Author's Note:

I love this chapter! I hope you guys do too!

Chapter 4: Something to Believe In

August 28, Friday, finally came. Jack had been waiting all day, and he was just leaving now to go pick up Katherine. He had chosen the perfect location for their date. Oh, he really hoped Katherine liked it. What if she didn't? Maybe he should have chosen a different place. Well, I guess it was too late now...

"Ow!" Jack stubbed his toe really hard on something- concrete? Oh. He was at the steps of the Pulitzer's house. Jack hopped up to the door, cleared his throat, and knocked. Mr. Pulitzer himself opened it.

"Hello, Jack." Joe said, rather stiffly. Yeah, they still weren't exactly best friends or anything. At least he didn't say anything about Jack's vest and Newsie cap- not your typical date clothes.

"Hello, Mr. Pulitzer." Jack forced a smile. This was awkward.

"Katherine shall be down...soon."

"I'm here!" Katherine came bounding down the hall. She skidded to a stop next to her father. She kissed his cheek. "Goodbye, Father."

"Goodbye, daughter. Be safe." Joe eyed Jack when he said that last part. "And... have fun."

"Thanks." Jack swallowed. He could feel Joe's eyes on him as he took Katherine's arm, spun around, and sauntered down the porch steps. They walked slowly until they reached the end of the Pulitzers' walkway.

"Let's go!" Katherine whispered. The two began to move faster, and soon they were out of Joe's sight.

It seemed like they were walking for a very long time. Katherine wasn't sure where they were going.

"Um, Jackie, are we almost there? We've been walking for a while now."

"Yeah, it's just up ahead." Jack clasped his girlfriend's hand. "Close your eyes. I'll lead you."

"Okay."

They approached a ladder. Hmmm. This complicated things.

Jack cleared his throat. "Any chance you can climb with your eyes closed?" he asked, kind of laughing.

"What!"

"Here. I'll help you. And I'll catch you if ya fall." Jack guided her hands to the sides of the ladder.

"Well, okay. This is a first." Katherine said, kind of sarcastically, actually. Eyes squeezed shut, she climbed the ladder easily. She made it up without so much as a fumble.

"There's Katherine Plumber for ya." Jack grinned. "Keep your eyes shut. I'm coming up." he called. When he was standing next to her, he asked, "Do you know where we are, Ace?"

"I think so."

"All right, then. Open your's eyes."

Katherine's eyes popped open. She blinked a few times, then smiled. They were just where she'd thought they'd be: the rooftop. The same place they'd shared their first- and second- kiss.

"Oh, Jack. You didn't." Katherine beamed.

"Look behind you."

Katherine spun around and placed a hand on her heart. "Aw, all this for me?" Jack had set up a whole picnic dinner on the rooftop, basket and all.

"Yup." They sat down across from each other on the blanket and began to eat.

"Is this lamb?" Katherine asked after she swallowed.

"Sure is! I had help from a friend of mine." Jack said. He didn't have many opportunities to eat a delicacy like this- it was really good.

The two had a great time, eating, talking, joking, laughing, and staring into each others' eyes like there was nothing else around to look at. Katherine commented about the lamb, "That was almost as good as mushroom pizza." (Aka her favorite food ever). After a while, Jack stood up. He extended his weathered hand to his girlfriend. "Care to dance, m'lady?"

"Of course!" Katherine clasped Jack's hand as he helped her to her feet.

The pair swayed and twirled on the rooftop. Jack spun Katherine in, then twirled her out. They even sang or hummed as they dipped and waltzed. Eventually, though, they had to stop because their feet hurt. Katherine sat down, her back against the metal railing. Jack slipped down next to her.

Katherine tilted her head back and stared up at the smooth, star-filled sky. "It's beautiful."

"I know something more beautiful."

"Aw, Jack! You're so sweet." Katherine swatted at him playfully, then kissed his cheek.

"Don't tell the fellas," Jack joked. Katherine smiled and moved closer to kiss him. But suddenly, his bright grin turned into a nervous-looking frown. He stood up and moved back a little bit.

"Jack? Are you- all right? What's wrong?" Katherine prodded, genuinely concerned about him. She stood up quickly.

"I- I's got something to ask you." Jack looked away.

"Jack, what is it? You know you can ask me anything. It's me!"

But Jack didn't say anything. He just stared at his shoes. Katherine crossed to the opposite side of the rooftop and grasped the railing. She stared down at the city streets and swallowed, slightly hurt. What was it that Jack couldn't ask her?

"I'm 'fraid I ain't good enough for you."

Katherine whipped around. "What?"

"I's afraid I ain't good enough for you!" Jack repeated, louder. "You being all rich and fancy and all. And- and I don't even have no money or nothing."

