12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Promises

Disclaimer: I do not own Loud House or any form of media related to it, it is rightfully owned by its respective companies or owners.

AN: Hey guys, I'm back with another chapter for you all. And I hope you all love it. But hey if not than that's alright too. Now, since I don't have a good amount of questions I'll just get straight to right the writing. But before I do that I just wanted to say thank and whatnot. Since this story would be nothing without all your support and because of that I'm grateful. Oh and another thing I wanted to discuss was that I need a beta reader or something. You know, to help me out with any mistakes I make. The problem though is that I don't know how to set something like that up. So, if anyone could help me with that by sending a PM that'd be appreciated. Also this is a short chapter because I had cut time and everything. And I know I said this might be the last chapter before we really get into the story and the rest of everything. But there might be one or two more chapters before we get into that. I'm sorry if the pacing is slow but please bare with me. Ok, now that we got everything out of the way let's get to it. ON WITH THE CHAPTER! ENJOY!

"Um, mom. Is everything going ok?" Leni finally said as her tone was filled with worry. Something that all her siblings shared, mainly because what had just transpired.

And that worry only got worse when their mom decided not to speak. But luckily for them. Mrs. Loud finally spoke.

"Of course sweetie, you know how your brother and father are. If it wasn't for me and you girls, they both be arguing for days on end if they wanted to." Mrs. Loud said in a reassuring tone as she gave her daughters a reassuring look as well. Which at first worked for Luan, Leni and Lana. But Lucy and Lynn knew better. But both couldn't argue since their mom continued to speak.

"Now, how about you girls go back upstairs and do what you girls were doing before your brother got here. Because I got a feeling your father and brother going to be in there for quite awhile." Mrs. Loud stated as she gave her daughters a stern and kind look. Which immediately stopped Leni, Luan and Lynn from protesting. While both Lana and Lucy didn't really care too much. Since both girls could get to know Lincoln later.

Soon after that, all the girls began the living room one at a time until it was only Mrs. Loud in the room by herself.

'Well, guess I better get dinner ready. I only hope everyone has an appetite.' Mrs. Loud thought with a sigh as she made her way to the kitchen.

Two Hours Later

It had been exactly almost two hours, and both Lincoln and his father have yet to return. Which was beginning to deeply worry Mrs. Loud. And as if she didn't have enough on her plate already.

'I bet most mothers don't have to deal with this.' Mrs. Loud thought as she let out a very exhausted sigh as she took a sip from her coffee that she recently poured for herself. She then calmly got more comfortable on the living room couch. And as she snuggled more into the couch, she couldn't help but feel relaxed.

Which was something of a rarity if take in account how crazy her family could get sometime. More so than ever now if you count Lincoln's return and how everyone was dealing with it. Something that was currently on her mind right now as she took another sip from her coffee.

You see, it had only been an hour since Mrs. Loud had finished dinner. And it was long before the mother of eleven to see that something was wrong. Actually she saw a couple of things wrong. Like for instance, when she called everyone to dinner not all of the members of the Loud family came. Namely Lori and Luna. Now while she could understand why both of her daughters didn't bother to show up to dinner. Since seeing their brother again seemed to open up some old wounds. Some deeper than most.

Shorty after thinking that Mrs. Loud's mood got worse. Her thoughts than went back to how all her daughters coped with Lincoln's absence. And out of everyone, it was Lori and Luna who took it the hardest.

'Those two were always so close to their brother. So much that they would always cause a fuss when he didn't give them his love and attention.' Mrs. Loud thought as her frown quickly turned it a small smile. Just by remembering all the times her girls got into a fight over Lincoln made her feel twenty years younger. A time when this family was always happy. Not that it still wasn't at times but, it never felt the same without Lincoln.

As Mrs. Loud's thoughts continued to walk down memory lane. The sound of footsteps soon caught her ears. Which were coming from the stairs.

"Is uh, Lincoln still here?" A voice asked in a tired and quiet tone.

Mrs. Loud soon turned towards the source of the voice, and was surprised to see who it was. It turned out to be Luna! And the young rocker girl looked better than the last time her mother saw her. But even so, Luna looked very nervous and tired. Which was unheard-of from the young punk rocker.

"Um, yes honey. He's still talking to your father." Mrs. Loud finally said in a surprised tone as she gave her daughter a small smile. Which didn't go unnoticed by Luna who didn't think much on it.

"Oh, is it… alright if I stay down here with you?" Luna asked in a timid and nervous tone as she looked at her mother with a pleading expression.

"Of course honey, come take a seat." Mrs. Loud said with a reassuring smile and tone. Something of which made Luna come to ease. Soon after hearing that, Luna made her way down the stairs and to the couch. Where she quietly sat next to her mom. Who had still had a smile on her face.

After that things started to get a little bit awkward. For starters, Mrs. Loud didn't know what to say to Luna. Who also felt the same way. The reason for this is probably because out of everyone in the family, both weren't as close to each other as they should have been. Though that didn't mean they didn't care for each other. After all, they were still family.

