I do not own Gravity Falls.

Prompt: Volunteer

Volunteer Elf

Walking across the scuffed hardwood floor, Mabel approached the candle rack. She studied her choices and selected one in which the label advertised an apple cider smell. Before she could take an experimental sniff, she heard a slight commotion coming from the front of the shop. Intrigued, her natural curiosity lured her in that direction, where she paused behind a shelf of cutesy calendars.

"Please," a little girl pleaded, clutching a crystal angel to her chest. "I can come back later with the rest of the money."

The cashier behind the counter looked sincerely sympathetic. "I'm sorry, sweetie, I really am. But you don't even have half of what you need. I just can't give it to you."

The girl's eyes glossed with tears. "But…I wanted to give it to my mom for a Christmas present."

Mabel's heart ached, and she noticed a collection of coins on the surface of the counter. She strode forwards and dug into her purse, removing a couple of bills. "Here," she said, leaning over the startled girl and handing them to the cashier. "Will this cover it?"

Quickly counting, the cashier smiled. "Yes. I'll get the change."

"Keep it," said Mabel. Turning to the red-haired girl, she said cheerfully, "That's a very pretty angel. I'm sure your mom will love it."

Her freckled face lit up and she tackled Mabel in a hug. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Don't mention it. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas!"

She rushed out of the shop with a glow about her. The cashier turned to Mabel and said gratefully, "That was really nice of you to do that."

"It was really nothing," insisted Mabel.

"I wanted to give it to her, but store policy just wouldn't allow it. If the cash doesn't match the sales at the end of the day, I'm in trouble. Her mother will appreciate the gift. They've fallen on hard times lately."

Mabel had not missed how the girl was not wearing enough layers for the cold weather, or how her boots were ripped and had holes. Frowning softly at that, she bid the cashier goodbye before leaving the quaint shop, forgetting about her candle search.

She had a much more important quest to go on.

…

Stan and Ford were playing a game of cards in the living room when she returned. Shrugging off her jacket and slinging it over the arm of the chair, she ventured towards the slim foldable table they were sitting at.

"Grunkle Stan, Grunkle Ford, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Course you can, pumpkin. What's up?"

Stan and Ford instantly locked attentive gazes on her. "I was at Michelle's, the craft store in town, and there was a little redhead girl who wanted to buy a gift for her mother. But she didn't have enough money and was really upset. I got it for her, and the cashier told me that her family was having a hard time this year. I was wondering if you might know who she was."

Ford thought for a moment. "I don't know her first name, but I believe her surname is Hannigan. Her father runs an online business and it isn't doing so well. He's taken a part-time job and he's doing what he can."

"I didn't know anyone in Gravity Falls was having financial difficulty," said Mabel quietly.

"Every place suffers from hard times, kiddo. It's life, unfortunately. But you know what makes some days more bearable others?" Stan tapped her chin affectionately. "People like you."

"I'd like to help more, if I can. But I need some help."

Ford regarded her curiously. "What do you need?"

"I want to give the Hannigan family a Christmas. I think everyone deserves a Christmas, and if I can help give someone that, I want to do it."

Stan exchanged looks with Ford and they both smiled. "Tell us what you want us to do and we'll get on it," assured Ford. "I'm sure your brother will love to help as well."

Grinning widely, Mabel exclaimed, "Thank you!" She hugged them both and charged upstairs, her mind already racing with ideas on how to make this Christmas special for the Hannigan family.

…

"Dad, how come Mr. Jones asked you to chop firewood? Doesn't this town have a lumberjack for that?"

Trudging through the snow pulling a sleigh loaded with logs of wood, Jack Hannigan looked at his son. "I'm sure the Corduroy family is especially busy this time of year. I don't mind helping. It is my job, after all."

Sean wrinkled his nose. "I don't see why he can't do it himself."

"Don't be rude," his mother chided. "Mr. Jones has been very kind to us. Besides, it gives us a chance to spend the day together."

"I had fun," Sarah spoke, holding the hand of her toddler brother Patrick. "I wish there was a tree small enough for us to chop down."

Exchanging glances with her husband, Danielle said carefully, "Maybe we'll have a look tomorrow."

After dropping the wood off at the shop, the Hannigan family made their way home. Sarah rushed ahead of the others and burst through the front door. The small foyer was attached to the living room, and after staring in disbelief at the sight before her she let out a shriek.

"What's wrong?" Jack exclaimed, rushing to join her, the rest of his family not far behind.

They were all bereft of speech for a moment as they took in the state of their living room. A Christmas tree stood in front of the living room window, gold garland and white lights already glinting between the branches. There were boxes of ornaments resting neatly under it, painted pinecones, sparkly baubles and crystal angels. There were over a dozen presents neatly wrapped and there were stockings attached to the fireplace, already bulging with Christmas treats. There were plastics bags near the kitchen, enough food for a Christmas meal.

"We have a tree!" squealed Sarah. "Can we decorate it? Please?"

"Who—Who did all this?" whispered Danielle.

"Santa," said Sarah simply.

Sean rolled his eyes. "It's not Christmas yet. Why would Santa come before Christmas Eve?"

Moving over to the fireplace, almost in a daze, Jack lifted up the card that rested on top. "Merry Christmas," he read aloud. "I hope this makes your holiday a little more special for you and your family. Santa is pretty busy this time of year, but he wanted me to help in his place. Much love, a Christmas elf."

"Oh." Overwhelmed by this kind gesture, Danielle's eyes welled with tears. "I can't believe this."

Jack let out a disbelieving laugh. "This is…this is amazing. A Christmas miracle from a generous soul."

"But who could have done it?" asked Danielle, lifting a squirming Patrick up into her arms.

"There's no name. They just addressed themselves as a Christmas elf." Placing the card carefully back into place, Jack beamed, immense gratitude welling within him. "Sean, help me put away these groceries. We'll decorate the tree once we're done."

As her family moved into the kitchen, Sarah hurried into her room and retirved the package she wrapped for her mother. She put it under the tree with the rest of her presents and smiled broadly.

She had a good idea of who the Christmas elf was.

…

"I'm proud of you, pumpkin. You did a great deed for that family."

The four Pines family members were sitting in the armchair, watching the television. Mabel blushed under Stan's praise. "It was really nothing. I couldn't have done it without your help."

"Why didn't you sign the card?" asked Ford curiously.

"I don't need them to know who did it. I just want them to be happy and have a great Christmas. That's enough of a reward for me. I mean, if you have the power to make people happy, you should do it."

Ford wrapped an arm around Mabel's shoulders, squeezing affectionately. "If only the world had more people like you."

"Should I worry about you running off to really become one of Santa's elves?" asked Dipper in amusement. "Because I think he's going to recruit you one of these days."

"Nah. That means I'd have to leave you dorks behind," said Mabel with a grin. "I could never do that. But I don't mind being his volunteer elf."