Chapter Title: His Sister's Keeper
Summary: He just wanted what was best for her. How far will a brother go to see that his sister has everything she's ever needed? Set in 1899.
AN: I figured I'd try something new. I hope you all like it. Let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies. They belong to Disney. I also don't own Little Woman. That belongs to Louisa Mae Alcott. But I do own Piper. So that counts for something.
No one could ever say that his life was normal. He worked hard all day sometimes into the night for what some people would consider pocket change. To him it meant that he and sister had a warm place to stay and something to eat. That's all that mattered to him. He had been taking care of the both of them for the past three years. He had a system and it worked. But like any older brother he wanted more for his sister. He wanted her to have a chance to go to school like most kids her age. He wanted a better life for her. She had said time and time again that she didn't want to be separated from him. He didn't want that either, but he would do what he had to do.
"Hey Skitts, you comin' or not?" His best friend asked breaking into his thoughts.
"Give me a minute." Skittery said stopping to watch a mother and daughter cross the street.
His friends stopped and took off their hats as the woman and child passed. They smiled politely and said good afternoon as Skittery watched the little girl. She was younger than his sister but he couldn't help but think of her whenever he saw a young girl on the street.
"Come on Piper's probably waiting." Another friend said breaking into his thoughts again.
"I'm comin', I'm comin'." Skittery said continuing down the street.
"I knew if I mentioned her you'd get movin'." He said with a laugh.
"Shut up Jack." Skittery said rolling his eyes.
They were outside Tibby's when they heard someone yell for Skittery. Piper came running up to him with her light brown curls bouncing up and down and her arms outstretched. Skittery's face lit up when he saw her. He picked her up and spun her around not caring that she was almost twelve years old or that she was too old to be picked up. She was his reason for getting up in the morning. He worked all day counting down the hours until he could see her again. Most of the guys thought he had a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde complex. His went from being a pessimistic grouch to adoring older brother within seconds of seeing Piper.
She was like a sister to all of them. All of the older boys were protective of her. The younger ones were always including her when they played games at the lodging house. Anyone that looked at her could tell she had a solid support system. Even if that system was a group of broke Newsboys. She had worked her way into all of their hearts. She had Race, Blink, and Specs wrapped around her finger. Though the three of them would never admit it. Kloppman had been more than understanding when Skittery brought her in with him at night. He had made a cot for her in the front room of the lodging house.
"I don't want her being corrupted by you boys." He had said that more times than any of them could remember.
Like it or not they were a family, even if Jack didn't think so. A family is a group of people that you can rely on to have your back when you need them. Piper called all of them her brothers, and they never stopped her. She wasn't spoiled, yet she never wanted for anything. She wasn't the type of person to ask for anything. She was content with what she had.
They walked into Tibby's making as much noise as they could. The manager had never complained about them once. Race, Jack and Bumlets moved two of the bigger tables together while everyone else found chairs to sit in. Skittery sat across from Piper as Blink and Boots sat on either side her. Race sat next to him putting a hand on his shoulder. He was almost as protective of her as Skitttery was. Skittery looked over at him as he pointed to Piper.
"She's getting taller."
"She's getting beautiful too." Skittery said nodding his head.
"She's not dating until she's married." Specs said from the end of the table.
The surrounding boys nodded and voiced their agreement. Piper didn't pay attention to them though. She was laughing at something Boots had said as the waiter brought their drinks.
"You need any extra money?" Race asked turning back to Skittery.
"Nah, I'm good. I might need a extra bit in the morning though."
"Let me know."
Skittery nodded in reply before taking a swig of his beer. Race knew better than anyone that Skittery was almost always strapped for money. He had paid for his and Piper's lodging more times than he could count. The others helped out when they could, but usually Race was the one to step up. He had thought about getting a second job. That way he could save money so that he could put Piper in school. But he saw so little of her as it was. Maybe he would take Kloppman up on his offer to teach her. It was something to think about.
XXXX
Later that night while everyone else was upstairs Specs made his way down the stairs. He had plans that he that he refused cancel. He stepped into the front room and saw Piper sitting on the edge of her cot in her nightgown. He smiled taking in the picture. She looked up at him expectantly. They had done this every night for over a year.
"You ready?" He asked sitting next to her.
"Can we do my favorite one?"
"Go and get it." He said ruffling her hair.
He chuckled watching her run out of the room. He would never get tired of doing this every night. The night she decided she didn't want to would be the night his heart would break. It would mean that she had grown up and didn't need the boys anymore. He hoped that wouldn't happen for a long while. Piper came back into the room carrying a book. She got situated on the bed as he found their place in the book. It didn't matter that she was too old to be read to. It helped her learn how too. Sometimes he would let her take over and would be amazed at how far she had come. He sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her before adjusting his glasses.
"On Christmas night, a dozen girls piled on to the bed which was the dress-circle, and sat before the blue and yellow chintz curtains in a most flattering state of expectancy. There was a good deal of rustling and whispering behind the curtain, a trifle of lamp smoke, and an occasional giggle from Amy, who was apt to get hysterical in the excitement of the moment. Presently a bell sounded, the curtains flew apart, and the Operatic Tragedy began…"
Skittery sat half way down the stairs listening to Specs read to Piper. He hoped she knew how lucky she was. Any of the boys would defend her honor if they had to. He hoped they would never have to. He heard someone behind him making him look over his shoulder. Jack stood a few steps up from him looking down. He wasn't as tough as he wanted everyone to believe. There were times when they all caught him doing something nice for Piper. He would outright deny it telling them that she was a pain in the ass. Then later they would hear him apologize to her after he thought they had all gone to bed.
Jack sat down on the step above Skittery's listening to Specs. He had always wanted a brother of his own. His mom had died not long after he was born due to complications from the birth. His father had blamed him for it for years before he finally ran away. Now that he had the chance to have siblings he didn't know what he would do without them. But girls, he didn't understand. Especially Piper, the girl was a raging ball of emotions. She could be happy one minute on the verge of tears the next. He didn't know what to say to her half the time. He always felt guilty for treating her the way he did. But she never thought any less of him. He liked to think that he would do anything for the boys. Just like Skittery would do anything for her.