A/N: Nickelodeon and Chris Savino own The Loud House and related characters. No copyright infringement intended. This story is merely a work of fiction and written under the fair use policy.
A/N: This is a stand-alone story and not part of my main continuity. I decided to try something a little different with this one. It will be a lot longer than nine chapters as well, most of which will be somewhat autobiographical.
Chapter 1 - Getting Settled
It was a little after noon when the MOVE-IT truck backed into the driveway. Soon after, an ancient worn out teal and white van approached, as well as a sensible grey Prius, both of which had to park along the curb.
Lincoln remained in his hybrid vehicle long enough to watch his siblings pile out the family van and run up to the front porch. From his vantage point, he could make out a mixture of glee or sorrow on each of their faces.
It wasn't every day a family member moved into a place of their own, but it seemed to be happening more often in recent years. He bolstered his resolve as he picked up the lone box resting in the front passenger seat, and exited his vehicle.
Lincoln was now twenty-three years old. He had worked his way through college working at a local comic store. The young man majored in graphics design and digital animation, hoping to land a decent job at a movie studio.
Although he did earn himself several promising interviews, he decided that the pressure would be too restrictive to his creative process. Instead, he took a job at the local television station right here in Royal Woods.
Lincoln was always fairly reasonable and managed to save a nice nest egg while attending college. He had used part of that to purchase his first home, and he now stood in front of that very address, with his family by his side.
He shifted the box he was carrying to his hip and began rummaging through his pocket for the master key, to the many impatient voices of his siblings, eager to see the interior.
"Ok, everybody ready?" he asked as he jiggled the key in the lock.
"You bet, dude!" exclaimed Luna, who wouldn't have missed this for the world. "I can't wait to see how my little bro is going to be living!"
"It'll probably look horrendous," spat Lola. "What do guys know about decorating?"
"Well, you will all see in just a moment," responded Lincoln as the door swung open into a spacious den, into which the new owner ushered the small crowd.
"As you can see, this is just your run of the mill living room," Lincoln said, waving his arm around the room for emphasis.
"Told you," said Lola triumphantly. "Not a single piece of decor anywhere."
"Now Lola," address the youngsters father, "he is just moving in. He hasn't had time to do any of that yet."
"This is nice, but where are the bathrooms?" asked Lana only to be ignored.
The princesses older brother walked over and mussed her hair. "Don't get your hopes up, your highness," he said playfully, "I like things pretty simple."
Next, Lincoln indicated the archway behind him. "In here is a combination kitchen and dining area, and before anybody asks, no, there is no food yet, so don't ask. I have something planned for later, though."
"Fine, but where are the bathrooms?" Lana asked again and like before, no response came.
The white-haired man pointed to a door on the right side of the kitchen. "That's the door into the garage," he said. Then, looking to another door at the back of the dining area, "That one leads out to the back yard."
"Nice counter space, dear," announced Lynn senior. "I just might have to come over and break them in!"
"Any time, dad!" cheered Lynn's son.
"Guys! Where are the bathrooms?" Lana shouted.
"Fine Lana, if you have to go that bad, you may skip the rest of the tour," responded Lincoln. "It the first door on your right, down the hallway leading off the den."
"Use it?" questioned Lana. "I just wanna bask in the glory of a virgin bowl and tank!"
Lana's brother chuckled as she ran off to inspect the brand new plumbing.
Before the tour could continue; however, the hired help began bringing in carefully packed boxes and furniture.
"Ok everybody, let's all go out back while they bring everything in!" called Lincoln loudly, to make sure Lana heard. "I already brought over some lounge chairs, a grill, and a wading pool!"
He didn't have to repeat a word and was nearly mowed over by his siblings as they rushed out toward the back yard. Only he and his parents remained inside the house, and soon, they heard the joyous sounds of splashing water as the rest of the family enjoyed the warm sun.
"Dad," said the homeowner, handing his father a twenty-dollar bill, "how about running to the store and getting some stuff for hamburgers and hotdogs while I get the grill fired up?"
