Disclaimer: The Loud House and associated characters belong to Nickelodeon and Chris Savino.

What Love Creates

By Lola Presents

NOTE: I'm so sorry for the delay on this. I have been overly busy since the school year began. I will no longer be posting every day but will try to get something out weekly. As such, requests are on hold as I want to focus on my current story.

NOTE: I am also going to try a new format, separating the narrative from the dialog, as suggested by a reader. Please let me know if you like the new design or prefer the old.

Chapter 8

The months passed quickly, and both Lincoln and Lola were ready for a place of their own. Lola was nearly seven months into her pregnancy and was expecting soon. However, with Lisa's earlier faux pa, the couple couldn't be sure how long they had.

Lincoln couldn't move back home, as much as he wanted to. His former room was a linen closet once more. Lola couldn't move in with aunt Ruth either, but only because the latter didn't want any more squatters, which left the couple in a predicament.

They say time flies fast when you're having fun, and time sure flew by fast for the pair. Though, not as quickly as desired. Separate living arrangements made things exceedingly difficult.

For Lola, the constant noise was headache-inducing, and all the intrusions were annoying. Having little to no privacy was the worst. How many times could their sisters and parents feel her belly? It didn't change that much daily. Still, it was nice knowing they cared and were excited about the pregnancy. Sure, things were rough at the beginning, but the family settled down eventually.

For Lincoln, time passed a bit more slowly. Luckily for him, he had work to channel his focus. Beyond that, the weekends we dedicated to Lola. He'd visit her every Saturday and Sunday. Together, they'd go out and have as much fun as possible, considering Lola's increasing difficulty in moving around.

Neither Lynn nor Rita truly felt like Lola was ready for motherhood. For that matter, they didn't think Lincoln was prepared for fatherhood either. However, it wasn't their call anymore. Hormones and biology removed their input from the picture.

In the end, it made sense that the young couple buy a home of their own. The needed someplace where they could set their own rules and their own pace, free from imposition. With that in mind, Lynn and Rita signed off on the emancipation papers that Lincoln and Lola presented them with the month prior.

Lincoln took out all the royalties he made from the Ace Savvy comic he entered in a competition years ago, as well as the money he earned as an extra in the movie, from the bank. Together, with what he'd made at his job so far, minus expenses, and he had a sizable downpayment.

Currently, Lincoln sat in front of a desk, twiddling his thumbs. The man across from him was entering the loan application into the computer. Soon, the young man would know the result, and feelings of trepidation coursed through him. Eventually, the banker turned to Lincoln and smiled.

"Congratulations!" he cheered in a sterile way. "You're loan has been approved. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to print out some forms for you to sign."

The man left the room before the young man could respond. Gleeful at the news, Lincoln pulled out his phone to tell Lola.

"We got the loan!" he entered into the text bar.

"We did?" came Lola's reply a moment later. "That's wonderful! When can we move in?"

"Well, we have to get the utilities turned on first," Lincoln informed her, "so I'd say a couple of days at least."

The banker returned and laid some papers out for Lincoln to sign, each marked with a yellow sticky-note.

"Just sign these, and the house is yours," he announced.

Things were beginning to look up for once.

Lola sat on the couch, rather uncomfortably, with Lana by her side. Lana rarely left her twin's side these days, always fearful that something would happen. So far, nothing had, which was a blessing. Still, Lana couldn't wait for the baby to arrive. It seemed to be taking its sweet time.

"Hey, Lols?" Lana asked for the hundredth time, leaning over Lola in an all too familiar way. "Can I feel it?"

Sighing, Lola flattened her dress against her belly, which was now obscenely extended, considering her small stature.

"Sure, go ahead," she said. "She's moving around a bit, so be prepared."

Lana reached over and placed her hand upon her sister's abdomen. Lola's belly was so taut that Lana had no problem finding out where the baby was or its position. As her hand lay there, the baby moved its knee across it.

