Master Fan Reader: No problem, and thanks.

EAVMJSC: It was based on that scene, with some alterations.

Jacksonangelo105: Thanks again.

gamelover41592: And I want to work on that potential. Thanks.

Austin couture: I'm sure you can't.

KRUSA1: Rita's maiden name is a pun on "read a book". Also, that "update" a few days ago, was actually an april fools joke I had for a short while.

Chapter 9: Tensions Arise

Present day: Sunset Canyon Retirement Home...

Albert: "And yet, it did...Lori's now with child, and your father's in denial over the whole thing, if I'm assuming correctly."

(Lincoln was in awe over the whole story.)

Lincoln: "Wow...I can't believe Mom and Dad had Lori by mistake."

Albert: "Well, believe it, kid. This world is full of "mistakes"- but, they actually turn out to be blessings in disguise."

Seymour: "You know, I remember when my daughter had-."

Albert: "Okay, Seymour...I think that's a story for another time. Now, let's deal with the matter at hand, shall we?."

(Albert turned back to his grandson and placed a hand on his shoulder.)

Albert: "Now, Lincoln...I know things are...shall I say, out of whack, but Lori needs all the support she can get at a time like this. After all, there's a new life at stake here."

(Lincoln sighed.)

Lincoln: "I'll try, Pop-Pop."

Albert: "That's the spirit, Kid!"

(Albert wraps his arm around Lincoln, giving him noogies.)

Albert: "Now, say uncle!"

Lincoln: "Do I have to?"

Albert: "C'mon, say it!"

Lincoln: "Okay! Uncle!"

Albert: (chuckles) "Well, it fits, 'cuz that's exactly what you're gonna be, boy."

(They shared a good laugh over that one.)

(At 6:00 P.M., Rita arrived to pick Lincoln up.)

Rita: "Hi, Dad. Let's go, Lincoln."

Lincoln: "Bye, Pop-pop."

Albert: "Take care, you two!"

(Lincoln got in Vanzilla, and Albert watched them drive away until they were out of sight.)

Albert: (to himself) "You're gonna do okay, Son."

On the way home...

Lincoln: "Mom?"

Rita: "Yes, Sweetie?"

Lincoln: "How do you feel about Lori's...um...situation?"

Rita: (sighs) "Well...I can't say that I'm proud of what she did, but I still want to help her through it, nonetheless. It's your father that won't accept this new reality."

Lincoln: "Well, I wanna help, too. Lori needs us even more now."

Rita: "Thanks, Lincoln. You're a good brother...and you'll be an amazing uncle, as well."

Lincoln: "You're welcome, Mom. I just hope the girls will be on board with us."

Rita: "Oh, I'm sure they will."

Lincoln: "Yeah, you're right. I sometimes forget what a great family we have. In fact, Lori will have more support than she'll know what to do with."

Rita: "Why, of course. You kids are the most important people in my life...and I wouldn't trade any of you for the world."

Lincoln: "We know...and judging by the way you care for us, I think you're gonna make a wonderful grandmother."

(Rita giggled in response.)

Rita: "Aw...thanks, Sweetie."

That night at the Loud House...

(Since Parent Fight Protocol was still in effect, the Loud kids had to eat separate dinners with their parents. Rita made grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and steamed vegetables, while Lynn Sr. (as he wasn't in the mood to cook) ordered takeout from Giovanni Chang's. After dinner with his father, Lincoln decided to speak up.)

Lincoln: "Uh, Dad?"

Lynn Sr.: "What is it, Son?"

Lincoln: "Don't you think you're being kinda...unfair to Lori and Bobby? I mean...I know they made a mistake, but they just wanna-"

Lynn Sr.: "Lincoln...you need to understand how this works. Your sister shamed herself, and now she has to pay the price."

Lincoln: "Look...I know what Lori did was reckless, but is this really the way you wanna handle it? All it's doing is creating more problems for this family. Besides...you and Mom pretty much went through the same thing back in '98."

(Lynn Sr. gasped in response.)

Lynn Sr.: "What?! But, how did you...whatever. That was different. Plus, your mother and I were way past our teen years when that happened. Lori is only seventeen- she's just not ready for that level of commitment!"

