>All of the loud children we're in their rooms entertaining themselves in their own, unique ways.

>Lincoln was, as per usual, re-reading the latest issue of Ace Savvy in his undies.

>But everyone was interrupted by the booming voice of their father.

>"Kids! your aunt Shirley is here!"

>"What?! No! that can't be today!"

>He leaped from his bed to check the calendar, where he had marked with a huge red circle "Aunt Shirley", marked for..today!

>"Crud! I completely forgot!"

>He peeked outside his door to find all his sisters, also hesitating in their doorways, pondering whether they could just stay up here, forever.

>"Kids! Downstairs, right now!"

>The loud children moaned harmoniously, and proceeded to slowly walk down stairs.

>Lincoln made one last sigh, got re-dressed, and followed his siblings.

>"Kids!" Aunt Shirley's screeching voice overflowed through the house.

>The children got in line, youngest to oldest. preparation for Shirley's visits became routine, and expected what came next.

>Aunt Shirley went in line to each child and gave them an unwanted, repugnant kiss.

>"Aww all of you have grown so much!, Lori, practically a woman now! Ohh and Lily! already walking!"

>Aunt Shirley's visits we're always so cringey. Lincoln just wanted to disappear.

>"You know I think all your kids looked like Lily at her age!" Shirley said, turning to dad.

>"You think so? All their babyhood's just blend into one in my memory, at this stage"

>"Oh nonsense I'll even show you"

>Mom looked at her weirdly. "Show us?"

>Aunt Shirley ran back into her car in the speed of lightning, and came back with a thick photo album.

>"Here, I have all of their baby pictures in this album!"

>Dad raised an eyebrow. "You... keep that in your car?"

>Hey that's my Album! I thought I'd lost it!" Mom exclaimed.

>"Never mind that now dear, everyone gather round! I'll show you."

>Lincoln thinks to himself, "You know I don't think I've ever seen myself as a baby"

>Aunt Shirley sat down on the couch and all of the children gathered around her.

>Lincoln climbed up on the back of the sofa to get a better look at the pictures

>"See look there's Lori!" oh you we're so adorable honey!" The picture showed a baby, who looked exactly like Lily, playing with the cord of a telephone"

>"Lori glanced at the photo, rolled her eyes, and wen't back to texting on her phone.

>"And there's Leni! such a special child!...well, you're still special darling."

>Leni responded with a wide smile. The picture showed Leni walking awkwardly on a coffee table, right at the edge, as if about to fall off.

>Aunt Shirley went through each and every picture she had till she came to Lincoln.

>Lincoln looked at the picture of a small blue eyed baby, with a bit of white fluff on his head, blowing bubbles at the camera.

>Lincoln warmly smiled, but then reflected on the image he was seeing, he didn't really look like his sisters as a baby.

>"Oh, well I guess not all of you looked the same, but I suppose it makes sense in Lincoln's case.

>"Why?" Lola suddenly asked.

>"Mom Quickly interrupted. "Because he's a boy! of course....!"

>"Yeah! Dingus!" Lana snapped at Lola, who stuck her tongue out in retaliation.

>"Moving along!"

>Shirley went though each and every one of them, taking nearly two hours getting through them all.

>"Imagine that, just one album full up with just your baby pictures."

>Yeah, I'd Like that album back please..." Mom snarled.

>Aunt Shirley ignored her, continuing to talk.

>"It's so crazy to think of 11 children in this house. I expect there will be more." she shifted her eyes to Mom and Dad.

>"We've no more room left in this house for a twelfth" Dad replied.

>I think you ran out of room 7 kids ago! I still can't imagine it, when you Had Luan I thought, that's it! that was the end of it. But then you got pregnant again with Lynn, I thought you two were insane. Then, without any warning, you took Lincoln home with you, beyond crazy!"

>Lincoln lifted his head. "...Took me home with them... without any warning?" What was that supposed to mean?

>"What about when Mom was pregnant with me? She must of told you about it...right?" Lincoln asked curiously, with one eyebrow raised.

>"Oh...umm..o..of course dear, my mind must of wandered off again!" she fabricated a laugh.

>"Oh wow look at the time Aunt Shirley, we should really get going or we'll miss that dinner reservation we have with your new boyfriend." "Dad interrupted, harshly.

>Oh, uhh right! Well, it was so nice seeing you all again! one last hug and kiss from everyone?"

>There was a slight grumble from all the kids, but they surrendered without defiance.

>Lincoln went back up to his room, weirded out by the recent conversation that just occurred.

>He pondered the scene over and over again in his head. "Then, without any warning, you took Lincoln home with you, beyond crazy!"

>"That was.... a strange way of saying it..." Lincoln said to himself.

>He then thought back further into the day, recounting Aunt Shirley's entire visit"

>There was something else she said that stood out as being unusual, in regards to Lincoln's baby pictures.

>"Oh well I guess not all of you looked the same but I suppose it makes sense in Lincoln's case."

>Lincoln sat on his bed, one hand grasping his chin, thinking out loud.

>"....Because I'm a boy......right?"

>Lincoln was puzzled, it was bothering so much and he didn't know why.

>Eventually, Lincoln gave up and made a loud sigh, and saw his Ace Savvy comic still open on the page he left off at.

>He was ready to pull down his zipper, but suddenly felt thirsty.

>Then he remembered the soda he had hidden in the vegetable drawer of the fridge, and eagerly ran downstairs to reclaim it.

>Yes! It's still here!" He pulled the tab and took a refreshing gulp. Relaxed, he walked back into the living room to enter the hallway.

>However, he stopped, and looked at the family picture he took, hanging over the mantle.

>Lincoln reached for the photo, carefully grabbing it, and sat on the couch.

>Lincoln squinted his eyes, examining the faces of each and every one of his sisters, taking particular note of their Brown and Blond hair, obviously inherited from their Father and Mother respectively. The shape of their noses, all similar to one another, their amber eyes.

>Finally, he took a good, long look at himself.

>White hair, round nose, blue eyes. He didn't really look like the others. In fact, he didn't look like them at all...He..didn't even look like Mom or Dad....

>Lincoln's hand's began to tremor, he almost dropped the portrait before swiftly regaining control of his motor functions.

>Lincoln's brain began to rush, searching wildly looking for on answer to all of this, well, an answer that he liked.

>"There's obviously a good reason for.....this.....right?"

>But no matter how hard he worked his brain, the end result was the same. There was only one, logical answer.

>"Lincoln's eyes widened, breathing in and out in rhythm with his panicked heart.

>"N...no!...t-that can't be true! They would of told me if it was!"

>Lincoln dropped the portrait on the sofa, walking backwards until hitting the wall.

>"there's...there's no way...!"

>Lincoln tried to think if ways to prove to himself, that he's wrong, that he really is a Loud.

>"Birth Certificate! I have a birth certificate same as everyone else!"

>Lincoln rushed upstairs to made an enormous leap to the dangling attic door handle, and pulled down the folding stairs.

>Lincoln had been up here before, noticing a cardboard box full of filed away documents, it's probably where Mom and Dad put away everyone's certificates.

>He got on his knees and flicked through all the papers, House deed, Pet insurance cert, Certificate of birth for Lori Loud.

>"Yes!" Lincoln shouted, examining all of his sister's documents, until he came across his own, the last one, conveniently.

>"...huh...?"

>Lincoln followed the document word, by word. He read it quietly to himself.

>"Amended Certificate of Birth, Name: Lincoln Loud, Sex: Male, Legal Guardians, Estimated date of birth?.... Time of Birth.......unknown?!

>Lincoln began to hyperventilate. He dropped the paper on the ground, sprinted out of the attic, and charged into his room, collapsing in front of his door for security.

>"t...there's a reason! They, they must of... they....."

>Lincoln's throat began to constrict and hurt, he couldn't speak anymore, now, only left with his flustered mind, forcing him to accept the evidence.

>He swallowed hard, trying to calm himself down, force back down the tears that were about to drown his eyes.

>He wrapped his arm's around his legs, sitting in a fetal position.

>And with that, he began to calm down.

>Deep breaths in, deep breaths out.

>Still, Lincoln did not want to accept it, however, All he knew right now, was what evidence he pieced for himself. But there was only one way he would truly know, one way to accept it.

>He had to ask someone.

>"But mom and dad are out tonight, I can't wait that long!"

>Although his parents were out for the night, There is at least one other person in this house who would know.

>Lincoln stood up, and took hold of his door knob, asking himself if this is a good idea.

"I could be wrong about everything, then she'll just laugh at me, or get annoyed for bothering her like always.....but..."

>Lincoln had already made his mind up however. He stepped outside, made a long trek across the hallway.

>The hallway somehow appeared to be miles longer than usual, quiet, intimidating.

>But Lincoln found the courage to face the hallway, and made the long trek down to the opposite end of the landing, and turned left, now facing Lori's door.

>Lincoln stood at that door, placing his right hand lightly against it, slowly closing into a fist, and knocked twice.

>Behind the door, Lincoln could hear the muffled sounds of a feminine voice. Suddenly, the door opened.

>"hahahaa yeah, okay just hang on for a second Bobby, What? What do you want twerp?

