Dipcifica: New summer, New start...

Chapter 44

Welcome, one and all, to the final chapter of New Summer, New Start. this was an amazing journey. I enjoyed every single supportive comment, and cherished the feeling of joy that this story gave me. thank you all.

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Pacifica's POV

A day passed. Then two days. Then a week. Still no sign of the Stans.

"I'm so worried," Mabel told me. "They should've come by now!" She buried her head in her sweater.

"Yeah," I admitted, not trying to sugarcoat it any longer. "Maybe we should just-"

"No!" Mabel exclaimed. "I'm not giving up."

"Hmmm." I looked up at the stairs. "I'm going to see Dipper. Be right back."

Dipper was in bed, looking contented for the first time in two weeks. He was writing furiously in his journal, eyes darting this way and that, hand moving like a tornado.

"Hey, Einstein," I greeted,

"Oh, hi," he barely glanced up at me.

"Where do you think your grunkles are at?" I sat down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

"I don't know," this seemed to catch his attention and he put down the book. "I'm worried."

"Yeah."

"You know, if we don't make it out through all of this..."

"Don't talk like that! Of course we'll make it out. Just like last time."

"Yeah, yeah. But i'm just saying, if, and note the if, we don't make it, I want you to know something,"

I trained my eyes on him, heart leaping to my chest. "Yeah?"

"I..."he trailed off. "I want to thank you. For everything."

"Awww, psht." I waved my hand. "It's nothing."

"No, not like that. Pacifica, I'm in love with you!" he blurted, and then covered his mouth, blushing furiously, and turned away.

I was frozen in time. Never had I even imagined this moment; well, maybe a couple times, but not in these circumstances.

Without thinking, my lips moved on their own. "I am too."

Dipper's eyes widened. I felt to room leaning, leaning with me...

And we kissed. Right there and then.

When it was all over, I looked at him, eyes wide and starting to fill with tears. I realized the reality of Dipper's question...would we make it out alive?

After a quick goodbye, I rushed down the stairs. I couldn't bear being with him any longer, knowing the odds were piling against us.

Another week passed.

On the second day of the next week, we heard something outside. Something that sounded like a helicopter with engine problems.

Soos peeked out the door. Across the street past the woods, a sort of contraption was descending, sputtering and coughing up smoke. Zack sidled up to the door and squinted his eyes. "It looks like one of those flying boats in TV shows and cartoons,"

He was right. The machine had two weathered wooden wings that poked out of the sides, two torn-up propellers tied to the back, and a boat base. Everyone lined up for a glance.

We watched as two figures exited from a plank in the side and started toward the shack.

My heart leapt in joy. The Stans were back.