Lincoln: "But-"

Lynn Sr.: "No buts about it, Lincoln! You'll understand when you're older! Now, everyone take your fortune cookies and go to your rooms."

(Lincoln and the girls just stared blankly at their father.)

Lynn Sr.: "NOW!"

(At that, the kids all hurried to their rooms, while Lynn Sr. laid his head on the table and wept.)

Lynn Sr.: "Oh, why me?"

(In his room, Lincoln sat on the bed to ponder things.)

Lincoln: (in thought) What am I gonna do? I can't convince Lori to leave the Santiago's house. Besides...she wouldn't wanna be away from Bobby, anyhow. And to make matters worse, Ronnie Anne told me what kind of man her father is, so he could end up hurting Lori and her baby. Aw, man...why did things have to get so screwed up? I just hope Lori's able to handle herself...and the baby.

(Lincoln laid down and drifted off to sleep.)

(Lincoln was fast asleep when he heard knocking at his door.)

Lincoln: "Ugh...Lana- if you're askin' me for the big kid scissors, I'm not gonna-"

(Lincoln opened the door to find his father in his pajamas.)

Lincoln: "Dad?"

Lynn Sr.: "He-e-e-y, Sport. Can I, uh, bunk with you for a while? Your mother and I had an argument, and now she doesn't want me back in our bedroom. Besides, the couch was giving me a wicked backache."

Lincoln: "Sleep with me? Dad...I don't know if-"

Lynn Sr.: "Look...I'm sorry if I acted a bit harsh with you earlier. I was just so overwhelmed. Now, will you please let me sleep here? I'm really desperate."

(Lincoln thought it over. He's let Lynn and Lucy sleep with him before, but letting his father sleep with him? Well, this was a whole new story...but after all, what choice did he have?)

Lincoln: "Alright...you can stay, but just for a few days."

Lynn Sr.: "Yes! Thanks for having my back, Son! (laughs) Get it?"

Lincoln: "This is gonna be a long night."

(Sleeping with his father wasn't easy for Lincoln for more reasons than one. He didn't know what was worse- the loud snoring, the sleep-talking, or the fact that he held Lincoln like a teddy bear.)

The next day...

(When Leni turned on the faucet to take her morning shower, she heard a scream. She flew open the curtain to see a soggy and sleep-deprived Lincoln.)

Leni: "Lincoln?! Like, what the hell are you doing in there?"

Lincoln: "Dad's got my room."

Leni: "Then go sleep with Mom, why don't you!"

Lincoln: "What's wrong, Leni? Why are you acting like this?"

Leni: "Do I have to remind you, Dummy? First, Lori eats a baby. Then, she up and abandons us! And now Mom and Dad aren't even sleeping in the same room! It's not fair!"

Lincoln: "Look...I'm sorry Lori's not with us now, but you shouldn't take your anger out on me!"

Leni: "Well, bathrooms are not for sleeping! Now, get out!"

(Lincoln ran out of the bathroom and raced down the hall to the stairs, as curious family members peeked out their bedroom doors.)

Later, at Royal Woods Elementary...

(In the cafeteria, Clyde was sitting with Liam, Rusty Spokes, and Zach, while Lincoln shared a table with Lucy, Lana, Lola, Lisa, and Rusty's brother, Rocky. Just then, Ronnie Anne walked in and approached Lincoln's table.)

Ronnie Anne: "Hey, Lincoln...mind if I join you?"

(Lincoln blushes.)

Lincoln: "Not at all."

(Ronnie Anne sat down next to Lincoln, prompting squeals from Lucy and the Twins, which Rocky found cringeworthy.)

Lisa: "I don't typically engage in this sort of tomfoolery, but...EEEEEEE!"

(Lisa waved her hands in front of her as she squealed.)

Lincoln: "Don't mind them, Ronnie...I mean, you know how they are."

Ronnie Anne: "I know, Lincoln...Sooooooo, how are things back home?"

Lincoln: "Not very good. Dad just refuses to see how much more difficult he's made things since Lori left...and if that's not enough, he's even sleeping in my bed. I just wish Dad would come to his senses."

