25. Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Stay

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 that I've been gone. It's just that I'm trying hard to find a job and recovering from my cold. Other than that I've been kind of having writer's block. On this story anyways. Don't worry because I'm still working on this story. Still don't have a solid design for Ronnie Anne or Lincoln's friends. But I'll wing it. Expect a lot of things to happen. Pairings are still in the air and I'm opened to suggestions. Expect a flashback or two in this chapter. And whole heap of drama. One more thing… leaving an review demanding an update won't make me work on the chapter faster. If it keeps happening I can't concentrate on getting a new chapter out. Don't rush me. Simple as that. I work at my own pace, rush me and it will take a whole lot longer and I'll make some errors and mistakes. Oh and read this chapter while playing Stay by Lewis Watson. Trust me. With that out of the way… ON WITH THE CHAPTER! Enjoy!

An Hour Later

After his talk with Bobby, Lincoln had a lot to think about. Something he was currently doing in his room. And he wasn't alone. Because he found an cute little intruder laying on his bed.

"You poop on my bed I'll skin you mutt." Lincoln threatened Charles the small pitbull terrier that Lincoln has grown to dislike. Mainly because he would usually step on his droppings. "You hear me?"

Charles responded with a yawn, and gave Lincoln's hand a small lick before laying down next to Lincoln on his bed. Lincoln could only sigh as he scratched the mutt's ear. He then gave out a small smile.

"God… I'm am not on top of my game today aren't I?"

Lincoln could only look up at the ceiling with a light frown. Ever since he got home all he's been dealing with is drama. He wanted a break, go somewhere to unwind. Unfortunately he couldn't go anywhere without having to walk. Since his mom won't let him drive. At all. Something he had to fix soon. Because not being able to drive wasn't fun. On top of all that he couldn't keep thinking about Ronnie Anne.

As soon as Bobby left with Lori. Lincoln locked himself in his room to think.

That wasn't all Lincoln was thinking either. He thought about Clyde, Haiku, Polly, Rusty and Tabby and all of his childhood friends. He remembered how he walked past Clyde's house. He missed them. He missed his wing man, the girls who always used to fight over him whenever they wanted to hang out. He even missed Rusty and the rest of the gang. Guess being alone makes you miss what you always took for granted.

Lincoln could go out and check on Ronnie and the rest his old friends. But would they be happy to see him? Would they hate him or even recognized him.

"Why is my life so complicated?" Lincoln asked himself with a frown.

Lincoln still haven't gave his mom his decision about the road trip. While he knew his mom and sisters would love to have him. His dad, Lori and Luna were another story. Sometimes he wondered if this is how things were going to be from now on. Having part of his family hate him or not care. Like Lisa. Who still didn't particular care about spending time with him. Something he would like to change but didn't know how.

"You know what… screw it." Lincoln said with a sigh as he got up off his bed. While being careful not to wake up Charles. "I'm going to go see her… I need to know."

With little haste Lincoln opened his door and began to make his way to the stairs. As he was doing that he noticed Lynn walking up to him. And it looked like she wanted to talk. Unfortunately Lincoln was in a hurry to get this over with.

"Sorry sis, I got head out somewhere." Lincoln said with an apologetic smile as he walked passed Lynn. Who only gave her brother an odd look. "I'll talk to you later in promise. Tell everyone I'll be back in an hour or two. See ya!"

Soon Lincoln was rushing down the stairs and eventually out the door. Leaving a confused and slightly annoyed Lynn in the hallway.

"Well, that didn't go exactly to plan." Lynn stated with a frown. That changed when she noticed that Lincoln had left his door opened. Which he never did. So Lynn being Lynn, decided to snoop around. "Let's see what your hiding big bro."

While that was happening Lincoln ran as fast as he could to his destination. Bobby's house, where he hoped Ronnie Anne was at.

He needed to finally know. And nothing was going to stop him.

An Hour Later With Lincoln

"C'mon Lincoln… you can do this." Lincoln whispered to himself as he walked along the street on the sidewalk. It was late in the afternoon, getting close to evening. And Lincoln was making his way to Ronnie Anne's house. "I can do this… I hope."

The walk there was very troubling and hard. Not because of the walk or distance, Lincoln has walked farther than anyone and he didn't mind it or care. It was where he was going that was troubling. He was going to see his oldest friend, or girlfriend if you want to get technical. Either way, it was a lot to think about. Especially when so much time has passed.

Lincoln regretted a lot of things. But Ronnie Anne was something he regretted the most. Maybe if he had been a better friend. Maybe if he had said something sooner, she would have stayed. Maybe he would have stayed too. Unfortunately that didn't happen. All because he wasn't strong enough to say two simple words.

"I should have said something…" Lincoln whispered to himself as he briefly stopped before continuing his walk. "I should have told you how I felt…"

Flashback, The Day Before Ronnie Anne Left

It was a calm and beautiful evening. The sun was setting and the stars were coming out and could be faintly seen. The day was almost over. And while most where happy about it, one person sadly wasn't.

