Hello Dear Readers! After posting that first chapter I really caught the writing bug and got this one done today. Sometimes the words just flow. I hope you all enjoyed the start of this story and have decided to follow along as I continue it. Now that Lori is out of jail, it's time for her first step: Meeting her siblings after years imprisoned.
I hope you all enjoy!
DarthSidious04: Yeah after thinking about it I have used that phrase a lot hehe. Only time will tell whether I'll keep using it or not.
Everything Changes
After six years in incarceration, Lori didn't really know what to expect when she stepped through the threshold into her family home. The place where she grew up, and the place where she made the biggest mistake of her life, one she wished more than anything that she could take back.
As Lori followed her former boyfriend, she looked around the living room, the only other people in the room being her brother, and both her parents. She wondered if any of her other siblings were even home or if they just decided to avoid her like the plague by staying upstairs. As Lori looked around she noticed that things hadn't really changed that much, other than a few more pictures added to the walls and what looked like a new coffee table in front of the couch.
But what caught her eye the most were a couple new trophies in the case, both with Lincoln's name on them. She wondered when he got them and what they're for.
Once she was in view of her parents, Rita was the first to speak to her daughter, hoping to break the ice and make things go as smoothly as possible. Outside of her father and Bobby, Rita was the only one to regularly visit Lori while she was in jail. Keeping her updated on the family and the rest of the outside world. It was a very rare sight to see any of her sisters while in prison.
"Lori! I'm so glad to see you. I hope you had an alright time being let out?" Lori nodded. Opting to not tell her about the other inmates, like always.
At this point Lynn Sr. rose from his seat to greet his oldest daughter. "Lori, I'm...sorry I didn't really visit as much as I should have. Things were just… busy around here. I'm glad to have you back home. I hope things weren't too rough for you in that place?" Lynn asked as he hugged his daughter.
"N-no things were...fine. The other people didn't really give me too much trouble".
"Liar".
Lori didn't really feel bad about lying to her father about her time in jail. She knew it would only serve to cause them more pain about her being there in the first place and she'd rather do her best to forget her time in prison all together.
"A few of your sisters are upstairs, Lily and Lucy. The others are all out right now. I can call the girls down if you want?" Rita said, hoping to help Lori reintegrate with the family as best she could. "N-no it's alright. I-I'll see if they want to talk to me before I leave. No need to make them come down here". Lori took a second to look at her brother, he was as old as she was when she…
"W-who are y-you? W-why are you d-doing this?"
"P-Please stop".
"It's alright, just lay back and relax. Let me take care of everything".
Lori shook her head to put those images out of her mind, she wants to distance herself from that night as much as possible. Everyone sat down to get more comfortable and begin the little chat that none of them wanted to have. Lynn and Rita sat down next to each other on the couch, with Lincoln at the far end. Lori sat in the old recliner, with Bobby leaning against a wall near the TV. Lori looked over at her brother again, as she did she could tell how much that night changed him.
There was no more twinkle in his eyes, they looked just like any other old pair of eyes. And Lori could see the pain behind them, how much was he still hurting from what she did to him? She wondered. What was his day to day life like now? Did she completely ruin everything for him like she thought? Tears formed in her eyes as he looked back at her. She Could tell he wasn't the same goofy little brother she knew, he was different, she was different, everything was so much different. All because of her one mistake.
"L-Lincoln". Lori whimpered out. The White-haired teen looked at his oldest sister as she called his name. "I-I know that it doesn't even begin to fix things, hell I don't think I ever will be able to...But I want you to know that I really am deeply sorry for-for what I...for that night. I hurt you and I can see it in your eyes, you're still hurting from that night...There's nothing I can do to make up for what I did to you. B-but I'm better now a-and I'm not asking for your forgiveness. Just...just the chance to get to know you again".
Lori wiped the tears from her eyes as she looked down to the floor in shame, ready for whatever hateful outburst her brother threw her way.
