23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Preparing For A Loud Crazy Trip!

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, sorry if it's been awhile. It's just with me trying to find a new job and working on my other stories I barely had any time to work on this. Now I want to make something clear, Lincoln in this story isn't bisexual, straight or gay. To be frank he doesn't care who he is with. Though if you want to be specific I guess you can call him a pansexual. He doesn't care what gender of the people he's been with. If you're still confused look up what a pansexual is. Anyways, I want to commend the people who guessed right about Lincoln's old friends. Wally is from KND, Ed is from Ed Edd n Eddy and Ingrid is from Filmore. Chris is a character my brother came up with. Also to the guy who figured out who Lincoln's old wrestling teacher was… all I can say is Viva La Raza! Expect this to be a not so eventful chapter. The next chapter will probably be a episode based chapter. Or a flashback or fun throw away chapter. It's up to you guys. Oh and I'm glad you guys like the Gravity Falls stuff too. I might do a prequel story or just a flashback chapter about Lincoln going to Gravity Falls and meeting everyone. One more thing, if anyone of you want to do fan art for the story then hit me up with a link or look me up on Tumblr or the amino app. Again sorry for any errors or typos… ON WITH THE CHAPTER! Enjoy!

"I'm sorry"

That was all Lucy said as she hugged Lincoln more tightly. Who couldn't help but look at her in shock. And with a small but sad smile. Lincoln gently turned around and wrapped Lucy into a big loving hug.

And in that moment… both were happy. Happy because they weren't alone. Who knew telling a best forgotten tale would bring brother and sister together.

But as both siblings held onto each other. Both didn't know that someone was listening in with their ear pressed against the door. And with a soft sob that person ran straight to their room. So they could come to terms of what they had just heard.

Things in the loud house were going to get even more complicated.

A Hour Later

After an extremely difficult but tender talk. Lucy had one more question to ask Lincoln before he left.

A very odd and personal one to say the least.

"So… are you bisexual?" Lucy asked innocently in her usual and expression.

Lincoln immediately started to cough nervously! He then cleared his throat and spoke.

"Um, you see I'm not exactly Bi. Though I'm not gay or straight either. It's kind of hard to explain." Lincoln explained with a slight blush. Of all the conversations he's had with any of his sisters. This was undoubtedly the most embarrassing. "Geez, how to make sense of all this?"

A minute went by and Lincoln had finally figured out what to say.

"I guess the best answer I can give you is that I'm pansexual." Lincoln answered with a smile. That went away unfortunately when he saw the confusion Lucy had on her face. With a sigh Lincoln went on explaining the best he could. "Alright, being a pansexual means I don't care what gender or biological sex my partner is. While I don't openly go after boys that doesn't mean I wouldn't try to pursue a relationship with one. And if that person is transgender I really wouldn't mind either. I don't care what a person's gender is or sexuality. Because I don't think it matters. People should love their partners for who they are, regardless of their sexual and gender identity. Love is all that matters… remember that Lucy."

Lucy slowly began to let everything sink in. While it was lot to process, the young goth girl finally understood what Lincoln was talking about. Even though she found it a little odd. She wasn't one to judge, especially when it's someone from her family. Least of Lincoln. Who she held in high regards now.

Satisfied with that answer. Lucy got off the bed and started to make her way out of Lincoln's room. But before she left, she gave Lincoln a quick and odd hug. That made him a smile. And with that she waved goodbye before opening the door and leaving.

As soon as the door closed. Lincoln let out a loud sigh before laying down on his bed.

"God… why is my life filled with so much drama?" Lincoln asked himself with a slight frown. He then did some the unexpected and looked to you! The reader! "Hey, sorry you had to see that. Also sorry for not talking to you all in awhile. But things have just been crazy around here. And something tells me it's only going to get crazier."

An Hour Later

After that stressful, embarrassing yet tender and comforting talk. Lincoln decided to take a nap.

Meanwhile everyone else went on with their day. All except one. The same person who overheard everything Lincoln told Lucy. From Gravity Falls to the reason why came back. And it wasn't easy to come to terms will all that.

Other than that everything and everyone was fine. Well, with the exception of Rita Loud. Who was currently in her and her husband's bedroom. She was going through their closet. Trying to find something for the upcoming family trip that was going to happen two days from now.