Lisa: "I wholeheartedly concur, Brother. I too wish Father would come to terms with this new status quo."

Lana: "Yeah, along with our older sisters, who clearly seem to be on Team Dad."

Lola: "I just hope this doesn't turn into Romeo and Juliet."

Lucy: "If it does, I would be honored to direct their funeral."

Rocky: "Whoa...take it easy, Luce. Don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourself?"

Lucy: "It's better to be prepared."

(Meanwhile, at Clyde's table.)

Rusty: "So, Clyde...I heard you and Lincoln are... shall I say, splitsville?"

Clyde: "Yeah...pretty much."

Liam: "What 'appened 'tween the two a' ya?"

Clyde: "It's a long and complicated story."

Zach: "Well, can you at least give us the short version?"

(Clyde sighed.)

Clyde: "It's Lori's dumb boyfriend, Bobby. He got her pregnant, so I terminated my friendship with the white-haired boy whose name I refuse to utter."

(The boys were at a loss for words.)

Liam: "Well, 'all be gosh-danged!"

Zach: "You broke off with Lincoln? That is messed up, Dude."

Rusty: "Yeah, and all because his sister got knocked up? That's just bogus."

Clyde: "And what do you know? Did you even hear the part where I said Lori is pregnant?!"

Rusty: "Woah...easy, C-dawg."

Liam: "Well, Clyde, jus' ta letcha know, it ain't nuttin' tah be 'shamed of. Ah' mean, mah folks had me at the ripe ol' age of 16, and they managed ta' git by."

Clyde: (sarcastically) "Gee...thanks for sharing, Liam. I didn't need to know that."

Liam: "Jus' tryin' ta' light'n the mood."

(Back at Lincoln's table.)

Lincoln: "We all want to support Lori through this, but some of us of just aren't ready to handle this kind of stress."

Lucy: "We all expected Lori to bear a new life...we just didn't forsee it happening so soon...sigh."

Lisa: "We also didn't forsee Leni adopting Lori's persona as a coping mechanism."

Lola: "Yeah...she even forced Luna, Luan, and Lynn to side with Dad."

Lucy: "We're becoming a house divided."

(Back at Clyde's table.)

Clyde: "I'm tellin' you...I just don't want anything to do with Lincoln after what happened with his sister. Seeing him only reminds me of the love I've lost."

Rusty: "But Dude, it's not like he had any control over the matter. Why don't you just let this silly crush go and make things right with Lincoln."

Zach: "Yeah...and from what I could see, there was nothing between you and Lori in the first place, you weirdo."

(Clyde raised his arms in frustration and yelled out.)

Clyde: "Does no one see my side of the story here?!"

(Clyde looked around. The whole cafeteria was staring at him. He got up from the table with a groan, and headed into the hallway. Everyone watched blankly as he left.)

Rocky: "What's wrong with him?"

Lucy: "Clyde's experiencing the second stage of grief."

Lana: "He even broke off his friendship with Lincoln when he found out about Lori's baby."

(Ronnie Anne sighed.)

Ronnie Anne: "I'm gonna have a talk with him."

Lincoln: "Are you sure about this, Ronnie Anne?"

Ronnie Anne: "It's worth a try."

(Ronnie Anne left the cafeteria.)

Lisa: "I don't see this ending well."

(Ronnie Anne headed into the hallway to look for Clyde, and found him sulking by his locker.)

Ronnie Anne: "Clyde..."

Clyde: "Whatta you want?"

Ronnie Anne: "I'm trying to talk some sense into you. How long are you gonna keep this up?"

Clyde: "I didn't ask for this. I'm up against the wall, here- or in this case, my locker."

Ronnie Anne: "What the hell's wrong with you? You haven't been yourself since Lori got knocked up."

Clyde: "I don't wanna talk about it. Bottom line, my life with the Louds is OVER!"

Ronnie Anne: "Clyde...this has gotta stop. Lori's older than you. You need to put this childish delusion aside and make up with Lincoln."

Clyde: "I don't even wanna hear your boyfriend's name anymore. I just wanna get him and Lori out of my mind for good!"

