⛅

“She’s so pretty,” Race says dreamily, barely even jostling when Albert kicks his chair.

“You’ve said that already. Twice,” he points out, but Race just sighs and smiles. Across the room, you’re helping one of the little ones and he just can’t stop looking at you.

“It’s true. I must be the luckiest damn fella in all New York,” Race says, and then gasps when you look over and smile brightly. “She smiles at me, isn’t she beautiful? Do you think it bothers her I’ve been staring?” He asks, suddenly worried and Jack raises an eyebrow.

words: 5,436 warnings: uh? I don’t know? uhh reader is female. other than that it’s pretty much pure fluff. Albert’s a good dad y'all. masterlist

You and Albert were walking hand in hand back to your selling spot after a small lunch at Jacobi’s. You had about ten more papers to sell and your boyfriend had a little less, maybe seven or so.

Albert stopped abruptly, tugging on your arm slightly. He led you down an alleyway, a light blush spreading across your cheeks. “Albert, not now. We gotta finish selling.”

Your boyfriend sent you an exasperated look. “Get ya mind outta the gutter, (Y/N). I’m hearin’ somethin’ down here.”

You clamped your mouth shut, embarrassed that you thought the reason he was taking you in an alley was to make out. Albert continued walking, biting his lip slightly, something he did when he was nervous. And that’s when you heard it: it was a small whimper, something that you really had to strain to hear.

Albert had good hearing, you knew that. But the fact that he was able to pinpoint where the noise was coming from astounded you. He dropped your hand, and took off in a bolt, leaving you huffing and running to catch up with him.

When you found him, Albert was crouched in front of a little girl with matted blonde hair and grease covering her face. Her clothes were much too small for her, you could see her stomach while she was sitting down and she had a black and blue bruise along the side of her ribs. “I ain’t gonna hurt ya,” Albert was whispering softly to this little girl. She was looking up at him with wide, nervous blue eyes. “What’s your name sweetie?” The girl shook her head, eyes starting to water and when you stepped closer, she launched herself into Albert’s arms, hiding her face in his neck. “It’s okay, that’s (Y/N). They’re really nice. They won’t hurt ya either.”

You crouched down next to Albert, lightly resting your hand on his shoulder that the girl wasn’t resting on. “Are you hungry?”

She peeked out at you, slightly nodding her head before burying her face back into Albert’s neck. You and Albert exchanged a look, a silent agreement of sorts and started heading back towards Jacobi’s.

-

After getting some food in the small girl’s stomach, she seemed much brighter and you could see a light pink start to tinge her cheeks. She had taken a liking to Albert, wearing his hat and playing with his hair.

Albert seemed to like her as well, his arms wrapped around her, tickling her just to see her smile. “What do ya say, darlin’? Should we take ya back to the lodge and get ya cleaned up?”

The girl just looked at him and smiled brightly. Neither of you have gotten her to talk yet but she seems a lot more comfortable around both of you than she was before. Albert scooped her up in one arm, extending his other hand to you. You grabbed his hand gratefully, excited to go back to the housing lodge and get this little girl cleaned up and in some nicer fitting clothes.

The walk back to the lodge was quiet, the blonde girl snoring softly on Albert’s shoulder was the only sounds besides your shoes hitting the pavement. Walking into the lodge, you found Jack pacing. He whipped his head towards you when the door opened and he opened his mouth to yell at you for being late but stopped when he saw you motioning to be quiet and pointing at the little girl.

Albert took her upstairs to the bathroom to find some cloth to get her cleaned up while you filled the rest of the newsies about what was going on. With the help of Jack, you were able to switch bunks with a few newises to get a small corner of the room for you, Albert, and the girl.

“That’s a good girl, Rosie.” You heard Albert coo from the bathroom and you giggled at the voice he used with her. “Yeah, let me just clean this real quick.”

The girl, Rosie, shrieked and you poked your head in, noticing where he was trying to clean: the bruises on her ribs. “Might be a broken rib.” You murmured, leaning your head on Albert’s shoulder, him trying to calm Rosie still.

Rosie looked at you, reaching her arms for you and you grinned at Albert, picking her up. “You sleepy honey?”

She blinked slowly once and laid her head against your shoulder. You looked towards your boyfriend. “She told you her name?”

Albert shook her name. “Nah, haven’t gotten her to talk yet. It’s a nickname, figured every newsie kid gets one at one point. Cuz of her cheeks.”

Ever since she got food in her system, Rosie’s cheeks were a soft pink. “I think it’s perfect for her.” You carried her to the bottom bunk you had reserved for her and tucked her in, lightly brushing hair off her forehead. Albert grabbed your hips from behind and you leaned back against him. “I think she could be good for us.”

Albert brushed his lips against the crown of your head. “Our little Rosie.”

