Lincoln sat across from Becky Stewart, one of Lori's friends since childhood who had gone on to work for 'Panel Rant'. For the interview she was wearing a plain black tank top and jeans that were rolled up at the end, though she kept a recorder to document the whole interview she also kept a notepad and pen close to write down any quote that struck her in the moment during the course of the interview.
"So, Lincoln. Fans of Ace Savvy and David Steele are really excited for what you have planned for these future issues. Is there anything else on the horizon, a project or other work of your own we can expect to see one day?" Becky said.
"Well I do have projects on my own I'm working on when I have the time, but all that's still being worked out. It will take some time to see what comes of them," Lincoln said.
"In that case, we're rooting for you. It will be great to see what you can do with your own work," Becky said.
"Thanks. Were there any other questions you still had?" Lincoln said.
Becky reviewed her notes checking off the questions she had already gone through. What had inspired the story choices now that he was put in charge of the comic run of Ace Savvy and David Steele, what fans could look forward to in the upcoming issues not to mention what influence they might have in planned or expected film and television adaptations.
"It looks like you've answered everything we were planning to cover. Thank you Lincoln Loud for your time with us today," Becky said then stopped the recorder.
"Alright, we're off the record now," Becky said with a sigh.
Lincoln relaxed in his seat and put away the note cards that his superiors had provided to make sure he kept within certain guidelines of what he was allowed to talk about and in what context.
"I never thought publicity would be the hardest part of this job," Lincoln said.
"I mean, it's the part where you have to not really be you. Just a messenger for things you had no interest in besides getting the word out there to say," Becky said.
"So, you settled on writing entertainment articles for work?" Lincoln said.
"It's got its perks, getting an early look sometimes at the movies I want to watch, games I want to play. Meeting the people who worked on all that stuff I've been into since I was a kid, but yeah I get what you mean. This isn't where I thought my Journalism Degree would get me," Becky said.
"I hope it's more fun for you than work. I'm honestly in the best place I could ask for considering the place I wanted to be. How have things been besides that? Have you still kept in touch with Lori?" Lincoln said.
"We still hang out sometimes, I've even been at her place a few months ago and got to see her kids. She hasn't really gotten the time, you know. Carol has a pretty similar job to her, business executive and all that. She sees Lori more often than me but it's still only sometimes," Becky said.
"Yeah, I get how that happens," Lincoln said.
Even his best friend, Clyde he could only see on occasion with him traveling place to place mostly through Europe to refine his skills in the culinary arts. To say nothing of his friends in their high demanding careers. He would have seen Liam the most often, but he was too far passionate about his families' farm.
"We should hang out sometime. Who knows, they might send me to interview you again," Becky said.
"Let's hope enough readers like the interview. Good press means I could ask for you specifically," Lincoln said.
Helping out friends in related industries was helpful, as Lori was one to remind her siblings and it was natural to make new friends when their circles orbited so closely.
After the interview, Lincoln went back to the office of his Editor-in-Chief, Erickson Yates who was glad to see him after the interview.
"How's it going Lincoln? Did the interview go well?" Erickson said.
"It did, and they actually asked something that reminded me I had something I wanted to bring up to you. I've been working on an idea for ten new comic lines," Lincoln said while taking out of his computer bag makeshift paperback comics of the ten comic lines he had in mind which Erickson immediately started reading.
"These would be the first drafts for the first issues, and I already have an outline ready for their first run. A complete story line for each with enough of an opening for more if they do well with readers," Lincoln said.
"Always what I like to hear, it's what makes you such a valued member of the staff. Knowing when you're ready to finish things if they can't take off and giving the chance for things the readers like to give them more," Erickson said.
Watching his boss read the first issues, Lincoln could tell he liked what he was reading making it a pretty good chance he would give the go ahead to make them new published comics in rotation.
"If you like what you're reading I'd be happy to talk about release dates and royalty agreements," Lincoln said.
The joy that Erickson seemed to have while reading disappeared when Lincoln mentioned royalties. Putting the comic down he folded his hands while looking at Lincoln.
"I really wish we could go ahead with your, plans. Unfortunately, you know how risk averse the share holders can be," Erickson said.