Ronnie Anne: "First of all, he's not my boyfriend. And second, what does ending your friendship with Lincoln accomplish? He's your best friend, for God's sake!"

Clyde: "...Because if I can't have Lori, Lincoln can't have me!"

Ronnie Anne: "So, what? You're breaking off your friendship with Lincoln?...just to spite his sister?!"

Clyde: "That's right!"

(Ronnie Anne rolled her eyes while letting out a frustrated groan.)

Ronnie Anne: "Good God! You know...I think this crush on Lori has really turned you into a pig. You need to stop this right NOW!"

Clyde: "And what makes you think you're in any position to judge me, considering how YOU are related to the bozo that knocked Lori up to begin with!"

Ronnie Anne: "What did you say?"

Clyde: "All my hopes and dreams have been dashed!...and it's all because of your...your...deadbeat brother!"

(That did it. Ronnie Anne punched Clyde hard in the nose, knocking his glasses off and causing him to stumble to the ground. A crowd of students gathered at the scene before them, while Ronnie Anne delivered a couple more blows to the bloody-nosed boy.)

Ronnie Anne: "What do YOU know about my brother?!"

(Dazed and surprised, Clyde tried to speak, but Ronnie Anne grabbed him by his collar and slammed his head hard against his locker, while the other students chanted "Fight". Upon hearing the commotion, Lincoln, his younger sisters, and his friends, all ran out of the cafeteria.)

Ronnie Anne: "You don't even know what Bobby and I go through!"

(Lincoln tried running towards Ronnie Anne, but Rusty and Zach held him back.)

Lincoln: "Ronnie Anne! You have to stop!"

(Seemingly oblivious, Ronnie Anne shoved Clyde into the locker and slammed the door.)

Clyde: "Ow, my arm..."

(Just then, Lola yelled to Ronnie Anne.)

Lola: "DON'T MOVE, DIRTBAG!"

(Fearing the consequences, Ronnie Anne started running away.)

Lola: "She's making a run for it! SIC 'er, GIRL!"

(While Lola went to get the princess car, Lana gave chase, running on all fours like a dog, and barking like crazy.)

Lincoln: "LANA! WAIT!"

Lola: "Stand back, student! Official hall monitor business!"

(Lana chased Ronnie Anne for a few yards before tackling her.)

Lana: "GOTCHA, PUNK!"

(Lana rolled Ronnie Anne onto her stomach and slapped on some handcuffs, while several of the other students (sans Lincoln, Lucy, Lisa, Rocky, Rusty, Liam, and Zach) taunted Ronnie Anne.)

Ronnie Anne: "Where'd you get handcuffs?"

Lana: "From my parents' bedroom...BUT THAT'S NOT IMPORTANT!"

(Just then, Lola arrived with the princess car, which was pulling a red wagon with a cardboard cage on it. She got out and petted her twin.)

Lola: "Good girl, Lana."

Ronnie Anne: "C'mon! Let's be reasonable!"

Lola: "You know violence is off limits, Young Lady! Now, we're taking you straight to the Principal's office, ASAP!"

Ronnie Anne: "Young Lady?! You two are five years younger than me!"

Lola: "ENOUGH LIP, WOMAN!"

(The twins put Ronnie Anne in the cage and drove her to principal Huggins' office, while Lincoln watched, anxiously.)

Liam: "Well, 'ahm sure glad it ain't me."

Rusty: "Ditto"

Lincoln: "I should've done something."

Rocky: "Don't beat yourself up over it, Linc. You woulda been caught in the crossfire if that happened."

(But Lincoln wasn't so sure. Lisa and Lucy looked at each other suspiciously.)

Lisa: "Our brother apparently knows something, and he's not telling us about it. Therefore, we shall interrogate him tomorrow morning."

Lucy: "I totally agree."

On the way to the Principal's office...

Ronnie Anne: "Look, I can give each one of you a cookie. Just let me go."

Lola: "Sorry, but we don't take bribes. It goes against our standard of ethics."

Lana: "You do the crime, you do the time, Santiago."

(A few minutes later, they arrived outside Principal Huggins' office. The twins sat Ronnie Anne in the waiting room.)