“I like the sound of that,” you turned in his arms so you were facing your boyfriend and kissed him lightly.

“Daddy!” Rosie cried as she launched herself into Albert’s arms, excited to see him after a long day of being on a street corner helping you sell papers.

“Hiya there, princess! How was your day?” Rosie was comfortably cuddling into Albert’s crouched form and she beamed at him.

“It was good, mommy and I sold alls our papes!” She cried out, giving him a big thumbs up. Albert grinned up at you and you found a similar smile on your face.

A few months after you and Albert found Rosie in the alleyway, Rosie wedged her way into both of your hearts. It wasn’t hard for Rosie to acclimate to yours and Albert’s life. She woke up around the time the morning bell, sometimes a little earlier and got ready with Albert. She usually ended up selling with you because Albert got distracted easily having her around. About a month of getting in this routine, she started calling you mommy and Albert daddy. Albert sobbed like a baby the first time she called him that.

“Nice job, Rose! I bet you helped a ton.” Albert looked up at you for agreement and you nodded your head eagerly.

“She’s such a big help, she sold the last paper today!” You looked down fondly at your little family and Rosie looked so pleased with herself.

“How is your day, daddy?” Albert stood up, walking over to your and pressing a quick kiss on your lips and then a kiss on Rosie’s forehead.

“Better now that I get to see you both,” you sent a concerned look to Albert and he shook his head, turning back to Rosie. “What do you think about about going to Jacobi’s for some ice cream?”

“Really daddy?” Rosie was bouncing on her toes, and when Albert nodded her head, she went to go find Crutchie to tell him what was going on.

“You okay?” You grasped Albert’s hand and he squeezed it back lightly.

“Yeah, just a long day.” Albert’s accent was thicker than usual, a clear sign that he was exhausted. “I’ve been sellin’ about 20 more papes a day than usual.”

You furrowed your eyebrows, Albert running his hand through his hair that has been trapped in a hat all day. “Why on earth would you do that? We’re fine between the two of us.”

“I want to be a good father! Mine couldn’t support me. I just want to make sure that if another strike happens for some reason, that Rosie will be safe and we won’t have to worry about anything.”

You opened your mouth to respond but closed it when Rosie came running into Albert’s legs, wrapping her little arms around his left one. He lifted his foot up, picking Rosie up with it as well and her giggle rang throughout the whole lodge.

“Can we go now daddy?” Rosie detached herself from Albert’s leg and reached her arms out for him.

Albert took her cue, picking her up and you blushed as Albert’s muscles rippled as he picked up your daughter. “Of course we can, princess.” You walked out the door before Albert and looked back at Rosie. “What flavor do you think you’re gonna get, Rose?”

Rosie looked thoughtful for a moment before her face lit up. “Chocolate!”

Albert laughed, tickling her side lightly. “You definitely are my kid,”

Your face fell and Albert looked at you, silently asking if you were okay. Once Jacobi’s was in sight, Rosie demanded to be put down and she ran into Jacobi’s, greeting people in there and choosing a table to sit at. “Now it’s my turn to ask. You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just that comment you made about Rosie being your kid.” You took a deep breath, grabbing onto Albert’s arm that he offered to you. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Rosie like she’s our own but she’s not ours.”

Albert pulled you closer to him in a side hug and kissed your forehead. “She may not be our blood but that kid loves us so much and we love ‘er so much. She’s our child, (Y/N).”

You smiled as Albert opened the door to Jacobi’s and you stepped in, Rosie calling to you. “Mommy! Come look! I got my ice cream!”

You sat down next to Rosie, Albert settling in on your other side. “That looks good Rose, you gonna let daddy get a bite?” Rosie held out her spoon to Albert and right as he was going to clamp his lips over the sweet treat, Rosie brushed it against his nose. Albert got up, grabbing Rosie’s sides with a huge grin on his face. “Maybe now I’ll have to eat the rest of your ice cream.”

“No, Daddy!” Rosie protested, reaching for her ice cream that Albert was holding over her head. “I’ll let you and mommy have a taste I promise.”

Albert gave the blonde little girl her bowl back and she immediately held out a spoon full of ice cream for him to try. “Mm, good choice, Rose.”

“Mommy, do you wanna try some?” You shook your head, enjoying watching your two favorite people.

“I’m okay, thank you darlin’.”

“Hey daddy?” Rosie turned to Albert who was now sitting next to you, his hand brushing against your knee. He hummed, waiting for Rosie to say the next thing. “Next time we get ice cream, can we invite Crutchie?”

“You like Crutchie?” Albert asked, him laughing at your excited six year old.

Rosie nodded her head. “Yeah! Crutchie and I are getting married.”

You giggled, looking at Albert’s face. “Does Crutchie know that you guys are getting married, sweetie?”

