DISCALIMER: Yada, yada, yada. Newsies belong to Disney. Phoenix, Salsa, and
Clue belong to me, though! Muah ha! Oh, and so does Crow! And Doctor
Reynald too!
A.N. Yay, my virus is going away. Maybe I can update everyday now. Then again, school has started. :Dies: And with all the work that I get from my IB classes, I doubt I can type up a new addition to this story seven days a week. But I'll try! Hope you all enjoy this chapter very much, and thanks for the nice reviews, and the INSANE ones *cough cough GYPSY cough*
Sugar and Spice and A Little Bit of Vice
In all his days as a newsie, Race had never sold at any other location but the tracks. Until today. Fueled by the broken heart he suffered from when Phoenix chose Spot Conlon over him at the Manhattan lodging house, he started to take a new lead in life. From now on, his selling areas would vary. One day he might sell in Central Park, the other he might choose a quieter street. He just needed variety in his life from now on. Instead of waiting for something new and exciting to hit him, he would run out and meet adventure halfway down the road.
After much debate, he decided he would sell at the train tracks. Newsies usually did not sell there because customers were often too busy situating their luggage or verifying their tickets with a conductor. Race figured there might be those who would like to look at the city's headlines, though, before setting off on their trips. He took the cigar out of his mouth to exhale smoke and turned a corner towards his destination.
When he arrived at the tracks, not many people were seated waiting for the train. He called out his first headline, only receiving three buyers. He was used to attracting the attention of at least ten people whenever he hawked a story and he groaned at his lack of success. Setting down his stack of papers on a nearby bench, he selected one of them and scanned through all of today's articles to make sure he had not missed something that might prove of more worth to him. As he did this, a girl seated on a red suitcase mere yards from him caught his attention.
He stared at her over the paper he held up and was instantly attracted to the girl. She had a slim figure and was just shorter than he was. Her black hair was pulled away from her face and her eyes were an intriguing light shade that made him freeze where he stood. It was not long before the girl noticed Race staring at her. When their eyes met, she quickly turned her head in the opposite direction. Race realized she was crying. He had not saw the tears before for only her side had been visible to him.
Race folded up the paper he was perusing and set it on the stack of a hundred he had cast aside before. Sure that no one would want to steal all his papers, he left them unsupervised and approached the girl. "Heya, are youse okay?"
The girl nodded her head in response.
"Are ya shoah? Cause usually people don't cry when they's okay."
She glanced up at him and sighed. She knew he would not go away until she showed some sign that she was well, but at the moment, that was too hard. She had rather cried on someone's shoulder. Even the shoulder of a complete stranger. "I'se heartbroken."
Race sat down on the cement next to her and smiled. "I guess that makes two of us. Me name's Racetrack. And youse is?"
"Crow."
* * * * *
Clue groaned at the headlines when she looked over Blink's shoulder to read today's paper. She was already a terrible seller, what was she supposed to do with these kinds of stories? She stepped out of the distribution center line and folded her arms. "I hate being a newsie! I'd rather woik in the factories!"
Blink laughed and playfully pushed her. "Don't let Jack hear ya say that, he'll get mad that his goil don't like sellin papes like he's been doin fer ages now."
"I'se only being honest."
"I know," he said, "but Jack aint too keen with that anyways. Don't youse remember? He's the mastah at improving the truth!" Mush joined them with his stack of papers, followed by Snoddy.
"Wheah's Race?" Mush asked as he gave Clue a good morning hug.
Blink looked around. "I dunno, I think he got up early tah go somewhere. He's been actin all mopey this week ever since Conlon took his woman."
Snoddy laughed. "Yea, that reminds me of how things used tah be when Spot and Jack were always competing. Remember Jack used tah come home every night wid a goil under each of his arms?" The younger newsie laughed at his comment, but ended short when Blink elbowed him in the ribs.
Clue's eyes went wide. "Is that true?"
"Ya didn't know?" Snoddy asked before the other two could say a word.
"So he was a playah too?"
Blink shoved Snoddy aside and grabbed the girl by the arms. "Clue, that was a long time ago. I mean, two months at the most."
