As they sped along, Lori kept looking at Lincoln. She really wanted to apologize, but she was still worried that Lincoln wouldn't listen to her.
Suddenly, Lincoln turned and looked at her, but turned away as he saw Lori turn her head. Lori sighed. She had to start somewhere. She inched closer to him so he could hear her.
"Um, Lincoln?" Lincoln didn't turn around. He just looked at his feet. "Lincoln...I'm really sorry. Now I know that doesn't come close to making anything better after what I did but, I just wanted to tell you that I never wanted to hurt you. I let my stupid attitude get in the way. And you nearly...d-died because of me." Lori was on the verge of tears. "You were right. I really am the worst sister ever." And Lori moved away from Lincoln and sat back down.
As Lori hugged her knees and began to cry, she suddenly felt a hand on hers. She looked up and saw Lincoln sitting in front of her. "No, I was wrong." Sighed Lincoln. "You're not worst sister ever. I'm the worst brother ever. I dragged you all here knowing how dangerous it was and nearly lose all of you in the process. I really am an idiot for thinking this was a good idea." Sighed Lincoln.
Lori couldn't believe what she was hearing. She then carefully wrapped her arms around him and pulled him onto her lap, something she hadn't done in years.
"Lincoln, I want to listen to me very carefully. I never want to hear you say those horrible things about yourself. You're a wonderful boy who always puts others first. And I'm just a bossy temperamental teenager who cares more about herself that other people. You didn't deserve anything I said to you back there. I should've been there to protect you, not trying to isolate you." Tears finally escaped Lori's eyes as she hugged Lincoln tightly. "I love you, so, so, much. I can't live without you with me." She sobbed. Lincoln used his thumb to wipe away some of her tears. "Nobody's perfect. Not even me." And Lincoln buried his face in Lori's chest as he hugged her back. "I love you too Lori. I always will." Whispered Lincoln. And with the other sisters moving to give them space, they watched their oldest sister and their little brother's relationship come back to life.
At last, the old engine finally pulled into the station. Lana diverted the engine into a siding and everyone climbed out and ran onto the platform.
The police were there, but they didn't have any time to get their attention as Abby, Dot, and the kids ran as fast as they could back to Abby's. It was lucky for them her townhouse was just down the block.
Now that they were back in WiFi range, Lincoln's phone exploded with messages. But he didn't have time for that now.
When they arrived, Abby opened the door and found to her relief, was the will, just as they left it. "We can finally fix everything." Said Abby happily.
Back outside, Lincoln suddenly remembered. "Ronnie Anne! Sid! The Casagrandes! We gotta tell them that we're ok!" Cried Lincoln. The sisters were quick to agree. "Abby came outside and heard them.
"You all go. Dot and I'll take these to the police station. We'll meet you there." And Abby got into her car and drove away. Vanzilla still sat in front of the house. They piled in, and Lori drove quickly to the bodega.
When they arrived at the apartment building, Lincoln jumped out and ran to the buzzer. "Hello?" Came Ronnie Anne's voice. "Ronnie Anne, it's me, Lincoln." Lincoln suddenly heard the sound of a door opening. A minute later, the front doors opened and Ronnie Anne was there. "Lincoln!!" She cried and hugged him tightly. "Oh thank god! I didn't know if you were still alive!" Said Ronnie Anne. Then she noticed his face. "Lincoln, what did they do to you?!" Asked Ronnie Anne. "It's a long story, I'll tell you soon. I just need to take a moment." He said as he sat on the front steps. The sisters did the same. Then, a voice came from above. "Sweetie! What's going on down there?" It was Maria, Ronnie Anne's mom. She saw the Louds and gasped. "It's the Louds! They're here!" She cried through the window. "We'll be right down!" And Maria closed the window.
As they sat, Lincoln suddenly heard the sound of a loud truck approaching. He looked to the left and saw a black burly truck heading towards them! It braked hard and stopped on the sidewalk. And out stepped Diane! She had driven through the forest to get to the city quickly.
She stopped in front of Lincoln. "Where's my gem!?!" She screamed. Lincoln clenched his fists and stood tall. "The police has it along with Edward's will. It's over, you lost and there's nothing you can do about it." Said Lincoln triumphantly. At first Diane didn't do or say anything. Suddenly, she grabbed Lincoln by the arm and threw him into the street! "Lincoln!!" Screamed Ronnie Anne.
Stay tuned for chapter 35!