“Yeah mommy, of course he does!” Rosie rolled her eyes and she popped her last spoonful of ice cream in her mouth. Albert went and paid for the ice cream and picked Rosie up, walking gently so she could possibly fall asleep.

When you got back to the lodge, Rosie was not asleep. Instead, she excitedly climbed into Crutchie’s lap, pressing a kiss to his bad foot. “Crutchie, I told mommy and daddy about how we’re gettin’ married.”

Crutchie laughed, glancing at Albert. “Did you now?”

“Yeah, daddy didn’t seem to like that too much.” Crutchie giggled along with Rose and you watched endearingly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, falling asleep within a few moments.

Rosie giggled, running into Albert’s legs, shrieking as he picked her up and threw her in the air. “Daddy! Put me down!”

Albert put down the blonde and walked over to you, giving you a quick kiss as a hello. You smiled. “You finished selling early today.”

“Yeah, figure I’d take a short day so I can be with you guys.” Albert’s arms wrapped around your waist and you laughed as Rosie pushed her way in between you two.

“Daddy, when we get home, can we play duck duck goose with Crutchie and Uncle Race?” Albert laughed, recently Rosie’s been calling Race her Uncle and no one knows where it came from. It makes everyone laugh.

“We’ll have to see, Rose. Crutchie’s foot ain’t too good.” Albert took his hat off his head, and Rosie grabbed it out of his hand, placing it on her head backwards.

“Well then JoJo can play!” Rosie cried out happily, spotting JoJo’s form walking closer to the small group.

“What did ya just volunteer me for, ya little monster?” Rosie squealed in fake horror, going to hide behind you, her small fingers digging into your sides.

JoJo picked up Rosie from behind, tickling her sides, her joyous giggle ringing on the street corner. Since Rosie’s gotten to know the other boys at the lodge, she quickly took a liking to JoJo, teasing him as a younger sister would tease her older brother. It was obvious JoJo felt the same way about her because whenever she was in the room with him, he was holding her close or playing with her hair. Albert would never admit it but you could always tell: he got jealous when Rosie hung on JoJo.

“When we get home, me, you, Uncle Race, and daddy are going to play duck duck goose!” Rosie exclaimed happily, wrapping her arms around Jojo’s neck.

You looked at Albert and found him looking down at you still. “You guys can go on ahead, I’ve gotta finish selling these papes.”

Albert frowned, taking a few papers from your hands. “JoJo, I’m gonna stay and help (Y/N), could you maybe take Rose back to the lodge?”

Jojo grinned at Rosie. “Hear that? It’s me an’ you tonight bud.”

Rosie’s lower lip started to tremble and a tear rolled down her cheek. “But I want mommy and daddy!”

Albert quickly took her into his arms, you going to wipe her tears. “Baby, daddy and I will be home in a little bit. We just gotta go and sell the rest of these first.”

“Yeah, Rose. You can go home and practice playing duck duck goose with Uncle Race and JoJo so when I get home, we can play it for real and you’ll be so good at it.”

Rosie let out another sob. “But I’m already good at it!”

You giggled quietly and Rosie sent you a betrayed look. You shut your mouth and looked your daughter softly. “JoJo’ll take you to get some dinner on the way home. You love having dinner with JoJo.”

“But only when you guys are there.” JoJo reached his hands out for Rosie, despite her loud protests.

“The longer we’re here, the longer it takes for mommy and daddy to go home. Let’s go meet Crutchie for dinner okay?”

Rosie brightened up at Crutchie’s name. “I love Crutchie.”

You giggled, looking at Albert’s annoyed face. “I know, so we’re gonna go get dinner with him while mommy and daddy finish selling and by the time we’re done eating, mommy and daddy will be on their way home.” JoJo set Rosie down and took her hand leading her away from the corner and you smiled; it was nice to have people around who loved Rosie almost as much as you and Albert did.

-

Once you and Albert got back to the lodge from selling the last of your papers, you found Race, JoJo, Buttons, Davey, and Jack sitting on the floor while Rosie was walking around them, tapping their heads. “Duck, duck, duck… GOOSE!”

She tapped Davey on the head and started sprinting around the circle, setting herself down in Davey’s spot before he had a chance to tag her. “Room for one more?”

Rosie’s head shot toward Albert’s voice and she quickly moved to push Jack aside. “There’s room right next to me daddy!”

Albert settled in next to Rosie and Jack and brushed a piece of her hair back. “This is a lot more people playing duck duck goose than what you planned before.”

Rosie grinned at Buttons and Buttons smiled right back. “They can’t say no to me, I’m too cute.”

You frowned as Rosie stomped into the lodge, a pout on her face as Albert trailed behind, calling out to her. “Rose, c’mon baby.”

