden behind and underneath as much as she could find at the time, acting as a final deterrent if she were ever tempted to dig up painful memories. "Geez, I'm stubborn," she grunted, struggling under the weight of an old art project she'd never had the heart to get rid of, eventually clearing the way to the large, ornate chest. She frowned at the heavy lock, suddenly remembering how drunk she'd gotten the night she'd hid the key, making sure she'd never recall exactly where she put it.
"Like that'd stop me," she muttered, pulling out a hairpin and kneeling at the lock, feeling slightly disappointed in herself for underestimating her own capabilities as she worked the magic her Great-uncle had taught her, her tongue sticking out the corner of her mouth as she concentrated. "Aha!" she cried when she finally heard the telltale clunk. "That'll teach me!"
Her elation wilted as she flung it open and saw his face looking back at her. Scowling, smiling, grinning, laughing, yelling. So many memories, all locked away to keep the pain on a leash. She swallowed thickly, Stan's final message momentarily forgotten as she pulled out photographs, arts and crafts, clothes, whole scrapbooks and more. art
Her hands gently brushed his face as she sat on a box, looking through everything one by one. The puppet she'd made for the play that first summer. The sweaters she'd knitted him for every goodbye and return, the gifts he'd given her. She opened an album, smiling and even chuckling at all the things she'd forgotten for so long.
So many adventures or parties or just days spent together. Dancing with him and Ford at the first birthday either man had celebrated in decades. Summerween after Summerween. Teaching her how to box. The black eye she'd given him shortly after, and how proud that made him. Giving her away at her wedding - if Dad had just bought her a pony like she'd always wanted, she wouldn't have to make that decision, would she? - and so many more.
She gulped when she came to the one they'd picked for his funeral, steeling herself as she reached under it for the tape recorder.
She remembered when they'd each received one at the reading of the will, Soos' girls looking in confusion at the device, probably never having seen one in real life.
Wendy had joked Stan probably felt letters were too sappy and this was the most advanced technology he could use.
Mabel hadn't laughed at the time. But she did now.
When she stopped, she bit her lip, her thumb resting on the 'play' button.
Was today the day? Was she really prepared to hear his last words?
"Nope," she decided. "Let's do it."
She swallowed as she took the plunge, hearing nothing at first as it played, starting to grow afraid that she'd left it too long, the tape had faded, she'd never hear what he had to say, she'd worked up all this courage for nothing and now she'd never-
"Hiya, Pumpkin."
She let out a small gasp as she heard his voice, as clear as if he were standing right there. She'd forgotten how old he'd sounded, the decades adding so much to his already gruff voice. The Stan she'd met hours ago might have been so much like him, but twenty years wasn't the only difference between them. This was her Stan. And it affected her far more than she thought it would.
"If you're listening to this, it means I'm gone," he continued gently, in the tone heard only by those closest to him " As in dead. As opposed to being on the run since I'm too old to hoof it these days and I'm too wrinkled and ugly to disguise myself anymore. So! I've kicked the bucket. Big deal. At least I'm somewhere warm! (That's gonna come back to haunt me if I'm wrong about the afterlife being a load of crap.)
"Anyway, I'm not really sure what to say for these things. In the end, I've decided I'd just tell you what I couldn't manage to say when I was still around. Can't get embarrassed by this sentimental crap anymore, can I?
"So here it goes.
"You and your brother were the best things that ever happened to me, sweetie. I'm not even talking about all those summers you spent freeloading at my place and eating my food. You two helped me even before that. I, uh, I was in a dark place for years, Mabel. Those years spent drifting alone had really gotten to me. It only got worse after the thing with Ford and his portal. Sure, having the Mystery Shack really helped, gave me something to be proud of, but even then there were some dark days where I wondered what the point was.
"Finding Ford seemed so impossible, harder every day, and then those days became years, then decades. Getting nowhere slowly, with no idea how I'd ever do it or if I ever would. Why keep going?
"Then I got the call from Shermy that you two were ready to pop out and I should be there for it. Geez, I miss him. Wish you'd gotten to know him more; he was a great guy. I'll never forget the way he smiled the first time he held you two. Had to wrestle you out of my arms but it was worth it! That day changed my life in ways you couldn't understand. Well, actually, Dipper's had his girls so I guess now you can. Kinda.
"See, I'll never forget Dipper was born and we were terrified he wouldn't make it for a moment, he was so blue. Worst moment of my life. And that was saying something. I hope you'll never learn how relieved we were when he finally started crying.
"Then, after that big introduction, you came! And you were quiet too, but it was more as if you were wondering who all these people were and what the hullabaloo was all about. And when you heard your brother, you, in typical, never to be outdone Mabel fashion, started yelling too! Only louder! Not crying like your brother, just yelling, like you thought it was all a game and you wanted in on it.
"When we all realised that, we laughed so hard! It was like all the fear and concern for Dipper just vanished and was replaced by the happiness we felt now that you little nightmares had arrived. My little Mabel, always fixing to be the centre of attention and make everybody happy, right from the start.
