I don't own Newsies.

Chapter Three

"Hey, Davey you'se has some experience with kids," Jack said to David one day, "So how do you get them quiet?"

"You mean with Nellie and Ben?" David asked, "Well, I don't really know, Jack. I mean I'm at school all day. Pearlie takes care of them all day."

David came over to see how Jack was doing. He had found a Jack with black lines under his eyes, messed up hair, and wearing a stained shirt. David had taken over the household. He read to Flora. Put Flora down for a nap. He made Jack take a nap, which Jack whined about; saying that he had to take care of Flora. But Jack went to sleep. While the two were sleeping, David cleaned the house. Once Jack had woken up and refreshed, he insisted on staying by Flora. Now they were whispering in order to not wake her up.

"Well, what does Pearlie do?"

"I find her singing a lot to the kids. You could try that."

"Singing?"

"Yes, singing. Or talk to her. Tell her about Santa Fe or the newsies. You know, their all dying to meet her."

Flora opened her eyes. Jack took her out of her crib before she had a chance to start bawling. Then he took her to her dresser and changed her. Once she was all ready, Jack took Flora to the rocking chair. He sat down. David took a seat on a stool.

"When should they meet `er?" Jack wondered, rubbing circles on Flora's back.

"Why not today?" David suggested.

"Today!" Jack exclaimed.

"Yes today." David laughed, "She's two months old. She'll be fine."

Jack went silent. He focused in on rubbing Flora's back.

"What's wrong, Jack?" David wondered.

"You'se sayin' that my kid's two months old now!" Jack exclaimed in alarm, "Kath's been dead for two months, Flora's been alive for two months and I haven't seen my brothers in two months!"

"Well now you can see the newsies again. I'll go get them," David promised.

Fifteen minutes later David and all of the newsies had packed into the kitchen. Jack was still in the bedroom with Flora. After five minutes the news boys were getting antsy.

"Yo, Jack!" Race yelled banning on the door, "Can you come out now, Francis Sullivan."

"Fine then, lil' Annie," their leader called back. He was almost done swaddling Flora. Jack could tell he was getting pretty good at it.

"How'd you know 'bout that ole' nickname, Francis?" Race shouted back.

"I's have me ways," Jack told them.

After that, Race joined the other newsies in the kitchen. Soon Jack joined them holding a happy Flora. All of the newsies gathered around to look at the child. Most of them hadn't seen a baby before. It was almost unreal.

"Hey Jack, what's it's name?" Elmer asked.

"Flora. Flora Katherine Kelly."

"Hate to break it to ya Jack, but yer girls crossed eyed," Romeo told him.

The other newsies murmured in agreement. Some were fascinated by it. They had never known anyone who was cross eyed. Now they knew a cross-eyed baby.

"Oh, she'll have an eye color later," Jack informed them, "I knows it. I even say it meself when Myra and Owen when babies."

"Who are Myra and Owen?" David spoke for all of the newsies.

"Nothin'. I don't wanna talk 'bout it," Jack snapped.

The room went quiet. This wasn't like Jack at all. The newsies watched as Flora began to whimper. Jack soothed her. The sweet scene in front of them brought smiles to their faces.

"Well, Jack, you knows what lil' Flora needs now?" Cruchie asked.

"What?"

"Her newsie name, o' 'course!" Cruchie answered, grinning.

"So, what should it be?" Jack wondered.

"How 'bout Lovebird?" Romeo suggested, "I mean she's awfully pretty for a baby. Maybe I have a chance!"

"Romeo, you'se ain't dating my daughter."

"Cross Eye?" That one was from Finch.

"Absolutely not!"

"I know!" David exclaimed, "What about, Ace?"

Jack smiled. "Yeah. I like that Ace it is."

Flora smiled.

Thanks for reading! Please review!