Lynn Sr. took the bill with glee. "On it, son! I'll be back before you can say 'Lynn's Table.'"
Rita and her son watch him exit the house before heading outside with the rest of the family.
"Hey! Does anybody want to play football?" asked Lynn Jr., tossing her favorite pigskin up in the air and catching it.
"Sure," replied Lana, "but where were you hiding that? I didn't see it on the way over."
"That's not important," the sporty girl said. "Do you wanna play or not?"
Lana began running across the yard. "Hit me!" she exclaimed before running into Lola, knocking her right into a nearby flowerbed.
"At least the landscaping is nice," observed Lola as she tackled Lana and began fighting like usual, "unlike you, you clumsy ox!"
After several minutes, Lincoln had his new propane grill up and running. About twenty minutes later, his father returned from the store with two bags of groceries and sat them down in one of the patio chairs.
Rita stepped up and began unpacking the paper plates, plastic utensils, and arranging the condiments on the picnic table while her son began placing patties and weiners on the grill. Lynn Sr. was a little down about not getting to help but figured it was something Lincoln wanted to do for his family, so he let it go.
For about an hour, family members bounded about the backyard, laughing, arguing, and having fun. The scent of cooking meat filled the air around them, adding to their enjoyment of the day.
Lynn and Lana were still playing ball. Of course, Lynn was decimating Lana by at least fifty points. Lola was primping and taking selfies by a beautiful flower bed. Lisa was sitting in a lounge chair under the eave of the house, lost in her thoughts. Lily was playing in the wading pool with Luan and Luna.
"It's too bad that Lori and Leni couldn't be here," acknowledged Lincoln sitting in a chair between his parents, as the last of the meat cooked.
"Oh, they wanted to honey," assured Rita, "they were just too far away to come on such short notice.
"I know, mom," said Lincoln tiredly, "but still, it would've been nice to have everybody in one place again.
Lincoln gazed around the yard, eyeing each of his present siblings, privately remembering all the good times they had while they were young when he suddenly realized something.
"Has anybody seen Lucy?" he asked.
"I'm right here, Lincoln," said a voice from behind him. "I've been here the whole time."
It had been a long time since Lucy had been able to startle Lincoln, but today, she managed to pull it off one more time.
"Gah! Lucy!" he exclaimed while turning to look at her. "I can't believe you finally got me again. Congratulations."
"Thanks," she mumbled. "You were starting to get boring, but now, there's hope."
"Same old Lucy," stated her older brother as he got up and fetched the last of the meat from the grill. He placed two large plates upon the table, one piled high with hamburgers, the other with hot dogs. "Come and get it!" he called.
After everybody had raced to the table and taken their place, Lynn Sr. stood and raised a red plastic cup of soda. "To Lincoln and his new home," he began. "Let us wish him well as he enters this phase of his life. He may not have us around all the time anymore, but we will all be here in spirit." At this point, he started sniffling.
"Dad," Lincoln said, laughing, "I'm only three blocks away for crying out loud."
"If he keeps this up, he really will be a 'crying out Loud,'" Luan giggled. "Get it?"
"You're right, honey," agreed their father. "I just got a little moved for a moment."
"Actually," corrected the comedienne, "Lincoln is the only one the moved today."
Groans emanated from around the table.
"Hey, do you guys remember the time Lynn crashed through my wall and landed in the goal?" asked Lincoln, hoping to get a conversation going.
"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Lynn. "One could say I gave one hundred percent that day!"
"Good one!" praised Luan. "But next time, leave the funny business to me, toots."
They spend the rest of the meal reminiscing about all the good times they had, whether they seemed like good times or not back then. Many jokes were said, and many laughs ensued, most at the expense of Lincoln. He didn't mind, though. It was heartwarming to see everybody getting along and having fun. He was happy to give this day to them.
The sun began it's daily descent just as the family was finishing the meal, and as they each stood and placed their trash in the bin, Lynn Sr. spoke up. "I think it's time we get on our way and let Lincoln settle in. What do you say?"
