DISCLAIMER: Sadly enough, none of the original characters from Newsies
belong to me. They do, however, belong to Disney. ~surprise, surprise!~
But Spunks, Robert, Mr. Gerberre, Loraine, Matthew, Patricia, Ebony, and
everybody else belong to ME!! Muahahahaha!
A.N.: This has been a long update, I know. Sorry about that. If you've read any of my other recent stories, you'll know that my computer crashed last week and deleted ALL my files! So I had to cry about that for a while. Heehee. Thank God for Fanfiction.net's backup files!!! Speaking of such, I feel obliged to advertise one of my newest stories titled "The Warriors". Please read and review it when you have a chance. Thanks! :throws confetti in the air: Now, on with the FINAL chapter! But first, shout-out time!!!
*Angel: Awww, were you really crying? :points finger at her and snickers: All your friends think you're weird now. Hahaha! : ) Just kidding! I am super glad you have loved this whole entire HUGE series. Thanks for the reviews! Hope you like the LAST chapter!
*Raider: Woohoo! Reviews for every single chapter. There should be an award for that! Yea, Spot is a smartie. :giggles and pinches his cheeks, spot rolls his eyes: Right, so thanks so much for the great reviews! Consistent reviewers RoCk Da WoiLD!
*Galaxy: Soak me? :hides behind Snitch: "Fighting doesn't solve anything." :everybody throws their shoes at Davey: Muahaha. Now look at what ya did! Heehee. Don't worry, goily, here's another chapter coming atchya.
*Ice: Heya, thanks for the reviews! Glad you enjoyed this story so much! Here's the chapter everyone's been patiently waiting for...well, I don't know about the patience...but they were waiting! : )
*Hotshot: Thanks thanks thanks for those reviews! Confused on what Spot was thinking last chapter? Hmmm, well he loves Spunky but he feels as if he cannot provide her with a successful future because he's only a newsie, as opposed to Robert who's well off. Hope that cleared it up! Let me know if it didn't though! Enjoy the finale to this story!
*Falco Conlon: Ah, there you are always reviewing my stories. :tear, tear: Thanks so much, goily! Youse is the best! Heya, and what of Spotstiltskin? :glares: I want to see an update SOON!
*Frenchy: Heya, french fry! Muahahaha! Is your name really Frenchy?! That's mad cool! I wish I had a unique name. :pouts: Ah well, thanks for your reviews!!! Enjoy the LaSt chapter!
*Ali: Does she go after him? :looks at Spot who shakes his head: Sorry, his high and mighty wants youse to read and find out. : ) And he also says to submit a big review when you're done! Heehee. Thanks for reading this story! :Spot blows you a kiss:
*Slick O' Brooklyn: Awww, thanks so much for the nice review! Wicked awesome? I love that! I may have to use it sometime! :giggles: Have fun reading the last chappie!
*Julie: Heya, Einstein! I actually did not even realize that the famous scientist may have not been alive at the time. Thanks for catching that, though! You're the only one who did! :smiles bashfully: Hope ya like the story, though...promise there won't be any more historical errors in the last chapter. : )
*american-psycho: Ya know what, you really rock my socks! : ) I think you may have reviewed like, all my stories, or at least most of them! Thanks so much for the support! I always look forward to reading reviews from youse! One more chapter to go and this story is finally finished! :huge sigh of relief: I have been working on this story for months now and I'm glad it's over! Hahaha! Enjoy the last chapter!
*Righty: Oh hey, wow! I have a character in one of my other stories named Lefty! How cool is that? Alright, not very cool at all...Right, so thanks so much for the reviews! Here's an update, the final one! Enjoy!
*Mad Puppy: They love me, they really love me! :runs around the house dancing: Ooo, where was I? Oh yea! Thanks thanks thanks! Nice people make my day. : ) Have fun reading this chapter!
