28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Let You Down

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: I'm glad you guys missed me and this story. Again this story wouldn't be anything without you guys. I want to keep this brief. But if this came out a bit overdue it's because my parents have been raising hell. One's in jail and one's wandering around drunk. So yeah. Trying to keep my crazy ass family together is nuts and a bit hard right now. That's why this might be overdue. I hope you understand. Before we start I'm going to answer some questions. For one, all of you are wondering who's the daddy. And let me tell you you'll find out. Soon hopefully. If you have any ideas let me know. A few of you really want Lincoln to hook back up with Ronnie. Like I said awhile back I want to get Lincoln to deal with his family problems before I think about pairings. Don't worry. There will be some moments here and there. Just hold on a little bit longer. Don't expect a lot to happen in this chapter. In fact this might be short. But we'll see. Anyways, remember to leave a review with your suggestions, questions and feedback. I love reading reviews. Alright… ON WITH THE CHAPTER! Enjoy!

"Why is it that all you girls in my life seem to know what makes me tick?" Lincoln asked with a sigh. But he still smiled. "Am I that easy."

Ronnie Anne giggled a little.

"Guess you'll have to figure that out for yourself… lame-o."

Lincoln looked surprised you hear that name again. Eventually he resumed smiling. It felt good to hear that again after all these years. It was a lot to take. Here he was sitting watching some TV with his old flame/best friend. Just like the old days. Except so much has changed.

Lincoln knew that things were never going to be the same again. What he had with Ronnie Anne. What he had with all his family and friends. He made a terrible mistake and he would have to live with it. All he could do was move on and try to make the best out of everything. It wasn't going to be easy. But at least he wouldn't be alone.

He knew he should probably head home. But this felt right. Besides, hanging out with his old friend seemed long overdue. So, both Lincoln and Ronnie Anne just sat there. Watching TV and enjoying each others company.

And that's all that mattered at the moment. A sincere and quiet moment. Between old friends… plus a baby.

An Hour Or Two Later, With Lincoln

Lincoln was walking along the sidewalk. Heading back home. After a rather strange yet heartfelt reunion with his old flame/best friend. Something he was still reeling from.

It was weird and kind of sad at first. Actually it was more violent if anything. Which how most of his reunions start out. As strange as it was. Lincoln was used to it. Truth be told he kind of deserved it. After everything he's done.

Lincoln sighed bitterly as he kept on walking. He took a look up at the sky to see it was getting late. Close to bedtime for most of his sisters. Which meant Lori and Bobby were already done with their date. At least that's what Lincoln hoped for anyways.

If those two were fooling around after dark. Lincoln knew he would have no choice but to look for them. Which would be such a joy. While he liked Bobby and trusted him with his little sister. He was still a teenager. And teenagers usually have one thing on their minds when it comes to dating.

Sex.

"I really hope that doesn't happen." Lincoln murmured out with a dark expression and tone. "Bobby is a nice kid and is Ronnie's kid brother. But if he's messing around with Lori… boy it won't be pretty."

While exaggerating, Lincoln would indeed mess up Bobby if he and Lori were up to no good. He couldn't help feeling that way. Lori was still his little sister. No matter how she felt about it.

He knew Lori wasn't stupid and could handle herself. It's just that Lincoln wanted what was best for her is all. The last thing he wanted for her is to make a huge mistake. Anything could happen. Even her ending up pregnant.

Lincoln's eye twitched a little as he clenched his hand into a tight fist.

God he hoped that wouldn't happen. At least not soon. Being a parent is wonderful and something magical. He knew that eventually his sisters will grow up and go out into the world and go what they want. It's just he didn't want them to go through the hardships he faced.

As Lincoln got closer and closer to home. His thoughts where about the upcoming trip now. A trip he was still debating if he should go. It's not that he didn't want to go… well okay that was a lie. He kind of wanted to stay and just chill. Truth be told he really needed a break. All of this drama was beginning affect him. But he promised his mom he'll try. And he wasn't one to break a promise. Not anymore at least.

Lincoln couldn't help but smile. Today was rough at first but in the end it was alright. Maybe even better.

