"This is Katherine Mulligan with a special report. It's a first for the Royal Woods Child Care for Mental Health - one of their visiting children is being adopted today. 11-year-old Lincoln Loud, the middle child of a family of thirteen, and now a survivor of domestic abuse, was first checked in about two weeks ago. And today, he'll be going to a new home in Fern Valley with Lyra Lone, one of the institution's child specialists."

There they stood outside the beautifully painted building - Lincoln and his new mother, Lyra. But it seemed that Lincoln wasn't the only child from the Loud family going home with her. Lyra was holding baby Lily in her arms as Lincoln held Lyra's arm with both his arms, cozying up to her. And Charles was there too, right beside Lincoln, panting happily.

"Poo-poo!" said Lily excitedly, though that was pretty much all she said, being an infant. Inside the building, the news coverage was acquiring footage of interviewing the institution's director, the man who had signed the adoption papers in advance so that Lyra could sign them as a surprise for the white-haired boy she could now call her own.

"It's never been done before," said the director in the interview. "But our staff was on board with the idea and we were excited to make it work." While the news crew worked carefully to acquire footage inside, Lincoln's new friend Max showed up outside.

"Lincoln, buddy!" he shouted.

"Max!" said Lincoln as the two friends hugged.

"This is so cool!" exclaimed Max. "I knew this day would come! Somehow, I knew it! Oh, I got a surprise for you, too!" Max's parents showed up along with...

"Heyyyy, long time no see, bruh!" It was Luna, Lincoln's rockin' sister.

"LUNA!" exclaimed Lincoln, rushing over to hug her without hesitation. "But how?! We only just saw each other off this morning!"

"Remember when Lyra told you that my mom became a musician?" said Max.

"I called Lina and told her about Luna as well as the situation with your family," said Lyra.

"Wait," said Lincoln. "Does that mean...?"

"You got it, bruh!" said Luna. "The Long family's gonna take me in! Ain't that rockin'?!"

"And my house is just a few blocks from where Lyra lives," said Max. "So at least one of your sisters is gonna stick around!" Lincoln began breathing hard, trying to process what the whims of fate just bestowed upon him.

"You know," said Lina. "We almost wanted nothing to do with the Loud family, after Max told us what you told him. But we were convinced in the end."

Officer Schoffner drove Vanzilla in order to give the Loud family lifts to their destinations with a single moving van carrying larger belongings following behind.

"If ya don't mind any of us askin'," Luna spoke up. "What are ya gonna do with Vanzilla here? Without Mom and Dad, it's prolly gonna get repossessed or somethin'."

"I'm sure the local police will find a use," answered Schoffner. "Why waste a vehicle with more than 10 seats?" The vehicle then crossed a town border into Fern Valley and soon came to what looked like a quiet neighborhood house. "Luna, this is where you get off," said Schoffner. "Out you get." Luna came to the house as a boy about Lincoln's age and his mother stepped out of the house to greet her, as they had seen Vanzilla approach. The mother was very interestingly dressed for her casual appearance. She wore a white-colored short tank top that left her stomach exposed, distressed denim shorts, and white sneakers. Her hair was a light shade of brown, contrary to her son's dark brown hair, and it fell to her shoulders while some of it from her back was tied in a small ponytail.

"Are you... Luna Loud?" asked the boy.

"I am," Luna answered.

"In that case, hey there!" said Lina. "I'm Lina and this is my son, Max. We've been expecting you. Alright, let's get your belongings in here. We got someplace to be this afternoon." Max and his family helped Luna get settled and while they did, the rocker girl took notice that Lina was also in possession of a regular guitar, as Luna had her own acoustic and electric.

"Heyyyy... are you a musician?" Luna asked Lina.

"Yeah, I am," said Lina. "What gave it away? My guitar?"

"Does that mean you have a gig this afternoon?"

"Not today, no, but we are going somewhere special," Lina answered. They were soon in the Long family vehicle, with Lina at the wheel. Luna and Max sat next together in the back seats.

"Why don't ya just tell me where we're going?" said Luna.

"We're gonna go see Lincoln!" said Max. Luna's eyes widened.

"Whaaaaa...?! Lincoln?!"

