Sixth Time Expecting, First Time Living
Chapter One:
Sentience
Tha-thump! Tha-thump! Tha-thump!
The very first thing the little one registered besides the darkness and warmth was a faint rhythmic beat; a gentle pattern of syncopation that roused it from the daze it had found itself in ever since coming into existence.
It was a calming sound, somehow familiar despite it being the first ever thing the little one's newly fully developed sense of hearing had heard.
What is…this? The little one jolted when its first thought sprouted. What was that? The little one jerked again when its mind conjured another question. What is…What is…?
"Oh!" The fear, another frighteningly new thing to the little one was mitigated by another sound, a sweet little coo that was followed by a comforting sensation brushing against the darkness that surrounded it. "You got active all of a sudden. Something on your mind?"
The comforting feeling continued, caressing the little one just beyond the dark barrier surrounding it.
Who was that? And why did the sound of them make that scary feeling go away?
"Don't you know it's bedtime?" The voice outside the darkness crooned. "We're supposed to be settling down for the day. And I won't be able to rest if you're fluttering around in there. C'mon, won't you relax for mommy?"
The little one's brow furrowed, and it brought its little head towards the caressing feeling. Mommy…?
…
Outside the darkness, in a quaint, but cozy bedroom in a home known throughout the town of Royal Woods for being a center of cacophonous sound, Rita Loud laid in bed, gently shushing as she rubbed her stomach comfortingly with a loving hand.
"It's alright, sweetheart," She said to the little life that had suddenly jumped up within her. "No reason to get worked up. It's just you and me, lazing away in bed together."
Rita was no stranger to the quirks and little moment by moment surprises that came with pregnancy, having gone through it five times prior with her daughters, so when her sixth little one suddenly jumped up, she knew just how to calm them, with words of affection and loving ministrations.
Truth be told, her husband and her had been surprised by that sixth little one, having briefly considered being done with having babies prior to their discovery of it, but life had a way of surprising those it played with, and they accepted the blessing with the same joy as they had done five times prior.
Plus now we know to cut back on the champagne next time we have a date night, She thought with a chuckle.
She continued tenderly shushing her little one, running her palm along the slightly distended pink fabric of her pajama top. "There, there," She whispered. "Let's just relax. Time for bedtime, sweetheart. Time for bedtime."
"Now that is music to my ears if I've ever heard it." Her whispers were superseded by her husband entering into their room. Lynn Loud Sr. smiled as he flopped down on the bed beside her, taking a deep, appreciative breath of the blankets before turning to face his wife. "You talking to the baby I'm guessing?"
"No I'm talking to the pillows," Rita replied in teasing sarcasm. She returned her attention to her belly. "Looks like something startled the little thing."
Lynn Sr. sat up, quickly scooching up to Rita. "Aww, did you get spooked by something!?" He gushed. He brought his hand alongside Rita's, giving the adorable little bump some affection of his own. "Don't worry, baby! Daddy will protect you, he promises!"
…
Daddy…? The arrival of a second voice and a second comforting feeling caressing it from beyond the darkness brought more questions to the little one's mind. Now someone named Daddy was there? And they said they were going to protect them?
And strangest of all, though the little one couldn't explain it, they trusted them to do so?
Daddy… They brought their head to meet their father's hand, a flush of warmth coming over them just like it had experienced from their mother's affection.
A sense of serene bliss came over the little one, its tiny hands curling beneath its chin in wake of these two new beings, this "Mommy" and "Daddy" that made its heart swell with emotion.
"Looks like they're settling down." The voice of Mommy spoke. The little one felt her hand run across the barrier again, putting the last of the tension it had felt to rest.
"That's good," The voice of Daddy said. The second touch receded, and the little one frowned.
Don't go…Daddy…
…
"So did you have a hard time getting the girls to bed?" Rita asked, turning against Lynn Sr. and snuggling into him.
Lynn Sr. smiled, wrapping his arms around his beloved and squeezing her close, being sure to mind her belly whilst they cuddled. "Lori, Leni and Luna were easy enough. Took a little while to get Luan and Junior to settle down though."
"You had to chase them around a bit, I'm guessing?" Rita chuckled.
"I literally had to spend fifteen minutes just tossing Junior into the air before she yawned even once," Lynn Sr. said with an exaggerated groan.
Rita laughed some more before squeezing Lynn Sr. in return, "That's Junior for you." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Sorry again for not helping you tonight. I don't know what happened, but I just got so tired when I got home from work today."
Lynn Sr. frowned and placed his chin on top of Rita's head. "Hey, you don't have to apologize," He assured. "I totally get how tiring pregnancy is. You're making a person for cryin' out loud!" He sighed, "Personally, I'm just glad that the only thing you are is tired. I still remember how sick you were back when you were pregnant with Junior."
