Mabel's POV

I all but threw the still unopened last box down in my bedroom. The new apartment was smaller and the kids would probably have a hard time adjusting to a smaller space, especially considering we were in our last apartment for just one year. Hopefully I would be able to keep this place for over a year, give Tammie and Tyrone some time to get settled in.

"Mom!" one of them called to me.

"Yes?"

"Where do we put our games?" It was Tammie.

"Out of sight, out of mind!" I replied.

My best guess was that those games would be shoved under their bunk bed. A long time ago, I'd found it easier to buy just a bunk bed instead of two separate beds. The twins loved it ever since they got it. The only problem was who got the top bunk. It settled on Tyrone, who eventually regretted it when he had to climb down a ladder every time he wanted to get out of bed. He then tried to trade places with his sister, but she'd already realized that the bottom was better.

Thankfully I wouldn't have to worry about any fights breaking out because Tyrone liked having his little routines and wasn't partial to change. He would be a little irritable until the stress of moving wore off.

I took out some of my clothes and hung them in the closet, trying to think about how much longer I could hold down my job as a waitress. My manager was getting tired of me already—I knew from the beginning he didn't like me. The reason was unknown, but it probably had something to do with being a single mom of two children.

It was the exact opposite with my part-time job as a cashier. I would be very willing to quit that job if not for Tammie and Tyrone. My manager there creeped me out, always asking me on dates no matter how many times I said no. He knew I had two kids at home and he knew I had the night shift for my third job, which didn't really leave any time for a date. He also knew I didn't want anything to do with him and that I would much rather our relationship be strictly professional. There were other females out there he could be chasing but for some reason, he always came after me.

With the amazing and fun night shift in a warehouse, my manager didn't care whatsoever. He didn't really care about any of his female employees. He held this stupid belief that men were better workers than women. I was lucky to have gotten that job but it felt like I could get replaced by a man at any time. With that job, my gender was a threat in itself.

I finished hanging my clothes and moved the box over to a corner, where it wouldn't be in anyone's way.

If I had to get pregnant, why couldn't it have waited until after I finished high school? I would actually have some free time that way and my life wouldn't be this stressful. I wouldn't be so quick to fall asleep. Tammie and Tyrone were my entire world, but if I could've waited an extra year before having them, that would've been great. I would be able to get a better-paying job that I could actually hold down. We might even have a house instead of an apartment—not that there was anything wrong with an apartment, but after twelve years, a house would be great. I couldn't give Tammie and Tyrone the life I had when I was growing up. That was what hurt me most.

I sat on the edge of my bed and sighed.

And at first I thought it was a car passing by my window, but then realized that I didn't have a window in my bedroom, which made me wonder what in the world a flash that bright could be. The answer revealed itself seconds later.

"Yeah, the sweet life, huh? That'd be great," a very recognizable voice said.

I looked up to find—naturally—Bill. His yellow color, single eye, black bowtie, cane, and triangular figure were unmistakable. But his voice... Oh, that voice...I hated it. Ever since he took over Dipper's body I'd despised this demon; this...this Illuminati symbol of evil and insanity combined.

"Why are you here?" I growled.

Chances were, he didn't come for my kids. If he did, he would never have shown himself to me.

He ignored my question. "Boy, this place is a little small for a family of three."

I hoped he knew he was only making me hate him more, if possible. Right now he was worse than Pacifica.

"I'm trying," I spat.

He floated over to my door and leaned against it as though it was some sort of recliner.

"I sure do feel bad for your kids. And hey, who knew it would be twins! Man, that must've been a shocker for you."

"Why are you here?" I repeated.

"Oh don't worry, I'm not here for Tammie or Tyrone if that's what you're thinking."

"Then what are you after? My body this time? You ruined your chances with that when you tricked my brother."

He laughed. "Ah, your brother. I can't say I care much for either of you twins anymore but I'm willing to let go of the past...which seems to be something you're having a hard time doing."

"I'm over the incident," I argued.

"No, I'm not talking about your brother. I've been watching you and I have to say, I'm impressed with how hard you're trying. But do you really think it's enough? I mean, you're raising twins here, not a parakeet. On top of that, something tells me you're a little exhausted. Am I right? Yes? No? You sure look the part with those bags under your eyes."

I flushed and rubbed my eyes about as hard as I could.

"Why are you telling me all this? I'm doing just fine taking care of my kids," I retorted.

He rolled his one eye and replied, "Oh, sure you are. That would explain why you've never had a house before. I'm sure it also explains why you told them your brother was dead. I mean really, if I had kids I wouldn't have done this."