Noticing Lincoln's frown and barely contained annoyance Erickson cleared his throat trying to find a compromise. The actions taken of someone who couldn't afford the downturn of bad publicity in losing a fan favorite creative lead.
"There are a few things I can do for you though, Lincoln. I know we don't talk about it often but we haven't forgotten it was you who made The Full Deck when you were just still a kid. You show a lot of initiative and capability in being able to create new projects. I'd like to give you creative control over them, let you run the line and create the new issues. Also, keep this one ready to introduce in a year or two. Grim and Goth is looking like it's going to make a comeback," Erickson said while holding up the first issue of Omira the Medium.
Lincoln smiled, a forced resigned smile to placate Yates to assure him he was fine enough with the concessions to move on. Even knowing the company wasn't on board with giving him his fair share for his new ideas that he brought to the table. Getting control over the Full Deck was certainly something, Action Times Comics had gone their own directions with them. Unpopular with long time fans and Lincoln himself, he'd have to meet with Erickson again to work around or get them to a point that felt right again.
"Lincoln. I do mean it, it's nothing personal. I really do think you have potential. I definitely think you have what it takes to be where I am one day," Erickson said.
"Thanks," Lincoln said for the sake of politeness and to keep a good working relationship.
Once outside of the office of the Editor-in-Chief Lincoln sighed, rubbing his temples and going to his rarely occupied office. His mind lingering to how he kept his promise in being the first to buy Clyde's recently published cooking book.
Giving Clyde a call from his office phone he waited to hear from his best friend again.
"Hey Clyde," he said, waiting for him to return the greeting.
The two friends exchanged small talk for awhile.
"About your publisher, would they be interested in selling comics?" Lincoln said.
Luan had stopped by Royal Woods after her trip in Hollywood to visit Maggie and Benjamin, and had given them a few souvenirs bearing the Hollywood name front and center.
While the adults gathered in the living room making conversation, Maggie and Ben kept an eye on their daughter who was focused on scribbling in her coloring book on the carpeted floor.
Luan chuckled, seeing the pale skinned girl, her black hair matching the simple black dress her mother had put her in, content where she was.
"Something come to mind?" Maggie said.
"I just can't believe it sometimes, you really did go ahead and name her Gloom," Luan said.
"Maggie did make some convincing points," Ben said.
"Yeah, she did plenty of convincing alright," Luan teased, causing Ben to blush and Maggie to smile in such a way that made it obvious she was guilty as charged.
"Liby is older than Gloom isn't she?" Maggie said.
"About four years give or take," Luan said.
"So, not the best to hang out with. She'd be more of a babysitter for Gloom than a friend she could be into the same stuff with, talking about the same things once they're old enough," Maggie said.
"Leni has a son who's just about her age, Lyle, and I have some other nieces and nephews who are closer to Gloom's age. Actually, I can't believe I never encouraged you to hang out with my sister Lucy more often. I think you two would hit it off," Luan said.
"Oh, Lucy. Yeah, Honey I think you would have been hanging out together a lot if you were closer in age to be in the same school," Ben said to Maggie.
"Does Lucy have a kid too?" Maggie said now displaying much more interest in the idea.
"Yeah, her name is Lupa. She's only a few months older than Gloom, but close to a year," Luan said.
"It still sounds like it'd be worth giving her a call," Maggie said.
"So how did it go with your show in Hollywood?" Ben said.
"Actually, there was no show. I got a call for voice work. A movie cameo, animated. Someone really into my shows gave Philip a call and found out about my performance experience," Luan said.
"Getting the attention of Hollywood? You could end up becoming a sitcom executive soon," Maggie said hyping her friend up for the possibility that she could be offered the chance to be a lead in the cast and creative team for a sitcom much like many comedians before her.
"I don't know about that, but Philip did say there would be other people in the business who'd be wanting to give me a call. So, I was wondering if you'd let me hold onto your script so I could show them what you can do. Show them your work so you can finally make the movie you should have been allowed to make," Luan said.
"You'd really help me out like that?" Maggie said.
"Of course I would," Luan answered matter of factly.