"He's my new friend," said Max. "And he's getting adopted today!"

"ADOPTED?!" Luna was trying not to freak out, but starting to fail.

"Don't worry, Lunes," Lina answered rather smugly. "Your mom already knows everything, if that's what you're worrying about."

"Who told her?" asked Luna.

"Lyra herself," answered Lina. "They had a talk yesterday before the family spent their last night together. And she requested it to be kept a secret from Lincoln. So yeah, Rita knew ahead of time."

"I guess that's good," said Luna, steadying her nerves. "I can't imagine Mom or Pops freakin' about their own son getting adopted by someone else."

"You know she's not just someone else," said Lina. "She's my friend and to her, I'm the only one she's had until the day she started working at the Royal Woods Child Care for Mental Health."

"Come on, Luna!" said Max. "You're gonna get to see your brother again! And by the way, Lyra's house is like a few blocks from ours! You know what that means, right?" After getting over her shock and surprise, an excited grin started to take over her face.

"I think your sister and I are gonna get along," said Lina to Lincoln.

"Pops was right, Linc!" said Luna, wiping away a tear. "It's not goodbye forever, not by a long shot!"

"What about the others?" asked Lincoln.

"I'm not sure," said Luna. "But they'll find a way to you. We can still be a family. And family supports each other no matter what, either in the flesh or in spirit! And wherever we are, our support for each other will never end!" Lincoln was brought to tears and he hugged Luna once more.

"I'll always love you, big sis," he said. Luna hugged Lincoln back.

"Same here, bruh," she said.

"Woona!" squealed baby Lily.

"Ah, hey, Lily!" said Luna, gently touching her baby sister. "Good to see ya too!" Even Katherine had to wipe away a tear.

"Hey, I hate to break up the love affair, but we're about to do another interview here," said the reporter.

"We'll leave ya to it, then," said Luna. She and Max's family gave Lincoln, Lyra, Lily, and Charles some extra space.

"Alright, we're rolling!" said the camera guy.

"Lincoln Loud, how are you feeling about starting a new chapter in your life?" asked Katherine as the report aired live on television.

Lincoln Loud
Survivor

"I feel like the bravest kid in Royal Woods right now," said Lincoln, a bit shyly. "But I also feel like... I-I gave up a bit too much just to be standing here today. And while I know what my sisters did... I still feel like I wouldn't be here... if it wasn't for them."

"Well said, Lincoln," Lyra whispered.

"And Miss Lone," Katherine continued. "What are your thoughts on raising both Lincoln and Lily?"

Lyra Lone
Child Specialist

"Well, I've never raised a family before," Lyra started. "But I've had a lot of experience working with children. Mostly I deal with helping them in their struggles with mental health issues and for most of the time, it's just about being there for them and spending quality time with them. I had the pleasure of looking after young Lincoln here and I look forward to raising Lily. It'll no doubt be a new challenge, but I'm confident that Lincoln will be here to help, just as I've been here for him. And if I may say, it's gonna make any 'Take Your Child to Work' days very interesting." Lyra's last sentence was obviously meant to be taken with good humor, given her job and that Lincoln had been previously assigned to her. She, Katherine, and even Lincoln shared a laugh together. Lincoln then remembered that one time he was in that boring dental building where Rita worked, and although he accidentally destroyed her novel draft, it ended up benefitting the both of them and they made the most of it, turning something unpleasant into an adventure by reenacting it. Now, there was no doubt he was looking forward to a new start of his life, living under the care of his new mother. After the interview ended, Lincoln and Lyra looked into each other's eyes and hugged once more.

"I love you, Lincoln," said Lyra.

"I love you too... Mom," said Lincoln. Lyra kissed his forehead as he realized what he just said. "...Did I really just say that?" he mumbled. Lyra still heard him and giggled.

"You did," she said.

Back at the infirmary, Lynn Sr. and Dr. Saavino had seen the whole report on television. Lynn Sr. knew that Rita would possibly have mixed feelings, but he also knew to be happy for his son, as he could only be with him in spirit. In spite of his misfortune, he smiled at the T.V.

"Way to go, sport," he murmured. "I'm proud of you."