The only thing that troubled her however was that Lincoln had yet to decide if he was coming or not. Something that bothered her very much. But not as much as her husband. Who's been such a bother to deal with as of late. Ever since their son returned. It seemed like things were becoming like they used to a long time ago. Back when Lincoln ran away. When her marriage with Lynn was… sort of failing.

A small frown appeared on her face as she thought about that.

Rita loved her husband, he gave her 11 beautiful children. All of whom she loved deeply. But her husband was a hard man to read and deal with. Especially after Lincoln came home.

'Those two are always at each others throats.' Rita thought with a frown as she kept on digging through her closet. 'It wasn't always like this… Lincoln loved his father and looked up to him back when he was younger. But ever since Lori and Leni came in the picture… all Lincoln do was look at his father harshly.'

Those were hard times back then. With her and Lynn trying to provide for the family. It was Lincoln who was always taking care of his siblings. No matter the cost or how much school he missed. When they were sick or sacred, he was always there.

It made her happy to see Lincoln become the man he is today. Though she did regret not being there to see him grow. Especially when he left.

Rita was soon brought out of her thoughts when she heard her door open. And then she saw her husband come walking in. A tired expression carved into his face. Which meant he had a hard day at work. Like always.

With a loud sigh Lynn Sr. dropped onto his bed still wearing his shoes.

"The boss said I got three days off for the trip. Though he made me work for it." Mr. Loud said bitterly as he began to take his shoes off. "God I hate working there."

Rita only nodded as she kept on digging through the closet. And Lynn took that as of a sign that she was mad. Not surprising.

"What's wrong honey?" Mr. Loud asked as looked to his wife with worry.

Rita suddenly stopped, and with a sigh she turned to her husband with a sad frown.

"Are we bad parents?"

That shocked Lynn greatly. Why would his wife think like this. He soon got his answer as she continued.

"Do you think if we tried harder, then maybe Lincoln wouldn't have ran away?" Rita asked softy in a downcast tone. "Are we the cause of all these problems our kids face. Luan and her extreme pranking. Lori and Luna being cold and distant. Is it because of us?"

"No, no honey! It isn't your fault." Lynn Sr. tried his best to reassure his wife. Then his face grew grim. "If anyone's a bad parent… it's me."

Rita looked surprised by this.

"Maybe if I was there for you and the kids. Then maybe Lincoln wouldn't have left. And kids would be happier." Mr. Loud said in a sad tone as he hung his head low. "I'm… not a good father… definitely not a good husband. But I still wouldn't trade this for the world honey. No matter how hard things get, know that I love you and the kids. Even Lincoln."

Rita felt her chest tighten. And wasting no time at all she made her way to her husband. When she finally reached him she gave him a big and loving hug along with a tender kiss.

"You aren't a bad father Lynn. A bit stubborn, but you aren't bad at all. Our kids love you, even if one has trouble expressing that." Rita reassured her husband with a caring smile that he grew to love. "Lincoln does care for you… and while we weren't there to see him grow up. I'm glad he's become a stubborn yet caring man. Just like his father."

This got a chuckle out of Lynn Sr. who hugged back his wife and returned her kiss.

"I know I'm hard on him Rita. But that's all I know. Lincoln and I were always like that. Which is mostly my fault I guess." Lynn admitted sadly. "I know I shouldn't be so hard on him. But, I just can't get over what he did to you. To the girls. When he left you were all so devastated. You would barely eat and sleep. You came around though when Lucy was born and things went back to normal. But I can tell you were still sad."

"Of course I was sad Lynn. My baby boy ran away from home. I didn't know if he alive or worse. But that didn't stop me from being a mother, a mother I should have been a long time ago." Rita went on in a low and grim tone. "But blaming it all on Lincoln won't change anything. I don't know what happened to him out there, but I know he's hurting. Hurting bad. And he needs his parents, both of us. So, can you please just give him a chance? Please, for me?"

If there was something Lincoln and his father had in common. It was that they were weak against the feminine wilds of the opposite gender. Especially when it's from the one's they love most.

Lynn Sr. didn't last long as his wife gave him her puppy dog eyes.

"Alright honey, if Lincoln wants to come with us. Then he can come."

Lynn barely had enough time to catch his wife who launched herself at him and locked him into a loving embrace. With a smile he hugged her back. Soon both were laying on their bed, locked into a loving embrace. Just like old times.