"And after that, seeing you two together, hearing about you from your Grandpa and your Pop over the years, the way you two always looked out for each other...it gave me hope. Reminded me of my time with Ford. Made me more determined than ever to bring him back. Hell, I even put up with Soos when he was a kid, just because he reminded me that you two were out there!
"Take, uh, take care of the big lug for me. He's gonna take it hard when I go.
"Anyway, cut a long story short...I love you, Mabel. Have from the moment you were born. And just 'cause I ain't here anymore, it won't change that one bit.
"Your (let's be honest here) favourite Grunkle, Stanley.
"Bye, Pumpkin."
The tears fell onto the picture of his smirking face through her fingers.
"Bye, Grunkle Stan," she whispered, wondering how many more times she'd have to say it before it stopped hurting.
She wiped her eyes, and looked around at the assortment of things she'd locked away, wishing she'd never done it. But at least she had them now and she made a promise to herself that she'd never do it again, never forget the love and affection, no matter how long it took for the pain to fade, and to-
"How the hell do you turn this stupid thing off!"
Mabel blinked and looked back at the tape recorder in surprise, seeing that it was still playing.
"Freakin' - where's the stop button?" Stan growled, the sound of him moving about as he became more agitated with the machine. "You'd think they'd put labels on these things to - oh, wait. Stupid cataracts," he grunted sheepishly before the machine finally went silent.
Mabel's hand left her eyes as they covered her mouth, barely suppressing her mirth as her Great Uncle made her laugh one last time. "You stupid old man," she giggled, her shoulders shaking. "You stupid, miserable old man."
When she was able to speak she pulled out her phone, deciding she had a few more important things to do that day. First, she had to make a couple of calls to make sure both men were able to see her tomorrow.
When that was done, she gathered as many of the memories as she could in her arms to take them downstairs, already thinking of where to place them so they'd get the attention they deserved.
It had been a beautiful day, perfect for going to the lake. The sun shone down brightly, warming them in the water and letting them stay for longer and swim out farther than usual. Now it was helping Mabel dry her nieces' hair before they returned home.
"There we go, all done," she said, releasing Sylvia, who immediately went to her sister, holding her hand out for the brush.
"Hey, give me that, I need it."
"Wait your turn, I'm not done yet."
"But you've had it for ages!" Sylvia protested, trying to snatch it. "It's my shot!"
"Hey, let go!"
"You always take forever and I need it now!"
"Girls, play nice!" Dipper chided them as they grappled, Stanley watching his cousins wrestle with interest from his uncle's lap.
"Your Dad's right," Mabel told them, smiling a little as the twins broke apart, still glaring at each other. "Family's important. The most important thing there is. In fact, that's what today's lesson is all about."
The girls let out a loud groan in unison, something that never failed to amuse their aunt. "Not a lesson! Why do you need to ruin a good day?"
"You're meant to be fun, Auntie Mabel! Don't be boring like Dad!"
"Hey!"
"Yeah, your Dad's a dork," Mabel chortled, earning a scowl. "But that's just the way he's always been. He can be annoying but he means well. Besides, everyone annoys someone at some point."
"Not me, I'm perfect!" boasted Sylvia.
"Yeah, right," Olvia scoffed.
"Now now," Mabel said, waving at them before it escalated. "We can all be a pain in the butt at times," she began, Olivia sticking a tongue out at her sister in victory. "But we should also learn to accept that," she added, Sylvia sticking her tongue out now in retribution.
Mabel took a deep breath and looked across the lake, recalling barbecues and fishing trips and awful, awful jokes that never seemed to end.
"We all fight with someone eventually. Even with people we love. Usually it's over something silly. Sometimes...sometimes it isn't silly. Sometimes it's important enough that we don't want to spend time with them for a while. We still love them, it's just...we don't want to see them as much right now. And that can be painful. But, if they mean that much to us, we can get back together again and forgive each other.
"Other times...other times it's harder. We say something stupid. Or mean. Something we - we wish we didn't say. But - we can't take it back. As much as we want to. And - and that can stay with you. It, uh, it can stay with you for a long time...Es-especially knowing that you can't - you can't say you're sorry. And you are sorry.
"You're very sorry.
"But - but then you realise that it's okay. The good outweighs the bad. Despite, hn, despite everything you went through, you still care about them. No matter what. Be-because as long as there's love...there's forgiveness. That's -uh- that's what family is. Loving someone no matter - no matter how flawed they are. Even if they, uh, they don't think they deserve it. Because they do. An-and it, uh, it doesn't matter what they did or...or w-what they said. They're our family. We still love them."
Mabel swallowed, trying to ease the tightness in her throat and chest as she looked back at her family.
"And we always will."
"Auntie Mabel, you're crying," Olivia whispered, both girls reaching up to her in concern.
Mabel choked out a sound, half a laugh, half a sob. "I'm not - I'm not crying because I'm sad," she told them, stroking their young, worried faces. "I'm crying because I'm happy."
The sisters shared a look. "We don't understand," Sylvia said, confused.
