Hello dear readers! I hope everyone has been staying safe, and welcome to the finale of this story. I will be making a small epilogue at some point, and a one-shot set sometime between this ending and said epilogue though. I want to give a big thanks to everyone who has followed and favorited this story. I hope everyone enjoys!

Dreadedcandiru2: Exactly. Sometimes, people just can't be forgiven for a past act, all the people involved can do is do their best to move past it and move forwards.

Looking brighter Everyday

Slowly but surely, things were starting to fall back into place in Lincoln's life. After a rather illuminating therapy session where Lori explained just what it was like in prison, and a rather daring rescue by his sister, the two were back on better terms.

The Loud siblings still had a ways to go in terms of getting back to the bond they used to share, but for the first time in a long while, Lincoln believed that he could be proud to say that Lori was his sister again. And for the first time in years, Lincoln felt like he could move on with his life, after being stuck in the same mental prison he kept himself in for too long.

The young man was walking home from school, on account of not having a new car yet. As Lincoln hobbled along on his crutches, he was already missing his crummy vehicle. It wasn't much but it was leagues better than having to walk home everyday, especially with his leg still being a little messed up from the accident.

"Maybe Clyde or Bobby could get me a job working at Gus' Then I can start saving up for a new car". Lincoln thought to himself as he kept moving along the sidewalk, still a few miles from his home. "At least I can stop using these crutches soon, doctor mentioned something about a different cast I can use until my leg fully heals". Lincoln was torn from his thoughts when he heard a car horn blare behind him.

Stopping where he was, Lincoln looked behind him to see a red car slowing down, stopping just beside him on the side of the road. Staring at the driver side window, Lincoln recognized who was behind the wheel.

As they rolled the window down, Lincoln looked surprised at them. "S-Stella? W-When did you get a car?" Lincoln asked her. "It was an early Christmas present from my parents, care for a ride?" She asked him as she motioned to the empty passenger seat next to her. "Y-Yeah! Thank you". Lincoln quickly replied with a smile as he put his crutches in the back before getting in the passenger side.

After she made sure he buckled his seat belt, Stella put the car in drive and got back on the road.

"Thanks again for the ride. I was dying out there". Lincoln said as he leaned back in his seat, reveling in the cool air blowing from the air vents. "It's no problem, I was wanting to talk to you anyways". Stella admitted as she brushed some of her hair to the side.

"Oh...really? What about?" Lincoln wondered. "Well, about you. I...I haven't really got the chance to talk to you after your...accident". Stella told him. "Yeah, sorry about that. I was, well still am, kinda doing some work on myself. I...I'm trying not to be how I was after...well you know". Lincoln replied. "Things have been crazy for me since Lori got out of jail, I've...I've been a mess to be honest. I-I retreated into myself like..."

"Like you did when we were together?" Stella finished his sentence. "Y-Yea. I...well some stuff has happened in the last week and I...for the first time in a while I think things are going to be okay again". Lincoln said, a smile plastered across his face as her turned to his former girlfriend.

"I'm glad to hear that, really I am Lincoln. I'm happy you seem to be in a better place than...ugh, while we're on the subject of that..." Stella said as her voice carried off. "I...I wanted to apologize. I had my reasons for doing so but I shouldn't have broken things off with you like I did. I-"

"Hey Stella, It's okay. I...I know I wasn't the best boyfriend when we were together. I-I wasn't there like I should have been. I didn't let you in, I was at fault back then, not you". Lincoln told her, hoping to alleviate whatever guilt she seemed to still be holding on to.

"But still Lincoln, I...I should have tried harder, you were in a bad place and you needed someone. And I just-I just ran off. So, I'm sorry". Stella told him, and if it weren't for the sunglasses she had on, Lincoln was sure he'd be able to see the tears she was holding back.

"Why bring all this up now? I...I thought that we were good?" Lincoln questioned. "Because...W-When I heard about your accident, the first thing that ran through my mind was that I never got to make things right with you, a-and you could've died thinking that...That I..." Stella drifted off as Lincoln could hear the hurt in her voice.