Lola: "Lana...stay here and watch the perp. I'm gonna report this crime to the principal."

(Lola entered Cheryl's office and asked to see Huggins, while Lana had a little chat with Ronnie Anne.)

Lana: "Look, Ma'm, I'm sorry, but we were just doin' our jobs. Nothin' personal, really. Gotta keep the halls clean, ya know."

Ronnie Anne: "...Ma'am?"

(Lana pulled a lint-covered lollipop out of her pocket.)

Lana: "Wan'a lollipop?"

Ronnie Anne: "Wait...has that thing been in your pocket without a wrap-?"

(Lana stuck the lollipop in Ronnie Anne's mouth before she could finish.)

Lana: "So, why'd you do it?"

(Ronnie Anne spat out the lollipop and sighed.)

Ronnie Anne: "Clyde said some nasty things about Bobby, so I...kinda lost it."

Lana: "Y'know, Lincoln told me how Clyde abruptly ended their friendship, but we just can't tolerate vigilante justice in these halls."

Ronnie Anne: "I'm not a bad person. You just don't know what it's like back home."

(Lana listened with intrigue.)

Lana: "Interesting...tell me more."

At Casa Santiago...

(Lydia was lying on the couch when the phone rang.)

Lydia: "Entiendo. I'm coming."

(Groggy, Lydia stumbled to the phone.)

Lydia: "Hola? Si, this is Ronalda's mother. What?! A fight? Ronalda? No comprendo. Ay Mio! That's terrible! But I can't get her- my husband has the car. Just call his workplace, por favor."

(Lydia hangs up and buries her face in her hands.)

Meanwhile, outside the Principal's office...

(Ronnie Anne had finished telling Lana her side of the story.)

Lana: "Wow...I...didn't know. I'm sorry."

(At that moment, Clyde walked into the waiting room and sat down next to Ronnie Anne and Lana. His arm was in a cast, he had tissues in his nostrils, and his face was covered in band-aids.)

Clyde: "What did I do to deserve all of this?"

Lana: "I don't know...why don't you ask yourself that question."

Clyde: "But I'm a victim here."

Lana: "Are you? Or is Ronnie Anne the victim?"

(At that moment, Lola came out of Cheryl's office and stood by the door, turning to face Ronnie Anne.)

Lola: "Huggins is gonna call your father now."

(Ronnie Anne sighed and buried her face in her hands. A few minutes later, Cheryl called out.)

Cheryl: "Santiago...McBride...Principal Huggins will see ya now."

Ronnie Anne: "Well...goodbye life."

(Ronnie Anne and Clyde went inside, while Lana locked eyes with her twin.)

Lana: "Lola...we need to talk about Ronnie Anne."

(The twins left the waiting room in search of somewhere private to talk.)

(Inside the principal's office, Ronnie Anne and Clyde sat in front of Huggins.)

Huggins: "Miss Santiago...do you really think I would tolerate such violent behavior on school grounds?!"

Ronnie Anne: "But, Principal Huggins-"

Huggins: "Maybe you should just drop out of this school and join the wrestling league, instead?...NOT! Now, I've called your father and Mr. McBride's fathers, and they aren't gonna be happy when they arrive."

(Ronnie Anne groaned, while Clyde tried to process what had just transpired.)

(Just a short time later, Howard and Harold pulled into the parking lot and parked in the only available space they saw, which just happened to be directly next to Alex's 5th generation Sedan DeVille. They all got out at the same time, and exchanged uncomfortable glances.)

Alex: "McBrides."

Howard: "Santiago."

(The three fathers walked through the front doors and down the halls until they reached Principal Huggins' office. Howard and Harold couldn't believe their eyes when they saw Clyde.)

Howard: (gasps) "Sweet Virgin Mary! What happened to our son?!"

Huggins: "Well, why don't you ask Miss "Knuckle Sandwich" Santiago, over here."

(Huggins pointed to Ronnie Anne.)

Alex: "Ronalda- what did you do? And don't lie to me!"

Ronnie Anne: "I...I...I attacked Clyde."

Alex: "What?! Attacked?! Whatta you mean, "attacked"? Ronalda Anne Santiago! I raised you better than that!"