Maggie only had to consider it for a moment before agreeing, walking over to her bedroom to grab the physical copy of her script Benjamin looked at Luan with gratitude.
"Thank you for doing this for her, it's going to mean a lot to her to see her dream happen," he said.
"I had someone to help me reach my dream, now I'm going to help her," Luan said.
"Let me know if you need the digital version emailed to you, I've got it on my laptop," Maggie said while giving Luan her physical copy.
"That would be good to have too," Luan agreed, putting away the paper stack in her purse.
Maggie then reached out to hold Luan's hand, looking at her in a similar manner she would notice her friend looking at her husband.
"You have no idea how much I appreciate this chance you want me to have," Maggie said.
"Maybe you can show me some time," Luan said, tangling her fingers with Maggie knowing there was more to the gesture than just gratefulness. Something that Benny was looking at with approval too.
Lola had just gotten off work with Leni and Carlota. Stepping into her hot pink colored convertible she heard Leni call out to her.
"Lola! You're still coming around later?" Leni said.
"Of course, Leni. I'm just going to go see Lana to pick her up and bring her over," Lola said.
"Okay! Tell her I said hi!" Leni said.
Lola said no more after that despite sighing from knowing that Leni would get the chance to say hello to Lana in person soon enough.
Though Lana's car shop was only a few blocks away, Lola still liked driving to cruise leisurely through the streets of Great Lakes City. Having grown up in Royal Woods had made her accustomed to the open suburban spaces. Large cities such as that which she called home were something she had considered in passing for tourism or to visit up to that point.
It felt different to call it home, as it was in order for the Loud siblings to stay close together. Regardless of the likes of Luna and Luan who had to travel often their homes were still in the same city. It had certainly gone a long way to be so connected together, and easily being able to support one another helping in the raising of their children.
Working in the city also lent an air of importance, nothing would really be New York but such a metropolitan landscape, it certainly came close. Lola would have been confident anywhere, but in the city as The House of Loud's most prolific model and the one in charge of the development of the cosmetic products she truly felt like a queen.
Parking in front of 'Lightning Repairs and Services' Lola stepped out, and walking into the garage area she looked around only to find Lana washing up. Her blue jumpsuit being unzipped tied around her waist as her red hat helped keep her braid in place. Lola leaned against the wall to ogle her twin sister as she finished washing her hands.
Once Lana was finished Lola walked over into her line of sight.
"Lols!" Lana shouted before rushing over to pull in Lola for a tight hug.
"Hey Lana, anyone else around?" Lola said as she hugged Lana and settled into the crook of her neck.
"Nah, I already sent everyone home so I could focus on cleaning up and getting everything in its place around here," Lana said.
"Good," Lola said before grabbing Lana by her black muscle shirt and pulling her in for a deep kiss. One that Lana was all too happy to oblige as she rested her hands on Lola's ass. Squeezing which caused Lana to push her hips closer against Lana in response.
"Mhm, I'll be glad to do that a little longer," Lana said, resting a hand on her stomach.
"It'll be a little harder, but it only takes a little effort to still do that even with buns in both of our ovens," Lola said, resting a hand on her own midsection in what felt like a mirroring gesture. Feeling the need to feel where her twin did.
"You'll be ready if you wear things like that pink top. I might need to look into getting something besides this," Lana said, resting her hips around where she had rolled down the jumpsuit.
"Come over to Leni and you won't have to worry about it, she could make one just like that but fit for your growing belly," Lola said.
"What are you going to name her by the way?" Lana said while closing up the garage, bringing down the metal door and locking it up.
By that point, it was generally accepted that Lincoln took after their father very much and that they should expect a girl each time. Especially the first time around.
"Leia," Lola said.
"Linc sold you on that one, huh?" Lana said with a chuckle.
"It's a little geeky, but it is still the name of a princess and it fits with the rest of our tradition," Lola said.
Lana rubbed her stomach again before sharing with her twin how she had settled on a name.
"I decided to do it a little more like how Lisa named her kid. It'll be Elizabeth, but I'll have everyone call her Lizy," Lana said.
"Just don't torture my poor niece by going the extra mile and calling her lizard. I'm already sure Lupa isn't going to find the bumble bee thing funny when she hears it enough," Lola said.
