Disclaimer: The Loud House and associated characters belong to Nickelodeon and Chris Savino

Train45: Yup. It had to happen.

simm36: Don't worry. There's a plan afoot.

marz-senpai: As pro-life as their parents are, do you honestly think their kids would feel any different?

RCJ02: Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Ohio. However, marriage is still not recognized.

Bohemian Serenade

By Lola Presents

Chapter 10

Luna knew she would have to address her father's question eventually. With her resident siblings aware of her condition, it was only a matter of time before her parents overheard one of them discussing the issue. Though she would much rather have waited, she also felt the need to hear things from her, not second-hand.

"Actually," the nervous musician stated. "I don't know if I'm going back."

"What?!" belted everyone who wasn't self-absorbed, leaving Lola silent but confused.

"Excuse me?" challenged her father. "It sounded like you just said you might give up on your dream. What would possess you to do that?"

"Well..." muttered Luna, gently resting her hand on her belly while staring listlessly at it. "You see..."

"Luna Marie..." seethed the young woman's mother. "Are you..."

"Yes, Mom," sighed Luna, smiling to herself. "I'm pregnant."

"What? Who? Why?" stammered Rita. "I don't understand."

"What's to understand?" her husband asked. "Though I'm curious myself, what's done is done," he added before addressing his daughter. "What I want to know is, what will you do if you don't return? You can't stay here forever."

"I didn't say I wasn't going back," Luna quipped. "I said I don't know yet. But even if I don't, I have a house and plenty of money. I only came here to spend time with my family. As for who, well, that's not open for discussion."

"Oh, honey," sighed Rita, very concerned. "Don't you think the father should know and be part of the child's life?"

"I agree," nodded Luna's father. "I love you, but I can't believe you'd be this irresponsible," he said. "It's almost as bad as letting those rumors about you and Lincoln get started. I thought you had more common sense than that."

Luna involuntarily began crying. Neither of her parents had yet to congratulate her on her upcoming baby. And bringing their disdain for their incestuous relationship into the mix only fueled her sorrow and rage. Impulsively, Luna stood and grimaced at her parents, having tuned out everyone else. And without further thought, she spoke her mind.

"I can't believe you!" Luna spat. "Who cares who the father is? I'm having a baby! They should come first. But no, all you see is an unplanned pregnancy!" she barked. "I'm not a helpless child anymore! I can take care of myself!" she said, becoming heated and raising her voice. "The least you could do is be happy for me! And, since you seem to care so much about who the father is, I may as well tell you!" she screeched, the veins in her neck standing up. "It's Lincoln. Alright? The rumors were true! Now you have something to complain about!" she finished, retaking her seat.

For a few moments, everything was quiet and still, save for the occasional clink of metal on ceramic as those who didn't want to involve themselves remained silent. As the implication of what Luna had just told them sank into her parent's heads, the tension in the room grew palpable.

"Luna," sighed their father eventually. "I think it best that go home now," he said calmly but sternly, visibly restraining himself. "I don't want to expose your siblings to your life choices." Then, refocusing himself, "Lincoln, I don't care where you go, but you need to leave. I'll not have criminals in my house!"

"What?!" gasped Lincoln, angered beyond measure. "Dad, we're adults and registered residents of Ohio. Our relationship is entirely legal. Your opinion doesn't matter. Please," he begged. "You are better than this. Do you want our child to grow up not knowing their aunts?"

For a moment, Lynn remained silent. Then suddenly, he stood and placed his napkin over his plate.

"I've heard enough," he said, glowering at them. "I want you out by nightfall," he said before calmly leaving the table and heading for his bedroom.

All eyes turned briefly toward either Luna or Lincoln before their mother's sobs gained their attention. The distraught woman sat there silently weeping, unable to voice herself.

"Mom..." sighed Luna reverently. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"Do you..." wept Rita, choking on her words. "Do you sincerely love each other?"

"Yes, Mom," replied Lincoln, nearly in tears himself. "I love Luna with all my heart."