Lincoln Loud could be seen overlooking his neighborhood on a grassy hill. His bike was laying on ground nearby. Lincoln was siting down looking towards the setting sun with a somber expression. He was waiting for someone again. And this was probably going to be the last time they would see each other. And that's what got Lincoln so down.

Tomorrow Ronnie Anne was leaving, leaving to move in with her grandparents and extended family. All because of a fight she had with her mom.

Something he knew quite well unfortunately.

There were times he got into arguments with his dad over many things. So he could relate.

"Sup Lame-o." A voice called out from behind Lincoln, when he looked he saw Ronnie Anne rolling up on her bike. "Sorry if I kept you waiting… my mom is being a major pain. And my little brother has been acting up ever since I told him I was leaving."

"That's sounds rough." Lincoln softy said as he sent Ronnie Anne a sympathetic smile. "I'm glad you're here is all."

This made Ronnie Anne blush as she got off her bike and made her way to Lincoln. When she finally arrived she sat down next to him. And did something unexpected. Ronnie Anne gently laid he head on Lincoln's shoulders that made him blush. It was surprising, but not unwelcome.

Eventually both Lincoln and Ronnie Anne just sat there. Enjoying each others company. Something they wish could last forever. Sadly, that wasn't possible. No matter how much they wanted it to.

Ronnie Anne didn't want to leave. Leave her brother, her friends and most of all Lincoln. While it didn't look it now, Ronnie Anne wasn't always so close to Lincoln. She usually kept to herself. But she saw him from afar a few times. Usually hanging out with his friends. Or talking to girls. Something that usually got her mad.

Which eventually got her to bully him. Something that placed her at odds with Polly Pain and Tabby. She didn't get along with Haiku either. Lincoln unexpectedly didn't take too seriously. Which only got her more angry and made her bullying even worse. Until one day they paired up together for a school project. Which was to raise an egg together.

Something that was easy. Thankfully they managed to pass it and unexpectedly got close while doing it. Soon they became friends, Ronnie Anne even got to become friends with Lincoln's friends. With Polly Pain, Tabby and Haiku they were almost like rivals but were friends at times.

It wasn't too long until Ronnie Anne started to feel different when she was around Lincoln. A warm and fuzzy feeling. Like she had butterflies in her stomach. Something Lincoln also felt. Unfortunately with everything going on, and the plan he had made. Lincoln knew whatever his feeling were, he couldn't do anything about it. Because whatever he said, it would only end badly.

Lincoln stopped thinking as Ronnie Anne spoke.

"Lincoln… will you miss me?"

Lincoln looked at Ronnie Anne like she was crazy.

"What kind of question is that? Of course I would miss you." Lincoln answered with a soft and comforting tone. He then placed his hand over Ronnie Anne's shoulder that made the tomboy blush. "What made you think I wouldn't?"

Ronnie Anne was hesitate to answer. But eventually she gave in and answered.

"Lincoln… I don't want to leave." Ronnie Anne admitted again with a soft and grim tone. "I don't want to leave you, but I have to. And I don't know how long I'll be gone. So… I have to know something."

Ronnie Anne grew quiet again as it was hard for her to talk. Especially like this. But after a smile from Lincoln. She finally had the courage to ask her question.

"…Do you love me?"

This caused Lincoln to freeze up as he looked at Ronnie Anne in shock. He wasn't expecting her to be so forward. But it was Ronnie Anne after all. Sadly, Lincoln didn't know what to say.

"…"

Lincoln didn't know what to say. His heart was telling him to say what he felt was right. And his head was to say something different. It wasn't that he didn't feel the same way. It was because he knew that whatever he said. Nothing would change. Ronnie Anne would still leave. And with what he was planning. It would be probably the best to not say anything they both would regret.

"Why are you asking me this?"

"Because I need to know!" Ronnie Anne asked loudly as she moved away from Lincoln and gave him a desperate look. Wanting a straight answer. "I need to know, I need to know if what we have is real! That it means something to you! Does it!?"

Lincoln hung his head low. He was at a lost. Of course he wanted to say he love her. But he couldn't. Because all they would get would be heartbreak. Unfortunately, Ronnie Anne wanted an answer.

"Answer me Lincoln!" Ronnie Anne shouted out in a desperate tone as she stood up and looked down at Lincoln. Who stayed silent with his head down. As a full minute went by and Lincoln had yet to answer. Ronnie Anne just huffed out angrily and decided to leave. But before she could do that Lincoln got up and grabbed her hand "What!?"

She soon got her answer when Lincoln brought her into a deep and surprising kiss. That caught the young Hispanic girl completely off guard. Eventually her shock went away and was replaced strange warmth she has come to love when around Lincoln. Their loving kiss ended when Lincoln stopped and brought her head close to his. Their lips only an inch apart.

"Ronnie… please stay." Lincoln said simply as he started to cry a little. Which shocked Ronnie Anne. "Stay…"

It was exactly what she wanted to hear. But it still hit her deeply. Soon she gave out a remorseful smile as she wiped away Lincoln's tears gently.

"You know I can't Lincoln… even though I want to. I can't." Ronnie whispered in a soft and caring tone as she gently caressed his cheek. "I want to stay, for my brother, my friends… for you but I can't."