Rita looked up at Lynn Sr., offering a reassuring smirk, "Well, fortunately for us, this is nothing like back then."
"Still, I worry," Lynn Sr. went on. "Are you sure you're okay at work? Seriously, just say the word and I'll pick up a second job. Bangers N' Mosh has a dishwasher spot available."
"Lynn, I'm perfectly fine," Rita reasoned. She reached up and took his face into her hands. "Doctor Finestein lets me take plenty of breaks, and I'd go crazy just spending all day here at the house. Trust me, if I need time off work, you'll be the first to know." She leaned up and gave him another kiss, this time on the lips. "Besides, you work hard enough," She said when they parted.
Lynn Sr. chortled, "You give me too much credit." His gaze shifted downward and he placed his hand on Rita's stomach again. "So tell me, are you as excited for tomorrow as I am?" He asked, his grin brightening when he felt the little one within jostle slightly in response.
Rita smirked, "Hmm…Not sure. I have been through this five times before, haven't I?"
Lynn Sr. gasped playfully and he rubbed Rita's belly tenderly, "Aww, don't worry, baby! Mommy doesn't mean that! She's just playing with you! She's beyond excited that she'll get to see you tomorrow! Same as me!" He looked back at Rita, his expression as bright as the currently absent sun. "Especially since we get to finally find out what you are tomorrow!"
…
What I am? The little one tilted its head, it's enjoyment of its father's affection distracted by the statement. What do you mean by that, Daddy?
"I have to admit, I am pretty excited about that," Rita admitted. The little one felt both its mother's hands come over it. "You think we'll finally get lucky this time? You think we might actually be having a boy?"
Another term the little one didn't know, A boy? What's a boy, Mommy?
"We can only hope!" Lynn Sr. said. The little one felt some shuffling, followed by their father's voice coming in slightly clearer. "Not that we'd love you any less if you were a girl mind you. We're just kinda hoping for a change of pace in you being a boy."
Love? That was an interesting word, one that greatly piqued the little one's interest. Perhaps one that would require further thought once they wrapped their mind around this boy and girl concept.
"Your father is very right, sweetheart." Rita added,rubbing her belly for an extra bit of assurance. "No matter what you are, your father and I will welcome you with all the love in the world." The little one felt her laugh, "But if it's not too much trouble, could you be a boy? For Mommy and Daddy?"
The little one still didn't have much grasp on such concepts, but hearing its mother's earnest request, filled with such warmth and affection, well, it filled its tiny being with the very emotion it had heard of, but not yet identified.
Love.
Okay, Mommy. Okay, Daddy, It thought, wriggling slightly to try and snuggle against her palm. I'll try. I'll try to be a boy. For you.
"Oop, there's another movement," Rita said. "Think that may be their way of saying yes?"
"We'll find out tomorrow, won't we?" Lynn Sr. said lovingly. The little one felt its father's hand caress it once more before both parents joined in another embrace. "Speaking of which, ready to head to snoozeville?"
"Oh you read my mind," Rita agreed with a yawn. Rita's body relaxed against her husband's, and the little one was suddenly overcome by a great drowsiness.
"Goodnight, Lynn," Rita said, wishing her husband a pleasant rest with a final kiss.
"Goodnight, Rita," Lynn Sr. replied.
The two of them then sleepily regarded the tiny bump between them.
"Goodnight, baby," They whispered in loving unison.
All three of them drifted off to sleep soon after, but as the little one itself fell into slumber, it focused all its thoughts on a single wish.
Be a boy. Be a boy. Be a boy…
Unbeknownst to the little one though, they had already fulfilled their mother and father's wish the very second they had come into existence some months prior.
He was a boy; the future sole son of the Loud family.
The yet to be named Lincoln Loud.
AN: Surprise! Bet you didn't expect another story from lil' old me, did you? Fun fact: I originally intended for this to be a one-shot, but sorta found myself endeared with the concept the more I thought it over. Plus, it provides for an interesting concept for me to experiment with regarding perspectives and characterization. There aren't that many stories with Lynn Sr. and Rita as the central characters, so I thought, why not give them some time to shine? Plus, them acting soft with both each other and their little ones is just too adorable a prospect to pass up if you ask me. Writing Lynn Sr. going to absolute mush over baby Lincoln as well as Rita's gentle comfort to both of them was just a ton of fun for me. XD
As for my progress with FIWLR, I assure you I'll still be working on that. I'm already about a third done with the next chapter. Nonetheless, I hope you'll tune into this story whenever a new chapter goes up for it. I do always love the feedback after all.
So, until next time, I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! And remember dear readers; reviews and feedback are the lifeblood of a writer!
Manegie, out!