Rosie turned around sticking her tongue out at her dad. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

After Rosie disappeared from the main room in the lodge, you wrapped your arms around Albert’s neck, him burying his face in the crook of your shoulder. “What happened?”

“She asked me if she was allowed to start selling by herself.” Albert’s voice was muffled but you could still understand him.

“And you told her no?” You stroked your hand through the hair on his neck and he nodded his head.

“She’s too little! The Delancey’s could get her. Or worse, some other family with more money could decide they want a little girl with curly blonde hair and pink cheeks and they’ll just pluck her off the street and I’ll never see my little girl again.” Albert sniffed against your shoulder and your heart broke when you realized that he was crying.

“Hey, Rosie loves us just as much as we love her. She wouldn’t even think about leaving, and if she was going to get taken, she’d fight and there would be someone around who would help her.” Albert pulled away, rubbing at his eyes. “I think we should let her try selling alone.” Albert opened his mouth to start to argue but you cut in before he could. “Les has been looking for a selling partner and they’re around the same age. I think it would be good for them.”

“I guess it would be good for Rosie to be with a kid instead of all the older newsies.” Albert rubbed his hand down his face. “But we should talk to her about it first, safety precautions and all that.” You nodded your head, agreeing. Albert smiled softly, grabbing your hand and going to find Rosie.

-

“Alright Rosie,” Albert knelt down in front of the blonde seven year old. “You be safe out there, if someone looks scary, you don’t have to try to sell a pape to them. And Les is gonna be right there with you.” Albert pressed his palm to her cheek and Rosie squirmed away, antsy to go off with Les. “And one last thing, if you don’t like this, come find mommy or me and we’ll finish sellin’ with ya.”

Rosie nodded her head. “I’ll be fine,” she grabbed Les’s hand and his cheeks turned a light pink. “C’mon Les, let’s go!”

You smiled, watching Rosie run off with Les to their designated selling corner. You turned to Albert who was biting on his fingernails nervously. “She’ll be fine, you know that, right? She’s a smart kid.”

“She’s growin’ up so fast.” Albert looked down at his scuffed shoes.

“She’ll always be your little girl,” You reminded him, resting a hand on Albert’s shoulder.

Albert laughed, pressing a kiss to your temple as he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you into his side. “She’ll always be our little girl.”

-

You didn’t see Rosie at lunch, so you assumed she was having a good day. So when she walked in the lodge arm and arm with Les and a smile on her face, you cast a ‘I told you so’ glance at Albert. “How’d it go?”

Rosie hugged you tightly and then went to Albert, him not hesitating to pick her up. “It was amazing! Les is so much fun.” Rosie beamed at her new friend, and you looked over where he was standing, smiling at Davey.

“I’m glad you had a good day pumpkin,” Albert said, kissing both of her cheeks.

“Yeah but now I’m tired,” Rosie yawned making you giggle. “Can I sleep in your bed tonight daddy?”

Albert grinned at you; you were right when you said that she’d always be his little girl.  “Of course you can, princess.”

“Aye, Albert, look at her! She’s a stunner! Who woulda thought you’d have to give her away so soon.” Race teased elbowing the grumpy ginger in his side.

“Shut up Race, it ain’t that funny.” Albert spat out, glancing over at Rosie who was adorned in a white dress Katherine had gotten made specially for this day.

“And to think, she’s marryin’ another Newsie!” Specs exclaimed, throwing an arm around Race and Albert’s shoulders.

When you walked in the room, Albert shuffled over to you and you sent him a small smile. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t like this,” he mumbled, moving in to press a kiss to your cheek.

“Albert, it’s a fake wedding and everyone’s having fun planning it.” You gave him a chaste kiss. “Besides, this is the happiest I’ve seen Rosie in a while, don’t ruin her fun. Little girls are supposed to play dressup and I’m just glad that everyone else is playing her game.”

You grinned as Rosie ran up to you, hugging herself to your left leg tightly. “Mommy, can you go find my fiancé and see if he’s ready to get married?”

You glanced at Albert, whose face was almost as red as his hair and you rubbed a soothing hand across Rosie’s forehead. “Sure, but you gotta do somethin’ for me too okay?” She nodded her head and you leaned down so you could whisper in her ear. “Give daddy a big hug and kiss and tell him how he’s still your favorite guy.”

Rosie launched herself into Albert, squealing eagerly as he picked her up and hugged her real tight. “Daddy, you’re still my favorite person. You know that right?”

You watched as a huge smile spread across Albert’s face and he kissed Rosie’s forehead. “You’se my little girl, you’se just growin’ up so fast.”

You turned away, letting them have a father-daughter moment before Rosie’s ‘wedding’ and you went to go find Crutchie. You found him in the first room full of bunks, him adjusting a bow tie from a suit he borrowed from Davey for the special occasion. “Hey, lover boy. Ready to go get married?”