>Lincoln could feel his throat hurt again, as he looked up at Lori's face. It wasn't too late to back down, he could simply apologize for disturbing, and run back to his room. Ask his parents when they come home.

>"...no" he thought. "If I can't talk to Lori about this, I'll never find the courage to ask mom and dad"

>Lincoln grabbed his right arm, and took a strong breath.

>Lori.....am......I.......Adopted?

>Lori's scowl evolved into a shocked, petrified expression.

>Silence.

>Lincoln kept his eyes to the ground, patiently awaiting an answer.

>Lori stood there, dumbfounded, for what seemed like an eternity, until a voice could once again be heared from her phone.

>"Oh...hey..yeah.... I gotta call you back baby, I uhhh, urgent business."

>Lori speedily ended the call.

>Lincoln looked up again at Lori's face, with puppy dog eyes.

>"Uhhhh, okay..... why don't you come it for a minute?

>Lori waved him through, while Lincoln proceeded to slowly enter Lori's room, this time, with permission.

>"Hey Lincoln! EEEEEEE are we having a slumber party?!" Leni gleed with delight.

"Hey Leni, we're gonna play hide and seek. So, we need you to go sit in that corner, facing the wall, with your fingers in your ears, and count to 100.

"Okay!" Leni did as Lori asked. "Oooooooone...................Twooooooooooooo.."

>Lincoln, take a seat on my bed.

>Lincoln complied, and sat at the end of her bed, followed by Lori sitting down beside him.

>"sigh.....I....I don't really think I should of been me to tell you this...."

>Lincoln glanced up at Lori before quickly averting his gaze to the floor again, clenching his fists, in anticipation for what he feared he was about to hear.

>"Was it what Aunt Shirley said earlier?"

>Lincoln nodded.

>Lori sighed heavily again.

>"Linc... you know......it doesn't matter... right?

>Lincoln closed his eyes.

>"...So...it's true..." Lincoln wiped a tear in his eye. "I'm..... not really a Loud..."

>"No Lincoln! You are!"

>Lori took a moment to gather her thoughts.

>"...I think I was six at the time....after Lynn was born, Mom and Dad wanted another child. Pff, can you believe it, another child, after having five already.." Lori Chuckled to herself lightly. Then she looked at Lincoln, wearing the most miserable face. Her smile vanished.

>"..But they we're having some difficulty, making another child. However...they just wouldn't give up. So....... they sought out alternative methods.

>"They, looked into..... adoption agencies, and, after a number of really hard months, one day, they came home....with you. hehe, of course three years later they manage to pop out Lucy so whatever problems they were having-"

"Lori was interrupted by the sound of Lincoln sobbing, desperately trying to hold it in, but it was too late, that dam had already burst.

>Lori hugged her brother tightly.

>"Linc.....you know what's special about you? Mom gave birth to me and the rest sure, but they had no idea what we we're going to be like. They just had to love us, whether they liked it or not. But you're different. They chose you, Lincoln. When they first met you, you won them over. And they fell in love with you, unconditionally. They knew, from the moment they looked at you, that you we're a Loud.

>Lincoln tried to dry his eyes with his hands, still sniffling, but Lori's words had lifted his spirits.

>"R...really..? He smiled, red eyed and puffy.

>"Really bro, you know I remember the day you first came home, we all fell for you too, although it was sorta weird having a brother. Sometimes you'd walk around butt naked with your boy parts all dangling about.."

>Lincoln's face turned scarlet and frowned, embarrassingly.

>"Lori...!" he sneered, pushing her slightly.

>"hahaha I'm just kidding with you bro." Lori Laughed.

>"And you are our Brother Lincoln... nothing will ever change that....."

>"Lincoln felt reborn, but he started to think of new questions now, who are my real parents, are they alive? do I have another name? Questions Lori would never know the answer to.

>Things seemed different, but in reality, nothing at all had changed. He knew who he was, Lincoln Loud, the only son in a family with ten sisters.

>Lincoln gave his sister a warm, affectionate hug. "Thanks Lori.."

>"Don't mention it Linc. No seriously, Mom and Dad would freak if they knew I told you.

>"hehehe, yeah okay!"

>"Lori stretched her body", alright, go on, get out of here....."

>Lincoln stood up from her bed, and walked to the door.

>"Goodnight Lincoln!"

>Lincoln turned his head around and grinned.

>"Goodnight.....Sis....."

>Despite Lori's unusually compassionate conversation, Lincoln found it hard to sleep.

>"Maybe Lori was right, just because I'm not, biologically related, I'm still an important member of this family." he thought to himself.

>However, whether he liked it or not, after opening this can of worms, his perception on his life has changed.

>Being the only boy in his family was already hard enough, that was different enough. But now, knowing that he's not even related to any of the other 12 people in the house, he truly began to feel like an outsider.

>Lincoln just wished that he could go back to yesterday, back before he learned any of this.

>But there was one question in his head that wouldn't go away.

>"Why.. did they give me up?" Lincoln tried to picture what his parents looked like in his mind, but the only faces he could imagine we're the visages of Mom and Dad.

>"But, they're-"

>From outside, Lincoln could hear the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway.

>Lincoln, growing fidgety and uncomfortable in his bed, walked out and sat on the top of the stairs, waiting for them to walk in.

>Once Mom opened the door, she immediately noticed her son.

>"Honey, It's past midnight!"

>"What are you doing up sport?"

>"Lincoln shifted his eyes away, thinking of a way to answer. He looked back at them, and gave a large, false smile"

>I..just missed you, wanted to be up to tell you goodnight!"

>"hmm, well you've said it" Mom walked up and gave Lincoln a hug. Dad followed.

>"Goodnight sweetie!"

>"Night kiddo!"

>Lincoln embraced the woman he had been calling Mom, unable to let go as a tear fell from his cheek.

>Mom immediately took notice. "Honey, is everything okay?" she asked, in a compassionate, yet concerned tone.

>Lincoln was afraid to let go. If his real parents could simply give him away, then Mom and Dad just as easily could too. After all, They didn't have to love him.

>Mom tried to get a response out of him again, rubbing his head. "Sweetie..?"

>Lincoln rubbed his eyes into Mom's chest, trying to dry his eyes in the fabric of her clothing without her noticing. He looked up at her, attepting a grin.

>"I'm fine!...I guess I'm just a little tired."

>Mom looked at his face, his eyes we're slightly bloodshot, she noticed the muscles in his face, forcing a smile, despite needing to do the exact opposite. She knew there was something wrong. But he was also, clearly tired, and decided not to ask further, hoping he'll open up in the morning.

>She placed her hand on hid cheek and returned his smile. "Okay....Goodnight Lincoln, I love you very much."

>Her words hit Lincoln hard, and he felt an overwhelming sensation to let loose his emotions. But instead, He released his mother, and walked quickly to his room, without saying a word.

The following Morning:

>The day greeted Lincoln with the loud ringing of an electric guitar, Luna's typical way of saying "Good morning"

>Lincoln crawled out of bed, with dark bags under his eyes, he didn't get much sleep last night.

>Lincoln exited his room to trek down the hallway to the bathroom, passing by all his sisters rooms.

>As he was doing this, he would peer into their open doors, Lisa blowing up her room again. The twins fighting, Lynn cartwheeling downstairs.

>Lucy stopped Lincoln in his tracks.

>"Hello Lincoln"

>"Oh...morning..!"

>"I wrote another poem today, its called: Outsider."

>Lincoln raised an eyebrow. "Uhhh...."

>"Sat alone, alone and at home, where my screams we're silent, but my mind, violent."

>Lincoln quickly glanced at the bathroom door, the only escape route from Lucy's dreary Poems.

>"My insecurities, hiding deep inside. All the while, eating me alive."

>Lincoln's heart began to hurt, he wanted to run as far away as possible.

>Outside, I hear a grimly birdsong. Chanting repeatedly, "You don't belong.""

>"I....I...I gotta pee!" Lincoln rushed down the hallway, charged the door down, and securely locked it from inside.

>Lincoln tried to regulate his breathing again "...Okay...calm down man!....It's just another, normal day in the Loud house....You're...You're apart of this family, just...just like everyone else...even if you're adopted"

>"Adopted?"

>Lincoln heard a sister's voice from behind the shower curtain. The girl swiftly pulled them open.

>"L...Leni?! W-w-what are you doing here?!"

>"I was looking for you! we're playing hide and seek remember? Oh! Found you!" Leni pointed at him with a wide, cute smile across her face.

>O..oh....right.."

>So anyway, what's like, adopted? *gasp* are you sick?!"

>N-no! I'm okay, really!" Lincoln wildly searched his brain to think of an answer." Oh..I-It mean's nothing really, don't worry about it, it's...hard to explain"

>"Hmmm, Okay! I'll go ask mom and dad, they can explain stuff really well! "

>Lincoln jumped in front of the door, blocking Leni's path.

>"Wait! I can try to explain! It's....It's uhh....the scientific word....for....having...a chip in your tooth! Yeah that's right! having a chipped tooth!"

>"Leni paused, and looked at Lincoln with a blank expression.

>Ooooooooooooh okay! pff well duh! Even if you're adopted, you're still apart of this family, silly!"

