It was her last day in Gravity Falls.

Weeks ago, Alice would have worried it never would have come, but now she wasn't sure. Just the day before, when Stan told her the car was good to go, Alice wanted to believe that there was something left for him to fix. At the dinner the previous evening, the final one she'd have with the Pines Family and Soos' backbreaking hug, she almost resigned herself to let go.

When she made her way from the Shack, bags slung over her shoulders, she was met by the Pines all gathered beside a large tarp, covering what she guessed was her car. She smiled, watching for a moment as they talked among themselves before, they noticed her and quieted.

"There she is!" Stan grinned at her. "Thought you were going to miss the big reveal."

"Now you guys!" Dipper shouted with a grin.

Ford and Stan took an end of the tarp each, pulling it off with a flourish as Mabel and Dipper threw handfuls of confetti in the air. Alice almost laughed as Mabel singsonged a 'ta-daa' and revealed what was her car. Besides a couple of kicks here and there, Alice found it hard to believe that it was the same car she crashed just a couple of weeks before.

She figured it probably ran better than it did when she first got it.

"It looks amazing-" Alice smiled, setting her bags at her feet, reaching out, running her hand along the hood, and marveling at the spotless windows. "Ford, can I call you next time I need a tune-up? If this is what happens when you use that magnet gun, I might ask you to total my car more often."

Ford chuckled, his hand running over the back of his neck, "Yes, well. Perhaps we can find a middle ground."

"Hey, hey," Stan interrupted. "No love for me, huh? Don't forget who got ya outta this mess in the first place."

"I could never," Alice said, hoping her smile wasn't as down as she felt. "Trust me, I'll think of you every time I can use the windshield wipers without jamming the button."

She turned to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug.

"Thank you, Stan." She smiled sadly as she released him.  Alice turned back to the family, taking them in. "Thank you all, for everything. It's been... Unforgettable."

Her keys were back in her hand, Alice unlocked her car and loaded her belongings into the trunk. Mabel raced up to her, dressing a package wrapped entirely in ribbons and bows with a wink. "Just something to remember us by!"

"I don't know what that is, but it's from me too-" Stan chortled.

"Uh- And me," Ford added with a hesitant smile. Dipper only shot her a thumbs-up, and when she looked down at the label on the gift, Alice could see his name already scribbled there in his scraggly handwriting.

"Open it on the road after you leave!" Mabel insisted.

"Or after you stop at a rest stop-" Dipper chimed in, smiling. "Because you're driving. Please don't get into another accident."

Alice tucked the gift carefully into the trunk on top of everything else, making sure it was safe from any risk of being crushed. She shut the trunk, turning the the Pines family. Waddles waddled up to her, and Alice knelt, giving the pig a loving pat on the head.

"Take care of them-" She told the pig, he snorted back at her. She stood, crossing her arms over her chest. "I... I don't know what to say. Except..."

She was about to say that final 'goodbye' when Ford interrupted her.

"Alice, wait-"

"Oh boy-" Stan grumbled, grabbing Mabel and Dipper's shoulders and turning them toward the Shack. "C'mon kids, back in the house. Nothin' to see here."

"Aw-" Mabel whined. "But I wanna see-"

"Nope-" Stan growled as he shooed the kids back into the Shack, leaving Ford and Alice alone. Ford took a breath, stepping close to face her. Alice felt her heart fluttering in her chest.

"Alice-" Ford started, rubbing the back of his neck ."I've never been great at relationships. In college, I ruined what chances I had, and anything after is best left forgotten. But I think I want to try this, with you, Alice. If you'll have me."

"Ford," Alice breathed. "I want this. This will work. I wanted to ask for your number but... The Shack's landline isn't exactly private, and I don't think you own a cellphone."

"Ha, no-" Ford chuckled, shoving his hands in his pocket. "Stanley's the one who bothers with the cellular phones for the kids' sake. But I connected my watch to the interweb, as they say, and you can send me an electronic mail? Or..."

Ford pulled a piece of paper from his coat, parts of his cursive peeking from its folds. Alice took it, about to unfold it before Ford placed his hand over hers.

"You can send me a letter," He smiled, tipping his head. "This one's just to start us off."

Alice glanced up at his, the urge to kiss him infecting her. She rose on the tips of her toes, pressing a parting kiss onto his cheek. When she stepped back, he was blushing.

"Wait-" He started, his hand reaching out and clasping around her wrist. "I think I'm ready for another kiss- One on the lips if you're..."

"Did you plan on keeping me waiting?" Alice smiled at him, and Ford laughed, a warm smile spreading across his face. His hand cupped the side of her face, his touch warm and tender, and he leaned in. Soft, warm, and shocking confident against her lips, Alice kissed him back.

"OH MY GOSH! I DID IT! I WON! GRUNKLE STAN, FORD OVER THAT THREE DOLLAR BILL!!"

And there were three witnesses.

Mabel's excited voice fades into the shack with her footsteps.

"Shoot-" Ford sighed as Alice laughed, burying her face into his shirt. "I thought strategically turning away from the house would work. So much for privacy."

But Alice was grinning, and so was he.

"You know, Alice, meeting you has made me incredibly glad I made that mistake with the magnet gun," Ford grinned as Alice drew her face from his sweater. "Not that stranding you here was a positive, but... remember me, alright?"

"I could never," Alice promised, she could feel her smile wavering. "Don't forget me when you're off saving the world on the Stan O' War. Goodbye, Ford."

"Goodbye, Alice-" Ford said with a sad smile as he watched her get in her care and start up the engine. Alice turned down the road with ease, and in the rearview mirror, she could see Ford and the rest of the Pines waving goodbye.

"Goodbye Pines Family," Alice whispered under her breath as she tried to focus on the road. A little while longer, she was through the town, back on the open road. A sign passed on her right: 'Now Leaving Gravity Falls.