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! And Blackjack too! And Runner! And Bricks! And Lightning
Silver Victor!
A.N. Ah, the chapter the Spot and Phoenix fans have been waiting for. YAY! I'm so excited to be writing it. Muahaha! Thanks for all the reviews, by the way. I hope everyone enjoys reading this new chapter! The song in this chapter is 'All My Life' by KC and Jo Jo. It's really pretty so download it sometime if you haven't heard it.
Sugar and Spice and A Little Bit of Vice
"Why was dear Runner singing the weddin march song this morning?" Phoenix stopped to call out an eccentric headline, which brought to her five buyers.
Spot tensed at the question, but tried to play it off. "I think his sistah is gettin married or sumthin." He waited for the girl to collect her money and then took her hand in his as they walked through Brooklyn. "Anyways, I wanted tah talk tah youse about us."
"Whaddya mean?" Now it was Phoenix's turn to tense up. Those few words usually came with bad news. Was Spot about to end the relationship? That was unthinkable! After all they had been through, it should be a sin for them to break up! "Is sumthin the mattah?"
"No, no! Everything's great." He sighed and placed his stack of papers on the edge of the sidewalk, motioning to Phoenix to do the same thing. When she had, he pulled her close to him and smirked. "I'se wanted tah talk about wheah we'se headed in our relationship."
Phoenix gave him a questioning look. "I don't think I'se understand."
"We'se established the fact that we'se love each other, right?" She nodded. "Well, what is the next step people take when they's in love?" If he was not holding her as tight as he was, he might have trembled. His voice almost wavered as it came out, and he had to talk slowly to control it.
"Uhm, they's get engaged?" She laughed and playfully shoved Spot away. "I know youse don't wanna get married! God, youse had me scared for a minute there!"
Spot's heart sank as low as humanly possible. "Heh, marriage?! What do youse take me for?!" Inwardly, he was praying that she had taken him seriously. He shook his head trying to find the humor in it all and picked up his papers. Refused? And in such a blunt manner? This could not be happening! Why did she find it as a joke? He could not stay to figure it out. "Heya, Phoenix, I'se just remembered that I'se gotta deliver a message tah Jacky before the dance at Medda's tonight."
"Aint that why youse gots messenger newsies?"
"This is a personal message," he lied, rolling his eyes. "I'll catch up wid ya at Tibby's latah, okay?" She agreed and kissed him goodbye, a kiss that he almost flinched at, though he knew not why. He winked at her and then turned away to make for Manhattan.
Not a minute had passed before the tears were rolling down his face haphazardly, threatening to drown him in all his pain.
* * * * *
The old salesman studied his inventory list long and hard, his lips turned into a frown as he realized that he had exceeded his monthly budget. The figures on the checkbook before him seemed to be working against him; in no time, he would be out of a job. He buried his face in his hands in shame. This business had been in the family for many generations. He could not lose it now!
The front door to his store slammed open, bringing him back from his reveries in a startling manner. Was it a customer perhaps? Someone interested in helping him out financially. He squinted his eyes to see through the dim lighting of the room and smiled at the sight. "Ah, young man. What brings you back here?"
"I'se came tah return the ring." Spot Conlon came into the light
"Why, your eyes are red, as if you've been crying all day!" The man's expression turned to one of sympathetic grief.
"Thanks for pointin it out."
The old man came from behind the counter and approached him. "What on earth happened? Please don't tell me that your plans went wrong!"
Spot smirked sardonically. "Apparently, the goil thinks me marryin her is some big joke tah laugh at. I hadn't even proposed yet and she was already laughin. I mean, I thought she'd be anxious tah hear what I had tah say. It looked more as if she was stoppin me from askin the big question."
"I am sorry, my boy. Quite a tragic story that is! Yet, I feel obliged to ask you something. Do you still love this girl?"
"More than anything," Spot answered, wiping his eyes with the back of a hand with a sniffle. He had not even known love before Phoenix came along. His feelings for her defined the word.
