Lincoln struggled to sleep that night. In just a few short hours, his love would reveal herself. He was excited, nervous, scared, and happy all at the same time...not a mixture conductive to falling into a peaceful slumber. He imagined a thousand different ways their first meeting could go, all of them sweet, magical, and heartwarming. He pictured each one of his sisters being the mystery woman, and no matter who it was, he was happy.
He finally fell off just before 3am, but woke up every hour thereafter. At 6, he stayed up, reading his new comic by soft lamplight. He grinned every time he came to one of the post-it notes, and touched them, feeling close to his secret admirer.
At 7, he got up to go to the bathroom, and when he opened his door, he found another teddy bear looking up at him, balloons tied to either one of its stubby arms. One had a big heart on it, and the other said HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. He laughed as he picked the bear up and turned it over in his hands. There was a button on its left paw, and when Lincoln pushed it, it started to sing. He looked down the hall to see if he could detect a pair of eyes watching to see how he liked his gift, but he could not.
Setting the bear on his bed, he went to the bathroom, then came back to find a new card lying next to the bear. He looked around, a crooked grin on his face. Gee, what was she, a ghost? The Flash? Maybe it was Lucy. She was the only person he knew who could materialize and then dematerialize like that.
He sank onto the edge of the bed and picked up the card. It was pink and dotted with red hearts. Inside, the love of his life wrote: I can't wait until later, Lincoln. I'm scared, and nervous, and happy...I just hope I managed to win you over. Love L.L."
There it is, he thought, his lips spreading into a big smile. It was perfect, wasn't it? Whoever it was, they already shared a special bond, a strong and lasting love, a connection that he shared with no one else. What better foundation to build on?
He put the card with the others, and sat the bears side-by-side on his bed. They looked so happy together. Her and I will look like that later, he thought, then got dressed.
Lincoln walked to school with his older sisters, a shoebox filled with cards and candies in his hands. Valentine's Day had never been one of Lincoln's favorite...did it count as a holiday? Let's call it one anyway...mainly because it was centered around love, and he'd never known love, but also because...come on, the candy stank. Heart-shaped lollipops, chalky 'be mine' candies...yuck. Starting now, however, Lincoln suspected that Valentine's Day would be the best day of the year for him...better even than Christmas.
"Are you finally going to meet your girlfriend?" Luan asked. "It would be kind of bad if Valentine's Day came and went and you didn't."
"We're going to meet later," Lincoln said.
"Oooo," Lynn said. "Where?"
Lincoln shrugged. "I don't know. It's all up to her."
"So...you don't even know when or where you're going to meet her?" Luan asked, her head cocked and one eye closed. "That's kind of strange."
"I like surprises," Lincoln said with a half grin. "It makes things more exciting."
"Can't argue with that," Luan said.
At school, love was in the air...or maybe it was over processed, over commercialized faux love. It was easy to get the two confused. Paper decorations hung in the hall, pink and red hearts, chubby cupids, crepe streamers, posters. More decorations were taped to the windows of classroom doors.
"Hey, Linc," Clyde said, appearing from a crowd of kids, "how's it going?"
"It's going great," Lincoln said. What would he tell Clyde? What would he tell his parents? None of them could know who she really was, which meant he'd have to lie. Maybe she goes to another school? Sure. Yeah, you guys wouldn't know her. Her name? Uhhhh...Mabel?
In class, Lincoln stored the shoebox under his seat and tried to ignore the nerves gnawing the pit of his stomach. He'd been so caught up in his little whirlwind romance lately that schoolwork went right out the window: Two nights in a row he'd totally forgotten he had homework until he was already in bed. Focus, Loud. Thinking about it won't make it happen any sooner.
Easier said than done: How could you think about anything else when in just a few hours you were going to meet the most beautiful girl in the world and take her hand? The thought made him warm and fuzzy inside. He could see them now, standing face-to-face in a beam of sunshine, a chorus of angels singing from above; their fingers intertwined, their eyes locked together, their hearts beating in the same unsteady rhythm.
He could hardly wait.
Why couldn't time go faster? He didn't care about the Civil War, or fractions, or any of that other crap. The only thing that mattered in this world was his sister – which ever one it was – her of the purple pen and the beautiful soul, the one girl in the whole wide world who loved him so much that she was able to look past not only his dorkitude and his goofy face but also the taboo fact that they were siblings. It struck him then just how strong a love that must be, how deep and burning and pure, and his own love grew. She loved him for who he was, even though it was "wrong," and even though he wasn't much to love. If he held her heart in his hands, he vowed then to never bruise it, to never hurt it, and to never let it go.
At lunch, Clyde asked, "Are you and your crush going to meet up today?"
"Yes we are," Lincoln said happily. He picked up his roll and took a bite.