His talk with his mom. Finally hanging out with Lola. It was something he wanted to get around. But the talk he had with Lucy, or rather a confrontation. Was troubling and unexpected at first. Though Lincoln was more pissed off if anything. Thankfully it all ended well in the end. He even grew closer with his young goth sister.

After that he finally met Bobby. Well, he actually already knew him. But that was a long time ago. When he was a little kid. A bit of cry baby but he was alright. He was Ronnie's brother after all. Still, he was going to find a way to get back at him for the lack of information. Would have been nice to know that Ronnie had a kid. A baby no less.

Lincoln sighed a little.

He tried to ask about the little guy. How old he was and other stuff. Though what he really wanted to know is who the daddy was. And if he was around.

The answer he got from his friend was silence. Eventually Ronnie Anne told him L.J's dad wasn't around. And she left it at that.

So Lincoln left it at that too.

He knew that Ronnie would tell him when she was ready. It's not easy talking about the past. He knew that better than anyone. Overall, Lincoln liked the little guy.

Lincoln. Jr Santiago. Or L.J. Santiago. Which cleared up some confusion when using his name and the little guy's. He liked it. He still didn't know why Ronnie named him after him? Not that he had a problem with it. He meant what he said earlier about feeling honored.

"It was nice catching up with Ronnie. Also meeting her kid." Lincoln said to himself with a small smile. "Cute little guy."

He was happy for Ronnie. She looked happy. From what he saw she was a good mother. Whoever was L.J's dad was a lucky guy. Though from what Ronnie didn't tell him it's probably safe to say he's not around. Man, what kind of idiot would do that to Ronnie.

Sure, he was the last person to think that. Considering he pretty much did the same thing. Even though they were kids at the time. That didn't make it any less right.

Speaking of what's right and wrong. Lincoln's smile dropped when he remembered the "encounter" he and Ronnie had before L.J. woke up. It wasn't that it didn't feel nice. Far from it. It took all his willpower to stop.

It was just that it kind of felt wrong.

The loss of Suki and Liberty still weighed heavy on his mind. And of course his heart.

Lincoln wasn't ready to love again. Not yet anyways. Maybe after some time has past and when he has things settled between him and his family. Though that moment he had with Ronnie was nice.

"She sure hasn't change much." Lincoln said with a mild blush and a content smile.

Finally after what seemed forever. Lincoln found himself home.

With a small smile Lincoln walked over and climbed up the steps to the front door.

"LINCOLN!"

Just as he entered his home. Lincoln was caught off guard by Lana and Lola launching themselves at him! He barely had enough time to catch them! When they were safety in his arms they hugged him.

"Whoa!" Lincoln yelped out. He smiled as he saw his two little sisters hugging him. "Didn't know you guys would miss me that much. What's up?"

As Lincoln set both twins down. Lola was about to say something but Lana beat her to it.

"Lincoln! Mom said you might be coming on the trip with us! Is that true?"

Lincoln was surprised to hear this. But before he could say a word. Lola spoke.

"LANA! I wanted to ask him!"

"Sorry, you snooze you lose sis."

Soon both twins began to bicker with one another. Like usual. Causing Lincoln to sigh as he shook his head. As time went on he decided to put a stop to his sisters bickering before it got worse.

"Alright enough you too." Lincoln spoke up with an assertive tone. Getting Lola and Lana's attention. "You both shouldn't be at each other's throats whenever you disagree. It's not right. No fighting. You hear me?"

"But Lincoln-" Both Lana and Lola tried to say but were stopped by their big brother.

Who gently placed his hands on top of their heads. Both twins looked up to see Lincoln smiling.

"Come on guys, at least for tonight." Lincoln said still smiling while giving his little sisters a pleading look. "For me."

If there was anything both Lola and Lana learned about their big brother recently. It's that they couldn't say no to him. Especially when he flashed that smile at them along with that soothing voice.

"F-fine." Lola grumbled out with a faint blush. Which she tried to hide.

Lana on the other hand gave a nod with a light blush that matched her sister's.

Our hero nodded and kept smiling.