"Then you must fight to win her over! So she thought it all rather comical; is that going to stop you? My bet is that she is simply afraid of losing love when she has finally found it. Running away in tears whenever this happens, though, only shows your cowardice! You have to stay and stand tall; so that she can be assured that you will always be there for her, that love is eternal."
Spot was rather insulted at having been called a coward. The fearless leader of New York's best newsies was not a 'coward'. On the contrary, he was a legendary hero many younger newsies aspired to resemble! However, he supposed the man was right in some respect. Wouldn't a hero struggle endlessly for a cause they knew to be the truth? "Why should I'se do?"
"There are many things you can do," the old man said. "You have to find which better suits you."
Spot nodded and drummed his fingers against the ringbox he held in his hand. This would have to be something big and loud. Something that would not only catch Phoenix's attention, but the entire newsie population! If he confessed something in front of so many people, it might somehow show that he meant what he said. "I'se gots it!" He sprang into a run and rushed out of the store in excitement, only to come back in when a few seconds had passed to shout out a forgotten appreciation. "Thanks!"
* * * * *
"Spot, what are youse doing in Manhattan?" Crow took a long drag on her cigarette and then exhaled smoke into the Brooklyn leader's face with a grin.
Spot waved the smoke away, snatched the cigarette from her hand, and threw it to the ground where he crushed it to bits with his foot. "Youse ever get stage fright when youse were performin?"
"What?"
"When youse performed," Spot sighed. "Were youse ever shy?"
Crow played with one of her black curls and pursed her lips. "I was the foist few times I guess, but I'se got over it. Why?"
"Could youse teach me how tah not freak out when youse is in front of a big audience?"
"Yer the damn leadah of Brooklyn. Shouldn't youse have crap like that downpack?" She took out another cigarette only to have it taken away by an angry Spot. She groaned in annoyance and stood to her feet, pushing him back. "What's wid yer sudden interest in this business anyways?"
Spot glared at her. "Would youse just teach me?"
"Fine!" the girl agreed.
* * * * *
Medda smoothed out the wrinkles in her violet dress with a sense of superiority and approached the newsie so many feared with reason to put him in his place. Spot Conlon. He had started a riot last time; a riot that had led to bloodshed and a full-blown investigation carried out by the bulls when nearby tenants reported having heard loud shrieks of noise. She could not have any of that in her performance hall! It was not meant to settle scores from the streets at all! It was a place of entertainment, and she had opened its doors for the newsies only because she felt the young men and women needed something to look forward to every week. She would not hesitate to remind either one of them, especially the most respected leader of all time, that she did not have to be so benevolent.
"Evening, Spot."
Spot looked up, startled by the sight of Medda before him. She looked so stunningly beautiful tonight and it was all he could do to keep a calm composure. "Heya, Medda. How's it rollin?"
"Pray tell, who will fall at your merciless hands tonight?" She crossed her arms and pursed her bright lips much as a strict school teacher would when disappointed with a student's performance in her class, but the playful sparkle in her eyes gave her away and Spot smirked.
"Ah, "I'se sorry 'bout that. But it was very important business and if it didn't happen any sooner, New Yawk would be a livin hell. Forgive me?"
Medda sighed at the pout the boy was giving her and shook her head with a smile. As much as she tried to discipline the newsies, they always won her heart over. "All right, Spot, but only because you are one of Kelly's best friends." She let him kiss her hand and then laughed. "So, I heard you were lookin to surprise a lady friend tonight. Are you ready?"
Spot looked back in search of Phoenix and upon seeing the girl make her way over to him, he grinned. "Yea, and not just any goil either." He leaned in closer and in a whisper added, "I think this may be me soulmate." Medda's raised her eyebrows in amusement as Spot rose from his seat and pulled Phoenix into his arms.
"Spot!" Phoenix exclaimed happily, giving him a light peck on the lips. "Youse couldn't even escort yer goil tah this little dance!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his ear. "Yer so confusin."
