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

What Love Creates

By Lola Presents

Chapter 4

Lincoln, indeed had a lengthy day. The office got a new client and had orders ready to go. Lincoln and his inking team had to work extra hard to get everything out and nearly didn't.

However, the young man pulled it through and saved the day. He didn't complain, though they could've given him more than a day in the frying pan before tossing him into the fire.

After such a day, he was looking forward to getting home and taking a hot shower. However, the garage had called and said his car was ready, which led to a visit to his boss's office.

There, he explained the situation and got a small advance on his first check to cover the costs. If it hadn't been for his efforts earlier, he may not have received it and was thankful for his work ethic.

From work, Lincoln caught a cab to the garage and paid the man, giving him a gracious tip for being so efficient.

"Thank you, sir," Lincoln said, handing over the money. "And here's a little something for getting it done quickly."

"Oh! Thank you, Mister Loud!" replied the mechanic.

The exhausted youth had just gotten home and entered his bedroom when Lola's message came across through Lucy's phone.

Lucy: Hi, Lincoln. Are you home yet?

Lincoln: Hey, baby. I just got in. I had a long day at work today. Also, I picked up the car afterward. How are you?

Lucy: I'm fine, though I've recently felt a little ill. Not sure why, though.

Lincoln: Maybe it was the sandwich you ate.

Lucy: Hah! Maybe. Oh, Lana is on a date with Clyde. Did you know about this?

Lincoln: Actually, yes. Well, not precisely. I knew he liked her and told him to go for it. It was kind of nice having him ask permission first.

Lucy: Yeah, he can be charming. Perhaps, too sweet. That's what I'm worried about most. I don't want my twin to get hurt.

Lincoln: Meh, I don't think Clyde would do anything to hurt her. He's a good guy. So, what else has been going on?

Lucy: Not much, honestly. Lisa made a mess upstairs when something exploded. Again. Lily doodles a lot, and Lucy has been pouting over us being together and Lana going on a date.

Lincoln: Oh? I thought Lucy supported us.

Lucy: It's not that. She is fuming because Lana and I are younger than her, and she still hasn't had a proper date.

Lincoln: Wait, didn't she go out with Rocky once?

Lucy: Well, yeah, but she didn't go as herself, remember? Besides, it didn't exactly work out.

Lincoln: Oh, yeah. Well, I need to shower and hit the hay. Talk more tomorrow. I love you, Lola-bear.

Lucy: I love you too, Lincy. Goodnight!

Headlights shone in the driveway, illuminating the dining room where Lucy and Lily stood, waiting for their sister.

"Hey guys," said Lola from behind them, giving Lucy back her phone. "What're you doing?"

"Sh!" demanded Lucy, then whispered, "Lana just got home. We're spying!"

Lola joined them behind the curtains and watched.

Clyde parked his car but left it running, opened Lana's door for her, and extended a crooked arm. Together, they walked onto the front porch, where they stopped short.

"What're they doing?" inquired Lola.

"Hush, so I can hear!" spat Lucy, pressing her ear against the window through the fabric, using a funnel to aid her. "Okay, he's telling her that he had a great time and that she looked lovely," Lucy conveyed. "Now, he's asking if he can see her again."

"Oh, this is so exciting!" cried Lily.

"Okay, they aren't talking now. Hang on," instructed Lucy before peering out from behind the curtain. "They're kissing! And it looks like they're saying goodnight."

Suddenly, the doorknob turned, and Lucy stepped away from the window, throwing the funnel under the table.

"Oh, hi guys," Lana said, resting her purse on the dining room table.

At once, the three girls rushed Lana, begging for information.

"How did it go?" inquired Lucy.

"Did he shut down like a robot?" asked Lily.

"Are you in love?" questioned Lola.

Lana stood there and crossed her arms.

"Okay, I'll tell you," she said flatly. "But honestly, you should already know how it went. I mean, if you're going to spy, at least turn off the overhead light," she said, pointing to the ceiling. "I saw your shadows in the curtains as plain as day."

"Sorry," they apologized, turning crimson.

"But we couldn't help it," added Lily. "Seeing you dressed like that, out on a date, it's just too weird."

Lana headed for the stairs.

"Give me a moment to change, and I'll meet you in the living room to tell you about it," she announced.

A few moments later, Lana was sitting on the coffee table, her sisters lined up on the couch, waiting for gossip.

"Okay, so. We went to the museum, right?" Lana began summarizing the evening. "At first, I didn't think I'd like it because, you know, I find things like that boring. But it turned out pretty cool. There were dinosaur bones and other old things people dug out of the ground. It kind of makes me want to go digging now."

"Stop, stop," cried Lola. "That's fine and all, but we meant, how'd it go with Clyde!"

"Oh," said Lana. "He was a real sweetheart. Clyde opened doors, helped me operate the little automated narrator things, and held my hand a lot. He wasn't too clingy like he was with Lori, though, and I felt comfortable around him. It was nice. Halfway through, he treated me to chilidogs and a shake at the concession stand. We wandered through the exhibits some more after that, mostly art. Then, he brought me home. And well, you saw the rest."

