A/N: Some episodes will be referred to in this and upcoming chapters. Enjoy reading.
Meanwhile in his bedroom, Lincoln was laying down on his bed reading a comic book when he became interrupted by Loris frantic scream.
"That means Bobby just called Lori," he muttered nonchalantly then resumed reading his comic.
In the kitchen Luna and Luan were frightened out of their wits by Lori. Luna almost dropped the glass she was drying then placed it on the kitchen counter.
"What's up with Lori?" Luna whispered to Luan then rushed upstairs with her sister following behind.
Len spoke once she recovered her hearing, "Lori is it bad news," she asked concerned.
"It's buh, B-Bobby's mom, s-she found," Lori blubbered, tears running down her face, grabbed her phone and shoved the device in Leni's right hand.
"Here, see for yourself," Lori cried.
Leni wondered what her oldest sister's boyfriend had written and started reading.
Hi Lori, I was waiting for the right moment to tell you,
Right at that moment Luna and Luan barged into the bedroom, interrupting Leni.
'You scared us Lori what's going on," Luan addressed her older sister but Leni continued reading while Lori wiped away her runny mascara with tissue paper.
Mami applied for a nursing position in Great Lakes City some time ago and she passed the interview. Ronnie and I are leaving with her on July second because the job starts on July 18, come over to my house on Sunday and I'll tell you more in detail. Love you babe, Bobby.
Leni handed Lori back her phone while Luna and Luan's expressions saddened.
Luna told Lori sympathetically, "That's such a bummer."
Lori sniffed before replying, "I'm going to ask Lincoln if Ronnie Anne told him."
Knowing Lori's temperament, her sisters exchanged worried glances, thinking she would begin accusing their brother of not caring about her and Bobby's relationship or some other crazy notion.
Lori strode towards Lincoln's bedroom and began knocking sharply on the door, startling her brother.
"I bet that's Lori coming to ask if Ronnie Anne told me," he thought, before the knocking started again.
'You can come in," Lincoln called out.
Lori walked inside the room wearing a serious expression with Luna and Luan following behind their sister.
"Lincoln, did Ronnie Anne tell you about her mom accepting a new job in Great Lakes and that she and Bobby are going along with her?" Lori inquired.
"Yes but I thought Bobby should be the one to tell you about it," Lincoln replied truthfully.
Lori released a frustrated sigh, then suddenly Lincoln felt his right arm being grabbed by Lori.
'You are coming with me to Bobby's now and get Bobby to change his mind about leaving, and have him convince Maria to let him and Ronnie Anne stay with us," Lori said in a commanding tone.
Lincoln bravely managed to pull away his hand from Lori's grasp and gave her a determined look.
'What, you can't be serious, I'm not going with you," he replied sternly, making Lori scowl furiously.
"I said you're coming with me or…" she responded angrily through gritted teeth.
"Or else what, you better not threaten me Lori, or I'll tell Pop-Pop about you forcing me to go on that blind date with Ronnie and threatening to throw that side table at me and I'll tell him about you sabotaging Leni's driving test that one time," he shouted heatedly.
Lori eyes widened in fear of her brothers warning, "Okay, okay I'll just literally give up my job and move with them to Great Lakes, so my boo-boo bear and I won't be apart."
"But Lori you want Pop-Pop to think you're some flighty gal who's willing to give up a job she just started because she cannot handle her boyfriend living a few miles away from her," Luna protested.
'Besides you need to stay with Pop-Pop to help with the housekeeping and paying the bills until mom and dad come back," Luan reminded her.
"Plus Ronnie Anne will have to move with her mom to Great Lakes since Judge Callahan might not approve of her living here when mom and pop return," Luna added.
Lori glanced at Luna and Luan with a woebegone look, then towards Lincoln, then released another frustrated sigh.
"Your right, after all I'm eighteen, I should handle this maturely after all we can keep in touch with each other on our devices," Lori admitted.
"Look Lori, how about we visit Bobby and Ronnie Anne on Sunday, they're leaving July second. Ask your boss for next Friday off and I'll go with you," he pleaded.
"All right," Lori responded, his sisters then walked out of the room.
Lincoln took a very deep breath of relief then decided to watch some TV on his laptop.
Luna walked into her bedroom and picked up her earbuds to listen to music when her phone rang. Answering it Luna recognized the name, "Hello Mrs. McCauley," she greeted cheerfully.
"Hi Luna, are you available to babysit Saturday evening, Mr. Mac and I are attending the engagement party of my sister at seven p.m.
"Yes Mrs. Mac I'm available," Luna replied.
"Perfect, we'll probably get back around ten-thirty and I'll take you home," Mrs. McCauley said.
All this time both Lisa and Lily were sleeping in their shared bedroom wearing noise cancelling earphones Lisa purchased. Albert eventually returned awhile later with the twins and Lucy.