Mush shook his head in disapproval and pulled Blink away. "Clue, Jack was never serious wid any of those goils like he is wid youse. Back then, things were just fer fun and games, tah even the score against Spot. But now, he's in love wid youse, and I don't think he'd ever play ya."
Clue slowly nodded, not sure whether she believed his words. Across from her, Jack was talking to David and Les about something, occasionally glancing at her to make sure she was still waiting for him. She smiled and waved at him and then turned back to her friends. "I don't feel like sellin wid him today."
"Why not?" Blink asked, stepping towards her. "Snoddy's an idiot, don't listen tah what he says!"
"Hey!"
"Besides, if youse sell wid us, Jack's gunna be on our tails fer the rest of the week." Blink gave her a pleading look. He really did not want any problems with Jack.
Clue twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and bit her bottom lip. "Please, guys? I just want tah figure some things out in me head." She gave them her best puppy eyes impression and even whimpered a bit to add to the affect.
Mush rolled his eyes. "Fine, but only fer today!"
Clue jumped up excitedly and pulled all three boys towards her for a group hug. "I love youse!" They gathered their papers and hurried off before Jack saw them.
* * * * *
When Phoenix walked into the Brooklyn lodging house in the late afternoon, all the newsies were scattered about the main room playing various sorts of gambling games. She clasped her hands in front of her and scanned the room for Spot. He had seen her first and was already rushing over to her with a grin.
"Hey sweety," he said, giving her a kiss on the lips. "Wheah have youse been all day?" He kissed her again and grabbed her hands in his own.
She smiled hesitantly. "Oh, just around. I met up wid an old friend of mines."
Spot smiled and began to lead her to the table he was playing poker at, but she stopped midway. "What's the mattah?"
"Can we'se just go straight to bed?" She could not wait any longer for Spot to know what she had to tell him. If he was going to turn her away to the streets, she wanted to know now. Otherwise, she would only act halfheartedly for the rest of the night and he would know something was wrong.
Getting the wrong impression, Spot smirked. "Shoah. I'se been wantin tah spend some alone time wid youse anyways." To his newsies, he said, "I'se gunna retire fer the night" to which countless catcalls were made. Spot laughed and walked up the stairs with Phoenix at his side, reaching the maximum of his impatience before they even got to his room. He knew he would not get any sleep tonight, but he did not mind. It had been too long since he and Phoenix had gotten some fun. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way into the room, kicking the door shut behind him.
"Spot, I need tah-" Phoenix was cut short when the Brooklyn leader pressed his lips against hers with great craving. She knew what he wanted, but she had something else on her mind. At least something that needed to be a top priority.
Spot slowly leaned her onto the bed, locking her in a kiss all the while. Suddenly she pulled out of his grip and rolled to her side. "Ah, so youse playin hard tah get now, huh?"
"No, Spot. I need to tell you something." She tensed when he gave her that smirk of his, and even more so when he sat beside her and covered her neck in kisses. "Spot, I'se serious! I really need tah talk tah youse!"
Spot looked at her worried. "What's the mattah?" he asked again, staring at her with his intense eyes.
She jumped to her feet and walked over to the window, where she sat on the sill and looked down at her hands. "I went tah the doctor today because I wasn't feelin well. He told me what the problem was."
"Is it gunna be okay?" Spot's face was now anxious. Phoenix looked like she was about to deliver life-changing news.
"That all depends," Phoenix replied. "Uhm, I, uhm. Oh, this is way too hard!" She pulled her hair and fumed. She couldn't put Spot through this! She loved him too much! So much that she was willing to leave his life so that he would not need to deal with any pains. "Yer gunna hate me so bad!"
Spot stood up and pulled her towards him. "Why would I'se hate ya? Ya mean everything tah me, goil! Don't youse know that by now?" He caressed her cheek with his hand and kissed her ear. "Tell me," he whispered to her. "Youse aint gots tah be afraid of me. I love youse."
"Well, uhm." She paused to kiss him long and hard, knowing very well it might be the last time she had the opportunity to do so. It meant so much to her that she actually began to cry. "Spot, I'm uhm. I'm pregnant."
Spot arched an eyebrow. "Yer what?" His tone of voice had gone completely flat.
