So. I'm back with another chapter of this. I really appreciate all of you for reading my stories and I appreciate your patience in waiting for this to come out!
Now, I know in the previous part I said there was going to be a chapter for each sister, but I changed my mind on that. I think I may just do like three or four more chapters and then Lincoln's chapter which will be the final one of the story. Remember, the story is technically already finished, all of this that I am updating are just epilogue chapters.
I hope you Enjoy this chapter of "Requiem for a Loud - A Fan Made Ending"
Post Awakening
Chapter 3 - Interesting Revelations
He wasn't going anywhere in the near future. Would that mean that something is awaiting him further down the road? Did he actually have some kind of incurable condition?
"Allow me to elaborate," Lisa began. Lincoln, worried out of his mind, began listening intently. "In the dream, you were diagnosed with Neurofibromitosis type one. Also, it was in such an advanced state that you were only allotted mere weeks with us. The interesting truth revealed by my recent experiment is that you do have this condition."
Before she even finished talking, Lincoln's mind immediately went to everything that happened in the dream. From the moment he was diagnosed with it, all of the interactions he had with different people, all his sisters, Clyde, Ronnie Anne, to the end where he finally passed. All of it rushed through his head. Was all of this going to happen again? Not just that, but was he going to have to tell all of them that he was dying again? It was hard enough having to tell everyone what was happening the first time. Nobody took it very well at all, especially his sisters and his closest friends. But he was going to have to tell all of them that this was happening again.
Every time that he revealed the truth to someone, it got harder to say. Every time that he told someone that he was dying, he had to watch a different variation of the same reaction, and it tugged at him harder every single time. Was it going to start over again? Or was he going to have to pick up where he left off? The last person he told in the dream didn't fare well upon hearing the news, and neither did he. But was he really going to have to start all of this over again.
"I can already tell you're jumping to conclusions," Lisa said. "There is no need to worry. Whatever tumors you have within your cerebellum at the moment are not only non-life threatening, but they won't become so for at least five years, and even that is the worst case scenario. It is much more likely that they won't be affecting you for another estimated ten to twelve years. If I was on the verge of coming up with a cure to your condition in three weeks, not to mention I was operating without allowing myself any sleep, then assuming I don't push myself as hard, I should be more than able to come up with a cure for you in less than five years."
At least five years. In five years, Lori, Leni, Luna, Luan, and Lynn will have already graduated high school. Lucy would be starting high school, the twins would be in middle school and Lily would be in second or third grade. In the dream, he was so worried about how they would remember him, especially Lily. She would have no memories of him. The only stories being of how she had an older brother that died before she was old enough to start remembering things, but now, he didn't have to worry about that. Not for another five years anyway. Even that was a bare minimum. Lisa said that he probably wouldn't even be affected by it for another ten years or so.
In ten years, Lisa still wouldn't even be old enough to graduate high school. And here she was, at only four with a nobel prize and a Ph.D. It still bewildered him how amazingly genius she was. The girl was nothing short of a child prodigy that Lincoln had almost no choice but to admire. Sure he could deny it if he wanted, but there would be no point in it. Not only would Lisa be able to refute what he was claiming, but the rest of their sisters would immediately jump to Lisa's side on the matter. Not to mention he would be lying to himself in a situation like that. He loved and respected his younger sister and her gift. He had a firm belief that she really would change the world someday.
And what would he do?
He wasn't going to die anymore, at least he had that going for him. But he still felt like he didn't have any talents compared to the rest of them. His entire goal before he passed was to leave an impact on all of those around him. He knew that he ended up doing that because all of his sisters seemed willing to change for the better. But what now? Now that he left an impact on them, what did he have left to do? Was his purpose in life completed? Was this all there was for him? To make his sisters happy? To make those who are friends with him happy? It was a noble cause, sure, but to him, it seemed lackluster.
The odds were in Lincoln's favor. According to Lisa, he wasn't going to be affected by his condition for at least another five years. And even then, that's assuming that Lisa couldn't find a cure for him. With Lisa working diligently, he would likely live a long life, maybe even surpassing pop-pop's age. But if his life's purpose is already finished, then what would be the point.
Those were dangerous thoughts. Thoughts that could lead down a dark road if he wasn't careful, which was why Lincoln forced himself to quit thinking about it. Sure, while he was in the dream he wanted to make a difference in his family's life, and he did just that. But why should he stop now? Sure, they've already committed to change, but why not keep giving them a reason to stay committed? Why should he stop trying to make a difference in their lives just because the dream was over? Just because there wasn't any reason to change?
