October 12th, 2017
Lynn
There was always something about this day that brought about a melancholic yet airy atmosphere for me. As I got older, more dread came along with it, but this year, October 12th felt more liberating than ever. Today was my 18th birthday.
7:30 am. I was in bed, Lacy sitting on my stomach, taking the liberty to bounce and ride me like a horse.
7:35 am. I breast-feed Lacy to calm her after the tantrum she threw when I wouldn't let her bounce on me.
7:48 am. Lacy plays with my hair as she looks up at me.
8:05 am. Lacy brought me two dolls so that I could play with her.
8:15 am. I encouraged Lacy to yell out for her dad and to hit him so that he'd wake up, me laughing. I see him contort his face as he tries to remain sleeping.
8:17 am. Lincoln and I stretch, sitting up.
He looks over at me and smiles all the while I stare at him in confusion.
"What?" I ask.
"You're so beautiful"
"I literally just woke up…"
"You're always beautiful," he sighs into his smile. I just roll my eyes at this, the hint of a smile remaining on my face. I tried to get up from bed, but he stopped me, grabbing my wrist. "Happy Birthday, my one and only." He then locked me into a passion-filled kiss. But when I closed my eyes, it was as though the kiss spoke what words couldn't. I felt his love. His admiration. His joy. His protectiveness. His gentleness with me. I absorbed every second of it, taking the time to truly live in this moment with him.
-
At 8:42 am, I am downstairs, in the kitchen, and have showered both myself and my daughter. She sits babbling in her hand-me-down highchair as I prepare us something to eat. I decided scrambled eggs were the way to go, and so I started to gather all the things needed.
" H~ J K L MMNPEE!" Lacy sang at top volume.
"Yes, girl! Remix!" I hype her up, dancing to her messy rendition of the song, wooden spoon in my hands as I hover over the stove.
"POOO R~ EHSSSSSSS"
"Yeah!"
"TEEE YOOOO VEEE"
"Keep going!"
"BUBBLE U ETH!"
"Y and What?!"
" ZEEEEEEEEE!"
"Uh huh!"
"Neow I Know Me A B CEEEEEEE's"
"Next time what?!"
"NET TIME SING SING SON WITH MEEEE!"
"YAYYYY! You killed that, Lacy!" I continued to cheer as she laughed and hit the table.
I served her a small plate with some eggs on it and rolled her highchair along with me on my walk to the round table in the kitchen. Plopping down with a sigh, I turn to her.
"How are they? Be honest."
"Hmmmmm… YUMMY!"
"Oh, you are too kind. This is why I ask you. Because you're very wise. I know that deep under those rosy cheeks and leg rolls, you obtain loads of wisdom, right?"
"Mmmm yeah!" She goes along. This makes me laugh some.
"You already made breakfast?" Lincoln asked saddened upon walking into the kitchen.
"Oh. Yeah. We were hungry so… you know…" I motioned at him, confused as to why he even said that. He had been upstairs getting ready for the day this whole time.
"Ughhh Lynnnnn I wanted to make you something todayyyyy!"
"Well sorry, you lost your chance! You took forever to get down here!" I teased him. "It's nothing really. I always make myself and Lacy our own food."
"But today is special."
"Meh."
"Don't 'meh' it! It is! I'll make sure it's the perfect day for you!"
"If you say so…" I dragged on, turning my attention fully back to my plate. Yeah, it was my birthday, but that was the only thing that made today 'special.' I still had to take care of Lacy, and I still had things to do, and life still carried on. Sure, it was exciting that I was now 18 and was legally an adult, that still rang nicely in my head, but I didn't really have anything 'special' planned for today.
Lincoln soon sat by me with a bowl of cereal.
"Well even though you don't really think today is special, I do, because it's the day that the love of my life came into this world! And I want to celebrate that with you! So, by, 3, be ready to go out. I planned something!" He enthusiastically stated before taking a spoonful. I raise an eyebrow at him.
"Yeah? And what exactly did you plan?"
"Don't worry about it, you'll figure it out!" He smiled.
"Uh huh. And uh… did you plan on childcare as well orrrr?"
"Babe don't even worry! I got it all covered!" he pressed on. I just rolled my eyes with a smile.
"If you say soo…" I hum on, maintaining my gaze on my plate as I stabbed a few pieces of the scrambled eggs.
I go back upstairs to see Luna, Lucy, Luan, and Lola all by my door, waiting for me. To be honest, it scared me just a little as they all cheered 'Happy Birthday!' in unison at me.