"I'm pregnant."
The Brooklyn leader stepped back confused. "Are ya shoah?"
"Uh-huh," Phoenix nodded. "Me doctor ran some tests and he's pretty shoah. And youse gots tah be the father cause yer the only one I, uh, 'sleep' wid. Spot, I'se really sorry about all this and I know it's gunna ruin yer reputation. I mean, youse is the most admired newsie in New Yawk, but wid a kid tah raise, that's all gunna change. I'll understand if ya don't wanna stay wid me. Youse gots so many things tah worry about. Don't hate me, though! I really didn't want this tah happen! I'se so sorry! Ya gotta believe me!"
Much to the girl's surprise, Spot began to laugh. "Ya know, youse look real cute when yer all worried like this. Ya think me reputation means more tah me than me goil or me own child? I'se don't care if all of New Yawk suddenly hated me, I'se aint gunna let youse go!" He grabbed her around the waist, picked her up, and spun her around happily. "I'se gunna be a father!"
"I didn't think youse would act this way," Phoenix admitted with a smile, still in Spot's arms. "I thought youse wouldn't want me anymore."
"Yer crazy." He put her down and kissed her. "I mean, it's kinda odd that we'se is parents now. We're probably the wildest couple in the state, but that's the way the cookie crumbles and I'se aint one tah complain." He grinned at her and then pulled her down on the bed with him. "I'se so excited now! What are we'se gunna name the kid?"
"Spot, we'se finally alone and all youse can think about is names? I'se getting jealous heah! And whoever said it was a 'he'?"
Spot smirked and kissed her again. "Sorry babe. We'll just assume it's a 'he' fer now, all right? Now, let's celebrate." He rolled over so that he was atop her and celebrate they did.
More to Come!!! Thank you for all the REVIEWS, especially for the new ones I have seen as of late. If you are a new reader, let me just take this time out to say that I REALLY appreciate the fact that you are reading this story. I hope you are enjoying it so far. And just as a note from the author to the reader. I LOVE REVIEWS!!! That goes out to all you who aren't new as well. You know how REVIEWS make my day!!! Let's SUBMIT SOME MORE REVIEWS now!!! WOOHOOOO!!! Love ya all!!!
A.N. Yay, my virus is going away. Maybe I can update everyday now. Then again, school has started. :Dies: And with all the work that I get from my IB classes, I doubt I can type up a new addition to this story seven days a week. But I'll try! Hope you all enjoy this chapter very much, and thanks for the nice reviews, and the INSANE ones *cough cough GYPSY cough*
Sugar and Spice and A Little Bit of Vice
In all his days as a newsie, Race had never sold at any other location but the tracks. Until today. Fueled by the broken heart he suffered from when Phoenix chose Spot Conlon over him at the Manhattan lodging house, he started to take a new lead in life. From now on, his selling areas would vary. One day he might sell in Central Park, the other he might choose a quieter street. He just needed variety in his life from now on. Instead of waiting for something new and exciting to hit him, he would run out and meet adventure halfway down the road.
After much debate, he decided he would sell at the train tracks. Newsies usually did not sell there because customers were often too busy situating their luggage or verifying their tickets with a conductor. Race figured there might be those who would like to look at the city's headlines, though, before setting off on their trips. He took the cigar out of his mouth to exhale smoke and turned a corner towards his destination.
When he arrived at the tracks, not many people were seated waiting for the train. He called out his first headline, only receiving three buyers. He was used to attracting the attention of at least ten people whenever he hawked a story and he groaned at his lack of success. Setting down his stack of papers on a nearby bench, he selected one of them and scanned through all of today's articles to make sure he had not missed something that might prove of more worth to him. As he did this, a girl seated on a red suitcase mere yards from him caught his attention.
He stared at her over the paper he held up and was instantly attracted to the girl. She had a slim figure and was just shorter than he was. Her black hair was pulled away from her face and her eyes were an intriguing light shade that made him freeze where he stood. It was not long before the girl noticed Race staring at her. When their eyes met, she quickly turned her head in the opposite direction. Race realized she was crying. He had not saw the tears before for only her side had been visible to him.
