Chapter 20: The News

Dipper's POV

A couple weeks passed as Pacifica and I lived in our secret spot. Every other day some of the gang would come up and check up on us and bring supplies for us to live on. I got really good at fishing and catching wildlife which also learned to cook and serve from reading books I asked Mabel to bring.

I was worried that Pacifica would hate or grow tired of living in a tent with me. But she said it was a new experience for her and that as long as I stayed with her, she didn't care where or how she lived.

But after the news we received, I thought it might have been the end.

We found out after Mabel ran to our hideout with the newspaper in her hand. Stan had read and then sent Mabel to quickly bring it to us.

The title read, "CAR CRASH!"

We both read what it was about.

This week, a car crash occurred to the rich Mr. and Mrs. Northwest who have been restlessly searching for their missing daughter. They are currently being held in Gravity Fall's county hospital and after asking for an update this week, the doctors say it looks grim for the both of them.

Many are asking what will happen to those who work for or with them. With their daughter missing and no heir to the fortune, it is most likely that the money will go to the government. Meanwhile companies partnered with the Northwest wealth will most likely go bankrupt. Leaving thousands jobless, this will undoubtedly be a deathly blow to the American economy. While the government and said companies prepare for the worst, they pray that the Northwests have a quick recovery and their daughter be found.

"Oh my god!" Pacifica said.

I looked at her and my beloved girlfriend who looked like she had mix feelings about the whole thing.

"Are you ok?" I asked

"I don't know… I feel happy, sad, guilty…. I honestly don't know how to feel…" she answered

She didn't need to say why. I could guess that she felt happy because karma finally caught up to her heartless parents who thought of nothing but their wealth. But sad because even if, they got what they deserved, and after everything they did. They were still her parents. The only ones she'll ever have. Which would lead to her guilt. While she was out in hiding, they were on their death bed, with no clue about her whereabouts. Not to mention, the guilt that if something did happen to them, thousands of innocent workers would lose their jobs.

If this news was true, Pacifica would have to make a decision that would not just affect her, but thousands of lives.

"Dipper… Am I being selfish?" she asked.

"It doesn't matter. After everything you've been through, you deserve to be!" I said not wanting to have this conversation.

"But does that give me the right to possibly ruin so many lives?"

"Pacifica! Nothing out there matters! What matters is you. You should be able to choose your own life. How you want to live. Are you going to throw away everything we've worked for to keep you safe?" I asked.

But I meant me. Throw everything I've worked for. To throw all my plans and actions from the past aside, just because of who her parents were. It felt as if she was planning to throw me aside. That she was going to leave me. I didn't want that. I didn't even want to think about it.

Pacifica means everything to me. I wanted to keep her safe. Keep her for myself. I am willing to risk anything for her. I love her.

I felt like I was hyperventilating with all the thoughts that ran through my head.

But I felt a soft and warm grip wrap around me. Pacifica was hugging me.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to leave you behind whether I go back or not. I love you too Dipper. But being a Northwest, I have obligations. Not to my parents, but to everyone who is affected by our wealth." She said

I knew she was right. With the way she spoke, I could tell her maturity was showing. Thinking about how I was feeling, I realized I was being childish. Like Pacifica said, her revealing herself doesn't mean it's the end. Our love will keep us together no matter what. But there was one more thing I was still concerned about.

"What if it's a trap?..." I asked her worried.

"There's only one way to find out…" she said.

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Author Notes: Sorry it's so short and for not updating in so long. I have a lot of stories I'm trying to get to while being in college. My plate is full but I promise I'll try to update all my not-completed stories.