"I'm happy for you, buddy," Clyde replied. "It sounds like she really likes you. Be good to her."
"Oh, I will," Lincoln said, and meant it. He would always be good to her, because she deserved nothing less than his absolute best. Hell, she deserved a lot more than he could give her, but for some reason she loved him instead of somebody else, so he would be his best, and he would be better than his best.
"So...did you finally read that Ace Savvy comic or what?"
"Yeah, actually, I did."
Clyde grinned. "Was it good?"
Thinking of the sticky notes, Lincoln nodded. "It was amazing."
"He really died on every page?"
"Yup," Lincoln said. He didn't know whose idea it was to have the best hero in the world expire on every single page of a whole comic, but it was pretty funny, because the thought of Ace Savvy losing – much less dying – was so ludicrous.
"Do you mind if I borrow it?"
Lincoln shrugged. "No. I'll bring it tomorrow...if I don't forget."
"No rush," Clyde said, holding up his hands. "As long as I get to read it at some point I'll be happy."
After lunch, the class exchanged their Valentine's Day cards. Each child sat a decorated cardboard box on their desk, then went around and dropped a card and or candy into all the others. Lincoln grabbed his shoebox and opened it. The cards Mom bought were simple, roughly six-by-six boasting a cartoon heart and TO and FROM lines. A piece of heart-shaped candy was attached to each.
Lincoln zig-zagged through the rows of desks and dropped a card into every box. There were 25 other kids in his class, and there were exactly 25 cards in the box. When he was done, he went back to his own desk and checked his box. Cards much like the ones he'd handed out, boxes of those godawful 'be mine' candies, red lollipops. Where did the custom of giving out shit candy on Valentine's Day come from anyway? Why didn't they give out Hershey's kisses or something?
Oh well. He'd eat the candy anyway. It wasn't like he got sweets all that often...when you have ten sisters, treats are a hard thing to come by.
Lincoln arrived home at 3:30, his stomach in knots and his chest tight. Moment of truth, he told himself. At some point this afternoon or evening, L.L. would come to him. How, when, or where, he didn't know. Sooner rather than later, hopefully, though knowing his luck he'd have to wait until the last possible minute.
Luna and Lori were sitting on the couch when he came through the door. Lori looked up at him and grinned. "So...did you meet your girlfriend?"
"Not yet," Lincoln said, closing the door and slipping his backpack off.
"Oh?" Luna asked. "She's gonna leave you hanging?"
"No," Lincoln said. "I'll see her later."
Upstairs, he dropped his backpack by the door and stretched out on the bed. For the moment, a veil of tranquility hung over the house. Shortly, his other sisters would be home, and a typically chaotic afternoon would follow.
This happened sooner than he expected when the door burst open and Lynn bounced in; she jumped into the air and landed butt-first on the edge of his bed, the motion almost throwing him off. "What's she like?" she asked.
"I don't know, I haven't met her yet," he said. "And haven't you ever heard of knocking?"
His heart clutched suddenly. Was it Lynn?
"I'm your sister, I don't have to knock. And you haven't met her yet? Why?"
"She hasn't decided the time is right."
Lynn's brow furrowed. "Oh. Well, she better get a move on, the day's almost over."
Lincoln threaded his fingers across his chest. "Oh, I have a feeling that won't be a problem."
Lifting her brows, Lynn scrunched her lips, then shrugged. "Whatever. Make sure she knows you have a sister who'll kick her ass if she doesn't treat you good." She jumped up and started out, stopping at the door and glancing over her shoulder. "That's me, by the way."
She left, and Lincoln was just starting to relax again when Luan came in. "Linc! Did you...?"
"Not yet," Lincoln said.
"Oh. Well...when?"
"When she's ready."
She shrugged. "Alright. Hope it's soon. The suspense is killing me."
"You and me both."
Later, at dinner, Leni looked at him and started, "Lincy, did...?"
"Not yet," Lincoln said.
"Oh," she said, looking confused. It was almost 7 and dark. "There's always tomorrow."
"Keep your chin up, son," Dad said.
"I will," Lincoln smiled.
After dinner, he took his shower, then went into his room, deciding to play video games until she came to him. He was just loading Steal That Car 3 when Lori poked her head in the door. "Hey, bro, can you come to my room for a minute?"
A ripple ran through Lincoln's stomach. It was Lori?
"O-Okay," he said, laying his controller aside. He got up and followed her down the hall, his heart rate increasing with every step he took. His throat was dry, his stomach knotting. When Lori opened the door, he was surprised to see all of his sisters gathered together.
"SURPRISE!"
A smile touched Lincoln's lips. "What's this?" he asked, his hand still on the doorknob.
"Well," Lori said, turning, "we figured since it's Valentine's Day and we all love you so much, we'd show you our appreciation."