*lncdaydreamer: Natalie, I haven't received a review from you for this story since chapter 5. :spot readies his slingshot: Don't make us have to take drastic measures! : ) Gosh, this story is nothing compared to the Dog Treat Jar. Hahaha. :sigh: I am so glad it's finally finished though. I mean, this is the last chapter of my FIRST fanfic! A Little Spunk...my first literary work for newsies. So leave me a big review, okay?
*Mist: Thanks for the review, I appreciate it very much! I'm glad you have enjoyed reading this story. Sorry it always took so long to update. : )
*Ashley: Heya, thanks for loving my story so much. Heehee. I hope you like this LAST chapter!
*Singa: Heya, you were my first reviewer for this story, thanks so much. I'm so happy that you loved it as much as you said you did. Hahaha. Here's the last and final chapter of the entire series! Aren't you sad that it's all over now. :pouts: Me too. : (
~* FeAtUrE PrEsEnTaTiOn*~
A Brand New Start
"Patrick, you are more than welcome to stay here another day or so if it is your wish. The church doors are always open to all." Patricia did not know what else to say to her son to convince the young man to retire his newsie position. She worried about him so much, feared that his life was constantly in danger.
Spot smiled warmly at her. "Ma, I'se appreciate that, but I can't leave me boys on their own. Just like youse and Matt, they's a family tah me."
"I understand, dear," the woman replied. "Promise me you will visit the church at least once a week, however? Your brother is incredibly fond of you and as for me, well, words cannot even express how much I love you. You were gone from me for so long, and now that I've found you, you're going off again." Her eyes saddened and she held her son close, not wanting to let him go, but knowing she had to. "I love you, Patrick. Always know that."
"I love ya too, Ma." She smiled once again, then turned her back on him so that he would not see the tears running down her face and entered into the gothic building of the church.
Spot looked at the remaining two. Ebony and Matthew. The girl approached him first.
"I apologize for having judged you so harshly when we first met. I suppose I was a bit scared. I've never met such a kind family such as yours and I didn't know whom I could trust." She looked down at her feet and kicked at the street. "For what it's worth, I think you're a great person with much to give to the world. Don't let anyone take that charm away from you." Much to his surprise, she wrapped her arms around him then and held him in a hug. When they pulled away, she blushed in embarrassment. "This is for you, by the way; to remember me by." She presented a book to him and then hurried off to enter inside the church.
Spot smirked when he saw the book was the Bible she was always so protective of. He sighed and rested his eyes on the last person he would have to part with. His younger brother.
"Patrick, do you really have to go?" The question nearly came out as a sob.
"Don't worry, kid," Spot said, kneeling down before the boy. "I'se gunna visit ya from time tah time. We'll still see each other." He ruffled Matthew's hair and smiled. "So, let's make this man tah man, huh?" He held out his hand, expecting the boy to accept it, but instead, he was taken aback when Matthew instead embraced him with tears and squeezed him tight, as if this would be their last conversation.
"I love you."
Spot's heart almost broke. "I love ya too, french fry. Now get inside before Ma gets worried." Still kneeling, he watched as the boy waved at him and then quickly ran up the staircase and returned to the church he had grown up in.
* * * * *
"Hey! Look who it is! Spot finally decided tah come back tah us!"
"Heya Spot!"
"Conlon, where the hell has youse been?!"
Spot grinned at all the attention he received upon stepping foot into the main room of the Brooklyn Lodging House and basked in the respect his newsies always regarded him with. "Heya fellahs, how's it rollin?"
The newsies crowded around their leader, anxious to know where he had been and what he had done in the time he had been absent from his duties.
The boy who had been in charge while Spot had taken vacation came forth and smiled. "Glad youse finally came back. I was beginning tah worry I'd have tah take yer place. Anyways, some newsie came by today and wanted me tah give this tah youse."
Spot received the object in his hand and examined it closely. It was a white box tied closed with red ribbons. "Alright, thanks," he said, rather confused. It was not his birthday...or any other special occasion for that matter! Why would someone buy him a gift? "Well, boys, I'se gunna be in me room if ya need me." He ascended the lodging house's staircase and walked down the halls to his room at its end. Once inside, he closed the door behind him and began untying the ribbons of the strange gift he had received.