The answer was simple. He wasn't going to. He was going to continue to make a difference to them as long as he lived. To them he was already the best brother they could ever have, but he knew his own problems, and he knew that he could be even better. You can't improve if you believe that you're already the best you can be. Lynn would agree. He resolved himself then and there. He was going to be there for them and impact their lives in the most positive way possible.
"Lincoln," Lisa spoke up. He forgot he was still in her room.
"Yeah sis?"
She was quiet for a moment, making Lincoln begin to wonder what she was doing, but then she spoke up, "I will not fail you a second time."
How did she fail him? Wait. Was she referring to the dream? About how she wasn't able to make a cure for him before the end of it? Why? Why was she still doing this to herself? It was completely unnecessary.
"I failed you once by not formulating the antidote for your genetic condition on time. Dare I say it was a stroke of luck that you ended up not leaving us when you very well could have. So I hereby make this promise to you. I will cure your condition before it affects you. Nothing is of greater importance to me right now than successfully synthesizing this antidote."
Lincoln looked at her in awe. He believed that she could do it, without a doubt. But at the same time he was bothered that she still thought it to be her own failure that he was doomed to the situation he was.
"Lisa," he began. "You never failed me the first time!"
"Yes I did!" she said, breaking into tears, "I..."
"No... you didn't." he kneeled down to his level and put his hand on her shoulder. She looked down at the ground as tears rolled down her face. "If anything, I failed you. Because despite what I tried to tell you and myself, I was secretly wishing that you could find a cure, when I should have been focused on wanting to spend time with you. Now it's my turn. I will not fail you a second time."
Lisa wiped her tears off of her face, slightly wetting her green sweater. Before she could say anything, Lincoln pulled her into a hug. She felt his arms wrap around her small torso. "Lis... All I want is for you to be happy."
She remained motionless for a second, listening to the beat of Lincoln's heart. It was so soothing, so calming. Then she reached around him as best she could with her short arms. "I love you brother."
"I Love you too Lis."
On the outside, it seemed like Lori was resolved, and in a way she was. She was resolved to change for the better. To stop being so angry all the time But what she wasn't expecting, was the dream. The dream shattered into a million pieces her view of what their family was supposed to be. Eleven children. That dream made one of them leave the picture entirely, reduced to just ten girls instead. Waking up, once again shattered what she thought was reality. She was tired of constantly going back and forth, never knowing whether or not what she was living in was reality or not.
Lori was always the one to act as if she was in authority, sometimes even accidentally doing it when her parents were home. But it was difficult for her to do that. It wasn't easy to put on a commanding face when you knew you had so many other problems. Even today, when she was taking the lead, talking at the breakfast table to all of them, she was faking a lot of it. Some of it was genuine. When she told them the rule about everyone no longer having to stay out of her room, she meant it. When she told them that they needed to act more like Lincoln, she meant it. In hindsight, she didn't say anything that she didn't mean to say. But what she was doing the whole time was faking her confidence.
She still didn't believe Lincoln was alive.
She knew that he was, there was no denying it, and yet, she didn't believe it. No matter how much she tried to convince herself otherwise, she just wasn't able to accept the fact that Lincoln was still alive. She saw him die right in front of her eyes, yet he was walking around the house as if nothing had really happened. It could have just been a mirage, a concoction that her mind created to fool her into thinking that he was alive. Every time she saw him, she would pull him into a hug to try and confirm her suspicions, but instead of just whiffing her arms through him, she would actually grasp and hold onto him. She wouldn't let go for fear of making him feel uncomfortable, but she still shivered every time he was there, like she saw a ghost.
After seeing Lincoln's new clothes, she strolled back to her room and laid on her bed. Normally, her first instinct would be to call her boyfriend and tell him everything that happened. But not this time. She sunk into her bed on her back and stared at the ceiling, doing absolutely nothing. Thoughts were whizzing through her mind. Why was it just a dream? Why did Lisa even do this experiment in the first place? How was this going to affect everyone? Was Lincoln really still alive?
That last question was a doozy for her. What was it that made her think that he wasn't really alive? There was overwhelming evidence to support that he was, and none to support that he wasn't. So why? Why did she even question it? It should have been obvious, and yet, she just couldn't bring herself to believe it. And it tore her apart. She curled up on her bed and began silently sobbing. She hated feeling like this. What she desperately needed, was something that she wasn't able to get. Something that she thought she had, but later found out never happened. She needed closure. Without it, she was a mess.
