The Velazquest Family

Chapter 4

Lincoln couldn't believe his luck. It had been a month since he had met Delilah and he had been having a blast with her ever since. She liked a lot of things he did except for comics but hey, nobody was perfect. During that time, their families had gotten close but Lincoln didn't mind. Especially not when he got to spend time with Delilah. Currently they were in his room, lounging on his bed as he listened to her complain.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, Linc, your sisters are cool and all. But ever since we moved here it's like I'm invisible to my brothers!" Delilah complained as she laid on his bed, her legs hanging over the edge where she sat. "Like last week, Leo was supposed to take me to the mall to buy those shoes that I wanted but he blew me off to hang out with Lori!"

Lincoln knew the day she was talking about. Lori had been running late to work since she had gotten a summer job and she needed a ride since Lana was doing maintenance to Vanzilla. It had been an emergency and Leo had offered to drive her. Delilah had been upset so Lincoln offered to accompany her to the mall by riding the bus.

"Delilah, I understand that you're upset but remember that we got to hang out that day." Lincoln said as he placed his hand on top of hers.

Delilah blushed and looked away. "Y-Yea...but it's still messed up." She muttered.

The reason she was blushing was because during their trip to the mall, she had so much fun with him that she ended up 'accidentally' kissing him. She claimed it was an accident because she had only meant to kiss him on the cheek as a thank you and to tease him a bit for being such a good guy. But the loveable dork had turned his head at the same time and her lips landed on his.

Lincoln couldn't help but chuckle at Delilah's pouting expression, finding her adorable even in moments of frustration. He shifted closer to her on the bed, his hand gently squeezing hers in a reassuring gesture.

"Yeah, I get it. It can be tough feeling like you're not getting enough attention from your family," Lincoln sympathized, his voice soft and understanding. "But hey, at least you always have me, right?"

Delilah's blush deepened at Lincoln's words, her gaze flickering back to meet his. She couldn't deny the warmth that spread through her chest at the reminder of their close bond.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," she admitted sheepishly, a shy smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Thanks for always being there for me, Linc."

Lincoln returned her smile, his heart swelling with affection for the girl beside him. "Anytime, Delilah. You know I've got your back."

As they shared a quiet moment together, the memory of their accidental kiss lingered between them, a sweet reminder of the growing closeness they shared. And as they lounged on Lincoln's bed, basking in each other's company, they both knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would always have each other to lean on.

Lincoln then grinned as he recalled being ambushed by Milton and Tommy. They had seen them kiss and had taken several photos. They then spread the photos to the rest of her family and Delilah had been bombarded with texts congratulating for getting a boyfriend. "After all, I am your 'boyfriend'." He teased.

Lincoln's playful remark elicited a surprised gasp from Delilah, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of crimson. She couldn't help but laugh at the reminder of their impromptu photo op at the mall, which had sparked a flurry of teasing from her brothers.

"Hey, that was just for fun!" Delilah protested, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. "I can't believe they're still going on about it."

Lincoln grinned mischievously, enjoying the playful banter between them. "Well, you know what they say, pictures don't lie. Looks like we're stuck with each other now," he teased, nudging her gently with his elbow.

Delilah rolled her eyes, though the hint of a smile lingered on her lips. "Yeah, yeah, lucky me," she teased back, her tone affectionate.

As they shared a lighthearted moment together, Lincoln and Delilah found comfort in the easy camaraderie they shared. Despite the teasing from her brothers and the playful banter between them, there was no denying that she had it bad for the white haired Loud. And Delilah hoped that Lincoln felt the same. Still, she had to get him back for always one upping her in these verbal spars, friendly as they were.

"You do know that we're not really dating, right?" Delilah told him, hoping to throw him a curve ball.

"I know." Lincoln laughed. "I just think you're cute when you blush."

Again, she felt her face heat up and she knew why. She totally had a huge crush on that loveable and heroic dork. It wasn't fair! Why wasn't he a blushing mess with a cute girl like her in his room!?

"Why are you so calm about this?" She demanded, sitting back up. "I mean, you have your cute and adorable girlfriend in your room and you're not even flustered!"

