Sins in Twisters

Chapter 3: I'm Still Here

"Lincoln?!" The collective voice of the eight sisters (more of a hushed tone from Leni, a harsh raspy from Luan that sounded more like 'Innnncnn', and Luna accidentally shouting it out more than needed) filled the house.

"He sent us a letter?!"

"Is he okay?!"

"*gasp* What if it's his will?!"

"GUYS!" Lori yelled for them to end their questions. When the siblings did become silent, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves before looking back to her father, "Go ahead, dad."

Sending her a thankful nod, Lynn carefully felt his finger for an edge. Each time his finger slipped, his daughters' breaths seemed to hitch ever more till he found a grip and tore the top off. Stopped abruptly when the tear was getting close to the writing; he didn't want to see it destroyed. Moving to the opposite side, he can tear the other way and peer inside to see a bounty of papers. With it was another smaller envelope.

Curious, Lynn pulled this item out first. Flipping it back and forth to see now identifying marks other than a little sticker holding down the flap. Opting to tear it off, he ripped a chunk of the paper with it as he saw what looked like a check inside. It wasn't a blank canvas like the royalties; this one seemed to have a faded thunderstorm and a grassy field as its design. It looked nice, but that brief second was all that Lynn took notice of its art when his eyes darted to what was written.

In bold black ink, written form, and cash value, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents-650,000 addressed to The Loud House.

Now Lynn felt his knees begin to buckle. His hands become sweaty and mind-blowing several fuses trying to keep his thoughts focused.

He… he was holding more money than ever had in his entire life! Almost a million dollars! He-he didn't know what to say!

At best, his expression was one of the pure bug eyes staring at the paper with a sharp but low groan escaping his throat like he was just punched in the chest; for some reason, he took a step back as he walked into a wall.

Seeing her father's face, Lori made her move and slowly moved to his right side. Holding a hand out to grab his shoulder to steady him, "Dad? What's…" Her eyes flickered to the check, and just like him, all words died in her throat, and her train of thoughts hit the emergency brakes.

"Well," Lola spoke in her usual demanding tone, "what is it? Another royalty check?"

When neither father nor oldest sister responded to the question, Luna slowly moved around to the opposite side of Senior, peering down; she felt her breath hitch when after a second glance to make sure she wasn't seeing things wrong, screamed.

"IT'S ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS!"

Unsure if it was her not controlling her voice or the level of shock had gotten to her, anyone within a block radius of the house would have heard clearly what the rocker announced to the world.

Like them, all the sisters felt their jaws drop with their eyes on the paper their father held.

Luna's scream seemed to do more than cure their curiosity as Lori and Lynn both snapped out of their daze, with Lynn nearly dropping the check when he felt his hands tighten up so fast he feared he was about to tear it in half along with all the other papers.

This… This was too much for his aging brain to handle, and there were two more papers.

Folded over twice with a little piece of scotch tape holding them down by the lip. One had "To Mom and Dad" with the other as "To My Sisters."

Swallowing the rock of a lump in his throat, Lynn folded back the top half of the paper. It was an actual letter, handwritten with noticeable eraser marks, and use a pen scattered about. It was a short one at best, only filling about half the page but was clear enough that it didn't need the whole space.

Lynn was once again feeling fear bubbling up. His thoughts earlier started to dig themselves up at what this paper could say. Could… Could this be Lincoln's last Will and Testament? Is all this money from him giving away all his property as a final gift to them?

He… didn't want to know… but had to read it.

It was for only him and Rita, given there was a separate one for the girls; he figured that what it said was only for them. It was a matter for the parents of their now adult child, one that if Lynn remembered the calendar in the dining room, Lincoln's 19th birthday would be here in no time. He wished Rita was here with him; heaven forbid, she probably would have fainted at just seeing the number itself. He knew that he could pass the word to her over the phone or when she came home for some fresh supplies in a few days, but it didn't feel right being the first one to read it without her.

