A/N:

Hello! It's been a while since I've updated any of my stories on here (unless you count my Tuck Everlasting/Newsies crossover, which you should go check out by the way) and I'm excited to be back! Please enjoy this chapter, and be sure to leave a review!

August 1905

Katherine sighed as she looked around at her and Jack's apartment, which was in the process of being decorated for the twin's first birthday party.

Brightly colored paper littered the floor, while Jack stood on a chair adorning the walls with streamers. The twins themselves were still asleep, it was quite early and the party wasn't scheduled to begin until the afternoon.

Sighing again Katherine returned to what she had been doing, wrapping her and Jack's presents for the twins.

"All done!" Jack announced as he climbed down off the chair, looking proudly at the colorful decor.

Katherine nodded without looking up, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Very nice, Jack."

Seeing Katherine's harried expression Jack walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her middle and leaning his head on her shoulder. "What's wrong, Kath?"

"Nothing," Katherine said, attempting to brush Jack off, but he wasn't fooled.

"Kath. You can tell me anythin'. What's wrong?"

Katherine set down the gift she was in the process of wrapping and leaned against Jack, releasing all of the tension that had built up inside her over the course of the day as she did so.

"It's silly but-but I want Benjy and Josie's party to be perfect."

"Why's that silly?" Jack asked.

"Because it's not like they're going to remember it!" Katherine exclaimed. "I don't remember my first birthday and I doubt you remember yours, so why should they?"

Jack began to rub Katherine's back soothingly, still resting his head on her shoulder. "Just 'cause they ain't gonna remember it doesn't mean it's silly. If it's that important to you, you should make this party nice. 'Sides, the boys always appreciate a good party regardless of the occasion."

Katherine smiled softly and nodded in agreement. "They certainly do. Remember last Christmas?"

Jack groaned. "Don't remind me. Lucky the twins weren't young enough ta remember anythin', else they'd be scarred for life."

As if on cue, a shrill cry was suddenly heard from the twin's bedroom. Jack sighed, unwrapping his arms from around Katherine and straightening up.

"I'se got it. You can finish here."

With that Jack hurried off to quiet and console Benjy and Josie and feed them breakfast. Katherine stared after him for a minute, then finished wrapping the last gift in wrapping paper and placed it in a pile with the others before beginning to clean up the mess that was the Kelly apartment.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

By 2 o'clock that afternoon, the parlor and kitchen were crowded with former newsboys and their partners, all socializing and eating the food that Katherine and Jack had prepared. Josie and Benjy were in the thick of the organized chaos, very much enjoying being the guests of honor as they ripped open gifts only to be more fascinated with the wrapping paper than with the gifts themselves.

Katherine looked on from where she was chatting with Race and Romeo while sipping the drinks that Clara and Crutchie had generously brought.

"Who knew all it took was a couple of one-year-olds ta turn Spot into a mushy mess?" Race remarked, watching as Spot and Jack amused Josie with one of her new toys.

Romeo snorted. "Like you can talk, I saw ya over there with Benjy a little while ago."

Race turned red and looked down at his feet, causing Katherine to laugh.

"Well, we'll have to put you and Spot down on the list of people who watch the twins when we go out, won't we?"

Romeo laughed again. "I dunno, Kath, do ya really wanna trust this idiot with your kids?"

"Excuse you, I am a wonderful influence!" Race exclaimed indignantly.

"Yeah, an' that's why you jumped off the pier at the docks on a dare last week," Romeo retorted.

"You did what?" Katherine exclaimed incredulously.

Race shrugged. "I can swim. Made a good dollar."

Katherine shook her head. "Your antics will never cease to amaze me, Racetrack Higgins."

Race puffed up proudly. "I'se gonna take as a compliment."

Romeo shook his head. "Ya sure are an odd one, Higgins."

With that Romeo moved off to talk to Albert, leaving Katherine alone with Race.

"You wasn't serious about me an' Spot watchin' Josie an' Benjy sometime, were ya?" Race asked after a brief pause, looking slightly nervous.

"I was unless you don't want to," Katherine replied.

"No, I do I just- never mind."

"What?" Katherine cocked her head slightly, a curious expression on her face.

"I just don't think I'se the first person people think of when they think about who they want ta watch their kids, that's all," Race admitted.

"Well, you're one of our first choices," Katherine assured him.

Race looked surprised. "Really?"

Katherine nodded. "Of course. Our kids are a handful, they need a handful to look after them."

Race chuckled. "I dunno if I should be flattered you want me ta look after your kids or offended you think I'se a 'handful'."

Katherine laughed. "Both, I suppose."

Race grinned, then glanced down at his empty glass. "On that note, I think I'se gonna get a refill."

Katherine watched as Race walked into the kitchen, then turned back to observe the scene in front of her.

Spot had disappeared somewhere, so Crutchie was now playing with Josie and Benjy while Jack snapped pictures of them with the Kodak Brownie Katherine had bought him for his birthday.

As Katherine observed the sheer number of people who had come to celebrate her and Jack's children her heart swelled, and she could feel her eyes fill with tears. Blinking them away she turned away and began to walk towards the kitchen to get herself a refill, a smile lighting up her features and her heart full.

A/N: I'm not thrilled with the ending, but I really like the rest of this chapter. Let me know what you thought, and if you have any suggestions or requests for things I should write feel free to let me know!