"Yes," Luna agreed, crying too hard to say more, staring down at her belly.

"I see," Rita whimpered, focusing on Lincoln. "Then what about Sam?" she asked as if the young woman weren't present. "I don't understand."

"Mom..." Lincoln sighed, lowering his head. "It's like this..."

Lincoln didn't have to speak further. Rita could see the truth in their eyes, which was difficult for her. Sure, she understood polygamy but had never witnessed it first-hand. It was a foreign concept, but it was there, sitting in front of her. However, she never imagined that her children would engage in such things.

"I'm sorry," their mother sighed, fighting back her tears as she glanced at Sam's and Mazzy's expressions of guilt. "I'll need some time to process this," she told them as she rose to join her husband. "Stay where you are for now. I need to discuss this with your father."

"So..." moaned Lucy after their parents vacated the room. "You and Luna, huh?" she asked Lincoln.

"Yeah," snapped Lincoln, still on the defensive. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, no," sighed his gothic sister. "I think it's pretty cool."

"You would," blathered Lisa, who never truly understood her elder sister.

"It doesn't matter," interjected Lana. "We'll still be the baby's aunts no matter what."

"Yeah!" chirped Lola, now entirely on board. "And we'll love it just the same!"

"Thanks, guys," cooed Luna through her waning tears. "That means a lot."

"Wait..." mumbled Leni, obviously in mental distress. "Will you still be my brother and sister?" she asked. "Or brother-in-law and sister-in-law?"

"They still can't get married," muttered Sam, explaining things. "So, they'd still be brother and sister."

"What about you guys?" continued Leni's line of questioning.

"We're just with Lincoln, too," Mazzy clarified. "Nothing more."

Rita stood inside their bedroom with her hands clasped as she considered her husband, sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. Nothing could have prepared them for what they had just learned, and she couldn't blame him for his reaction. However, as their mother, Rita looked at things slightly differently.

Luna and Lincoln were her children, her babies, and no matter what they did, her children were precious to her. Rita knew from the beginning that all children were different and would grow up to lead varied lives. And though she would've chosen a different path for them, ultimately, their futures were up to them.

"Honey?" she cooed, hoping to prompt a response from her husband.

"I don't get it, Rita," he responded, shaking his head. "There are billions of people in the world. Why would they seek each other?" he posited. "You'd think that the very idea would be repulsive to them after growing up together, with all the fighting and arguing."

"I agree," conceded Rita, closing her eyes and lowering her head. "But, Lynn..." she emphasized, "...they are adults, and what they are doing is legal," she informed him, in case he hadn't been listening. "We have two choices; accept them or abandon them. And I, for one, am not going to turn my children away."

"It's just so damn irresponsible!" decreed Rita's husband. "Having sex with one's sibling is already messed up. Not using protection is even worse. Now, she seems dead-set on having this child, who might have genetic abnormalities. And to even consider leaving her career?" he trailed off.

"Honey," begged Rita. "Is it really all that bad?" she inquired pleadingly. "They know who they're getting as a partner. There won't be any surprises, and they can trust one another. I'm sure they can handle whatever becomes of their baby," she told Lynn. "Besides, how can you say no to another smiling face that loves you regardless of how they came to be?"

"I suppose it has been a while, hasn't it?" sighed Lynn, pursing his lips. "It might be nice to have another little one running around."

"Listen, Lynn," Rita said, finally taking a seat beside her husband and gently nudging him. "I know you're upset and confused, but things will work out. Yes, we'll have to adjust, but that's life. We've been doing it since we got married."

"You're right," muttered Lynn, "as usual."

"I'm glad you think so," chuckled Rita. Then, nudging him again, she made a suggestion. "Don't you think you owe them an apology, at least?"

"Geez," complained Sam once the foursome retreated to Lincoln's room. "I never expected your dad to blow a fuse like that," she announced. "I mean, yeah, it's a shocker, but they've always been so calm and collected about everything."