Crutchie’s face broke into a grin and he turned to you. “Rosie’s a good kid, I’m just glad I can make her happy by playing along.”

“Just make sure not to break her heart, Morris. Or Albert might actually kill ya.” You put on a fake stern face and Crutchie started laughing.

“Yes, Mrs. DaSilva,” he replied, seeing your face fall slightly. “Shit, I’m sorry if that hit a nerve, (Y/N). You guys just already act like you’re married and-”

“Yeah, no, I get it. Let’s go get you married.” You cut Crutchie off, holding out your arm to guide him to where he needed to go. When you guided Crutchie into the living room, you grinned at what you saw.

The newsies had cleared an aisle for Rosie to walk down, chairs lined up on either side so they could watch the wedding. JoJo standing at the ‘altar’ which was really just the doorway  to the lodge with the door open. You walked Crutchie down to go stand beside JoJo before going and taking a seat in the front row by Race, leaving a space in between for Albert. You saw JoJo nod at Specs and Elmer, who nodded at Les.

Specs started playing ‘Here Comes the Bride’ on his old beat up trumpet and Elmer joined on a clarinet, signaling that the wedding was starting. You turned around, giggling as Les walked down the aisle, throwing flower petals where he saw fit. When he got near Crutchie, he dropped the rest on the floor in a huge clump and went to go sit by Jack, Davey, and Katherine.

Next came your two favorite people: Rosie and Albert. Rosie’s pink cheeks were more pink than normal, probably due to excitement, and she was tugging on Albert’s hand, practically pulling him down the aisle. Everyone was standing in true wedding fashion, and once Rosie reached the alter with Albert, Albert leaned down to give her a hug and a kiss and came and stood next to you.

“A’ight, will everyone be seated?” Jojo announced and you took Albert’s hand as you sat down, him rubbing circles on the back of your hand with his thumb. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Miss Rosie DaSilva and Mister Crutchie Morris. Rosie, would you like to state your vows?”

You and everyone else in the audience laughed slightly as Rosie waved at Katherine. Katherine had helped Rosie with her vows and has been very excited to tell them to Crutchie. Rosie cleared her throat and joined her hands behind her back, something her and Albert both did when they were nervous. “Crutchie. Crutchie Morris,” she started, making Crutchie giggle. “I love you a lot, especially when you play tic tac toe with me.” Everyone in the audience looked at her expectantly and she threw you an exasperated look. “I’m seven, not a genius. I’m done. It’s Crutchie’s turn.”

You watched as Crutchie kneeled down on his bad leg so he could be at eye level with Rosie. “Rosie, you are such a good kid. You manage to put a smile on my face everyday. Thank you for that.”

You watched your daughters face light up into a big smile and she threw her arms around Crutchie’s neck. “So’s do you, Rosie take Crutchie to be your husband?” JoJo asked and Rosie nodded her head.

“I do.”

“And do you, Crutchie take Rosie to be your wife?”

“Yeah, why not.”

“You may now kiss your bride.” JoJo said, sending a smirk at Albert who got elbowed in the side by Race.

“Yeah, that’s okay.” Rosie said, hugging Crutchie. “Crutchie has germs so I only let him kiss my cheek.” She pulled away, pointing at her cheek and Crutchie leaned in, planting a huge kiss where she gestured for him to kiss. After she got her kiss, she ran over to you, Albert, and Race, climbing into Race’s lap. “Uncle Race, did ya see that? I just got married!”

Race laughed, tapping Rosie on the nose. “I sure did, kiddo. And wow did ya look pretty.”

Rosie looked pleased, climbing off of his lap and running over to Crutchie who scooped her up in his arms. “Hey, waddya feel about goin’ to get some ice cream as a wedding present?”

“I think that I married the best person ever!” Rosie exclaimed glancing at you.”Mommy, can I go?” You nodded your head and Rosie looked at Crutchie and whispered in his house.

“Hey Albert,” your new ‘son-in-law’ called outt. “Wanna come with?”

Albert smiled softly, glancing at you slightly. “Nah, I gotta do something here, thanks though. Have fun.” Crutchie nodded, setting Rosie down so that they can go walk to Jacobi’s.

You turned to Albert, ready to ask him what he had to do here but he was already starting to talk. “Can we like, go outside or something?” You nodded your head and Albert took a hold of your hand, pulling you outside the lodge.

“What’s going on?” You asked and Albert shushed you.

“I was gonna do this weeks ago but everyone seemed so busy planning this wedding that it seemed like I should wait but now I don’t want to wait. Fuck, I want a wedding like this, (Y/N). Our friends, and Rosie and I want it soon. We’ve been together for what, 3 years now? I think we’re more than ready so,” Albert stopped, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a ring, kneeling down on one knee. “Will you, (Y/N) (L/N), marry me?”