"Do you really want to know?" Lincoln asked her.

"Yes!"

"Well, it's mainly because I've been surrounded by my sisters all of my life. I don't really get flustered around girls anymore. Do you have any idea how many times we've all accidentally walked in on each other over the years?" Lincoln explained. "Unless they're completely naked or um...occupied, I don't really get flustered as much anymore."

Delilah's blush reached new levels. "I know what you mean." She admitted. Growing up in a mainly all boy household led to a lot of awkward situations. "I really don't like it when I walk in on them being...'occupied'." She finished with a shudder.

"Oh you poor thing." Lincoln said as placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Boys are disgusting." She said flatly.

"You're not wrong." Lincoln laughed and this time Delilah joined him.

As Delilah's blush deepened, a mischievous spark ignited in her eyes, prompting her to act on an impulsive whim. She wanted to see him as flustered as she was at least once today. With a quick intake of breath, she reached out, grasping Lincoln's shirt and pulling him closer, her heart racing with anticipation.

Just as their lips were about to meet in a playful kiss, the door swung open with a suddenness that startled them both. Delilah froze, her eyes widening in shock, while Lincoln's expression morphed from surprise to disbelief.

Standing in the doorway, her expression a mix of amusement and mild disbelief, was Lori, Lincoln's oldest sister, who had seemingly chosen the worst possible moment to walk in on them.

"L-Lori!" Lincoln stammered, his cheeks flushing crimson as he struggled to find the right words to explain the situation.

Delilah, her face burning with embarrassment, released her grip on Lincoln's shirt, a sheepish smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Uh, h-hey, Lori," she managed to utter, her voice tinged with awkwardness.

Lori's lips formed into a knowing grin as she surveyed the scene before her. "Well, well, what do we have here?" she teased, her tone lighthearted yet tinged with amusement.

Lincoln's cheeks grew even redder, if that was even possible, while Delilah squirmed uncomfortably under Lori's gaze.

"Um, it's not what it looks like," Lincoln began, sounding embarrassed.

Lori raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. "Oh, really? Because it looks like you two were about to kiss," she teased, unable to resist adding fuel to the fire.

Delilah's blush deepened, and she shot Lincoln a pleading look, silently urging him to come up with a plausible explanation.

Before Lincoln could respond, Lori chuckled, her teasing demeanor softening into a warm smile. "Relax, you two. I was just coming to tell you that dinner's ready," she reassured them, her tone gentle.

As the tension in the room dissipated, Lincoln and Delilah let out a collective sigh of relief, grateful for Lori's understanding. With one last teasing grin, Lori retreated from the room, leaving Lincoln and Delilah to exchange sheepish glances.

"Well, that was... unexpected," Delilah remarked, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment.

Lincoln nodded, a sheepish smile playing at his lips. "Tell me about it. Remind me to lock the door next time," he joked, the tension of the moment easing as laughter bubbled between them.

As they shared a lighthearted moment together, Lincoln and Delilah couldn't help but feel grateful for Lori's understanding. She had wanted to make Lincoln flustered and she got her wish...sort of. As they made their way downstairs, Delilah promised to get him next time.

XXXXX

As August unfolded, Leo Velazquest and Lori Loud found themselves spending more and more time together, their friendship blossoming into something more. Leo, the eldest of the Velazquest siblings, often found himself picking Lori up from work, enjoying the simple yet meaningful moments they shared. Since he didn't have work and had a lot of free time before he decided on what to do, he didn't mind helping her out now and then.

One day, as Leo waited for Lori to finish her shift, he couldn't help but notice her engaged in a conversation with another guy, a customer, it seemed. Unbeknownst to him, a twinge of jealousy stirred within Leo. The realization caught him off guard, prompting him to reflect on the unexpected emotions bubbling to the surface.

"Why am I feeling like this?" Leo questioned himself, leaning against the hood of his car. He watched as Lori smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the customer, the conversation seemingly harmless. Yet, a subtle unease lingered in the back of Leo's mind. As he waited, Leo grappled with the unfamiliar sensation of jealousy. Was it because he cared for Lori more than he initially thought? Or was it simply a fear of losing the newfound connection they had developed?