Yet at the same time… was this something that could change everything…

Giving Lori the rest of the papers, he began to read silently. "Dear Mom and Dad,

If you're reading this, then the following is true: I'm not dead, which I know would have been your first thought when seeing this but felt it was better to get it out of the way first, so you don't panic. I know you fear that I've gone on to join Papa was what you kept thinking about since I didn't call you guys often anymore. I'm very sorry if I did make you worry; I've been so caught up with life right now and then that my attention was getting pulled in so many ways. Clyde had to make me sit down for a bit.

I hope those checks are still coming through. I've had a few situations where trying to get them increased has caused a few delays here and there. I know it's not much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope it was something to help out.

When… all this started happening. I was ready to abandon everything down here and come back up. I wanted to be there to help you all. I can't stand it… most nights if I don't pass out from work or traveling, I'm stuck lying in bed, ready to jump out my door when someone needs me. But after a lot of thinking… I realized I was probably more beneficial to you than there.

You'll see why if you haven't opened the second envelope. If you have, I can take a few guesses on how you and mom would have reacted. This was what I was trying to build up for you. I know that I'm no miracle worker even if I was there. Every call and message I got told me the family needed a way to heal via medicine, not just a few hugs and words. When Luna's accident happened, I tried to increase the checks but realized it wouldn't be enough.

There are things that we need to speak about personally. I can't go into heavy details about what the results would be from me giving you that check; if what's happening now, maybe you'll see it soon.

… I'm taking probably the biggest risk of my life doing this. A lot is at stake, but for you, I hope this will help ease up or end the suffering the past two years have been dumping on you. I know money isn't everything, I'm not Lola, but hopefully, this will help give you guys a future life where all this was just a bad memory.

I… don't know when I'll be in contact again. I don't know if I'll be able to get a week's worth of free time to run up there for a visit. We'll have to wait to see, I guess.

-Love from your son, Lincoln Loud."

That was it. Lynn felt the floodgates be blasted open and his legs giving out like a rotten tree in a forest, finally letting gravity win. He tried to reach out for something to hold onto but didn't have the strength to lift his arm, grasping air. Seeing their father about to collapse, Lori and Luna rushed forward, grabbing under his arms to keep him upright. Fear flashed through their minds that their father had a heart attack.

It wasn't from him being overwhelmed-well, it WAS from being overwhelmed, but in this situation, it was like the first time he found out he was going to be a father. This check was… was…

Like lightning strikes twice, Lynn Loud Senior bolted back onto his feet with such vigor that the girls were startled by this sudden energy. Looking back between them all with fast darting eyes, scanning over everything his mind kept a list of that involved all their problems, he fully realized what Lincoln had given them.

A second chance…

His mind was suddenly filled with a drive he hadn't had since opening his restaurant. A determined look that the siblings hadn't seen him dawn in a very long time as his shaking quickly ceased, and his grip on the slip tightened.

"I-I GOTTA GET TO THE BANK!" Scrambling as fast as his age would let him, Lynn Sr. dashed over to the end table and snatched his keys. He almost ripped the door off its hinges and flew to the van.

Old Vanzilla; a proper name more befitting would be Rustzilla, given that it's shown its actual age in the last decade. Even with some changes Lincoln made with his small amount of time with it, the old wagon was ready to fall apart. The roof was a faded rust brown, and the green was beginning to yellow, the windows having some small cracks here and there. It would probably take someone to give it a good kick to a wheel and watch it fall like cards.

Though jumping into the front seat, Senior jammed the key into the ignition. Hearing the familiar struggle of the motor, he speedily unrolled his window, produced a mallet from under his seat, reached out, and banged on the side. Not noticing, a rusted chunk of the fender fell to the ground as the engine sputtered to life.

With a satisfied grin, he reached down and over, pulling his seat belt to the lock and fishing out his phone. Thumb blazing over the screen as he put the car in reverse and let off the brake. Going to the contact number for his wife to hit dial, taking quick glances to make sure he wasn't too distracted to hit anything as he brought the ringing phone up in wait. Shifting to drive, the van lurched forward with a groan before accelerating toward town.

One hand locked on the wheel nearly white-knuckled, Lynn prayed that-

"Lynn? What-"

"Honey! Honey! You would not believe what happened!" His voice shouted with excitement that hadn't been heard in most of a decade.

The McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital stood roughly an hour and 80 miles away from Royal Woods—one of several medical centers within spitting distance of the state university. The place looked new, modern, still smelt fresh, and now three floors up, in one of the many recovery rooms, its newest resident was Lynn Loud Junior. She was lying in bed almost like stone, but her chest's slow rise and fall showed some life.

Three days had only past since she was placed in this room. A week since she was brought to this hospital. She hadn't even gotten past the halfway point in her semester, and now she was done for the count.

At this point in life, she didn't care anymore.

She knew that she shouldn't give up, that life was throwing her curveballs that were coming in as fast as God was throwing them, and that she had a few strikes here and there for years but never strike out. Only now, it wasn't a swing and a miss. No, this was a 101-mile-per-hour fastball that went straight to the head.

She didn't remember the first few days in much detail. Between the constant blackouts, short bursts of being awakened and in pain unlike anything she had ever experienced, to the times when she was barely conscious from the level of medication they pumped into her veins.

She remembered waking up in this room, stripped down from her football uniform to a hospital gown that was slightly too big for her. She felt wires over her chest and arms, the beeping of the machines to the sides, and a dark room with the blinds blocking out most of the sunlight.

And her mother crying in agony.

Lynn was mentally ready to leap out of bed and comfort her. To wrap her in a tight hug, to let her cry on her shoulder, and ask what was causing her grief. But when could barely lift her arm did she realized it didn't take a genius to see what had caused the pain her mother was facing now.

She was the cause; this was the effect.

Rita had told her upon the first day; she was actually able to stay awake for longer than six minutes what had happened. Why was she here and not back at the university their family had spent the night at for the first two days by her side while she chose to say here to look after her.

It hurt to see her family have to try and support themselves enough to get here. It is her more that she was the one who, out of all of them, held the strongest belief and determination to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so matter what, lie in bed more broken than ever.

And the news of her condition… She knew what had happened to Lori and Leni was something that posed a risk to herself. Sports was always a dangerous avenue for anyone, no matter how simple. But to discover that you almost died from having your heart literally skip beats and that your nerves were practically shot. That the chances of you recovering were good, but you'd never be walking out of the hospital or without countless care even to take part in semi-physical activities…

She tried to save face. Tried to be strong, tried to show that something like this wouldn't keep her down for long and that the world couldn't stop Lynn Loud Junior that easily. She tried not to cry. She tried to deny the reality that was now her world.

She tried to save face. She tried to be strong and show that something like this wouldn't keep her down for long and that the world couldn't stop Lynn Loud Junior that easily. She tried not to cry. She tried to deny the reality that was now her world.

Oh, how she tried… but sometimes you can only be so strong… Sometimes life can put you down so hard that it takes time to get back up. Your lungs can't get enough air to give you that second wind to push through it and get back on your feet, and every time you rise just a little to look and see around you, your mind becomes full of haze again.

That was her now. She followed the motivation that "you can never keep a Loud down" to the letter that gave her the hope the family needed. But now God decided, "are you sure about that?" and she had tested it. And oh boy… was it turning out true.

She still hurt, was still stuck in this bed. Her eyes were partially opened to see what the light could allow her to see enough in the room. She could vaguely see the TV on the news channel; not her choice, but her mother felt to hear some background noise, something to distract her from the world behind these walls. For Lynn, the TV could have been playing cartoons meant for preschoolers for all she cared.

When she saw colors flash and images appear across the screen, her eyes opened just slightly enough to focus on what the tv was playing now. The weather… oh, joy.

'Where will it rain today, Weatherman?'

But in seconds of the person appearing, she zoned out again. Closing her eyes fully to hope that sleep would come and take her away again, she let the background sound fade into oblivion. However, thoughts about the weather seemed enough to spark some thinking to get going. In her half-asleep mind's eye, she saw scenes of past games that involved her getting down in the mud during some of her stricter times during her late middle and high school days.

Either it was hard rain that stung her face or a blanket of pure white snow that covered the lines; as long as it didn't inconvenience her, it didn't stop her from reaching her goal. But thinking of rain and pure white snow…

'No, don't go there.'