"I'se thinks youse were quite capable of putting one foot in front of the other. Ya didn't need me tah help ya walk over heah. 'Sides, I was busy gettin sumthin fer youse. It's a really special gift and I hope youse'll like it."
Phoenix placed two fingers over his lips and traced their smoothness. "I'd like anything ya gave me, Conlon."
"Great!" He hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. "Lemme go get it and I'll be right back, alright?" He was gone before she could answer, leaving her to take a seat at Jack's table.
~~~
Phoenix drummed her fingers on the table at which she sat and rolled her emerald green eyes at the endless terms of endearment Jack was using on Clue. It was adorable the first few times, but once the couple had talked in the most sappiest tones for almost twenty minutes, she could do nothing more than groan in annoyance. One would think that Jack had not seen Clue in months the way he was washing her in compliments and such. Phoenix tried to occupy herself with fixing one of the sequins on her turquoise dress or with rearranging her flaming hair, but eventually her eyes only fell onto Race and Crow, who were busying themselves with 'getting to know each other' in their own special way.
Phoenix sighed and looked about her for Spot. He said he would be right back with the surprise he had given her, but for the length of time he had been gone, she was beginning to think that he had not even purchased the gift yet! She rested her elbows onto the table and buried her face in her arms. She hated being alone even in the midst of a large group, even if she was accustomed to it. Finally deciding that she could not take any more of this, she scooted back her chair, stood to her feet, and proceeded to walk out of the building.
"Heya Newsies, What's New?!" The crowds of boys around burst into cheers for their favorite performer and numerous whistles pierced the air in light tunes. Phoenix glanced up at Medda on stage and continued to walk away. "Tonight we have a very special performance from one of your very own Brooklynites!" A thunder of applause erupted and Phoenix shot another glimpse at the stage. She could not think of any girls from Brooklyn who had spoken of putting on a presentation tonight. Perhaps Medda had made a mistake in that sense. No one from Spot's borough would ever sing their heart out in front of their peers. "There's not a newsie in this room who hasn't heard of him! Straight from the part of New York that raises our best fighters and sling-shooters, here's his high and mighty, the infamous Spot Conlon!!!"
Surprised by the announcement of their leader's name, most of the Brooklyn newsies did not know whether to roar in laughter at the obvious joke, or applaud respectfully in case Medda had her facts correct. Manhattan was in the best of moods either way, as were the other boroughs, and they went on with their cheers. Then, from behind the thick red curtains that draped from the ceiling of the stage, a thin figured emerged from the shadows into the spotlight. Blinking at the strong light that shone upon him, he held his hand to his eyes, but when his sight adjusted, he smirked at his audience. He could only see those seated in the first few rows, but he knew most of New York's newsies were present and watching his every move. It was none other than Spot Conlon.
He cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair, afterwards clasping them in front of him in contemplation. Crow's lessons on stage fright had certainly come in handy, but he still felt goosebumps creep up his arms. The newsies making up his audience looked on expectantly, waiting to see what the Brooklyn leader intended to do. "Uhm.heya guys." Spot waved at everyone and walked the length of the stage with ease, as if he owned it.
Phoenix's jaw dropped open. She had to pull out the nearest chair and slump onto it before her knees gave out under her. What was going on? She was so confused and had no idea whether this had anything to do with her surprise. Her cheeks became red hot and her heart sped up.
"As youse all know," Spot continued, projecting his voice so that all may here, "me and Phoenix is going out and we'se been a couple fer a while now."
He saw a few heads nod in acknowledgement. "Well, even before we'se started going out, I knew that I loved her tah death. She was poifect fer me. Everything I could ever want in a goil, Phoenix was the natural embodiment of. She's got brains and humor, and she's hot as hell."