I frowned and let him continue.

"It's pitiful if you ask me. And your family would probably hate you now—keeping this big secret all these years would certainly have a price on it. Phew, you have really gotten yourself into a jam."

"So did you come here to make me feel bad or what?" In all honesty it was working.

He waved a dismissive hand...thing. Was it a hand or just a black stick that looked kind of like a hand...?

"I was just pointing out some facts before I get to the point. I know you don't necessarily trust me after the whole 'taking over your brother's body and trying to steal his journal' thing, but I'm willing to help you give yourself and your kids a better life."

Like I would trust him to help me out...

"What does an innocent little angel like you want in return? I know you don't do anything without making deals first and judging from what happened with Dipper, you never even kept your end of the bargain," I said.

"That was different for several reasons. But yeah, something this big would make a good deal. I mean, what kind of selfish mother wouldn't take the help where she could get it? Anyway, it looks like I'll be going now—"

"Wait, what about the deal?!"

Not another word before the same bright flash of light came and went, replaced by our new apartment.

I wasn't a selfish mother...was I? I worked three jobs to take care of my kids; that had to be far from selfish. But this was Bill. He was probably trying to manipulate me into doing something he wanted while I would end up being the one suffering from it. Thankfully he gave the choice of whether or not I would want to accept his deal...whatever that was.

I was doing fine. One of these days, I would go back to school, get my diploma, and get an actual job. Then things would get better and Bill wouldn't have anything on me.

But I did want to know what he wanted from me...

Dipper's POV

I took a deep breath of good ol' Gravity Falls air as I stepped off the bus, bags in hand and signature town souvenir cap on. Today was the day I would be settled in for good. I would have a job, family nearby, friends to hang out with, and people I knew as acquaintances.

So much had changed. My house was finally built, meaning I could live in Gravity Falls—and of course, visit my parents every now and then, including all holidays. My job was dedicated entirely to the Mystery Shack now, where my basic college degree earned me a special title. While Grunkle Stan was still top dog, I was the manager and next in line to take over the business. Exciting? Yes. Easy? No. Wendy still worked here part-time and Soos worked full-time. I had to manage them both, although Soos was pretty easy. Wendy was still laid back and a little carefree.

Amazingly though, nobody had any kids except for Candy and Grenda—but they never came to the shack anymore. Since Mabel was no longer around they found no reason to come here. Candy got married when she was twenty-two and Grenda got married two years after. Likewise, Candy had her baby first and Grenda had her baby next—this time only one year after Candy. From what I'd heard about them, their kids were close friends. I never really kept up with them anymore, so that was really all I knew about what had become of them.

As for Wendy, she had a husband but it turned out, they couldn't have kids—the details on that were unclear. I still remember Stan giving Wendy an entire week off because of how absolutely devastated she was. Nobody ever spoke of that subject since we heard about it but things had gone back to normal with her.

Stan was unmarried, which would come as no surprise.

Soos...well... Soos was engaged...and um, had been engaged for many years now. He'd kept his relationship with Melody for some time until finally, he decided to propose...online. I swore, that man was this town's real mystery.

And then there was me. I'd had a few girlfriends before but I never took them seriously. I never found the right girl, so here I was now, still single. It wasn't really that bad. I didn't need a wife and I didn't really want kids. Waking up all the time in the middle of the night and still having to get up early for work the very next day just didn't appeal to me.

On the topic of Mabel, I'd grown used to not having her around. I still thought about her but I certainly didn't like thinking about her. The day I woke to find that one little note she left behind was probably the most painful day of my entire life. After I'd finally started to get over that, memories of Mabel—of pretty much my whole childhood—were locked up in the back of my mind so I wouldn't have to suffer from it. Now I rarely thought of her and when I did it was fleeting. I didn't like the loneliness and nostalgia that came with those thoughts. There were still times, though, that I wondered what ever happened to her and what those "reasons" were—after all, these "reasons" were strong enough to make her leave everything and everyone behind. And with what? Just a piece of paper to say farewell.

A/N

Why did I shift from Mabel's POV to Dipper's? You know about Mabel's life, now it's time to show you Dipper's. I'm still deciding on who everyone is married to and all that. I just can't see Dipper getting married yet and part of that is because deep down, he knows Mabel won't be attending his wedding (that's not described in the story because he doesn't even realize that's part of it).

And wo-ho-ho! Now there's BILL? What in the world does BILL want?

And don't worry, I'm still working on A Rose Without Petals. I'm having a bit of trouble on the next chapter though, which is why it's taking longer. :( I wanted to update sooner... Really sorry for the delay, everyone.