Chapter 22

Celtic Dream

A/N Hey everyone! First thanks as always for reading and reviewing! It means everything to me! Second, this story is coming to a close very soon, I'm planning only a few more chapters which brings me to my second point. The story most of the tie from here on out will probably be more of a narration with a few dialogue. So with that said, I have exciting news that I have started writing another Newsie fic! Yayyy. I will upload a "preview/prologue" soon so look out for that! Now onward with the story!

It had been about two weeks after the war, and everything was going back to normal although there was still the problem in Queens on who was going to be the next leader. Blades death read in the newspapers that the newsies sold as "Boy found dead in river!" they did not have to make up a headline for that particular day of selling. A few days after the final battle, Spot (still in recovery) showed up at a leader's council and a peace treaty was declared. There he had heard that Matches, Shooter and other Queen's newsies stated they were "getting too old for this crap" and decided to quit being newsies after they were caught by the bulls after the fight.

Spot and Ryder were recovering well, and Aoife and Nuala did their part in taking care of them. They thought it was payback for all the times the boys had protected them. Spot's am had healed well and he did not have to bandage it anymore much to his excitement. He did not feel like such a "tough leader" with "that stupid white thing" on it, but he got what he was looking for with a long very visible tuff looking scar. After a couple weeks in bed, he was out selling his usual 120 papes. (Ever since he met Jack Kelly and found out he sold 100, he upped his to 120, just to prove he was better). Aoife had even gotten a job at a local bakery that had a decent pay. She would do less baking and more cleaning and keeping the kitchen and shop tidy since the couple who owned it were older folk.

But Spot was not the only one to come out with battle wounds. Nuala stayed with Ryder most of the day and she even started selling double to make up for his lack of work due to his condition. The scar on his chest was a constant reminder to him and to Nuala how much they truly loved each other, and how they would do anything for each other. Even if that means jumping in front of a swinging knife to protect each other. Once Ryder was able to stand and walk without assistance, he found the courage to ask Spot for permission to date his sister. At first Spot had a bit of a freak out saying that no one would ever be good enough for his little sister, and that Ryder should just start waking home now. But after a few moments of convincing from Aoife, he finally gave a blessing to the two, but not long after did he make a proposal of his own.

He got down on one knee, and presented her with his mother's Claddah ring asking;

"Would you like to be buried with my people?"

Completely speechless with tears forming in her eyes, Aoife nodded her head happy that Liam had kept his promise of marriage once the war was over. He got up and slid the ring on her left finger, making sure the heart was positioned so it was facing in to symbolize their engagement. When they would to be married, he would take the ring once more and turn it so the heart would face out; indicating that Aoife was no longer an eligible woman.

Aoife had always liked he story of the origin of the Claddah ring. A sailor named Richard Joyce was captured by pirates from the town of Claddah in Northern Ireland the same week he was to be wed. He was sold in slavery to a goldsmith who taught him the trade and he became so skilled that he developed the significant ring; the hands are for friendship, the heat is for love, the crown is for loyalty held high above. The boy escaped and made his way back to Claddah, where his love was. They married and he gave her the ring he had created the message it carried clear to the both of them; let love and friendship reign forever, never to be separated.

All the Brooklyn newsies were happy for the couple and wedding plans were being made right away. Spot of course asked Ryder to be his witness and best man, and Aoife asked Nuala the same.

Next was to pick the date. Aoife had always been superstitious when it came to picking a wedding date, and she went through some of the months in her mind reciting some of the poem she had learned:

Marry in April when you can, joy for maiden and for man.

That was a beautiful poem but April was this month, and there was only a week left, it would cut it close.

Marry in the month of May; you will surely rue the day.

Definitely, April. Aoife thought.

So the wedding was to be in April but on what day?

Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday is the best of all. Thursday is losses, Friday is crosses, Saturday is no day at all.

So Thursday, Friday and Saturday were out, health or wealth would be nice, but Wednesday sounded, well, the best.

Aoife had returned to the church she went after the first time she and Liam proved their love. The Father had easily recognized her and was willing to marry the young couple. Wednesday April 3, 1900 was their date and the small wedding was set. The newsies were planning and saving up for a reception at an Irish pub, and Aoife and Liam could not be happier…or so they thought.

Two weeks after that; making it five weeks since the war ended, Aoife was beginning to feel like something was wrong, not around her, but herself personally wasn't feeling right. Over the last week she wasn't feeling well during the day and in the morning she often got sick. Only thinking it could be one thing, she had wished she'd seen the signs sooner, the morning sickness, the daytime dizziness, not to mention the lateness of her cycle.

When she told the news to Liam, it came as a big shock to him, but his shock melted away as he picked he up and twirled her.

Aoife McCarthy-soon to be Conlon was going to have a baby.

A/N So yes, in honor of Mother's Day, I'm going to make Aoife one! Let me know what you think. This chapter goes out to my beloved friend who is expecting a baby boy in July! So this story is going very well in the direction that I have always planned it. Yes Spot and Aoife are breaking away from the newsies a bit, but they are going to be starting a life, so again, let me know what you think.

"Would you like to be buried with my people?" is an old traditional Irish way of proposing instead of saying "will you marry me" I think it is very meaningful and would remind Spot and Aoife of their homeland, so I added it in there. The next chapter will be the wedding so many more old country Irish traditions will be in store. Please keep reading and review, follow and favorite. Thanks so much!