"Oh!" cried Lana. "Did you feel that? She moved!"

When no reply came, Lana looked up her sister, who was wincing.

"Duh," whimpered Lola. "Of course, I felt it. I swear she's going to break my ribs."

As Lucy rounded the corner, she caught Lola's expression and asked in her usual deadpan tone, "contraction?"

Lola exhaled.

"No," she replied. "Just pushing against my ribs again. I think."

Without asking, considering Lana was already doing the same, Lucy placed her hand upon Lola's belly as well. The baby reacted again and pushed outward this time.

Lana drew back, which was unusual for her. "Ew!" she declared. "That felt weird!"

"Reminds me of the Alien about to burst forth from that guy in the movie," stated Lucy plainly.

"Oh, god," cried Lola. "Don't even start! I'll have nightmares! Then, I'll beat you, senseless. Well, after I give birth."

"Have you thought of any names yet?" asked Lana curiously, withdrawing her arm.

"Yes, we have," announced Lola. "We've talked about it off and on but haven't come up with anything solid yet."

"I know," interjected Lucy. "Why don't you do what those fan fiction writers do and combine your names?"

Lola chuckled. "Somehow, I don't think Lolacoln is going to cut it."

Lucy managed a slight grin. "That's not what I mean. His name starts with "Li," and yours begins with "Lo." Put them together, and you get Lilo."

"Lilo?" murmured Lola. "I don't know. It reminds me of that Disney movie, Stitch. But, I'll run it by Lincoln later."

Just then, Lincoln strolled through the door with a big, goofy grin on his face. "Hey, girls!" he chirped, dangling a new set of keys in front of them. "Who wants to go and see our new house?"

"We do!" they all exclaimed.

Lisa and Lily, hearing the cheers, descended from upstairs to see what was going on. In a matter of seconds, Lisa had deduced the source of the commotion.

"Perhaps we should come along as well," stated Lisa matter-of-factly. "We haven't gotten out in weeks."

"Well," said Lincoln. "I would take you, but I only have three seats. I'm afraid you'll have to wait until later."

"Poo, poo," said Lily, falling to her butt and folding her arms in a scolding manner. Though she was now eight years old, old habits died hard. Likewise, she never gave up her favorite saying.

"Now, Lucy, If you'll help me get Lola to the car..." instructed Lincoln.

Lola wasn't having any of it. She'd managed fine so far, and though his concern was cute and endearing, she was determined to do things on her own. Subsequently, she slapped Lucy's hands away.

"I can do this on my own, thanks," declared Lola, trying to raise herself to a stand.

Suddenly, her abdomen tightened once more, and the young girl fell back onto the couch, wincing in pain. Lisa cocked her eyebrow and felt Lola's belly. As much as Lola wanted to, she was too strained to slap it away. All Lola could do was breathe.

"Hm," murmured Lisa. "Perhaps, we should postpone the trip altogether. If my observations are correct, Lola appears to be having Braxton-Hicks contractions."

Everyone stared at Lisa expectantly.

"That means she may be going into labor soon," stated Lisa.

"What?!" exclaimed Lana. "Are you serious?"

"Quite," Lisa replied.

"Well, it's about damn time!" shouted Lola's twin as she jumped up and down in excitement.

Lincoln's mind halted. He knew it wasn't long, especially with five weeks of growth shaved off due to Lisa's blunder, but he still wasn't ready for it. Seeing his beloved laying there, panting, tore his heart out, and it shook him back to reality.

Rushing to her side, he pushed Lucy out of the way rather roughly. He made a mental note to apologize later. In the meantime, Lola was more critical than pleasantries.

"Are you sure, Lisa?" he asked, holding Lola's hand. "I love you, baby. Hang in there, okay?"

"Well, not right this minute, obviously," Lisa explained. "Braxton-Hicks contractions usually begin well before actual labor. I would give it a while before rushing her off to the hospital. Not until the amniotic sack breaks."

"That what?" gasped Lincoln.

