A/N Been planning this for months after the last chapter, but here it is the epilogue to the story been difficult to due during this difficult time, and credit goes to my handy beta reader.
It had been over a month since Lincoln had been first he was not completely better, at least something had improved in the meantime. . Lincoln still took his antidepressants and paid visits to Dr. Lopez. The bell chimed signaling the end of the school day. And so, as her students filed out of the classroom, their teacher called out. "Lincoln, can I have a quick word with you please?"
Lincoln paused for a moment, before obeying and approaching his teacher. "Err, what's goin' on?"
"First of all, I want to say that I am proud of your improvement after falling behind." Agnes said. "Also your mother told me what you were going through. That must have been dreadful."
"Yeah." Lincoln replied gloomily.
"I know things are tough, and they will be for a while," She leaned in and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, while looking into his eyes. "But just know that you can always come to me if you need someone to talk to, ok?"
"Thanks Ms. Johnson," He rubbed his free arm and looked away."
Ms. Johnson then pulled back and stood up straight. "Keep up the good work, all right? You've still got a long way to go. Don't give up!"
"You got it," Lincoln smiled.
Before turning and heading out. A moment later, he found himself outside, only to be greeted by the blaring sound of a familiar horn. "Vanzilla?"
He turned, allowing his mother to come into view. "How was school, Lincoln?"
"Pretty good, I think I'm doing ok again…. I thought dad was picking me up, don't you have work today?" Lincoln hopped into Vanzilla.
"Nah, I needed some time to get myself together."
"What do you mean?" Lincoln inquired to Rita.
"I know you forgiven me, but... " Rita sighed. "Look, I know I'm not perfect, but I'm gonna do my best to be the best mom possible, for you and the I'll be damned if I let any of you end up like my brother."
Lincoln placed a comforting hand on her forearm. "It's okay mom, you don't need keep beating yourself up over it."
Rita sniffed. "Maybe you're right."
As they reached their home, the remaining louds were alerted to Rita and Lincoln's presence. The twins were the first to greet Lincoln. They stood side by side while wearing expressions filled with yearning.
"Linky your back!" They spoke in unison, before Lola begged. "Can you play Princess and Dragons with us, pretty please?"
"Sure," Lincoln happily replied.
He didn't know if it was out of guilt or a desire to make a change, but he felt their grins tug on his heartstrings.
Wearing his best dragon costume and putting on his best impression of one, the middle-child entertained the twins in their childish game. Lincoln was used to the twins teaming up on the daily... when they weren't fighting each other.
"Lincoln!" Leni called. "Can you help me with something?"
Lincoln nodded, on his way to Leni's room. "Sure thing Leni."
For Lincoln's next promise, he acted as Leni's model. It wasn't a task he was fond of, especially with the needle poking and cramps from staying in one position for too long, but for her sake, he endured it.
"Hold still Lincoln," Leni commanded, while continuing to work on her design.
"Ugh," Lincoln groaned, while rolling his eyes.
Despite his best attempts though, Leni could see right through and so she hurried herself for his sake. "And done!"
Lincoln stepped off the stool to stretch his muscles. As soon as he could sit back, the moment interrupted by taps on the door, looking up to see his comedian sister.
"Hey Lincoln, knock, knock!" Luan popped her head through the door.
"Who's there?" He answered.
"Why?" She joked.
"Why who?"
"Why are you lying there like a sad sack, when we have a big party today, and you're my assistant." Luan pulled her brother's arm.
Next, he started acting as Luan's assistant regularly. The comedian not only awarded Lincoln with cake, but also a share of the profits. Much as Lincoln wanted to be on stage, clowning wasn't his thing. With every praise Luan gained, Lincoln made sure to give her a thumbs up.
"You knocked them dead, Luan. You really are the best!"
Luan gave Lincoln a quick hug. "That is because I have the best assistant."
"Crank up those tunes little bro, because we got a jam session today." Luna appeared in front of Lincoln.
"But Luna, I'm not a good rockstar like you," He said dejectedly.
"Oh don't be like that bro, come on!"
Later on the day, Lincoln worked with Luna. Even if he was not the best musician, Luna didn't care as long as she jammed out with her lil' bro. From every string Luna hit, Lincoln could see a warm aura form around her. Her energy and passion really showed who she was, something Lincoln could only wish to do later.
"You're truly a natural Luna, the best rockstar ever."
Luna grabbed Lincoln and gave him a playful noogie. "Thanks little bro."
While online browsing, he came across a list of art contests. One particle ad had peaked his interest for Ace Savvy. But before he could look further, an arm came from behind.
"Time to work those muscles Lincoln, you owe me a basketball match." Lynn declared. "Best two out of five."
But Lynn…"
"No buts bro, you need the exercise!" Lynn dragged Lincoln by the shirt.
Minutes later, Lincoln agreed to play Lynn in basketball. Although her skills were miles ahead, he didn't back down. Instead, he tried his best around Lynn.
Before long, Lynn leaped in for the final slam dunk. "Oh yeah! Lynn makes the shot, I knew my luck will pay off sooner...!" She stopped mid-sentence, cleared her throat and offered Lincoln a hand. "Heh, sorry, got a bit carried away."