Those were thoughts that belonged on the shelf collecting dust. Not to be pulled off every hour to stroll back down memory lane for things that were and could have been…

Her body might have been weak as hell trying to recover from the battle, but her mind was still at war. She was trying to fight back the growing shapes and colors that were beginning to form in front of her like a phantom out of the shadows. She saw blue form the bottom half and a deep red, almost orange, starting at the top portion. A head white as snow that capped mountains blocked any sign of a face she could see but didn't have to guess who it was forming.

But before the image could condense, give details to show the elements that would make her see what she didn't know she wanted to see…

She could hear a phone going off.

And like a boulder falling off a cliff into a pond that was still as stone, the image was shattered from her mind. She didn't know if to be disappointed at the fact she didn't get to see the completed picture or happy that she didn't have to see the finished picture. Each phone ringing only further destroyed it to where the colors faded into darkness.

It was her mom's phone going off. Even half asleep, she had heard it plenty of times in this room to recognize where it was coming from. It was probably dad calling to check up on them again. It was great that he cared so much, but it's barely changed for a week. She heard her mom answer, "Lynn? What-"

Junior felt her eyes snap open. The sudden stop in her mother's voice sends its own alarm bells through her mind. Too many times, she heard that tone; looking up to her gaping expression with her hand going over her mouth and tears beginning to build up, too many times since Lori's accident did line see and know what that meant.

Something happened to the others. Who it was, she didn't know. Too many ideas flashed before her eyes to try and judge which one was the most likely or most ridiculous outcome.

'Dear God, what happened now….'

Back home, the sisters still stood in shock at what was revealed in the letter. At best, their only movement was their eyes darting between the paper in Lori's hands to the spot where moments ago, their dad grabbed his keys and flew out the front door like a bat out of hell.

Luna could muster coherent thoughts to step over and close the front door. Slowly letting the squeaking hinges try to be toned down as the day's light soon was blocked from entering the home. With a push, the door clicked, and she turned over the locks. She heard how loud she was, even with the hearing aid making it like she only shouted across the room. God forbid someone outside heard her and asked what the with the screaming was.

Turning around, leaning up against the door, she scanned over her family, who had yet to recover like her. "What just happened?"

Like a gunshot ringing in their ears, the shocked looks of the sisters morphed into the predatory determination that only a family as big as the Louds could think they had gone feral.

"LET ME SEE THAT!" Lola leaped forward towards the letter.

Lori nearly leaped back when the former beauty queen snatched the paper from her hands. "WHA-""HEY, THAT'S MINE!" Lana shoulder-tackled her twin into the dining room. Sending the article to lose from her grasp into the air till a hand snatched it from its corner.

"Ah-Ha!" Luan's hoarse voice 'cheered' as she turned to book it up the stairs.

Only for Lucy to appear like a phantom right in front of her (despite having not moved at all since this all started) and snatch the paper from the bottom; faster than anyone probably had ever seen the goth move, she was already half way up the stairs when she felt something wrap around her legs—tying them together as she fell onto the steps with a heavy thump from moving to avoid hitting her face on the edge.

"I'm sorry, my sister," She looked back to see Lisa holding what looked like some grapple gun with the cable slowly retracting. Pulling her down the stairs towards the scientist, "But I must relinquish that piece could hold the key to finding where Lincoln is."

"Great idea!" Lisa glanced over to the noise source only to have her lab coat suddenly yanked over her shoulders and face. Blinding and fighting to get her coat off, she dropped the gun, letting Lucy a brief moment to try and wiggle her legs out of the cable before she felt a hand press down on her back and snatch the paper away.

She was surprised to see Lily, of all people, hold her down, "Sorry about this, Lucy." she said in genuine regret as she leaped away. Pulling herself over the side of the railing to avoid colliding with a half-blind Lisa and Luan striking to go in for the kill with all the 9-year-old strength, she bounded over.

Right in time to be caught by Lori from behind before her feet even touched the ground. Held up by under her arms and lifted up a bit to keep her from sliding away. "Sorry, squirt, but you ain't getting away that easily!"