"Me first!" Lola said, elbowing her way through her older sisters. She was holding a card. "Here you go, Lincoln," she said, handing it to him and pecking him on the cheek. "Love you."
He looked down at the card. It had a picture of a teddy bear on it and said TO THE BEST BROTHER EVER. Inside, she had written To Lincoln, I am glad you are my big brother.
"I signed it, too," Lana said, shoving Lola out of the way.
Lincoln felt tears welling in his eyes, but blinked them back. "Thank you," he said, and they hugged.
"You really are the best, Linc," Lana said.
Behind her, his other sisters fell in line, each one holding their own card, except for Lori, who held a box with a bow on it.
"I don't say this very often," Lisa said, coming forward, "but I love you and appreciate everything you do." She handed him a card.
"Thank you," he said, taking his little sister in his arms. "I love you too."
Next, Lucy stepped forward. "I don't do bright colors," she said, handing Lincoln a homemade card. On its cover was a big black heart. TO A WICKED BROTHER was written underneath, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you for helping me with my poems," she whispered into his ear as she hugged him.
"Thank you for letting me help you with them," he said, rubbing her back.
After Lucy, Lynn came up, looking slightly uncomfortable, her eyes not quite meeting his. "I'm not good at mushy stuff," she said, rubbing her arm, "but I love ya, bro. And I appreciate you always being there for me."
"I love you too," Lincoln said, and punched her in the arm.
"Ow!" She grinned. "Nice shot."
"I learned from the best."
"Take your card before I change my mind and hit you back."
After her turn, Lynn went over and sat on Lori's bed with Lisa, Lana, Lola, and Lucy.
Like a bullet falling into a chamber after the previous one has been spent, Luan stepped forward, beaming. "There's only one person in this family who gets my sense of humor...besides dad." She handed him a card. "And that's you." She swept him into a hug and squeezed him so tight he thought his eyeballs were going to pop out of their sockets. "You mean everything to me, Linc."
"Thanks," he said when she let him go. "You mean everything to me too."
She skipped over to Lori's bed and sat next to Lynn.
"You're a rockin' bro, you know that?" Luna asked, handing him her card.
"I try to be," Lincoln said.
"You're doing a pretty good job," she put her hand on his shoulder, then pulled him into a hug. "I love you."
"I love you too."
She kissed him on the forehead, then went over to Lori's bed.
Speaking of Lori, she was next, a light dancing in her eyes. "I made sure to get your favorite," she said, handing him the box. Hersey's Pot of Gold? Alright! There was a card attached. He opened it. You're the best little brother a girl could have.
"Thank you," he said, and hugged her.
"I mean it," Lori said, holding him tight, "you're the best."
She mussed his hair then went over to her bed.
Leni was last, her head slightly bowed and her cheeks red. She came forward and handed him her card. "It isn't much," she said.
Lincoln opened it.
I love you with all my heart was written in purple loops.
The breath left Lincoln's lungs in a rush. He looked up; Leni's gaze was downcast, her knees pressed together. "You?" he asked.
She nodded sheepishly. "Well...I had some help."
"I picked out the first two cards!" Luan said, raising her hand. "I figured you'd like them."
"I picked the third one," Luna said.
Lincoln smiled. "Let me guess, Lynn picked out the one that said 'you're # 1'?"
"That obvious?" she asked.
Lincoln looked back at Leni. She took a deep breath and looked at him. He'd never noticed how big and pretty her eyes were, how innocent and loving. "I love you, Lincoln, and I have for a long time. I-I didn't want to say anything because I was afraid you'd think I was gross."
"Then she came to me," Lori said, "and I told her to go for it."
Lincoln opened his mouth to speak, but his throbbing heart had somehow become lodged in his throat.
"I'll understand if you do think I'm gross," she said.
Bending, Lincoln sat his cards and chocolate on the floor and then stood. Leni looked into his eyes, desperately searching them. He smiled and took her hands in his. "Leni...I don't think you're gross. I think you're beautiful. Inside and out. And I want..." he faltered. "I want to be with you."
"Really?" she asked, her eyes brightening.
"I love you," he said.
With an ear-piercing squee, Leni took him in her arms and squeezed him to her breasts. He laughed and hugged her back; their hearts beat wildly against one another.
She pulled back and threaded her fingers through his, the most beautiful smile on her face. "You are my world, Lincy."
"And you're mine."
They kissed, and everyone "awwwwed." Even Lynn, who had something in her eye...
AberrantScript (and others)...you were right. It was Leni all along. I fully intend to write a sequel focusing on Lincoln and Leni as a couple as this story does not touch on that, nor was it meant to. Meanwhile, I am working on a sequel to the beloved (lol) Flagg1991 classic "Falling in the Forest." It is called "Finding the Time" and in it, Lincoln and Lynn just can't seem to find any "alone" time. Hope to see you there.