"Damn, it's cold in heah." He noticed the window of his room had been opened, but thought nothing more of it as he propped open the lid of the box. "What the...?" He looked dumbfoundedly at the gift. It was his key! But, how was that even possible? The only person he had ever given it to was...
"Heya Spotty."
The Brooklyn leader jumped two inches off the ground and spun wildly around, terrified by the sudden greeting. "Spunks!" His heart stopped and he stared at her with blank eyes. A million questions raced through his head in that one moment, a million questions he could not answer. But above all rose that one inquiry. What was she doing here?
From the wall she had been leaning on, Spunks walked up to Spot and while nearing him, kept her eyes on his, watching for any objections as she closed the distance between them and lightly brushed her lips against his. "I thought I had lost ya."
Spot stepped back. "Why aint youse in Pennsylvania?"
"Because I love youse?" She furrowed her forehead, hurt by what he had asked. "What's wrong?"
"What about yer father? What about Robert, and all yer friends, and yer school?"
Spunks laughed. "What about them?! I certainly will miss my father but I want to be with youse!" She took his hand and put it to her cheek. "I don't understand why ya left me, Spot. After school, I visited your hotel, but youse weren't there so I figured I'd just catch ya at the train station. The next day, when I'se found out your train had left early, I was heart broken! Why did ya leave me?"
"Spunks, youse can't live heah. Ya had everything going fer youse in Pennsylvania and I don't want ya tah lose it all over me!"
"I can't believe youse!" She fumed. He had never been so willing to give up on their relationship. Was it not he who had believed in pursuing love through every imaginable obstacle? Was it not he who had convinced her hardened heart to love again? "Why are ya letting me go if ya love me so much?"
"Maybe it's because I'se love youse TOO much!" he shouted back. "Maybe I want what's best fer youse even if it means ya won't be wid me."
An uncomfortable silence passed between them. Spunks was the first to speak. "I can obtain an education from some rich prep school, have a wealthy and popular father, and live in the biggest mansion on the block, yet my life would mean nothing if I didn't have youse to love."
Spot's spirit soared at the sound of those words. She was renouncing all that she had gained for him, for love? Overcome by his happiness, he laughed and took her in his arms, planting kisses all over her face and neck. "Ya really mean all of that?"
"Of coise!" She grabbed his face in her hands and pressed her lips against his. And for the rest of the day, all the way though the night, they remained in Spot's room celebrating their love.
* * * * *
Spunks' eighteenth birthday was held in the fellowship hall of the cathedral in which Spot's mother resided. It was an event unlike any other, decorated so beautifully that Spunks nearly cried when she had seen the colorful banners, confetti, and balloons thrown about. Best of all, both her newsie friends as well as friends from Pennsylvania had attended the celebration and all of the youths, there were exactly 116 guests, were seated at ballroom tables with bouquets of roses as the centerpiece for each.
At Spunks' table sat Spot of course, Mr. Gerberre, Jack, Race, Matthew, Patricia, and Loraine. After formal introductions had been made between the two families, games were played, food consumed, and presents opened. Afterwards, the party was merely a social event.
"Happy boithday, goil!" Race pulled Spunks into a hug that he put his whole heart into. After all, even though they had broken up the short relationship they had had so long ago, he still loved her dearly and wished her the best in life.
"Thanks Race! Isn't this party great! I didn't realize I had so many friends!"
"Youse kiddin me? Yer one of the best loved goils in the woild!"
Spunks playfully pushed him and blushed at the comment. Her eyes fell on the dancing masses of youth all about the fellowship hall. She laughed when she even saw some newsies actually dancing with students from her prep school. It was a sight to see! But one thing wasn't. "Oh my god, who invited him heah?!"
Robert Paschal never seemed to go away.
Loraine overheard the question and turned to follow Spunks' gaze. "Oh, Mack, did I not tell you Robert and I were dating?"
