A big thanks to mon-ra, who's been a major help for me in terms of giving me advice on how to proceed with this story. You're an awesome writer.
And a big thanks to Hourglass Cipher who was the first to point out my mistake when I wrote Dipper's actual name. It has now been fixed in the previous chapter.
Now before we start the next chapter I've realized that despite Fallen Pine Trees being a sequel, many of you may not have read its predecessor story Birth of the Mystery Shack (Alternate Version). If that is the case, then I must inform those who haven't read it that in this Gravity Falls world that I'm writing about, there are some major changes such as how Grunkle Stan never had a twin brother named Stanford Pines; in fact, Stanford Pines is Grunkle Stan's real name. How he acquires the first journal, and what he's done with the huge teleporter device under the Mystery Shack are all explained in the predecessor story.
Fallen Pine Trees
Chapter 4: Truth be Told "What they think"
Dipper knew this day would come. He'd been expecting it for weeks now. He'd been thinking of all sorts of ideas for how he could prepare himself for what was happening now. Though at the moment, all those ideas were hidden by thick layers of fear and nervousness. Arising from his girlfriend's parents, Preston and Priscilla Northwest.
The billionaire couple had come over sometime while Dipper, Mabel, Soos, and Wendy were off facing the Society of the Blind Eye. Apparently, they'd discovered the truth about his and Pacifica's secret relationship through their own sources.
At the moment Dipper, his great-uncle Stanford Pines, Pacifica, and her parents were all sitting at the living room table, inside the Mystery Shack. Mabel, (refusing to get involved in Dipper's problem after he'd betrayed her), Wendy and Soos, (Stanford was not was not happy with his employees missing work for most of the day), had all gone out to different places each.
Before they'd gone into the living room, Pacifica had informed Dipper that her parents had figured out the truth on their own, and after getting her to admit it, decided to pay a visit to the Mystery Shack.
"So Mason," said Preston. Ending the awkward silence that had filled the room for like five minutes now.
"Actually everyone calls me Dipper," Dipper corrected, (even though he kind of hated his nickname, but his parents and sister kept calling him that).
"I refuse to call you Dipper. Especially if you're dating my sole heir," replied Preston in response.
"I agree," said Priscilla. "Mason sounds more sophisticated than Dipper.'
'Mason does sound cuter," said Pacifica. Also agreeing with her parents.
Not wanting to make the Northwest mad, (and since he liked how they preferred his actual name over his nickname), Dipper decided to drop it. "Mason it is.'
'Good. Now Mason, before you got back from wherever it is you were at, your great-uncle was gracious enough to give us a private tour of the Mystery Shack; as well as provide us with some information about your hobbies. Specifically, your interest in unlocking the secrets discovered by the mysterious author. Who vanished nearly seventy years ago. Am I correct?'
'Well, well I uh…" stammered Dipper. Not expecting this sort of turn in the conversation
"Am I, or am I not correct Mason?" Preston asked again. Not liking how Dipper was stammering.
"Yes. Yes, you are correct sir. I've been studying the author's journals for weeks now. Unfortunately, all my leads, including one I was just investigating today, have led to dead end's.'
'And do you have any plans for after graduating high school?" Priscilla asked.
"Well, I hoped to get into a big university, study everything related to the supernatural, and archeology. Then get my Ph.D.'s in both subjects, and become a famous, (and rich), explorer.'
'Hmm, interesting," Preston said as he put his fingers around his chin in thought. "Well, you certainly do have big plans. I'll give you that. Now since you've been dating our daughter for two weeks, has your opinion about how our family "founded Gravity Falls" changed?'
'I still don't like it. However, given how much of an embarrassment Quentin Trembley was to the country. It's probably best that the world doesn't remember him. Though I wish I'd realized this before my sister and I let him loose.'
'I'm glad to see we're on the same page here. And don't worry about Trembley. I have received word from my sources that the "so-called president" has been captured, and locked far, far, far away." Preston assured.
"Well, that's good then. I think," said Dipper.
"Excellent. Perhaps you may not be such a bad boyfriend for my daughter after all," said Preston.
"Really?" Dipper asked. Feeling himself fill with excitement.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Mason. Honestly, I hated you the moment we met, "during Irrational Treasure". To me, you're nothing but a worthless peasant. However, my wife and I have tried multiple times to set Pacifica up with rich capitalists her age. Each meeting failing results. You on the other hand, despite what I think of you, actually have potential. You're nothing like your relatives…'
'I take offence to that," interrupted Stanford.
"Don't care." Said Preston before continuing. "You're smart and have plans to be rich and successful, which are the traits of a Northwest, or an in-law." That last part causing Dipper and Pacifica to blush. "Therefore I will allow you to continue dating my daughter, under strict watch. Meaning that if once I find you being unworthy, then you will never ever see my daughter again. I have ways of making you disappear. Understand?'
'Gulp. I understand Mr. Northwest," replied Dipper.
"Good. Now," Preston said while looking at his watch, "we have to get going. I have clients coming over for dinner in a few hours.'
'Ah yes," said Priscilla. Sitting up, (along with her husband), and walking towards the door. "C'mon Pacifica."
After giving her boyfriend a quick kiss on the lips, Pacifica also sat up, meeting her parents at the door.
"I'll call you later," she said before her mother moved her out the door.
"Okay," Dipper called out.
"Remember Pines, I'll be watching you." Preston said one more time, giving Dipper the "I'm watching you" hand gesture, before slamming the door shut.
Dipper just stared at the closed door, (with his Grunkle Stan walking over to stand beside him), listening to the sound of the Northwest's limo driving away.
When he could no longer hear the sound of the Northwest's limo, Dipper turned his head upwards towards his Grunkle Stan and began to apologize.
"I'm sorry that I lied to you, Grunkle Stan. It's just that...'
'Are you kidding me? I'm proud of you." Interrupted Stan. Who even clasped his hand on Dipper's shoulder as well. "You struck a goldmine. Something I failed to do a dozen time.'
'So you aren't mad that I lied to you for two weeks about what I was doing?" Asked Dipper.
"Kid I've been lying to this town for nearly fifty years. Plus it's not the first time you lied to me. I mean you had that journal for a month before you told me about it.'
'Yeah, I guess you're right," Dipper said in agreement. "Thanks for understanding.'
'No prob kid. No prob. Just remember to give me some of the loot once you become Mr. Northrich."
And there you have it. The last of the Truth be Told chapters. Now we'll see how Dipper and Pacifica's relationship continues to develop. While at the same time, see how whether or not Dipper and Mabel's sibling bond holds together.
Hope you all like how I displayed Pacifica's parents. I didn't want them to destroy Dipper and Pacifica's relationship because I want the outside tension to arise from Mabel. Plus it'll be interesting to see Dipper's twin bond deteriorates even more as he gets closer to the Northwest's.
Special thanks to New Yorktown for the idea of how to portray Stan's reaction to Dipper and Pacifica's relationship. Honestly, I'd been more focused on the Northwest parents that I hadn't thought of Stan's reaction to Dipper and Pacifica's relationship.