"So," asked Lucy. "Any sparks? Are you going to go out with him again?"

Lana shrugged.

"I told you guys before; it was just a date," Lana reiterated. "I mean, yeah, I like him, and I'll probably go out with him again, but don't rush me, okay? Dating is new to me, and I don't want to fall into the trap of committing to the first guy who likes me."

"Alright," conceded Lola, playfully slapping her legs and standing. "I think we've drained Lana of all we're going to get. I'm going to get a snack and go to bed."

"Same," agreed Lucy.

"I'm just going to bed," announced Lily, bouncing up the stairs.

Lana headed up after Lily while Lola and Lucy went to the kitchen.

Lola prodded around in the fridge for a moment before pulling out another of Lincoln's horrid sandwiches, making Lucy grimace.

"Are you going to eat that?" she inquired.

Lola rolled it over in her hands, beginning to unwrap it. "Yeah," she said, taking a bite and talking with a full mouth. "It's funny, though. I tried one the other day and thought it was horrible. But for some reason, I am craving them now."

Lucy grabbed a fruit cup and a spoon, then pulled two chairs out.

"Lola," she said. "We need to talk."

Lola sat in the offered chair, hungrily gobbling at the sandwich.

"Yeah, what's up?" she asked.

Lucy took her place beside her sister.

"Listen, you've been periodically throwing up, cleaning, and now you're craving odd food," she informed Lola.

"Yeah, so?" said Lola, muffled by food.

"Don't you see?" prodded Lucy. "You're pregnant."

Lola laughed so hard that she almost spit her food out.

"I'm what?" she exclaimed. "Don't be silly. Morning sickness doesn't happen until six weeks or so. And it's only been two days. Besides, I'm too young to get pregnant, anyway."

"No," replied Lucy sternly. "You're not. You menstruate, don't you?"

Lola nodded.

"Then, you can get pregnant," Lucy told her.

As if on cue, Lola's abdomen began to cramp.

"Uh, excuse me," she said before bolting from the room.

Lucy, worried about her, followed her sister to the bathroom upstairs. Sure enough, Lola began vomiting again, and Lucy held her hair back for her.

"I told you!" she said.

Once the episode was over, Lola sank to the floor.

"This can't be happening," she whined. "I mean, it makes sense, but not completely. Why would I have morning sickness so soon?"

"I don't know, Lola," replied Lucy. "But I know who might be able to find out."

"Lisa," they said in unison.

Lola was in turmoil. She couldn't be pregnant, could she? As if her life wasn't complicated enough, having a baby at thirteen could end her social life and beauty career. Of course, she'd care for it and love it, but would Lincoln? That was the biggest question on her young mind. Lola imagined he would, but one could never tell.

She began to feel an uncontrollable urge to cry but tried her best to stifle it. At the same time, her heart filled with a warm feeling she had never thought possible. Holding their little one in her arms delighted the young girl. Nevertheless, they were on their way to interrogate Lisa. Now was not the time for emotion.

Soon, Lucy and Lola opened Lisa's door and stepped into the darkened room.

"Lisa?" whispered Lucy. "Are you awake?"

"Oh, for Pythagoras' sake," yawned the little scientist. "I just settled into bed. What do you want?"

Lola flipped on the light, causing Lisa to squeeze her eyes closed reflexively.

"Okay, fine," Lisa said as she swung her legs out of bed. "What seems to be the problem?"

"Well," explained Lucy. "I think Lola's pregnant."

Lisa put on her glasses, which were resting on her nightstand, and stared.

"That's highly unlikely, Lucy," informed Lisa. "Have you taken a test?"

Lola shook her head in the negative.

"No, I haven't," she said.

"Listen, Lola. It wouldn't have mattered anyway," Lisa muttered. "Tests aren't effective before two weeks, and besides, I took certain precautions against such an event. You have nothing to worry about."

"What do you mean you took precautions?!" questioned Lola sharply. "What exactly did you do?"

Anger began welling up within Lola. Nobody had the right to invade their privacy or their biological sovereignty. Not even a family member was allowed that privilege.

Lisa sighed and got out of bed.

"Lola, being rather astute, I have been aware of your blossoming romance with Lincoln for quite some time," Lisa announced. "Perhaps, longer than even you. Considering recent advances in that department, I took it upon myself to ensure conception would not occur."

Lucy and Lola grimaced at Lisa's admission, and Lola reached out as if to strangle her younger sister.

"But in what way?" Lucy prodded, holding back Lola's advance with one arm.

"If you must know," the little scientist began explaining. "I developed a serum inhibiting Lincoln's sperm production and lowering his testosterone. Thus, I reduced the chances of consummation and pregnancy. Remember your dinner the other night, Lola? I administered the serum in food that only he would eat. So you see, you should be fine."