Spunks gaped at her. "NO!"
"Well, we are. I hope you do not mind me having invited him to your party. I do apologize for any inconvenience it might be. I am sure he does have a reason for being late."
"I don't care that he's late!" The girl nearly screamed. "It only bothers me that he's even heah!"
Robert grinned wickedly when he saw his ex-girlfriend glaring at him. "Hello, darling. I half expected you to wear rags on your birthday, considering that you are one of those dirty riff raffs nowadays."
She smiled sarcastically. "And I fully expected that the next time I saw youse, you'd have two pink ears and a curly tail, considering the pig ya always were and always will be."
"In any case," he continued, angered by her remark, "where's that half-breed mutt you were in love with? Has anyone put the bastard to sleep yet?"
"I'm about tah put YOUSE tah sleep!" She stepped forward with clenched fists and almost struck the boy, but someone grabbed her from behind and stopped the fight.
"Ah, Spot! So glad to see you again!" Robert held out a hand in greeting.
Spot looked at him coolly. "Ya know, Paschal. I'se had about enough of youse as I can take in one day. How 'bout we'se settle this once and fer all, man tah man?"
"You're suggesting a duel between an aristocrat and a street rat? That is absurd! I will take no part in such a thing! Without a doubt, you are greatly inferior to me, and us quarreling about that fact will only prove my point even more. You're no more than disgusting filth that eats out of garbage cans and dallies about in threadbare clothing whereas I am most fortunate to present a girl with real class and manners."
Spot smirked at the exaggerations. "That may be true, but in the end, who did the goil choose?" The gathering newsies and students burst into laughter and Robert flushed a deep red. "Looks aint always what they seem. I suggest youse keep that in mind."
"Don't tell me what to do," Robert snapped. He turned away and proceeded to walk towards the exit.
"Oh, and Paschal? One more thing."
Robert turned around, only to find a piece of cake soaring through the air headed for his head. The frosting splattered across his face and the plate the cake had been seated upon crashed to the floor. Another roar of laughter erupted throughout the building and Robert, with a face that reddened even under all the white cream, ran out in embarrassment.
* * * * *
By dusk, the party had been over and Spot and Spunks finally had the opportunity to spend quality time alone. They sat side by side on the edge of the docks and let their feet dangle just above the water. Spot stole a glance at the girl he loved and smiled happily at how far they had come in their relationship. He remembered the first time he had met her in Brooklyn; she had been quite a pistol with a fiery spirit even Spot could not control. He looked at her now and saw that same spirit, wrapped in the beauty he loved about her.
"Spunky, I'se gunna give ya yer boithday present now."
"Oh, Spot! Youse already done so much for me! Just having the party in that church was wonderful! And the cake your mother baked me was delicious, and the glass angel your brother gave tah me was so precious! I couldn't possibly let ya give me anything else!"
Spot shook his head and laughed. "But this gift will really show how much I love youse."
"Sweety, you don't need tah give me a gift for me tah know that!" She grabbed the key she wore around her neck and smiled. "Besides, you already gave me this and I know how much it means tah youse."
"Then let me give ya something else." He leaned forward and kissed her lips with a gentle sweetness that made her giggle bashfully. "Mackenzie Gerberre, ya make me life complete and I'se couldn't live a day without having youse tah wake up beside every morning. I love ya more than anything and I'd do anything fer youse. Now will you do something for me?" He took a small velvet box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a sparkling single- diamond ring on a silver band. "Will ya make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"
Spunks gasped. She had not even expect this and was so overwhelmed by the surprise that she thought she might cry. The tears did in fact roll down her cheeks and she could not find the words by which to answer. So she did the next best thing. Grabbing Spot by the collar of his shirt, she yanked him down and kissed him with all her love flowing through the embrace. When their lips parted, she hugged him and whispered into his ear, "consider that a yes."
Spot beamed with pride at having her for his future wife and kissed her back. Then he laced his hand in hers and together, they watched the picturesque sight of the golden sun setting behind the mysterious dark waters, each thinking about the wonderful lives that lay ahead of them, each thanking God for the blessing he had bestowed upon them.
