Disclaimer: The Loud House and associated characters belong to Nickelodeon and Chris Savino.
When Love Speaks
By Lola Presents
Chapter 4
Lincoln paced, nearly carving a rut between the living room and the kitchen, waiting for any news. It had been forever since he had the house to himself, and on any other day would've taken advantage of it to the fullest.
Being what it was, the situation occupied his mind, and Lincoln spent the entire time brooding and worrying. He loved Lola like no other, and, as the memory of his beloved lying prone and watching her hauled off to the hospital came to the fore, he regretted confessing his emotions to her.
As yet, nobody had contacted him, and that concerned him greatly. Was she alright, and were they talking only to her? Or was her life on the line, and they were too worried to call? The various possibilities floated through his mind, each grimmer than the next.
The mental and physical exercise eventually dried his palate, and he found himself in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water, just as his phone rang. It startled him so bad that he flinched, throwing the glass into the air.
The wayward container crashed against the ceiling, dousing him with its contents. Yeah, he should never have decided on using the Ace Savvy Crime Alert as the ringtone. He'd have to fix that. After wiping his face with his shirt, he pulled his phone out and answered it.
"Hello?" he said, answering his phone while wiping the water from his face.
"Hey, this is Lucy," came the reply. "We couldn't get in to see Lola until just before closing time, so we didn't know anything until then. She is doing well, though still depressed. We're on our way back now, but she has to stay overnight, something about suicide watch. I convinced dad to give her phone back so you two can talk if needed. Don't worry, Lincoln, you should have your girl back tomorrow."
"Oh, thank God!" exclaimed Lincoln. "I'm just glad she's still with us. I thought for a moment…"
"No," replied Lucy. "It was just an aggravated panic attack. I have them all the time. Once you pass out, your body stabilizes until it passes. Anyway, I should go. Bye, Lincoln."
Lincoln ended the call and placed his phone on the kitchen counter. He took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then let it out. Whew, that was close. Still, that didn't mean things were over. Not by far. There was the matter of what their parents and siblings thought of the situation. He knew they had Lucy on their side. At least, he was reasonably confident of it.
On the other hand, Lori had been dead-set against the idea from the moment she discovered them. Pocketing his phone, he returned to the living room and nestled into one corner of the couch. The sweet spot, as he remembered calling it years before. The lights were dim, and the television was off. The house was quiet, giving it an empty feeling.
Fetching his phone from his pocket and staring at it, he wondered if Lola would be resting comfortably or awake and brooding. Only one way to find out, though. Lincoln didn't want to bother any other residents in the room with her, so he opted for the messenger.
Lincoln: Lola? Are you awake?
A single, excruciating moment passed before the ellipses appeared, indicating that she was typing.
Lola: YES! LINCOLN! It's so good to hear your voice. Well, not so much hear as to see, but you know what I mean. Are you okay? I was so worried that you might hurt yourself over this.
Lincoln: Heh. No. I was more worried about you. I should have never told you how I felt. I'm sorry. I caused you pain, and happiness is more important than mine.
Another moment passed.
Lola: Don't ever say that again! It's not about you or me. It's about us. Got it? We're in this together. I'm glad you told me, as I have felt the same way for years. It felt good to get it off my chest. Now, if only I could get these damn monitors off my chest, that'd be great!
A vision of several computer monitors piled on top of Lola, hiding her from view, came to Lincoln's mind, and he couldn't help but laugh.
Lincoln: Did the monitors come with keyboards and mice?
Lola: Ha, ha. No. I'm talking about the little gadgets they use to keep track of my vital signs. You're such a goofball. That's one of the reasons I love you.
As they chatted, numerous beams of light pulled into the driveway, which confused him. Vanzilla only had two headlights.
Lincoln: Well, they're here. I'm going to let you go, alright? I love you. Please try and get some sleep.
Lola: Night-night, Lincy-boo.
Lincoln had just hung up when the family came through the door. Everyone was present, including those who no longer lived there. When inquired, Rita informed Lincoln that they decided to convene at the Loud residence as they walked to the parking lot. The premise was to stay a few days to ensure that Lincoln and Lola didn't do something stupid.
"Do something stupid? Like what?" pondered Lincoln.
"Alright, everybody to bed," announced Lynn, Senior. "We've had a long day, and it'll do everyone good to rest."
Despite complaints, they all filed back to their rooms. Some had to use sleeping bags, however. Much of the old furniture, having been moved to new homes, was no longer present.