"Really, I didn't even score a point."
"Look, it doesn't matter as long as I got to spend time with you." Lynn jabbed Lincoln's shoulders playfully. "I mean it Lincoln."
"Well, that is something I thought I would never hear Lynn Loud Jr. say." Lincoln was impressed.
Eventually, there the time would come when Lincoln found himself alone, laying in the soft grass of the park as he looked out into the wide open sky. His eyes followed along the soaring birds and the soft puffy clouds drifting slowly through the big blueness. "I wonder where they're going," He thought.
"Hey Lincoln," Ronnie Anne stepped over and took a seat next to the boy. "Clyde told me I would find you here. How are you?"
"Not completely better, but I'm getting there, just getting a headstart on a project of mine." Lincoln replied, before tucking in an Ace Savvy in his backpack.
"Well it's a start, so that's all that matters." Ronnie chatted. "And speaking of new beginnings, I think it's time I start creating my own."
"What do you mean?"
"Bobby and I are moving to the city with our relatives." She declared.
Lincoln's heart jumped from his chest. "Are you serious Ronnie Anne?" He inquired surprisingly. "What about Lori, has Bobby told her about this? Did you guys even think this through?"
"Trust me, I'm just as surprised as you are, but then I also thought long and hard about it as well." Ronnie continued. "Since my mom was always so busy at the hospital, we haven't been able to visit our family in a while. And well, we miss them."
"I guess I understand, nothing's more important than family after all." Lincoln sat up from the grass. "Still, it's not going to be the same without you."
Ronnie playfully jabbed Lincoln's shoulder. "Hey, don't get all emotional on me Lame-O, you're not getting rid of me that easily, I'll still visit you to shove a sloppy joe down your pants every now and then."
Lincoln rolled his eyes. "Gee, that's reassuring."
"But at the same time we can hang together, I can kick your butt in video games, go for pizza, and explore the city together."
"Sure, I'd like that Ronnie Anne." Lincoln chuckled.
Ronnie's phone vibrated, prompting her to check it. "I have to go, Lincoln." She pushed herself off the grass, but suddenly seized.
"Okay then."
"Don't get used to this," Ronnie checked her sides, before leaning in quickly, placing a soft peck upon his cheek. Afterwards, she looked away and held her arm, her face going red. "Thanks... for sticking up for me."
"N-no problem." Lincoln stammered as he watched his bully now turned friend walk away.
The week came to an end as the family attended a family trip. As the Loud siblings treated the outdoors as their personal playground, the middle-child stood back, choosing instead to watch the peaceful scenery. Nevertheless, he promised his other siblings to hang out with them later.
Lincoln sat around the creek staring at the bright sky sunset. From each movement, he wondered where the clouds would go in a couple of years like himself. Where would his journey lead him?
"Hey there sweetie," Rita joined Lincoln at the creek.
Lincoln tossed a rock into the lake. "Dr. Lopez did suggest visiting a stress free environment once in a while. Your brother seem like a real cool guy, I wish I could have met him."
"Me too Lincoln," Rita replied, scooting close to Lincoln. "He may have drove me crazy sometimes, but I still loved him. And I'm sure he would have loved to spend time with all his nieces and nephew. Although... he would probably also try to make a joke about me being nonhuman after having so many kids."
"He would have been the awesome football player that Lynn wanted."
"Maybe, but not all talents are preordained. When I was your age, I didn't know what I really wanted to do with my life." Rita went.
Lincoln looked at his mother. "I thought you always wanted to be a dentist, mom?"
"No way! Although it did get me by, it wasn't something I really enjoyed... Truth be told, I wasn't sure until I had a family."
Lincoln continued to look out at the bright lake. Rita wrapped her arm around his shoulder. "Look Lincoln, I know the future can be scary, but you can't let that hold you back. Do you know the one thing you and everyone always have?"
"What is that?"
"Time. You have time to really discover yourself and your hidden potential. For now, just enjoy your youth while it lasts." She said. "But I have a feeling that eventually, you'll grow up to be a fine man."
"You really think so?"
"I know so. No matter what happens, your father and I will continue to love and support you. And even if you don't make it big compared to your sisters, your father and I will never love you any less. Not now, not ever. Do you understand?"
Lincoln nodded with a smile.
"Big brother, if I recall correctly, you have promised to aid me in my studies?" Lisa stuck her head out from a bush
"And didn't you say you will help me write my poems?" Lucy appeared at her side.
Lincoln smiled, before hopping to his feet and rubbing both of their heads. "Of course, let's get to it."
Lincoln took both of his little sisters by their hands, before he walked off. For a moment, Lincoln could almost see his future, the myriad of paths laid out for him to pick. What he would become was his choice and no one else's. Behind him, his mother simply leaned back, for a moment, taking in her son's features, before in a single blink he was gone, dressed in a suit and climbing into a soft blue car, ready to head out and live his own life. She smiled at the thought.
Though the road ahead was long, there was no doubt that he would be ready to face whatever came his way. After all, he was their brother pulled from shade and into the light of a bright future.
FIN