* * * * * the end* * * * *
@-}----
A.N.: This has been a long update, I know. Sorry about that. If you've read any of my other recent stories, you'll know that my computer crashed last week and deleted ALL my files! So I had to cry about that for a while. Heehee. Thank God for Fanfiction.net's backup files!!! Speaking of such, I feel obliged to advertise one of my newest stories titled "The Warriors". Please read and review it when you have a chance. Thanks! :throws confetti in the air: Now, on with the FINAL chapter! But first, shout-out time!!!
*Angel: Awww, were you really crying? :points finger at her and snickers: All your friends think you're weird now. Hahaha! : ) Just kidding! I am super glad you have loved this whole entire HUGE series. Thanks for the reviews! Hope you like the LAST chapter!
*Raider: Woohoo! Reviews for every single chapter. There should be an award for that! Yea, Spot is a smartie. :giggles and pinches his cheeks, spot rolls his eyes: Right, so thanks so much for the great reviews! Consistent reviewers RoCk Da WoiLD!
*Galaxy: Soak me? :hides behind Snitch: "Fighting doesn't solve anything." :everybody throws their shoes at Davey: Muahaha. Now look at what ya did! Heehee. Don't worry, goily, here's another chapter coming atchya.
*Ice: Heya, thanks for the reviews! Glad you enjoyed this story so much! Here's the chapter everyone's been patiently waiting for...well, I don't know about the patience...but they were waiting! : )
*Hotshot: Thanks thanks thanks for those reviews! Confused on what Spot was thinking last chapter? Hmmm, well he loves Spunky but he feels as if he cannot provide her with a successful future because he's only a newsie, as opposed to Robert who's well off. Hope that cleared it up! Let me know if it didn't though! Enjoy the finale to this story!
*Falco Conlon: Ah, there you are always reviewing my stories. :tear, tear: Thanks so much, goily! Youse is the best! Heya, and what of Spotstiltskin? :glares: I want to see an update SOON!
*Frenchy: Heya, french fry! Muahahaha! Is your name really Frenchy?! That's mad cool! I wish I had a unique name. :pouts: Ah well, thanks for your reviews!!! Enjoy the LaSt chapter!
*Ali: Does she go after him? :looks at Spot who shakes his head: Sorry, his high and mighty wants youse to read and find out. : ) And he also says to submit a big review when you're done! Heehee. Thanks for reading this story! :Spot blows you a kiss:
*Slick O' Brooklyn: Awww, thanks so much for the nice review! Wicked awesome? I love that! I may have to use it sometime! :giggles: Have fun reading the last chappie!
*Julie: Heya, Einstein! I actually did not even realize that the famous scientist may have not been alive at the time. Thanks for catching that, though! You're the only one who did! :smiles bashfully: Hope ya like the story, though...promise there won't be any more historical errors in the last chapter. : )
*american-psycho: Ya know what, you really rock my socks! : ) I think you may have reviewed like, all my stories, or at least most of them! Thanks so much for the support! I always look forward to reading reviews from youse! One more chapter to go and this story is finally finished! :huge sigh of relief: I have been working on this story for months now and I'm glad it's over! Hahaha! Enjoy the last chapter!
*Righty: Oh hey, wow! I have a character in one of my other stories named Lefty! How cool is that? Alright, not very cool at all...Right, so thanks so much for the reviews! Here's an update, the final one! Enjoy!
*Mad Puppy: They love me, they really love me! :runs around the house dancing: Ooo, where was I? Oh yea! Thanks thanks thanks! Nice people make my day. : ) Have fun reading this chapter!
*lncdaydreamer: Natalie, I haven't received a review from you for this story since chapter 5. :spot readies his slingshot: Don't make us have to take drastic measures! : ) Gosh, this story is nothing compared to the Dog Treat Jar. Hahaha. :sigh: I am so glad it's finally finished though. I mean, this is the last chapter of my FIRST fanfic! A Little Spunk...my first literary work for newsies. So leave me a big review, okay?