"Your mother and I would like to speak with you for a moment, Lincoln," Mr. Loud announced, nodding toward the master bedroom.
"Great." sighed Lincoln, fearing the worst. "I may as well get this out of the way."
The young man stepped into their room and sat in his mother's writing chair as his parents sat on the bed. Lynn folded his arms, and Rita clasped her hands between her knees.
"Son," his mother stated sadly. "I apologize for slapping you earlier. I was taken off guard by the whole affair and reacted improperly. You have to understand, though, how things appear from our side. This thing you have with Lola, it's not healthy. I admit that I may have jumped the gun on the legal aspect. But that doesn't mean we can just let you two frolic as you please."
"I think your mother is saying that," Lynn continued during his wife's respite, "we love you both and don't want either of you getting hurt. What if you fall out of love? Without resentment, you could never go back to being siblings and spending time around each other. What if she gets pregnant? One her age could die giving birth. Did you know that? Then, there's the chance of abnormal birth. Could you risk dooming your child to a life of difficulty or health concerns?"
"Dad, Mom," Lincoln said with all seriousness. "I have no intention of engaging in premarital sex, regardless of who I'm dating. However, we haven't had time to discuss it, so I'm unsure of Lola's intent. From the moment we kissed for the first time, mind you, we were under assault from Lori." Lincoln took a deep breath. "I don't expect you to understand why we're in love. I'm not even sure I can explain it. I know she's the most important person in the world to me, and I'd never intentionally do anything to upset her or put her life or future at risk. All I ask is that we are allowed to express our love for each other."
Lynn grimaced slightly.
"The problem is, there are other children in the house, and we don't want them unduly influenced. We feel you should associate with people other than family." Lynn told his son. "It's better for genetic diversity but as a couple. It allows people to grow and learn about each other together, strengthening their bond."
Lincoln nodded.
"I understand that, Dad," he confessed. "But we already know each other. We've been through more together than you know. Both of you work non-stop and are hardly ever here. Now, please don't feel guilty; that's not my intent. It's just that, in your absence, I've spent the last decade tending to my sisters. I know them all considerably well, but I know Lola best. We understand each other implicitly. With that out of the way, we have the rest of our lives to enjoy each other's company. Wouldn't you say that's a good head-start rather than a deterrence?"
Lynn and Rita looked at each other for a moment.
"Honey," Rita addressed her son. "We understand how you feel; please believe me. What the two of you do once Lola has turned eighteen is none of our business. But while we're still responsible for the two of you, we can't ethically allow it. Now, you're older than her, so we will charge you with being competent enough to handle this yourself. We can't stop the two of you from loving each other, but we can limit what goes on in this house. That's our privilege as parents. You're free to associate with Lola and spend time with her. However, there will be no kissing or being alone together. If you break these rules, we may have to ask that Aunt Ruth take you. Do you understand?"
Lincoln mulled the proposition over in his mind.
"Aunt Ruth?" he thought. "Ugh!"
Lincoln could do this, but he wasn't sure about Lola. However, they'd already gone six years without, so what's a few more? He'd have to talk to her about it. At least they could express themselves vocally. Deciding it was the only way forward, he nodded in consent.
"Yes. I understand," Lincoln complied. "And, thank you."
"Go get some sleep, son. It looks like you need it," Lynn said, nodding toward the door.
Retreating to his room, Lincoln donned a set of flannel pajamas and nestled into his bed. He had only turned off the lamp and curled up to his pillow to fall asleep when his phone alerted him to an incoming message.
"Bloop, BLEEP. Bloop, BLEEP!" the phone sounded.
He picked it up and checked for the texter's name. It was Lola.
Lola: Hi, Lincy-boo!
Lincoln: Hey, Lola-bear! I thought you'd be asleep by now. Aren't you tired from the ordeal?
Lola: Nah. I've been lying in this bed for hours, so I'm not tired. I didn't wake you, did I?
Lincoln: Not at all, Lola. I was lying down, though. Say, can you send me a selfie? I need to see you right now.
Lola: What? No! I look hideous!
Lincoln: Ha, ha. I'm sure you don't. Besides, I've seen worse. Remember when we all bet on who could last the longest, not doing their favorite things?
Lola: Don't remind me. I looked like a neurotic clown.
Lincoln: No. You didn't. Okay, maybe. But I still loved you, even then. I never cared about how you looked. I love you and need to see you right now.
