They had just arrived at the planetarium when the patriarch got the call. The infectious ringtone and vibrating buzz caught everyone off guard.

The father took one look at the caller id, sighed in apprehension, and turned to his family. "You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up." As the other twelve filed out of the family van and into the building, he pressed the green acceptance button.

"Dr Phil. How are you?"
The voice at the other end sounded happy and fulfilled. Lynn guessed that a good thing had just happened. "All in good health Mr Loud. And you?"
"Great. We're at the planetarium."
"Ah. Family bonding time. That's good to hear. So I pulled some strings, asked around, called in a favour and..." A slight pause. "Lisa got a place at the centre. You guys can go over there whenever you're ready."
"Phil, that's great news! But I'm just asking, where is the centre?"
"Glad you asked. I'll tell you the name later. It's in the UK. I managed to book a hotel room for anyone who wants to stay with her in the country, but no more than two people. Hotel policy." He explained.
"Wow. That's great. I know just who can go with her. Thanks for everything Doctor."
"The pleasure is all mine Lynn." The call ended there, and the head of the Loud family rushed to his waiting wife and children.

Luna was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Their father had rushed toward them all with a huge grin plastered on his face. Apparently, Lisa's doctor had gotten her a place at a cancer treatment centre in the UK. And seeing that Luna knew quite a bit about the culture, she had been chosen, along with Lincoln, to go there with the young scientist by their father.

They left for their destination at the end of the week. A whole seven days to explain to their friends and pack.

She was rushing to plan the trip. She realised it may have been a little early, especially with Luan occasionally quipping a joke from the other side of the room, but you never know.

As she slaved over the complex English public transport system, her brother was deep in conversation with his best friend Clyde.

"Hey Clyde."
"Hey buddy. What's up?"
Lincoln paused. "Well, you know how Lisa had to go to the hospital a week ago?"
"Yeah?" Asked the boy on the other end.
"I really should have told you and the others earlier, but the doctor found out that..."
"Wait a sec buddy..." His apologetic friend interjected. The next time he spoke it sounded distant, and Lincoln guessed he was talking to his dads. He returned to the phone a few seconds later. "Sorry Linc. Dad and Dad wanted me to take out the trash. Anyway, you were saying?"
The white haired boy took a breath. "Lisa's been diagnosed with leukaemia."

An audible gasp was heard. "Oh, Lincoln, that sounds terrible. I don't blame you for not saying so sooner, you've had a lot on your mind."
"Thanks for understanding, Clyde. Anyway, we got her a place at a treatment centre."
"That's good."
"There's a small problem, though."
Clyde stiffened, and Lincoln could sense it in his tone of voice. "What's that?"
"The centre is on the other side of the Atlantic. Mum and Dad want me and Luna to go with her."
"Lincoln," The boy in question perked up at his friends understanding tone. "Don't worry about me or the others. Go to the centre to support your sister. We'll all be thinking of you guys."
Lincoln inwardly sighed with relief. "Thanks buddy. You're the best. I'll see you at school."
"See you then Linc."

And with that, the call ended.