"Let me guess," spat Lola. "The sandwiches?"

"Affirmative," nodded Lisa. "I knew only Lincoln would eat them."

"But Lincoln didn't eat any that night!" exclaimed Lucy. "He had the main course!"

"Hmm," mumbled Lisa. "I hadn't accounted for him opting for anything other than his favorite. It seems I am in error and that pregnancy is a possibility. Tell me, why do you believe you're pregnant?"

"Oh, just that she's been throwing up, cleaning like crazy, and craving things!" shot Lucy, becoming increasingly irritated.

Lisa eyed Lola suspiciously.

"What kinds of things have you been craving?" she inquired, narrowing her eyes.

Lola clasped her hands and began fidgeting.

"Um, the sandwiches?" she offered apologetically.

Lisa pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Oh, for crying out loud," she sputtered. "You didn't eat any of them, did you?"

The princess looked at the scientist sheepishly and nodded.

"Two," Lola admitted, blushing.

Lisa fell back into her office chair.

"Lola, those were meant for Lincoln and designed for his biology! " Lisa chastised Lola as if the girl had some way of knowing beforehand. "There's no telling what it's done to you! I'm going to have to give you a thorough examination post-haste."

As Lily moved into Luan's and Luna's old room years ago, a new table rested against the wall that used to guard Lily's crib, and Lisa hurriedly moved the clutter from it to the floor beside her.

"Lola, please lay down. This exam won't take but a moment or two. I need to do a routine ultrasound and take a blood sample," Lola's brainy sister instructed.

"You can do that?" asked Lola in disbelief.

"Please..." responded Lisa as if insulted.

A few moments later, the exam was over, leaving Lola sitting on the table's edge. Running her fingers over the sore spot on her arm where Lisa had drawn blood, she grew concerned.

"How long until we know for sure?" Lola asked, feeling as if she were at the hospital again.

"Well, I'm preparing a slide now," Lisa sighed. "Hold your proverbial horses."

Together, Lucy and Lola watched as Lisa used a siphon to extract a few drops of blood from the beaker, place them into a small vial and spin it in a centrifuge. Afterward, the platelets separated from the plasma, which Lisa drained.

Taking the leftover sample, she placed the slide into several dyes and mixtures of alcohol and water. Soon, the slide was ready, complete with a coverslip. Another five excruciating minutes later, Lisa spun away from her microscope.

"Alright, Lola, it seems you are indeed pregnant. Five weeks to be exact, by the size of the fetus," Lisa said, looking at the ultrasound.

"What?!" exclaimed Lola. "That can't be!"

Lisa nodded in agreement.

"I am inclined to believe that the serum has had an opposite effect on you, stimulating growth," Lisa admitted, ducking in her seat to avoid Lola's swing. "But wait. Before you pummel me, I can rectify this if you give me the night to extrapolate an anti-serum."

"It won't hurt our baby, will it?" inquired Lola pensively, holding her belly.

"Not at all," assured Lisa. "While I cannot reverse the already present growth, I can remove any other abnormal effects of the serum. The fetus will grow normally, and while you may give birth a few weeks early, it will be otherwise healthy. Aside from any possible genetic influences."

"Well, okay," conceded the troubled youth. "But make it snappy! My body can't handle a full-term baby so fast."

"Yes," hummed Lisa. "I am well aware of human physiology. Now, go to bed and try not to worry."

Lucy and Lola proceeded to the hall, where they parted ways.

"Goodnight, Lucy," said Lola. "Thanks for being there for support."

"No problem, sis," responded the goth. "But she's right. Let's try to get some sleep."

As Lola lay in bed, fighting back a flood of emotions, she thought of Lincoln and how he would take the news. She'd have to tell him sooner or later, as well as the rest of the family, and was scared.

A mixture of giddiness, terror, and confusion cascaded through Lola's brain. Who else could she ask for advice? Oh! That was it. Tomorrow, she would talk to Lori.

Lincoln awoke a few hours after nodding off. He couldn't pinpoint the reason, but he felt restless. Something was missing. Maybe it was the lack of noise at Ruth's house. Perhaps, he was beginning to feel the effects of isolation. Either way, he needed to do something.

He pulled out his art supplies, sat at an old desk in the corner of his room, and began drawing. With no real goal in mind, he let his hands speak for him. A drawing of his family slowly emerged. One by one, the Louds appeared, huddled in a tight bunch in front of their house.

He paused momentarily upon starting his rendition of Lola, and tears began forming in his ducts. Stepping away from the piece, he leaned against the wall and silently wept. He missed Lola dearly, and though he tried to stay resolute, his feelings had caught up with him.

"I can't do this…" he whispered to nobody as he crumpled onto the bed, curling up. "God, please, just put us back together or end it," he whimpered. "Can't you understand how much I love her? Huh? Answer me, damn it!"

When no response came but the crickets outside his window, he pulled the covers over himself and cried until he fell asleep.