A moment later, an image appeared in the chat window depicting Lola on the gurney. Her hair was a total mess, and her face was free of makeup. Her brows furrowed, yet she wore a bright smile on her face.
Lola: There. Happy?
Lincoln: Very. Lola, you are my entire world. You know that, right?
Lola: And you are mine, Lincy-boo.
Lincoln: Listen, Mom and Dad discussed things with me after they got home. They may be coming around to the idea of us being together. Still, they want to make sure we don't do anything intimate. To be honest, I agree. There'll be plenty of time for that later, right? I just want to enjoy being with you in the open.
A moment passed before Lola began typing again.
Lola: Lincoln, I agree. I'm not prepared to wreck my body doing anything risky, especially if I continue doing pageants.
Lincoln: What? You are! That's amazing, Lola. Just wait. You'll see. We'll take you to the top!"
That's when Lincoln yawned.
Lola: Awe. I don't care if we go all the way to the top. I just want to participate with you by my side.
Lincoln: Me too. I can't wait to see you. When do you think they'll let you come home?
Lola: Probably tomorrow. At least, that's what they said.
Lincoln read the message as he emitted another long, deep yawn.
Lincoln: Hey, Lola-bear? I'm rather tired. Talk tomorrow! xoxo.
Lola: Goodnight, Lincy-boo. I love you!
Lincoln: I love you, too!
Lincoln sighed as he saved the image Lola sent him to his camera roll, locked his phone, and placed it on the nightstand. Snuggling within the covers once more, he began drifting off to sleep.
Suddenly, Lincoln was standing behind Lola, preparing her for the acrobatics segment of a pageant. For this event, he worked to get her hair neatly pulled back into a ponytail, ensuring that every strand was well-placed and didn't look bunched up. Completing his task, Lincoln spun her around to judge his work. As Lola beamed up at him, he began swaying very comically. Stiff as a board, he moved awkwardly, nearly falling over several times.
"Whoa-oh! Whoa!" he exclaimed. "What's going on?"
"Wake up!" came an unusually boisterous demand from somewhere beyond his senses.
Suddenly, the scene before him faded to black. When he opened his eyelids, he stared up at Lori and Luan. The latter grabbed him by his flannel pajama top, yanked him out of bed, and pushed him forcefully against the wall.
"Listen, you piece of crap," Lori growled. "Stay away from my sister. Understand? Because of you, she ended up in the hospital, and I'll never forgive you. If you ever touch her like that again, you can forget becoming a pretzel because I'll rip you limb from limb. I don't give a shit how you feel. It's wrong!"
Lori was seething and ready for an excuse to pounce. Lincoln could see the veins in her neck and temples pulsing, and he began to sweat.
"Not only that, but Bobby had to call a cab to get himself and Lorianne home from Gus'! You see, this doesn't just affect you, asshole!"
Lincoln would've explained that Lola's reaction was perfectly normal, given the circumstance and their parent's demands. However, he decided against it in Lori's present state of mind. Instead, he swallowed his pride and let her continue.
"That's right, you little weirdo," added Luan with a stern look on her face. "You may think being in love is a joke, but we don't. So leave her alone, or you'll get the worst punchline of your life. Get it?"
Luan did not intend to be humorous at all, but the unfortunate timing of the phrase "get it" nearly ruined the impact of what she said, and Lori shot her a grimacing scowl.
"I mean, understand?" Luan corrected herself.
Lincoln nodded profusely, indicating that he did.
"Good," said Lori, tossing him back onto his bed before heading toward the door.
"Loser," exclaimed Luan as she shut the door behind them, putting her thumb and forefinger to her head.
Sitting up, Lincoln straightened his top and sighed.
"Damn it," Lincoln muttered.
At least Lucy, and possibly his parents, didn't hate them. But what about the rest? If only there were a way to demonstrate the sincerity of their love. Maybe then, people would leave them alone. But what could convey something like that?
Returning, for the third time that night, to the sanctuary his blankets offered, he started running options through his mind. Soon, he was asleep.
Lola lay on her side with the thin hospital sheets pulled up to her neck, daydreaming about Lincoln. After the news about their parent's reluctant submission, she imagined Lincoln lying in his bed, drifting off to sleep with a satisfied smile.
"Tomorrow is going to be amazing!" she thought.
Once they let her leave, she'd go home and hold her beloved close, feeling the warmth of his embrace. She knew they wouldn't be able to kiss, but they didn't say anything about hugs! God, just to be close to him again would be enough. Happy and content, Lola drifted off into slumber.