Author's Note: This is the last chapter, to be followed by an epilogue.
There might be a sequel… I dunno. Your reviews will tell me… and the little
newsies in my head, screaming "Let me out! Let me out!" But I'm gonna
finish "Will the Real Spot Conlon Please Stand Up?" first. Thanks again to
all my reviewers! Luv ya all!
Chapter Thirty
Singah and Kieran were kept uninformed of the appearance of Blink and his daughter. They would not bother the family again, it was sure. Half-Pint and Race returned to Manhattan, bearing their three babies, Siobhan, Leonardo Ossian, and Isabella Higgins. The Conlon family, with its newest member, returned to life as normal.
Soon after the birth of Caleb Michael Conlon and the Higgins' triplets, there was another announcement. Rae and Snitch were going to have a baby as well. Also, Fastdancer's pregnancy was advanced, and she and Jack were planning on a baby to make its appearance within the next month or so.
There was balance once again in the world of the New York newsies. But of course, it could only last so long. There was trouble brewing, but no one would know of it for years to come, and by then it would have grown so large that nothing short of an all-out battle would save the involved people. But that is not what we concern ourselves with today. It is three weeks later, and today is Singah's 24th birthday; we are going to celebrate and reminisce.
***
There was a lot going on in the Brooklyn Lodging House that night. Presents, dancing, kissing, and gambling (out from under Singah's watchful eye and heavy spoon) were all taking place. Singah was enjoying her first party free of baby-weight in months, and she was touched by all the kindness she was receiving. But once the party had wound down, and the youngest children were put to bed, the adults began to reminisce about the years before marriage and children- when they were still children in age. They had never really been children, most having been on the streets from an early age, but they could remember things like the strike, parties, and of course, the romances of their lives. Singah and Kieran were re-telling their story, from the first kiss to the kidnapping.
"Remember Blink's face when you hit him with that board?" Kieran asked Singah.
"Yeah… that was great! It almost made the whole thing worthwhile. Almost." She sighed, remembering the first pregnancy and the disastrous results of Blink's jealousy.
"But that bastard had better be long gone now. Me and Maire beat him again." Rae paused. "And his daughter." It was the first time any mention of the fight had been made.
"Blink… has a… a daughter?" Kieran was incredulous. "When did that happen?"
"I guess the year before he hooked up wid you, Singah. She was about nine."
"Oh yeah… dat girl in Harlem who dumped him. Damn, can't even hold on to a goil he got pregnant!" Kieran started laughing, then covered it with coughs when Singah glared at him.
"Dat's what I said. But me and Maire beat the shit out of them, and I don' think that they'll be back any time soon." She smirked. "And if they do show up, den just sic the Gidget on them. They're that stupid."
"Well, let's forget them now. Come on, let's dance or somethin'. This is my party! I wanna have fun!"
***
So they forgot Blink and his daughter for the time being. In years to come they would be once again reminded how much trouble jealousy and hate could cause. And it would be in the form of one person they thought would never cause trouble again. Brooklyn was at peace, and there were papes to be sold, children to be raised, and lives to live. Life was a song, and they never wanted to sing a different tune.
Chapter Thirty
Singah and Kieran were kept uninformed of the appearance of Blink and his daughter. They would not bother the family again, it was sure. Half-Pint and Race returned to Manhattan, bearing their three babies, Siobhan, Leonardo Ossian, and Isabella Higgins. The Conlon family, with its newest member, returned to life as normal.
Soon after the birth of Caleb Michael Conlon and the Higgins' triplets, there was another announcement. Rae and Snitch were going to have a baby as well. Also, Fastdancer's pregnancy was advanced, and she and Jack were planning on a baby to make its appearance within the next month or so.
There was balance once again in the world of the New York newsies. But of course, it could only last so long. There was trouble brewing, but no one would know of it for years to come, and by then it would have grown so large that nothing short of an all-out battle would save the involved people. But that is not what we concern ourselves with today. It is three weeks later, and today is Singah's 24th birthday; we are going to celebrate and reminisce.
***
There was a lot going on in the Brooklyn Lodging House that night. Presents, dancing, kissing, and gambling (out from under Singah's watchful eye and heavy spoon) were all taking place. Singah was enjoying her first party free of baby-weight in months, and she was touched by all the kindness she was receiving. But once the party had wound down, and the youngest children were put to bed, the adults began to reminisce about the years before marriage and children- when they were still children in age. They had never really been children, most having been on the streets from an early age, but they could remember things like the strike, parties, and of course, the romances of their lives. Singah and Kieran were re-telling their story, from the first kiss to the kidnapping.
"Remember Blink's face when you hit him with that board?" Kieran asked Singah.
"Yeah… that was great! It almost made the whole thing worthwhile. Almost." She sighed, remembering the first pregnancy and the disastrous results of Blink's jealousy.
"But that bastard had better be long gone now. Me and Maire beat him again." Rae paused. "And his daughter." It was the first time any mention of the fight had been made.
"Blink… has a… a daughter?" Kieran was incredulous. "When did that happen?"
"I guess the year before he hooked up wid you, Singah. She was about nine."
"Oh yeah… dat girl in Harlem who dumped him. Damn, can't even hold on to a goil he got pregnant!" Kieran started laughing, then covered it with coughs when Singah glared at him.
"Dat's what I said. But me and Maire beat the shit out of them, and I don' think that they'll be back any time soon." She smirked. "And if they do show up, den just sic the Gidget on them. They're that stupid."
"Well, let's forget them now. Come on, let's dance or somethin'. This is my party! I wanna have fun!"
***
So they forgot Blink and his daughter for the time being. In years to come they would be once again reminded how much trouble jealousy and hate could cause. And it would be in the form of one person they thought would never cause trouble again. Brooklyn was at peace, and there were papes to be sold, children to be raised, and lives to live. Life was a song, and they never wanted to sing a different tune.