A few catcalls were made, but Spot held his hands up so that the newsies would let him finish. Phoenix on the other hand, tried to hide her face from anyone that might recognize her. She blushed fiercely and kept her eyes on Spot. He pulled something out of his pocket and held it up for everyone to see. "Fer those of youse out there who is dense, this is an engagement ring I had bought fer the goil, hoping tah ask her tah be me wife. But things didn't woik out as I would've liked."
Silence, as all those present no longer found the need to laugh at the would-be joke. Phoenix gasped. Spot was going to ask her to marry him? She realized her mistake at laughing at him earlier that morning all of a sudden. He had been ready to propose, yet she had ridiculed him! How terrible of her! She had meant to do no such thing. "Well, I learned earlier today, that if things run contrary to the way youse wanted them to, then youse gotta either flow wid the times indifferently, or make a stand."
He smirked mischievously, but rather embarrassingly at the same time. "And I decided that I would make that stand tonight." He grabbed a microphone off the stand it had been situated on downstage in a sheepish manner, and nodded to someone down below in the orchestra pit, as if telling them he would be starting something soon. Spot brought the microphone to his face and searched his audience for the one his next words were aimed at. And then he saw her. He cleared his throat and exhaled a large breath of air. He could not believe he was doing this, but it was all worth it, wasn't it?
The orchestra begun playing a lovely tune that could strike up passion in any hopeless romantic within seconds. The intensity at which it cresendoed into towards its end was merely beautiful and many couples seated nearby found the need to cuddle up close together. Soon following, there was a voice.
***I will never find another lover sweeter than you, sweeter than you,
And I will never find another lover, more precious than you, more precious than you,
Girl, you are, close to me you're like my mother, close to me you're like my father, close to me you're like my sister, close to me you're like my brother,
And you are the only one, my everything, and for you this song I sing
And all my life, I've prayed for someone like you, and I thank God that I, that I finally found you
And all my life, I've prayed from someone like you. And I hope that you feel the same way too. Yes, I pray that you do love me too...***
Spot was singing! It was inconceivable, yet it was happening. Not that anyone minded. As they found out throughout the song, the Brooklyn leader had the voice of an angel. Every word was articulated perfectly and behind the lyrics, they could feel the love by which he sang.
*** I promise to never fall in love with a stranger, you're all I'm thinking of,
I praise the Lord above, for sending me a love. I cherish every hug,
I really love you...
And all my life, I've prayed for someone like you, and I thank God that I, that I finally found you
And all my life, I've prayed from someone like you. And I hope that you feel the same way too. Yes, I pray that you do love me too...***
The orchestra played their last chords and the next sounds in the room was the thunderous standing ovation Spot received. There were shouts, screams, whistles, and claps. The Brooklyn leader smirked and rolled his eyes, trying to brush off the panic he was really in. There was one last thing he needed to do. He jumped off the stage, still with microphone in hand, and walked over to where Phoenix sat. He dropped to one knee and looked her in the eyes, measuring her feelings up in that brief glance before he spoke. "Phoenix...I, I love youse." She nodded and he took out the ring he had shown to everyone earlier, holding it in the palm of his hand innocently. "Make me life complete and marry me?"
The tears that had been welling up in Phoenix's eyes since Spot began singing now slid down her face freely. She got down on her knees as well, still crying, and leaned in to give him the longest kiss either had ever known. Oblivious to the crowd they had drawn, they parted from the kiss and stared at each other. Phoenix wiped her tears away and smiled. "I love ya, Conlon. Of coise I'll marry youse." She would have said more, but Spot had pressed his lips against hers instantly.
She found that she did not mind the interruption.
Two more chapters to go! W00t w00t! I want to thank everyone for bearing with me and being patient in waiting for updates. It's been really hard trying to write nice long chapters for youse, while also doing my tedious homework as well. Thanks for all the REVIEWS! Please REVIEW this chapter just as diligently as you have the others!! Hahaha! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! We all know how much I love those things. Send me more, please? I'm still excited about breaking a hundred, by the way. My new goal is 125! C'mon, we can do it! Thanks everyone! Love ya all!
