Starfall

Chapter 38 - Adieu

The summer months went by blissfully and soon Mabel was saying goodbye to her cousin Zaharah. Cade of course was leaving too which was even harder. She had grown close to Cade over the last few weeks. She had reveled in the summer afternoons running through the woods, the late nights staying up talking on the porch and playing games with the family together. She would miss Cade. He and  Zaharah had become part of the family and though she knew it was not forever her heart was sad to see them go.

Zaharah smiled, "We will be back Mabel. We won't be gone forever. We will see you before your fall semester starts." Mabel nodded and ensconced her in a bear hug, "Don't forget us while you're gone." Zaharah laughed, "Short to a vicious blow to the head I don't think that's possible." Dipper grinned at that. "Stay safe and if you see anything interesting bring  it back to the lab and Ford and I can take a closer look at it." Zaharah grinned, "Will do Cuz. Now you two and Pacifica have a great summer and we will see you soon."

Then she smiled and said, "I'll leave you guys with Cade to say your goodbyes." She waved a casual hand to the twins and Pacifica before heading over to say goodbye to Ford. Dipper put a hand on Mabel's shoulder. Mabel sighed contently, "I'm going to miss her." Dipper smiled, "Me to Mabes...Me too."

Cade stepped over to Mabel as Dipper stepped away. "Well, it's time." Mabel took both his larger hands placing her small hands inside his. "Don't remind me." Cade laughed, "I'll stay in touch, and send you regular pictures." Mabel buried her face in his chest. "As long as they're of you," she mumbled into his shirt wrapping her arms around his torso. Cade laughed warmly.

He then stood up, "But before I go I wanted to give you something." Mabel perked up. Cade reached into his pocket. He pulled out a purple stone. It was a flat translucent crystal that was flat on one side like a fat pancake. The one side was smooth as glass. Cade held the stone and whispered. "Show me Mabel yesterday at four fifteen."

To Mabel's astonishment, her face and Dipper's appeared. She was eating some pecan pie with Dipper while talking about their day. Dipper had been laughing because Mabel had once again somehow managed to get whipped cream all over her nose and not notice it. Dipper was almost falling off his chair laughing when Mabel took the bowl of whipped cream and dumped the remainder of it on top of his head. He was shocked at first while Mabel laughed and snorted in a less than dignified manner. A moment later he retaliated by hugging Mabel and smearing the whipped cream all over her. She screamed and squealed trying to get away. Eventually, Stan had barked at them to both go outside and clean up. In the end, he had hosed them both down with the garden hose before he let them back inside.

Mabel turned to Cade her eyes filled with joy. Cade smiled, "It can show you anyone in your family whenever you wish and it can recall past memories for your leisure. Also, you can find me with it. That way it won't seem so long in between visits." Mabel smiled and said, "It's perfect." Cade leaned over and kissed her gently. Mabel's foot popped up with joy. Dipper turned his head, "Woah...yeah didn't need to see that." Pacifica just grinned.

Cade finished saying goodbye while Ford spoke to Zaharah. Ford said, "Now I know the Cerulean Empire is gone now but do try to be careful out there." Zaharah grinned toothily. "I can look after myself believe it or not...I'm a Pines after all." Ford grinned. "That you are. Speaking of which I had one last thing I wanted to give you before you left."

Ford fished a small box out of his pocket. He set it down and pushed a button on the lid. The box levitated up to eye level and disassembled itself. Left floating in mid-air was a beautiful ring with intricate filigree and delicate architecture. Ford breathed in softly, "It was your mother's. For the longest time, I left it buried in the house she died in. But finding you...Meeting you...I was able to face that part of my life and remember what was worth holding on to. I want you to have this."

He took the ring and placed it in the palm of her hand. "Give it to your daughter someday when you have one." Zaharah frowned, "I...I can't take this. I know how much this means to you." Ford smiled, "When you're hiding from your past it means nothing. You are my future."

Ford closed her fingers over the ring sealing it inside her hands. "The future lives on in you." Zaharah was silent for a moment just watching her father. "I'll make you proud," she said softly. He laughed softly and smiled, "You already have."

Dipper and Mabel hugged Zaharah goodbye. "Don't be a stranger!" Mabel called. "And if you send stuff to Dipper and Ford to study send them a prank one every so often to keep them on their toes." Dipper frowned and Zaharah laughed, "I will!"

Dipper put an arm over Mabel and Pacifica put her chin on Dipper's shoulder as she put her arm over Dipper and Mabel. They watched the sun setting on the valley as the sky glowed like golden wildfire. Mabel smiled and said, "If this summer was cool can you imagine what next summer will be like?!?" Dipper and Pacifica laughed. Another summer had come and gone but adventure seemed to have a way of finding them irrespective. Next year would reveal its secrets in turn.