Your jaw opened and your eyes welled up with tears. Nodding your head, you knelt to the ground in front of Albert and cradled his face in your hands. “Of course, of course.” Albert kissed you, cupping your neck with his hands before pulling away and slipping the ring on your finger. “Where did you get this ring?”

He threw you a crooked grin, kissing you again. “Remember when I started sellin’ more papes? That’s how I got this ring.”

“Albert, I don’t know what to say.” You replied, kissing him once more.

“Don’t gotta say anythin’ doll. I love you.”

“I love you too, more than you could ever know.”

-

“Here comes the bride,” Rosie started singing, sending a cheerful glance at you as you slowly made your way down the makeshift altar. You and Albert decided to have the wedding in Central Park, opting to put some money each month into a fund for Rosie in case something happened to you both. “All dressed and wide!” Rosie exclaimed, winking at Crutchie as he starts laughing. “Here comes the broom,” Rosie paused, giggling slightly. “He’s the best dad.”

“That doesn’t even rhyme, Rose!” Albert yelled over Spec’s trumpet playing that Rosie was singing along to.

Once you made it down the aisle, you kissed JoJo on the cheek, he walked you down because you two are so close you’re practically siblings, Albert grabbed your hands, bringing one up to his mouth so he could press a soft kiss to the top of it. “Absolutely gorgeous.”

You blushed under his intense gaze. “It’s just a dress me and Katherine made.”

“And you look gorgeous in it,” your soon-to-be-husband replied, making you smile.

“Let’s get on with it already!” Rosie called, from her seat on Crutchie’s lap. You had offered her to be the flower girl and she was quite pleased with that idea, until she found out that she had to stay up at the ‘altar’ with you and Albert until the officiating part of the ceremony was over.

You turned to the pastor who Elmer was able to convince to come officiate the wedding and he cleared his throat, ready to begin his duties.

“Do you, (Y/N) (L/N) take Albert DaSilva to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

You nodded enthusiastically. “I do!”

“And do you, Albert DaSilva take (Y/N) (L/N) to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“Hell yeah!” Albert exclaimed throwing a wink in your direction. From where she was sitting, Rosie cleared her throat and Albert blushed. “Sorry, Rosie. I mean, I do.”

And with that, Albert was pulling your waist towards him and his lips met your own before the priest could even finish saying “you may now kiss the bride.”

All the newsies in the audience applauded when you shared your first kiss as husband and wife, but neither of you could hear them, you were too wrapped up in being as close to your husband as you could be.

Pulling away, you giggled as Rosie pushed herself into Albert’s arms. “I’ll always be your favorite girl,” she kissed him sweetly on his cheek and Albert chuckled softly. “Right daddy?”

“Of course doll! You’re my favorite little girl.” Albert wrapped a hand around your upper arm, pulling you close. “But your momma here is my favorite big girl.”

“Hey, watch it!” You teased. “Rosie already called me wide as I was walking down the aisle.”

“And she called me a broom, what are we going to do with her?” Albert asked, raising his eyebrows mischievously at you. “Maybe a tickle fight?”

“Noo!” Rosie exclaimed, shrieking and running away and jumping into Crutchie’s arms. “Save me! They’re gonna tickle me to death!”

Crutchie clutched Rosie to his chest dramatically as your daughter giggled, cheeks tinting even more pink when Crutchie pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’re safe with me, my beautiful wife!”

You laughed softly and turned toward Albert. “Calm down, Fido. It’s a good day, you don’t have to get all jealous over nothing.”

Albert rolled his eyes at you and leaned down to brush his lips over yours. “What’s there to be jealous about? I’ve finally got you as my wife. Forever.”

You smiled, connecting your lips once more. “Forever and ever.” You agreed, kissing Albert again slowly, not having to worry about anything besides being in his arms. Rosie came up and wrapped her arms around one of your legs and one of Albert’s. You broke away from Albert and smiled down at your daughter, picking her up. Both you and Albert kissed one of her cheeks and she smiled happily, nuzzling into your neck. “And I couldn’t be happier with my little family.”

“Heading out, Y/N?”  Your boss poked his head around the corner, watching you shrug your coat on.

“Yeah.  Did you need something else?”  You doubted it - the majority of your work was delivering the bread orders to local restaurants.  Even rich people would rather pick up an order themselves than pay a kid to run it by.  Most places wouldn’t be needing bread this late, so it couldn’t be another order.

“Could you throw out the stale bread?”

“Sure,” you said casually.  You packed it into an old bag and carried it out the back way, but darted through the alley instead of tossing the food.  It was stale, sure, but not inedible.  Years earlier, the baker and his family would have eaten the stale stuff.  Nowadays he did well enough to eat fresh baked goods, so he tossed the stuff that couldn’t be sold.

At least, he thought he tossed it.