A.N. Ah, the chapter the Spot and Phoenix fans have been waiting for. YAY! I'm so excited to be writing it. Muahaha! Thanks for all the reviews, by the way. I hope everyone enjoys reading this new chapter! The song in this chapter is 'All My Life' by KC and Jo Jo. It's really pretty so download it sometime if you haven't heard it.
Sugar and Spice and A Little Bit of Vice
"Why was dear Runner singing the weddin march song this morning?" Phoenix stopped to call out an eccentric headline, which brought to her five buyers.
Spot tensed at the question, but tried to play it off. "I think his sistah is gettin married or sumthin." He waited for the girl to collect her money and then took her hand in his as they walked through Brooklyn. "Anyways, I wanted tah talk tah youse about us."
"Whaddya mean?" Now it was Phoenix's turn to tense up. Those few words usually came with bad news. Was Spot about to end the relationship? That was unthinkable! After all they had been through, it should be a sin for them to break up! "Is sumthin the mattah?"
"No, no! Everything's great." He sighed and placed his stack of papers on the edge of the sidewalk, motioning to Phoenix to do the same thing. When she had, he pulled her close to him and smirked. "I'se wanted tah talk about wheah we'se headed in our relationship."
Phoenix gave him a questioning look. "I don't think I'se understand."
"We'se established the fact that we'se love each other, right?" She nodded. "Well, what is the next step people take when they's in love?" If he was not holding her as tight as he was, he might have trembled. His voice almost wavered as it came out, and he had to talk slowly to control it.
"Uhm, they's get engaged?" She laughed and playfully shoved Spot away. "I know youse don't wanna get married! God, youse had me scared for a minute there!"
Spot's heart sank as low as humanly possible. "Heh, marriage?! What do youse take me for?!" Inwardly, he was praying that she had taken him seriously. He shook his head trying to find the humor in it all and picked up his papers. Refused? And in such a blunt manner? This could not be happening! Why did she find it as a joke? He could not stay to figure it out. "Heya, Phoenix, I'se just remembered that I'se gotta deliver a message tah Jacky before the dance at Medda's tonight."
"Aint that why youse gots messenger newsies?"
"This is a personal message," he lied, rolling his eyes. "I'll catch up wid ya at Tibby's latah, okay?" She agreed and kissed him goodbye, a kiss that he almost flinched at, though he knew not why. He winked at her and then turned away to make for Manhattan.
Not a minute had passed before the tears were rolling down his face haphazardly, threatening to drown him in all his pain.
* * * * *
The old salesman studied his inventory list long and hard, his lips turned into a frown as he realized that he had exceeded his monthly budget. The figures on the checkbook before him seemed to be working against him; in no time, he would be out of a job. He buried his face in his hands in shame. This business had been in the family for many generations. He could not lose it now!
The front door to his store slammed open, bringing him back from his reveries in a startling manner. Was it a customer perhaps? Someone interested in helping him out financially. He squinted his eyes to see through the dim lighting of the room and smiled at the sight. "Ah, young man. What brings you back here?"
"I'se came tah return the ring." Spot Conlon came into the light
"Why, your eyes are red, as if you've been crying all day!" The man's expression turned to one of sympathetic grief.
"Thanks for pointin it out."
The old man came from behind the counter and approached him. "What on earth happened? Please don't tell me that your plans went wrong!"
Spot smirked sardonically. "Apparently, the goil thinks me marryin her is some big joke tah laugh at. I hadn't even proposed yet and she was already laughin. I mean, I thought she'd be anxious tah hear what I had tah say. It looked more as if she was stoppin me from askin the big question."
"I am sorry, my boy. Quite a tragic story that is! Yet, I feel obliged to ask you something. Do you still love this girl?"
"More than anything," Spot answered, wiping his eyes with the back of a hand with a sniffle. He had not even known love before Phoenix came along. His feelings for her defined the word.