(Ronnie Anne hung her head in shame, while Howard turned away and mumbled to himself.)

Howard: "Well, apparently you didn't raise her well enough."

(Alex heard him.)

Alex: "What did you say?"

(Harold got in-between his husband and Alex)

Harold: "Look...we don't want any trouble."

Alex: "Well, apparently, your queer friend does. Why don't you go find yourselves a nice prison cell where you two fags can go fuck yourselves?"

Howard: (gasps) "Why, you inhuman beast!"

(Howard tried to charge at Alex, but Harold held him back.)

Harold: "HOWIE! Remember what Dr. Lopez said about engaging! Don't let him win!"

Alex: "HEY! I'm standing right here, FAGGOTS!"

(Wasting no time, Huggins banged on his desk.)

Huggins: (yelling) "Gentlemen!...that is ENOUGH! Like I said to Miss Santiago, I will not tolerate violence in my school! Now, please...be...QUIET!"

(Huggins sat back down, rubbing his forehead.)

Alex: "Sorry about that. I was just...defending my daughter's honor- isn't that right, Sweetheart?"

(Ronnie Anne was so embarrassed and disgusted that she wished she could just disappear.)

Alex: "Well...I give you my asurance that you won't be having anymore trouble from her. So, if that's all-"

Huggins: "Oh no, Mr. Santiago, I won't keep you. I'll just let you two be on your merry way...NOT! Now, you have to understand that your daughter assaulted one of her classmates, and we can't let that go unpunished. So, I'm afraid I have no choice but to suspend her for three weeks, during which time, you will be responsible for homeschooling her."

Alex: (signs) "I understand, Sir."

Huggins: "You and your daughter are dismissed."

(Alex walked out of the office with Ronnie Anne, while Clyde waited for his fathers to talk to Huggins.)

Alex: "Ronalda...I am very disappointed in you!"

(Ronnie Anne was worried.)

Ronnie Anne: "I'm sorry, Sir."

Alex: "That does not excuse what you did. I'll deal with you when we get home..."

On the way to Casa Santiago...

(Tensions were high as Ronnie Anne sat nervously next to her father, who was seething with fury.)

Alex: "Just what the fuck were you thinking?!"

Ronnie Anne: "...but he said some things about Bobby, and-"

Alex: "So that gives you the right to attack one of your classmates like an animal? You made me look like a monster in front of the principal!"

Ronnie Anne: "Well, maybe that's a good thing 'cuz you're nothing but a monster to this family."

(Alex grabbed Ronnie Anne's ear tightly.)

Alex: "Now, you listen to me...you don't get to talk to me like that. I am in charge of this family, and I say, shut the fuck up, you little puta!"

(Tears streamed down Ronnie Anne's face.)

(When they arrived home, Lydia met them at the door, anxious to find out the details.)

Lydia: "What did the school say, Alex?"

Alex: "Your pissant daughter got suspended for three weeks for shoving that McBride boy into a locker!"

Lydia: (gasps) "Ronalda...how could you?."

Ronnie Anne: "I-I-I'm sorry, Mami."

Alex: "Sorry isn't gonna cut it, Chica! Now, it's obvious that we need to set a precedent for your recent actions."

(fearing for the worst, Ronnie Anne shielded her face.)

Ronnie Anne: "Please don't hurt me!"

Alex: "No, no, no, Ronalda. I won't hurt you this time...nothing like that."

(Ronnie Anne looked up, confused. Then, without warning, Alex punched Lydia hard in the face, knocking her to the ground.)

Ronnie Anne: "Mom!"

(Lydia laid motionless for a few moments, then slowly began to regain her composure.)

Lydia: "Alex! Why?!"

(Alex picked up his wife and threw her onto the couch, knocking it over.)

Alex: "You estupido fat motherfucking PUTA! All you had to do was keep that little shit in line! I should've known better than to trust a woman to do a man's job!"

Lydia: "Alex! Stop it! Please!"

(Alex dragged a crying Lydia back to her feet, who was bleeding from her lips.)

Alex: "Is this fucking happy hour to you?! Were you drinking again?!"

Lydia: "I-I-"

(Alex grabbed his wife's chin.)

