Hello everyone! Story three's up! Yay! I dedicate this on to my dear friend, Sarah who owns Shorty and Red. I own Jockey and her son and Disney owns Spot. Um...The song lyrics belong to the amazing Tim McGraw and I'm just borrowing them for this song. Sarah, dear, I hope you love this story cause I think it's one of my best:D I want to thank everyone who's reviewed the first two chapters, you know you are! I love you all! give me more reviews...please?

Baby Girl

Gotta hold on easy as I let you go.

Gonna tell you how much I love you, though you think you already know

I remember I thought you looked like an angel wrapped in pink so soft and warm.

You've had me wrapped around your finger since the day you were born.

Red stared down at the small bundle in his arms. Her red, wrinkly skin stood out again the soft pink blanket the nurse had wrapped around his daughter. Swallowing hard, the touch newsie reached out a finger to touch the tiny, flailing fist. Instantly, the tiny fingers wrapped tightly around Red's finger and brought it to her soft pink mouth. Never in all his life had had he seen anything so beautiful as his little girl.

Surprisingly for a newborn, she had a thick thatch of black curls on her small head. Her skin was still the ruddy color of a new baby, but he knew it would soon fade to a soft pink before too long. As Red gazed down at his precious girl, she opened her eyes for the very first time. He couldn't breathe. Looking up at him with wide eyed curiosity was a pair of beautiful emerald eyes. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.

As he sat there cuddling his small wonder, Red knew he would never be the same again. Pride and possession swelled up in his heart towards the fragile girl in his arms. No boy would ever be good enough to win his girl away from him. He might even lock her in a convent to keep grabby hands away from her.

"I will never leave you." He whispered the sleeping baby. And he knew it was true.

You're beautiful baby from the outside in.

Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.

Go on, take on this whole world.

But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl.

"Jorja Rose Russiani!" Red's voice boomed through the lodging house.

Everyone in their right minds raced for the exit, not wanting to have his wrath pointed their way. Just a glance from Red when he was furious melted the insides of the bravest newsie. Those brave…or rather foolish enough to stay behind… gulped when Red stormed into the bunkroom, eyes blazing. What the boys weren't expecting was Red's appearance.

His face was powdered a pale white with dark red rogue on his cheeks. Candy apple red lipstick smeared across his lips in a big clown like grin. Black tears slipped down below one eye while by the other eye, he had a small black star next to the corner. It was all his boys could do not to burst out laughing. And, they would have too if he hadn't given them a scathing glare.

"Jorja Rose and Spencer Allen, front and center." Two sheepish looking kids stepped out from the small group of newsies.

They were as different as the night and day. The boy had light sandy hair that always hung down in his piercing blue eyes. You could instantly tell he was the son of Red Russiani. The girl was like a pixie without wings. Her cute freckled face held two of the biggest, most innocent looking emerald eyes. When she batted her thick curly eyelashes at you, the toughest heart would melt. Long, thick black curls were held back from her face by a matching green ribbon. Both kids stared up at Red, looking completely sweet and innocent, cute as could be.

Red's heart melted slightly at the small pout Jo sent his way. How could he stay mad at a face like that?! Before he could open his mouth, Spencer pointed short, chubby finger at his sister. "Jojo did it, Daddy."

Up went Red's eyebrow. His gaze turned on Jorja who's glare made all that more adorable. "Tattle Tale!" Her bottom lip jutted out in a deep pout as she lifted her gaze to meet her father's. As if on cue, her big emerald orbs filled with huge crocodile tears as her lower lip started to tremble.

Oh God, please not the face! I can't stand against the face! Red pleaded towards heaven. No such luck…Here came the face.

When you were in trouble that crooked smile could melt my heart of stone.

Now look at you, I've turned around and you've almost grown.

Sometimes you're asleep I whisper "I love you!" in the moonlight at your door.

As I walk away, I hear you say, "Daddy, love you more."

Red stood in the doorway watching her sleep. Soft moonlight streamed through the grimy window, lighting up the soft features of Jorja's face. Even when sleeping, she still looked as beautiful as an angel. Leaning against the door frame, he ran a weary hand over his face and sighed, a hint of a smile on his face. How in the world did he get so lucky?

Moving softly to her side, he sank down to kneel beside the bed where she slept. A soft curl rested against her velvety cheek. His fingers gently ran along the shape then brushed against her soft skin. It was hard to believe in three days his little girl would be thirteen. Where had the years gone? If he was allowed cliché, corny thoughts, it seemed like only yesterday he'd held her in his arms at the hospital. Why did they have to grow up so fast? It only succeeded in making him feel extremely old…and he sure didn't feel old.

Jo sighed and rolled over, her head moving so she could look at him. Red rolled his eyes and smirked at her, stroking her curls soothingly. "You should be asleep."

"So should you…" Her sleepy eyes twinkled teasingly at him.

"Who's the father here?" He grinned down at her, ruffling her curls.

"Oi! Not the hair!" Jo laughed, swatting his hand away.

"Oh, is that how it's going to be then?" Red smirked and attacked her with his fingers, tickling her till she screamed with laughter.

Her peals of laughter rang out through out the quiet lodging house. Red didn't try to quiet her till Spot hit the wall from next door. "Shut up, Jo! I's tryin' ta sleep here!"

Jo smothered her giggles against the palm of her hand as Red quickly get go of her, chuckling softly. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead, her cheek, and the tip of her nose.

"Night, Joey." He whispered, nuzzling her ear enough to make her giggled. After another kiss to her forehead, he headed for the door. Just before he left the room, he turned and smiled at her, his face hidden by shadows. "Love you, Jorja."