Lori fell asleep after not too long, despite only having woken up less than two hours earlier.
"I no longer require your presence male sibling. You may leave."
"Are you sure Lisa? You don't want to play a game or something?"
"I only play games that require a high level of concentration and intellectual stimulation."
"I know how to play chess..."
"Apologies brother, but your skill level and my own are vastly different. You would not be able to provide the bare minimum that I require in order for it to be considered a challenge for me. Not to mention, I also have to begin working on your cure."
"Oh, okay." Lincoln felt slightly offended at that statement, but tried not to let it get to him. After all, this was Lisa.
"Please don't take what I said the wrong way. It's not your fault that my own intellect is so great that only the best would even be considered a challenge for me. Even computer simulations that I have created are still not up to my standards."
"Umm..."
"Never mind... Thank you for your assistance."
"Okay..." he said, confused. "Anytime," he closed the door behind him and went into the hallway. He noticed that the door to Lori and Leni's room was open and began walking in that direction. Peeking in, he saw that Lori was slumped on her bed asleep. She didn't bother with the covers. Leni wasn't in the room, but he did see something draped across the sewing machine. It looked like she started on something before leaving. He shrugged and went to his own room.
He realized that he still had on the outfit that Leni had made for him. Not wanting to ruin it, he took it off and exchanged it for something more comfortable. The outfit was awesome, perfect in every way, but it just wasn't meant for lounging around the house. It was something that was more fitting for fancy outings, such as one of Lola's pageants, or for Christmas or Easter church services.
After changing back into his normal clothes, he went downstairs and found Lily playing with her blocks on the floor. Leni was sitting on the couch watching, completely mesmerized by toddler. What was she doing? Was she really just watching Lily play? Or was there something else going on here? Lincoln walked behind Lily and sat down next to his older sister on the couch. He was now determined to find out what was going on.
Leni didn't seem to notice when Lincoln sat down, but he wasn't that fazed by it. He just watched Lily play with her blocks, chuckling every so often at her. Maybe if he did the same thing that Leni was doing, he would get an idea as to what she was thinking. Nothing came to mind watching Lily play though and eventually, the infant hobbled away into the kitchen where their mother was waiting to give her food. Leni was still staring at the ground with a completely empty look on her face, as if Lily was still there, playing with the blocks. What was she doing?
"Hey Leni."
He didn't get a response. Was there really something going on? What was she thinking about, if she was even thinking about anything?
"Umm, Leni?"
"Hmm, oh, hey Linky. Didn't see you come in."
She sounded a little down, but then again, this was Leni. You never could know. "Is something up?"
"Well, the ceiling is up, the sky is up, planes are up..."
"No... Leni..." Lincoln sighed. "I mean, is there something wrong?"
"Oh..." Her facial expression darkened just a little bit. "Yeah..."
Lincoln moved closer to her, but her own mind was somewhere else. At first she didn't do anything, she just continued that same mesmerized glare, like she wasn't even paying attention. Nothing else happened for a few minutes, which slightly discouraged Lincoln. But he was determined to find out what was wrong with Leni, so he stayed put for nearly five minutes. Still, nothing happened. He hadn't given up, but he was at the point when he would just come back later and figure something out. So, he stood up and was about to go back upstairs, but before he could, right as he passed in front of her, Leni grabbed onto him and pulled him into her arms, wrapping them around him. It was surprising to say the least.
"I'm really happy that you're alive Linky."
That was when Lincoln broke down. He allowed himself to fall into his sister's arms and be embraced by them. She held onto him tightly enough to be able to feel the warmth, feel the kind of love that Leni was giving, yet at the same time, it wasn't so tight that he was suffocating. It was the perfect hug, by who other than one of his ten perfect sisters.
When the tears finally escaped his eyes, he didn't even try to stop it, not that he would have been able to anyway. He allowed them to fall onto his shirt, wetting it slightly while Leni continued holding onto him, tears coming from her own eyes. She was just so happy that he was actually alive. It was so upsetting to have to watch him leave them, and the thought that now, he didn't have to, made her overjoyed. So much so to the point where she couldn't hold it in anymore. They didn't care if anyone saw them. All they wanted was to embrace each other, forever and ever.
"Hey, Leni!"
"Hey Linky, how's my favorite little brother doing?"
"I'm good, hey, I need your help with something!"