>"Lincoln grabbed his right arm in his left hand, raising both of his shoulders, as if trying to hide his head in them, awkwardly laughing.

>"Y...yeah, what was I thinking......"

>"I'm gonna go take a nap, Lori was easy to find, she just tried to hide in her bed, but I couldn't find you anywhere! anyways, seeya later Lincoln!"

>Leni promptly left the bathroom, and Lincoln locked the door behind her.

>"I really need to start using my inside voice"

>Lincoln went to the sink to brush his teeth and his hair. Once he put the toothpaste on his brush, he looked up at the mirror to begin cleaning his teeth, but paused.

>He still didn't look like his parents, or sisters.....

>In an attempt to put away his down thoughts, Lincoln quietly whispered to himself "You're a Loud..." He then proceeded to brush his teeth, and left to go get changed

>"Yo Lincoln!" Lynn barged into Lincolns room while he was still changing.

>"L-Lynn!" Lincoln quickly covered himself.

>Let's go Bro! need you to help me with my parkour skills!"

>"Lincoln wasn't feeling up to it, but before he could decline, Lynn grabbed his arm and pulled him out of his room.

>"*sigh* well, I suppose I better do something today." He thought.

>It was another hectic Saturday in the Loud house, with a routine, but wild tradition of spending time with all his sisters. Jamming with Luna. Fake laughing at Luan's terrible jokes, and avoiding her pranks. roughhousing with Lynn. He didn't have anytime to himself, unable to just relax in his room and read comics, or play video games, which was probably for the best. If he was alone during this dark time for him, he'd just be feeling miserable again.

>He spent all of his time, helping his sisters out with their hobbies, playing, and just general bonding. Although the day started out rough, Lincoln forgot all about his abnormal lineage, and just had fun. It was a good day, a quick day, but good.

>After dinner, everyone sat in the living room, Parents and kids, just doing their own thing, Luan talking to her puppet, Lori texting, Lola admiring herself. The usual.

>Lynn managed to sneak a basketball into the living room without anybody noticing.

>"HeyLincthinkfast!"

>"Think wha-ow!" The basket ball hit him directly in his face, making him fall backwards.

>Leni suddenly spoke up.

>"Be careful with Lincoln's face Lynn, or he might get adopted again!"

>The entire room froze, every small noise seemingly vacuumed out into space.

>All there was left was the muted gasps of Mom, and Lori, covering her mouth as if to stop herself from screaming.

>All 12 pairs of eyes fell upon the 11 year old boy in the room, Whose face turned a shade whiter than his hair.

>Leni curiously looked around the room, at all the jaw dropped faces, and then turned to look at Lincoln.

>".....What?...." She shrugged breaking the silence.

>"Lincoln's adopted?" Lana asked

>Luna squinted her eyes at Lincoln. "Woah, wait...what?"

>"Lincoln?" Lynn tilted her head at him like a confused dog.

>"Uhh Kids!" Dad tried to grab everyone's attention.

>"That explains a lot" Lucy replied in her monotone voice

>"Well he was always the quiet Loud hehe..oh!" Luan quickly covered her mouth, realizing the sensitivity of this sudden declaration.

>Mom tried again to bring everyone's attention to her.

>"Okay everyone just calm dow-"

>"Well it was obvious, he lacked many of the distinct, genetic facial characteristics that the rest of us share, inheriting his own. Lisa said, examining Lincoln as she spoke."

>"Does that mean Lincoln's not a part of the family?" Lola inquired, obnoxiously.

>"Girls!" Mom shouted sternly, finally succeeding to distract everyone from their tedious questioning.

>The room fell silent again, with only the sound of Lincoln, tremoring on his knees. All of these eyes on him. The pressure of knowing that everyone in his family has just realized that he's not one of them.

>He was just some pet, that Mr and Mrs Loud brought home one day.

>It was too much for him to take, in shame, he looked down at his knees, his fingers, digging into the palm's of his hands. Tears started to fall from his eyes, and began to make painful whimpers.

>"Lincoln, honey..."

>Unable to cope with the burden of all these eyes upon him. Lincoln speedily got up and sprinted out the front door.

>"LINCOLN!"

>The sun had long since set. All there was to illuminate Lincoln's path, through his blurred vision were the dense, yellow streetlights.

>He ran as fast, and as far as he could, to anywhere he could find sanctuary.

>Lincoln had run over half a mile before he finally collapsed from exhaustion, just beside a small, neighborhood playground.

>He fell to his hands and knees, attempting to recover his breath.

>And as he lay there, his mind began to drown him with violently self-loathing thoughts.

>It was over, everyone knew that he was just some impostor, who tricked himself into thinking he had a family. How could he possibly face them again.

>Even if he did go back, nobody could ever truly look at him the same way again. It wasn't right to ask them to love him like he really was their brother.

>Lincoln grasped at the soil tightly as it absorbed his tears, engulfed in a concoction of Anger, sorrow, and above all, shame.

>Only the night could hear his whimpers. He cried himself dry.

>After he was done, Lincoln's head felt heavy, almost too hard for his neck and shoulders to carry.

>Calmly, he picked himself up, only realizing now how exhausted he was. He trudged over to a set of swings, the only place in the playground where he could sit.

>As he sat motionlessly, the bitter coldness of the dusk air swiftly surrounded him. He grabbed hold of his arms to keep warm, finding his legs unable to move.

>"Lincoln!"

>From a good distance, Lincoln could hear his name echoing in the blackness.

>"Lincoln!"

>The voice was drawing closer.

>"They're looking for me" he thought. "of course they are... they must be really worried"

>Lincoln covered his eyes, and pulled harshly at his bangs. "I'm such an idiot" he murmured to himself wrecked with guilt.

>"Lincoln!"

>Lincoln slowly peered up slowly, and noticed two silhouettes, mere meters away from him. They must of saw him too, as the next think he knew, the shadows came charging at him.

>"Lincoln!" Luan threw her arms around Lincoln solidly, picking him up from the swing in the process"

>"Dude! why'd you run off like that bro?! Luna everyone is out looking for you!"

>Lincoln couldn't say a word. While there was a heft of anger in Luna's voice, Luan balled her eyes out.

>"You ran out in the dark....and then we all began to fight......and then we went out to look for you...........and we we're so scared.......and.....and...."

>"Lincoln kept his head down, with a hollow expression on his face, and although he was hanging on to every word, he was simply too fatigued to deliver any response.

>"C'mon man, say something!"

>"....I'm......sorry...."

>"Don't be sorry! just...." Luna began to soften her tone, just...don't...run away from us like that..."

>Lincoln, looked at his sister's eyes, he opened his mouth to respond, but found himself mute.

>"*sigh* let's just go home. I'll call mom and dad."

>The three of them walked back to the house, the Loud house was the only one in the neighborhood with every light on, shining through the windows, like a beacon. The front door was wide open. As they walked into the driveway, Mom appeared from the door frame, ran towards them, fell on her knees and embraced Lincoln. This time, she couldn't let go of him.

>"....Lincoln..."

>Dad followed her into the driveway, got on one knee and placed his hand on Lincolns shoulder.

>Lincoln weakly responded. "I'm..sorry."

>"No sweetheart, I'm sorry...."

>The rest of the Loud children surrounded the door frame, blocking any light coming through, but dared not to walk out.

>"Mom...I...."

>"Shhhhhh.....It's okay now baby...everything's going to be okay"

>Dad exhaled, "I guess its time we talked..."

>As they walked into the house, Dad instigated for the girls to go up to their rooms, while Mom escorted Lincoln into the sitting room.

>She guided Lincoln onto the couch and sat beside him on his left, while dad sat down on his right.

>Of course,none of the girls actually returned to their rooms, they gathered around at the top of the stairs, to eavesdrop on the impending conversation.

>"I guess we should of told you a long time ago, it would of been easier for you than to find out like...that.." Dad said.

"We're so sorry honey, we really never meant for you to find out like that, but, we just couldn't think of when to tell you, or how."

>Lincoln rubbed his hands together in his lap, not speaking a word.

>"But what we really wanna say honey is that...although I may not have given birth to you, I'm still you're mom, and he's still you're dad."

>"...even though I'm not your son?..."

>You most certainly are." mom softly said. "You've always been our son. The first time I had seen your face I knew that I was looking at my boy."

>"We love you so much kiddo, you're just as important to us as the girls."

>"Lincoln thought about his sisters, and how they all know that he's not related, surely that must of changed their perspective of him.

>"But.....they all..."

>"Love you as well. they were all so worried when you'd left, the first time I'd seen Lucy cry since she was 1 years old"

>Lincoln tried to picture that, but it was impossible without seeing it for himself.

>"You're their brother Lincoln, I promise they will never think of you as anything less.

>Upstairs the girls continued to listen in.

>"I still don't get what any of this has got to do with his teeth!"

>Everyone glanced at Leni. "SHHHHHH!"

>Lincoln felt his voice come back to him, but there was only one question he was interested in.

>He took a deep breath, and bravely spoke up.

>"Mom, Dad, can I.....can I ask you......about my.......other.....parents?