He cared deeply for the twins. For all his little sisters. Even though one or two couldn't say the same. Lincoln's smile dropped a little when he thought about it. It hurt to see the looks Luna and Lori gave him. While rightfully deserved. It still hurt.

"Um Lincoln, are you okay?"

Snapping back into reality, Lincoln look down to see the concern looks of Lola and Lana.

"Don't you worry about me. Just thinking about some stuff." Lincoln said reassuring his twin sisters. "Now, to answer your question yeah. I'm thinking about coming along. It's just that a few people might not be uh… comfortable with me going."

Both girls were confused with his answer. Not surprising since they were still quite young. Not that they were stupid or a anything. It's just that there are some things a child can't understand.

"What do you mean Lincoln?" Lola asked

"Yeah?" Lana asked next. "Is it because of Luna and Lori?"

"Why don't they like you? You're a great big brother!" Lola stated with a pout. "Should tell mommy and daddy on them?"

Lincoln only smiled as he cringed in the inside. This was one conversation he really didn't want to have. Least of all cause more problems.

"That's a… complicated story. All I can tell you is that I let your sisters down a long time ago. Along with mom and dad. And it's hard for them to forgive me for that." Lincoln sadly explained as he tried his best to make Lola and Lana understand. "It's rough right now. But give it time girls. I'm sure things will get better soon."

Both Lola and Lana nodded. They were still curious about what Lincoln meant. But even they knew it was a sore subject for their big brother. Still, they were worried.

"Lincoln… if things don't get better, w-will you leave?" Lana timidly asked.

That caused Lincoln to slightly flinch. He wasn't expecting for Lana of all people to ask such a thing. He looked down to see both twins with worried expressions. He remembered a time ago where he saw that expression on his little sisters faces. Back when things were hard. One of the reasons why he left.

A terrible mistake he would never do again.

"Don't you worry. I'm not leaving anytime soon." Lincoln softy said with a caring smile. That laid the twins worries to rest. "I promise."

That's all both girls needed to hear. It wasn't long until Lola and Lana rushed to Lincoln to give him a hug. Which he gladly return.

When it came to end the hug. Lincoln took a look around the house and noticed it was quiet. Too quiet.

"Hey, where is everyone?"

"Oh, Mommy is still getting stuff ready for the road trip. Daddy went to the store with Luan for groceries. Lori is still out with her boyfriend. Leni, Luna, Lucy and Lana have been in their rooms all day." Lola explained. "Lily is asleep in her room. I don't know where Lynn is though."

Lincoln was surprised Lola knew all that. He nodded accepting the explanation. Though he was curious what everyone else was doing.

He knew Lucy was probably still making sense of his story. But what about Luna, Leni, Lynn and Lori? Lori should be home by now. It was worrying. While nothing major hopefully. It was only nature for him to worry.

The others though he would have to try and get a chance to talk to them. Luna too… is she was willing. Though that was probably not going to happen.

Wanting to take his mind off all this worrying. Lincoln looked over the nearest clock to see it was close to dinner time. He would like to cook something up for everyone. But he didn't want to impose on dad's turf. Cooking was his job. He got lucky to cook that breakfast awhile ago.

Wondering what to do Lincoln decided it was take a shower. Then make it up from there.

"Alright girls, I'm going to take a shower then hang out in my room. When Lori gets home can you please tell me?"

Both girls nodded. Lincoln smiled as he began to head up stairs. But was stopped when Lana called out to him.

"Oh Lincoln, when we have dinner you think you can eat with us this time?" Lana asked with hopeful eyes. "You always eat alone or when everyone is done."

Lincoln stopped walking up the stairs to think. Then with a sad smile he turned around looking at both Lola and Lana.

"We'll see." Lincoln called out softy before heading upstairs.

Leaving both girls hopeful. Soon both girls decided to watch some TV until Luan and Dad came home. Of course both started to bicker on what to watch.

As Lincoln got closer to his room he couldn't help but sigh. He could hear Lola and Lana from here. But he was too tired to do anything. All he wanted to do was take a shower then wait for dinner. After that take a good night's sleep.