"Did you seriously not learn anything in sex education, Lincoln?" Lisa berated him. "I meant when her water breaks."

"Oh," sighed Lincoln before turning his full attention to Lola.

Beads of sweat were rolling down her face, and she looked pale. Her breathing was regular but a bit shallow, which concerned Lincoln.

"Honey, breathe normally," he pleaded with her, wiping her brow with his shirt sleeve. "Come on; we can do this!"

Lola turned her head and looked at him sharply. "We?" she shot. "I don't see you in pain!"

As much as Lola loved her brother, she couldn't help feel alone at the moment. All the times that Lincoln helped her during her pageants didn't exactly translate well in this circumstance. It's not like curling her hair or tweaking her makeup would make the pain go away.

Still, she felt for him. Lola knew he must be panicking inside. Lincoln had risked everything for her; his reputation, his career, his family relationships. Now, when she needed him most, all he could do was be there.

"I'm sorry, Linc," Lola said a moment later, as the contraction settled. "I know you can't do much. Just be there, okay?"

"I will," he said, kissing her sweetly on the forehead. "I promise. Always and forever!"

"Awe! How sweet!" declared Lily. "He loves her! I can tell these things because I'm a big girl now."

The room erupted in laughter at Lily's comment. It wasn't so much the sentiment, but how she said it. Lily just narrowed her eyes again.

"What?" Lily asked innocently.

"Nothing, Lily," said Lincoln. "It's just..."

"FUCK!" cried Lola suddenly, as Lincoln's pant pegs became soaked in something foul-smelling.

"Alright," announced Lisa, pushing her glasses up higher on her nose. "NOW you can take her to the hospital."

"Lucy, Lana!" yelled Lincoln. "Get on the phone and let everybody know that I'm taking her to the hospital. Lisa, come with me. I may need your guidance on the way."

Without speaking, everyone did as their big brother instructed and hurried about their duties. Lincoln scooped his lover up and carried her out to his little car. After getting her strapped in, he made sure Lisa was secure in the back seat. Finally, they set off down the road.

"Lincoln," Lola said, placing her hand upon his, feeling him shift gears. "I feel a lot better now."

"That's natural," announced Lisa. "The release of pressure is sure to be a relief. But, be warned, you'll feel the contractions more intensely now."

"Thanks a lot, Lisa," pouted Lola.

"Everything will be alright, Lols," Lincoln said, trying to comfort her. "I'm right here, and we'll be there in a few minutes."

"Just doing my job," stated Lisa before pulling her phone out and dialing the hospital. "Yes. I'm Lisa Loud, and I'm calling to inform you of the impending arrival of miss Lola Loud. She's expecting and appears to be in labor. Very well. Thank you."

The remainder of the trip was relatively peaceful, save for the occasional groan emanating from Lola as a new contraction hit. She had two more on the way, and another as they were pulling up to the E.R. entrance.

The last one was so intense, her muscles clenched, jerking her hand wildly. As it was still resting on Lincoln's, the car got thrown out of gear, and a horrible grinding sound came from under it.

"Great," sighed Lincoln as the car sputtered to a stop in front of a man waiting with a wheelchair. "Oh well, I need a new car anyway."

"I'm so sorry, love," cried Lola as the orderly opened the door and expertly moved her to the wheelchair. "Don't you leave me!" Lola demanded as she got wheeled away.

"I won't!" Lincoln yelled. "I'll be in as soon as I move this heap!"

Lola disappeared into the building and was gone. Only then did the young man begin to feel the weight of what was happening. Being pregnant and wanting a child was one thing. Being faced with the reality of it was another.

In short order, he was going to be a dad—a father—one expected to be knowledgable and nurturing. Suddenly, looking at the smoking car, he felt entirely inadequate. Sensing his emotions, Lisa sidled up beside him and put her hand on his.