"Well..." sighed Lincoln, preparing to defend his parents. "They were born and raised in a state where it's illegal and socially corrupt, and they've spent their entire lives based on that notion. I honestly can't blame them."

"Still, it would've been nice if they'd listened to us and saw how much we love each other before getting defensive and belligerent," added Luna, who sat, fuming, on Lincoln's bed.

"Should we start packing, or what?" Mazzy interjected, unsure how things played out in Lincoln's home.

"No..." instructed Luna, intending to stand her ground against her father's intolerance. "We're staying here, as Mom said."

"Why?" inquired Mazzy, who still didn't know the Loud family very well. "You have a house in Ohio, right? Why not go there and get away from all the negativity?"

"Because I face things," Luna told her friend. "Besides, I was hoping they and our siblings might help care for our baby, assuming we return to the music business."

"That's a great idea, Luna," spouted Lincoln, not having once considered anything other than him or Luna caring for their child. "I know they'd do a great job. If only Dad weren't so..."

Lincoln's words got cut short by a sudden, soft but firm knock on his door.

"Come in," Lincoln called, expecting it to be one of his nosy but excited sisters. "It's open."

"Sam? Mazzy?" inquired Lynn as he entered, stuffing his hands into his pockets and taking a deep breath. "I need to speak with my children. Alone, if possible."

"Of course, Mr. Loud," replied Sam, politely excusing herself from the room, followed by Mazzy, who wasn't sure how to respond.

Once the door closed, Lincoln's father locked it to avoid intrusion, then stared briefly at his kids. Lincoln and Luna glanced at each other and back to their father expectantly, though they anticipated the worst.

"Kids," Lynn muttered, removing one hand, pinching the bridge of his nose, and closing his eyes. "I apologize," he offered. "I was out of line. While I disagree with your choices, I must acknowledge them. But please, understand, it'll take some time getting used to the idea of you two being together, much less including your friends."

"I understand, Dad," Luna responded, liking the direction her father had taken but still suspicious of the final result.

"I guess I never expected something like this," Lynn admitted, "and it took me off-guard," he told them, returning his hand to his pocket. "I love you both and only want the best for you and your child."

"Thanks, Dad," replied Lincoln, standing and facing him. "That means a lot. And, we're sorry that we disappointed you. But we have to live our lives and make decisions for ourselves. We might not always agree on things, but those are our prerogatives. We have to respect each other's choices."

Lynn nodded, finally accepting his son as the adult he was. Lincoln had come a long way since he was a child, and Lynn was proud of him, regardless of his recent decisions. Sighing, he pulled his arms free of their restraints and tentatively offered himself open for hugs.

Luna joined her brother and lover, Lincoln, standing and facing her father. Both wrapped their arms around their father warmly, though tension remained. How long it took to overcome was a matter of time that neither Luna nor Lincoln had as they were due back on stage next week.

Though Lynn and Rita had offered their acceptance, they remained uncertain and kept their distance for the next week, associating with them only when needed. Luna's and Lincoln's siblings wouldn't leave either of them alone, peppering them with questions and offers to care for the baby once they were aware that their parents had cooled off.

Life was slowly returning to normal, save for elephants in the room. But even their impact diminished over the coming days. Their sibling's questions began to wane, their excitement eased, and their parents began to accept them as a family of their own. But eventually, it was time for them to decide their future.

"So, what's the plan?" inquired Sam of Luna. "Do you still want to make music? Maz and I have discussed it already, and we're going back regardless."

"You are?" gasped Lincoln, fully expecting Sam to stay at least.

"Listen," cooed Sam, stepping up to her boyfriend and patting his chest. "I love you. God, I love you both," she whimpered apologetically. "But music is my life. It has been since I was a teenager. I can't walk away from that. But I understand if you guys want to stay and raise a family."