It was just that over years Luna kept to herself. Especially when she was younger, back when she was a shy and timid girl. Back then the only one to get her out of her shell was Lincoln. Ultimately it only made sense, out of all her siblings at that time Luna felt closer to Lincoln than out of anyone. He was her anchor to family and the world. But after he left… that changed.

She kept to herself more and more until it took both her mom and dad to get her out of the house. And as if it was fate itself, that was the day Luna found her calling and anchor. The day she found music when she found herself at a Mick Swagger concert. And after that everything was history.

However even after finding music, Luna was still distant towards some members of her family. Her mother being one of them. Something that was beginning to show right now in fact.

'Well this is awkward… very awkward.' Luna thought as she scratched the back of her head as she was trying to figure out how to make this situation less unpleasant.

Luckily though it looked like Mrs. Loud was already one step ahead of her. As the blonde mother decided to speak.

"I didn't see you at dinner earlier." Mrs. Loud said simply, which only seemed to make this even more awkward.

"Uh, y-yeah… I'm sorry about that. It's just with Lincoln and everything I thought it would be best if I stayed in my room." Luna said in a quiet and uneasy tone as she didn't dare try and turn to face her mom. Who didn't even try to face Luna as well.

"Oh, I'm sorry for bringing up honey." Mrs. Loud said again simply as she took another drink from her coffee.

Shortly following that the room was met with silence once again. Which of course only made this even more awkward and unpleasant. After a few seconds of uneasy silence, someone decided to break the silence.

"Hey mom, a-are you mad at Lincoln?" Luna asked her mother in a timid and quiet tone that didn't suite her at all.

Immediately after Luna spoke those words, Mrs. Loud quickly turned towards her daughter with a very shocked expression. Rightfully so since she didn't expect Luna to ask such a thing. It only got worse even more since she didn't know how to answer.

The reason why was a simple one, she didn't know how to feel. Of course Mrs. Loud was happy having her son back. But was she mad at Lincoln? Well, maybe after they were reunited. Who wouldn't be? If your son up and disappeared for 9 or 8 years and showed up without explanation. You might be mad too.

However for Mrs. Loud her happiness outweighed her anger when she saw Lincoln. So no, she wasn't mad at Lincoln. Well, maybe not at the moment. But she would like hear his explanation for leaving and where he's been. Which wasn't going to be a fun talk.

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm mad at your brother sweetie. But I am still little bit mad how he ran away." Mrs. Loud finally answered in a somewhat sad tone as she put her coffee on the coffee table. She then quickly decided to continue to talk before Luna had a chance to voice her own opinion.

"But no matter how I feel, I'm happy are family is full again." Mrs. Loud said finally as she gave Luna a comforting smile, which made Luna feel a lot less nervous. But the young rocker girl still felt somewhat uncomfortable. Since she didn't know how to feel about her brother's return.

Should she feel like Lori and be furious or be happy like her mom? Or should she felt like Lucy and Lisa and not care at all?

All these thoughts and emotions kept running through her head and she couldn't make heads or tails of anything. Something that was beginning to infuriate her beyond belief. The reason why is because all of this was making her a nervous wreak. A thing that Luna promised herself would never happen again.

But with Lincoln being back, it was just too much for her to handle. It was like she was becoming what she used to be before she met music. Back when she was a scared and shy girl who need her big brother everywhere she went.

'I'm not that same girl! I'm not some weak stupid girl who always needed her brother! I promised myself that would never happen again!' Luna thought as she clenched her fists as she tried her best to cry or lose her grip. But it didn't seem to work at all as Luna started to shake a little.

Something that her mother quickly notice. And after she noticed, she did only thing that was right. She slowly then wrapped her arms around Luna and brought her into a hug.

"Hey, it's ok honey. You don't have to hide anything, let it out." Mrs. Loud said in a soothing and loving tone.

And just like that, Luna immediately hugged her mom back and started to cry on her shoulder. Something that Luna has kept pent up ever since she saw Lincoln back.

"I-I don't want to be angry at him mom, b-but I don't know what to do!" Luna cried out as she continued to cry onto her mom's shoulder. Who couldn't help but tighten her hug as she continued to let Luna let it all out.

Soon after a few solid minutes of Luna crying, Mrs. Loud decided to put an end to it.

"How about we get you some coffee and something to eat while we wait for your brother? How does that sound?" Mrs. Loud asked in a caring and calm tone. Which Luna responded with teary-eyed nod.

And just like that, both mother and daughter got up from the couch and proceeded to the kitchen. Where both would wait and talk until Lincoln and Mr. Loud came back from their.

Speaking of which, both Lincoln and his father's talk was just about wrapped up.