"Wow, thanks, guys! I really appreciate it!" I smile on past my initial shock.
"Do you have any plans for today yet orrr…" Lucy asked me. I just shrugged.
"Lincoln seems to have planned something but is refusing to tell me what," I continued into my room, past them. They turn to look at me, all the while still standing at my doorway.
"Oh, you mean so we can—" Lola started but then all of the others shot her a glance that I didn't pay much mind to.
"Lola! Remember! It's her birthday! Let's not… overwhelm her with questions!" Luan tried to smile on at her.
I put Lacy down on the ground as I started to pick up a random assortment of items from my floor—toys, clothes, and a stranded bottle of water. They continued to stand there, and Lacy immediately started wobbling to Luna who greeted her with open arms. I silently laugh at this. It honestly makes me so happy that my daughter loves my sister so much and I love that she has helped us grow a closer bond to one another!
"Well happy birthday Lynn," Luan smiled as they walked away. Luna walked into my room though and sat on my bed.
"So, Lincoln hasn't told you anything?"
"No. Why do you know?"
"Nope! Not saying anything!" She put her hands up. I plopped next to her, putting up pleading hands.
"No, you know! Please! Tell me!"
"I've been threatened! Sorry sis, but I'm not saying a word! You'll find out soon enough!" She smiled, placing Lacy down on the floor.
"UGH!" I groan, throwing myself back. Luna laughs at this. Lincoln then walks in.
"Oh, look who it is! Welp, I'm out!" Luna goes, standing up at once.
"No! Tell me!" I go, throwing myself back up. She just pretends to lock her lips as she walks backwards and out the door.
"You seem very intrigued by my plans for today for someone who doesn't seem to care for their birthday," Lincoln crosses his arms over his chest with a smirk. I playfully roll my eyes.
"You can't just tell me you have something planned that everyone else seems to be in on and leave it as a surprise! Come on man, I'm too curious for that!" I plead. He just laughs and shakes his head.
2:48 pm and I'm just about ready for whatever mystery plans I've got going on with Lincoln. To be honest, him being home with me was present enough. A day with him meant more to me than anything! I stay playing with Lacy as I wait for Lincoln to present his idea to me.
When he comes back to the room, he scoops up Lacy and plants a big kiss on her cheek.
"Okay, Miss Lacy. We're heading out for a little. Be a good girl for your aunt please!" He tells our infant- as though she has much of an idea of what he's talking about. I come by them and kiss her as well before she is brought to Luna's room.
THIRD PERSON POV
As autumn began to show more of her presence, the temperature began to reflect it, dropping a bit more to a cool 55. Lincoln and Lynn both wore a long sleeve with a light sweater as they walked down the street. They soon found themselves at a bus stop, hoping to catch a ride to the city.
Lincoln wanted to make this day special for her, even if she didn't think she needed it or deserved it because, to him, she was the most extraordinary, beautiful, wonderful, and perfect person on this planet! He had been planning something big for her for what felt like years now, but first, he needed to get her out of the house so that his sisters could help him execute this plan.
5 days ago, Lincoln had met up with Luna, Luan, and Lucy to share with them what his grand idea was and how they could help him with it. Full of excitement, they were more than eager to help!
The pair walked into a place that even Lynn couldn't resist due to her competitive nature. The bowling alley. Her eyes lit up immediately upon walking through the doors. The sound of pins being knocked down, accompanied by chatter, laughs and the echo of arcade games flooded her senses as she was brought back to her youth, reminded of the times she had come here with friends. Well… her younger version of youth that is.
Lincoln purchased their slot time and grabbed their shoes as a bouncing Lynn stood by him impatiently. All she could think about was how she was going to score perfect strikes on every round and completely kick Lincoln's butt at bowling! When Lincoln gave her the lane number, she practically ran there. This made him chuckle. He loved and appreciated every moment that he got to experience her inner child. Her excitement. Her joy.
"Alright! Stinkin' and Lynn- the champion! I can't wait to beat you! Let's get this party started!" She declared; her competitive spirit gleaming brighter than the overhead neon lights! As she input the names into the system, her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she grabbed a lime green bowling ball, eager to show off her skills. Lincoln chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face as he picked a bigger blue ball, content just to be in her presence. While he knew she was determined and pretty much guaranteed to win, he relished the lighthearted banter more than the score, cheering her on with every roll while playfully teasing her about her over-the-top strategies and superstitious techniques. The laughter they shared echoed off the polished lanes, creating a sweet melody that turned the competition into a delightful way to spend the time together, and in that moment, all that mattered was the joy they found in each other's company.
