Gravity Pines

Part 2: Like a Dream

"Woah." About all, I could say as we walked down the new road that leads in and out of the mystery shack. The path had an exit and entrance, as the original dirt path only would allow a single car through, the trees remaining where they were to avoid problems, though as we came up closer to the shack we began to understand why the road was built. A shuttle car would roam up and unload a few more tourists, picking up a set that came walking out of the shack, and soon a familiar voice called out, though not having so much muffle behind it.

"Alright dudes and dudettes, Welcome to the Mystery Shack! Where all your dreams are possible! This is the last tour of the day so let's do it! " Soos stood in his fresh tux and fez hat, the goldfish logo freshly stitched and he even sported the eye patch still for effect. Mable and Me couldn't help but chuckle as we stood on the road barrier to avoid stepping in mud, the previous night's rain was light but still had its spots in the clearings. We would see the tall man turn to gesture to the trail path he was about to head into before his eye found us halfway down the road and he pauses. Though Mable was ready to yell, I quickly waved to him to let him know to go on as he smiled with the cheerfulness of a child, he had grown but that childlike glee was always able to brighten the day.

Once Soos went on to his tour we went ahead inside were a couple of customers were beginning to pick out the little snow globes and picture frames they wanted, a few novelties weird items still scattered on the countertop... good lord I hardly noticed it but as we walked inside me and Mable almost felt our jaws hit the floor as the shelving was new, the countertop now more modern and sleek, the cash register even had a card reader that took chips. ( Now with dip!.... per. ) Though as I look straight past the countertop, my expression softens to a bit of disappointment while Mabel squeals and rushes for Melody who is a little rounder on the belly with a clear baby on the way. " Oh, my gawd oh my god. " Somehow she always managed to say gawd first. " Why didn't you tell us you were expecting!?" Mable questions Melody while she merely laughs it off softly and rubs her stomach

"Heh well Soos wanted to surprise you guys but he might be realizing it now. We were so happy to hear you guys were coming back and he just couldn't believe he was going to be a daddy. " Mabel stared without guilt and in awe of the sight, we never really knew any pregnant women so this was as exciting as unicorns for her. I smile warmly and walk up to look at Melody's stomach and then her.

"Congrats, I know this means a lot to you both, especially Soos. " Melody had gotten the whole story the year after we visited last, it was right before their wedding and we had to miss it because of school. She accepted his fears of being a good dad, because he had been such a good friend to us without fail, and we sort of knew Melody would be perfect for him no matter what after that, then again she still accepted even after that video game tried to kill us so... there was that. " I figured you guys would have hired Wendy again, or is she taking a sick day? "

Melody watched me and saw as I looked about, almost as if expected a surprise, hello, only she reaches up and rubs the back of her neck. " She actually didn't apply this year, she came by a week ago like usual. Soos has been paying her more than your Gruncle because she was always here... well when you weren't distracting her with mysteries. Though I mentioned how she would see you guys again, she never brought up wanting to apply. I don't think she is as free as she used to be. " Melody spoke earnestly though I could tell she assumed the same as me just then.

"O-oh. Heh Of course she would have better things to do. " I Chuckle to hide my let down the best I could, Mabel having that knowing expression, her brow risen in a cocky manner... of course she knew. I brush off of the whole situation and soon look back to Melody with a gentle smile resting once more on my lips. " Hey Melody, mind if we head up and get unpacked? I want to head to the lab and... " Once more Melody had to give me a "Sorry" expression. I knew what that look meant and sighed out for a moment and nodded. " Ok, I'll head up and unpack, see you up there Mable. "

"Ok, bro. I'm going to catch up. " Mostly it was simply fun when she would double up her meanings, catch up with Melody, and then to me eventually, it was refreshing just having her nearby to ease my mind. I turn and head up to find much was changed, though the core of the shack was the same, Soos outdid himself with the gift shop addition to make room for the sideshows, it mostly gave ideas for miniatures that they sold, some even of the freaks that we met during weirdmageddon, oddly enough the most that sold was Paci-Fire, my guess... he looked like a troll.

I took my time unpacking my clothes and getting my journals out, pausing to look at the remakes I had begun, having spent the second summer with Ford replicating notes and leaving anything dangerous from the books. I had moved most of the notes to hardbacks, trying my best to remake everything from logo and alike, maybe one day make watered-down versions of the books to sell as fantasy books.

"Oh my god, can you believe it! We are back. Woo woo! " Mabel busted in with her usual energy rush before making her way to her side of the room and beginning to unpack all of her kits and alike onto her bed. " We can revisit everything again! Though maybe this time avoid the dinosaurs. I swear Dip, this is like a dream come true."

I merely sit on my bed as I look down at the envelope I carried everywhere with me. " Ya... like a dream. "