Note: Here's chapter one. I'm so excited! A lot will be happening in this story, so if it seems kinda slow at first, it's going to pic up, trust me. :D

Place To Believe Chapter One - Goodbye

Lillith Reynolds stood on the steps of the Newsboy's Lodging House, gazing at the lot next door with a mixture of love, pride, and apprehension. There it stood, three stories high, and made of red brick. The fine sign hanging above the door read, The Paul and Adelaide Reynold's Home For Girls. It was a long title, Lillith knew, but the seventeen year old wanted to make sure her parents memory survived, it had been their idea in the first place. Though it had taken almost a year, the building was finally ready to be moved into, but today another occasion would be celebrated.

"Is Jack here yet?" a voice spoke beside her. Lillith turned and smiled at Melody, and her friend returned her greeting. Lillith looked down the street, and sure enough a carriage was approaching.

"Here he is now," she said, unable to hide the smile that pulled at her lips. Just then, Crutchy came out of the door, and Lillith was reminded of what today was. A more solemn feeling settled over her, and though she wondered why, she couldn't shake it off.

"How do I look?" Crutchy asked, his face flushed from embarrassment. After all, newsies didn't usually wear nice suits with bow ties. Lillith straightened the aforementioned item, and smiled again.

"You look good. You're going to impress everyone, I'm sure." The boy blushed again.

"I dunno about dat. But thanks."

"Hey, are ya ready ta go, or am I gonna be waiting heah all day?" Jack asked, acting impatient, though anyone who knew him could tell it was an act. Lillith met his eyes, and almost laughed, thinking of how they were actually cousins.

"Jack is my cousin."

"Your what!" Melody exclaimed, her blue eyes growing large and round, almost like saucers. Jack stared at Lillith, his mouth literally gaping wide open.

"I know, I was surprised to find out too," Lillith said, still taking in the news herself. "But apparently before my parents were saved, your mother married your father and my mother's family shunned them because of wealth reasons. My mother always regretted that decision, and she went to look for your mother but could never find her. Mother used to tell me that story, but I never knew who my aunt really was. It's fascinating how our paths have collided. But I think God must have brought us together." Suddenly and unexpectedly, Jack grinned.

"Well who woulda thought? Well, at least da boys will hafta stop teasin' me about you bein' my goil!"

"What?"

"Yeah, stupid righ? You're just like a sis ta me."

"And now we're really cousins, too."

"Yeah. I guess we are."

Melody took Lillith's hand, and then Crutchy's, leading them to the carriage.

"Where's Megan?" Lillith asked, looking around for the friendly girl. Melody smiled.

"Where do you think? She's been off on one of her missions I would guess."

While everyone else had other things to worry about, namely getting the home up and running, Megan, the happy newest addition to the staff, was off ministering to girls, something Lillith wished she was able to do. The sixteen year old would talk to the girls about Jesus, and invite them to come to the home when it was finished. On one of her trips, Megan had made a discovery that had changed the lives of all in the Lodging House.

Megan felt happy as she walked down the street, swinging a basket by her side. She had just taken food to a needy family, and now she felt her spirits soaring. Doing good things always made her feel that way. She expected that it was God's love that lifted her up. Not that Megan thought she was somebody special. She thought of herself as a vessel, something to be used for God's will.

As she walked, Megan thought she heard a sound, though it wasn't very loud. She stopped, and listened carefully. There it was again! It was a weak cry. Megan followed the sound, and saw that it led into the alley. Though she knew alleys weren't the wisest places to be, Megan went in anyway. She wouldn't be able to rest if she knew she had left some poor person in there all alone, hurt maybe. She followed the sound to a pile of boxes. Peeking inside, the girl's heart jumped with compassion. Lying in a box, a dirty blanket carelessly flung over her, was a small baby. With careful hands, Megan lifted the child, wrapping her own shawl around her skinny body. Tears came to her eyes as she realized it. The first girl for the home had been found.

As Lillith thought on this, she heard feet approaching the carriage, and she looked up to see Mush approaching with Ruthie, her arms around his shoulder. Her short blond hair had a pink bow in it, and she was wearing an adorable pink and white dress. They didn't know her exact age, but Lillith suspected she was one, as it had been about a year since she had been found.

"Don't forget Ruthie!" Mush said, giving Lillith a look before handing her the child. Lillith laughed, hugging the little girl, and smelling her sweet hair.

"We would never forget her, silly. I just thought you wanted to carry her with you, she adores you so." Mush waved, a silly look on his face as he looked at the baby. Ruthie waved back and Mush grinned.

"Muth," the child said, her dimples showing as she smiled. Mush was even more delighted. Every time she said his name he ran around and told all the boys. It was quite enjoyable to watch.

"Come on dear, sit on my lap," Lillith said, holding the child close. Jack started the horses, and they rode in silence for a few minutes. The rest of the boys were walking along behind, as the carriage was just for the ladies, and Crutchy, as he was the man of the hour.

"Sarah couldn't come?" Lillith asked of Jack's fiancée.

The young man shook his head. "Nah. She has to work at the factory. After we're married, she won't ever have to work again." Lillith smiled at his triumphant attitude. Lillith hadn't met Sarah for a while, she was so busy with her own problems when she had first come, but now she realized that Sarah was just a nice, family girl. Lillith could imagine Jack having several kids who adored their father in the future.

"Well, heah we are," Jack said, waving one hand, while holding the reins in the other. "Da train station!" Crutchy looked down at the ticket in his hand. With careful movements, Crutchy jumped down from the carriage, and waited as Melody and Lillith joined him. Jack was the last to come down, and they then waited in silence for the rest of the boys to arrive. When the entire population of the lodging house had finally made it, everyone started to say good-bye. Finally Crutchy stood in front of Lillith.

"Goodbye Lil," he said, a melancholy look in his eyes. He turned to walk away, but Lillith grabbed his hand, not understanding why she did. She shook it vigorously, her heart beating at the touch.

"Goodbye," she said, feeling as if there were something lodged painfully in her throat. "Goodbye." Everyone stood watching as the big black train rolled in, and the conductor cried for everyone to get aboard. Everyone waved as Crutchy climbed up the steps, going into a train compartment, and waving out the window. As the train started, Crutchy kept on waving, and the group he was leaving behind waved back.

Lillith had wanted to get Crutchy to consider the school. And when he had finally decided to follow her advice, she had been happy. Now though, and unexplained weight fell on her. Sadness. She shrugged it away. Crutchy was her friend, nothing more. She needed to be happy for him, and she was.

"Well it's time to move it," Melody said with a smile.

"Well, what are we waiting for?"