They eventually took a break from their game though and Lincoln brought them some pizza.
"Why do they serve finger foods at the bowling alley? You know, that never made sense to me! Like hey, I'm not against pizza, but serving it in a place where people use their fingers? Who came up with that?!' She thought out loud, chewing between words.
"You're right. I've never thought of that! Huh! I have no clue!" Lincoln pressed on, thinking about all the foods served at the alley. They continued to chat and reminisce about the sweet memories they had together. With this, Lacy came up almost instantly.
"Do you think she's okay? Let me call Luna and see what they're up to." She suggested, pulling her phone out of her pocket. Lincoln's eyes opened wide as he tried to reach for her phone.
"NO! They're all good! Come on, put a little faith in her! She's stayed with Lacy plenty of times! Plus, this is me and you time. This doesn't come very often, let's enjoy just us." He smiled at her. She sighed and put away her phone at last.
"Okay… Yeah… you're right… I just get worried sometimes, but maybe you're right, they're fine! Me and you time! Ha… you know thinking about it, it's hard to remember what it was like before Lacy. She has become my everything. I devote my all to her. so much so that I can't imagine a world without her! I never thought I could love someone this much in my life!" She chuckled on, smiling at the thought of her daughter. Lincoln soon found himself being drawn into the daydream of their child and his love for her and was also driven into a swoony and joyful mood. He loved that little girl more than anything. He loved his family more than anything. He would do anything and everything for them! He then soon felt butterflies in his stomach as his mind was dragged to a thrill, thinking of the delightful surprise that was awaiting Lynn at home, sure to make this an unforgettable birthday.
After their game was up, it was to no surprise that Lynn won in a distant first place. They soon headed to the arcade, where Lincoln followed her, holding a handful of coins, allowing her to spend them wherever and on whatever she wanted. He couldn't stop the excitement from shooting up and down his body at the thought of what was at home though. But he was patient and happily followed her around the small arcade.
Their time out had come to an end though, and Lincoln asked if she'd like to go home for a bit to check on Lacy. Of course, she agreed without hesitation.
As Lincoln and Lynn walked through the front door, the cheerful cacophony of voices and laughter enveloped them, and Lynn's eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of her family and friends who had gathered to celebrate her special day. Colorful streamers hung from the ceiling, the table was laden with an array of finger foods and a cake took center stage, while Lacy giggled in her little playpen, surrounded by some extra balloons. Just then, Jen pranced over, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Well, look who finally decided to join us! I was starting to think Lincoln had kidnapped you or something to keep you away from the house!?" She teased, earning a playful eye roll from David. Who chimed in with a charming smile, "Don't mind her Lynn. We just wanted to keep you guessing- plus it's way easier to celebrate when you're not trying to do everything yourself." Lincoln chuckled, his heart swelling with joy as he watched Lynn's face light up, feeling the love and camaraderie that filled the room. Amidst the playful banter and affectionate nudges from their sisters, Lynn reveled in the warmth of the gathering, grateful for the surprise and the people who celebrated her. She wasn't expecting anything big. She wasn't expecting anything at all actually, so just the fact that they had all came together to do this for her really meant a lot. So much so that it almost felt like she lived a normal life for a moment. For once, she wasn't wishing her parents would be around or go away (as contradicting as that sounds). She wasn't fighting with her sisters. She wasn't defending her small family. She wasn't even hiding her relationship. She just felt free in the content of the moment!
"Lacy Baby! Oh, my goodness did you help your aunties do all this for me?!" She enthusiastically asked as she bent down to pick up her reaching child. Lacy smiled and kicked her feet with excitement, as she always did at the sight of her mother. She gave Lynn a big hug to which everybody responded with an "Aw!"
"You can say she helped!" Luna chuckled, thinking about all the trouble and craziness Lacy got into while they were setting up the party. "As nice as it would be to take all the credit, this was all Lincoln's Idea!" Lynn turned to him, who was standing behind her, just watching it all with a smile.
"This was all you?" She questioned.
"I just wanted you to feel as special as you truly are!" He spoke. She then went in and hugged him tightly, whispering 'thank you' in his ear, fighting the tears of joy threatening to escape her eyes.
