A/N: Greetings, my wonderful readers! I know, I've been gone awhile from this story. Sadly life took me for a ride and was walking funny for awhile. But with the holidays coming up, I thought I'd come down your chimney and drop something off. Just a tease. I'm saving the real stocking stuffer closer to the big day, you naughty folk. Without further delay: Read, Review and Enjoy!

It's Christmas time, a time when everyone is filled with cheer. Well...everyone other than Lincoln Loud. Lincoln had been bummed out for quite some time. These past couple of months have been a hard and confusing time. Even now, as Lincoln walks now through the snow with Clyde, he can't seem to perk up. Not even with Christmas break on the horizon and the weather being a winter wonderland, he still looked glum.

"Even plans for the holidays, Linc?" Clyde asked sincerely, his concerns aiming to get a smile out of his best buddy.

"Eh...nothing concrete." Lincoln mumbled, simply shuffling through the snow.

"Expecting any company?" Clyde asked.

"No. Why?" Lincoln raised an eyebrow at that.

"Because I've never seen that car there before." Clyde pointed his finger in direction at the Loud household, specifically aimed for the red Prius.

Lincoln's eyes widen in confusion at first, not sure about the vehicle. His mind swiftly did inventory for a second, trying to trace back where he'd recall the car from. The only time he'd seen a red Prius was one time with Bobby...

Putting two and two together, Lincoln's body took off sprinting for the house. Leaving Clyde behind him, bewildered and distant. His best friend was confused by such an action. "Hey, where ya going?!"

"Sorry, Clyde! Family priorities!" Lincoln shouted back, but he didn't bother turning around to speak such. His body was fixed on the direction he was taking, especially if what he was thinking was right. And if it is, then Clyde wasn't exactly allowed near.

He ran faster than he usually would...breathing heavily...thank God he remembered to turn the knob as he reached the door or else he'd just crash through. As he entered his home, he slid, nearly skid, across the linoleum. Practically skating into the living room, he was met with a sight.

A young, gorgeous blonde in a turquoise overcoat. Haven't been seen in some time. His darling sister, Lori. Busy chatting away with his mother and Lisa, her eyes weren't on him. Lincoln took advantage, rushing forth and affectionately tackling her in a tight hug.

"LORI!" Lincoln shouted, happy to see his eldest sister after so long.

"Hehe, hey there kiddo!" Lori chuckled, "You've gotten big on me."

She wasn't wrong. Lincoln had grown a few inches during the time she was away. He was about up to her bosom by this point. Speaking of his face was buried in, unknowingly motor-boating them as his hug became more affectionate. Blushing awkwardly at such, she gently tapped him on the head, getting his attention to look up. Noticing her restrained form, he relinquished her.

"You're back!" Lincoln said, excited and jittery at her presence.

"Yep." She nodded, "Back for the holidays, Bobby and I are staying at a local motel."

"How long are you staying?" He asked, pausing as he hold on for what her answer would be. Rita and Lisa looking at her, just as curious on the matter.

"At the very least, until the day after Christmas." Lori shrugged, concerned as to how they'd react. They all seem to keep their smiles up.

"YES!" Lincoln cheered, his fists pumping up. As Lori noticed his clenched eyes, she took the swift chance to lean towards her mother and younger sister.

"Does he know?" She whispered gravely. The color swiftly drained from the two ladies faces, frowning solemnly. Lori hissed a sigh, head looming downward in defeat at the answer.

"Hey Lori, you ok?" Lincoln asked, tugging on Lori's overcoat. Lori just glanced at him and smiled softly.

She knelt down on one knee, much to the young lad's confusion. As he was trying to comprehend what was going on, Lori took that moment to snatch him up in a great, big, bear hug. Choc full of affection that had been sorely lacking in the past few months.

"I've even better now that I've seen my brother!" Lori said sweetly, getting a smile out of the boy. "How about you go out to the prius? Bobby should have your little souvenir with him."

"Yahoo!" Lincoln cheered, taking off running excited. And as soon as he was gone, Lori turned to Rita and Lisa. Her happy expression slowly disappearing off her face by the second. Soon, there was nothing left but the sardonic frown of an expression. This made the other two nervous.

"You do realize...he's gonna have to find out at some point, right?" Lori said slowly, as if she were worried they wouldn't catch it otherwise. Rita and Lisa jumped in surprise as they processed these words.

"L-Lori..." Rita stuttered, voice laced with dread and regret, "Please don't."

"If not a fault upon the dynamic, then it'd be one on the psychological framing of Lincoln." Lisa lectured, pleading that logic would reach Lori.

Lori glared at them from the side of her eye, "Say that we don't tell him? That he finds out otherwise...what then?"

Rita and Lisa looked at each other, then back to Lori, then down at the floor in shame. They had no clue what they'd do. They've been trying their damnedest to keep this whole she-bang under the rug, they hadn't even bothered trying to think up other solutions.

"One way or another, guys." Lori spoke softly, "Lincoln will find out the truth."

The End! Cliffhanger!