>Mom and dad looked at each other worryingly, as if trying to delve into the minds of one another, hoping that somewhere, they could find an appropriate answer to their son's innocent question.

>Or maybe it was better to not answer him, Tell him now that they'll explain when he's older.

>They could lie, think of a bittersweet story, that could satisfy Lincoln, so maybe he can move on.

>But lying and keeping secrets were what got them into this mess in the first place. They could do the easy thing, or the right thing. In the end, the right thing to do, was be honest.

>They nodded to each other in synchronization. Looked down at Lincoln, rubbing his hair, holding him, so that he feels close, and protected.

>"Oh sweetheart......we......we don't.....know who they are..."

>Lincoln lifted his eyes onto his adoptive mother's face."

>"Nobody knew who they were..." dad continued.

>"When we first met you in the nursery, they told us your story.

>Mom placed Lincoln in her arms.

>"They told us....that some kids found a newborn baby boy, hours old, In a cardboard box under a highway."

>"Lincoln's eyes widened "..w..wha..?" he whispered to himself.

>"You...we're probably left there all night..."

>"When they found you, they made a report, to look for your mother but, she never came forward..."

>Lincoln didn't quite know how he was supposed to take that, neither could he define what he was feeling, listening to this.

>"I was.....abandoned?"

>Mom began to pet the back of his hair. "...It's an ugly word...but....."

>She couldn't think of a way to finish that sentence.

>"Lincoln suddenly spoke up "d...did they like...leave a note or...anything?"

>Dad continued with the conversation, "There wasn't anything else in that box, just a baby."

>Lincoln grew hazy, "they hated me" he chanted in his mind, over and over.

>"....what was wrong......with me?" he asked himself.

>"Nothing was wrong with you sweetie, you're perfect!"

>"But they hated me....that's why they.."

>"Shhhh Lincoln...don't think things like that... We might not ever know why they did that, But it wasn't your fault.

>Dad advanced the conversation "You're a really special kid Lincoln, anyone in their right mind could see that"

>"they didn't......"

>"And they weren't in their right minds!"

>"None of that matters now anyways, you're here Lincoln, part of our family."

>"All I can say is, whoever they were, they missed out on something wonderful, because you are part of the reason our lives are worth living..."

>He looked up at the faces of his parents, who were grinning warmly at him.

>"You're our little boy, now and forever"

>Lincoln somehow felt slightly excited from their declaration, and weakly returned their smile.

>"Is there anything else you wanted to ask us"

>"....no...."

>"Well...it's getting late, you can take the day off school tomorrow if you want....."

>"I...think I'll be okay"

>"Well...If you need anything during the night, you can always come down to us"

>Mom and Dad each took a turn hugging him tightly, followed by a kiss from Mom.

>They all stood up from the couch.

>"Goodnight Lincoln"

>"....Goodnight..."

>As Lincoln walked to the stairs and put his hand on the banisters, he heard a stampede flee the scene, followed by a a sequential number of doors slamming.

>He sighed "They heard everything....again..."

>Lincoln slowly walked up the stairs, across the landing, and touched the doorknob of his room.

>However, from behind him, he heard a door creek open.

>"Lola?"

>without warning, Lola gave her brother a hug, without saying a word.

>Lana came out immediately next, and over the coarse of a few seconds, everyone had exited their rooms, walked down the 2nd floor hallway, and embraced their brother in a silent, group hug.

>Days had past since they had that talk, and daily life in the Loud house seemed even more chaotic.

>For almost every day since then, the girls we're seemingly more persistent with dragging Lincoln into their fads, although it was only because they didn't want him to think that they thought of him any less, since his status as "the adopted one" became public. Lincoln was well aware, it was too obvious.

>Even though Lincoln was really appreciative of everyone, in the nights he was left battered and exhausted. 10 sisters who just wouldn't leave him alone, he wished more than ever now to just read comics in peace.

>However, even after being left tired from the antics of the day, Lincoln's nights we're unavoidably restless.

>Each and every night he would twist and turn under his sheets, pinching his eyelids closed, forcing himself to sleep.

>When he would give up, he would simply stare at the cracked ceiling of the linen closet he claimed as his space, and get lost in his own thoughts.

>It was futile for him to pretend that he wasn't at all effected by the recent discovery of his lineage. He never had any reason to believe he was anything less than a Loud like his parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins.

>Sure, it was HIS family as well, but, there was a another lineage he knew nothing about, in the shadows, surrounded by doubt. A biological one.

>Lincoln was afraid that he didn't really know who he was. His skin, his hair, his eyes, where did they all come from?

>Every night he would try to imagine his biological parents. He tried to picture the perfect man and woman, faultless, their warm, smiling faces, holding him, loving him, one happy family.

>But every time, these pleasant, fabricated thoughts would be swallowed by reality. This perfect couple, they didn't love him. They didn't want him. They left him to die. But why?

>Lincoln wasn't angry, it was difficult to hate someone he's never even met. All he felt was confusion, and somehow, apologetic.

>This unresolved was driving him over the wall. He needed to know who they we're, and why they did it.

>He needed to find his parents.

>Where could he begin his investigation? Was it even possible? If the police, or social services, practically nobody could find them, what chance does he have?

>Lincoln sat up and peered around his room in the darkness, and caught the Ace Savvy poster pinned to the wall. If anyone could solve this mystery, he could, the greatest detective in the world, and he wasn't a cop, just a normal guy with a abnormal wardrobe.

>That's when it hit Lincoln, to think like Ace Savvy! He shut his eyes and massaged his forehead. Ace savvy would begin with what was already known, and work on from there.

>So what did Lincoln know? Very little, but he knew that he was found under a highway passage, shortly after birth, perhaps a day.

>Lincoln grabbed his laptop from his desk, returned to his bed, and began to search the web.

In the morning

>"Lincoln!"

>all of a sudden, someone blasted into the bedroom with one, mighty kick, leaving an imprint of cleets on the door.

>Lincolns heart almost escaped his rib cage, he involuntarily sat up, almost flinging the laptop he had left lying on his chest against the wall at the end of his bed. He must of eventually fallen asleep.

>the crusts that had formed in Lincolns eyes irritated him as he helplessly scanned the room with blurred vision, trying to identify the intruder.

>"It's Saturday again! you know what that means!"

>"L...Lynn? oh..no...."

>"That's right!" Lynn pulled a basketball from nowhere and threw it at Lincoln's face, aiding in waking him.

>"Shower, Breakfast, and then out the back in 15 minutes little bro!" She slammed the doors behind her, vibrating the room.

>Lincoln sluggishly crawled from under his sheets, and tried to remember what he was doing all night, feeling hungover.

>Once he began to piece his mind together again, he sporadically turned around to face his laptop, lying face down on the opposite side of the bed.

>It was dead of power. Lincoln placed it back on his desk and plugged it in.

>As per usual, the day began with a long trek to the bathroom.

>" Morning Brother!

>"Hey Bro!"

>"Hello Lincoln, my only Brother"

>"G'Morning Bro!"

>Lincoln "cheerfully" greeted everyone as he passed them. He was nothing if not a good actor. but inside he was sighing loudly "Why did THIS have to become part of every day life?" he thought.

>The first time everyone greeted him at dawn, energetically, always naming him as their brother, he found it silly, but in a good way. It lifted his spirits and would laugh along, contented that they obviously cared a lot for him. But now, it was just getting plain old annoying.

>Lincoln proceeded with his usual bathroom routine, and went downstairs to meet everyone in the kitchen.

>However, the whole bottom floor was empty.

>Lincoln peered into the living room, and glanced up the stairs suspiciously, he couldn't hear much.

>But, he shrugged it off and returned to the kitchen, in fact, this was the opportune time to show his appreciation for everyone and how they've been keeping him happy.

>One of Lincoln Loud's world famous breakfast buffet's. They always loved his cooking. Plus he was fast, considering there we're 11 kids in the house all coming with very different palettes.

>In record time he created 11 portions of eggs, bacon, ham, sausages and toast, cooked to perfection and to the individual liking of each and every one of them.

>Lincoln aligned everyone's dishes on the table, took his seat, and eagerly waited.

>And waited...

>Waited...

>5 minutes had past and Lincoln began to slouch in his seat, playing with the fork on his plate.

>The food would all need to be microwaved just to be salvageable.

>"At least Lynn should be down, we we're supposed to be in the back garden by now." he thought.

>Still, nobody had come down.

>furiously, Lincoln pushed himself away from the table, and trudged up the stairs. "The only excuse I'd accept if if they all died or something...."

>Lincoln first peered into Lucy and Lynn's room since they we're the closest to the stairs. It was empty.

>He traveled to the next room, Luan and Luna's, also empty, followed by Lori and Leni's (knocking first)

>As he placed his hand on the doorknob to the twin's room, he heard muffled voices coming from his own room.

>He sneaked up to the door, as if his own room was restricted territory for him, and placed his ear against the wood.

>"Maybe we should tell Mom and Dad"

>"But that might get him in trouble! we should just handle it ourselves"

>"I dunno, maybe we're overreacting, it's probably not that big of a deal"

>"It's a pretty big deal Luna! I thought he was moving on!"