"Awe," complained Lana. "I was just about to get wet and roll around in the empty flower bed!"
"Aren't you getting a little old for that?" questioned Rita.
"Nope!" chimed Lana. "Never!"
"Alright, guys," addressed Lincoln. "It was nice having you all here, but I do need to start unpacking and at least make my bed, so I have someplace to sleep tonight."
Everybody conceded to Lincoln's request and headed out to the van. It was clear that the younger siblings were all tuckered out from the day's activities. Even the older siblings were dragging their knuckles, though it was unclear if that was because they were fatigued, or did not want to leave.
Soon, Lincoln's family was in the van. He waved as they pulled away and sighed to himself. "Well, I guess that's that," he said to himself as he turned and headed into his house.
The young man returned to his back yard to drain the wading pool and cool off the grill. As he did so, he noticed that Lynn had accidentally left her football on the ground, or maybe she left it on purpose as an excuse to return later. He'd ask about it the next time they talked. Grabbing the ball, he entered his home and tossed it onto the newly placed couch.
"Sir," said one of the movers. "We're all done here. Welcome to your new home. We'll be off now."
Lincoln thanked them, and showed them to the front door, locking it after them. After making sure the rest of the doors and windows were secured, and unnecessary lights had been turned off, he made his way down the hall to the master bedroom.
He eyed the stack of boxes, set against the wall until he spotted the one he was after; the one labeled "Bedroom Linens." Carefully, he placed the box upon the floor and kneeled to open it. He removed the first set of sheets he came to, a blanket, and some pillowcases. They were old and worn but had been given to him by his parents and couldn't say no.
"This will do for tonight, I think," he said approvingly. "I'll get something more my taste later."
He took his time dressing the bed before he plopped down on the mattress. It was comfortable and soft, much softer than the little bed he had when he was a child. He looked to his right and realized just how wide the king-sized bed was.
"Maybe," he muttered, looking at the unoccupied space, "one day, there will be a special person beside me. It's probably best not to think about that right now, though."
It was quiet, too quiet.
"Maybe I should read something," he pondered, getting up to look for the box of personal items he brought in from his car. Finding it just inside the front door, he picked it up and carried it to his room, where he placed it upon the bed and opened it. He smiled and reached in, pulling out item after item.
The first to emerge was a small, hand-made trophy that read "Most Improved Brother," which he placed on his nightstand. Next was a stack of old Ace Savvy comics that he'd kept, followed by some framed pictures of his parents and siblings. He placed the frames on his dresser and organized them oldest to youngest. Looking back into the box, he pulled out a few of his childhood posters. While he was sure that was all that he packed in this parcel, he noticed something else inside. He placed the wall coverings on the bed and reached in to get the object.
What he pulled out was a small black book. It was about five inches wide and seven inches tall. It seemed to contain about three hundred pages, approximately. The borders had Celtic runes on them. The front cover had a pentacle embossed into it, while the back had a Celtic tree.
Lincoln sat upon the bed and opened the small tome. When he did so, a yellow sticky note fell out. He picked it up and read.
"Lincoln, I want you to have this. It was more than just my journal. It is my Wiccan Book of Shadows. You will find the answers to a lot of the question you might have had about me in this book. It has helped me get through some rough times, and I hope you may find some inspiration in it. I only ask three things. First, never let anybody else read it. Second, do not talk to me again until you have read it thoroughly. Three, I want it back eventually. Love, Lucy."
The young man closed the book and held it to his chest. For years he had seen his sister carry this book around as if it was a part of her. She wrote in it regularly, never letting it leave her sight. He wondered what was so crucial inside that she would entrust him with it.
"Oh well, there's only one way to find out," he said out loud.
Lincoln moved the clutter that was on his bed to the floor, then located and changed into his pajamas. He then dimmed the lights and settled into bed.
Picking Lucy's book up again, he opened the cover and began reading.