*Mist: Thanks for the review, I appreciate it very much! I'm glad you have enjoyed reading this story. Sorry it always took so long to update. : )
*Ashley: Heya, thanks for loving my story so much. Heehee. I hope you like this LAST chapter!
*Singa: Heya, you were my first reviewer for this story, thanks so much. I'm so happy that you loved it as much as you said you did. Hahaha. Here's the last and final chapter of the entire series! Aren't you sad that it's all over now. :pouts: Me too. : (
~* FeAtUrE PrEsEnTaTiOn*~
A Brand New Start
"Patrick, you are more than welcome to stay here another day or so if it is your wish. The church doors are always open to all." Patricia did not know what else to say to her son to convince the young man to retire his newsie position. She worried about him so much, feared that his life was constantly in danger.
Spot smiled warmly at her. "Ma, I'se appreciate that, but I can't leave me boys on their own. Just like youse and Matt, they's a family tah me."
"I understand, dear," the woman replied. "Promise me you will visit the church at least once a week, however? Your brother is incredibly fond of you and as for me, well, words cannot even express how much I love you. You were gone from me for so long, and now that I've found you, you're going off again." Her eyes saddened and she held her son close, not wanting to let him go, but knowing she had to. "I love you, Patrick. Always know that."
"I love ya too, Ma." She smiled once again, then turned her back on him so that he would not see the tears running down her face and entered into the gothic building of the church.
Spot looked at the remaining two. Ebony and Matthew. The girl approached him first.
"I apologize for having judged you so harshly when we first met. I suppose I was a bit scared. I've never met such a kind family such as yours and I didn't know whom I could trust." She looked down at her feet and kicked at the street. "For what it's worth, I think you're a great person with much to give to the world. Don't let anyone take that charm away from you." Much to his surprise, she wrapped her arms around him then and held him in a hug. When they pulled away, she blushed in embarrassment. "This is for you, by the way; to remember me by." She presented a book to him and then hurried off to enter inside the church.
Spot smirked when he saw the book was the Bible she was always so protective of. He sighed and rested his eyes on the last person he would have to part with. His younger brother.
"Patrick, do you really have to go?" The question nearly came out as a sob.
"Don't worry, kid," Spot said, kneeling down before the boy. "I'se gunna visit ya from time tah time. We'll still see each other." He ruffled Matthew's hair and smiled. "So, let's make this man tah man, huh?" He held out his hand, expecting the boy to accept it, but instead, he was taken aback when Matthew instead embraced him with tears and squeezed him tight, as if this would be their last conversation.
"I love you."
Spot's heart almost broke. "I love ya too, french fry. Now get inside before Ma gets worried." Still kneeling, he watched as the boy waved at him and then quickly ran up the staircase and returned to the church he had grown up in.
* * * * *
"Hey! Look who it is! Spot finally decided tah come back tah us!"
"Heya Spot!"
"Conlon, where the hell has youse been?!"
Spot grinned at all the attention he received upon stepping foot into the main room of the Brooklyn Lodging House and basked in the respect his newsies always regarded him with. "Heya fellahs, how's it rollin?"
The newsies crowded around their leader, anxious to know where he had been and what he had done in the time he had been absent from his duties.
The boy who had been in charge while Spot had taken vacation came forth and smiled. "Glad youse finally came back. I was beginning tah worry I'd have tah take yer place. Anyways, some newsie came by today and wanted me tah give this tah youse."
Spot received the object in his hand and examined it closely. It was a white box tied closed with red ribbons. "Alright, thanks," he said, rather confused. It was not his birthday...or any other special occasion for that matter! Why would someone buy him a gift? "Well, boys, I'se gunna be in me room if ya need me." He ascended the lodging house's staircase and walked down the halls to his room at its end. Once inside, he closed the door behind him and began untying the ribbons of the strange gift he had received.
