They reached the hospital quickly, but not as quickly as they would normally have. Given the circumstances, this was, ironically, one of the only times that Stan didn't drive like a maniac. The accident made Stan rethink driving so recklessly, especially with his precious charges in the car.
There were several cop cars around waiting at the hospital. It brought the kids to the gritty reality of this situation. Not knowing what else to do, they locked hands. Whatever happened, they were going through it together.
Inside, they noticed a group of officers surrounding a middle-aged man who looked truly shell-shocked. When he saw the kids, his bloodshot eyes filled with tears as he tried to step towards them. The police kept their hands on him, for both his safety and the safety of the children.
Dipper noticed no one who would look the kids in the eye, which made him realize he needed to prepare for the worst.
Mabel didn't even notice as she headed straight for the front desk.
"I want to see my daddy!" She demanded through her tears.
The receptionist gave her a sympathetic look before leading the family into a room where someone who looked like a social worker was waiting. The room was bright and colorful, clearly intended to provide security and comfort to younger children in times of crisis, but it did very little for Dipper and Mabel. They just wanted an update on their father.
In just a short while the doctor entered, and quite subtly the family moved in closer to each other, terrified of whatever news they were about to hear.
"Where's our daddy? I want to see my daddy!" Mabel demanded.
The doctor gave the girl a heartbroken look. Before he let the family in, he needed to inform them of his patient's condition. "I'm afraid his injuries are very serious. The car hit the truck going full speed. The impact was head on."
Dipper's mind flashed to what it must have been like for his poor parents to helplessly stare down something so terrifying. He hoped it happened so quickly that they didn't have time to see it coming. He hoped they didn't have time to be afraid.
"I want to see my mom," he said in a small voice.
The doctor gave a concerned look. "Are you not yet aware that she's-?"
"I know she's dead," Dipper said bluntly. "But I want to see her…I want to see her…body." Dipper felt sick referring to his beloved mother no longer as a person, but a body, an inanimate object.
"I can't," Mabel cried. "I can't see Mom. Not yet."
"It's okay, Mabel. You go see Dad. I'll be fine."
"I can't let you go alone!"
"He won't be alone." Stan stepped up and put his hands on Dipper's shoulders. "I'll go with him."
Dipper didn't object. In fact, he felt better knowing he didn't have to face this alone.
Ford shot a meaningful look at Stan. Since Stan was going with Dipper to see their mother, he was the one who had to go with Mabel to see her dying father.