"S-Stella, pull over for a moment. I don't think you should be on the road right now". Lincoln told her, knowing all too well how an emotional driver is never a good thing. Stella nodded her head as she sniffled, pulling off to the side of the road as cars drove past them.

As she put the car in park, Lincoln watched as Stella took off her sunglasses, revealing her red eyes. It looked like she had been crying earlier than this car ride.

"Stella before you finish that sentence I want to tell you that I don't regret what happened between us. I hated the way it ended sure but it was something that needed to happen, And I never for one second thought that you didn't care about me anymore". Lincoln told her. "Lincoln..." Stella started before being interrupted again.

"Ah, ah. I'm not done yet. I know that I wasn't great back then. I was purposefully pushing everyone away and I ended up hurting you because of it. You didn't deserve that. So if anyone should be apologizing here, it's me". Lincoln added. Stella just wiped her eyes as she listened to every word.

"I know we haven't really been close since things ended, and again, that's on me. But I just want you to know that I'm working on being better. Everyday, things look just a little bit brighter than the day before. I thi-" Lincoln was cut off when Stella leaned forward and crashed her lips to his.

Lincoln was stunned at first, but after a couple of seconds, the teen relaxed and leaned into the kiss as well. The two stayed like that for a moment before Stella pulled back. "D-Does this...W-Why?" Lincoln asked. "I-I told you that maybe one day we could try again. And it seems like you're really focused on doing better. Just don't make me regret this second chance Lincoln Loud". Stella said with a warm smile.

"I wouldn't dream of it". Lincoln told her as both leaned in for another kiss.

After taking a minute to re-compose herself, Stella put her sunglasses back on and started driving again. It took the pair a bit to reach the Loud House and when they arrived, Lincoln asked if Stella wanted to come in.

"I...Yea sure. So long as I'm home by dinner, my parents shouldn't have a problem with it". Stella replied.

The two teens walked into the Loud House, and since none of the other girls were off school yet, the place was empty. Well, almost empty. "That you Linc? I didn't expect you to make it home so...soon". Lynn said as her voice carried off on noticing that her brother wasn't alone.

"Hey Lynn. You remember Stella?" Lincoln asked as he introduced his old yet new girlfriend. "Yeah I vaguely remember her. Wait, are you two a thing now?" Lynn asked, a devilish smirk across her face. "Ugh, Lynn please don't make a big deal out of this. I don't want you girls going crazy like you did with Ronnie-Anne". Lincoln asked as he stood there awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh sure bro. I can keep it cool". Lynn replied as her brother and Stella started heading upstairs to his room. When they were almost all the way up, Lynn called out to Lincoln. "Just make sure you keep that door open you two! No funny business hahaha". Lynn said as she started laughing to herself. "Oh just wait till the others hear about this". Lynn said to herself as she laid back down on the couch.

"Don't you dare!" Lincoln shouted back as Lynn heard the door shut, the girl just smiled to herself.

Now alone in his room, the two sat down on Lincoln's bed as Stella remembered the last time she was in here. "So um, how have you been since...well, that?" Stella asked him as she pointed to his leg.

"Oh, Um well I've been up and down. But in all honesty it's mostly been the up and up since the accident. It was...kind of like a moment of clarity that I needed". Lincoln told her. "I was, well I was able to take a good look inward and see how much I was holding myself back. And things aren't all sunshine and rainbows now but I'm already feeling better than I have this past year". Lincoln added.

"That's really good to hear. I-uh, how are things with your sister?" Stella asked. "Which one? Haha" Lincoln replied as he chuckled. "very funny, you know which one..." Stella said. "Well...me and her finally were able to really have a long chat without me freaking out. It...things aren't all better between us but, well we've reconciled a bit. It's going to take some time still, but we're...good". Lincoln replied.

"Well that's good I guess, how about your other sisters? Have they...have they made up with her as well?" Stella wondered. "Not all of them, some haven't even spoken to her yet. But I think we'll be a family again before long. It's weird...I haven't been this hopeful in a while". Lincoln mused as he sat there, staring at his floor deep in thought.

"What is it?" Stella asked him, wondering what was going through his head.