"It's alright, Lincoln," she said in an uncharacteristically soothing voice, staring into his watering eyes. "You have this. And you have us. You don't have to do this alone. But right now, I need to get this car moving."

Lincoln watched as Lisa slid under the car and began work. What she was doing, or how she was doing it, he had no clue. But Lisa was magical like that. Soon, she came scuttling out from under the vehicle, holding a wrench.

"All done," she said. "She'll drive, even if just barely."

"Thanks, Lise," said Lincoln warmly as they got back into the car and sputtered their way to the closest parking spot. Though he wondered where the wrench came from, he decided it best not to ask.

Lola was alone and scared as the orderly rushed through the doors and hallways, finally arriving at the emergency room. Lola's mind was ablaze with all possible outcomes, including the ugly ones, and she began to sob.

"I want Lincoln!" she wailed as her chest began to hurt.

It was a feeling that was all too familiar to the young girl. She was having an anxiety attack. The knowledge of which compounded her condition.

"Miss," the orderly said firmly. "You've got to get a hold of yourself! You're in good hands here. We won't let anything bad happen to you."

Lola wished she could believe that, but if life had taught her anything, it was that one should never put all your eggs in one basket. Still crying, she nodded and tried her best to go through the mental exercises she'd learned months ago.

Once Lola got transferred to the gurney, a nurse came in to hook Lola up to an I.V. Seeing the needle, Lola gasped.

"Keep that away from me!" she screamed.

"I can't, honey," informed the nurse as she nodded to the orderly, who held Lola's arm in place while the I.V. got inserted and taped down.

"See?" the nurse said. "It's not that bad."

"Says you!" pouted Lola, rubbing her arm. "God, I just want this thing out of me! Like, now!"

"Tell you what, hun," the nurse said, leaning over Lola in a motherly way. "You must be thirsty. You've lost a lot of fluid. How about I get you some ice to suck on. I hate to say this, but you're going to be here a while."

"What? Why?" demanded Lola as Lincoln entered and came to her side.

"Typically," the nurse told Lola, taking note of the young man, "labor can last several hours. Every patient is different, though. Is this the baby's father?" She then listened for a response as she applied the heart and fetal monitors.

"Uh, yeah," admitted Lincoln, ruffling his hair absent-mindedly. "I am."

"Very well, you may stay," the nurse announced. Then, handing Lola a small device before explaining. "I have to leave for a while, but this is a call box. You can use it to let the desk know if you need anything, alright?"

Lola nodded. "Alright," she acknowledged.

Clinging to Lincoln's arm, Lola held it close to her face, her remaining tears cascading onto him. His presence alone seemed to calm her, at least until another bout of torment came from another contraction. Lincoln held her head close to his chest and peppered it with little kisses whenever one began.

"This is actually happening, isn't it?" asked Lola, looking up at him worriedly.

Lincoln smiled and nodded. "Yes, it is," he confirmed. "We're going to be parents."

"Parents..." Lola repeated. "So weird, you know? I mean, I always hoped that one day I'd be a mother. Just not this soon. Lincoln? I'm scared..."

Lincoln pulled her close and snuggled her. "Don't be scared, Lola-bear," he said authoritatively. "Nobody is ever ready, I suspect. People fall in love, and nature takes its course, and it knows what it's doing. Have a little faith in us, okay? We've come this far. Who knows where we'll go next."

Lincoln wasn't entirely sure about his words but remained resolute for Lola's sake, and that of their unborn baby. He wasn't going to take any chances on something going wrong, and soothing Lola's emotional state was paramount.

Lola looked up into her lover's eyes, and he returned the gaze. Together, they spoke unsaid vows of love and knew that everything would be alright. Then, Lincoln leaned in and kissed Lola deeply, and for the first time, it was without hesitation as to who was looking on.

He simply did not care anymore. He and Lola were one and were going to be together forever. Society, culture, and family be damned. What he did for a living suddenly seemed less important. All that mattered was Lola and their baby, the soon to be new life that poignantly cemented their relationship.