"I'm with Sam on this one," interjected Mazzy, who sat aloof on Lincoln's bed. "Besides, I'm starting to feel like a third wheel around here. Don't get me wrong, the sex was great, but I can get that anywhere. Besides, it's not like I'm in love with Lincoln or anything."

"Luna?" inquired Lincoln, facing his sister and holding her hands. "I'll follow you to the ends of the earth. It's up to you."

Luna began crying silent tears while smiling at her brother. Knowing that he'd go anywhere with her filled her with a heightened appreciation for him. However, deciding became even more difficult for her, as she wanted to offer her lover the same consideration.

"I don't know," she cried through her emotions. "I'm tired of hiding our love, Lincoln. If we go back, we'd have to continue doing that. However, we can be ourselves if we leave and make a life for ourselves."

"Luna..." Lincoln breathed, staring into her eyes. "I think we should go. And, we're legal now, so I'm game for holding another press release. Let the chips fall where they may. At least that way, you can say you tried. Otherwise, you'll go through life with resentment."

"Oh, Lincoln..." chirped Luna through her tears, lunging forward and wrapping her arms around him. "I love you so much!"

"I love you too, baby," Lincoln replied before kissing her passionately.

"Okay, okay..." barked Sam, separating the two. "Save it for later. I'll bunk with Maz tonight. Even though it's not your turn..."

Two days later, the foursome found themselves back on their tour bus, though it took many emotional and demanding discussions between them and Bill to accomplish. He was already exhausted from having to locate a new keyboardist, only to get overwhelmed by their insistence on coming forward about their relationship, which could kill their popularity.

However, Luna argued that their recent media faux-pa had only increased people's awareness of the band, and if nothing else, they'd gained more followers than they lost. Noting that being as progressive as they were, demand for the band and their music would only skyrocket, Bill conceded and immediately began talks with their public relations department.

Lincoln was entirely relieved at Bill having found a new keyboard player. While he was willing to fill in, he wasn't nearly prepared to play in front of thousands of screaming fans. And as the bus headed for Seattle, Washington, things began to return to normal. Luckily, the studio musician they'd hired wasn't an official band member and traveled alone.

Their solitude on the bus left Lincoln and his girls to return to their former ways, even becoming more risque, usually wearing nothing but tee-shirts and underwear, if that. Casual sex, and even the occasional orgy, graced every room of the bus, and if it could talk, it would probably throw up at some of the things they did together.

Even Mazzy, whom the others had encouraged to find someone she loved to be with, became more attracted to Lincoln as time progressed, eventually falling in love with him. Much of that had to do with Luna's and Sam's influence over the young man, enticing him into their more sordid and lurid sexual practices, stimulating her to no end.

It was a long trip, but eventually, they arrived in Seattle, where Lincoln kissed them all farewell and left to tend to his duties as a roadie while his lovers prepared themselves for the show that night. The plan was simple; perform their sets, then make the announcement live, cementing the deal by having Lincoln walk on stage and kiss Luna, Sam, and Mazzy.

It was risky, but hiding it, only to have it discovered by the paparazzi, would be infinitely worse.

Finally, with only moments to spare before the sound checks, Bill introduced them to their temporary keyboardist, Colette "Spaz" McGraw. The petite raven-haired girl impressed them, not only by knowing their songs but due to all the little improvisations and embellishments she brought to the table.

Colette's knowledge and style brought new life to Luna's music, and before their rehearsal ended, the tiny girl felt like a long-time member of the band. The concert went off without a hitch with the newfound talent behind them. Even the audience failed to react at seeing a new player on the stage, despite many fans having a crush on Sully.

Finally, it was time for Luna to make their announcement. Standing behind the curtain, Luna shook in her boots. It was one thing to come out as bisexual to family and friends, but to admit to the entire world that she was having an affair with her brother and two other girls intimidated her.

The former may be routine in this day and age, but the latter is not.

Before Luna had worked through her trepidation, the curtain began opening again. Forcing her game face, she strolled out onto the stage with her band. Whatever happened after this, she would have to accept.