>"Well all I know if, if I was in Lincoln's position, I'd probably start digging around too, for closure if nothing else."

>"So, what, do you think we should like, help him?"

>"Ok before we all go on, Let's talk in my room instead. He could totally be coming back any-"

>Lincoln heard the voice come closer, and quickly stood back as the door swung open.

>Lori stopped dead in her tracks, with wide, dismayed eyes, as she met Lincoln.

>Lincoln shifted his gaze to the rest of his sister standing behind her, wearing the same, stupid expression.

>Lori gave a frightened, large smile that cut like a knife.

>Hey Lincoln....! whatcha......whatcha doing here?" Lori said, trying to play cool.

>Lincoln frowned, raised an eyebrow and tilted his head like a confused puppy.

>".....this is my room..."

>"Y...Yes it is!....we we're just uhhh.

>Lori looked behind her for back up

>"We we're just..."

>"Cleaning....?"

>"Yes we we're just cleaning!....your room!......because that's what good sisters do! Lori sheepishly said, putting extra emphasis on the "sisters" part.

>"I thought we we're talking about that weird stuff Lincoln was looking up on his com-" Leni was interrupted by Luna's hand firmly sealing her lips.

>Lincoln was taken aback, and changed into a disoriented scowl.

>"You guys are looking through my Laptop?!"

>"N..no! It didn't start out like-"

>"I can't believe you guys!" Lincoln barged into his own room and angrily closed his laptop down. "Why would you even THINK to do that?!"

>Well as part of my social experiment I I investigate, download and categorize the browsing history of everyone in this house. I came in to do that, however many of the webpages in question we're still open.

>The web pages we're of newspapers concerning abandoned children, dated the week of Lincoln's birth, academic papers on parents who abandon their children, and on obvious google search of the question "How do I find my Biological Parents?"

>Lori spoke up "Wait... you check EVERYONE'S browsing history?!"

>"You couldn't...There's so many disgraceful things I've looked up!" Luan exclaimed.

>"Well yes, but that's besides the point. Once I noticed the following pages, I informed Lori, as per her instructions to notify her if Lincoln quote "Does anything like, weird" end Quote."

>"But anyways, why are you looking for.....them?"

>"Ugh! Because it's driving me insane! Before all of this, I had no reason to think that I was any different to you guys! But now I...I feel like I don't even know who I am.....maybe they...can help.

>the room fell silent, it took a moment for everyone to register what Lincoln was saying.

>"Plus...I......I just want to know........why......"

>"....Lincoln..."

>"Perhaps I can be of assistance."

>Lincoln looked down at Lisa. "How-OW!"

>Without warning, Lisa jumped and pulled a hair from Lincolns head. She formally walked out of his room and into her own.

>Everyone walked out and followed her, intrigued in what she had in store.

>As they all crowded inside, Lisa pulled open her wardrobe to reveal not clothes, but even more bizarre machinery, stretching the entire contents, and a massive glass chamber on top. Something no ordinary four year old would be responsible for.

>Lisa took the strand of white hair and dropped it into a test tube containing some strange, green colored liquid, then turned her focus to the keyboard and monitor in the center. The machine roared like a monster.

>"Lisa, what is that?" Lori asked, perplexed.

>"To put it simply, it's a RNA splicing station I occasionally use to combine the genetic material of certain animals which the end product gestates in the VAT chamber above."

>"O...kay..and is that supposed to help me, in some...terrifying way?" a startled Lincoln questioned.

>"Well I won't be doing any actual cloning, but simply downloading Lincoln's genetic make-up which I will then use to search for any genetic links in the police data base of the state Lincoln was abandoned in, which we now know since you searched it last night.

>"wait, could that really work?!" Lincoln had to restrain himself from bouncing in delight.

>"Well, it might only work if a blood relative of yours is registered in a criminal database-."

>Lisa was interrupted by a loud positive ding. "Oh."

>"what does that mean?"

>"It means a blood relative of yours is registered in a criminal database."

>"What?! Let me see!" Lincoln ran over to the machine and shoved Lisa away from the monitor.

>The contents of the screen provided the information of a young woman, no picture, although it described her appearance in words.

>Soon everyone else had sprinted up behind, beside, above and below Lincoln, fighting for a space to view the computer.

>"I can't see! someone read it out!" Lana shouted.

>Lincoln studied the letters on the screen and began to sheepishly mouth it out aloud.

>"Lyla Lawliss, age 24, hair blond (dyed, naturally white) eyes grey. Existing Record: drunk driving, driving without license (underage), assault, and check fraud. Other charges dropped."

>Lincoln kept his eyes glued to the monitor as he read it out. Everyone else shared concerned looks among each other.

>Luan broke the silence. "Oh hey look, her name's also a double L."

>"So is that like, Lincolns...other Mom? Lynn asked."

>Lincoln was perplexed, and disappointment echoed in his voice. "N..no that...can't be my Mom..."

>"Why not?"

>"It's just not possible right? I mean, I was born 11 years ago, that would make this woman..13ish at the time. So there's no way she could be my Mom, right?"

>Lincoln turned around and spotted 10 the confused faces of half of his sisters, and the distraught expressions of the other half.

>"......Right....?"

>"Well, according to your DNA structure, you share 50.infinity 3% of her genetic code. That percentile can only exist between mother and child."

>Lincoln was overwhelmed with mixed emotions of confusion, worry, but also a little excited. This is the closest he's gotten to the truth so far.

>"Huh, guess you we're a teen pregnancy. Sorry bro" Luna remarked, and gave Lincoln a pat on the back so hard it stung.

>Suddenly, Lincoln grew troubled with guilt. She was so young, Lynn's age! It wasn't right, Lincoln thought, he shouldn't even exist.

>Perhaps it was time he stopped looking for answers, if they would only make him feel worse, maybe it's not such a good Idea to go looking for them.

>But even if the truth will hurt, he had to know the full story.

>"You okay Lincoln?" Lynn asked, placing her hand on his shoulder.

>Lincoln took a deep breath "Okay, so..do you think I can find her?"

>"Sorry Lincoln, but this is all I can do, her last known offence was over 7 years ago, and her current address isn't listed."

>"Found her."

>Everyone pierced their eyes on a bored looking Lori, staring halfheartedly at her phone.

>She looked up and glanced at everyone in the room, faces eagerly begging her for answers.

>"She's on facebook."

>"What?!"

>"Yeah, Lyla Lawliss, 24, Works in a diner, currently doing a Law degree, naturally." Lori rolled her eyes.

>"She..I guess, she kinda..looks like you..."

>"Oooh let me see!" Leni grabbed onto her from behind to take a gander at the phone.

>"Me too!"

>Everyone began to encompass Lori and the tiny screen in her left hand.

>Everyone except Lincoln.

>"Woah she actually does!"

>"She's actually really pretty!"

>"Well whatcha thinkin Lincoln?..Linc?

>Lincoln kept his eyes to the ground, his hands clasped tightly, his fingers locking fast.

>This was all happening so fast, and after what he'd been though, how digging for more answers just revealed more painful mysteries, was it really a good Idea to look?

>Lori sensed his doubt, she got on one knee and held out her hand, with the phone in her grasp, face down.

>Lincoln nervously took the phone. He closed his eyes, and turned the phone over.

>When he opened them again, he was met with the face of a beautiful young woman, sporting a natural laugh. Long straight Hair resting over her shoulder, blond like Leni's but with white roots stealthy showing.

>She looked like a happy-go-lucky girl in the prime of her life. She certainly didn't look like a criminal.

>He wanted to meet her.

>"You guys, think I look like her?"

>Everyone answered with a silent, gleeful nod.

>Lincoln looked back at the screen, tracing his finger around her face.

>He looked back up with a solemn feature, his mouth a thin, straight line.

>"I need to see her."

>"Woah okay lets just chill for a moment, I don't think that's the best Idea.

>"Why not?!"

>"how are you supposed to approach her?"

>"I...I don't know...Just...I'll think of something while-"

>"Lincoln trust me, I know how you feel, but, she left you, remember?"

>"I know that! but I...I just have to!"

>Lincoln pressed Lori's phone up against his beating chest.

>"She looks.... exactly how I imagined her. Maybe if I just...talked to her...I want to know...what happened.

>Lori knelt down in front of him, and rested her hand on his shoulder.

>"What if...when you hear the truth, you don't like it. Confronting her, could only make you feel worse."

>"......There's no worse feeling than not knowing"

>"You didn't know you we're adopted before and you felt great!" Leni cheerfully exclaimed.

>"Well....yeah but...that was even before-"

>"Lincoln....I need you to do something for me."

>Lincoln looked directly into Lori's eyes, perplexes as to what she's about to say.

>"I need you to look at her picture, look at every detail of her face, her shining long hair, her friendly, compassionate eyes, her beautiful, smile, take note of everything.

>Lincoln did as he was told, and scanned every inch of the woman's portrait, burning it into his memory. everything about her was perfect, he couldn't help but grin.

>"This is the face, of the woman, who left you to die." Lori's face was cold and stern, but her eyes we're full of remorse.

>"The moment you we're born, she left you alone, naked, and helpless. A newborn baby. She abandoned you one cold night, and never came back."