"Hey, I'd never go that far. I might tease her a little bit especially if she ends up liking them but I'm not going to make it something she has to live with," Lana said.
"Besides, you know it's honey bee, not bumble," she added.
"Honey bee is what we call her. I doubt most are going to be so flattering," Lola said.
As Lola stepped over to her car she leaned her head over to Lana.
"Come on, I'm driving us over to Leni's place tonight. You can leave your car here, you can stay at my place tonight and I'll drop you off in the morning," Lola said.
Smiling once she heard that offer, Lana got into Lola's car riding shotgun.
"You don't plan on spoiling Leia too bad, right? I wouldn't want her acting up because of being born after Lizy," Lana said.
"Lana, who do you take me for? I'll make sure my princess is only ever spoiled sweet. She still has to listen to those older than her after all. I just hope Lisa's experiment can clear away the little flaws I would have passed down," Lola said.
"Lols, even if she has dyslexia. You made it through just fine, you were able to get a degree in Chemistry. She's going to do good too I know it," Lana said.
"I know. I know she can still do good even if things were different and I did pass it down to her, but it was still hard having to work around it. Honestly, I don't know if I would have been on board with Lisa helping us if our nieces and nephews ended up like Loan," Lola said.
"Loan is just a sensitive girl, she would have ended up being who she is no matter what," Lana said.
"No one else could have been her father but Linky, and if Lisa hadn't been there to intervene," Lola stopped, not finishing that sentence as it often seemed to the Loud siblings that Loan had enough to deal with. If she hadn't been given her best shot by her aunt they worried over what else she may have been saddled with.
"I really do feel for her, but in all fairness she couldn't have asked for a better shot. Someone had to be first. We all knew though, Lisa doesn't get it quite right the first time around," Lana said.
"Yeah, but Lori was willing to take that step anyway. I'm just glad she gave Loan the best chance she could get," Lana said.
It was often a point spoken about among the Loud siblings, though never as a group even as Lisa herself would acknowledge it in private. How Lisa hadn't gotten the process quite right her first try, leaving Loan with a severe case of anxiety. Even once she got to Lyra there was still some oddities such as her stubborn hair tufts. To say nothing of the mutation of being able to leave some of the children with snowy white hair without full albinism.
Part of Lori had always stirred with the inner conflict of those circumstances. That Lisa hadn't been able to keep the crippling anxiety from manifesting within Loan, but if she hadn't acted at all there was no telling what else would have happened to her. Even then there was that possibility that it was inevitable. Perhaps it was the most optimal way Lincoln and Lori's genes could have combined without making things worse.
In the end they only had each other after all, and it was best to keep harmony. To be happy with one another. The little moments such as Lola and Lana arriving at Leni's home for a nice dinner where they'd see Liena and Lyle.
With Thanksgiving having taken place in Great Lakes City with the Casagrandes that year, Christmas would be celebrated in Royal Woods with the Louds. The tradition of alternating had left Rita and Lynn Sr. glad that they kept the extra rooms available.
As the families arrived, Rita, Lynn Sr. and Maria made sure to keep their expressions as joyful as ever to be gathered with their children and grandchildren. Despite the arrival of Lana and Lola with their daughters by then only a few weeks old implying that if what they suspected was true then Leia and Lizy were but the most recent children born under what to them were unpleasant circumstances.
"Aw! They're beautiful. I know they're going to take after both of you plenty," Ronnie-Anne said as she reached out to gently hold Leia and Lizy's faces as each was held closely in their mother's arms.
Carlota gasped softly as she looked at the two baby girls.
"They're practically twins too," she said looking fondly at the pronounced resemblance of one another.
The children got out of their jackets as the adults got a good look at Leia and Lizy as well as briefly catching up with one another.
Most excited to check in was Ronnie-Anne who thanks to Lincoln often taking care of the children in their home had started to feel like a second mother. Though she believed them to be Reina and Luis' cousins, that only being true in Paulo's case, it helped the truth of the matter for them to feel a little more like one each other's siblings.
"Hey Loan, are you feeling alright being here around everyone?" Ronnie-Anne said.
