A/N: In a previous chapter there was a mention of Lynn Seniors dad passing when Lincoln was nine-ten years old but since the latest episode "Camped" showed he's alive and working as a fisherman away from home he's going to be mentioned in this story. This is a short chapter.
Chapter updated
Later at the Ventura residence, after the family ate dinner a few minutes ago while their son Carey watched cartoons Melody and Anthony were discussing the news of his company relocating.
"We have such a difficult decision on our hands, if we stay here, it might take months for you to get another job," Melody said worriedly.
"I have only one solution, we could contact her Aunt Shirley and Uncle Ethan Albert told us about and have them take Lily," Anthony said.
"That sounds like a good choice," Melody declared before a slight downcast look crossed her face.
"It would have been nice to have Lily as a sister for Carey," Melody continued.
"But look on the bright side, Lily wouldn't be separated from her sisters," Anthony remarked.
His wife released a little sigh before replying, "Okay, we'll call Albert the day after tomorrow and explain everything to him."
Next day
The residents of Royal Woods woke up this fine and sunny morning, looking forward to celebrate one of the most important national holidays of the year, Independence Day, including the Loud children and their grandfather Albert. Being the first person awake, Albert stretched his arms before getting out of bed.
"I'll have some coffee and toast with jam and the kids can have cereal," Albert thought, sliding his feet into his slippers.
Putting on his robe he muttered to himself, "Pity LJ can't be here."
Breakfast over Luna and Luan washed everything used for breakfast, everyone tidied their bedrooms after showering and while the children watched cartoons together Albert approached them.
"Luna and Lincoln could you put the dining room tables in the backyard," he asked them.
Without any hesitation, Luna and Lincoln did what they were told while Albert was putting coal he bought yesterday underneath the grill. A bit later the children was awaiting the arrival of Grandmother Amy while Albert stayed in the backyard putting burgers on the grill.
"Grandma's here," Lana and Lola squealed happily as the doorbell rang.
Leni walked towards the front door but Luan rushed past her and reached the door first. As Grandma Amy stepped inside the house she heard a chorus of "Grandma," from her grandchildren. They immediately surrounded their grandmother who embraced her affectionately.
"Nice to see all of you," Amethyst declared as she smiled warmly.
"Glad you could make it Granma Amy," Luna declared.
After separating from their warm embrace, Amethyst asked the children, "Where is Albert."
"He's outside putting burgers on the grill," Lincoln declared, then all joined Albert in the backyard.
"Would you like something to drink," Leni asked Amethyst and the elderly woman glanced at the drinks table Luna laid out.
"I'd like some Sprite please," her grandmother replied and Leni gladly honored the request.
With Lori assisting Albert with the grilling of the burgers, minutes later the burgers were finished and everyone sat enjoying the food and talking with each other merrily.
"So how is everyone spending their summer?" Gran Amy inquired.
"Grandma, I was planning to call you about a summer job I got at the new Smoothie Queen in the mall," Lori reported enthusiastically.
"What about you Leni, Luna and Luan,' she inquired next.
"I have a temporary job entertaining the elderly where Pop-Pop lives on the shuttle when they go on day trips Gran Amy," Luan replied.
'I'm waiting for any summer gigs to happen and any babysitting jobs that might turn up," Luan added.
'Have you heard from your husband lately?" Albert asked before turning over the burger he was grilling.
'As a matter of fact he called three days ago from Alaska," she answered plainly
'How's granddad," Lori then asked.
"Your grandfather is doing quite well, he asked if I'd spoken to your parents lately, of course I never mentioned what happened, I probably think it's best for Leonard not to find out," she replied.
"I have been thinking we could tell him that your son was transferred to another IT branch for a temporary assignment in Jacksonville and that Rita went to support him, "Albert replied.
Albert's parents were born in Jacksonville and relocated to Royal Woods before they got married.
'Hmm," Amy mused, "We'll go with that."
They continued eating and finally their grandmother grabbing her handbag.
'Grand Amy, why don't you stay and watch the firework display with us at Ketcham Park at seven thirty this evening," Leni asked.
"All right," her grandmother replied.