>Tears began to drift down Lincoln's cheeks, although he tried with all his might to maintain is composure.

>Lori's eyes began to water too, she hated the way she was making her little brother feel, regretted every word she spoke. But it was the truth, and he needed to be reminded.

>"Do you still want to meet her?"

>Lincoln repeated Lori's question in his mind word for word. It stung hard.

>He wiped his eyes and nose in his sleeve, before finally answering with a vigorous nod.

>"Yes"

>Lori nodded back reassuringly.

>"Well, I want to meet her too."

>Lincolns face glowed with delight.

>"You mean you'll let me go?!"

>"Um, think for a second twerp, that diner she works in is literally miles away, probably three hours by car, we're YOU planing to drive there?"

>"Well....no...I was thinking about taking a bus or two..."

>"Pff Screw that, we're taking vanzilla."

>"Hang on if you guys are going then I'm in too!" Luna pushed the crowd away, making for a more dramatic reveal.

>"Oh yeah, road trip!" Lana punched the air in excitement

>"You're taking us all with you Lincoln, whether you like it or not." Lola crossed her arms defiantly.

>Lincolns tears vanished, he felt elated, and a little stupid for ever thinking that he was alone.

>"Thanks guys.."

>"We'd better get a move on, hopefully she's working today. Lets go eat before we hit the road"

>"Oh that's right! I made you all breakfast this morning! all your favorites!"

>They sat around the kitchen table, eyeing their stone cold meals, discontented.

>Lincoln traced the room. "They would of been warm, had you all been here on time instead of conspiring...in my own room...

>As they we're travelling on the road the sounds of usual mayhem could be heard in the passenger seats. Lincoln and Lori sat in the front. for most of the trip they we're quiet.

>Lori only broke the silence once.

>"Still sure about this? this is a...pretty big deal you know"

>"I'm sure."

>The journey took a little over two and a half hours, they had made it in time for lunch.

>"Lana was the first to enter the diner, rushing past servers and customers for the bathroom. Everyone else followed pursuit, standing in line for a table.

>"Table for 11 please! Leni told the waitress giddily.

>"Ummmm we have a corner booth that can sit eight people at most-"

>"We'll take it." Lori said, not letting the serving girl finish.

>"Oh and a booster seat for the baby"

>Everyone took their seats, in the cramped booth, shoulder to shoulder.

>The restaurants was styled in a 70s fashion, clean, well lit, complete with a jukebox full of classic hits and waitresses wearing ultra short skirts.

>"Finally! I'm starving!"

>Almost everyone grabbed a menu and dug their faces into the pages, hunting.

>Tell me about it, I haven't eaten since yesterday!"

>"It took rigorous discipline and work to maintain this perfect figure, and I can't let my weight drop ONE POUND!...damn pageant judges and their minimum body weight rules..."

>Nearly everyone had forgotten the reason they came here in the first place.

>"Okay everyone, just remember to keep an eye out for her. She might be here today." Lori shifted her eyes across the room, squinting.

>"Who, Lana? we already know where she is, she's in the girls room"

>"No you idiot! Lincolns..!" Lori bent her head down, suddenly realizing her current volume"

>"Lincoln's mother"

>Everyone came back to their senses, "Oh yeah..."

>Lincoln was sat in between Lori and Leni, looking defenselessly small compared to his adult sized teenage sisters.

>A diner menu was firm in his grasp as he hid his face behind the laminated pages, only showing his eyes, jumping from one corner to the next.

> Everyone else went back to making decisions on their meals. chatting among themselves, It didn't bother Lincoln or Lori, it made them not stand out as much.

>One of the waitresses came down, a busty young lady with shoulder long, sandy brown waves and blue eyes.

>"Are we all ready to order?"

>"Lana jumped ahead of the crowd. "Yeahyeahyeah! I'll have the-"

>"No we're not ready yet sorry, we'll take a few more minutes if you don't mind."

>"Wha, but Lori we're-"

>"Actually I'll just call someone down when we're all ready to order. No need to keep checking up on us." Lori gave the waitress a pleasant grin.

>"Okay, I'll leave it to you then. The waitress politely smiled back and walked of to service other clientele.

>Lola stood up on her seat, squished in between Lana and Luan.

>What did you do that for?!" she screamed.

>"Be quiet! I want that woman to service us.."

>"Who?"

>"LINCOLN'S..!" Lori almost lost herself again.

>"...mother" she whispered.

>"Jeez Lori, you're even more agitated than Lincoln"

>They were right, Lori did seem more fidgety, even more than Lincoln, red hot and flustered.

>Lori slouched back into her seat, she was sweating.

>"sigh, I know, I'm sorry for snapping at you all, the long drive just had me on edge. I've never driven this far for so long. Just don't forget, we came here not just to eat, but to be there for Lincoln if he needs us. "I don't even think shes working today but regardless, we're here to help our brother."

>Everyone in the booth seemed to droop slightly in shame.

>"You're right, we're sorry Lincoln.

>"Yeah sorry Bro"

>Lincoln didn't hear them.

>"Yo Lincoln!... you there?"

>Lincoln wasn't entirely there, he was sat, wide eyed, his jaw marginally dangling from his skull. The menu almost slipping from his hands. He was frozen, a statue, peering into the distance.

>The girls looked at his pale face, and searched for what his eyes were fixated upon. They found it.

>Across the room, there stood a young woman, holding a tray of burgers, fries and cold drinks, which she placed in a booth only meters away.

>She had grey, almost white eyes, and long pale blond hair, in a ponytail, resting over her shoulder. she irradiated the room with a benevolent smile and an aura that whispered "welcome"

>She hadn't changed much since that picture was taken.

>The both was silent as the grave, as they all watched her with a certain fascination.

>Lori's expression of awe slowly evolved into one of cynicism, and distrust.

>She raised her arm to grab the woman's attention.

>"Excuse me miss! we're ready to order."

>The waitress responded to Lori's call, and gracefully walked to the booth, with pen and paper in hand. Her name tag read "Lyla"

>As she came closer and closer, Lincoln felt a rush a fear sweep over him. He rapidly picked up the menu again and hid his entire body behind it.

>The waitress entered the scene with a gentle laugh.

>"Wow some party today, wouldn't you lot be more comfortable in two booths?"

>There was a noticeable silence from everyone, it was noted by the waitress, who still smiled at them, although feeling somewhat awkward.

>It was Luan who took the first brave step and responded to her comment.

>" No way, then we'd have to wait even longer for two booths to free up, and side by side of course."

>"Plus, family should always stick together." Lori added, a hint of bitterness was in her tone. "always."

>"Can't argue with that!" she said merrily. "Alright then, so what can I get ya girls?"

>Lana once again jumped from her seat. "Me first! I'll have the double bacon cheeseburger with chicken nuggets and fries!"

>"Hey that's what I was gonna order!" warned Lynn.

>"Hotdog meal for me." Luan ordered

>"me too, but without the ketchup" Luna replied.

>"I'll have the caesar salad with dressing on the side. Lola said gracefully.

>"The salad comes in a dress?! I'll take that too!"

>"I want the chicken tenders, burnt to a crisp. No garlic mayo"

>I'll take whatever you have that wont raise my cholesterol levels to a dangerous level in one sitting.

>The waitress took each and every order down, adding friendly commentary with each decision.

>"And what would you like ma'am?"

>Lori glanced at their server, her mouth a straight, emotionless line.

>"Chicken wings. we have a jar of baby food for the infant"

>"The woman nodded and jotted the order down. She then began to repeat everyone's order to make sure it was all correct.

>"Wait!" Leni spoke up, "Lincoln hasn't ordered yet!"

>Behind the upstanding menu, Lincoln made a faint squeak, But he made no movements.

>The waitress looked up and over to see a head of neat, white hair, and smiled gently.

>"Oh how could I not notice the strapping young man at the table."

>Lincoln at a painfully slow pace, lowered the menu just below his eyes, shyly staring at the lady. He made a faint muffle as if trying to say something.

>"The waitress bent down a little to meet his gaze. "Don't worry Lincoln, I don't bite."

>Lincoln blushed profusely, but his cheeks we're still well hidden behind the pages. He made another faint muffle.

>"what was that love, didn't quite make that out" she playfully put her hand behind her ear. "I bet I could hear if you lower your menu!"

>Everyone looked back and forth between Lincoln and his alleged mother tensely.

>After some immense thought, Lincoln complied to her request and slowly put the menu flat on the table, wedged his arms under neigh, on his lap, but lowered his eyes, afraid.

>"I knew there was a handsome devil hiding there" her comments didn't help. Lincoln's faced turned scarlet.

>"So, what will you have Lincoln?"

>Lori took Lincoln's hand under the table, in an attempt to help him relax.

>Lincoln Looked up at the woman again, flushed and warm. Although he hid forever in that menu, it never dawned on him to actually read it.

>He tried to remember what his sisters ordered, and made a decision.

>"I..I'll..have the..chicken wings..too.." he finally responded, with each word he spoke, quieter than the last. He made a small, nervous grin at her.