"Um, yeah. A little bit," Loan said.
"Go on, have fun with your cousins," Ronnie-Anne said before turning her attention to Laura.
"Laura! Merry Christmas," she said, pulling in Laura for a hug after the girl made a rush to hug her favorite aunt.
Lincoln looked fondly at his wife as she stayed kneeling to the ground to see the children at their level checking in on them. Even making those more excitable like Liby and Lacy moreso by telling them she had picked out a gift with them in mind. Something that made them hope she was listening those times when they mentioned something they had been wanting that year.
Among the children the groups generally split between the older ones who were by that point in Elementary school and the younger ones save for Lyle, Leia and Lizy who were still tended to by their mothers.
As the adults caught up with one another their children settled in to play with one another.
Loan, Liena, Paulo, Lyra, Liby and Lina gathered together in the room that had once been shared by Lori and Leni in which after they spoke about what gifts they were wanting from Santa though Loan tried to keep focus playing on her 'Razor Mark' with Liena and Paulo leaning over to stare at the game she was playing, Lina and Liby were much more inclined to get them to play with them.
"We should play spies," Lina had declared.
"Find out who is the spy, hiding with the spies," Liby said, excited to get on board with the roundabout way of getting herself an investigation.
"Okay, I can hide with the secrets," Loan said, trying to get out of it and hide away with her tablet shaped game system.
'Loan, play with us. It'll be fun.' Liena signed to her older sister, a conversation that from their frequency the other children only caught glimpses of but knew it was a surefire way Liena could convince Loan of something.
"Mhrm," Loan huffed in defeat.
'Okay, but I won't be a fighting spy.' Loan signed back to Liena.
"Lyra can be a spy with a nun disguise," Lina said, teasing her older sister.
"Lina. I can just. I can be a normal spy," Lyra said, rolling her eyes as it was just another case of her little sister making more of a big deal of her spirituality with her having started to pray more often. Even reading the bible which was supervised by their mothers hoping to keep her from reading the more eyebrow raising passages.
"Now. Split teams, youngest first," Liby said.
"Oldest first. They lead better," Lyra said.
"Okay," Loan said as she dropped her shoulders looking to Paulo.
"Paulo, on my team," Loan said.
"Can't I be on Liena's team?" Paulo said.
"You're third oldest, it has to be fair. Lyra is on my team. You're on Loan's," Liena said, insisting on it despite her friend's apparent look of betrayal.
While the older kids played spies the younger ones had gathered together in the room Luna and Luan used to share. Reina had placed down her backpack on the ground taking out her bright colored plastic dolls.
"Lupa, Lacy, do you have any dolls?" Reina asked her sisters.
"Nope," Lacy said.
In response, from her own small bag Lupa took out a small doll that was rather reminiscent of a vampire.
"She's going to bite her," Lupa said rushing in with her doll making it look like the little vampire was going to bite that which Reina was holding.
"No! She can't bite, she has, um. Lieo what kills a vampire?" Reina said, looking to her older brother currently the oldest in the room for answers.
"Um. Sun oh and wood knives," Lieo said trying to gather an answer from the haphazard collection of things he had studied under his mother's watch. Classic literature being part of the selection.
"Too late!" Lupa shouted before rushing in making a violent thrashing sound like her vampire doll was a rather messy eater.
"Ahh! No stop eating her!" Reina said.
"I'll find a bat! Wood bat!" Lacy said.
Lieo quickly rushed over to the window, pulling the curtain aside to make the light pass through more easily. Luckily it was enough for Lupa to pull her doll away with a hiss.
"Do you have any boy dolls?" Lemy said.
Lupa and Reina looked through their toys, one of Lupa's being a wolf much to Lemy's joy. Luis looked through and settled on one of Lupa's toys that looked like a hunter. While Lieo was at a loss until he saw one of Reina's dolls that was wearing a labcoat.
"How about this doctor?" Lieo said.
"She's a girl," Reina said confused.
"It's fine, my mom is a girl doctor too," Lieo said.
For awhile each group of kids played with one another until the older group started rushing outside putting on their jackets wanting to have a snowball fight. Soon followed by the younger kids.