Though he remembered he had to give mom his answer. If he wanted to go on the trip or not. If he was being honest he didn't want to go. The reasons being obvious.

But he didn't want to make his mom unhappy. He done enough of that already. The last thing he wanted to do was to let her down again.

'I'll give it some more thought before I decide.' Lincoln thought as he reached his room. 'First I'll grab some fresh clothes then take a shower.'

Lincoln was about to open the door but was stopped when the door opened from the other side! To say the least Lincoln was surprised to see who it was.

"Lynn?"

Lynn immediately jumped back in surprise. She looked up to see Lincoln looking down at her with confusion. It wasn't long before she started to get really nervous.

"L-Lincoln!?" Lynn exclaimed with a stutter. "What are you doing back! I thought you were out!?"

"I was. I just got back." Lincoln explained as he slowly walked into his room. Causing Lynn to nervously back up back into the room. "Are you alright?"

The tomboy didn't say a word. She just nodded while looking like she did something wrong. Lincoln's seen it before. After all he practically raised her along with her sisters. So he knew if something was bothering them.

Or if they were hiding something.

A small frown appeared on Lincoln's face as he looked down at Lynn. Who tried her best to advert his gaze.

"Lynn… what were you doing in here?" Lincoln asked in a stern tone.

It looked like Lynn wasn't about to crack. But after catching a glance at her big brother's strict gaze. She sighed in defeat.

"I… wanted to try and convince you to come on the trip with us." Lynn explained rather timidly. "I know you don't like it when people come in your room without permission. And I'm sorry."

Lincoln was once again surprised. But he didn't show it. He knew Lynn wanted him to go along with them on this trip more than anybody. Yet he couldn't shake this feeling there was more than she was letting on.

"Are you sure that's all? You aren't lying to me are you Lynn?" Lincoln asked not letting up his serious demeanor. "I know when you're hiding something from me."

That's when Lynn's head dropped. She knew it was useless to lie. Somehow Lincoln always knew when something was up. Even if they tried their best. With an ashamed look Lynn pulled something out of her pockets. She then handed it to Lincoln.

Who grabbed the item and was shocked to see what it was.

It was the photo of him and Suki!

The air in the room grew tense as Lincoln kept on staring at the photo. Lynn didn't dare look up at her brother. She couldn't bare the shame she felt. Eventually Lincoln placed the photo in his pockets.

"Get out."

"But-" Lynn was about say but was stopped when Lincoln glared down right at her.

"Lynn… leave… now."

With a dejected and regretfully look. Lynn quickly rushed out of the room. But not before giving Lincoln a misty eyed glance. After seeing Lynn leave, Lincoln slammed the door shut with a huff.

His muscles grew tense as he clenched his hands into fists.

A lot of thoughts were going through his head. Lincoln felt angry and betrayed. He wanted yell and curse. Yet he didn't. Soon his expression softened as he sighed.

This wasn't Lynn's fault. It was his.

First Lucy now Lynn. He's been careless. He should have hid his stuff better. Lock the door when he left. But he didn't. A lot of things have been on his mind as of late. Family, his friends, his past and this upcoming trip.

It'd be hard for anyone. Still, it's not like he didn't had it coming.

Right now he felt like a grade A jerk. Lynn didn't deserved that. None of his sisters deserved that. If anyone has been more by his side during all this. It was Lynn.

"God… I'm an idiot." Lincoln muttered out as he took a seat on his bed. His hands were holding up his head as he tried to think of what to do next. "What am I going to do."

That's when Lincoln remembered something. A call he had with Pop-Pop awhile ago.

Flashback From Weeks Ago.

"Pop-Pop… I don't know if I can do this."

Lincoln was currently on the phone. Talking to his grandfather, Pop-Pop. Who was the one who told him to come back. To heal. But now Lincoln was having second thoughts.

"All I seem to do is make things worse. Lori and Luna can't even look at me. Dad isn't going to let go what I did. Even after I told him everything. Now my family is more divided than when I left. I messed up!"

Tears began to fall down Lincoln's face. His voice began to break a little. He was lost.

