Ford gave a small laugh. "Stanley, I'm clueless when it comes to business. You managed that shack for decades like a master businessman. My knowledge on the subject is inferior in every way."
Stan was honestly shocked. Ford never spoke on his shortcomings like this, at least not since Stan had known him.
"C'mon, Sixer, you had to have made a good deal at one time or another? After all, you are a Pines."
"I'm afraid in the other dimensions business is typically done with guns."
The two shared a small laugh.
"The kids don't need to go through all of this mess. We gotta get them back to Oregon as soon as possible. I know that the shack is trash compared to here, but it's been familiar to them for the past few months, and it'll be good to get them back somewhere that has felt like home."
Ford nodded, though he might have been more hesitant if he knew what Stan was going to say next.
"I'll get the three of you bus tickets outta here in a few days. Like I said, I have no intention of being up here for long, but you can hold down the fort with them till I get back."
"Stanley, why can't you conduct business from Oregon? Can't you just do all of it over the internet or something?"
"Sixer, I ain't selling my nephew's house to a stranger over the internet. This is about way more than money. it's about making sure that the people who buy the house will respect it. This place was home to four people up until just a few days ago, and whoever is gonna own the house next is going to respect that."
"But…but I don't know how to take care of them and keep them safe like you do!"
Stan looked at Ford and made a heartbreaking realization: he demanded that Ford stay away from the kids believing he was a dangerous man. It seemed that Ford took his words to heart.
"Sixer, I wouldn't leave them with you if I didn't believe you could do this. They need you."
Ford sighed deeply and nodded, determined to do his best.
He looked at Stan whose eyes were red. Ford couldn't decide if it was lack of sleep or threatening tears, but either way, he knew his brother needed rest.
"Stanley, you've got to get some sleep. You're worn out. If you're going to sell this place, you need some energy."
Stan was too weary to argue. "I'm just gonna check on the kids real quick. It's awful quiet up there."
Ford nodded solemnly, he didn't know what state he would find the kids, but he knew he was no use to them if he wasn't there for them. That would be the very first step in being a good caregiver.
Stan went to check Mabel's bedroom, while Ford checked Dipper's. When both rooms ended up being empty, a feeling of panic washed over both old men as they searched upstairs frantically.
Stan finally found them in a heartbreaking state. They were curled up side by side on their parent's bed — faces buried in pillows that still had faint traces of their parents' scent.
Stan went over to the side of the bed and tucked the blanket around the sleeping children. They looked so vulnerable and helpless. For some reason, this made him afraid to leave them alone.
Without grabbing so much as a pillow for comfort, Stan laid on the floor beside their bed. He's slept in more uncomfortable places than this. He resolved to stay by and protect them should need be.
Ford wanted nothing more than to join his family and be there for the kids like his brother. Unfortunately, Mabel was holding her beloved cat in her arms, and Ford knew that if he got closer, he would sneeze and wake his weary family.
Once again, Ford was left on the outside looking in on the family he wanted to be a part of.