You couldn’t bear to throw away good food.  When you first got the job as his delivery kid, you would stuff as much of it into the folds of your clothes as you could.  You would eat what you couldn’t carry.  Your parents did their best, but it wasn’t until you had the stale bread that you understood what it was like to go to bed full.  

It was getting dark when, pockets bulging with slightly smushed, firm rolls, you ran into some boys on the street.  Their cheeks were not quite hollow, but they were small.  Their eyes were older than their bodies, so you supposed that they weren’t eating enough to grow.  You were in an alleyway, hoping that nobody would see you and think you were a thief.  It wasn’t exactly stealing, not if it was going to end up in a trash can anyway.

They looked at you, eyebrows raised when you pressed your hands against your pockets.

“We ain’t thieves,” one of them said.  He had dark eyes and a strong jaw, set with irritation.

“What?  No - no, that’s not -”  You faltered, not wanting them to misunderstand why you were standing like that.  

“We won’t pick your pockets, kid.  You don’t look like you’d have much worth taking.  Move along.”  He turned dismissively.

“I don’t think you’s thieves,” you said indignantly.  “I just need to keep a hold on my stuff.”  You pulled a roll out of your pocket.  “See?”

He stared at the loot, then laughed.  “How many of those do you have?  They’s practically falling out.”

You shrugged, pulling out a few more.  Not nearly as many as you had, but enough to prove your point.  Your grin faltered when you saw the way the boy and his companions stared longingly at the handfuls.  “Want some?  It’s not fresh, but it’s pretty good.  Tastes fine, and all.”

“No,” he said resolutely.  The other boys deflated a little.  The one had a fat cigar in his mouth, and he gnawed on the tip.  The other had a slingshot sticking out of his trousers.  Both were too thin for their own good.  Your mother would have said that the wind would knock them over, but that hard look in their eyes made you think that the wind wouldn’t dare.

“Why?”  You were almost offended, which was stupid.  He was telling you to keep the food you had always intended for yourself, but now it felt like an affront.  “Is stale bread not good enough for you?”

“It’s your food.  We ain’t taking it.”

“I have enough to share,” you said.  There were three of them, one of you.  That was fine.

“I got other kids,” he admitted.  “I don’t like leaving some mouths hungry, but not others.”

You swallowed thickly, looking at the rolls.  “They can have ‘em.”

He shook his head, and you could see the annoyance in the other two.  “You wouldn’t have the food if you didn’t need it.”

“Need and want ain’t the same.  I want food.  You need food.  Show me the other boys, and we can split it up.”

He had taken you to them, begrudgingly thankful.  You had passed the rolls out to them, unable to keep track of the hungry faces.  You were a little sad about the empty pockets when you left, but you would rather have a hollow stomach than that hollow feeling in your chest you had when you saw the boys.

Now you brought the group all of the stale bread whenever you had the chance.  You understood the hunger once you realized that they were Newsies, and you no longer wished you could keep the food for yourself.  The more food you brought, the more you got to know the kids.

You had been talking to Jack, Race, and Finch that first night.  Over the months that passed, you got to know Crutchie, who sometimes tried to give you his share.  You never took it.  Romeo would flirt, but he never really tried anything.  Finch taught you to shoot.  They kept people from harassing you when you delivered throughout the city, and Jack insisted that you would get all of your papers for free.

“A roll is worth more than a penny,” he said when you protested.  “It doesn’t matter that’s it’s stale.  A trade is a trade, Y/N.”

JoJo:  wanna hang out tonight?

You considered.  You smelled your sleeve and winced.  You’d have to change your clothes.  You would have to shower.  You would have to eat, unless you were willing to lie to JoJo about it.  You would rather not lie to him.  Brushing your teeth seemed like a lot, but mouthwash didn’t seem any better.

Hanging out with JoJo was one of your favorite things, but getting to that point seemed like too much.

Y/N:  I can’t.  Sorry

You had been feeling exceptionally not-yourself lately.  You had been depressed for a while, but you had associated it with feeling bad.  Negative feelings.  Sadness.  Dread.  Self hate.  Self doubt.  Then, a few weeks ago, something had changed.

You felt nothing at all.

It had seemed like such a good thing at the time.  That numbness was a relief after the ugliness for so long.  It had seemed great, but now you were stuck with that void, and everything seemed insignificant.  JoJo mattered more than anything else, but getting ready to see him was too much.

It was early afternoon, but you were laying in the dark, still in bed.  No point to getting up now.  You burrowed deeper into your nest of blankets and started playing a movie on your laptop.  It wasn’t very good, but you had already watched everything that seemed good.

There was a gentle knock on the door, and you winced when a blade of light cut across your face.

“Y/N?”  You would have known JoJo’s voice anywhere, but it took you by surprise to hear it there and then.  “Your mom let me in.”