>"Alrighty then!" she noted the final order. "Stay put and I'll have everyone's food out in a heartbeat."

>Lincoln released the air from his lungs and slouched back with relief.

>"The woman smiled again and winked at Lincoln, still blushing."

>As she took a step back to leave the table, she paused, turned around and looked at Lincoln once more.

>"You know I think I've seen you before, you guys local?"

>"Oh no, we're from..outta town, we're all just on a road trip."

>"Oh! so is that your van in the parking lot, can't imagine the 11 of you hold up in there for hours"

>"Hehe yeah we call her "Vanzilla"

>"Yep, suits her well" she laughed. "Perfect weather for a drive I guess, you guys all friends-"

>"Siblings" Lori interrupted.

>She whistled "Wow, that's crazy! well you lot do look inseparable.

>She looked at Lincoln again. "Still, I swear I've seen you before"

>"You did, once..." Lori said under her breath, sharply.

>"Sorry?" She did not seem to hear her.

>"I.." Lincoln tried to say something, but his voice went missing momentarily.

>"Oh I know! You last saw hi-" Lori reached over Lincoln and grabbed Leni's face, sealing her lips shut before could reveal any sensitive information.

>"I just remembered! Our uhh, Aunt lives up here..Shirley! yeah and we come to visit sometimes, that must be it..."

>Lyla stood back a bit, surprised, but somewhat amused.

>"Ooookay then, I'll get your meals to you asap. She reached over and petted Lincoln's hair, he let out a sudden gasp but did not revoke. It was the first time in years since she touched him, he thought.

>"Finally she walked off."

>"That was a lot more awkward than I'd imagined" Luan swiftly said.

>She....touched me.." Lincoln said to himself with a hint of joviality.

>"Yeah....she did.."

>There was another long pause, only the noise of the other customers to drown out their silence.

>"I like her!" Lana said out loud.

>"Me too! she's really nice and pretty."

>"I thought she was good for a laugh!"

>Lincoln was in a daze, repeating the moment over and over in his mind.

>Everyone around the table had something nice to say about her. They chatted happily about her for awhile. Bur Lori had enough of it.

>She slammed her hands on the table and stood up fiercely.

>How can you all go on like that?! Like she's some god, damned Angel?

>"L..Lori, we're just saying that...she doesn't seem all that bad."

>"L..Lori?" Lincoln watched her gingerly.

>She a monster is what she is!"

>Umm...Lori, why are YOU getting all upset?"

>Lori's hands closed into intimidating fists.

>"I just can't stand people like her, sure she's all sunshine and rainbows now, but deep down, she's evil, or have you completely forgotten what she did to Lincoln?"

>Lori had a talent for shaming her younger siblings, but this time it stung deep.

>"She.....could of had a reason-"

>"Oh right, a reason to leave a baby to die, when you think of one, let me know."

>Lori's entire body trembled with rage.

>"I'm telling you guys, shes evil!."

>while they we're all distracted by Lori's rant, Lyla arrived with four plates of food across her arms.

>"Here you go! so which of you ordered the-"

>But before she could finish, she was welcomed with a fast and powerful fist to her nose, knocking her into a backward flip, regrettably, and was caught by the diner's hard floor.

>Lori rapidly came back to her senses, and grasped her extended arm, bringing back to her.

>Lola stood up. "...MY FOOD!"

>Once Lincoln called for help, the staff went to Lyla's side and rang an ambulance. She had been knocked out cold, with a steady flow of blood running down from both nostrils, and across her cheeks. One eye wasn't closed fully.

>Luckily none of the other patrons or staff saw the actual cause of the waitresses' current condition.

>Lincoln had the bright notion to explain, that as she was walking down and turned to him and his sisters, she slipped and hit the dead center of her face against the table's edge. Lori was safe from retribution. From the law, at least.

>Once the ambulance arrived she was quickly but carefully placed on the stretcher and out the door. Despite the incident, business had to continue.

>The Louds hastily ran back to Vanzilla to follow the ambulance, in dead silence.

>The hospital was not far off, they had arrived within three minutes, in time with the ambulance.

>They watched from the car windows as paramedics wheeled lyla inside, before they themselves pursued.

>Naturally, Lori led the chase.

>Everyone crowded around the stretcher barely giving any room to the medics transporting her, and unloading dismayed questions at them.

>"It just looks like a concussion at the moment but please give us time to properly diagnose her" one paramedic said. "Are you family?"

>"Yes! shes our...sister." Lori responded, stiffly.

>"Stay outside and we'll inform you of her condition as soon as possible.

>With that, the let the paramedics pass into sterile blue swinging doors.

>Many minutes had passed while pacing back and forth in sullenness.

>Sometime later, Lynn began the dialogue.

>"Ok Lori. What. The. Hell."

>"I..I don't know"

>"It was a nice punch but, seriously, what the hell?"

>"It was...just an accident!"

>"It looked more like you did it on purpose" Leni added, for once, her powers of observation we're fairly accurate.

>"Shut up, Leni! I'm trying to think."

>"You know, if Lincoln hadn't lied, you could of gotten into a lot of trouble." Luna said in an almost motherly fashion.

>"sigh, I know I know. I'm...I'm sorry Linc."

>Lincoln didn't respond, he kept his eyes to the ground seemingly lost in his own thoughts. His face was grim.

>Lori looked at him, whatever guilt she was already feeling had come at her ten fold once she saw his bleak expression.

>"Look guys...I don't know what to say, I just......lost it..."

>"I'm still hungry...."

>"Maybe there's a canteen around?"

>"Great...hospital food..."

>Luna grabbed the twins in each hand. "Well while we're waiting we might as well eat.."

>"You guys go ahead, I'm gonna stay behind" Lori said, as she gazed at the doors where she left Lyla.

>"Suit yourself...Lincoln?"

>Lincoln put his thoughts aside for a moment to answer Luna, he smiled, sadly.

>"I'll be here"

>"...okay man."

>The two of then waited behind, not a peep was made out of either.

>Lori could barely look and him without feeling guilt. He must of hated her.

>She wished she could read her brother's mind, he was so disturbingly quiet. Then again, perhaps it was best that she couldn't read minds, afraid of what she might discover.

>Instead, she stared at those blue sliding doors. anxiously waiting for someone to return.

>They had waited so long that the girls we're fed and returned without haste.

>"Still no word?"

>Lori shook her head.

>Eventually, someone did return. A doctor.

>"How is she?! is she going to be okay?!"

>The doctor was startled. "Umm, who are you waiting for?"

>"Lyla Lawliss!"

>"Oh! you can relax, just a mild concussion a broken nose, and some minor bruising. She came around for a minute but lost consciousness again."

>Everyone breath a sigh of relief

>"Can we go see her?"

>"All of you? Absolutely not. I'll allow two visitors max, you won't find her very talkative I'm afraid to say. Her body is trying to rest."

>"Ok so, who goes?" Luan asked.

>"Well, Lincoln, of course" Lori replied "....and I think I should go...apologize."

>They all nodded in agreement.

>"Ok follow me."

>They were led into a large bright ward with 6 beds, however, only one of them was occupied, in the far end of the room on the left, beside a large window that stretched the entire back wall.

>Lyla laid there peacefully. A large bandage was wrapped around her crown and a cast had been placed over her nose. It was a much better improvement from the bloodied mess she was in earlier.

>Lori knelt beside her to get a better look at her work, while Lincoln stayed at the end of the bed, observing.

>".....well...It could of been worse." Lori said, faking a smile.

>Lincoln didn't respond. He just looked at Lyla's face.

>Lori's grin evaporated. "Look, I'm...I'm really sorry Linc. I screwed up. I know this wasn't how you imagined your..reunion." She spoke submissively, not looking directly into his eyes.

>"I don't know what came over me...I just.....I'm sorry.."

>".....I think you're right...."

>Lori lifted her head. "Huh?"

>"For awhile now, All I could think about was meeting her. I wanted to talk to her, to feel her. I...wanted her to be alike..a mom.." He spoke from his heart.

>"I know I have..Mom and Dad already but....I don't know...I wanted so hard, to believe that I, would find a family in her. To know that... I came from something good. But now that I'm looking at her...It's just so weird. I think it was a mistake to come here. If she didn't want me then, I don't think she'll want me now..."

>"....Lincoln...."

>"But it's okay." Lincoln looked into Lori's eyes, content, with a tender smile.

>"Because I don't need her. I have a Mom and Dad. And 10 sisters. And I only just realized now, how lucky I am to have you all." I have a huge, wild and crazy family, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."

>He managed to make Lori shed a tear, she couldn't hold hack her flattered smile.

>Lincoln looked back at the woman on the bed.

>"I guess I have her to thank for that..."

>Lori walked over to her brother, knelt down, and embraced him.

>Let's go home" he said hushly,

>"Are you sure?"

>"I'm sure." Lincoln laughed a little.

>"I don't know what I was thinking haha. I mean what was I supposed to say? Oh hi! remember me? I'm your son that you abandoned 11 years ago as a baby!" he said, sarcastically.

>*Gasp*

>The siblings turned around to see the woman, sitting up straight, wide eyed, with both hands firmly holding her mouth.