"Okay, guys! Let's party!" Lana shouted out to the crowd. And everyone cheered as Music began to play.
Lola, Lana, Lisa, and Lily played a slow game of tag with Lacy and Xavier. Luna, Lynn, Jen, and David sat on the couch, laughing at nothing in particular. Lincoln spoke with Sky and Starlla near the kitchen. Lucy hovered over the food table, making small talk with Luan. Even Rita and Lynn Sr. were seen to be enjoying their time as they chatted in the kitchen light-heartedly. Faint pop songs were playing on a speaker, filling in any moment of silence. It was like a picture-perfect moment.
As the party reached its peak, the laughter and joy filled the air, and Lincoln felt the perfect moment had arrived. Gathering everyone around, he took a deep breath, his heart racing with anticipation.
"Lynn," He began, his voice filled with excitement, "there's something really special I want to share with you." He handed her a neatly wrapped box. She observed it inquisitively.
"Lincoln, you've already done so much for me! You didn't have to get me anything!"
"Ohh quit being so humble and just open it!" he pushed on. She playfully rolled her eyes and began to tear away at the paper.
Inside was a plane box with the lid being the only thing standing in the way of its content. She took her time opening the lid. When it was off though she stared into the box in complete shock. Her eyes widened in surprise. "What are… are these… am I- Wait! Lincoln! Lincoln Is this?!" She began to search for the right words, jumbling them all up in her excitement. Lincoln couldn't help but to laugh at this. Her eyes jolted from the box, to him, and back to the box as her mouth stood agape. "No, tell me what these are! Tell me so that I'm sure I'm not misinterpreting this!" her voice trembled in shock.
"3 one-ways to the Big Apple! Lynn. It's time. It's our time. We have an apartment there waiting for us whenever you are ready to go!" He felt a swell of emotion wash over him as he watched Lynn's eyes light up with joy, her happiness hitting him like a wave. As her eyes began to tear up, as did his as a sentimental smile spread across his face. It was as if all the hardship, all the hard work, all the love, all the pain, and all the suffering they had to endure had finally come to an end as their journey ahead crystallized in that instant. This was what it was all for. The thought of their new life in New York together filled them with indescribable joy, making the moment feel even more special as they stood surrounded by their family and friends celebrating not just her birthday, but the incredible future that awaited them. Everyone cheered for them, but they soon went back to the party.
"Did you know?!" Lynn bubbled at Luna. Luna just smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"Like I said, I was threatened to keep my mouth shut!"
"I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Lynn beamed on.
"I can't believe you're actually leaving…" Lucy added in, joining the group.
"Oh, Lucy! You know this is all I've ever wanted! It hurts me to even think about leaving you, but this is a new chapter for me! And think about it this way! Whenever you want an escape from home, you got a second one to run to!" Lynn tried to optimize for her. It worked a bit, Lucy releasing a tiny smile.
"You better still remember me when you're out there." She continued.
"I'd never forget!"
After Lincoln's announcement, Lynn Sr. and Rita's eyes widened in shock, and they rushed away into the kitchen.
"Did you know about this?!" Rita whispered in a yell to her husband.
"No! Did you?!" He asked back in the same tone. She shook her head.
"How did he even get an apartment over there?!" Rita started.
"Why are they moving so far?!" Lynn continued.
"How are they even gonna live out there on their own with a baby and them being… what they are?!" Rita spat. They then stayed silent and stared at each other.
"Do we even get to have a say in this?" Lynn asked. Rita just stared into the abyss.
"I… I don't know…" she concluded.
A/N: Surprise! Think back to the first chapter guys! Remember the first sentence? Is it coming back to you now? Yeah, I know it is! I hope you enjoyed this build-up! Are you all ready for the last chapter? It's gonna be a long one! I'm gonna get it out to you all as soon as I can! 50 Feels like a good number of chapters to end this story on. This has been going on long enough! But be on the lookout for a sequel! I'll talk more about it next chapter though! See you all there!
Oh and also! 1) tell me how you guys felt about third person writing and if you prefer it. 2) let me know before I finish the last chapter if there is anything that I haven't brought up that you'd like me to! This is a long story and has been going on for a while, so I want to make sure that I have covered everything you guys have been wanting clarity on or to be brought up! And lastly 3) Make sure you read chapter 47! I published it the same day as chapter 48 and noticed that not many people read it, but a lot of people read chapter 48. So I just want to make sure you aren't missing out on a whole chapter!