"I'm a failure. I failed my family, friends, mentor, loved ones… my fiancée and my baby girl." Lincoln sobbed out softy into the phone. "I failed as a son, grandson, brother, friend, student. Most of all I failed being a father and future husband."

On the other end of the phone. Pop-Pop felt heartache for his only grandson. He wished he was right there to comfort him. But he wasn't.

"I let everyone down."

"Stop Lincoln."

Lincoln rose his head in surprise. Before he could do or say anything. Pop-Pop started to speak again.

"Don't you dare say you let anyone down son. You've made mistakes sure. That's what life is all about. And life sometimes takes more than it gives. But you don't lay down and take it. You're lost, I was too when I lost your grandmother. I was probably in worst shape than when I found you."

It was hard for Pop-Pop to say all this. But Lincoln needed to hear this.

"Running away was a stupid mistake. You hurt a lot of people. Your family and friends. You can't change that." Pop-Pop explained with a soft yet fatherly tone. "But remember what happened because of that. You traveled far and wide. Met many people, made friends and loved ones. Sure you've made mistakes. Your human, and that's normal."

He didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to even listen. But Lincoln did. Deep down he knew he had to hear this.

No matter how hard it was.

"I've made a lot of mistakes in my life Lincoln. Lost friends and loved ones because of them. I've loved and lost. You have too. Nothing will change that. But you can change what's happening right now."

Brief memories of the past years entered Lincoln's mind.

His time with Chris and the gang. That night he and Chris shared before he left. How he found himself in Gravity Falls. Meeting Wendy, Dipper, Mabel and everyone. Especially Wendy.

After that he met his mentor Eddie and made even more friends. Then eventually he met her. Suki, the love of his life. His daughter Liberty soon followed.

Those were good times. Yet there were bad times too.

"You have a chance to make up for some of the mistakes you've made. Your family needs you. Luna and Lori need their big brother. Your stubborn father might not look it, but he needs his son. Those little ones need to know their brother. But most of all you need them."

Lincoln was speechless. He was of course still crying and felt terrible. But it felt a little better.

"I wish I could have met your fiancée. Meet my great granddaughter. I also wish you and the girls could have met your grandma. Boy, was she something." Pop-Pop said with a bit of regret. "What I'm trying to say is that you're still young. A lot of time to make up for mistakes. Don't waste it son. Now quit crying and get to it. Or do you need to go another round with your Pop-Pop?"

An unexpected laugh left Lincoln's mouth. He began to wipe away his tears and smiled.

"No Pop-Pop. Last thing I want is to get my ass handed to me again." Lincoln said still smiling. "God I hate it when you're right. I'll keep trying Pop-Pop. I promise.

"That's all I ask son. Keep your head up you hear."

End Of Flashback

"I will Pop-Pop…"

Lincoln wiped away a stray tear he had on his face. Leave it to him to get emotional over the past. Remembering that talk is what he needed.

He needed to apologize to Lynn. And explain some things. Then after that try to figure out how to keep his secret safe before the whole family knows.

"Alright, time to make up for some stupid mistakes."

With that Lincoln got up from his bed and made his way to the door. When he got there he opened the door and was surprised.

There standing in front of him was Luna. Who looked troubled and anxious. Standing next to her was Lucy. Looking her normal gloomy self. It took a brief second to realize that something was up.

"Lincoln we need to talk." Was all Lucy said.

You know it's time like these that Lincoln really thinks live just hates him.

"Come in and wait. I gotta get Lynn." Lincoln sighed. "Something tells me she'll need to hear this too."

At this point Lincoln kind of wished Pop-Pop was here. Because having a beat down sounded a whole lot easier.

To Be Continued

AN: And boom! Stereotypical cliffhanger. Bit underwhelming and short. At least compared to most chapters I do. Sorry of you were expecting more but I promise I'll do better next time. At least the phone call from chapter 17 is finally revealed. You know from a long time ago. So Lincoln still has a lot on his plate. You know the drill. You have questions, theories, suggestions or other things. Leave them in a review. Expect the next chapter in two or three months. Or sooner if things are productive. Thanks for reading and see ya!