"I...I may have a better outlook now, but things aren't back to normal yet. Hell I don't think I ever will be back to my old self given what I went through...I just-I just want to make sure you know what you're getting into with me. I...I don't want you to-" Stella put a hand on his cheek, turning him to face her.

"I'm not going anywhere. I ran out on you once, I'm not going to leave you if things get tough again. Because I know that you're trying. I know you have a bunch of stuff you need to work through still, but just know that I'll be here to support you every step of the way. Just don't shut me out again okay?" Stella told him.

"I won't. Promise. I won't keep staying in the past, I'm going to focus on looking forward towards the future. Especially if that future involves you". Lincoln replied, a blush forming on both his and Stella's cheeks as she smiled back at him. The two held each other close before locking lips.

"So...um, what do you want to do?" Lincoln asked her. "Well since you've been slipping behind in math, why don't we help each other out with some homework before I have to leave". Stella said in response. "Sure, I'd like that". Lincoln said.

Across town, Lori was standing in front of the supermarket by the apartment she used to call her own.

"Come on Lori, you got this. Not everyone is going to turn you away". Lori said to herself as she steeled her nerves before walking into the building. After walking up to the customer service desk to let them know she was here for an interview, Lori patiently waited for a manager to show up.

"Loud? Lori Loud?" She heard a gruff male voice call out to her left. "Y-Yes, that's me". She replied as she stood up from her chair. "Follow me upstairs, I'm Tim. I'll be the one conducting your interview". The manager said as he motioned for the girl to follow him.

Lori was getting more anxious with every step as she followed the man to one of the office rooms, hoping that things didn't just turn out like everywhere else she tried.

"you can sit there". Tim said as he pointed to a small computer chair next to his desk. "So you applied for the stocking position correct?" Tim asked as he looked over the paper on his clip-board, sitting down in his own chair. "Y-Yes, I just need something to get back on my feet is all. With hopes to move up if opportunity arises". Lori answered back.

"Ah yes, you have a record correct?" Tim asked her. "Um, y-yes. But I just want to move past my mistakes and get back to living my life. Just waiting on someone to give me the chance". Lori told him. "Well lucky for you I have a don't ask don't tell policy here. Hired a few ex-convicts in the past. One of them still here. So long as you're a good worker, I don't care about what happened in your past". Tim said.

"W-Well that's...that's refreshing to hear. A-And I swear to you that if given the chance I'll work hard everyday to prove myself". Lori said. "We'll see...for now I got some questions for you". Tim said as he pulled his clip-board up and got ready to write down the girl's answers.

About twenty minutes later and the interview was over, and Lori only felt slightly better than when she walked into the place. "S-So when do you think I'll hear back from you on whether I got it or not?" Lori asked him. "Well...how soon do you think you could start?" Tim asked her. "W-What?" Lori replied.

"How soon do you think you can start?" Tim asked again. "U-Um as soon as possible". Lori answered. "Well you still gotta come back all good on the drug test and then we can go over some finer details. If all goes well...I can have you start next pay period. Which starts this upcoming Saturday".

"I...Thank you! T-Thank you so much. I promise I won't let you down". Lori told him as she stood up and shook his hand.

"I have a feeling you won't. Now go take care of your drug test at this location today and we should get the results back in time so you can start this weekend". Tim said as he handed her a card with a lab's address on it. "Alright, I'll head there as soon as I leave. T-Thank you again sir". Lori said before heading out of the office, a smile on her face.

Immediately, Lori called Bobby to tell him of the good news. After a few rings, Lori heard him answer on the other end. "Hey Lori. How'd it go?" Bobby asked her.

"So long as the drug test comes back alright, which it will. I'll be working by Saturday!" Lori said with giddy excitement in her voice. "That's great! I'm happy for you". Bobby replied. "Hey I got an idea, how about we go out for dinner tonight? As a little celebration of sorts". Bobby suggested to her.

"Really? You sure Ronnie would want to?" Lori asked. "Actually I was thinking it'd just be the two of us...kind of like old times". Bobby said. "O-Oh...um okay. Yeah I'd like that". Lori said.