“Hey.”  You felt vaguely embarrassed that he would see you like this, but it was too late to change it now.  He was here uninvited, but it was nice to see him.

He flicked on the light and looked at you, taking in the nest of blankets and chip bags.  “Have you gotten up today?”

“I used the bathroom a few hours ago.”

He smiled briefly, but wiped it away.  He was a smiley, good-natured boy, but he always pushed you to be at your best.  He didn’t care what that meant, as long as it was your best.  If acing every test was you at your best, he was wholeheartedly behind you.  If a C in a class was the best you could do, he would congratulate you.

Now, looking at you, he was seeing you at your worst.  You couldn’t remember the last time you showered.  You didn’t have the motivation to cook, so you ate junk.  This was your worst, and though you didn’t expect anything more from yourself, JoJo deserved the best version of you.

“It’s been a rough day,” you said apologetically.

“Have you eaten yet?”

You nodded at one of the bags of chips.  “Does that count?”

“Nope.  I thought we could go out to eat, but I think a night in sounds prime,” he decided.  “You’ll go shower, and I’ll make something to eat.”

You wrinkled your nose.  “JoJo, I really don’t want -”

“Y/N,” he said.  His voice was gentle, but his words were firm.  “I know that you don’t want to.  I swear, you’ll feel a little better once you’ve showered.  We’ll take this one step at a time.  You’ll shower, and I’ll make food.”

Your head flopped against the pillow.  Get up for JoJo.  Your limbs felt too heavy.  Your eyes shot open when you felt JoJo’s arms go under your arms and knees.  “What are you doing?”

“Carrying you,” he said.  His wiry arms had to shift you around some, but he swiftly whirled you into the bathroom.

You had to choke down a laugh.  The smile on his face would make you think he was carrying a bride over the threshold, not a depressed teenager into a bathroom.  “Put me down!”

“My pleasure.”  He dropped you on the edge of the tub.  “You reek, Y/N.”  He waved a playful hand in front of his nose.

You shrugged.  “I told you I couldn’t hang tonight.  Don’t blame me for not getting ready for you.”

“I don’t blame you,” he said.  “I want to help.  Wash up, and I’ll get food.  It’ll help, I promise.”  He pressed his lips to your temple for a second before leaving.

You showered.  It was wearying, but you did feel a little lighter once you washed away days worth of sweat.  You didn’t bother shaving, but you felt a little more human.  The food wasn’t incredible, but eating something warm was nice.

JoJo chose a movie that the two of you had watched a million times, but it was nice hearing him laugh at his favorite parts.  His shoulder was leaning against yours, and that was what really felt nice.  As good as it probably was to bathe and eat real food, having JoJo there was a million times better.

“What if I say no?”

“Get out.”

“I dreamed of you last night.”

“I don’t know if you noticed… but we’re in a party”

“You can dance with me… if you want!”

“DON’T LOOK!!”

“I think people hug at this point.”

“I’ll take you.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“Would you stop that?!”

“I loved you.”

“Yeah I was there.”

“Don’t say that.”

“I’ll take the couch.”

“You lied to me.”

“Maybe you didn’t love me after all.”

“Take my hand.”

“SO… you think I’m hot?”

“What are you doing?””Hiding.”

“Let’s run. Together.”

“Wow! you’re good at this!”

“I think we should stop seeing each other.”

“You have a picture of me? On your fridge?” 

“Do I know you?”

“I thought we could go back to whatever the hell we were!”

“Did I just say that?”

“Breathe, okay? Just breathe.”

“Stand behind me.”

“But I don’t want to leave.”

“Tell me a secret.”

“DON’T PRetend with me!!”

“I saw you, right there.”

“I-I just wanted to say that I uh, I missed you.”

“I’m not lying.”

“You look… okay. I MEAN-”

“I knew I’d find you here.”

“You still remember?”

“I guess I just wanted to know if you missed me.”

“All I needed was my friend.”

“I like your new place.”

“You left!”

“Do you know any jokes?”

“Are you hungry?”

“I’m not supposed to be here.”

“Do I even wanna know?!”

“Take me home… please?”

“Hey just be cool.”

“You have pretty hands.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry I woke you up.”

“It’s about to rain, get inside.”

“So… friends?”

“I’m his/her best friend.”

“I got you, it’s okay. It’s okay.”

“We can leave, you know?”

“Did I interrupt something?”

“I’m trying, okay?”

“OH MY GOD YOUR EYES!!!”

“Why didn’t you ask me instead?”

“Sing to me.”

“What’s my prize?”

“I don’t want to see you anymore.”

“You’re so cute!!!”

“I was trying to protect you.”

“I’ll kill you.”

“And then you laughed.”

“I didn’t know where to go to.”

“I was having a nightmare.” 

“I know this song.”