Race folded up the paper he was perusing and set it on the stack of a hundred he had cast aside before. Sure that no one would want to steal all his papers, he left them unsupervised and approached the girl. "Heya, are youse okay?"
The girl nodded her head in response.
"Are ya shoah? Cause usually people don't cry when they's okay."
She glanced up at him and sighed. She knew he would not go away until she showed some sign that she was well, but at the moment, that was too hard. She had rather cried on someone's shoulder. Even the shoulder of a complete stranger. "I'se heartbroken."
Race sat down on the cement next to her and smiled. "I guess that makes two of us. Me name's Racetrack. And youse is?"
"Crow."
* * * * *
Clue groaned at the headlines when she looked over Blink's shoulder to read today's paper. She was already a terrible seller, what was she supposed to do with these kinds of stories? She stepped out of the distribution center line and folded her arms. "I hate being a newsie! I'd rather woik in the factories!"
Blink laughed and playfully pushed her. "Don't let Jack hear ya say that, he'll get mad that his goil don't like sellin papes like he's been doin fer ages now."
"I'se only being honest."
"I know," he said, "but Jack aint too keen with that anyways. Don't youse remember? He's the mastah at improving the truth!" Mush joined them with his stack of papers, followed by Snoddy.
"Wheah's Race?" Mush asked as he gave Clue a good morning hug.
Blink looked around. "I dunno, I think he got up early tah go somewhere. He's been actin all mopey this week ever since Conlon took his woman."
Snoddy laughed. "Yea, that reminds me of how things used tah be when Spot and Jack were always competing. Remember Jack used tah come home every night wid a goil under each of his arms?" The younger newsie laughed at his comment, but ended short when Blink elbowed him in the ribs.
Clue's eyes went wide. "Is that true?"
"Ya didn't know?" Snoddy asked before the other two could say a word.
"So he was a playah too?"
Blink shoved Snoddy aside and grabbed the girl by the arms. "Clue, that was a long time ago. I mean, two months at the most."
Mush shook his head in disapproval and pulled Blink away. "Clue, Jack was never serious wid any of those goils like he is wid youse. Back then, things were just fer fun and games, tah even the score against Spot. But now, he's in love wid youse, and I don't think he'd ever play ya."
Clue slowly nodded, not sure whether she believed his words. Across from her, Jack was talking to David and Les about something, occasionally glancing at her to make sure she was still waiting for him. She smiled and waved at him and then turned back to her friends. "I don't feel like sellin wid him today."
"Why not?" Blink asked, stepping towards her. "Snoddy's an idiot, don't listen tah what he says!"
"Hey!"
"Besides, if youse sell wid us, Jack's gunna be on our tails fer the rest of the week." Blink gave her a pleading look. He really did not want any problems with Jack.
Clue twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and bit her bottom lip. "Please, guys? I just want tah figure some things out in me head." She gave them her best puppy eyes impression and even whimpered a bit to add to the affect.
Mush rolled his eyes. "Fine, but only fer today!"
Clue jumped up excitedly and pulled all three boys towards her for a group hug. "I love youse!" They gathered their papers and hurried off before Jack saw them.
* * * * *
When Phoenix walked into the Brooklyn lodging house in the late afternoon, all the newsies were scattered about the main room playing various sorts of gambling games. She clasped her hands in front of her and scanned the room for Spot. He had seen her first and was already rushing over to her with a grin.
"Hey sweety," he said, giving her a kiss on the lips. "Wheah have youse been all day?" He kissed her again and grabbed her hands in his own.
She smiled hesitantly. "Oh, just around. I met up wid an old friend of mines."
Spot smiled and began to lead her to the table he was playing poker at, but she stopped midway. "What's the mattah?"
"Can we'se just go straight to bed?" She could not wait any longer for Spot to know what she had to tell him. If he was going to turn her away to the streets, she wanted to know now. Otherwise, she would only act halfheartedly for the rest of the night and he would know something was wrong.
Getting the wrong impression, Spot smirked. "Shoah. I'se been wantin tah spend some alone time wid youse anyways." To his newsies, he said, "I'se gunna retire fer the night" to which countless catcalls were made. Spot laughed and walked up the stairs with Phoenix at his side, reaching the maximum of his impatience before they even got to his room. He knew he would not get any sleep tonight, but he did not mind. It had been too long since he and Phoenix had gotten some fun. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way into the room, kicking the door shut behind him.
