This is a short chapter but I wanted to check in on the Stans. There might be another chapter before March ends, I'm not making any promises.

Stan had just barely gotten used to sleeping on a boat, but he still wasn't used to waking up. His bones were old and creaked with the ship, and the rocking made him dizzy some mornings before he got his sea legs.

This morning was particularly disorienting because he woke up to his phone ringing.

He grabbed for it, knocking it off the shelf next to his bed. Then he reached down for it and tumbled out of bed as well. It was incredibly frustrating that he could take down a monster with no problem but he got KOed by trying to get out of bed.

Finally, he managed to find his bearings and answer the phone.

"Morning," he grumbled.

"Why didn't you tell us you had a daughter?" Dipper demanded.

"Why aren't you in school right now?"

"It's winter break. Answer the question."

"You want an honest answer?" Stan asked, standing up and swiveling to stretch out his back.

"Obviously." Stan could practically hear Dipper jotting down notes in the background.

"Cary is my only kid, and she'd never shown any interest in her mother before. I wanted to support her but being apart from her was hard. So I didn't talk about it."

"Cary said you wanted to protect her privacy."

"That too."

Dipper let out a frustrated groan. "None of this adds up."

"Sorry, kid. Real life isn't always a math equation."

Dipper pivoted, "Did you know she and Wendy were dating?"

"Yeah, they seem pretty happy together."

"That's good," Dipper said, sounding like he was chewing on his pen.

"Listen, kid, I know that it's awkward to see someone that you liked date someone else. But don't get all weird about Cary just because you're upset that Wendy is dating someone that isn't you."

"I'm over Wendy," Dipper said. "I'm upset because my family and friends are keeping secrets from me."

Stan sighed and rubbed his face. "Yeah, I'm sorry about. That's what Cary and I agreed on before the summer started. We just thought it would make things easier. How did Mabel take it?"

"Mabel is just excited for more friends."

"Yeah, I think you'll like Cary. She's a good kid."

"Yeah, she seems nice. But I can tell you're still keeping secrets."

"Cary's secrets are Cary's secrets, I can't tell you more."

"Fine. But I'm going to figure it out."

"Knock yourself out. Tell Mabel I said hi."

"Alright, tell Uncle Ford that I said hi."

They hung up and Stan headed for the shower, hoping to clear his head. Lying used to be second nature, when had he developed a conscience?

Maybe he was just old and tired. Maybe his family had gone through enough.

"What's eating you, Stanley?" Ford asked when he stepped out on the deck.

Ford was eating a granola bar. Stan's stomach and heart longed for real food. He would have legitimately killed someone for a breakfast platter from Greasy's diner.

"Dipper called this morning, he said hi. He wanted to know all about Cary and why we kept her from them."

Ford frowned sympathetically. "Do you think you made the right call?"

"Yes, er, maybe. This summer was hard for Cary and the last thing they needed was a couple of tween sleuths prying into their personal life. But secrets split families apart…"

Ford frowned. He'd been a big part of that initial split.

"You're not losing us that easily, Stanley. Dipper will get over it and everything will be smoothed over when they officially meet. What else is on your mind?"

"I'm sick of ship food. I want bacon and eggs."

Ford laughed. "That can be arranged. We're pulling into harbor tomorrow, to do a bit of treasure hunting. I'll find you an egg place."

Stan grinned and slung an arm around his brother.

"That's the greatest treasure of all," Stan said.

"Family?"

"Breakfast."