The next day passed without incident with Lisa, Lucy and Luan heading out with Albert after breakfast. Albert first dropped Lisa and Lucy at the library then Luan at the senior center. When he returned home, Albert paid the utility bills that needed paying while sitting in the dining room as Lola stayed upstairs having one of her tea parties with her stuffed animals and Lincoln, Clyde and Ronnie Anne spent three hours at Gus. After dinner as Albert was ready to listen to his radio in the master bedroom he received a call from Howard McBride. Once the call ended, he rushed out of the bedroom straight towards the kids watching Lucy's favorite show, Vampires of Melancholia.
"Oh kids Howard McBride just called to say he and Harold signed the papers for legal guardianship of Lincoln and Lucy a few days ago and have received their lawyer's approval," he announced.
The children remained silent at the news, until Lucy inquired, "Does this mean we have to start packing our stuff?"
"You don't have to start now but the McBride's want you moving in on July sixth," Albert added.
"That's the day after Clyde's birthday," Lincoln thought, "That will give us plenty of time to prepare."
Lori yawned and said, "Guys I'm heading upstairs goodnight."
Beginning to feel the effects of tiredness himself, Lincoln rose and followed Lori. Back in his bedroom Lincoln stood next to his dresser, his thoughts turning towards his redheaded friends.
'That's it, it's time for Rusty Liam and Zach to know everything," he thought.
The first one Lincoln called was Rusty through his video phone, when Rusty showed up on screen Zach suddenly appeared behind him.
"Hey guys, are the two of you having a sleepover," he inquired.
"Nah, my folks decided to have an impromptu date night and dropped me off at Rusty since it was too late to call a babysitter," Zach explained.
'Oh, Lincoln uttered, then continued, "I just want to ask if you can both meet me at Ketcham Park tomorrow afternoon at one p.m. to discuss something, I'm also calling Liam."
"Could you give us a hint?" Zach asked making Lincoln shake his head.
"Just meet me tomorrow, it's something I've should have mentioned sooner," Lincoln replied.
Zach frowned a bit, realized something and began rubbing the back of his head nervously.
"Sorry bro but tomorrow my mom's birthday, dad and I are taking her out for lunch at Aloha Comrade," Zach explained.
"Oh then how about Monday at two p.m?" Lincoln asked.
"Cha, I'll be there Monday," Rusty replied, and Zach added, "Sure Lincoln, I can make it."
"Okay Zach and Rusty, see you on Monday," Lincoln said.
"Bye Lincoln," both redheads said simultaneously.
Once Rusty ended the call, Lincoln logged instantly onto Liam's domain. The other redhead greeted Lincoln with his usual Southern charm.
"Hi Linc what can I do you for," he answered cheerfully.
"Hey Liam I know your dad lets you off early in the summer from doing your chores, could you meet me Monday at Ketcham Park at two p.m., Rusty and Zach will be there," Lincoln said.
"Sure I can make it," Liam replied.
"Okay see you Monday at two, bye Liam," Lincoln said.
Once the farm boy logged off Liam gave a puzzled expression and thought, "I wonder what Lincoln wants to talk to us about?"
Saturday
Thirty minutes after dinner which Albert picked up from Burping Burger Lori then drove Luna to the McCauley home. The four older sisters have been babysitting neighborhood children for extra money since the age of thirteen respectively. The McCauley's always preferred to hire the sisters because they were known as the best babysitters in Royal Woods despite their own erratic behavior. That afternoon Lincoln and the girls except Lori attended a movie with Albert giving Luna spending money.
Some miles from Royal Woods in the nearby town of Huntington Oaks, Lucas Loud, his wife Sara and their five children returned two hours ago from the airport after relocating to Seattle for six months. Lucas was an engineer and two years older than his brother Lynn Sr., had accepted the job of overseeing the construction of a new office building in Seattle. Sara, a practicing child psychologist decided to close her practice and bring the children along with her and Lucas then reopen her office upon returning.
Currently the exhausted children were fast asleep in their beds, not bothering to change into their sleeping clothes that were still packed in their suitcases. After Lucas bought a bucket of fried chicken and chips from a local chicken joint on their way home from the airport, they arrived home leaving their suitcases standing in the living room then headed upstairs after eating.
Sara picked up the phone to contact Gran Amy. Naturally Gran Amy had to break the news of Lynn Sr. and Rita getting arrested and placed on trial for child abuse and neglect, tactfully omitting the part of Lincoln being forced to wear the squirrel suit. As expected Lucas and Sara were absolutely appalled at the terrifying news. Amy kept them informed about updates Albert told her including the parents of Lincoln's best friend applying for legal guardianship of Lincoln and Lucy, Aunt Shirley taking in everyone else except Lori, Leni and Luna and a nice couple living close by taking in Lily.
Amy picked up after three rings, "Hello, Sara so glad your back. Hope the children are okay."
"Hello Amy, the children are fine, we just returned two hours ago. I'm just calling to hear the latest on Rita and Lynn Sr."