"Then you must fight to win her over! So she thought it all rather comical; is that going to stop you? My bet is that she is simply afraid of losing love when she has finally found it. Running away in tears whenever this happens, though, only shows your cowardice! You have to stay and stand tall; so that she can be assured that you will always be there for her, that love is eternal."
Spot was rather insulted at having been called a coward. The fearless leader of New York's best newsies was not a 'coward'. On the contrary, he was a legendary hero many younger newsies aspired to resemble! However, he supposed the man was right in some respect. Wouldn't a hero struggle endlessly for a cause they knew to be the truth? "Why should I'se do?"
"There are many things you can do," the old man said. "You have to find which better suits you."
Spot nodded and drummed his fingers against the ringbox he held in his hand. This would have to be something big and loud. Something that would not only catch Phoenix's attention, but the entire newsie population! If he confessed something in front of so many people, it might somehow show that he meant what he said. "I'se gots it!" He sprang into a run and rushed out of the store in excitement, only to come back in when a few seconds had passed to shout out a forgotten appreciation. "Thanks!"
* * * * *
"Spot, what are youse doing in Manhattan?" Crow took a long drag on her cigarette and then exhaled smoke into the Brooklyn leader's face with a grin.
Spot waved the smoke away, snatched the cigarette from her hand, and threw it to the ground where he crushed it to bits with his foot. "Youse ever get stage fright when youse were performin?"
"What?"
"When youse performed," Spot sighed. "Were youse ever shy?"
Crow played with one of her black curls and pursed her lips. "I was the foist few times I guess, but I'se got over it. Why?"
"Could youse teach me how tah not freak out when youse is in front of a big audience?"
"Yer the damn leadah of Brooklyn. Shouldn't youse have crap like that downpack?" She took out another cigarette only to have it taken away by an angry Spot. She groaned in annoyance and stood to her feet, pushing him back. "What's wid yer sudden interest in this business anyways?"
Spot glared at her. "Would youse just teach me?"
"Fine!" the girl agreed.
* * * * *
Medda smoothed out the wrinkles in her violet dress with a sense of superiority and approached the newsie so many feared with reason to put him in his place. Spot Conlon. He had started a riot last time; a riot that had led to bloodshed and a full-blown investigation carried out by the bulls when nearby tenants reported having heard loud shrieks of noise. She could not have any of that in her performance hall! It was not meant to settle scores from the streets at all! It was a place of entertainment, and she had opened its doors for the newsies only because she felt the young men and women needed something to look forward to every week. She would not hesitate to remind either one of them, especially the most respected leader of all time, that she did not have to be so benevolent.
"Evening, Spot."
Spot looked up, startled by the sight of Medda before him. She looked so stunningly beautiful tonight and it was all he could do to keep a calm composure. "Heya, Medda. How's it rollin?"
"Pray tell, who will fall at your merciless hands tonight?" She crossed her arms and pursed her bright lips much as a strict school teacher would when disappointed with a student's performance in her class, but the playful sparkle in her eyes gave her away and Spot smirked.
"Ah, "I'se sorry 'bout that. But it was very important business and if it didn't happen any sooner, New Yawk would be a livin hell. Forgive me?"
Medda sighed at the pout the boy was giving her and shook her head with a smile. As much as she tried to discipline the newsies, they always won her heart over. "All right, Spot, but only because you are one of Kelly's best friends." She let him kiss her hand and then laughed. "So, I heard you were lookin to surprise a lady friend tonight. Are you ready?"
Spot looked back in search of Phoenix and upon seeing the girl make her way over to him, he grinned. "Yea, and not just any goil either." He leaned in closer and in a whisper added, "I think this may be me soulmate." Medda's raised her eyebrows in amusement as Spot rose from his seat and pulled Phoenix into his arms.
"Spot!" Phoenix exclaimed happily, giving him a light peck on the lips. "Youse couldn't even escort yer goil tah this little dance!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his ear. "Yer so confusin."