"White hair cousins need buddies, so they don't get lost," Reina said, stepping over to stand next to Lieo.
"Hey, we're not going to get lost cause of our hair," Lieo said.
"I think Reina is right. White hair cousins, you need the buddy system," Luis said, standing next to Lupa.
"If you want me on your team just ask it," Lupa said with annoyance.
Nonetheless the two groups played in the backyard where their parents had given them permission to stay to keep an eye on them.
"Big kids! Versus small kids!" Lina shouted deciding the teams for everyone.
"Wait! We need Lacy on our team. She's the best thrower," Liby said, trying to get her sister to back down on that only to be pelted in the face by Lacy initiating an all out snowball fight.
A battle that was a vast flurry of snow flying across the fields with sibling fighting sibling with Paulo on the older kid's side for support as the older kid's slight edge in coordinating ability struggled against the chaotic tactics of their younger opponents.
Ending with an unclear winner for either side in a battle meant only as a fun and wild game for the young and free.
Once the children had all made it back inside they settled in the living room to watch some movies, enjoying hot chocolate while their parents made dinner in the kitchen.
Though most of the children were happy settling in warming up after their epic snowball fight, Liena looked over at the adults making food reminded of being allowed to help her mother in small ways to make their dinner meals. Remembering how her mother always told her it was her grandpa who cooked for them.
Liena made sure to maneuver around the kitchen staying out of the way of the adults until she was looking up at her grandfather.
"Grandpa?" she said.
"Yes, Liena?" Lynn Sr. said.
"Can I help with the cooking?" Liena said.
The rest of the adults slowed down on their part of the food preparation to see if he had something small he could have her do. With them thinking it unlikely, even Leni was prepared to step in knowing what her daughter was capable of helping with when it came to food preparation.
Lynn Sr. looked down at Liena with fondness, remembering that whatever he suspected the circumstances of her birth to be she was still his beloved granddaughter. All of the kids were his beloved grandchildren.
"Let me show you how to get the spices just right," Lynn. Sr said while helping Liena up on a step ladder to help him with the spices.
While the rest of the children enjoyed the holiday classics their parents had decided on for them, Loan focused on her phone. Watching whatever anime her streaming app had managed to get into the allowed section for children. The one most captivated by this was Luis who moved over quite interested in what Loan was watching.
"Those big robots are cool," Luis said.
"Huh? Oh, oh yeah. They're really cool robots," Loan said.
Though she felt awkward at first, Luis getting close to watch anime with her, Loan steadily relaxed. Glad to have someone else with her having fun watching anime with their older sister and quite a few of her younger siblings were happy to see she had an enthusiastic watch partner.
Another night would pass, another Christmas in which the children enjoyed opening their presents leading to a heavy night of sleep for just about everyone in the family.
That was except for the Loud Parents and Maria who were being watched by Lisa through her security feed on the home she pulled up on her wrist device. Seeing Maria meticulously guiding her parents through DNA sample collection. Knowing what they planned to do she waited. Keeping quiet to not disturb Lily and her son, Lieo who she was sharing the room with.
Luckily for her, by the time the trio finished their task they went to bed even more tired than everyone else in the family. Leaving Lisa with the simple task of slipping out, standing in front of the basement door and dropping a pellet of nano bots smashing them with just enough pressure to release them and proceed down the steps to do as they were programmed to.
With that complete Lisa could finally get some sleep herself which would last through much of Christmas morning.
Once the holiday celebrations had truly wrapped up, Rita, Lynn Sr. and Maria stayed behind going into the basement to process the DNA samples.
"Alright, Lincoln's, Lori's and Loan's DNA results should be visible now," Maria said pulling out the sheets she expected to be marked with genetic material only to find too many spots missing that didn't settle.
"Wait, no this shouldn't be. The genetic material is degrading, but it shouldn't be doing it this fast," Maria said perplexed by what she was seeing.
"I'm sorry, Maria but I don't think we're ever going to have any evidence we can collect," Rita said.
Lynn Sr. and Rita looked around the basement knowing they were dealing with Lisa interfering in what they were doing, and that whatever cameras and microphones she had set up they'd never be able to find. They just hoped she'd be willing to be honest.