"Damn, it's cold in heah." He noticed the window of his room had been opened, but thought nothing more of it as he propped open the lid of the box. "What the...?" He looked dumbfoundedly at the gift. It was his key! But, how was that even possible? The only person he had ever given it to was...
"Heya Spotty."
The Brooklyn leader jumped two inches off the ground and spun wildly around, terrified by the sudden greeting. "Spunks!" His heart stopped and he stared at her with blank eyes. A million questions raced through his head in that one moment, a million questions he could not answer. But above all rose that one inquiry. What was she doing here?
From the wall she had been leaning on, Spunks walked up to Spot and while nearing him, kept her eyes on his, watching for any objections as she closed the distance between them and lightly brushed her lips against his. "I thought I had lost ya."
Spot stepped back. "Why aint youse in Pennsylvania?"
"Because I love youse?" She furrowed her forehead, hurt by what he had asked. "What's wrong?"
"What about yer father? What about Robert, and all yer friends, and yer school?"
Spunks laughed. "What about them?! I certainly will miss my father but I want to be with youse!" She took his hand and put it to her cheek. "I don't understand why ya left me, Spot. After school, I visited your hotel, but youse weren't there so I figured I'd just catch ya at the train station. The next day, when I'se found out your train had left early, I was heart broken! Why did ya leave me?"
"Spunks, youse can't live heah. Ya had everything going fer youse in Pennsylvania and I don't want ya tah lose it all over me!"
"I can't believe youse!" She fumed. He had never been so willing to give up on their relationship. Was it not he who had believed in pursuing love through every imaginable obstacle? Was it not he who had convinced her hardened heart to love again? "Why are ya letting me go if ya love me so much?"
"Maybe it's because I'se love youse TOO much!" he shouted back. "Maybe I want what's best fer youse even if it means ya won't be wid me."
An uncomfortable silence passed between them. Spunks was the first to speak. "I can obtain an education from some rich prep school, have a wealthy and popular father, and live in the biggest mansion on the block, yet my life would mean nothing if I didn't have youse to love."
Spot's spirit soared at the sound of those words. She was renouncing all that she had gained for him, for love? Overcome by his happiness, he laughed and took her in his arms, planting kisses all over her face and neck. "Ya really mean all of that?"
"Of coise!" She grabbed his face in her hands and pressed her lips against his. And for the rest of the day, all the way though the night, they remained in Spot's room celebrating their love.
* * * * *
Spunks' eighteenth birthday was held in the fellowship hall of the cathedral in which Spot's mother resided. It was an event unlike any other, decorated so beautifully that Spunks nearly cried when she had seen the colorful banners, confetti, and balloons thrown about. Best of all, both her newsie friends as well as friends from Pennsylvania had attended the celebration and all of the youths, there were exactly 116 guests, were seated at ballroom tables with bouquets of roses as the centerpiece for each.
At Spunks' table sat Spot of course, Mr. Gerberre, Jack, Race, Matthew, Patricia, and Loraine. After formal introductions had been made between the two families, games were played, food consumed, and presents opened. Afterwards, the party was merely a social event.
"Happy boithday, goil!" Race pulled Spunks into a hug that he put his whole heart into. After all, even though they had broken up the short relationship they had had so long ago, he still loved her dearly and wished her the best in life.
"Thanks Race! Isn't this party great! I didn't realize I had so many friends!"
"Youse kiddin me? Yer one of the best loved goils in the woild!"
Spunks playfully pushed him and blushed at the comment. Her eyes fell on the dancing masses of youth all about the fellowship hall. She laughed when she even saw some newsies actually dancing with students from her prep school. It was a sight to see! But one thing wasn't. "Oh my god, who invited him heah?!"
Robert Paschal never seemed to go away.
Loraine overheard the question and turned to follow Spunks' gaze. "Oh, Mack, did I not tell you Robert and I were dating?"
Spunks gaped at her. "NO!"
"Well, we are. I hope you do not mind me having invited him to your party. I do apologize for any inconvenience it might be. I am sure he does have a reason for being late."