Deep in thought, Leo pondered the nature of his feelings. He realized that Lori, despite being friendly and outgoing, was an individual with her own life, free to interact with whomever she pleased. Leo knew that they were just friends and that she had just gotten out of a long relationship. He had told himself that he wouldn't develop feelings for her because it wouldn't be fair to either of them.

When Lori eventually approached, Leo greeted her with a warm smile, pushing aside the momentary unease. As they drove away, Leo knew that he would have to confront his personal feelings and figure out a way to deal with them without ruining his friendship with Lori. He couldn't do that, not to her, not when her break up was so fresh in her mind.

Leo's internal struggle weighed heavily on him in the days that followed. The realization of his feelings for Lori had brought clarity to his emotions, but it also left him grappling with uncertainty about how to proceed.

As he navigated through his daily routines, Leo found his thoughts constantly drifting back to Lori. He couldn't deny the attraction he felt towards her, nor the desire to explore the possibility of a deeper connection. However, he also recognized the importance of timing and respect for Lori's recent breakup.

"It's too soon," Leo reminded himself, his voice tinged with frustration. He knew that rushing into anything could potentially jeopardize their friendship and cause unnecessary complications.

Despite his reservations, Leo couldn't shake the lingering warmth of Lori's presence, nor the flutter of anticipation that stirred within him whenever they were together. He found himself longing for her company, cherishing every moment they shared, yet also hesitant to reveal the depth of his feelings.

In the midst of his inner turmoil, Leo grappled with the conflicting desires of his heart. He yearned to express his affection for Lori, to be honest about the emotions that stirred within him, yet he also understood the importance of patience and restraint.

As the days passed, Leo resolved to tread carefully, allowing their friendship to evolve naturally while keeping his feelings in check. He knew that the journey towards love was a delicate dance, one that required trust, understanding, and above all, respect for each other's emotions.

The week leading up to Lori's return to school was filled with a palpable tension. Sensing Leo's peculiar behavior, Lori couldn't ignore the subtle shifts in his demeanor. One day, as they spent time together, the air felt charged with unspoken words and unexplained emotions.

Curiosity and concern etched across her face, Lori finally decided to confront Leo about the elephant in the room. "Leo," she began, her tone gentle yet probing, "you've been acting kind of weird lately. Is there something on your mind?"

Leo, initially attempting to play it off with a casual demeanor, chuckled nervously. "Weird? Me? Nah, Lori, you're just imagining things."

Lori, undeterred by his attempt to deflect, fixed him with an earnest gaze. "Leo, I know you. Something's bothering you, and I want to help if I can. Talk to me."

Caught in the sincerity of Lori's eyes, Leo sighed, realizing that the time for evasion had passed. "Okay, fine," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I've been feeling... weird because I realized that I... I like you, Lori. More than just a friend."

Lori's expression shifted from curiosity to surprise, and then a hint of understanding crossed her features. "You... like me?" she repeated, her voice tinged with a mix of emotions.

Leo nodded, his vulnerability laid bare. "Yeah. But I know it's complicated, especially with everything you've been through. I didn't want to make things awkward, so I tried to keep it to myself."

Lori, processing Leo's confession, took a moment before responding. "Leo, I appreciate your honesty. It's just... I've been through a lot lately, and I'm not sure I'm ready for anything beyond friendship right now."

Leo nodded, acknowledging her feelings. "I get it, Lori. I just wanted to be honest with you, even if it makes things a bit awkward." Lori looked like she was about to pity him and Leo raised his hand to stop her. "Hey now, don't worry about me. This is why I was keeping it to myself. I understand that now isn't the right time for this. So none of that 'it's me, not you' junk. We're friends, that's good enough for me, okay?"

Lori still didn't look entirely convinced but she sighed and nodded. "I appreciate this, Leo. you're a good friend."

Leo winched and made an 'oooo' sound. "You just broke my heart, couldn't you have waited a bit before using the 'F' word around me?" He said, pretending to clutch his head.

