A/N: Modern AU

Thanksgiving. When you think of the holiday, you think of friends and family coming together and having a good time, all eating, laughing and relaxing with one another, right? Well, I can't say that's exactly what was going on for the Newsies.

"YOU DID WHAT?!"

"We invited my dad over for Thanksgiving. Hey, we didn't want to either, but I wouldn't forgive myself if I left him alone on Thanksgiving. When my mom passed, it was just the two of us. I don't want him to be alone. And don't worry, he's promised to be on his best behavior," Katherine explained.

The boys and Swift groaned. "Kath, he does realize it's at the Lodging House, right?" Romeo asked.

"Yes, why?" Katherine asked, frowning a bit.

"I don't think he'll like this place very much. I mean, it does kind of have a weird smell to it," Romeo said and the group nodded.

Katherine and Jack rolled their eyes. "C'mon guys. I want to be close to him when the baby is born. "

The group looked at each other and sighed before mumbling their agreements to the plan.

Katherine smiled happily and said, "Now, I want you all to be on your best behavior. Race, Albert, and Henry, no pranks or anything, you hear? Swift, Les, and Romeo, no scaring him away."

The group mumbled, "Yes, Kath."

Katherine smiled and Jack assigned the food orders.

The day came closer and closer, and soon it was Thanksgiving. The group and forgotten about Pulitzer coming and were currently arguing over which football team was the best. Davey was watching the argument with slight entertainment while making sure the turkey didn't burn.

Jack and Katherine had promised to be there in about ten minutes with Pulitzer and Davey seemed to be the only one to remember that he was coming.

Swift had given up on her debate with Mush and walked over to Davey, arms crossed. "Lose your argument?" he teased.

"Shut up," she mumbled, but cracked a small smile as she shoved her brother in the shoulder.

He chuckled and she asked, "Have you ever met Kath's dad before?"

"Once. Not formally, but we know of each other. We sort of met during the strike. Haven't spoken to him or seen him since. Honestly, I'm surprised Kath talked Jack into inviting him," Davey explained.

"I'm pretty sure it was a mutual talking-into. Neither of them seemed to want him here," Swift replied.

Davey nodded in agreement, remembering the hesitant looks on the couple's faces.

"So, how're things with that girl that Kath's friends with? Rose was it?" Swift asked, the corners of her mouth turning upwards.

Davey blushed and began to reply when the door opened and Katherine and Jack walked in, Pulitzer following.

The arguing boys didn't pay any attention to them, but Davey grabbed Les by the shoulder as he and Swift went to introduce themselves.

"Hey guys, glad you could finally make it," Swift smiled at Jack and Katherine. The two hugged the young girl and she turned to Pulitzer.

"I'm Maggie. You're Katherine's dad right?" she asked.

He nodded and she held out her hand. "Nice to meet you."

He glanced at her hand before stiffly shaking it.

He turned to Davey and Les. "And who might you be?" he asked, voice stiff.

"I'm David and this is my kid brother, Les," Davey explained.

"Hiya!" Les smiled.

Pulitzer cracked a tiny smile at the ten yr. old and said, "Nice to meet you."

Les grinned and said, "You too!" before running back to the arguing boys.

"Dad, I'm sure you know most of these boys, right?" Katherine asked.

"Actually, I can't say that I do," Pulitzer said.

Katherine glanced at Jack, who nodded and shouted, "Guys! C'mere!"

The group slowly stopped arguing and looked up before trickling over to the small group.

"Joe, this is Mush, Specs, Race, Sniper, Jojo, Elmer, Albert, Jojo, Finch, Henry, Crutchie, Buttons, and Romeo," Jack explained.

Pulitzer blinked, then regained himself and asked, "Was that in oldest to youngest?"

Jack nodded and Pulitzer copied before saying, "Nice to meet you all. I know we didn't get off on the right foot, but I'd like to start over if that's ok with you."

The boys and Swift looked at each other before nodded. Mush said, "We'd like that too."

Pulitzer nodded and the boys resumed arguing. Crutchie limped over, his famous lopsided smile on his face, and started up a conversation with Pulitzer.

Swift soon joined and soon the three were talking happily.

Katherine smiled, clearly pleased and said, "That went better than I was expecting."

Jack looked proud of his boys and Swift then went to make sure Davey didn't burn himself getting the turkey out of the oven.

Katherine sat on the falling apart couch, watching football argument.

The group enjoyed themselves and each of the boys talked to Pulitzer a little bit, making sure he felt welcome.

They weren't happy that he was here, but he did want to start over, so they'd start over as well.

Pulitzer enjoyed himself much more than he thought he would, talking to the boys and Maggie. Maggie reminded him a bit of when Katherine was younger. The teen was only sixteen, but she was very similar to Katherine when she was teenager. He felt a special connection with her enjoyed talking with her. She seemed to enjoy it as well.

"So do you know if the baby will be a girl or a boy yet?" Pulitzer asked his daughter and son-in-law. "Yes, but we're not telling anyone 'til the reveal party, which is a week away. You're invited to that by the way," Katherine said and Pulitzer smiled.

"Hey Joe, wanna watch the game? I don't really get what's going on but Buttons and Romeo said they'll explain it to me," Les asked.

Pulitzer looked down at the young boy, hesitated, then nodded. Les grinned from ear to ear and took Pulitzer by the hand, dragging him to the sagging couch where they sat and Buttons and Romeo explained what was happening.

"I'm glad we invited him," Katherine whispered to her husband, watching her father laugh at something one of the boys did.

"Me too, Ace," he smiled, kissing her on the head.

"Hey Joe, wanna play Apples to Apples?" Race asked, grinning.

"I THOUGHT I BURNED THAT GAME!" Jack shouted, chasing Race around the Lodge as the boys, Swift, Katherine, and Joe laughed.

A/N: That one turned out a lot more lighthearted than I was planning. Instead, I decided to save the not-so-lighthearted stuff for the next one. Heh, uh, get ready for the next one.

I've decided that Tuesdays will be my 'Updating Day' so get ready. I'll try my hardest to get one up every Tuesday. Feedback is much appreciated! You guys know the drill. Tell me what oneshots you'd like to see.

I've got one for Baby Kelly coming soon. Baby Kelly should arrive in April, but I don't think I'll have the patience for that and I might speed things up, but I've got a nice fun one for his/her arrival. I'm keeping the gender and name a secret. Sorry y'all!

ANYWHO! TTFN!