Meanwhile With Lincoln and his Father

As of right now, Lincoln was currently talking to his dad. Who was sitting at the end of his king size bed that he shared with his wife. While Lincoln leaned against one of the walls as he talked. Which was somewhat uncomfortable, but Lincoln at the moment wasn't focused on that. He was too focused on finishing his story with his dad.

"… And that's why I'm back." Lincoln said in a solemn and calm tone as he was just about finished talking with his dad about everything. From why he left to what he's been up to these past few years and why he's back.

To say the least, Mr. Loud was shocked. For the first time in his life, Lynn Sr. Loud was speechless. Something that was virtually was unheard of. But after hearing what his son has been through. He didn't know what to say or think.

Luckily though, Mr. Loud didn't have to say a thing because it looked like Lincoln beat him to it.

"I know it's a lot to swallow dad, but… can you please just say something." Lincoln pleaded as he kept his gaze on his dad, who still hasn't moved an inch from where he was sitting.

After Lincoln said that, Mr. Loud continued to sit there on his bed in silence for a couple of minutes. But after a few more minutes of silence Lincoln's father decided to finally break the silence.

"I… don't know what to say son. I mean, after telling me all that… what do you want me to say?" Mr. Loud asked as he gave his son a remorseful look. Something of which that really hit Lincoln. Who just like his father only minutes ago, didn't have a clue what to say.

Lincoln at the moment was lost, he didn't know what to do. Here he was spilling his guts out to his dad and lost. So, after a few moments of thinking. He finally said something.

"That you give me a chance dad, that's all I want you to say." Lincoln said simply as he continued to look at his dad awaiting his response.

Mr. Loud after hearing his sons response only gave his son a tried to take everything thing in.

Soon the room was met with silence once again, both men not showing any sign of emotion as both waited for one to say something… anything. And after a few minutes, Mr. Loud decided to speak.

"If I do this, you have to promise me something son." Mr. Loud finally responded in a stern and calm tone.

"Anything." Lincoln said matching his dad's expression and tone. Which caused his father to slowly stand up, then he slowly made his way towards Lincoln. Who was now looking at his dad dead in the eyes.

"You have to promise me, that what happened in this room… stays between me and you. Can you do that son?" Mr. Loud asked as he continued to look at Lincoln dead in the eye, searching for a single sign of him flinching.

Lincoln of course was shocked at the request, but he didn't show it. He hated that he had to lie or make something up to the rest of his family why he's back and where he's been. But, it was better than not staying at all. So, after giving it a good long minute. Lincoln gave his answer.

"I promise." Lincoln answered simply as she gave his dad a nod. Something that Mr. Loud was happy to see. But the head of the Loud family did a good job of not showing it.

"Ok then, how about we get back to your mother before she decides to break in here and give us a real stern talking." Mr. Loud said half heartily as he gave his son a soft smile and a pat on the back.

"Yeah, I guess your right." Lincoln said back as he returned the smile. He then proceeded to make his way towards the door, but not before his dad decided to say one more thing.

" Oh and son." Mr. Loud called out getting his son's attention right before his turned the door's handle.

"Yeah." Lincoln responded as he continued to face the door while not turning around to face his dad.

"I'm sorry what you went through before you decided to come home… no one should bury their loved ones and grieve alone son. Especially... when your burying your child and that child's mother." Mr. Loud said in a soft and remorseful tone as he legitimately felt sorry for his son.

After hearing this, Lincoln didn't say a word as he lowered his head a little. He then slowly opened the door and proceeded to walk out of the room leaving Mr. Loud alone. Where he was still trying to swallow that he had a grandchild. He and his wife were grandparents… and they didn't even know about it. But now… they never will know.

'God… what am I going to tell Rita?' Mr. Loud thought as he contemplated what he was going to tell his wife. Or if he should even tell her at all and save her from the grief he was currently feeling.

Soon after awhile the room was quiet again. But if listened hard enough, you could probably hear the sound of crying. Which belonged to Lincoln's father. Who started to grieve over the loss of a grandchild he's never met… or ever will.

To Be Continued

AN: And there you have it ladies and gentlemen. The reason why Lincoln came home. He didn't just returned to be reunited with his family… but also to ease the pain from the one he lost. Now, if this is out of the blue I'm sorry. But if anyone of you saw this coming I tip my hat to you. Also I'm sorry if you guys wanted more from Lincoln's past and if you're mad I kind of screwed you from Lincoln and his father's talk. Don't worry. I'll probably put bits of the conversation in a flashback in the future. Oh and if want to know more about Lincoln's child and the girl he fell in love with. Stick around for the next couple of chapters. You'll probably get your answer. Oh and I hope you love the interactions between Luna and her mother. I don't why but I usually don't see those to interact a lot on the show. Weird right? Also what do you guys think Mr. Loud should do? Should he tell his wife about Lincoln's child and lover or no? OK before I head off to write the next chapter, I still need a beta reader if anyone is interested. Also please explain how I set that up either in a review or PM. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter and do please leave a review. See ya! I'll probably update next week or the week after that.