"Great, when I get home from work we'll talk about where to go tonight". Bobby told her. "Sounds good, see you then". Lori said before hanging up. The girl was starting to wonder if maybe this meant what she thinks it meant. Things had been good between her and Bobby after she went in jail, he was one of the few people to consistently visit her. And now after she got out, the man had been nothing but helpful and supportive to her, she was hopeful that maybe they could reignite that spark they once had.

Later that night, the two former lovebirds dined at a familiar restaurant. "You still haven't told me where we're going Bobby". Lori complained as she sat in the passenger seat, trying to figure out their destination based off their surroundings. "I want it to be a surprise. You'll see why when we get there, trust me, you'll love it". Bobby told her as he made a turn down another road.

A few minutes later and Lori realized where they were close to. "Wait...are we going where I think we are? I-It's still open?" Lori asked. "I don't know what you're referring to, just a couple more minutes and we should be there. be patient". Bobby said with a warm smile.

Sure enough, Lori's assumption was right as Bobby drove into the parking lot of Jean-Juan's French Mexican restaurant. "I uh, I figured we'd celebrate at the place we had our first date at...you know how I'm sentimental like that". Bobby said as he put the car in park and undid his seat belt.

"I-I...Bobby wait. Do...is this what I think it is?" Lori asked him. "What do you mean?" Bobby questioned in response. "Is...is this a date?" Lori asked. Bobby put a finger to his chin as if he was pondering his answer. "Hmm, I don't know. It might be, maybe we just see how the night goes. No need to make a big deal of it so soon". Bobby told her.

"I...Okay. Let's head inside". Lori said.

After being seated and ordering their drinks, the two started to reminisce about times past. "We used to come here a lot, heh. I remember the time we did that double date with Lincoln and Ronnie here too". Bobby said as he looked around the building. "Yeah, they were cute together but I guess some things aren't meant to be. I hope they both find someone to spend the rest of their lives with". Lori said.

"Um, so...something we never really talked about. D-Did you ever...was there anyone else after me?" Lori asked. "N-No, I...I never really wanted to. Never got back out in the dating world. Besides, I...I'd need to find someone who'd accept...well you know". Bobby said, his voice carrying off as he looked to the side.

"Oh...I understand. I-I guess you're right about that, it must be hard". Lori said. "Yeah. Other than you, mom, and the Louds I haven't had anyone I can really talk to about that stuff. And you know me, I'm not about to put those type of issues on them". Bobby told her. "How has all that been by the way? You still have everything under control?" Lori asked him. "Oh of course. The thoughts are there, always gonna be. But it never goes beyond that". Bobby answered.

"Well I'm glad, I of all people know how difficult it can be sometimes". Lori said as she rubbed her arm anxiously. "At least yours was more...something else, and you're over it all now too so there's that". Bobby told her. "I tell you, everyday you were inside...I was worried about you. I-I felt like I failed you in a way, that I could've done more to stop it all from happening". Bobby said.

"Bobby don't. There was no way you could've known and I didn't exactly make things easy for you. I just...I'm just glad that you looked out for my brother after what happened. Lord knows he needed it". Lori said, the guilt very clear in her voice.

"But hey, all that's in the past now right. H-Here's to looking towards the future, to second chances and a better tomorrow". Bobby said as he raised his glass. "To new beginnings, to never giving up". Lori added as she raised her glass. The two cheered before the waiter came back to drop off their food.

By the end of the night, the two agreed to keep seeing where things went. To see if just maybe, they could be what they once were. And Lori was determined to not waste this second chance she was given, not just with Bobby, but with her brother and family as well.

She may never be able to make things right with everyone, and the relationships she once shared with people will never be the same, but they'd be good enough for her. For the first time in a long while, Lori went to bed with a smile on her face, as the girl thought about her future.

And that was it. I hope you all enjoyed. Be sure to leave any reviews/comments telling me what y'all think. I didn't think I'd write a sequel to Unwanted feelings but after finishing it, I'm glad I did.

I still have three other ongoing stories, two of which are nearing their ends as well. And I'll be coming out with a one-shot before starting my next big story. So stay tuned everyone, stay safe and I'll see you all next time.