Pointdexter: A Swooning Over Stan-fiction

Chapter Fifty-Five: Flowers and Cups

Alice leaned against the doorframe leading into the Shack's gift shop, her eyes following Ella as she stocked shelves and chatted with customers. It was strange, to see Ella come out of her shell this way after such an abrasive start to the week. But it was a welcome change to all the stress it had brought with it.

She couldn't help but be proud of how quickly Ella was adapting to her new environment, no matter how temporary it was. How she had won over not just Mabel and Ford, somehow, but the customers who'd stopped by the gift shop.

Alice glanced at Ford, standing at the other side of the doorframe from her. She lifted her cup, sipping.

"If I didn't know any better," She started slowly, testing the words. "I'd think that you did something to my daughter."

"I assure you, I haven't done anything to your daughter," Ford replied with mock innocence, a wry smile playing on his lips. "I do have a certain charm, but I haven't cast any spells on her if that's what you're implying."

"Charm, perhaps," Alice chuckled, shaking her head. "But charm doesn't sway a girl who, not two days ago, hated the idea of working at the shack into the smiling and friendly creature in there."

Ford chuckled, his expression amused but slightly more serious than he had been before. He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossing over his chest.

"Well, I'll admit, I may have had some influence on her change of heart," He admitted, his voice nonchalant. "But it wasn't charm or magic."

Alice nodded, turning her attention back to Ella, who was laughing at something one of the customers had muttered. A swell of pride erupted in her chest at the sight. Part of her hadn't expected Ella to take to the charm of Gravity Falls, but something in Ella was different.

"It was you," Alice smiled, lifting her cup to her lips. "Whatever you did while I was shopping... It worked."

"I just had a chat with her," Ford said with a shrug as if trying to downplay the compliment. "I like to think I have a way with words, so perhaps I just... Spoke the right ones."

"You've always had a way with words, bee," Alice smiled, shifting against the doorframe to look at him.

"You always did like my words," He chuckled a hint of affection in his voice. "Even when I was rambling on about obscure theories and quantum states."

"I find your intellectual prowess very attractive," Alice confessed, reaching a hand to him. He stepped closer, closing the distance between them.

"You have a penchant for flattering me with your words," He teased gently, his voice low and affectionate. Alice chuckled, wrapping her arm around his back and pulling him closer.

"Old habits die hard," She murmured, leaning against the doorframe. A hum of contentment escaped Ford as he rested against her.

"Old habits indeed," He agreed, his voice low and intimate. "But I can't say I mind being the subject of your flattery."

"If you two are gonna flirt can you do it somewhere else?" Ella called out. 

Alice glanced over at her daughter, a small smile passing her lips when she found her glaring over a stack of mugs. Ford chuckled, a smirk playing across his lips as he glanced at Ella, then back at Alice, his brow raising.

"Oh dear," He teased, his voice filled with mock-dramatic worry. "It seems we've been caught by the resident sass master."

"I'll beat you out with a broom if you don't knock it off, nerd," Ella snorted, rolling her eyes. Alice wasn't sure she heard it right at first, but it almost sounded endearing.

Ford feigned a look of mock-shock, a hand clutching at his chest dramatically.

"Ah! Such threats from such a lovely young woman!" He exclaimed, his tone theatrical. "I surrender, I surrender. Mercy, I beseech thee, mercy!"

"You're so weird," Ella snorted, shaking her head and returning to her cup stacking.

Alice chuckled, shaking her head, "You're a menace, bee."

"I've been called worse," Ford pointed out with a shrug, his tone light. "And 'menace' coming from you almost sounds like a compliment."

Alice rolled her eyes, slipping her hand into his and leaning against his shoulder. She took a deep breath, propping her cup on her hip and relaxing into the feeling of him as his arm wrapped around her.

"You look comfortable there," Ford observed, his voice soft and affectionate.

"I'm deeply content," Alice replied, setting her cup on the nearest flat surface and slipping her free arm around his back. "The love of my life and my daughter, getting along like they've known each other for years. How could I not be?"

"I must confess," He murmured, pulling her close against him. "This week has been far more enjoyable than I could ever have anticipated."

Alice hummed in agreement.

Part of her had been worried when Ella started asking questions about the divorce and the messy aftermath. The questions had ranged from why Alice had asked for a divorce to when she had met Ford. It had been shocking at first, but the more Ella asked, the easier Alice found it to explain her side of the story.

"You've left your mark on both of us," Alice muttered, turning her gaze up to meet Ford's. "I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you for that."

Ford's eyes were soft as he met her gaze, his expression warm and affectionate. He lifted a hand, gently caressing her cheek with tender touches.

"There's no need for thanks," He whispered, his voice low and earnest. "Seeing the two of you happy is all the payment I need."

Alice leaned into his touch, closing her eyes and savoring the feeling of his warmth.

"It doesn't seem like enough," She confessed, turning her lips into his palm. "Not when I have my little girl back."

"It's more than enough," Ford insisted, his voice low and almost hoarse. His free hand reached out, resting on her other cheek and framing her face. "You... You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you like this. Peaceful, content."

"I swear to God if you two don't get outta here-" Ella called out from the gift shop. 

Alice laughed, her face pinkening as she caught Ford's wrists in hers. Ford chuckled, mirth and sheepishness glimmering in his eyes. Alice led his hands to her shoulders.

"Caught again,' Ford said in a mock-guilty tone. "I swear, she has a sixth sense when it comes to us."

Alice snorted, releasing his hands, reclaiming her empty cup, and turning toward the kitchen.

"Or maybe when it comes to your flowery language," She teased, slipping down the hall and out of sight of the shack's gift shop.

"Ah, yes, my 'flowery language'," He said, his tone playful and lighthearted. "The one thing that never seems to escape the sharp-tongued Ella's notice."