Hi Fanfic Friends! Just wanted to give a quick update, I should have mentioned this several chapters ago, but I am sure you all noticed that Keleficent and I are in the process of re-writing some of the later chapters. I had an idea for an addition after the story was finished so we talked and decided to go back to it. I hope you all understand, both Keleficent and I are very proud of the story and we want it to be the best possible for you guys. Thanks for reading!
Mabel slept safely and peacefully the whole night. That is until she awoken by a sharp poke. "Ouch!"
Stan responded to his niece's cry of pain by trying to shield her from the nurse poking and prodding Mabel. "What are you doing to her?"
"Sorry, sir, I just had to get some blood." The nurse had been warned before her shift began that Stan was "protective," but she was still caught off guard by his hostility.
"It's okay, Grunkle Stan. She's just trying to help." Mabel grabbed onto his arm to calm him. Stan nodded and allowed the nurse to continue her job.
"I'm sorry, pumpkin. I just wanna protect you. I know I haven't been doing that too good lately, but-"
"What are you talking about?" Mabel tilted her head in genuine confusion.
"You know…with Brad and the fire…I couldn't keep you safe."
"Grunkle Stan, that's ridiculous! You did protect me. You're the one who saved me from Brad and the fire. And you made sure I woke up this morning, just like you promised." Mabel flashed Stan a warm smile.
Stan wiped his eyes. The sweet girl had no idea how much he needed to hear that. He hugged Mabel tight and she happily reciprocated.
The nurse, despite her tense first encounter with Stan, was now smiling. Sure the old man may be a bit overdramatic, but it was crystal clear he loved that little girl. Who wouldn't be touched by that?
As the nurse was leaving, Mabel asked her, "What time is it?"
"7:15," she replied before walking out of the room.
"Oh no, Dipper's gonna be late for school," Mabel said as she glanced at her still-sleeping brother.
"Mabel, I don't think the kid is leaving your side today." Stan knew Dipper was way too loyal a brother to persuaded to leave Mabel a third time. "Might as well let him sleep in."
Mabel sighed and nodded knowing Stan was right. There was no way Dipper would leave her today. And maybe it was selfish of her, but she didn't want him to.
Soon, Ford woke up as well. He let out a moan as he stretched his sore back. That jump from the second floor of the shack did his old body no favors.
"Does your back hurt, Grunkle Ford?" Mabel asked concerned. "Do you need pain medicine too?"
"Oh, no, sweetheart, I'm alright. How about you? Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Mabel said listlessly.
There was a knock on the door, causing the still-jumpy Mabel to cling to Stan. He held her tight and told her, "it's okay, pumpkin."
A man dressed in a suit and carrying a briefcase entered the room, "I am terribly sorry to bother you poor folks so early."
Ford noticed Mabel looking at the man nervously. "It's alright, Mabel. This is the lawyer we've hired to represent us."
"Hello, Mabel, my name is Brenden Michaels." He came over and shook Mabel's hand. "I'll make sure that those young men who wronged you pay for what they've done."
"Thank you, Mr. Michaels," Mabel said as she shook his hand with a polite smile.
"I want to let you rest for now, but I just want to ask: do you remember what the boys who attacked you looked like.
Mabel will never forget. "Yes."
"Would you be able to positively identify them in a police lineup and in court?"
"THEY'RE GONNA BE THERE TOO! NO….NO I'M SCARED!"
Mabel flung her arms around Stan who held her protectively. He wished more than anything that he could hold her in his arms forever and keep her away from any more harm.
"Mabel, I know it will be upsetting to be in the same room with them, but I promise they won't dare touch you," Brenden reassured. "There will be police officers there to protect you. And your family will be there with you."
Mabel felt better knowing her family would at least be by her side. She nodded in agreement.
"You're a very brave girl, Mabel." Brendon turned his attention to the adults. "I would like to go with one of you to look over the damages to your home to give me a better idea of how much compensation you're owed."
Ford smirked at Stan knowing his con-artist brother will know the right financial buzz word to suck Brad's family dry. But for once, Stan wasn't excited about a potential money-making opportunity. No amount of money was worth the suffering his niece endured.
"Stanley, I think you should go with him. You said yourself that you know the Shack better than anyone. Besides, your knowledge of finance is superior to mine."
Stan couldn't help but blush slightly at his brother's open acknowledgment that Stan had smarts that Ford didn't (there weren't many instances of that). But he was reluctant to leave Mabel. "I don't know. Can't it wait a few more days? I'm not sure I should leave the hospital." He looked down at Mabel and tightened his grip around her. "Even for a little bit."
"I understand, Mr. Pines, but the sooner we can get everything in order, the sooner this nightmare can end for you all."
"It's okay, Grunkle Stan." Mabel understood they need to know the cost to repair the shack. She didn't want to impede the process in any way. She wanted to get her home back as soon as possible. "I'll be okay with Grunkle Ford. Besides, I haven't had a chance to play him in cards yet!"
Mabel gave Stan a playful wink. Stan was truly inspired by how quickly she was managing to attempt to bounce back, despite all the odds against her. Ford grinned at his niece before giving his brother a smile to reassure him that he will look after Mabel.
"Alright, sweetie, I'll be back soon." Stan gave Mabel a kiss goodbye before leaving with the lawyer.
Ford pushed his chair close to Mabel's bed. He noticed Mabel seemed uneasy about something. "Is something wrong, sweetheart?"
"It's really happening," Mabel said. "The trial."
"Yes."
"I mean, I knew were gonna have to go to trial. But talking to Brenden about everything that happened and what's gonna happen in the courtroom makes it seem…real now."
Ford took her hand and squeezed it tight. "It will be difficult, but I know you can do it. You're brave…and you're strong."
"I don't feel brave or strong."
"I know." Ford stroked the top of her head. "But you are."
"How much longer do I have to be brave and strong?"
The question was far too poignant for a child Mabel's age and beyond Ford's ability to answer. All he could say was, "Just be patient, Mabel. This nightmare will be over soon."
"Why is this happening to me? What did I do deserve this?"
Ford sighed sadly. "Bad things don't just happen to bad people. Bad things happen to everyone. And often, for no discernable reason."
"Why do people do such horrible things to each other?"
"I don't know, pumpkin. Maybe there are people who hurt others because they've been hurt too." It was a cheesy reason but the best Ford could come up with.
"When my parents died it hurt me, but I would never want to hurt someone else. Why would I?"
It was a tragically innocent question. Ford wished he was smart enough to answer it. "You wouldn't because you don't use your hardships as an excuse to not think of others. Like when I woke up and my back was hurting, you still made sure I was alright even though you're in much pain yourself. But not everyone is like you, Mabel. If there were more people like you, the world would be a much better place."
"It's just not fair."
"I know it's not."
"I just want this all to be over. I just wanna go ho-" Mabel choked up as she realized she didn't even have a home to go back to now. She screwed her eyes shut as tears slipped down her cheeks. Ford sat on the bed next to Mabel and wrapped his arms around her. She snuggled close to his chest as he held the back of her head.
"Shh, I'm here, Mabel. It's going to be alright. We'll get through this together, I promise."
Ford figured the best thing for her would be to get her mind off everything for a while, besides like Stan said he was given the sweet gift of time with Mabel, and he didn't want to waste any more of that. He wanted to start making those happy memories. "Now I believe you said something about a game of cards? Fair warning my extra fingers makes me an excellent shuffler."
Mabel wiped her eyes and smiled slyly at him. "You can shuffle all you like, old man. But you'll need more than a good shuffle to beat me!"