Hello everyone, and welcome to my new story. We'll speak some more at the end, so see you then.
"Sorry for the delay, Mr. and Mrs. Loud, it's a busy day." A nurse told the parents of now six children. "Your baby boy is perfectly healthy."
"Oh, thank goodness." Lynn Sr. said, relieved that the white hair wasn't a sign of an illness.
"Wait, did you say boy?" Rita asked.
"Yes, your son is perfectly healthy." The nurse said, somewhat taken aback by the question.
"I thought the doctor said it was a girl.", Rita said.
"Either the doctor misspoke, or you misheard." The nurse said calmly.
"Are you sure?" Rita said worriedly.
"Honey, you must have misheard. I heard him clearly say it was a boy." Lynn Sr. said confidently.
"I can assure you, mam, there are no other kids with white hair in the nursery." The nurse said confidently.
"Okay, I must have misheard.", Rita said.
"Well, honey, what should we call him?" Lynn Sr. asked.
"Hm..." Rita thought for a second. "Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday, right?"
Lynn Sr. thought for a moment. "Lincoln, I like it.", Lynn said kindly.
"Then it's settled.", Rita said happily. "Go and finish the paperwork so we can leave. The girls will be so happy to meet their brother."
TWELVE YEARS LATER...
Lincoln sat in the office of his adoption agent, social worker, and psychologist, Doctor Lopez. The office looked like a textbook example of a generic office. There were dull white walls, gray tailed floor, a wooden desk with a chair on one side and two on the other, a black couch by the wall, and some shelves and cabinets for paperwork. The only standout feature was the small bright green table in the corner with some papers and pencils on it. It wasn't that out of the ordinary when you consider that it is an adoption office. Many of the kids that came in would not be able to stay put for long, something he knew full well, so it was only appropriate to have something to entertain them while the adults signed the paperwork.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Lincoln; Clyde had an emergency." Dr. Lopez walked in, hurriedly making her way to her chair. "He also said hi."
"No problem.", Lincoln said kindly.
He owed a lot to that woman. For starters, she helped him realize just how broken his family was. And to think he thought it was his fault he slept outside. Next was that she arranged for him to stay with the McBrides, instead of being placed at a random foster home. Then, after he undertook an extensive endeavor to persuade McBrides, she arranged for them to adopt Lily. They originally wanted to adopt him, but he vehemently opposed it, saying his youngest sister needed it more. Ultimately, he prevailed, and Lily is now a McBride. The last thing she did was adopt Lucy.
As if you couldn't tell, dr. Lopez loved children. If she hadn't worked so tirelessly to help them, she would have probably bested his mother. But, alas, in life you need to make sacrifices; hers being having only one child. However, when that child left for college, she and her husband decided to adopt. Their schedules were too busy for an infant or a toddler, but an elementary school kid was way less demanding than the diaper-wearing kindergartener. Ironically, they were in luck, as Lucy was available.
"So, Lincoln, do you want to talk about the trial?" Dr. Lopez asked kindly.
"I thought about what you said... and I decided to testify again.", Lincoln said nervously. "I didn't vent like the last time, but I still may have said too much."
"Lincoln, you told the truth." Dr. Lopez said, her tone soothing and reassuring. "I know you still love your sisters, so I understand why you think that, but you can't blame yourself for what happened."
He did tell the truth, he just wished he framed it a bit better. After his sisters testified, everyone thought that the parents were either not paying attention or downright incapable of raising a cat. After him, however, many thought his sisters were sadistic spoiled narcissistic brats, and that the parents were encouraging them. The jury almost sent Lynn to juvie and tried Lori as an adult. Fortunately, the worst was averted, as the parents took a guilty ply. That wasn't enough to save them, as they received a practical life sentence, it only got their daughters from prison and juvie.
"I know they did bad things, I just don't think they deserve to be split up.", Lincoln said somberly.
"Don't worry, Lincoln, everyone is in good care. The McBrides are taking great care of Lily, you can see it for yourself. Lisa is working at one of the top schools in the country, she's even teaching Toby. Myrtle is a lovely woman and she will take good care of Lana and Lola. And you know Lucy adjusted well to living with us." Dr. Lopez said calmly. "And everyone else is safe with your grandfather. You even said Lori is learning to become a chef, so she could better help with running the family restaurant."
Ah yes, Lynn's Tables, or Honest Abe's as it knows today. The restaurant saw good business while his father was running it. Of course, he had help from other people, accountants, lawyers, and more; all of whom are now either teaching Lori or helping her run the place. And even though it received a hit from the bad publicity of the case, it was still more than enough to sustain a family of now six, all working in it.
"I guess..." Lincoln said solemnly.
"Hey, cheer up now, there is someone I want you to meet." Dr. Lopez said warmly.
And that was the first chapter. Sorry, it was short, it's only supposed to be an introduction.
Let me know what you think and, until next time, have a nice day.