Mabel chuckled and pulled them close. "That's okay, sweeties. You will one day."
"But hopefully not for a long time," Dipper added, standing up with his nephew in his arms as Mabel walked back to the cars, hand-in-hand with her nieces.
"Are you going to be alright?" he asked, passing her son to her when his daughters were settled into the back, Olivia brushing her sister's hair.
She nodded vigorously, holding little Stan tight. "I think so. Or at least, I will be."
"Okay," he said, pulling her into a hug. "Give Ford my love," he told her before breaking free.
"Will do," she promised. She took little Stan's hand and used it to wave back at Olivia and Sylvia's flailing arms as they drove away. Then she buckled him in beside the box of memorabilia she'd taken from the attic to share with her Grunkle.
No doubt they'd spend hours pouring over its contents, reminiscing over times and events she'd spent years trying to hide and forget.
She couldn't wait.
Mabel slid across the hood to reach the driver's seat and wrestled with the engine of her 1965 El Diablo convertible. Not only did she have to rev the engine a few too many times before it started, but it didn't look that great - especially without any of the usual decals she added to her cars - it wasn't the fastest or the smoothest, used up more fuel than it should, and still had plenty of nicks and bumps from its previous owner.
"Good boy," she said, patting one of her most prized possessions affectionately as it finally growled into life.
Mabel paused when she checked the back window, considering her son. "Hey," she told him. "You're really special, you know that? Sure, you might have it tough being the only boy with - geez - seven older girl cousins! But I think you'll manage. 'Cause as annoying as we are, you're part of a wonderful family, one that'll always have your back. A family of freaks and weirdos. Like me! And we've always got each other, Stanley, whatever happens. You'll always remember that, won't you?"
Stanley Pines stared up at his mother as he chewed on his toy, too young to understand a single word but fixated as he always was at the sound of her voice.
Mabel smiled. "Got it. Still a baby, not old enough to know words yet. That's fine. Means I'll just have to keep telling you 'till you do," she shrugged, heading towards the sunset with her son.
And Mabel Pines lived a very happy life.
THE END
VUL ZBTTLY KVDU, AOYLL TVYL AV NV.
Author's note: Woo! Two-and-a-half years and over 500,000 words later! 500,000! That's, like, a million! Only half!
In your FACE, George R. R. Martin!
Seriously though, this has taken much, much, MUCH longer than expected and gotten way more complicated than I'd ever dreamed but overall I'm pretty happy with the result so far. Of course, I'll be the first to admit I've made mistakes, especially at the start. Not just grammar and spelling errors. There's some plot lines I hinted at that probably won't go where I originally planned, scenes I stretched for too long, ideas and jokes I forced in at the expense of the story, being FAR too critical of some of the characters (*COUGH* Wendy, Mabel *COUGH*) and more.
But you've all stayed with me throughout and I really appreciate everyone who's taken the time to read my stories, especially those who've commented and inspired me to keep going with praise, recommendations, or critiques. Thank you so much, I couldn't have done this without you.
Really, I can't even put into words how important it's been to me to have you guys favourite my stories, comment on them and even message me with your reviews, suggestions, support, and theories about where I'm going with this, the relationships I'm making, and who the Cipher Cult Leader is.
Heh. None of them have figured out that she's really Melody's evil twin! They'll never see it coming! Bwahahaha! (Note to self: delete this paragraph. Also, see a psychiatrist.)
Anyway, I'll be taking a break (no idea how long) to plan out the next season (and hopefully avoid spending another two years on it) but also to catch up on my fanfic reading. I don't do as much as I want, not nearly enough as I should, and I want to take some time to fix that before I get back to my own stories. I've been selfish for too long and I should change that.
In the meantime, if you have any suggestions to improve my writing before I crank out the next season, let me know! Constructive criticism is especially appreciated. Every mistake is a lesson after all and some of the best comments have been people telling me what I'm doing wrong.
Also, some of you have started coming to me for writing advice. I'm very flattered that you value my opinion enough to ask, so if that's what you want - yeah! Go ahead and PM me if you want - it's great to talk to others about these things, work out the kinks before you put it out there.
But the best advice I could probably give anyone is to write for yourself - these are your stories. Praise is great but it's your own happiness and enjoyment that matters.
P.S. If you've enjoyed this story, I highly recommend the Gravity Falls comic: I Did Not Die. Made, I believe by .com? I can't see it on that page, but if you search for the comic title on YouTube you'll find it. It was a massive influence to this story and it's probably my absolute favourite Gravity Falls comic simply because it breaks my heart every time.
Thank you for everything - Milky Boy Blue
Author's note update, 08/06/21 (British dates as opposed to weird American way): I have a new Profile pic! Created by our very own GFMEMES. Who, very much unlike me, can draw! Not only that, they're an artist who takes commissions! Chances are, any decent pics you see attached to my stories will be from them (meaning I made the crappy one attached to this story). So, if you like what you see, send them a PM and check out what they can do for you! Cost will depend on complexity but, from what I've seen, I think you'll get your money's worth.