So, I should tell you guys, obviously the timeline is gonna be off. This is set a few years after the newsies strike. Three years, about. So let's just pretend for now that there's nothing wrong with the timeline. Cause really, I don't care. Annie isn't gonna be your typical Annie. She's gonna look like Jack and Katherine. She just has the big picture of Annie's story if that makes sense. Anyways...

I'm sorry for the wait. But this chapter melts my heart and I'm glad you guys waited for it.

Enjoy!

Jack was losing it. He hadn't slept in days. His little princess was now two weeks old and Jack didn't know what to do any more. She was always wailing for something. If only he knew what.

Katherine had gotten home from work and decided that little Annie needed some of her Uncles' love. So she suggested that they get over to the lodging house to calm the small child. Unfortunately, as Katherine did not live there for over ten years, she had no idea how crazy the boys got before bed. Jack tried to warn her, but she wouldn't hear it. And when they opened the door, Katherine was stunned at the madness that was teenage boys.

"Albert, get your ass back here with my cigar!" Jack chuckled as he saw Race whip past him, trying to catch their red headed friend as he dodged all the newsies.

"I swear, I met this gal taday. She's a real doll. We's've got a date tomorra'." Romeo's same old story. The sixteen year old romantic always claimed he had a girl. Crutchie and Sniper sat by, listening to the ridiculous story of how he'd wooed her.

"Elmer, that ain't funny!" Another boy cried. "Gimme back my glasses!" Elmer passed the specs to Les who ran from Davey when the older boy made a grab for him.

Oh, Jack had to admit, he missed this time of the night. But he looked over and saw Katherine waiting for him to do something. So he wiped the goofy grin off of his face. "'Ey! Boys!"

Every newsie in the room seemed to stop and look to the door. All except for Race, of course, who had to snatch the cigar back from Albert's hand before hitting his cap down over his eyes. Then the gambler's attention went over to his friend.

"Hey! It's Jack!" Tommy Boy went up and clasped his leaders shoulder.

"What brings ya here at this time of the night, Jackie?" Crutchie limped over to the couple just as the child in Katherine's arms began to weep once more. The eighteen year old leaned over the babe and frowned.

Jack sighed. "We was hopin' for some help puttin' her ta sleep," he explained, finally as every boy went silent at the screams. It made some of them uncomfortable to hear babies cry like their daughter was. But hey, Jack needed help.

Sniper stood up on a chair. "I's got an idea!" He exclaimed, a smirk on his smug face. Then he looked over to the second in command. "Have Race sing her that lullaby he used ta sing the littles when we's couldn't fall asleep," the boy suggested. The Italian gave him a good glare, not noticing how Jack's face lit up with hope. When Race turned back to him, his eyes widened and he shook his head.

"No, Kelly." Race put his hands up and backed away. "I ain't had ta do that for years. I don't wanna-"

"Please, Race?" Jack begged, walking closer to his friend. "I ain't slept in days, and I'm tired," He groaned, exasperated.

"Yeah, cmon Race, ya used ta do it all the time!" Crutchie encouraged. A chorus of, "Cmon Race," rang out through the lodging house. But Katherine just stood there in awe.

"Wait a minute," she paused, stepping into the crowd of boys who all stood around Race. "Racetrack Higgins... can sing?" She asked, clearly not buying it. One of the toughest, closed off, smart mouth boys she'd ever met, singing? This had to be some kind of joke. But Jack just looked back at her and smirked.

"Used ta put some of the kids ta sleep with an old song his motha' used ta sing ta him." The man smirked, knowing his wife couldn't believe it. Then he turned back to his friend and looked him dead in the eye. "Please?"

Katherine knew her boys very well. She knew how to get them to bend to her rules. So she took the child in her arms and walked her over to the baby's uncle, unexpectedly placing the small girl in Race's arms. The nineteen year old was shocked for a moment before he looked down at that sweet face. His heart practically melted. Then he looked back at Jack, who was smirking at him as he held the crying child. Race wanted nothing more than to fight with him, but that little face was enough to make him stutter. "Why'd ya have to be such a little angle, doll face?" Race groaned in defeat and all the boys cheered around him.

"Ya really know how ya push Race's buttons, don't ya Plumber?" Crutchie smirked as all the boys walked over to the single couch in the room, ready to hear Race sing again. Katherine just smiled and gave Crutchie a mischievous look. The gimp just laughed.

All the boys crowded around Race. Jack smiled as he watched, remembering when they were younger and the younger kids would climb on Race's lap, falling asleep against the normally very aggressive boy. It shocked Race the first few times it happened. He hadn't been so accustomed to touch when he first started singing kids to sleep. Those are some of the things Jack would never forget.

Race looked down at the small child in his arms. He hadn't done this in so long, it was almost forgotten to him. Then, as the child snuggled close to him, he found himself smiling.

Ya might go far away

Ya might stay real nearby...

Might sit around drinkin' coffee

And watch as the world passes by...

Maybe in a house all hidden by a hill...

While ya sit playin' piano

Be glad ya ain't payin' a bill...

Katherine smiled at the lyrics. She leaned on her husband who stood nearby and heard Crutchie leaning over to her. "Every boy in the house loves this song," he explained. "Race used ya sing it ta us and tell us when we grew up, we'd be livin' just like his mama said he would live when he grew up."

Katherine found herself tearing up at those sweet words as she continued to listen to the soft song.

Betcha'll stay young

Better stay smart

Bet you'll collect things like ashtrays and art

Race smiled as the next words were sung by not only him, but by Jack as well.

Betcha'll be good

Why shouldn't you be?

More of the newsies joined in on the next words and Katherine knew right then, this song wasn't just any song. It was a promise.

But when your scared,

You'll always have me.

Race smiled as he took over once more, the baby snuggling into his chest as he sang some more and the cries almost dissolving.

So baby, close your eyes

I'll be here when you wake

I'll be here callin' you baby

Baby

Race smiled and looked around the room, smiling at all the boys' faces as they had content looks on every one of them.

Betcha you'll read

Betcha you'll sew

Maybe you'll have a big closet of clothes

Maybe your witty or a little bit shy

But I won't care

Jack pulled Katherine close as he sang along with the next words.

As long as you're mine

Race smiled at his friend and nodded, before giving the, almost sleeping, child a gentle kiss on the forehead.

So maybe now this song's the last one of its kind

But I'll be here callin' you baby,

Baby

"Goodnight Annie."

I can't even tell you guys how much fun I had writing this. It was so much fun and it puts a smile on my face to think about this being a thing. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did.

Please be sure to check out my other fics! Be sure to leave reviews and tell me what you think of them! Thank you! I also love requests so if you got one, send it my way! Thank you!

As always, thanks for reading! Make sure to tell me what you liked, what you didn't, what you'd change or what you'd improve by leaving me a review! Love ya babes!