Lincoln assisted in the clean up by tying up the garbage bag filled with the paper plates and utensils used to serve the meal and placing it in the garbage bins at the curb. The children along with their grandparents watched a movie from the family DVD collection that Lori popped in the DVD player until seven arrived and they all piled into Vanzilla with Lori behind the wheel.
Next morning in Huntington Oaks
The children of Lucas and Sara's children remained in their beds in blissful slumber just like their cousins in Royal Woods as their parents were having breakfast. Lucas and Sara had to wake earlier despite not working today since they were making preparations to relocate to Royal Woods. Both were heading to their workplaces to finish clearing out their offices, a process they started last Friday. They would leave their oldest child Lauren in charge.
"So what's on the agenda for today dear?" Lucas asked his wife after taking another sip of his coffee.
"Before I leave for the office, I'm calling Elliot Sharp the realtor in Royal Woods whose selling those properties we saw in the brochure and make an appointment for us tomorrow afternoon to look at some of the houses in Royal Springs," Sara told her husband.
"I'm just tying up a few loose ends after clearing out the rest of my things," Lucas added.
They finished eating then Sara placed whatever they used in the dishwasher as Lucas grabbed his car keys and departed with Sara leaving soon after taking a quick shower.
Back at the Loud residence, the younger girls stayed home since the library always remained closed the day after Fourth of July to give the staff time to relax from the celebrations and Lori returned to work at the Smoothie Queen. After breakfast Lucy decided to start packing the few items of clothing and other belongings she owned. During breakfast a worrying thought came to the Goth girl's mind concerning her coffin collection.
"What if Clyde's dads are superstitious about having actual coffins in their house," Lucy wondered while chewing some bacon and scrambled eggs.
A few minutes later, Lincoln noticed her bedroom door slightly ajar and he suddenly wondered if Lucy needed his assistance with packing her belongings. Lucy heard her brother calling her name softly making her turn around.
As Lincoln approached Lucy, he asked," Do you need help with anything?"
'No, I don't really have that much to pack anyway," Lucy deadpanned.
As Lincoln was about to return to his bedroom to call Clyde and wish his best friend happy birthday Lucy called out.
"Wait a minute," Lucy said making him turn around.
'I'm worried that Clyde's dads might object to me bringing my coffins, they could be superstitious about stuff like that," Lucy admitted.
'Oh well, I'm calling Clyde now and I'll ask one of them," Lincoln replied.
'Thanks Lincoln," Lucy replied smiling a little before Lincoln walked away.
As Lucy continued putting the few items of clothing except the night clothes she would sleep in tonight and other effects like every journal she possessed into her suitcase Lincoln in the meantime reached inside his bedroom. Just as he grabbed his cell phone from the drawer he usually kept it, a realization suddenly came to Lincoln.
"Whoops, I forgot Lori removed my account from the family plan, I have to call Clyde on the landline," Lincoln muttered to himself.
Meanwhile Clyde was busy tidying his bedroom (his dads insisted on that even on his birthday) when he distinctly heard the ringing of his phone laying on the dressing table while fluffing his pillow. Dropping the pillow Clyde eagerly rushed over to its location since he expected his close friends, Aunts, Uncles and cousins to call to wish him a Happy Birthday. Clyde already received one from Zach before leaving his room for breakfast.
'Happy Birthday buddy," Lincoln declared animatedly once Clyde answered.
'Thanks for the birthday greeting Lincoln," Clyde responded back.
There was a pause for a couple of seconds before Lincoln spoke.
"What are you gonna do today to celebrate your birthday buddy?" he asked inquiringly.
"Well this morning my dad's served me a bacon, scrambled eggs and pancake breakfast and dad Howard told me I could celebrate with my friends at Gus, how about three o'clock this afternoon," Clyde replied.
"I'll definitely be there buddy," was Lincoln's response.
"Okay I need to finish tidying my room, see you later," Clyde responded.
"Wait Clyde could I speak your dad Harold, you see Lucy is worried that your dads wouldn't accept her bringing her coffins into your house so I need to know if they have any problems with that," Lincoln asked his friend.
'Okay hang on," Clyde replied, then dashed out his room clutching his phone to find Harold.