First off, wow 51 reviews? You have no idea what it mean to me! Second off I want to thank RoseyRedCosplay for her wonderful review! I could no hank you in person so here I am now! I am so glad you liked this story! I'm not a big fan of the Stockholme syndrome either, so I'm glad there was a good "spin" on it. I'm so honored this is on your list! Thanks for reading, this chapter is for you! And to Giggles798, I'm glad you though it was sweet! Hang tight, the next chapter is just a few sentences away! So disclaimer, once again I used some of the original text from the Disney movie, so I don't own that. More at end!

Chapter 21

Reading

After Spot and I ultimately forgave each other for everything that had happened between us, he called all his newsies down and announced to all of them that I was now one of them. Most of the newsies were happy, but there were still a few who were skeptical, of course Spot had threatened to "straighten them out" if they tried anything. I was grateful.

After the announcement, Spot brought me back to his room to get ready for bed. He left the room for me to change before saying he would be back. I removed the dress I was wearing and pulled on the white nightgown over my chemise. I lay on the bed, my legs bent under me. I gazed at the nightstand and noticed that Romeo and Juliet was on the surface next to a burning candle. I slid my fingers over the hard leather cover of the book and was about to open it when the door opened. Spot came in balancing two rolls in his hands along with two mugs of what I assumed to be water.

"Here." He said handing me a roll. "I'se thought you'se might be hungry after tonight's events." He softly chuckled as I nibbled on the roll.

"'Thank you, I never thought about how hungry I was."

"Da food doesn't come without a price doe." He said cheekily one eye squinted, a smirk appearing on his face as he leaded against the bed post. Should have expected that.

"I wouldn't expect anything else in Brooklyn." I joked.

"Well, you'se did say you'se would teach me ta read." Spot reminded.

I had completely forgotten about my promise. I continued to nibble on the bread. I looked at Spot who had a child-like eager face. Inwardly I groaned.

"What, now?" I asked in a shocked tone. I figured all Spot would want to do was sleep, especially what we had just gone though. "Spot it's late. Can't we do this tomorrow?"

"Nah, I'se have important stuff ta do tomorrow's. Come on Belle." Spot pleaded with me. Inwardly I nodded. He was right. There was a war going on and I didn't know when the next time we would be able to do this was going to be.

"Alright, fine." I said sitting up straighter on the bed, grabbing the copy of Romeo and Juliet. "But before we start, I just want to ask, how much do you remember? Reading, I mean?"

"Well, afta da fire, all my books burned. I'se had nothing and when I'se became a newsie, I forgot. It's been awhile. I'se can get by with da papes, but not easily. When I'se was younger, I'se would steal books from stores an vendors and try ta re-teach myself. I'se didn't do a very good job."

"Well, Shakespeare isn't the easiest thing to read." I chuckled flipping through the pages. I was a bit worried. I had never taught someone to read, and with Spot's short temper and low patience, I was worried it was going to be harder than I thought. I gave it ten minutes before both our tempers would get the best of us. I just hoped Spot was a fast learner. I was still tired.

I opened the book to the first page and held it out in front of me far enough so Spot could see.

"Alright, now read the first sentence for me."

"Two-" Spot said mispronouncing the word to sound like "tawo".

"Two." I corrected as gently as I could as to not make him frustrated.

"Right, two." Spot said. "I knew that."

About an hour later, Spot and I had gotten through the play faster than I had thought we would have. It had turned out easer and by ACT II, I was correcting Spot less, and less.

The oil lamp had almost gone out and Spot pushed back the covers inviting us both under them.

"I Know already said, but thank you for saving me today." I said curling up closer to him. I felt his arm tighten around me, and I did not feel scared or intimidated anymore. If I didn't know any better, I would say it felt nice.

"You're welcome, though it wasn't easy for me."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothin-it's nothing."

Now I was curious. I turned around his hand sill around my waste to face him. She covers tightened around us with my movement.

"Come on, what is it?" I edged on.

"It's embarassin."

"You can tell me, I wont laugh."

Spot took a deep breath. "Fine." He said before closing his eyes.

"I'se is kinda afraid of dogs." He mumbled.

"What?" I asked half out of surprise and half because I wasn't sure if I had heard him right.

"Please don't make me say t again. And don't tell no one! Cause if you'se do I'se'll soak ya." He said in a half serious tone.

"Don't worry, you're secrets safe with me. But can I just ask…why?"

"Well growin up, you'se know in dat nice neighborhood, dere was a dog and he was pretty mean."

"Was he big?" I asked.

"Not exactly." Spot paused. I looked at him signaling him to continue. "It was an Italian Greyhound."

"The tall skinny dogs?"

"Yeah."

"Well, what was it's name?"

There was another pause.

"Spot." He answered.

"You're dog's name was Spot?"

"Yeah."

"Is that where you-"

"Yeah."

"Oh. Well, I like it." I said turning back around. Before falling asleep in his arms.

Yayyy, they kissed….finally. 1234fivemo, that one's for you! You finally got your "two sided" kiss. Hope I didn't disappoint! So I always liked how Disney used "Romeo and Juliet" as the book Belle teaches the Beast to read, so I wanted to include that in my story. I always found it a bit ironic, and I wanted to emphasize this I'm my story. Also, I hope you like my interpretation of the origin of Spot's name. I wanted it to be something different yet kind of symbolic. If you haven't seen Italian Greyhounds, they are not the meanest looking dogs, which is why I chose it to represent Spot, because he doesn't look like much…but we all know he is =). Also, one more thing, I am in dire need of writing prompts and ideas for one of my upcoming stories, the sequel to my story Eternal Promise, so any prompts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!