Lincoln kept quiet as he hang his head low. That changed when Ronnie Anne brought his head back up and gave him a light kiss. While brief, both Lincoln and Ronnie Anne felt something special. A strange yet welcoming warmth. Unfortunately it disappeared when Ronnie Anne pulled away.

When that happened Lincoln saw that Ronnie Anne was crying.

"I love you Lame-o."

With that Ronnie Anne broke out of their embrace and ran to her bike. And took off on her bike before Lincoln could say anything. All he could do was look on at Ronnie Anne's fleeting figure. Lincoln wanted to chase after her. But he couldn't. He wanted to say he loved her too.

Sadly Lincoln knew this was probably for the best. Even though he did want it to be. He loved Ronnie Anne. However for what he had planned, this was the best for everyone. Ronnie Anne was leaving for her family. And Lincoln was going to do the same. Except he wasn't moving any where. He was running away. From his family, his friends. Not from Ronnie Anne at least. Still, maybe it felt like he was leaving her. He started to regret what he didn't say. What he should have said.

"…I love you Ronnie…"

End Of Flashback

"I should have told you how I felt back then." Lincoln whispered to himself as he got closer and closer to Ronnie Anne's home. "Before you left, before I left."

If he was being honest, leaving was a little easier when Ronnie Anne left. Only a little. He'd be lying if he didn't think about her back then. For a time that's all he thought about sometimes. That and his family. His sisters and parents. Eventually he began to think less and less of Ronnie Anne. Especially when he was with Wendy or Suki. But he would still think about her. Sometimes.

Love was strange like that.

Lincoln loved all his past lovers with all his heart. Chris too, even though they weren't technically together.

Lincoln regretted that he couldn't love Chris the way he wanted. He regretted loving Wendy too much. Which caused him to leave because she deserved better. He regretted not having enough time with Suki and their daughter. But what he regretted most was not telling Ronnie Anne how he felt.

As Lincoln got closer and closer to Ronnie's house. Lincoln started to feel very nervous. Like he was going to throw up. Or worse. But he powered through it. But that app changed when he saw it, the house he knew so well. From the days he would always visit Ronnie Anne.

"Still the same."

Just like with Clyde's house. Lincoln wondered of he still lived with his folks. Or that he moved out. Or if he moved out of Royal Woods all together. Something he would have to find out later. But right now he needed to know. He needed to see her. Even if she didn't want to see him. He just needed to know.

A few moments later Lincoln was standing at the front door. He could hear a TV on and people. He was about to knock on the door, but he hesitated. All he could do was worry. What if she did recognized him? What if she forgot about him? Would she hate him? Like Lori and Luna.

Lincoln doubt he could handle that. Ever since he came back, he still felt empty. He wanted to see his fiancé and baby girl again. He wanted to start again. Maybe things would have been different if he stayed.

"This… was a bad idea." Lincoln whispered to himself with a remorseful expression. "I shouldn't have came here."

And with a heavy heart, Lincoln began to walk away from the door. His resolve to find out what happened to Ronnie Anne was replaced with fear and reluctance. However as he was leaving Lincoln heard a door opening behind him.

"Hello, can I help you?"

Lincoln immediately stopped dead in his tracks because that voice sounded familiar. Very familiar. With a small gulp, Lincoln prepared himself. Then with a bit of hesitation, he turned around.

And what he saw took his breath away.

Lincoln saw a beautiful woman, with dark skin and flawless long black hair that was tied up into a ponytail that. She was close to Lori's height. But appeared to be around Lincoln's age. She wore a casual dark purple shirt that was worn over by an open light purple hoodie. She also had on a purple skirt with black leggings. Lastly she had on some stylish black and light purple shoes. But that wasn't all that shocked Lincoln.

What shocked him more was that the woman was carrying a baby in her arms! Who looked no more older than Lily. Lincoln could tell the baby was the woman's and was a boy. Mainly because of the way the baby looked and the eyes. Eyes he knew very well. Because the mother shared the very same eyes. Eyes that he knew very well.

The woman gasped in shock as she looked closely at Lincoln. Who didn't know what to do.

"Lincoln… is that you?" The woman asked in a low and shaky tone.

Lincoln took a deep breath before answering.

"Yeah… it's me Ronnie… it's me."

To Be Continued

AN: Man… things are really getting interesting. How will this long awaited reunion go? How does Ronnie Anne have baby!? Who's the father!? Does this bold well for Lincoln? Will old feelings return? Find out in the next chapter! Man, hope you like the chapter. A whole lot of drama! Sorry if there's any errors or typos. And sorry if I gave Ronnie Anne a crappy design. That's probably the whole reason why I haven't updated. Figuring out a design for Lincoln was easy, but for other characters like Ronnie Anne. I really couldn't figure out anything good. Sorry if this chapter was short too. I'll try better next time. Maybe if people didn't rush me this would have came out better and with little mistakes. Anyways, if you have any questions, suggestions or general feedback leave them in a review. Expect a new chapter in the coming weeks. Definitely before Christmas. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please leave a review. If you want to do fan art or just want to talk. Look me up on the Loud House Amino. I'm the only chubby snorlax there. Thanks again and see ya!