"What are you talking about? I'm not like that, Jack!" Katherine said, offended. "I don't care about money or looking fancy! I'm not a snob!"

"I didn't say you were-"

"Well, you implied it!"

"All I meant was that you've got money and a big house and-and I don't, okay!" Jack straightened his vest, which had shifted a little.

"That doesn't matter to me, Jack! Who do you think I am, my father? I-" Katherine said, pretty angry at this point.

"I didn't say that either! I's just saying that you know where to go to get money if you need it! And meanwhile I don't even know if I'll ever get another shirt again!" Jack shouted.

Katherine's voice rose even more. "Jack! I already said it! I don't care if you have a bunch of money or not! I don't care if you look fancy or have your own house! I don't even care if my father looks down his nose at you! And- and I don't know what the future holds, Jack! I don't! But all I know is that I want you in mine because you're smart and funny and thoughtful and handsome and sweet and adorable and I love you!" Katherine yelled.

Jack just stared at her for a minute, his eyes wide. He didn't know how to respond to that. Katherine stared back, many different emotions flooding her face, like she didn't quite know how to respond to herself. She swallowed.

Then she grabbed him by the back of his neck and kissed him. He was surprised at first, and almost fell backwards, but then he quickly gained his balance. Jack wrapped his arms around Katherine. After a few minutes Katherine broke away and stared into Jack's eyes. "I'm really sorry, Jack." she placed her hand on his face.

"I's sorry too." Jack whispered, bringing her in for a hug.

"I can't blame you for being scared. Rich people here are selfish and- and rude... But- I love you and I don't care about fancy things or money." Katherine whispered into Jack's shoulder. "You're what matters."

"I know. I should've known you ain't like that." Jack exhaled and held Katherine tighter. Then he brought her out of the hug so that her face was directly in front of his. Katherine looked up at Jack's sparkling eyes and blushed.

"Plumber, you're-you're the best person I's ever met. You're smart, and- and beautiful, talented, independent, considerate, loving and so, so much more. You's convinced me to stay here in New York. And I'm so glad I did. 'Cause every moment I spend with you, I just keeps loving you more and more." Jack's eyes filled with tears. "I-I loved you the moment I's first saw you Ace- that sounds stupid, I know-"

Katherine was so happy and so touched that she almost didn't know what to say. "It's not! It's not stupid, Jackie! You just illustrated Number 19 of the list: Jack is really sweet underneath his tough exterior." she smiled, then continued, " I didn't want to admit it- I didn't want to seem too- too giddy or anything, like I easily fell for your charms- but, well, I felt sort of dizzy the minute I first met you. And then, after you made me that drawing, I-I saw your passion and talent and love and skill and thought- and I-I fell in love with you too, Jack Kelly!"

"I'm glad you's feel the same way." Suddenly, Jack fell down onto one knee! Katherine's hands flew to her mouth and she burst into tears as he fished a velvety black box out of his pocket. He opened it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring inside. Tears streamed down Jack's face as he said, "Katherine Plumber Pulitzer, will you's make me the happiest Newsie in the world and marry me?"

"I-I-I..." Katherine paused, not breathing for a second. "Y- Yes. Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" she dropped onto her knees, seized Jack's face, and kissed him. They could both feel the tears streaming down each other's cheeks. Happy tears, of course. Katherine slowly broke away and stood up so that Jack could slip the ring onto her finger. But before he did, Katherine saw something reflecting on the inside of the ring. "Wait, does- does it say something, Jack?" she sniffled.

"Yeah, it does. It- it says, 'You're my something to believe in'." Jack smiled, kind of embarrassed.

"Oh, and- and you're mine, Jack. I-I believe in you and-and I love you for believing in me." Katherine sniffled again as Jack slid the ring onto her finger; it fit perfectly. "This ring is wonderful, Jackie."

"Medda helped me pick it out." Jack laughed and stood up.

"She does love her jewelry." Katherine smiled. But, suddenly, a strange look appeared on her face. "But, wait a minute- you must have gotten my father's permission- my father- how?" Katherine asked, amazed.

"I's got persuasion powers, as you must know." Jack grinned and raised his eyebrows.

"I shouldn't doubt you, should I?"

"No, you shouldn't." Jack smiled and pulled Katherine in for another kiss. The moment was spectacular: just them, the rooftop, the moon, and the stars overhead. They loved each other, and they could have talked and laughed the whole night away, because the rooftop was so peaceful, and everything was calm.

But at last, Jack pulled away. "Time to get you back home."

"Yeah, I know." Katherine wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. "I love you, Mr. Kelly."

"I love you too, Plumber. So much."

Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading! (Also, in case you couldn't tell already, I love Jack Kelly and Katherine Plumber- soon to be Katherine Kelly!)