"I'se thinks youse were quite capable of putting one foot in front of the other. Ya didn't need me tah help ya walk over heah. 'Sides, I was busy gettin sumthin fer youse. It's a really special gift and I hope youse'll like it."
Phoenix placed two fingers over his lips and traced their smoothness. "I'd like anything ya gave me, Conlon."
"Great!" He hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. "Lemme go get it and I'll be right back, alright?" He was gone before she could answer, leaving her to take a seat at Jack's table.
~~~
Phoenix drummed her fingers on the table at which she sat and rolled her emerald green eyes at the endless terms of endearment Jack was using on Clue. It was adorable the first few times, but once the couple had talked in the most sappiest tones for almost twenty minutes, she could do nothing more than groan in annoyance. One would think that Jack had not seen Clue in months the way he was washing her in compliments and such. Phoenix tried to occupy herself with fixing one of the sequins on her turquoise dress or with rearranging her flaming hair, but eventually her eyes only fell onto Race and Crow, who were busying themselves with 'getting to know each other' in their own special way.
Phoenix sighed and looked about her for Spot. He said he would be right back with the surprise he had given her, but for the length of time he had been gone, she was beginning to think that he had not even purchased the gift yet! She rested her elbows onto the table and buried her face in her arms. She hated being alone even in the midst of a large group, even if she was accustomed to it. Finally deciding that she could not take any more of this, she scooted back her chair, stood to her feet, and proceeded to walk out of the building.
"Heya Newsies, What's New?!" The crowds of boys around burst into cheers for their favorite performer and numerous whistles pierced the air in light tunes. Phoenix glanced up at Medda on stage and continued to walk away. "Tonight we have a very special performance from one of your very own Brooklynites!" A thunder of applause erupted and Phoenix shot another glimpse at the stage. She could not think of any girls from Brooklyn who had spoken of putting on a presentation tonight. Perhaps Medda had made a mistake in that sense. No one from Spot's borough would ever sing their heart out in front of their peers. "There's not a newsie in this room who hasn't heard of him! Straight from the part of New York that raises our best fighters and sling-shooters, here's his high and mighty, the infamous Spot Conlon!!!"
Surprised by the announcement of their leader's name, most of the Brooklyn newsies did not know whether to roar in laughter at the obvious joke, or applaud respectfully in case Medda had her facts correct. Manhattan was in the best of moods either way, as were the other boroughs, and they went on with their cheers. Then, from behind the thick red curtains that draped from the ceiling of the stage, a thin figured emerged from the shadows into the spotlight. Blinking at the strong light that shone upon him, he held his hand to his eyes, but when his sight adjusted, he smirked at his audience. He could only see those seated in the first few rows, but he knew most of New York's newsies were present and watching his every move. It was none other than Spot Conlon.
He cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair, afterwards clasping them in front of him in contemplation. Crow's lessons on stage fright had certainly come in handy, but he still felt goosebumps creep up his arms. The newsies making up his audience looked on expectantly, waiting to see what the Brooklyn leader intended to do. "Uhm.heya guys." Spot waved at everyone and walked the length of the stage with ease, as if he owned it.
Phoenix's jaw dropped open. She had to pull out the nearest chair and slump onto it before her knees gave out under her. What was going on? She was so confused and had no idea whether this had anything to do with her surprise. Her cheeks became red hot and her heart sped up.
"As youse all know," Spot continued, projecting his voice so that all may here, "me and Phoenix is going out and we'se been a couple fer a while now."
He saw a few heads nod in acknowledgement. "Well, even before we'se started going out, I knew that I loved her tah death. She was poifect fer me. Everything I could ever want in a goil, Phoenix was the natural embodiment of. She's got brains and humor, and she's hot as hell."