"Lori!" Lily cried out, trying to get loose from her big sister's grasp.

"GUYS!" A voice that only once in a blue shout out from the living room.

All eyes darted to Leni, sitting near the center of the couch with the object of interest held tightly in her hand. Quickly detangling themselves, they moved to rush forward, but Leni promptly stepped back with the letter moved behind her back. "Please… no more fighting. Lincy wrote this to his sisters, not just one of us. He wanted us to see and read this together. Is it too much to ask for us to sit and see?"

The pleading in her voice was enough to ease the clouds of battle from their heads. Losing their grips on their opponents as they looked over each other with shame forming in them. Lord knows that if Lincoln had seen them go feral over what he had given them all, he would have pleaded for them to stop, and past times that happened wouldn't have ended pretty.

In quiet agreement, they headed around to the couch. Lori took the spot in the center as Leni moved to the side for her to sit. Luna took up the spot to her left, mainly to hear anything spoken. The twins took up the space beside her, with Lana sitting on the armrest. Luan came beside Leni, hoisting her littlest sis onto her lap as Lisa squeezed between the Comedian and the armrest. With most of the old couch taken up, Lucy followed Lana's idea. Normally she'd be one of those sitting on the floor if the full family was present, but she didn't want to miss a tiny bit of any information.

She was able to get a good read on the bulk of the letter, satisfied with how Lincoln conveyed the start of his message but saw that there was more context to it than there was written in words. She loved finding the hidden details, but this was more of a brief summary he didn't get as much info as she had hoped.

It was enough for her to think back to her findings. A glance at Lisa, who physically was facing the elders, told her enough that she was looking back at her with the same worry as she did.

Once everyone settled, Leni handed the folded paper to her big sister, "Go ahead, Lori."

Feeling herself shake as if she was about to take the most sacred text known to man in her bare hand, she softly grasped the paper as the other retracted to lean back. Nodding thanks, Lori looked over the large piece; it was a bit longer than the one she saw her dad ready, maybe about double or triple in size. It didn't precisely have separate segments as she thought he would have written for everyone. It did say for his 'sisters' no 'Luan, Lola, Lily', etc. in a list. Though some of her did wish he did that, ten letters might have been a bit much, but the fact that each one could have been special in its own way was one that she felt could have helped them out. She knew Lynn especially could have used that kind of motivation right about now…

Taking a deep breath to clear her thoughts, pushing aside anything trying to float its way in front of her current task, she cleared her throat and began.

"To my ten sisters,

I'm sure you're all wondering about a lot of things. Where I am, where I've been, what's happened to me. I wanted to let you know that I am alive and well. Life down in Oklahoma isn't all that bad. Cost of living is cheaper, plenty of space to roam, and you don't have to worry about annoying the neighbors five miles away! Though Clyde has said many times to go to Texas, I feel that I'm at home where we are.

… I know I haven't been there as much, if at all, as I should be… I've done a LOT of searching in the past couple of years that made me think of what life I wanted to live, what I'm living now, and what the future can hold for me.

I know what I'm doing is dangerous. I know that every time I'm on the road is a higher chance I might not come home at all. But I want you all to know; I'm doing this for you.

I know it's probably selfish of me even to think that. But after what happened with Lori, I had to stop and think about my purpose in the house anymore. I was rarely home; everyone else seemed to be off doing their own things after the first few years, and I honestly didn't see the point in me staying there anymore. Once Lily entered grade school, and I saw all the friends she made, I won't deny it was a bit hard to let go.

I knew that, like her, the others did look up to me as Big Brother Linc. But you have to see it from my point of view.

Don't take this as me abandoning you or running away from problems. I know that that might have been the case years ago, but I've seen what my place is now in this world. When Lori first left, the family felt incomplete. I did all I could to ensure we were still happy at the end of the day and at the start of the next. Trying to keep this up was a bit difficult once everyone drifted away. At the same time, I sat there like a desperate miner trying to find the gold he knew was inches away despite digging for endless miles.