Alex: "I took you out of the Red Light District! I gave you two children! And you want to make a fool of ME?!"

Lydia: "Please, Alex...not in front of Ronalda!"

Alex: "I created her and Junior from my own flesh and blood. I am the boss! I am the Santiago family!"

(Alex let go of his wife, and she ran to their bedroom in tears. Alex turned back to his daughter.)

Alex: "Now, you see what happened? It's your own goddamn fault your mother's hurt!"

(Alex pointed to the stairs as Ronnie Anne stared at him in fear.)

Alex: "Now, go to your room...and stay there until I decide what to do with you."

(While Ronnie Anne ran upstairs, Alex flipped the couch back on it's feet, sat down, lit a cigarette, and started watching TV.)

(A couple of hours later, Bobby and Lori came home from school.)

Bobby: "Hey, Dad. Is everything alright?"

Alex: "No, everything is NOT alright. Ronalda got in some trouble at school, so I had to punish her."

Bobby: "Trouble? Whatta ya mean? What kind of trouble?"

(Bobby slowly headed for the stairs while waiting for a response, until his father stopped him.)

Alex: "Hold it, Junior. If you're going upstairs to coddle her, don't even think about it! Your sister needs to stay there and think about what she's done! Comprende?!"

Bobby: (sighs) "Si, Papa."

Alex: "Good. Now both of you, upstairs."

(Lori and Bobby hurried upstairs. Bobby disappeared into his bedroom, while Lori went into Ronnie Anne's and sat down next to her, eager to find out the details of what went on earlier that day.)

Lori: "Hey."

Ronnie Anne: "Hey, Lori."

Lori: "Are you okay? We heard you got in some trouble at school today. So, tell me...what exactly happened?"

Ronnie Anne: "I don't wanna talk about it."

Lori: "Look...you can trust me...literally."

Ronnie Anne: (sighs) "Alright...I attacked Clyde after he said some hurtful things about Bobby...and now I got a three-week suspension from school. So, before he sent me here, Dad attacked Mom right in front of me. (voice breaking) It's my fault that Mom's hurt."

(Ronnie Anne sat in a fetal position and cried, while Lori put her arm around her.)

Lori: "Oh, Ronnie...it's not your fault...it's your father's...he's literally a horrible person. But don't worry...I'll make sure you and Bobby are literally safe from that monster."

Ronnie Anne: (Sniffles) "Okay."

Lori: (sighs) "At least my dad wasn't being malicious."

Ronnie Anne: "Whatta ya mean?"

(Just then, Lori's cell phone rang. She saw that it was Rita.)

Lori: "Sorry, Ronnie. My mom's calling."

(Lori answered the phone while Ronnie Anne laid down.)

Lori: "Hey, Mom."

Rita: "Hi, Honey. How are you?"

Lori: "I'm fine, and you?"

Rita: "Well, the house hasn't been the same since you left. How's Bobby been treating you?"

Lori: "Like a princess, Mother." (sighs dreamingly)

Rita: "That's nice, Dear. Look...I just want you to know that Lincoln, the girls, and I want to support you through this. I just wish your father would come around. He just needs more time, so we need to be patient with him. And even though we probably can't convince you to come home, we're your family...and families stick together."

Lori: "Really? Are you sure?"

Rita: "Lori...you're carrying my first grandchild. This is a really big deal for me...for all of us, in fact. And please remember...your father still loves you, despite his behavior to the contrary. Like I said, he'll come around."

Lori: "I love you too, Mom...and tell Lincoln and the girls I love them, as well."

Rita: "Thank you, Sweetie. Oh, and by the way, we'd like to be able visit on a regular basis, assuming that's okay with them."

Lori: "What? Oh, uh...you guys don't have to do that. Hey, here's an idea- why don't we just meet at the mall, sometime?"

Rita: "Well, I guess we could. After all, when's the last time we did that, right?"

Lori: "I literally don't even know. Well, I gotta go. I love you all."

(Lori hung up and put her hand on her belly, while intense concern washed over her.)

Lori: "Oh, God. What have I literally gotten us into?"

It looks like things aren't looking good for Lori and the Santiago siblings.

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