Disclaimer: Real quick...no newsies, that's Disney's thing but I do have a claim on Evie and Charlie. So be nice and read!

AN: Here's the last chapter. I'm starting a new story and their's a CC open to fellow newsies. Just let write up whatever you want to be important about your character and I'll find a way to fit it in. Thanks!

Epilogue

Skipping up the front steps to the lodging house it dawned on Evie like it did every day at this moment that being any other place seemed impossible. For almost a year she'd been with the newsies, overcoming the bumpy indentity crisis only two months in and successfully establishing herself among the group. And the thought of waking up without the sound of Annie's humming or Mush's girly morning yawns became unreal. Or eating at a table without the smiling faces of Charlie and Spot, walking late at night with Jack. Skittery. The crazy trio of MJ, Jazz and Teeni. Central Park. Tibby's. Being unable to see all those places, everyday, for the rest of her life was unimaginable. And the thought made her content and happy to the point of giggles.
Sliding in the front door between two of the younger boys she smiled at Skittery behind the desk. He was bent over Kloppman's book, pen pressed to his lips and brows furrowed. Lately, he'd begun to help Kloppman with the lodging house, learning how it was operated and keeping the books. Although he'd had no formal schooling past third grade, he knew his numbers and loved them as dearly as he loved his friends. So this new job had its obvious perks.
Hey Skittery, Evie kissed him quickly on his head, ruffling his hair and causing him to abandon his previous task.
He smiled back, the corners of his eyes creating wrinkles and reminding Evie of how they were all growing older. Already nineteen and starting to show the signs of a hard life. She'd noticed them on Jack and thought they made him more handsome. Someone's waitin fo ya upstais, Evie. He remarked, returning to focus on what was written before him.
She stopped on the bottom step, this news surprising her. Who is it?
He shrugged. Kloppman was hea when dey came. He just told me ta let you know. And no, Kloppman ain't hea.
Turning back up the stairs, Evie mused to herself who the person could be. After a quick second she settled on Mrs. Derby, the laundress down the street whom Evie would soon be working for. Although she and Jack still loved selling the odd pape, they'd realized that as they got older different opportunities would appear. And this job with Mrs. Derby was one of them. Evie would sell in the morning and then meet Mrs. Derby with lunch, ready to mend any of the clothes Mrs. Derby was supposed to be washing. Her quick hands and nimble fingers, along with all the needlework she'd been forced to practice while in Boston, made Evie priceless to the aging lady. And part of their deal was for the newsies' clothing to be washed and mended sporadically also. The sum of money she'd be receiving, and the way it cushioned their livelihood, had been Jack's final push to find himself another job. Like Evie, he still planned on selling in the morning, giving him enough time to reach the train depot in time for the midday rush. He was training to be an engineer on the trains, fixing them while they rested in the New York station, and maybe enjoying the odd trip to Santa Fe every now and then. As he climbed the ladder at the railroad, Evie noticed his mood becoming more and more relaxed.
Jack. She became giddy with the thought of him and hoped that he'd return home early tonight. She'd had to skip out early on selling that day, missing their ever important lunchtime conversations. Ever since that day in Central Park when he'd found out who she really was, they'd promised to make time for each other, be it a small conversation while surrounded by the bustling newsies or a late night walk. They'd worked through their issues slowly, somewhat starting over. She understood why he was initially so hesitant, and was obliged to answer all the questions he'd had about her life before New York. Initially he'd wanted her to return to that life, even if it meant leaving him. After learning of its grandness in comparison to his own he'd pressed her to reunite and the concern made Evie cling to him even more. She explained the freedom her new life held, how the material aspects she used to have meant nothing in comparison to the friendships she'd formed. And although he still pressed her about returning to her family every now and then, he knew she'd never leave him.
They'd set up a little apartment on the top floor of the lodging house, across the hall from the girls' dorm. This allowed for them to still be connected to their friends while enjoying their privacy at the same time. Evie had decorated their place slowly, adding piece slowly by piece. Her favorite item in the whole room was the bed they shared, the soft sheets she'd bought for nearly nothing retaining Jack's scent so perfectly. She liked wrapping herself in the sheets when he had to stay late at work and then waking up to him gently unrolling her so that he too could slip underneath their protectiveness.
All these thoughts of her and Jack clouded Evie's mind as she slowly ascended the stairs. Kicking open the door to her room she was surprised to see the figure sitting on her bed for she'd already convinced herself that Mrs. Derby's petite roundness would be waiting inside. Instead the silhouetted figure was lean and refined, hands folded neatly in her lap and chin held high. She was focusing on the room's fittings, particularly a drawing hanging on one wall of open prairie. But when the commotion of the door opening drew her attention her expression matched the one of Evie's face.
She was the first to speak, her voice somehow tighter than how Evie remembered it to be. Evelyn, Iwell, look at you. She composed herself like a proper woman would and began again. Excuse me for intruding unannounced but the man downstairs said that it would be better if I waited up hear.
Evie watched her mother rise from the bed and stand awkwardly in the middle of the small room. She wondered what was running through her head, while at the same time she was shocked that after so long she'd been discovered. But before any of the questions could push themselves to the front of her mind, Evie raced to her mother, embracing her tightly and squeezing her eyes shut. She'd missed her mother more than she'd let herself over the year, her gentle touch and soothing voice. To have her there in front of her at last felt as unreal as Jack seemed at times.
