(Two updates in one night? Inconceivable! Consider yourselves lucky...

Standard disclaimers apply. I own nothing but my own imagination.)

Her words echoed in his head as he stared at the insensitive, wooden doors in front of him.

"Jack, what's wrong?" She'd asked him the day before, a worried look filling her brown eyes, "You seem, I dunno, nervous." Jack had shrugged it off at the time, for her sake, but now…

Of course he was nervous. He was terrified. Jack drew in a deep breath, balled his hand into a fist, and rapped sharply on the door.

"Come in," barked a rough voice from the other side. In all of Jack's 19 years of being alive, he had never been so scared to open a door. It creaked open slowly.

"Kelly," Mr. Pulitzer grumbled, "Will you never learn to set up an appointment before you come barging into my office?"

"I did knock, sir." His voice cracked as he spoke.

"What is it Kelly?" This was the moment Jack had been dreading. He'd planned out everything he wanted to say so carefully, practicing every word over and over, but in that moment of sheer nervousness, he forgot all of it, and said in one rushed breath,

"I want to ask your daughter to marry me."

Mr. Pulitzer was silent. His face showed no emotion; he just raised his eyebrows and stared harshly at Jack, so Jack continued.

"I-I know we've never seen eye to eye, sir, b-but Katherine is the one thing we have in common, an I just thought you might… well I…" There was more silence. He took a breath and said very seriously, "I love her." Mr. Pulitzer sighed and took off his glasses.

"Well, I can't say I'm thrilled, but I've put some thought into the matter. This discussion seemed inevitable after all." He paused. "I suppose I want her to be happy."

Jack waited, his heart beating uncontrollably in his chest.

"So…"

"You have my permission," Pulitzer growled through his teeth.

"Thank you, sir." He sighed in relief. His hand was on the door handle, ready to leave, but something stopped him. Jack turned around cautiously. "Do you, uh, do you think she'll say yes?"

"Jack Kelly," came the unhappy reply, "I think my daughter is quite taken with you. Now get out of my office before I change my mind."

No one had to tell Jack twice.

(Is this... a PLOT LINE? Yes, my friends. This story has a plot line. Boom. Please please PLEASE leave some reviews! I would appreciate any tips, constructive critisism, ideas, or prompts you have for me. Thanks for being wonderful readers.

Much love,
PrettyLittleMonster Xxx)