AN: Forgive me if this is a little shoddy…I was trying to make sure I put it up tonight (Sunday night), but I watched Alias…now my brain is still trying to process what happened there. [Anyone who read this see it?!?! IM me if you wanna talk about it…or just leave a note!] Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
"What's it like where you live?" Les asks Amanda as they're going back to Denton's apartment.
"It's pretty nice," she says, smiling, "If I ever go back, I'll bring you with me."
"What do you mean 'if you ever go back'?" David asks.
"My father won't take my dissent well, so when I tell him that I plan on living my life my way I expect I'll go home long enough to grab some more of my belongings before coming back here," Amanda says as they reach the building.
"I think Jack likes you," Les says as they go up the stairs.
"I thought he still liked your sister, Sarah," she says, opening the door.
"Once the strike was over, they're wasn't anything keeping them together. Sarah lost interest. She wants a money man," David says, following Amanda in. "Do you mind if we wait here? I want to see Jack in a tuxedo."
"Sure," Amanda says, smiling, "I'd bet that's a sight most of the guys would love to see. I'll make uncle take a picture." David and Les laugh at her comment. "Can I get you anything?" she asks as they sit down on the couch, "I'll need to be getting ready in a little bit."
"We're fine. Thank you," David says. After thinking a moment, he continues, "Do you have that article you wrote for the Tribune?"
"Yeah, I'll go get it out of my bag," Amanda says, heading back to her bedroom.
"Jack must like her if he's gettin' a tuxedo," Les says, "And going to the Pulitzers."
"Well, she is pretty and smart," David says, "I'd even go as far to say that she likes Jack, too."
"Here you go," Amanda says, coming back into the room. She hands it to David who accepts it with a smile. "Well, I'll be getting ready now. When Jack and my uncle come back, let them know I'm getting ready."
"Sure thing, Amanda," Les says, smiling at her.
"You're cute, Les," Amanda says, grinning at him, "I bet you move a bunch of papes, just on your charm." He blushes in response and ducks his head. Amanda laughs and heads to the bathroom to take a bath.
Meanwhile, Denton and Jack are trying to find the appropriate outfit for the night. "I never knew you had a niece," Jack says as they walk into the first store.
"Her father and I do not get along, but I love my sister dearly. Amanda is her mother's daughter with her father ambition and defiance. She and her father never got along. I assume her writing the story was the last straw. She was in awe of you when I told her about what you boys were doing," Denton says, smiling.
"Can I help you, sirs?" the clerk asks, interrupting further conversation.
"Yes," Denton says, "I need to get a tuxedo for my friend tonight. We're going to a nice dinner."
"Of course, sir," the clerk says, motioning for Jack to move. Jack gives Denton a questioning look.
"Stand on the stool. He'll get your measurements and get a tux or two for you to try on," Denton whispers. Jack smiles, gratefully, and climbs up. Denton walks over to the clerk and whispers to him, "Tell him nothing over $10. I'll cover the rest." The clerk nods.
The clerk returns to Jack and gets his measurement. He disappears for a few minutes and returns with two tuxedos and a shirt. While Jack is trying on the first one, the clerk slips Denton the prices.
"What do you think, Denton?" Jack asks, coming out.
"Let's see the other," Denton says.
"You're the boss," Jack says, changing into the second one. "Well?"
"That's the one," Denton says when Jack steps out. Unlike the first one, this one looked like it was tailored specifically for Jack. All together, the second one came to $18. The first one was $10. Jack paid $10, while Denton slipped him the other $8.
"I can't believe I got meself a tux," Jack says, laughing as they walk out of the store.
"And you're having dinner with the most powerful man in New York and the daughter of the most powerful man in Philadelphia," Denton adds.
"What I don't gets is why Amanda doesn't want to marrys Joe's grandson. Most girls dream of that," Jack asks, as they walk down the street.
"That's the life Amanda's always lived. She's never been very happy with it. Her favorite story when she was little was Cinderella because the prince took Cinderella away from her family life that she was unhappy with. Amanda has always wanted a prince to rescue her away from her life; in the case of Pulitzer's grandson, she would be a mere accessory. She would always be unhappy," Denton says. They walk in silence for awhile longer before Denton adds, "She wants to be an equal."
"She's so smart and beautiful and funny. Why wouldn't someone treat her equal?" Jack asks.
"In social circles, the wife is a mere trophy. The fact Amanda is so beautiful makes her a valuable commodity. Eventually, her husband would break her of her humor and brains. My sister's personality was like Amanda's, only she wasn't half as resilient or defiant. I barely recognize her when I see her. The sparkle from her eyes is gone, and I refuse to let Joe take that from my niece," Denton says, going off into his own world.
"I would be lucky to meet a girl interested in me that is half as amazing as Amanda," Jack says when they reach the apartment building.
"Amanda's still looking for a prince to rescue her," Denton says, smiling.
"Who'd ever want to be with a street-rat likes me?" Jack asks as Denton opens the apartment door.
"Any girl who has ever seen you could tell you that you are very attractive; the embodiment of tall, dark, and handsome – the fairy tale knight of young girls' dreams. But the girl who will want to be with you is the girl who can see that below the tough exterior is a sweet, charming man who protects those that he cares for and stands up for what he knows is right," Amanda answers, much to the shock of the men.