"Spot, I need tah-" Phoenix was cut short when the Brooklyn leader pressed his lips against hers with great craving. She knew what he wanted, but she had something else on her mind. At least something that needed to be a top priority.
Spot slowly leaned her onto the bed, locking her in a kiss all the while. Suddenly she pulled out of his grip and rolled to her side. "Ah, so youse playin hard tah get now, huh?"
"No, Spot. I need to tell you something." She tensed when he gave her that smirk of his, and even more so when he sat beside her and covered her neck in kisses. "Spot, I'se serious! I really need tah talk tah youse!"
Spot looked at her worried. "What's the mattah?" he asked again, staring at her with his intense eyes.
She jumped to her feet and walked over to the window, where she sat on the sill and looked down at her hands. "I went tah the doctor today because I wasn't feelin well. He told me what the problem was."
"Is it gunna be okay?" Spot's face was now anxious. Phoenix looked like she was about to deliver life-changing news.
"That all depends," Phoenix replied. "Uhm, I, uhm. Oh, this is way too hard!" She pulled her hair and fumed. She couldn't put Spot through this! She loved him too much! So much that she was willing to leave his life so that he would not need to deal with any pains. "Yer gunna hate me so bad!"
Spot stood up and pulled her towards him. "Why would I'se hate ya? Ya mean everything tah me, goil! Don't youse know that by now?" He caressed her cheek with his hand and kissed her ear. "Tell me," he whispered to her. "Youse aint gots tah be afraid of me. I love youse."
"Well, uhm." She paused to kiss him long and hard, knowing very well it might be the last time she had the opportunity to do so. It meant so much to her that she actually began to cry. "Spot, I'm uhm. I'm pregnant."
Spot arched an eyebrow. "Yer what?" His tone of voice had gone completely flat.
"I'm pregnant."
The Brooklyn leader stepped back confused. "Are ya shoah?"
"Uh-huh," Phoenix nodded. "Me doctor ran some tests and he's pretty shoah. And youse gots tah be the father cause yer the only one I, uh, 'sleep' wid. Spot, I'se really sorry about all this and I know it's gunna ruin yer reputation. I mean, youse is the most admired newsie in New Yawk, but wid a kid tah raise, that's all gunna change. I'll understand if ya don't wanna stay wid me. Youse gots so many things tah worry about. Don't hate me, though! I really didn't want this tah happen! I'se so sorry! Ya gotta believe me!"
Much to the girl's surprise, Spot began to laugh. "Ya know, youse look real cute when yer all worried like this. Ya think me reputation means more tah me than me goil or me own child? I'se don't care if all of New Yawk suddenly hated me, I'se aint gunna let youse go!" He grabbed her around the waist, picked her up, and spun her around happily. "I'se gunna be a father!"
"I didn't think youse would act this way," Phoenix admitted with a smile, still in Spot's arms. "I thought youse wouldn't want me anymore."
"Yer crazy." He put her down and kissed her. "I mean, it's kinda odd that we'se is parents now. We're probably the wildest couple in the state, but that's the way the cookie crumbles and I'se aint one tah complain." He grinned at her and then pulled her down on the bed with him. "I'se so excited now! What are we'se gunna name the kid?"
"Spot, we'se finally alone and all youse can think about is names? I'se getting jealous heah! And whoever said it was a 'he'?"
Spot smirked and kissed her again. "Sorry babe. We'll just assume it's a 'he' fer now, all right? Now, let's celebrate." He rolled over so that he was atop her and celebrate they did.
More to Come!!! Thank you for all the REVIEWS, especially for the new ones I have seen as of late. If you are a new reader, let me just take this time out to say that I REALLY appreciate the fact that you are reading this story. I hope you are enjoying it so far. And just as a note from the author to the reader. I LOVE REVIEWS!!! That goes out to all you who aren't new as well. You know how REVIEWS make my day!!! Let's SUBMIT SOME MORE REVIEWS now!!! WOOHOOOO!!! Love ya all!!!