"Anything for you bro!"
Leni followed her six year old brother up to his new room. Their parents had recently converted the Linen closet into a new bedroom for Lincoln. With as many girls as they had, they knew that the only boy was going to need at least a little privacy. Even if they did end up constantly barging into his room, at least he had his own place. Besides, with a couple girls beginning to start that stage in their life, he was gonna need a place to get away from them.
Lincoln opened the door to his room with Leni following closely behind. There was a dresser on the left side and his bed just barely fitting into the side opposite, other than that, there wasn't anything else there. There were no posters on the walls, nothing hanging from the ceiling, and not even a bedside stand. There was a ton of stuff on the floor and on his dresser and bed; books, toys, model planes, and other various knick-knacks. There was no order to any of it: no wonder he needed Leni's help.
"So, like, what do you need help with?"
"I don't have a closet Leni! So I can't hang up any of my clothes!"
"What!?" Leni exclaimed. "That's awful! All of your clothes are gonna get wrinkled!" If she was being honest with herself, that wasn't the only problem she saw, but if that was his number one priority, then it was her number one priority too.
"That's why I need your help!" Lincoln started rambling. "If I can't wear my clothes if they're wrinkled! And if I can't wear any of my clothes, I have to stay here and I can't go to school, and I can't see any of my friends, and Lori's going to literally turn me into a human pretzel, and... and..."
Leni swooped in and hugged Lincoln, holding onto him tightly in an attempt to get him to calm down. He stopped breathing rapidly and his heart rate decreased significantly. "It's okay!" she started. "We're gonna figure this out okay! Don't worry about it." A light switch turned on in her head. "Actually, I've got an idea!"
Leni left Lincoln's room and ran downstairs to find something. It wasn't too often that Leni had an idea, let alone a good one, but there was a reason Lincoln trusted Leni with this and not anyone else. Leni was not only good at making dresses, but she was also an expert interior organizer. When Leni and Lori were moved into a room together, she not only figured out a way for both of them and all of their things to fit, but she did it with extra space for both of them. Even when Lori had her own room, she still had trouble finding extra space for things.
Leni rushed back into Lincoln's room with a brown wooden rod in her hands with gold stoppers at each end.
"Leni, what are you doing with that?"
Stepping over some of the books scattered across the floor, Leni climbed up onto the dresser, and stuck the rod between the walls, perfectly fitting. She climbed back down and admired her handiwork. "There, you can hang your clothes right there!"
"Wow! Leni, you're awesome!"
"Aww, thanks." She was about to leave the room, but noticed that there was still something missing. She came back into it and stared for a moment, looking around the room trying to figure out what she thought was missing. Figuring it out, she ran out of his room again, returning this time with wooden plank, what looked like decorative corner pieces and some nails and a hammer. She climbed on top of the dresser again and started banging nails into the wall. Five minutes later, Lincoln had a bookshelf right above his clothes. Not to mention she had taken the liberty to hang up his model plane and his toy dragon on the rod that his clothes were hanging on. "There! Now it's perfect!" Lincoln sat on his bed in amazement at what Leni had just accomplished. All of his books were off of his floor and the top of his dresser now had room for more comic books and video games. How did she figure all that out? Leni was a mystery to him sometimes, but he loved her anyway.
Leni left the room and, on accident, Lincoln slammed the door behind her. She turned around and looked at the door for a moment, a gloomy expression beginning to form on her face. Why did he slam the door? Did he even mean to? After all, he was only six years old. Leni dismissed it as nothing after a minute and was about to walk off, but she felt someone wrapping their arms around her waist, taking her by surprise.
You're awesome Leni!" It was Lincoln.
She turned around to face him and hugged him back. He broke away from her after about two seconds and then planted a quick kiss on her left cheek before running back into his room, closing the door behind him. Leni blushed slightly and began lightly rubbing where he kissed her.
She smiled at the closed door and said, "Why does he have to be so cute!?"
Thanks for reading! I know this chapter is a little short compared to the rest of them in this story, but hey, I finally got one out. I was originally going to make it longer, but I got kind of stuck after the flashback so I decided to just end the chapter there. Hopefully I can get the next one out pretty quick. Pretty quick being maybe two weeks at best.
As always, please leave a review even if you don't have anything for me to improve on. I do ask that if you do have some critique for me, that you would tell me what I did, and then tell me how I can improve in the future, don't just bash and hate on me.
Thanks again for reading!