Oh dear, her mother broke out of her formal mold, folding her arms around her only daughter and hugging with the same vigor. Evie, I missed you so much. They embraced for many more minutes, crying and laughing in between the hugs before collapsing back onto the bed, hands clasped.
Evie smiled at her mother, wanting to ask so many questions but noticing that there was something more important to speak of. Why else would her mother have come. Dear, it's been so hard all these months, knowing where you were but never having the courage to come and see you.
You knew! Evie exclaimed. But howand why didn't. I mean Papa, he
No child, I never told your father that I knew you were in the city. Believe me, he would have dragged you back by that gorgeous hair of yours. The mention of her father caused bitterness and resentment to mingle with her mother's sweet voice.
Mama, how did you know? Evie asked, squeezing her hand sharply.
That letter you sent to Maggie. Your father got rid of her after you left. Said she was to blame for your disappearance. And just on a whim I opened your letter, those tiny perfect letters on the envelope a clue as to your whereabouts. I wrote back, pretending to be Maggie and sent you your dresses. Your story, oh, if you had told meI'm not sure what I would have done right then but after reading your letter over and over again I knew that I should help. Evie couldn't believe her mother's story, how absurd it all sounded. Her mother, going against the wishes of Mr. Cummings. It made Evie strangely proud. I looked forward to the next letter you promised to write, explaining what happened with you and Jack. And then to hear of the life you two created. You were living how I'd always hoped you would and reading of your happiness gave me the courage to do what I should have done a long time ago.
A moments pause caused Evie to smile reassuringly at her mother. Your father and his business trips. Ha! He's been having an affair for years now. And finally I'd had enough. So I told himwell, I told him I wanted a divorce. Can you imagine how he yelled! Frank had to come in and restrain him, it was quite a sight but I was prepared. Brody was already waiting outside in the carriage and I'd packed our bags. So for the past three weeks we've been living with the Ferns. They have a nice little house down near the Park, right near a school that Brody has been enrolled in. Mrs. Ferns' mother used to live there, so after she passed away I was able to move into their spare room.
All the news overwhelmed Evie and she processed each sentence as quickly as possible. Having her mother so close, only a few blocks away brought as much confusion as it brought happiness. Reading her daughter's face, Mrs. Cummings smiled. Now, don't you worry. It looks like you've done well for yourself. I'm not bringing you back. I've just been so looking forward to seeing your face again. Not right now, but in a couple days I'd like to have you and Jack over to the house so we can discuss some things. She patted Evie's hands gently, letting her know that it wasn't her mother's plan to pull apart the life Evie had worked so hard at creating. But Brody would love to see his sister again.
At the mention of her brother, Evie sprouted a million questions of where he was, how big he'd grown, if he remembered her. Before her mother could calm Evie's ramblings the door to the apartment opened again and Brody himself rushed through. He jumped towards his sister at the same moment she dashed towards him, catching him in mid air and swinging him clumsily around the room. She laughed while he squeezed her tightly, wiggling in her arms after a few moments. She placed him on the ground, surprised that she only needed to bend slightly to look him in the eyes. He smiled a toothy grin and began a fast paced explanation of where he'd gone that afternoon with Jack.
At the mention of Jack, she turned to the door again to see him leaning lazily against the doorframe, informed more than she'd expected him to be and surveying the scene with an easy smile. He winked at her and nodded back to her brother, letting her know that they could talk later. their mother interrupted. where did you get that hat?
The boy tugged on his cap, a grey ratty thing that Evie recognized fondly as once belonging to her. She smiled back at Jack quickly as he entered the room. Why, I hope you'se don't mind Mrs. Cummings but I gave Brody dat hat.
Jack said that all the newsies wear The boy perked, beaming proudly at his mother. She motioned for him to come next to her and he listened obediently, squirming in embarrassment when she began to rub at the dirt on his cheeks.
During the moment of silence, Evie and Jack embraced quickly, her eyes questioning how he'd run into her mother and brother before she had. He simply turned her around and nudged her towards her mother, who was smiling fondly at the couple. She explained quickly that Jack had returned home earlier than expected, coming upon the two with as much surprise as Evie had. After introductions, he'd offered to show Brody around the area so that mother and daughter could have a quick chat'. Although I'll admit to pestering him a little bit, especially about this wedding.
Evie's eyes widened and she swung at Jack in feigned anger. Jack!' she squealed, How could you tell her!
Jack ducked her swings before grasping her arms gently, laughing the whole time at her silly behavior. What did ya expect me ta say. She comes up here, he turned her facing away from him and rested him chin on her shoulder so that she pouted in the direction of her mother. sees this pretty little room we'se got. She knows we'se stay tagether and I'm not gonna let her think that anything indescent is happenin. Evie sighed and rested back against Jack's chest. Their engagement was something they had decided to take as slowly as possible. So many other people besides themselves were affected by the new arrangement that they wanted to make it as smooth as possible.
Mrs. Cummings stood and reached out to her daughter, who was relinquished from Jack's embrace. We'll be talking about this wedding long enough. You'll be sick of it. After a quick kiss from both mother and brother, Evie and Jack showed them to the door. Evie was happy to notice the other boys in the house politely quieting at her mother's entrance. Some of the boys even called good bye to Brody, asking him to come by as soon as he could. She could see the two separate pieces of her life within the room and as she and Jack, leaning comfortably against each other on the stoop, watched an important part of their family slowly disappear down the street Evie realized that they'd meld nicely over time.
All she needed was a little time.