"That's… that's why we're here Lori. S-so we can...at least try to fix things. I'm not gonna lie I...It's taken a long time for me to move past that night. A-and I still kind of haven't, but I've been making progress everyday and m-maybe one day...maybe one day I can even forgive what you did to me". Lori smiled at him. "B-but I really need to see that you've changed Lori. don't just tell me. Show me. I never thought I'd ever be legitimately scared of one of my sisters, so do what you can to show me I have nothing to fear from you and we can start from there".
Lori nodded her head. "I-I will! I don't know how yet but I'm going to show you that I can be your big sister again. That I L-...that I care about you and will never hurt you again". Lori stood up and opened her arms to give her brother a hug, but very soon came to realize that was the wrong thing to do.
Lincoln recoiled in fear, letting out a scared whimper and throwing his hands up in defense as Lori moved towards him. Before Lori knew what she was doing, her father stood up and got in between her and Lincoln, defending his only son. "Lori!" He nearly shouted. Causing the oldest Loud child to shrink back in fear and realize her mistake.
"I-I-I'm sorry I didn't mean-shit! I...maybe I should just go". Lori said, defeated as she sped for the door and quickly walked outside. With her mom attempting in vain to stop her. It had begun to pour again but Lori didn't care, she walked out onto the lawn and into the rain.
"Good one. First damn meeting and you're already scaring him again".
"I didn't fucking mean to! I was just gonna..."
"Hug him? And then what? We both know you wouldn't have stopped there hehehe".
Lori smacked her head a few times, trying to get the voice in her head to shut up. "I-I'm not like that anymore! I'm better! I don't- I don't want him like that. He's my brother and I just...I just wanted to comfort him".
"Lori..."
The girl nearly jumped from the sudden voice behind her.
It was Bobby. Sporting a sympathetic look as he stood a few feet from her. "I-I didn't mean to-" Bobby held his hand up. "I know. But you know...you know what something like that does to a person. And Lincoln was only eleven when you… It's hard for anyone to move past that. Especially when it's family".
"How...how can I make things up with him if I just scare the shit out of him by being around!? I broke him Bobby! I hurt him and now he has nothing but resentment for me. I can see it".
"You know that's not true Lori. He's just...he doesn't know how to act around you now. You raped him Lori. That's not something one can easily forgive and forget. It's gonna take time". Bobby replied. "It's been six years! Most of which he didn't even see me for. How can I try to make amends when he doesn't want to be around me?"
"Hell for that matter, how is he even fine around you? You have or at least had the same feelings for him that I did. How has he even felt safe around you these past six years?" Lori shot back.
Bobby frowned at her comment. "You know why. I didn't try to force my feelings on him. I only tried to help and he understood that. So did your family once we all talked. Which is what you should've done so that none of this even happened. If you just would've gotten help!-"
"She didn't care about Lincoln enough to get help". The two turned to see Lynn Jr. staring at them from beside Vanzilla. "Lynn".
"I'm surprised they actually let you out. You out here cause you already attacked Lincoln again?" Lynn smugly asked. "Of course not! We were just talking and things...got heated".
"Yeah cause he doesn't want to see you anymore and you can't handle that".
"Lynn please, just stay out of this. Lori just wants a chance to reconnect with all of you. She doesn't care if none of you forgi-"
"Good. Cause I never will forgive her for that night. She hurt more than Lincoln with what she did. She hurt all of us. And I can't forgive anyone who hurts my family". Lynn angrily declared.
"Oh so I'm not a part of that family anymore? I'm trying Lynn. I'm better than I was back then. I got help and all I want to do is make things as close to how they used to be as I can". Lori replied. "Sorry Lori but that's just not possible. Too much has changed and I don't think you should be a part of the family we have now".
The two sisters stared one another down, Lori clenched her fists and Lynn smirked, ready for a rematch, and another chance to beat her sister. But Lori simply took a deep breath and relaxed her hands, not wanting to fight her younger sister. "Hmpf. Just stay away from my brother, you've caused enough problems in his life". Lynn said as she walked past the two adults and into the house.