>Lincoln was frozen in fear, "It's over, she heard everything!" he thought. It wasn't supposed to be like this.

>"y...you..." she exhaled. Her face turned a sickly white.

>"...I...I..." what was he supposed to say at this point? his eyes fluttered back and forth, searching for an answer, but none came.

>"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be here..." He spined around and began to speed walk out of the ward, to escape. Lori glanced at the pair of them, then proceeded to follow her brother

>"n..No..Wait!"

>Lincoln stopped in his tracks, but did not dare turn around. Not that he had any time to do so, as before he knew it, Lyla had crawled out of bed, ran up to him and hugged him tightly from behind.

>She began to sob uncontrollably, Lincoln saw as drops of her tears fell on his shirt.

>"You're okay....thank God you're okay..."

>Lincoln had no way to respond to that. "..I...I'm.."

>She loosened her grip of Lincoln just slightly, enough for her to turn him around to face her.

>She was on her knees, and placed both her hands on his cheeks, caressing them softly. She let him see her for who she was.

>She embraced him tightly, pulling him to her chest. Lincolns arms dangled uselessly, distressed by the sudden turn of events.

>"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry" she chanted over and over.

>Lincoln gave Lori a look, trying to call her for assistance, but she misinterpreted the signal.

>"I'll...just be outside..." Lori slowly exited the ward, but never took her eyes of them, and kept observing from the glass panel in the door.

>At this point, Lincoln felt obliged to calm her down. gradually, he lifted his arms and placed them on her back, his fingertips resting on her shoulders.

>He whispered "Mom?"

>She responded with a sorrowful, tear infested giggle. Something about being called Mom, raised her spirits high above the clouds.

>"I...I thought I'd never see you again.. I'm so sorry, I was such an Idiot."

>When she finally let go of him, Lincoln took a step back, contemplating if he should bolt. This action let Lyla have a good look at her son.

>"I knew you looked familiar...you look exactly like my brother when he was your age. Guess you take after my side." she said casually, like talking to a friend, But her face was red an puffy.

>Lincoln didn't know what to say for that, but for the moment, he wanted to keep her at arms length. He extended his right hand.

>"Hi, I'm...Lincoln."

>She smiled sadly, and shook his hand.

>"Hi, I'm Lyla...I guess I have some explaining to do..."

>Lyla dried her eyes as best as she could.

>"I..have really no idea where to begin..."

>"Lincoln looked at her hesitantly.

>Before he could answer, she continued talking.

>"Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?"

>She was avoiding her inevitable story, but Lincoln nodded in agreement.

>"Well....I'm 11, and I live in a suburban home with My Mom, Dad, and 10 sisters, There's Lori, the oldest, shes 17, oh...and shes sorry about..that" He pointed to her nose. "Then there's Leni.."

>Lincoln went on and on about his friends, his hobbies, school, but mostly about his sisters, and how crazy and stressful they make his life. But also, wonderful. Plenty of time had passed and they had moved to sitting back on the bed, together. Lyla just listened.

>"Well...That's...who I am, I guess.."

>"I'm so happy for you, truly I am" she curled her arms around him like a teddy bear.

>"So....what about you...what's your story?"

>"My story?" She spoke submissively, afraid to answer.

>"You're...probably going to be disappointed...I..don't really like talking about myself.."

>Lincoln sat still, patiently waiting for Lyla to remember her courage.

>"I..Never really had a family..not like yours at least. I had a father, and a twin brother. Our mom died while giving birth, and I don't think my dad had ever forgiven us.

>"He never acted like a real dad, he would often, call us names, sometimes he'd beat us up when we we're bad, sometimes, when we we're doing nothing. He was a heavy drinker you see.

>Lincoln grew nervous as he listened, he realized, that this scary man that she was talking about, was his biological grandfather.

>"One day, he made my brother, Logan, go out and bring him back some alcohol. He...we.... were only about 12, so he couldn't buy any legally, but he was afraid to come back empty handed...So he stole some...and got caught. The police brought him home, and gave dad a warning. When the police left..dad was so humiliated, I'd never seen him so angry."

>Lyla stayed silent for what felt like forever. Lincoln was too afraid to ask her to continue, too afraid to look at her, he could hear the pain and fear in her voice.

>"He Killed Logan."

>Lincoln let out a weak gasp, he felt the burning of tears in his eyes but was determined not to cry.

>"Right in front of me. I...thought he was going to kill me too. So I ran, and never came back..."

>Lincoln shivered, he didn't often hear about children dying, it's easy to forget about things like that when your own life had been so blessed. And this kid, his uncle, he looked like him, she said.

>"After that, I made my life out on the streets, surviving any way I can. mostly through thievery and...mugging...I got involved with a bad crowd."

>Lyla hugged Lincoln tighter, he tried to look up at her in response, but she wouldn't let him, she kept one arm firmly placed on the top of his head, while the other around his waist.

>"It's dangerous, living a life like that. One day...I was attacked..."

>Despite her warm embrace, Lincoln felt a deathly chill.

>"I didn't know who they were...I..don't really remember much about it. I just tried to forget. A few months later....I found out....I was...pregnant."

>For a few seconds, Lincoln didn't understand, until he realized what she meant by "attacked" He knew what this made him, and he was overcome with sorrow, and shame. He bit hard on his lip to keep his tears at bay, but they we're already leaking down his cheeks.

>"I didn't know what to do, I was...still just a kid myself..I was just...really scared. I had a hard time trusting people and I...was usually alone."

>Lincoln understood, He had only made life worse for her, and he hated himself for it.

>"I'm....sorry..."

>"No! You have nothing to apologize for. You...you never did anything wrong. Don't you dare ever blame yourself." She spoke like a cross, but loving mother.

>"I'm the one who should be sorry, I....when you were born...I did something horrible. I..couldn't look at you, couldn't bare to hold you. I was so full of..disgust. So I....I left you."

>Lincoln was thankful that she wouldn't let him look at her, it also meant she couldn't see his craved face, weeping silently, still firmly biting his lip, drawing some blood.

>"I am so...so sorry" she whispered mournfully.

>"Hours after dawn broke, I came back to my senses, and realized, that I was the most horrible person who had ever lived. So I came back. I ran as fast as I could, still sore but I ran, hoping that you were okay. But when I got there, the police were everywhere. Someone must of found you"

>She started to sob uncontrollably. "But I didn't know if they had found you alive or dead..."

>She pressed his head against her chest. She had wrapped herself around him like vines, so tight, he could hardly breath. But nothing hurt more than the words she spoke. He cried so hard, to let some of the pain go.

>"That's why I'm...I'm so happy to meet you, to know that you're safe, to know that you've been given a chance, a better life than the one I could never provide."

>They had not spoken another word for awhile, neither of them had the energy to speak. They held one another, for the longest time, comforting each other as they sobbed profusely. They huddled, until they cried themselves dry.

>Outside, the door was open ever so slightly, and each and every sister listened carefully. They themselves found it impossible, not to cry.

>Once the room had fallen silent again, Lyla continued to talk, calmly.

>I spent the next two years on my own, till social services finally caught up to me. I was terrified that they'd send me back to my father, but I found out he had committed suicide the night I left. Afterwards it was just me being passed around foster care. But I was still a bad girl." she smirked.

>"My last foster parents, they we're wonderful people, helped me turn my life around. Made me realize It wasn't too late for me, even at 17. I finally straightened my life out. Now, I have a job, in school, became a good girl.

>She put her hands on Lincoln's chin, raising his face to meet hers.

>"But I thought about you, every single day. I'm so proud of you Lincoln."

>He couldn't help but release an embarrassed smile.

>I'm so proud to know that you're a better person than me. I know I have no right to say this but I....I hope that, someday, you'll be able to forgive me.

>Lincoln knelt up on the bed and put his arms over her shoulders.

>"I already have"

>Outside, the sky had slowly been turning a deep orange, they day had flown by like the wind.

>Suddenly, a cell phone was ringing

>"shoot!" Lori whispered to herself. She closed the door too late, they knew the girls had been listening now.

"Hi Dad...yeah....yeah...I..I know...we'll be home soon...ok..Love you too"

>Lori Pushed the door open again, letting herself in.

>"Lincoln we....we gotta hit the road, before it gets to dark."

>Lincoln nodded to her, then looked back at Lyla. "Will we ever see each other again?"

>"Well, you know where I work, and I want see as much of you as I can."

They both stood up from the bed, and gave each other one final hug.

>"I love you Lincoln, always."

>They slowly parted ways, as Lincoln held his hand against the door, he turned around to give Lyla a last, shy wave.

>Lori put her hand on his shoulder and gently guided him through the door, where his sisters were waiting.

>"Lori, isn't it?" Lyla asked, once Lincoln had left the room.

>Lori replied with a blank expression. "It is."

>"I hear you're to thank for this." she rubbed the cast over her nose."

>"Yeah....sorry about that." Lori said, her mouth as straight and thin as a blade's edge.

>"No...I think it was long overdue. He's a really special kid.

>"I know."

>Lyla spoke as tender as a kiss. "Keep him safe, okay?"

>Lori responded with a feint nod of the head, and turned to walk out the door.

>"I always do."