Whenever I looked up at the photos, the trophies, and the memories in the books, I wondered if I would ever be as successful as any of you. Your futures were practically destined from the start, and you knew it. I didn't. But that's okay, and sometimes you have to make your own. I guess I was just a blank canvas for the universe to see what it could make out of it. I knew that in no time would Leni, Luna, Luan, and Lynn follow Lori's example to start a new chapter in life. I knew that I was the one that would soon have to make sure my little sisters were prepared for the world.

And… I felt they were already on their way past what I could teach them….

I do love what I do.

Every day there's a chance it does feel like I'm riding out for another adventure that could be packed full of the joy or pain I imagined when I was younger. I remembered the day I came home from my first chase, and you guys tackled and hugged me so much, asking me never to do that again. It took you guys four hours before you finally let go of me because of exhaustion. Deep down, I was sorry for that. Sorry that you guys had to see me so willingly go up to danger and spit in its face with every possibility that I wouldn't return alive. I promised myself that day I'd make sure you guys came first. Moving away before even Luan was probably a kick to that promise, but like I always said, I'm the 'Man with a Plan.' I'm sure that if things all lined up, I wouldn't doubt Lynn even coming down for a few days to get the adrenaline rush that storm chasing has that nothing else does.

But… I do feel like I've only caused more problems. I know I'm supposed to care for the younger ones when, the older girls are off somewhere doing something else. I know I should be there when someone needs help with something. But as I said, as time passed, I realized that you guys really didn't need me anymore at home.

I didn't think I was needed during my first full year out. I thought that by then, everyone had already locked down their lives to the point that I could possibly mess it up somehow. I didn't want that; I didn't want to risk your guys' chances at a great future. All of you have the potential I know is ready to explode into the world for history to remember.

When I call the first calls, I honestly felt broken. I… I couldn't think straight, knowing what you guys went through. I wish I had been there. Be there like the brother I am meant to be to help ease your pain in any way possible. I was ready to sell off what I had to return home and do what I could. But I started thinking about what I could do to ensure you guys didn't suffer anymore.

By now, I wouldn't doubt that mom and dad were either passed out on the floor from shock or racing through town to cash those checks. I know it's probably the most half-assed move I've ever done compared to everything. Sending money to fix a problem, like some ignorant politician thinking throwing enough at it would fix the problem, then walking up to it and setting it themselves.

Though I have to admit, they're half right. What good would I have done back home? Take up more space, be another mouth to feed, have an expensive hobby that would destroy whatever money our parents had that could have been all towards helping you recover.

I didn't want to burden you guys more than before.

After what happened with Lucy when the call came through (no, mom nor dad told me first. Please do not go asking who it was), I realized that I could help rebuild your life. Help you guys have a chance to get back on the road to the great futures you all deserve one day.

When I heard about Lynn, I hoped I had more time. Between free time to run up there myself to finally come home after three years and show the fruits of my labor, I realized that time was up, and I wasn't prepared yet. So like any other person in my position with my mindset, I risked my future. I won't go into any details; this is something, at best, dad and mom should know when I get around to it later down the line….

People often asked me why I did what I did then and now. Sometimes I would say for some fame and or gain. But the one answer that has always been the first to come to mind is what drives me now; you guys are the reason for me to keep going.

To keep pushing closer and closer to the edge to see what the wrath of hell on earth is like so that when I do come home and sleep, I can see it in my mind that you guys are far away from this danger. In a place where you guys can keep growing, spread your wings, and fly higher than ever before. So that one day when we do all come back together, sit down, and share our stories with what we've all built, I can sit and relax in peace, knowing that even though I wasn't there to see it, to know I can still help in any way I can like I did before to see you guys smile.

It's a life worth living.

And it's one that after this letter gets to you, I hope to come up after the season is over to see my incredible family again as Loud as ever.

-with all my love, your brother, Lincoln."

Lori nearly didn't finish reading the paper to the point that it had slipped away from her shaking arms. The letter gracefully fell onto the coffee table before them, the house becoming dead silent. The only sound of breathing and some faraway appliance could be heard until a sniffle here and there as they tried to absorb what had been spoken entirely.