"S-she's right. I don't deserve to be a part of this family anymore. Let's just go...If you'll still have me that is". Lori sullenly said as she turned away from Bobby. "Lori, you do deserve a second chance, everyone does. Let's just head back inside and try talking to them again". Bobby tried to convince her, but it was clear that his words weren't getting through to her as Lori started walking towards his car.
Sighing in defeat, Bobby relented and started walking back towards the Loud House. "Alright fine. Let me just go say bye to them and we'll leave". Bobby opened the door and walked back into the living room.
"Hey guys, we're gonna head out. Lori's not feeling good and just wants to rest. I'll see you guys later". Bobby said as he walked over to The Loud parents and Lincoln on the couch. He looked down at Lincoln and saw that he was calming down from his episode, Bobby mentally kicked himself for not warning Lori about this beforehand.
Lynn Sr. extended his hand to shake Bobby's. "Thanks for picking her up by the way. Maybe next time will go better...I hope". Bobby shook his hand. "No problem Mr. Loud. And I'll have a talk with her, maybe help her get started on… making amends". The four heard a snort come from the kitchen.
"Ha, not like it's gonna matter. She hasn't changed and hopefully sooner rather than later you'll all see that". Lynn Jr. called out from the kitchen. "Junior! We are going to give her a chance, that means you too. she's your sister and still a part of this family, whether you like it or not". Lynn Sr. shouted back.
"H-hey Bobby". Lincoln softly spoke. "Yeah bro?" Lincoln looked up at him with sad eyes. "Could you tell Lori I know she didn't mean to scare me like that. Tell her I'm just… not ready for that. But I still want to talk with her when she can". Bobby smiled back. "Of course Linc. I'll bring her by again when she wants to".
"Thanks". Lincoln replied before slowly getting up and making his way upstairs to his room, which was formerly Luna and Luan's room. The rocker of the family had gotten a place with her fiance Sam a little ways away from the Loud House once she turned twenty-one. Luan moved in with Leni, leaving their room open for a new occupant.
The girls only momentarily argued about who would get the room to themselves before quickly deciding it should go to their only brother. Lily took over Lincoln's old room in the process.
Bobby said the rest of his goodbyes and walked out to his car, which Lori was patiently waiting inside.
"Ready to head out?" Lori just curtly nodded in response. "Lincoln wanted me to tell you that he knew you didn't mean to scare him, and that he's ready to talk again whenever you are". Lori just sniffled in response and Bobby put the car in drive, leaving the Loud House in the rear-view mirror.
Over forty minutes later and the two arrived at what used to be their own place. But Lori's name was quickly removed from the lease after her incarceration. "Is Ronnie home already?" Lori asked. "Yeah. Just...let me talk to her first before heading inside". Lori nodded in agreement and waited outside the front door while Bobby headed inside.
After a few moments, Lori could hear faint shouting and then a door quickly slamming shut. A minute later and Bobby opened the apartment door to a unsurprised Lori looking back at him. "Sounded like she didn't take it well". she said with a small grin. Bobby sighed. "Yeah, just come on in. Make yourself at home, already got the sheets and a pillow for the couch. You can take my bed".
"Bobby, no. I'm not going to put you out of your room. I'll take the couch. You're already doing more than enough for me". Bobby was about to argue more on the subject but saw that Lori wasn't gonna move on her end and relented, letting her take the couch.
"You remember where everything's at?" She nodded her head absentmindedly. "Yeah, I like what you've done with the place. Wish I could've been here to help with all of it..." Lori dejectedly said. Bobby frowned before walking over to the kitchen and opening the fridge. "Don't really got much, I'm just gonna order some pizza, you want anything?"
"Yes, thank you. Boo-bo- Sorry. Just an impulse". Lori said, once again depressed at how much she's lost. "Heh don't worry about it. Let me go see what Ronnie wants and I'll order the food". And with that he left Lori alone in the living room, alone with her thoughts.
