Even after Wendy had texted to let the party planners know that they were on their way back, and the guests had started getting into position to surprise the twins, Stan was still unsure.

"Maybe we should have talked to the kids before hand. I…I mean I don't know if surprising them is a good idea. You hate surprises, Soos. What if the kids hate surprises too? What if this isn't something they want to celebrate? What if-"

At that moment, Ford gave him a smack that wasn't hard enough to actually hurt Stan, but would hopefully be enough to snap him out of it.

"Stanley, for the last time…the kids are going to love this. The kids love us, and will love celebrating this with us."

Stan wasn't completely convinced, but he did manage to give Ford a small smile, "Well, it's too late to return the supplies anyhow, I guess…"

Ford smiled back, "I'll make you a deal Stanley, if they don't adore this party I will personally pay you back every cent for the party supplies."

Stan laughed, "Only if I also make Mabel write a "Ford Wrong Song" for you to preform on camera while wearing my old track suit."

"Deal," said Ford as the two of them gave a high-six.

Stan's nerves had finally somewhat calmed when Thompson's van pulled up to the shack. Even if Stan was still nervous, and had a ton of regret built up within him, there was no turning back now.

Dipper and Mabel emerged from the car to excited cheers from the crowd while Stan and Ford stood underneath a large sign that read "HAPPY GOTCHA DAY DIPPER AND MABEL".

For a moment they stared in disbelief with their mouths hung agape, too shocked to say or do anything.

Thinking they might need a little explanation Ford started speaking, "I'm not sure if you two know what day it is today, but it's the anniversary of the happiest day of my…I mean, Stan and I's…" Ford found himself getting too choked up to speak, so Stan took over.

"It's…uh…it's the anniversary of the day we signed your adoption papers…it's the day we became your parents, the best thing either of us have ever done." Stan said as he waited on bated breath.

After a few moments of shocked silence Mabel finally broke through with an ear-to-ear grin, "I LOVE IT! I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!" she cried as she leaped into their waiting loving embraces.

The three of them embraced in joy before all three gazes turned eagerly towards Dipper who still appeared to be stunned.

"You alright, bud?" Stan asked somewhat nervously.

At that moment tears filled the boy's eyes and began spilling over down his face.

Stan feared in that moment that he had once again screwed up with Dipper. The boy so seldom cried, even with all the hardships he had faced, that Stan just knew that Dipper must have been really distraught over the celebration.

"Dipper…we're sorry…we didn't mean to-" Ford started.

"No-"Dipper choked out, "I'm just so happy. I…I never thought I would be anyone's son ever again,"

Stan instantly took the boy into his arms, "you always will be Dipper…you will always be our son."

Ford was holding Mabel in his arms still, "and you will always be my daughter," he said, assuring to the sweetest child he had ever known in all his years of life, that she was loved by him as much as her brother was. It was something he was finally certain he had managed to prove to her. It made him so thankful for the life his brother had given him, so thankful for the love and forgiveness of the family that was now and would always be his.

There was still so much more that Stan and Ford had planned for the day. The fun was yet to begin.

But for that moment, as their two children hugged them, not showing any signs of letting go, they wanted nothing more than for the moment to last.