As he left, he heard her whisper, "Love you more, Da."

Your beautiful baby from the outside in.

Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.

Go on, take on this whole world.

But to me you know you'll always be my little girl.

She stood at the top of the stairs, taking his breath away. Surprising the entire lobby had fall silent. A pin could have dropped to the floor and been clearly heard. Red glanced around the room, pride shining clearly in his eyes as he saw the affect his daughter had on his boys. Tonight there was a small party at Medda's, but what Jockey didn't know was that Spot and Shorty had planned a surprise party for her at Medda's. Today was her sixteenth birthday. Today, his baby girl became a woman. Tears pricked at the back of his eyes as he quickly blinked them away. He wouldn't let them see his tears. His eyes watched Spot escort his little sister down the stairs.

She was wearing a dress the same color as her eyes, an early birthday present from Red. Her glossy curls were piled up on top of her head, several falling down to frame her flushed face. The soft pink tinge on her cheeks made her glow like an angel. Glancing around, Red's eyes fell on Shorty's face. He wasn't surprised to find the boy's eyes glued on Jockey's face. Red had known for some time of the crush Shorty had on his girl. Now, he was sure of it.

Red grinned and stepped up to Jockey who took his arm. "You look beautiful, baby girl."

Jo blushed and smiled brightly at her father. "Thank you, Da…"

Red nodded and kissed her cheek. "You're welcome." He grinned, leading her and their group down the street towards Irving Hall.

Someday, some boy will come and ask me fro your hand.

But I won't say "yes" to him unless I know,

He's the half that makes you whole,

He has a poet's soul, and the heart of a man's man

I know he'll say that he's in love.

But between you and me, he won't be good enough!

Shorty sank down against the wall, burying his face in hands stained with crimson blood. Her blood…the blood of the girl he loved more then his own life. Seeing the stains, sobs shook his body, adding to the other sobs and moans in the room. Spot fell back against the wall beside him, shock written on his face. He'd seen pain. He'd seen death, but never had the cold, uncompassionate hand of the grim reaper struck so close to home.

Red sat on her bunk, cradling his little baby's broken body. She was cold, oh so very cold. Pale and limp like a baby's rag doll, she lay in his arms bloody and still. Sobs shook his broad shoulders as he held her against his chest, face buried in her soft curls, now matted by her blood.

"Baby…oh my innocent, sweet baby..." He moaned through his tears.

She didn't deserve this. She had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. An innocent girl gunned down in the peak of her life. She'd been coming to meet her father, brother and husband for dinner. They barely had time to grasp what was happening before it was all over. Three dark figures stepping out behind her. Moonlight flashing on the barrels of three revolvers. Three shots. Three bullets. Each finding a new home, buried deep in her body. Screams filled the air. Red wasn't even sure who screamed first, but he was the first to reach Jockey as she fell to the pavement.

There was confusion and pain in her eyes. And the blood…So much blood. How did such a tiny person have so much blood? No! Her eyes fluttered slightly; her breathing grew shallower. He was barely aware of Gavin or Spencer sobbing beside him.

"Jo, come on, sweetheart. Be strong. Stay with me, darling." He whispered to his fading flower.

The corners of her mouth turned up in a ghost of her old smile. "Love you, Daddy…"

Tears streamed down his face as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Oh Jo, love you more, baby girl."

She smiled and breathed her last. "No God…Not my baby girl! Take me, not her!" He kissed her cheeks, her forehead, her nose, and her lips. Anything to bring her back. "Baby girl, I promised to never leave you, but you forgot to never leave me…"

Your beautiful baby from the outside in.

Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.

Go on, take on the whole world.

But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl.

Red walked down the shaded path. Birds sang sweetly, the wind whistled through the trees, and the sun shone down brightly. But he couldn't enjoy it. It had been five years. Five years, and every year at this same time, he came to the cemetery to visit her. By his side, a small dark hair boy who was about five walked, a single rose clutched in his baby fist. Neither spoke as they climbed the small hill to the base of a tall sturdy oak. Leaves of red, yellow, and orange made a soft carpet over the small grave site. Red had given all he had to buy this plot of ground for her.

Taking a deep breath, he pulled his cap from his head and placed a hand on the head stone. How funny was life? The young died leaving the old to sorrow on alone. Tears filled his green eyes as he remembered the day he'd held her in his arms for the first time.

"Hey baby girl…" His voice cracked slightly, and it was several minutes before he could regain his composure. "You would have been twenty-two today. So, happy birthday. We all miss you. Gavin cries every night for you. Five years still hasn't been enough time to heal the pain."

A tear fell, hitting the small hand that touched his. "Grandpa? Why are you crying?" Dark emerald eyes looked up innocently into his face.

"Because, Joey, I miss your momma very much." Red's voice shook slightly. His grandson had the angel face of his beloved mother.

Serious beyond his years, the little boy knelt in the soft earth and placed the rose before the grave. "I love you, mommy." He whispered and kissed the cold stone.

Red lost control and started to sob. She should have lived to see her baby grow up. She should be here walking with him to the lodging house to gather her brother and husband from their boys. She should be here for Gavin to hold and love on at night. She should be here just because Red wanted her here. She shouldn't have left him to grow old without her.

Gaining control of himself, Red wiped his eyes and placed a kiss on his fingers, touching the inscription on the tombstone. A sad smile lifted his lips as he gathered his sleepy grandson up in his arms. "Happy Birthday, baby girl."

Placing his hat on his head, he turned and walked down the hill towards town. They would never forget her, and it was his responsibility to make sure her son knew everything that made his mother so special.

But to me you know you'll always be

My Little Girl