Chapter Twelve

"Tell me, how does it feel to have won it all?" Molly and Blink were sitting in the work room. The sun was setting, and they had just returned from a long celebration. After the newsies got the prices returned to normal, they gladly resumed their normal jobs. When the last paper was sold, they had gone to Tibby's for hours to celebrate.

Blink had never felt more exhausted or happier. He draped his arm around Molly's shoulder, "I haven't won it all." He grinned, "Not yet, at least." Molly smiled and kissed him on the cheek. They jumped when someone cleared their throat from the stairway.

Seamus was waiting, his hands clenching and unclenching nervously.

"Da!" Molly said in surprise.

"Why don't you two come upstairs." Seamus' voice was rough. He didn't wait for their response, but walked up to the apartment. Molly and Blink shared a look of confusion. They walked upstairs cautiously, and Molly had to force herself not to gasp when she entered the dining room. Her father was waiting at the table, where he had set out tea.

"Sit down." Seamus gestured to the chairs, clearing his throat. "Please."

Blink and Molly sat down. Molly watched in shock as her father served the tea. She swallowed, her throat tightening. They sat quietly, no one touching the tea in front of them. Blink glanced from Molly to Seamus, not knowing what to expect.

"Molly," Seamus began, "when your mother died, I lost myself. It hurt too much to be here without her. I was selfish." The man's voice chocked.

"Da-" Molly began, but Seamus cut her off.

"No, I need to say this." He cleared his throat once more, downing his tea in one gulp. "I wasn't there for you. I should'ha been. I should'ha been stronger." He glanced at Blink, "I should'ha fought harder." He turned his gaze to Molly, who had tears streaming down her cheeks. "I need help. I can accept tha' now. I don' know how long it'll take me, but I'm gonna get better. I promise you."

"Da!" Molly threw her arms around Seamus, burying her face into his shoulder as she had done as a small child. Seamus tried not to cry and Molly sobbed into his jacket. Her voice choking as she cried, "I've mi-missed you so mu-much."

Seamus gripped her arms, holding her up as she wiped her face. "I'm sorry, child." Blink pulled away from the table, wanting to give them privacy, but Seamus stopped him. "There's something I wanted to say to you." Blink gulped, expecting the worst. Molly stood, drying her face on a handkerchief. Seamus looked Blink in the eye, "I was wrong about you." Blink stared in disbelief. "You're a better man than I have known in a long time. For that, you can continue seeing my daughter, but, as far as I'm concerned, you've still got a lot to prove to me if you want to marry her."

Molly gasped, her cheeks burning, "Da!"

Seamus ignored Molly, keeping his eyes on Blink, "Are you up for the challenge?"

Blink gave him a crooked smile, "You can bet on it."

Seamus stood from the table, drawing to his full height. "Good. If you'll excuse me, it's getting late." He turned to Molly, "Why don't ye show the young lad out, we'll see him tomorrow."

Molly smiled at her father as she and Blink left the dining room. Down in the work room, Molly jumped into Blink's arms. Blink picked her up by the waist and swung her about the room. She was laughing, "I can't believe it!" Blink set her down, pulling her close. She smiled, her eyes shining, "I can't believe it!"

Blink let her happiness flow through him. "I want you to know something."

"What?" She tilted her head.

He gulped nervously, "If you want me, I'll do everything to convince your father I deserve you."

"I want you," she smiled as tears began afresh. "Oh, Nick!"

He pulled her in again, picking her up to hold her close as she kissed him. He grinned crookedly, "It might be awhile..."

Molly smiled, "I'll wait."

Blink cupped her face in his hands, "I love you, Molly O'Malley."

She slipped her hands around his neck, "And I love you, Nicholas Granger."

The End.

Author's Note: So what'd you think? I've been a big fan of the Newsies since I was little, so it wasn't a hard choice to write a story. I was thinking of doing more of these with different newsies, perhaps as they're a little older? Would you like to hear more about Molly and Blink? I've always been a fan of Spot Conlon, would you like to hear about him? Thoughts?