Chapter 45
Well the Fourth of July celebrations are over. Next on the agenda is Lincoln and Lucy preparing for their departure and Albert will make a decision on when he's going to visit Rita and Lynn Sr. also Aunt Shirley is stopping by to assist her nieces, there's also a couple of surprises in store. There's only a couple more chapters remaining then probably a sequel mainly dealing with the Loud children new lives especially Lincoln and Lucy lives with the McBrides.
Ten seconds later Clyde located Harold in the study who just finished paying the electric bill. The day before the Fourth of July, the McBride dads finished cleaning and removing the décor in the two guest bedrooms for Lincoln and Lucy.
"Say dad Lincoln wants to speak with you," Clyde asked then handed over the phone.
""Hello, what's happening Lincoln," Harold McBride answered in his typical genial manner then waited for a response.
'Hi Mr. McBride, this is about Lucy. She's worried that you and Mr. McBride might have superstitions about bringing her coffins into your house so I'd like to know if both of you have," Lincoln asked politely.
'Oh no Howie and I aren't superstitious in any way. Tell Lucy she can bring them along but she can keep one in her bedroom and the rest will be stored in the basement," Harold responded.
"Thanks a lot Mr. McBride, have a nice day," Lincoln replied.
After hanging up, Lincoln returned upstairs and peered into the Goth girl's bedroom where she continued packing her suitcase carefully.
The boy cleared his throat to signal his presence causing Lucy to turn around sharply.
"I just spoke with Clyde's dad Harold. Mr. McBride said he has no problems with you taking the coffins," Lincoln reported.
Giving Lincoln a little smile of gratitude, Lucy replied, "Thanks Lincoln," then he joined the younger girls to watch cartoons.
At the moment Albert was sitting in the kitchen reading the newspaper while Leni and Luan stood at the kitchen sink washing everything used for breakfast. The elderly man became alerted to the sharp ring of his cell phone and quickly fished it out from his front shirt pocket.
Noticing Melody Ventura's phone number on the caller ID he pressed the red button.
"Good Morning, Melody, this is Albert," he answered politely before pressing the speaker phone so he could hear clearly.
"Morning Albert, I'm calling to relay some bad news," Melody began, which Leni and Luan overheard and the girls gave each other puzzled looks.
"Yesterday Antonio told me his company is moving to Great Lakes," Melody paused before sighing. Unbeknownst to anyone Luna was about to enter the kitchen for a glass of water when she overheard Melody speaking and stopped to listen on the conversation.
With a heavy heart Melody continued speaking, "Antonio and I had to make a difficult decision about Lily because we don't want her living so far from her siblings so we decided on asking Mrs. Maxwell if she could take Lily," Melody responded.
Leni and Luan began smiling with joy because it meant that Lily wouldn't be the only child without a sibling even though shed have Carey as another brother. One time Leni actually wished the Ventura's had changed their minds and convince Aunt Shirley or Clyde's dads to take Lily.
"I was just calling to inform you and to ask for Mrs. Maxwell's phone number," Melody continued.
"Sure, here's her number," Albert replied.
Being blessed with an ability to remember phone numbers Albert proceeded to give Melody Aunt Shirley's numbers which Melody jotted down on a notepad. At the moment Luna strolled into the kitchen.
"I got it, thanks," Melody replied.
'Thanks for telling us, I wish you and Mr. Ventura and your son good luck bye," Albert continued.
'I hope you enjoy the rest of the day Albert bye," Melody finally said before hanging up.
Everyone remained still for a couple moments before Leni dashed out the kitchen with excitement.
'Hey you guys," Leni alerted her younger siblings, "Mrs. Ventura just called Pop Pop, and said she's not taking Lily because she's moving to Great Lakes with her husband and Casey."
They all beamed with happiness upon hearing Leni speak and Lincoln replied, "At least all of us will be close by."
Later that afternoon in Huntington Oaks, while Sara and Lucas ate dinner with their five children Lauren, Zachary, Jenna, Natalie and Andrew, Sara made an announcement.
"Kids today I made an appointment with a realtor in Royal Woods for your father and I to look at houses tomorrow at one p.m. Lauren since you're not volunteering tomorrow can you take care of your siblings before we get back," Sara stated.
Sara's comment caused the oldest to protest staying home with her siblings while her parents drive into Royal Woods tomorrow.
'You know mom, why can't you and dad take us since we're going to be living there too," Lauren asked in a pleading manner.
Her sister Natalie suddenly agreed with the idea and began chiming in with, "Yeah mom, can we go with you and dad?"
Both girls gave their parents earnest looks which caused Sara to cave into their pleas.
"All right kids you can accompany us, it means Mr. Sharp won't be driving us in his car and we'll just drive behind him," Sara relented causing the sisters to smile in relief.
Later at Gus
'So I walked into the kitchen for breakfast and saw my dad's waiting for me with these creepy smiles of joy and then I saw bacon, scrambled eggs and pancakes on a plate which my dad Harold made for me,' Clyde reported after taking a sip of orange soda.
Lincoln sat there listening to Clyde speak with only one slice of pizza on his plate since he didn't want to spoil his appetite for dinner.
