One week later

On the first day we got a few reactions on the website. After one week we got plenty of them!

I like to think that it is due to the quality of the photographic session, or to Leni's designs. Not because of the session at the beach, in which she and Lori played in tiny, colorful bikinis.

Whatever. Rampant activity on the site forced several of us in the family to respond to comments, edit content and delete spam. The funny thing was that some responses were notoriously by Lucy (the more formal and shy), some others by Lori (if they had some "literally" slipped on it) or by Lisa (if they gave unsolicited scientific explanations about how such a small garment didn't yield to the Law of Gravity).

When it came my turn, I gave more emphasis on erasing the raunchy compliments. When I finished that task, I noticed an email that had just been written. It was very formal, in the name of a so-called "Mizu-chii". It went like this:

Good Morning. My name is Mizu-chii (Mizuki Yawara)

and I am a Japanese model.

I like your designs a lot, I would like to model them

if ever I have the opportunity.

In one week I'll be around Chicago, Illinois, on your country;

I hope to have contact with you.

And it had an external link to a photo of her, in a blog she owned. And indeed, she was very pretty. Hair dyed red, with a slender figure and skin like porcelain ... And she was like the age of Lori! I answered it immediately.

Thank you very much for the greeting! We hope to be in touch with you soon.

But before I sent it, I added:

Lincoln Loud, site co-manager.

If they asked me why I put my name, I would tell them to give it a personalized touch. I really wanted her to know mine. Nothing else.

"Is it me? I don't remember having dyed my hair red".

I jumped out of my seat at the sound of a little voice behind me, and it wasn't Lucy: Leni saw the picture of Mizu-chii open to one side of the e-mail client, as she put her cell phone aside.

"Leni! How... how nice that you came. She's a Japanese model who just wrote to us. She said she'd be interested in modeling your designs.

"A model? I already knew that my eyes weren't that beautiful... She is so gorgeous! What did you say to her?"

"I greeted her and told her to stay in touch. You never know when you'll need the cooperation of a friend like that.

"Friend? Like, do you think she wants to be my friend?" I would like someone like her to talk about fashion.

Then her cell phone rang. It was a message, and Leni seemed excited to receive it.

"Excuse me, I'm going to attend to this message. I wish she were my friend, Linky! Can you help me?

"I'll see what I can do," I said as I retreated. I stretched out my arms, and I was about to write a super flirty post to that cute Asian when Lori came in.

"Hey, have you seen Leni around here?" There's an issue that literally requires her attention, and yours, too.

"What is it, Lori? I was about to write an important email".

"You just come with me!", she exclaimed, pulling me out by my arm and down the stairs. In the living room was Mom, talking on the home phone. Lori dropped me off beside her and went to find Leni. Mom mentioned something that would happen in a week, and if there wasn't another opportunity later. The girls appeared almost a minute later, with Leni almost being pushed by the older one ... And she kept responding to the messages with enthusiasm.

Finally, Mom hung up. She turned to us.

"Kids, as you know, your father and I talked to some acquaintances working in the mall, to find out how possible it would be to organize a fashion event for Leni's business."

"What? Me what?", Leni said at the sound of her name. The cell phone had her distracted.

"Could you be more attentive, honey?" This matter is of your very interest. As I said, I've just been notified that a famous Canadian fashion mogul will be coming to Detroit and then will be here in a week... Jerome Delmar.

Lori reacted. "Yes, I've heard of him. I like the Delmar brand ... And why he's coming to Royal Woods?"

"He comes to personally supervise a local distributor. My contact tells me that it would be ideal if we put the fashion event forward for a week before, so that Mr. Delmar can see it. Is it possible, Leni?"

She looked away, and responded with difficulty.

"I'd like to, but ... A week?" It's like a lot of work! And so very little time!

Mom smiled.

"Of course it's a lot of work. That's why we'll help you in whatever you ask for".

"Will you help me?"

"Take it for sure! And don't forget that we're the Louds. Together we can achieve anything!", I said excitedly, and then I shouted by the stairs: "Girls! Leni needs us to help her fulfill her dream. What do you think? We will make it?

A thunderous "Yes!" rang from above, and a stampede of sisters descended to where we were standing.

"We need to set up a fashion show in a week. What do you think?" I asked the group.

"Don't you worry about getting a top model ... Just worry that my beauty doesn't opaque your dresses!", Lola said with an elegant pose, and we all laughed.

"I don't know anything about fashion, nor do I care ... But I guarantee you the best scenario!" Lana assured him.

"The black curtains will give some elegance. The black color makes everything better", Lucy said, with a poorly concealed smile.

Leni could barely contain her tears of emotion. She bent down and gave the three sisters a big hug, making them moan. The rest we started to launch ideas for the project.

Minutes later, after agreeing a meeting the next day to start to organize, each one returned to its activities. I looked for Leni to talk to her and show her my support. She wasn't in her room, not in the kitchen. I went to the door, and I saw her sitting on the porch with her cell phone, but this time she sent a voice message.

"They're going to help me!" Don't you think I have a really nice family?

Then I heard the answer. A very rough male voice that said:

"It is. So very nice".