Three years had flown by since that rainy night in Gravity Falls. The Mystery Shack was the same eclectic mix of bizarre and quaint, but for those of us who called it home, everything had changed. I moved back permanently last year after Ford and I invented a device that changed the game in dimensional exploration. It brought us wealth, but I chose to stay at the Shack because it felt like the only place I truly belonged.
Mabel was visiting from Portland, where she and Wendy had surprised us all by falling in love. Soos and Melody were expecting their first child any day now, which had us all eagerly anticipating another addition to our extended family.
As I sat in the kitchen with Mabel, sketching out plans for a proposal, the comfort of home surrounded me. Mabel, ever the romantic, was throwing out wild ideas involving fireworks, holograms, and even a parade. I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head at her enthusiasm.
“Mabel, I think I just want it to be simple. Something that feels right for us,” I said, folding the paper. “Besides, Pacifica’s not exactly a fireworks and parades kind of girl anymore.”
Mabel pouted but nodded, leaning back in her chair. “Okay, fine. But you have to make it special, at least! Maybe buy a llama museum and propose there!”
Just then, the door creaked open, and Pacifica walked in. Her eyes were red and puffy, and my heart skipped a beat. Had she overheard us? Had something happened?
I stood up immediately, crossing the room in a few strides. “Paz, what’s wrong?” I asked, pulling her into a hug.
Despite her tears, she wore a smile that confused me. Then she pulled something from her pocket—a pregnancy test. My eyes widened as I processed what I was seeing. It was positive.
“I don’t know if I’m supposed to be happy or sad. Is it a bad thing?” Her voice was shaky, and she looked at me, searching for reassurance.
A grin spread across my face as I pulled her in tighter. “It’s not a bad thing at all,” I said, feeling a rush of excitement and disbelief. “It’s incredible.”
Mabel, who had been watching with wide eyes, gestured to me frantically. She mouthed, “Propose now!”
I hesitated for just a moment, looking around at the familiar, worn-out kitchen. This wasn’t the grand proposal I’d been planning, but somehow, it felt perfect.
Pulling back slightly, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small ring box. I got down on one knee, and Pacifica gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
“Pacifica Elise Northwest, will you marry me?” I asked, my heart racing. The words tumbled out in a rush, but they felt right.
Her eyes filled with fresh tears, but this time they were tears of joy. “Yes! Oh my God, yes!” she squealed, throwing her arms around my neck as I stood up.
I slipped the ring onto her finger, and she laughed, holding her hand out to admire it through her tears. Mabel clapped excitedly, bouncing in her seat.
“I can’t believe this,” Pacifica said, her voice full of wonder. “Everything is happening all at once.”
“Yeah, but it’s all good things,” I replied, brushing a tear from her cheek. “We’re going to have a family.”
The future felt more uncertain and exciting than ever before, but standing there in that kitchen, holding Pacifica close, I knew we could handle anything together. The Mystery Shack might be an unusual place for a new beginning, but for us, it was the perfect start to our next adventure.