'My dad Howard said we'll have birthday cake after dinner and Nana Gayle is coming," Clyde rambled on.
A minute later Lincoln finished eating and glanced at his watch. He, Clyde and Rusty already spent almost two hours playing games.
"Clyde it was nice celebrating with you but it's soon dinnertime," Lincoln said hastily.
'Bye buddy, thanks for coming," Clyde said sending a smile Lincolns way and the friend's fist bumped before Lincoln walked home.
That night Lincoln joined his sisters after dinner to watch a movie from the family collection of DVD's but later as Lincoln changed into his orange pajamas, realization struck him that tonight would be the last time he would sleep in the bedroom that belonged to him since it was turned into a nursery.
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The next morning, Lucy awoke to the chirping of birds outside her bedroom window. Feeling rejuvenated after sleeping for eight hours, she placed her slippers onto her feet then walked out the door. Lucy felt unusually positive until she happened to glance at Lincoln's bedroom and saw the plastic containers filled with his toys and the rest of his belongings except his clothing stacked between his and Lisa's bedrooms then a bit of sadness cloaked her then stood behind Lincoln awaiting his turn for the bathroom.
"Lucy, Linky we're having a picnic in the park this afternoon at three. I thought about it having breakfast with Pop-Pop and told him. He's out buying a picnic platter and sodas," Leni who stood behind her addressed the Goth.
Lori had promised Albert at breakfast that she'll ask permission to leave two hours earlier to see Lincoln and Lucy off before they were driven over to the McBride residence.
A minute later Luan emerged from the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel and wearing her bathrobe. Three siblings later it was Lincolns turn.
As Lincoln sat at the kitchen table enjoying his Zombie Bran after donning his usual attire and combing his hair Albert now dressed in his usual attire entered the kitchen.
"Morning Pop-Pop,' the boy greeted and Albert returned the greeting, "Morning kiddo."
"Well I'm heading out now to buy some food since the picnic is short notice," Albert continued on.
Lincoln finished breakfast quickly then collected the garbage from every room for the final time and placed the full bags on the curb. Lincoln came downstairs for a glass of lemonade after washing his hands when Leni who sat with the younger girls watching cartoons, suddenly got alerted to the landline phone ringing.
When he answered the phone, Lincoln recognized Howard McBride's name on the caller ID and quickly picked up the receiver.
"Hello Mr. McBride," Lincoln greeted the taller husband.
'Hello Lincoln Harold and I would like to come over now and take anything heavy," Howard asked.
"Sure Mr. McBride," Lincoln replied.
'Thanks Lincoln and tell your Pop-Pop we'd like you and Lucy to arrive by eight pm," Howard continued.
"I will bye Mr. McBride," Lincoln said.
Two minutes later Albert opening the front door alerted Lincoln and the girls except Leni who was sewing a new dress watching cartoons.
'Lincoln could you get the ice and Luna could you get the bag with the sodas, they're in the back seat," Albert asked them and without hesitation Lincoln and Luna dashed outside.
The McBride's arrived at the Louds five minutes later. Albert exchanged hellos with both Harold and Howard and placed all the plastic containers and a box containing Lucy's eerie belongings including her bust of Edwin. The men placed them in the trunk of the McBrides minivan which held everything perfectly.
At 2: 55 pm Albert and the siblings arrived at Ketcham Park with Lincoln and Luna carrying the picnic basket and Albert the cooler with the sodas over to the picnic area then Leni and Luan placed the food on one of the tables. After eating, Lana and Lola enjoyed themselves on the playground while Lisa gathered small bugs and read a book, while Lucy pushed Lily on the swings.
Later
"It's 7:45," Lori announced peering into Lincolns bedroom where her brother sat on his bed reading a new Ace comic book.
Sighing heavily, Lincoln took one lasting glance around the small bedroom he'd occupied since infancy. The boy harbored mixed feelings about the whole situation, leaving for a new life with his best friend and his family. Grabbing his duffel bag laying on his empty dresser Lincoln met everyone downstairs waiting for him.
"Lincoln, Lucy time to go," Albert asked.
An air of despondency filled the room as everyone stood there with Lucy sitting in the armchair with her suitcase near the doorway acting like her usual taciturn self and Lisa wore her usual stoic expression. Lincoln noticed the sisters except Lucy, Lisa and Lori were teary eyed
"Bro I'm gonna miss seeing you make those yuck.." then Lana paused sharply, "Interesting peanut butter and sauerkraut sandwiches."
Wearing a look of regret on her face Lola chimed in, "And I'm sorry I blackmailed you to be my butler at those two tea parties when you accidentally broke you know what."
"Don't worry guys, I'll ask them if we can do sleepovers once in a while," Lincoln remarked.
Then Lincoln found himself folded into a tight embrace by all his sisters with Albert looking on the tender scene bravely holding back tears.
"I hope both of you are happy living with the McBrides,' Leni said.
"Lincoln tell Clyde hello for us," Lori added.
Everyone walked outside where Lincoln and Lucy's sisters silently watched them piling into the backseat of their grandfather's station wagon then Albert pulled away from the driveway.