A few catcalls were made, but Spot held his hands up so that the newsies would let him finish. Phoenix on the other hand, tried to hide her face from anyone that might recognize her. She blushed fiercely and kept her eyes on Spot. He pulled something out of his pocket and held it up for everyone to see. "Fer those of youse out there who is dense, this is an engagement ring I had bought fer the goil, hoping tah ask her tah be me wife. But things didn't woik out as I would've liked."
Silence, as all those present no longer found the need to laugh at the would-be joke. Phoenix gasped. Spot was going to ask her to marry him? She realized her mistake at laughing at him earlier that morning all of a sudden. He had been ready to propose, yet she had ridiculed him! How terrible of her! She had meant to do no such thing. "Well, I learned earlier today, that if things run contrary to the way youse wanted them to, then youse gotta either flow wid the times indifferently, or make a stand."
He smirked mischievously, but rather embarrassingly at the same time. "And I decided that I would make that stand tonight." He grabbed a microphone off the stand it had been situated on downstage in a sheepish manner, and nodded to someone down below in the orchestra pit, as if telling them he would be starting something soon. Spot brought the microphone to his face and searched his audience for the one his next words were aimed at. And then he saw her. He cleared his throat and exhaled a large breath of air. He could not believe he was doing this, but it was all worth it, wasn't it?
The orchestra begun playing a lovely tune that could strike up passion in any hopeless romantic within seconds. The intensity at which it cresendoed into towards its end was merely beautiful and many couples seated nearby found the need to cuddle up close together. Soon following, there was a voice.
***I will never find another lover sweeter than you, sweeter than you,
And I will never find another lover, more precious than you, more precious than you,
Girl, you are, close to me you're like my mother, close to me you're like my father, close to me you're like my sister, close to me you're like my brother,
And you are the only one, my everything, and for you this song I sing
And all my life, I've prayed for someone like you, and I thank God that I, that I finally found you
And all my life, I've prayed from someone like you. And I hope that you feel the same way too. Yes, I pray that you do love me too...***
Spot was singing! It was inconceivable, yet it was happening. Not that anyone minded. As they found out throughout the song, the Brooklyn leader had the voice of an angel. Every word was articulated perfectly and behind the lyrics, they could feel the love by which he sang.
*** I promise to never fall in love with a stranger, you're all I'm thinking of,
I praise the Lord above, for sending me a love. I cherish every hug,
I really love you...
And all my life, I've prayed for someone like you, and I thank God that I, that I finally found you
And all my life, I've prayed from someone like you. And I hope that you feel the same way too. Yes, I pray that you do love me too...***
The orchestra played their last chords and the next sounds in the room was the thunderous standing ovation Spot received. There were shouts, screams, whistles, and claps. The Brooklyn leader smirked and rolled his eyes, trying to brush off the panic he was really in. There was one last thing he needed to do. He jumped off the stage, still with microphone in hand, and walked over to where Phoenix sat. He dropped to one knee and looked her in the eyes, measuring her feelings up in that brief glance before he spoke. "Phoenix...I, I love youse." She nodded and he took out the ring he had shown to everyone earlier, holding it in the palm of his hand innocently. "Make me life complete and marry me?"
The tears that had been welling up in Phoenix's eyes since Spot began singing now slid down her face freely. She got down on her knees as well, still crying, and leaned in to give him the longest kiss either had ever known. Oblivious to the crowd they had drawn, they parted from the kiss and stared at each other. Phoenix wiped her tears away and smiled. "I love ya, Conlon. Of coise I'll marry youse." She would have said more, but Spot had pressed his lips against hers instantly.
She found that she did not mind the interruption.
Two more chapters to go! W00t w00t! I want to thank everyone for bearing with me and being patient in waiting for updates. It's been really hard trying to write nice long chapters for youse, while also doing my tedious homework as well. Thanks for all the REVIEWS! Please REVIEW this chapter just as diligently as you have the others!! Hahaha! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! We all know how much I love those things. Send me more, please? I'm still excited about breaking a hundred, by the way. My new goal is 125! C'mon, we can do it! Thanks everyone! Love ya all!