"I thought you would be getting ready," Denton asks, seeing her walking into the living room in just her dressing gown.
"I am. I heard Jack and figured you must me back. The bathroom is free," she says, turning on her heels and going into her bedroom.
"She's a pistol, Denton," David says, laughing at the fact Jack is still staring at the door Amanda just walked through.
"Jack, why don't you go ahead and get ready in the bathroom. You can use the bath and my razor if you need to," Denton says, snapping Jack out of his trance, "I'll hang your tux in my room. I can get dressed first then help you."
"Thanks, Denton," Jack says, walking dazed to the bathroom.
"Was that Amanda's way of telling Jack she likes him?" Les asks.
"If Les got it, Jack must have," David says, grinning.
"She's got a fire in her to match the one in Jack. Tonight will definitely be interesting," Denton says, smiling, "If you two boys will excuse me, I need to get ready."
Denton goes to his room and dresses quickly. He takes something out of a drawer and puts it in his pocket. Then he knocks on the bathroom door and says, "Jack, whenever you're ready just go into my room. I'll knock before I come in." Then he moves on to Amanda's room. "Can I come in?" he asks, after knocking.
"Sure, Uncle Denton," she says, standing up as Denton comes in, "Could finish lacing my dress for me?"
"Of course," he says, smiling. He laces it up quickly and sees her reflection in the mirror. "You look exactly like your mother at your age. You only need one more thing," he says, reaching into his pocket. "This was your grandmother's," he says, pulling out a gold locket, "She kept a picture of me and your mom in it. I want to give it to you." He puts it around her neck and clasps it.
"Uncle, I don't think I can keep this," she says, in shock, "Grandma gave it to you."
"She did, and I am giving it to you," he says, "But I want you to have it. Put pictures of people you care about in it."
"Thank you," she says, hugging him.
"I better go see if Jack needs help, and let you finish getting ready," he says, opening the door and letting himself out. Denton sees the door to his room open. "Need some help?" he asks Jack.
"Could you help me with the tie?" Jack asks, "I ain't ever had to tie one of these."
"No problem," Denton says, tying it quickly. "I'll be in the living room with Les and David. Come in when you're finished." Jack nods, and Denton leaves.
"They almost ready? We need to be getting home soon," David says.
"Keep yer
pants on, Davey. I'm comin'," Jack says,
walking out of the bedroom. "So, whadda
ya think?"
"Wow, Jack, you look like a million bucks," Les says, in awe.
"You're almost right, Les," Amanda says from the doorway behind Jack. David's mouth falls open. "Don't turn around," she says before Jack turns around, "I'll fix it." She dusts off the shoulders and straightens the back. "There…now, you look like a million bucks."
Jack turns around to see Amanda wearing a deep green dress that accentuates her figure perfectly. She also has her hair pulled up in a bun with a few curly tendrils hanging down. "I see heaven's missing an angel," he says, bowing slightly. She blushes slightly and smiles at him.
"You look beautiful, Amanda," Les says, smiling up at her.
"Why thank you, Les," she responds, bending over slightly to kiss him on the cheek.
"He's right, though. You look amazing," David says.
"You're all making me blush," Amanda says, "But thank you again."
"Well, we all need to be leaving," Denton says, checking his watch. "I believe you're supposed to be there about 7."
"That's right," Amanda says, nodding.
"It's about 7?" David asks, "We really need to be heading home. Mom and dad will be worrying. Have fun tonight both of you."
"Thanks Dave. Tell your parents I said hi," Jack says as they walk to the door.
"Here's
your shawl," Denton says, placing it over her
shoulder.
They go down the stairs together. Denton, Amanda, and Jack climb in the
carriage while David and Les head home.
Jack and Amanda are on one bench and Denton is sitting across from them.
"I was being serious, Amanda. You look amazing; well, even more amazing than yous did earlier," Jack whispers quietly.
"Thank you. I was serious also. The tuxedo only makes you look better, and that is a hard feat," she says, lightly kissing him on the cheek.
Jack ducks his head to hide the slight blush that appears on his face.
"So, Amanda, anything we need to know?" Denton asks, after witnessing the exchange.
"Just the fact I act like a simpering moron in front of them. They like to think I'm just a pretty face, and that's fine with me. I'd rather they think that because then I can do stuff and pawn it off on ignorance," Amanda says, laughing. Denton and Jack join her. A silence falls over the carriage as everyone thinks about what is about to go on.
"We're here," Denton says, breaking the silence as they reach the gates. Jack's face visibly tenses up.
"Are you okay?" Amanda asks, to which Jack nods his head.
"The Pulitzer's and I don't exactly have the best history," he says, a self-deprecating laugh escaping his lips.
"It's okay. They're a little overwhelming. You're with me; you'll be fine. Are you ready?" Amanda asks, before they get out of the carriage.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Jack says, taking a deep breath.
Amanda takes his hand and squeezes it in reassurance as the driver opens the door.
Well, I finished…aren't you proud?!?!? Anyway, it'll be a day or so before the next part is up. Dinner with the Pulitzer's will either take 1 or 2 chapters depending how far I decide to go. Don't forget to review this chapter, okay? And I'm still waiting for help with a title. Thanks y'all!