Meanwhile With Lucy

It had taken a while for Lucy to get settled in. After the long talk she had with Lincoln, she had a lot to think about.

Right now though she was just sitting on her bed going over her poems and talking to Edwin. Her vampire bust. Other than that she couldn't get over the sad but amazing tale Lincoln had told her. Who knew that her brother led such an interesting and sad life. It almost sounded like his life was some cheesy drama story.

Unfortunately it wasn't. And Lucy couldn't help but feel sorry for her brother.

To make matters worse she didn't know what to do. She wanted to tell her mom and probably Lynn. But she didn't want to make Lincoln's any more harder. He had enough on his plate as it is.

After that whole talk. Lucy was still confused. But at least now she knew the truth. No matter how sad it was.

Lucy soon snapped out of her thoughts when Lynn came into their room with a scowl on her face. And with a loud sigh she jumped onto her bed.

Knowing it was only going to get worse. Lucy decided to ask what was bothering her.

"… Alright…what's wrong ?" Lucy asked with a sigh as she put her poems and Edwin away.

"I'm mad because we're going on a dumb trip!" Lynn growled out in annoyance. "Which means half of us are going to try and kill each to get a good spot. And to um… sit next to Lincoln if he comes."

She quickly and quietly said that last part with a slight blush. That Lucy noticed but didn't really care to say anything. She only sighed.

"Do you even know if he's coming? Because you do know that dad, Luna and Lori coming too right?"

"God, don't remind me…" Lynn groaned out loudly as she shoved her pillow onto her face. "I'm cool with dad coming. But Lori has just been a total jerk lately! And Luna has been more like you! No offense."

Lucy only shrugged not caring if she was offended.

"Look… I know I don't know Lincoln a lot like the rest of you." Lucy stated in her usual tone, even though she knew that was probably a lie. Especially since she knew why Lincoln came back in the first place. But she didn't real know his likes or dislikes, unlike Lynn who pretty much idolized her brother. Which was kind of odd and concerning. "But do really think he'll be up for being cooped up in a van for hours with people who probably hate his guts?"

"Don't worry. I got that covered!" Lynn said with a sinister smile that made Lucy uneasy. Which was difficult to do. "If there's one thing Lincoln can't do, it's that he can't say no to his cute and innocent sisters!"

And oh how right she was.

An Hour Later With Lincoln

Lincoln was currently in the kitchen. All that painful and embarrassing reminiscing wasn't so fun. It also kind of got Lincoln's appetite up. Oddly enough.

Right now he was making himself a peanut butter and sauerkraut sandwich. A strange yet tasty food he loves. Something his fiancé Suki loved as well. Well, only when she was pregnant. Those food cravings are odd as hell.

He soon frowned as he took another bite out his sandwich. It was still hard to forget about Suki… and their daughter Liberty. But at least he didn't openly cry out anymore. Or hit the bottle to forget about the pain.

'God I was such a sorry sight then. Good thing Pop-Pop found me when he did.'

Yep, before he came back his grandfather Albert. Or Pop-Pop as he liked to be called. Managed to track him down. That's why he had his phone number on his phone. He was the one who told him to come back home.

Lincoln of course didn't care or listened. But after a stern talking and good old knocking around he finally listened. Though to be fair Lincoln did swing first. And his Pop-Pop swung last and that was it.

"God that old man can punch." Lincoln said with a light chuckle.

After that fight, or a well needed beating as Lincoln called it. His grandfather sat him down in a nearby diner and sobered him up. Where they talked.

Flashback Two Or Three Months Ago

"You know I went easy on you though. Right?"

"Sure sport, keep telling yourself that."

Lincoln could curse under his breath as he took a sip out of his coffee. And massage his cheek. Where his grandfather gave him a mean right hook.

It had been a month or two after the accident. When he left Japan a broken man. When he lost his beautiful fiancé and their 5 month year old baby. And he's been drifting bar to bar from town to town. On his bike and wearing the clothes he had on his back. Starting fights wherever he went. Lincoln was mess.

His hair was wild and a bit long. He had a growing stubble because he refused to shave. Or even take a shower. In fact he was still kind of drunk when Pop-Pop found him. How of course, he didn't know.