Lori was about to apologize when she noticed his wide grin. With glare, she swatted his arm. "That's not funny, you know."

"I don't, it seemed hilarious to me." Leo laughed. He then gave her a fist bump. "We're cool, Lori. So don't sweat it."

"I hate you sometimes." Lori muttered but she accepted his fist bump and bumped her own against his. As they continued on their walk towards Flip's, Lori couldn't help but wonder about her own feelings. Because despite not feeling ready to start a new relationship, Lori had been feeling a spark of something similar to a crush for the man walking beside her. He had quickly become her male best friend and if she were honest with herself, Leo would make a great boyfriend. But her heart told her that she wasn't ready and she would trust her heart on this. She just hoped that she healed before another girl tried to snatch him away.

XXXXX

As Lori sat on her bed, her gaze drifting towards her sister Leni, a pang of jealousy gnawed at her heart. Leni seemed effortlessly happy as she chatted with David on the phone, her laughter filling the room with an infectious joy. Yet, amidst the warmth of their interaction, Lori couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.

Watching Leni's carefree demeanor, Lori couldn't shake the lingering sense of guilt that weighed heavy on her shoulders. It wasn't that she didn't want her sister to be happy, far from it. Instead, it was the stark contrast between Leni's unabashed joy and Lori's own tumultuous emotions that left her feeling conflicted.

In the quiet solitude of her room, Lori allowed herself to confront the underlying source of her unease. It wasn't just jealousy that stirred within her, but a deep-seated guilt that gnawed at her conscience. She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she had somehow let her previous boyfriend down, that she hadn't been there for him in his time of need.

Despite knowing deep down that her decision to end the relationship was for the best, Lori couldn't escape the weight of responsibility that lingered in her heart. She replayed the events in her mind, searching for reassurance that she had made the right choice, yet finding only doubts and uncertainties.

As she wrestled with her conflicting emotions, Lori couldn't help but envy her sister's seemingly carefree approach to matters of the heart. It was as if Leni possessed an innate ability to follow her heart without reservation, while Lori found herself chained down by the weight of her own conscience.

In the quiet darkness of her room, Lori allowed herself to acknowledge the complexities of her emotions, knowing that true healing could only come from confronting her guilt head-on. And as she closed her eyes, she whispered a silent prayer for the strength to forgive herself, to let go of the burdens that held her back, and to embrace the possibility of happiness once more. After all, Leo was a great guy and he deserved to be with a Lori that didn't come with a ton of baggage.

XXXXX

As Leo lay in bed, his mind buzzing with thoughts of Lori and their heartfelt conversation earlier that evening, a bittersweet sensation settled over him. On one hand, he couldn't deny the pang of disappointment that lingered within him, the realization that his feelings hadn't been reciprocated in the way he had hoped. Yet, on the other hand, a glimmer of hope flickered within his heart, illuminating the darkness with its warm glow.

For despite the gentle rejection he had received, Leo found solace in the knowledge that Lori's response hadn't been a definitive "no." Instead, it was a gentle reminder that timing was everything, and that journey had only just begun.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Leo's lips as he reflected on Lori's words. "Not right now," she had said, leaving the door open for the possibility of something more in the future. And though the uncertainty of what lay ahead loomed large in his mind, Leo found comfort in the simple fact that Lori hadn't closed the door on their potential.

With a sense of newfound optimism, Leo allowed himself to envision the possibilities that lay on the horizon. He knew that Lori would need time to figure out what she wanted in life and Leo would happily give her that time. After all, he was basically retired and didn't really need to get a job. He would because he wanted to do something with his life but he didn't need to.

As he drifted off to sleep, Leo held onto the promise of tomorrow, allowing the warmth of hope to cradle him in its gentle embrace. For in that moment, amidst the quiet stillness of the night, Leo knew that the future held endless possibilities, and that love, in all its forms, was a journey worth embarking upon, one step at a time. And all he really had to do was wait for Lori to catch up to him. With that happy thought, Leo fell asleep.

End of chapter.