"I don't care that he's late!" The girl nearly screamed. "It only bothers me that he's even heah!"
Robert grinned wickedly when he saw his ex-girlfriend glaring at him. "Hello, darling. I half expected you to wear rags on your birthday, considering that you are one of those dirty riff raffs nowadays."
She smiled sarcastically. "And I fully expected that the next time I saw youse, you'd have two pink ears and a curly tail, considering the pig ya always were and always will be."
"In any case," he continued, angered by her remark, "where's that half-breed mutt you were in love with? Has anyone put the bastard to sleep yet?"
"I'm about tah put YOUSE tah sleep!" She stepped forward with clenched fists and almost struck the boy, but someone grabbed her from behind and stopped the fight.
"Ah, Spot! So glad to see you again!" Robert held out a hand in greeting.
Spot looked at him coolly. "Ya know, Paschal. I'se had about enough of youse as I can take in one day. How 'bout we'se settle this once and fer all, man tah man?"
"You're suggesting a duel between an aristocrat and a street rat? That is absurd! I will take no part in such a thing! Without a doubt, you are greatly inferior to me, and us quarreling about that fact will only prove my point even more. You're no more than disgusting filth that eats out of garbage cans and dallies about in threadbare clothing whereas I am most fortunate to present a girl with real class and manners."
Spot smirked at the exaggerations. "That may be true, but in the end, who did the goil choose?" The gathering newsies and students burst into laughter and Robert flushed a deep red. "Looks aint always what they seem. I suggest youse keep that in mind."
"Don't tell me what to do," Robert snapped. He turned away and proceeded to walk towards the exit.
"Oh, and Paschal? One more thing."
Robert turned around, only to find a piece of cake soaring through the air headed for his head. The frosting splattered across his face and the plate the cake had been seated upon crashed to the floor. Another roar of laughter erupted throughout the building and Robert, with a face that reddened even under all the white cream, ran out in embarrassment.
* * * * *
By dusk, the party had been over and Spot and Spunks finally had the opportunity to spend quality time alone. They sat side by side on the edge of the docks and let their feet dangle just above the water. Spot stole a glance at the girl he loved and smiled happily at how far they had come in their relationship. He remembered the first time he had met her in Brooklyn; she had been quite a pistol with a fiery spirit even Spot could not control. He looked at her now and saw that same spirit, wrapped in the beauty he loved about her.
"Spunky, I'se gunna give ya yer boithday present now."
"Oh, Spot! Youse already done so much for me! Just having the party in that church was wonderful! And the cake your mother baked me was delicious, and the glass angel your brother gave tah me was so precious! I couldn't possibly let ya give me anything else!"
Spot shook his head and laughed. "But this gift will really show how much I love youse."
"Sweety, you don't need tah give me a gift for me tah know that!" She grabbed the key she wore around her neck and smiled. "Besides, you already gave me this and I know how much it means tah youse."
"Then let me give ya something else." He leaned forward and kissed her lips with a gentle sweetness that made her giggle bashfully. "Mackenzie Gerberre, ya make me life complete and I'se couldn't live a day without having youse tah wake up beside every morning. I love ya more than anything and I'd do anything fer youse. Now will you do something for me?" He took a small velvet box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a sparkling single- diamond ring on a silver band. "Will ya make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"
Spunks gasped. She had not even expect this and was so overwhelmed by the surprise that she thought she might cry. The tears did in fact roll down her cheeks and she could not find the words by which to answer. So she did the next best thing. Grabbing Spot by the collar of his shirt, she yanked him down and kissed him with all her love flowing through the embrace. When their lips parted, she hugged him and whispered into his ear, "consider that a yes."
Spot beamed with pride at having her for his future wife and kissed her back. Then he laced his hand in hers and together, they watched the picturesque sight of the golden sun setting behind the mysterious dark waters, each thinking about the wonderful lives that lay ahead of them, each thanking God for the blessing he had bestowed upon them.
* * * * * the end* * * * *
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