As one, the sisters started off into the abyss. Caring not where their eyes drift, it was the ceiling, the dark TV, or the mailbox outside. As one, they felt their minds become clouded with a hurricane of emotion that, for some, had been swirling around for a while. For others, it was as if the storm within had decided to rip what they thought was buried right out of the ground to see the light again.

But as one, the start of rivers began to fall as they all slowly looked down at the letter that now lay upside down from their blurring gaze.

Lynn was starting to freak out. The heart monitor was beginning to detect that and also freak out. She felt her breathing picking up like she was on the verge of making the game-defining play, but the odds were stacked against her.

Seeing her mother be taken aback by whatever was being spoken on the phone, her face morphing between the usual glum to one of surprise, shock, horror, and then to disbelief in such a short time frame, Lynn wondered which of them would have gotten a headache first.

"Mom…?" She weakly called out. Seeing her mother look like she was on the verge of a breakdown made her inner protector struggle to rise up. Barely lifting her head off the pillow with all the strength she had left. "Mom… what-" her mother wrapped her arms tightly over Lynn. It was enough to cause her to tense up from the contact, but she knew Rita was holding back a lot to prevent causing more harm.

But her crying didn't cease one bit as she held her daughter. Lynn felt tears falling onto her now-soaking shoulder as she weakly called again, "Mom…?"

Feeling that it was more of a question, Rita tried to answer, "It-its…" she struggled to speak, "L-L-Lincoln."

Lincoln?

What happened to- no.

'No… Not him…'

Three years… he had been gone for three years, and in recent times she heard down the grapevine that there was almost no contact, no sign of life from him anywhere for months now. And here her mother was, bawling her eyes out like never before. She saw her mother cry so many times in such a short time she did have some fear that one day she would cry to the point that her body would give away from the constant stress.

Sappy as it was, she knew stress could be a killer. And her aging mother had already had enough before Lynn added her disaster into the mix. But Lincoln… was unique to the family. She admitted that if it was anything he was strong in it was being the heart.

But if the heart had stopped… and this was them finding out…

'Please God, not my little bro…'

She felt the dark thoughts swirling in her mind. Images of what would be the last time they would possibly see their brother again were building the picture involving a box slowly being lowered into the ground. Tears threatened to breach her defenses until she felt her move slowly extract herself. Using her sleeve to try to wipe away the waterfalls as Lynn waited for her to tell her the knew.

But why was she… happy?

No, not happy, delighted, beaming! She just got word she was having another child or won the lottery. The last time she was this happy was when she got to hold Lucy's hands again, but that didn't compare to what she saw.

Feeling conflicted, her mother sniffled and tried to suppress it. Long enough to see Lynn's confusion and feel another bound of tears threaten to come forth. "L-Lynn…" she reached up, gently cupping her daughter's left cheek and rubbing her thumb, "Yo-you are going to be okay!"

Did she finally snap?

"No-No, you're going to be better than okay! We-we're going to make sure this was nothing but a bad memory!"

Maybe she did…

"Mom… what… happened…"

She wanted answers. Her mother was on the verge of going full Joker, which had something to do with her brother. When beaten to the punch, she was about to ask again, "Lincoln… he-he sent us… a gift. A letter with something that's… that's going to help you. You're father-he… he's at the bank now working on it. But Lynn…" Rita leaned back down, softly kissing her daughter's head, "You and your sisters… you're going to get better—no more pain or hospitals. And… OH MY GOSH, I GOTTA MAKE THE APPOINTMENTS! Honey, I'LL BE RIGHT BACK!"

Faster than she had ever seen her 50+-year-old mother move, Rita Loud flew out the door like an Olympic runner. Shouting for the nearest info desk and asking to make appointments with the bed doctors. Lynn strained to follow her before the walls blocked it from sight and sound. She felt her head be weighed back onto the pillow as her mind flooded with thoughts and emotions.

Lincoln… He's still alive. He's still out there, running around with his crazy plans doing God knows what. Still ensuring his family had all the hope and love even when he was gone…

"Lincoln…" she closed her eyes. Feeling a stream of tears fall down her cheeks onto her gown.

Her bro, her little Stinkon, her… savior.