When he found him. Lincoln was in a bar with a rough crowd trying to start a fight. Thankfully his grandfather got there before anything bad happened. It was a lot easy because a few of the people Lincoln was trying to fight with saw Albert's tattoo. Something he got in his old marine days. So they let him take Lincoln out of the bar. Where he tried to pick a fight with his Pop-Pop. Who kicked his ass.

Afterwards he brought Lincoln to this diner. To sober him up and talk. Something Lincoln didn't like one bit.

"How did you find me?" Lincoln asked with a groan. "Did you bring my parents?"

Albert only sighed as he took a drink from his coffee.

"No, I didn't want your mother to see you like this." Albert admitted with a frown as he saw his grandson lower his head. "How I found you is that an old war buddy of mine is a hell of a private investigator. In fact... I've already know where you've been for months now. And I know why you're doing this to yourself."

"You don't know a damn thing." Lincoln harshly said in a low and angry filled tone.

In return Lincoln got a slap across the head.

"You watch your mouth boy. I know what happened to you. And I know why you're doing this to yourself." Albert sternly retorted in a serious yet mournful expression. "I've been there myself son. Losing someone is rough. I should know."

Lincoln hung his head low once again.

"I'm… sorry Pop-Pop. It's just been so hard." Lincoln admitted in a choked up tone. "I… I don't know what to do?"

Albert couldn't help but give Lincoln a pitiful look.

"I know son, I know." Albert softy said in a caring tone as he patted his grandson's shoulder. After he found out what happened to Lincoln. Albert almost cried. No one should lose their children or their future wife. But it happened. "I've been there. When I lost your grandmother… I went back to the bottle. Sure it numbs the pain, but it won't make it stop. Nothing will…"

"But you don't give up Lincoln. You keep doing this to yourself… your going to get yourself killed. And something tells me… even though you think you want that. You don't."

Lincoln only hung his head low. He'd be lying if he didn't want to die. He lost everything. Well, almost everything.

"I know it's rough Lincoln. You want to see them again. Your beautiful baby girl and wife. Hell, I want to see your grandmother again too." Albert admitted with a sigh. "But this isn't the way."

"What should I do then?" Lincoln finally asked. "I got nothing…"

"You know that isn't true son. What about your parents? What about your sisters?" Albert finally asked as he gave Lincoln a stern look. "I know you don't want them to see you like this. I felt the same way when your mother came looking for me when I left when her mother died."

"But… your hurt son. You need your family. You need them to help you out of that dark place. Before it's too late." Albert spoke honesty in a caring yet stern tone. "Go home Lincoln."

Lincoln only sat there, looking down at his coffee. Soon a single tear drop landed on his coffee. Then he silently started to cry.

Albert only responded by place a caring hand on his weeping grandson's head.

Both of them knew it was time to stop. Lincoln was only sorry that it took this long.

End Of Flashback

Lincoln could only sigh. That was a major turning point in his life. He didn't want to imagine what would have happened if Pop-Pop didn't talk some sense into him.

Before Lincoln could take another bite out of his sandwich. He heard the front door beginning to knock. With groan he placed his sandwich on his plate and made his way to the front door.

As he got there and was beginning to open the door. He was kind of confused to see who it was. It was a teens he boy probably around Lori's age and a bit taller than her. Though he was short compared to Lincoln, and a bit scrawny. He had tan skin, and black hair, with a tuft combed upwards. He wore blue jeans, brown shoes, a black belt with a gold buckle with a cream-colored T-shirt, under a green unbuttoned shirt. He also looked surprised and confused when he saw Lincoln.

"Um, is Lori here?" He asked.

"Uh… why?" Lincoln asked giving the guy an odd look.

"Because we were supposed to go on a date today. And uh, who are you?"

That's when Lincoln finally figured it out. This scrawny kid was Lori's boyfriend Bobby!

'Oh… I am going to enjoy this.'

To Be Continued

AN: And done. Hope you guys enjoyed that chapter. If not sorry. I'll try better next time. But boy, a lot was going on in this chapter. Even if it was kind of short. What does Lynn have planned? Will Lucy blab? Who was the person spying on Lincoln and Lucy? And what will Lincoln do to Bobby now that they have met? Find out next time. Sorry for any typos or mistakes. Hope you can forgive me. Expect the next chapter in the coming weeks. Next month at the latest. Leave your feedback, ideas or suggestions and questions in a review! See ya!