"It's all just so messed up. I really screwed everything up". Lori thought as she started crying into her hands.
"Well what did you expect. You screwed your little brother. That kind of thing doesn't come without consequences".
"Haven't I suffered enough in jail? I shouldn't be beat down more from my own family when all I want to do is fix things".
"You honestly didn't think it'd be that easy did you? You've got a long way to go before any one of them forgives you".
Lori wiped her eyes, she knew it was going to take time. She just hoped it'd be at least a little better once she got out, not worse. "Okay the food's all ordered and on the way". Bobby said as he walked back out to the living room. Noticing Lori was in a less than ideal state, Bobby sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her, holding her close. "Hey I know things didn't go as you planned but that doesn't mean all hope is lost. It's just gonna take some time Lori, but they'll all come around. Even Lynn".
Lori just dug her head into Bobby's chest, balling her eyes out as he held her in his arms. "It's alright, just let it all out. I'm here".
"Wh-why?" Lori asked between sobs. "What?" Bobby replied.
"Why are you here, helping me? I hurt you too back then. Got you arrested and turned into a pariah by my family. And yet here you are, helping me more than I deserve". Bobby smiled slightly as he looked down at her. "It's because everything worked out for me in the end anyway, and I know you regret it all. You trying to do better is enough for me".
"T-Thank you". She whispered as she continued to cry into his shoulder. Unbeknownst to the two, Ronnie was overlooking their little moment before shaking her head and walking back to her room.
Ronnie-Anne pulled out her phone and started texting the one person she'd been thinking about the most.
'Hey Lame-O How you doing?'
'I'm doing alright Ronnie. I'm gonna guess my sister is there?'
Ronnie used an annoyed emoji before typing out the rest of her reply.
'yes, I don't even know why you bothered to see her today after what she did to you'
'Because she's still my sister Ronnie. And if she's serious about wanting to fix things and be better, then I'm going to give her the chance'
Ronnie rolled her eyes after reading his message. His bleeding heart was too much for her sometimes.
'Okay. But how are you really? Not the lie you tell everyone else'
There was a few minutes of nothing before her phone buzzed with another message.
'I'm fine. Really. Listen, dinner is almost ready so I gotta go. We can talk later.'
'Alright, see ya later then Lincoln.'
Ronnie-Anne huffed in annoyance before putting her phone on her nightstand. It was going to be a long night, and she was not looking forward to sharing the apartment with Lori around.
Ten minutes later and the pizza arrived, with Ronnie deciding to eat her food in her room, something Bobby was against but again, quickly allowed. After dinner Bobby and Lori sat on the couch watching some TV for a couple hours before deciding to go to bed. Bobby gave in to Lori's request and let her sleep on the couch while he went off to his room.
As Lori laid there alone in the living room, her mind started to wander, wander to thoughts of her time in prison, and the way she was treated each night by her cellmate. She could still feel her hands all over her, could still hear all the demeaning and hurtful words that were uttered to her throughout the day. She fought back the bile rising up from her throat as she remembered the worst nights there. It was another few hours before Lori managed to fall asleep, but even then she wasn't safe from her memories.
Lori woke up numerous times throughout the night in a cold sweat, doing her best to forget what she went through during the six years in prison. In her mind though, she believed that she deserved every bit of what was done to her, and accepted that as her punishment.
As she laid on the couch, unable to fall back asleep after her last nightmare, Lori wondered how many nights her brother suffered the same thing she was going through. How many sleepless nights did he lay awake because of the trauma she inflicted on him?
She needed to fix things. And Lori started thinking on how best to take those first steps to repairing the bonds she broke with her family.
So Lori's little reunion with the family didn't go as well as she hoped, but I'm sure most of you realized that was gonna be the case. Now that the initial chat with her brother is out of the way, Lori can start figuring out how to make things right between them. But she faces a hard road, with her own fair share of opposition before anyone is really ready to forgive her.
But at least she still has Bobby by her side, with the possibility for them to resume things where they left off. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you next time.