Lynn felt something form from within. Not something requiring medical attention but of in her mind that was starting to connect a series of gears that she hadn't felt in motion for a very long time. She recalled all the times they fought, the times he 'helped' her in sports or willingly played with her. The days they grew up in the same room were eventually divided for all time. The times she tortured him in that stupid suit…

The times he was there to carry her home… The times when she thought a silly crush was to the love of her life but was just life giving her a taste of reality. He was there for all of them when he could break away, take the bull by the horns, and ride it to fame and fortune.

The times when…

…

… the times when what?

One wouldn't think three years wasn't much time for siblings so young with only two years between them. But she remembered that things tended to 'speed up as you age.' Like a racer, at the starting line, you can see everything and everyone. But as the rave goes on, all become a blur until the finish line suddenly appears.

When she was stuck at home, she remembered him helping so much. No matter how far away he was or what stood in his way, he was there no matter what came before. She remembered it all.

But then he disappeared and never came home.

Oh, she was angry that day. Angry, he would leave them like that without thinking how they would… what? How was it his fault? He spoke about it for months and chose a day they could be there to say goodbye. And in keeping with her promise to her bro like he was there for them, she broke it….

March Madness, after all. It was her madness of her to be part of so many active teams and events that she lost track of time. She was probably the last sister to find out Lincoln was gone when she won a game, and her whole was there that she finally noticed at that point he was gone for over a month.

Oh, she got angry, alright. Angry that no one said anything for a month. But the reason behind it was her own doing. The head was so focused on the game that she visited the house and lived on the field at best. Her last year in high school saw her lockdown her future sports in one of the biggest football games ever played for the home team.

They celebrated as if they had just won the Superbowl; the cheers, the fireworks, the food, the glory.

God, it felt like she had just gotten a taste of what her future would bring, and oh, did she crave more. When she got home and partied with her family, she felt like she was the queen of the world.

But… It just didn't feel right anymore.

Days, weeks, months, she pushed herself to be used to not walking out of her room, getting in and half expecting Lincoln to step out of that closet to queue up or already be downstairs helping with breakfast. When Lori went down, she was by her side, acting as a kind of 'extreme recovery therapist.' While it helped some, she knew she couldn't hold it together as Lincoln could.

He did the only thing Lynn could never be. Two years made her see just what kind of heart he gave them- She'd give up her sports. Give up the NFL and college, and become a teacher for all she cared. She'd sell everything she had to get a car and go out and find him regardless of where or how far if it meant bringing him back with her kicking and screaming or chained to the roof and giving up what was here to be back beside the one guy that, despite all their bad blood, was always by her side no matter what pushed him down and spat in his face.

He wasn't here, but his heart was. Giving her one of the greatest gifts she had ever been given. A chance to have the future she wants.

It'll take time and a lot of retraining, but she could get back into the game. Maybe not football anymore, but perhaps something else like hockey...

No, that's not what she wanted now. She didn't care about sports anymore. If her getting back into that groove was a side effect in the future that happens when it happens, so be it. Her only goal now (once she got out of this hospital and back on her feet first) was to find a way to help her family stay together. Find a way to repay all the love and care they were squandering away for years. To find a way to get her brother back.

Because Lynn was the most recent of the incidents, she will be a bit more of the focused sibling for the following chapters, but not indefinitely. Part of the inspiration for her at the end was based on the stories 'The Proposal' and 'Love Returning', where because of events, she didn't become a full-on athlete and decided to become something related to it but stay closer to home (like a teacher).

The primary purpose of this chapter is to push the 'future emotions' into effect. Because you gotta think, with how much he loved every sister so dear to him, to give up his future for them to give them their back, that does tend to trigger a high degree of emotion when someone sees how far are they willing to go. With chapter 4 acts as the sisters undergoing their 'emotional triggers'. The main letter wasn't meant for Lincoln to say out his heart but what his mind thought of. With context being, "I'm okay; this is the situation; please don't come for me right now."

Chapter 5 and 6 is a bit of a takeaway, as chapter 4 sets up, with it either being condensed into one or split between the two. A large chunk of the former is already written, however, is undergoing heavy rewriting. If everything is done correctly, this story is estimated to reach around 40 chapters.