Hey wonderful fanfiction friends! I'm really sorry I have been MIA these past few days! That last chapter really took a lot out of me! Classes have also started back up, so I am kind of in a tricky spot where I know that I need to give this story the proper closing it deserves (I have a really bad habit of rushing my endings), while also taking into account that I need to finish this story in the near future! It is looking like it will probably take me three more chapters to give the ending I truly want, but I need to go about writing them at my own pace! Anyways here is my next chapter, and just a fair warning it is a pretty sad one (I'm sorry)L I hope you guys enjoy, and remember your follows, favorites, and reviews are what keep me going! Love you guys!
Shortly after Stan had returned from California his health began to take a rapid decline. He was now confined to the living room nearly 24/7. Ford had done everything he could to make Stan as comfortable as possible, setting up the best breathing machines and other health needs that money could buy. He had also gone through the difficult process of explaining things to Soos and Melody. Ford knew that Soos would take it hard, but it broke his heart to see Soos looking so broken. It wasn't fair, just when everyone's lives seemed to finally find joy and happiness the cruelty of reality had to take it away.
Melody really stepped up to the plate to take care of the shack and its patrons, while Ford and Soos spent their days taking care of Stan and keeping him company. Stan also received a large amount of visitors during the day. Lazy Susan would bring by pies from the diner, so that Stan could have something to eat besides Fords "carefully designed nutrition plan". Manly Dan and some of the bikers would stop and play games of poker with Stan, until he grew too tired. Even the Northwest family sent him a lovely care package. In his rare moments alone Stan would count himself very lucky. He wasn't going to die the rich man his father wanted him to be, or the brilliant mind his brother was, but in the faces of all the people who took their time to show they cared Stan knew that he would die with his very own legacy.
One late afternoon after a relatively quiet day Soos decided that today would be the day he had dreamed of for so many years. Today he would officially ask Stan to be his father. Soos understood that Stan was not going to be around much longer, and the lonely young man knew that if he wanted any chance at having a father figure he had to ask now. Sure Stan was not exactly a perfect role model, but Soos was not exactly a perfect person either, but Stan was always something that his real father wasn't, Stan was always there. He wasn't always super encouraging, or supportive, in fact most of the time he was cynical and blunt, but no matter what, through monsters, and triangle demons, trials and mishaps, moments of weakness, moments of strength, and everything in between Stan was always there for Soos, and in the eyes of the handyman that was all he could ever want from a father.
"Hiya Mr. Pines," Soos said as he nervously sat beside Stan's makeshift couch bed.
"Soos how many times do I gotta tell ya, Mr. Pines was my father, to you I'm just Stan," Stan said in his typically gruff, yet welcoming and sincere.
"Actually sir, I was thinking maybe I could start calling you…..dad," Soos blurted out before he had time to chicken out.
Stan didn't know what to say, he certainly wasn't expected that, but as he looked into the eyes of his trusty handyman turned heir he knew that Soos meant exactly what he was saying. His eyes grew soft and gentle, and he gave a tender smile, "Well I figure that would be appropriate Soos….considering I already see you as my son," Stan said as he grabbed Soos's hand.
Soos broke into tears as he engulfed Stan into a tight hug. At first Stan wanted to tell Soos that he was choking him, but what the heck he was dying anyways so instead he just embraced Soos right back.
By the time they had finished hugging they were both in tears, but as they looked at each other through these brand new eyes all the two of them could do was somewhat awkwardly laugh. Stan looked up at Soos "Ya know Soos, I ain't really in the best condition to go outside and play catch with ya, but we could watch the ball game on the tube…if ya know…you wanted to," Stan said in an awkward and fully exposed way.
"I can't think of anything I would rather do with you….pops," Soos said with a smile.
As the final few leaves of the trees clung to the final days of autumn, so did Stan to his life. It became apparent to everyone around Thanksgiving that Stan Pines would not live to see Christmas. The whole town were heartbroken for not only Stan, but for the whole family, especially the two clueless kids in California. Stan and Ford had talked about it, and it was decided that no matter what happened Ford was to go to California to see Mabel in that show, and to bring the kids here for Christmas, just like they had promised.
As Stan got sicker and sicker he knew that at the very least he had to tell the kids he was sick. He just didn't know how on earth to go about it. Late almost every night he must have started writing hundreds of letters to the kids, only to find his words were not good enough, and crumbling the papers on the floor. One night, however, about a week before opening night of Mabel's play Stan could put it off no longer, and dialed the familiar digits on his phone.
"Hey Grunkle Stan!" Dipper's delightfully silly voice said through the phone.
'Hiya kiddo, how's it hanging?" Stan said mustering all his strength to sound as normal as possible.
"It's going great, just busy! Mabel is in full prep mode for the big show….I mean she has been in full prep mode since she found out she got the part, but now she is boarderline unbearable! She will only answer to Eliza now….haha but it will all be over soon! I'm really excited about coming to spend Christmas in Gravity Falls! I have been preparing for the snow! I've never seen it before you know, so I am making sure I pack all the strongest winter gear….keep me from catching a cold you know, and I have all these great experiment ideas I want to try with Grunkle Ford! How are you by the way? You don't sound quite like your usual self," Dipper said quietly.
Stan took a deep breath, "actually kiddo, I'm feeling a little sick. Nothing for you knuckleheads to worry about, but I'm afraid I can't make it down to see Mabel in her play. Don't you worry Ford will be in the front row and there to take both of you down here for Christmas….could you please tell Mabel?" Stan said trying not to get choked up.
"I think you should tell her yourself….she just came in," Dipper said with a twinge of worry in his voice. "I hope you feel better Grunkle Stan….love you!" Dipper said handing the phone to Mabel before Stan could say he loved Dipper back.
"Hey Grunkle Stan! So I totally have butterflies going crazy all over my tummy! I hope they don't live here all week….we are rehearsing until like 10 at night every night, so Eliza can't be putting up with this!" Mabel said with all of her energy.
"You are going to do just fine pumpkin…..listen sweetie, I ummm I have come down with a bit of the flu, and I….I don't think I can make it to your show…." Stan said trying to maintain his composure.
"but….but you promised Grunkle Stan! You crossed your heart!" Mabel said her voice cracking.
"I said I would try pumpkin and I did but….." Stan started, but Mabel had hung up the phone before he could say another word.
