For Even A Night ❉ Newsies

I'm Home Baby

Katherine Plumber sat at her typewriter clicking away at the keys once again. She had a new article to write that had a deadline in now a day and it had to be done and on her boss' desk by morning completely edited, double-spaced and ready to print. Her boss had enough of a problem with the fact that she was a girl (woman as she preferred even though she was 17).

She ignored the bags under her eyes and covered them with makeup and continued her writing and yawning on her 3rd cup of coffee.

A nap wouldn't hurt would it?

Katherine stood up and walked over to the couch, wrapping the duvet around herself and curling up in the corner. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. Peace. Sleep. Jack should be home soon. He was off in Santa Fe for the week for illustrating. He came home tomorrow.

Katherine smiled, she missed him so much. The house had been so lonely since he'd left.

She finally closed her fluttering eyelashes and let sleep take over.

* * *

Jack Kelly hopped off the train and was greeted with the smiles of the boys. Les ran to him and he dropped his suitcase and picked the little boy up, spinning him around. Romeo came forward and patted him on the back. Even Race took his cigar out of his mouth long enough to let out a whoop of cheer. Jack set down Les and ran to Crutchie, hugging the boy and picking him up in the process.

"Good ta' have ya back Jack!" Crutchie said.

"Yeah! Thanks fo' writin' that you'd be home early!" Mush said excitedly.

"Course fellas!" Jack said.

He looked around quickly for the brunette he loved.

"Ah, where Kath?"

"Workin" Crutchie explained, "She's got a new report due to'marrow."

He leaned in close so only Jack could hear.

"She looks bad Jack. Real tired."

Jack just nodded.

Time to go home to his Ace.

"Well fellas." He said picking up his suitcase, "Time ta go home."

"Alright Jackie." Crutchie smiled.

"See ya later." Davey said.

"Bye Je-ack!" Les called as Jack dashed home smiling and waving to his boys.

* * *

Once at the apartment door inside Jack fumbled for the keys in his pocket. He had to get to her as fast as he could. He was so excited he could hardly contain himself.

He turned the key in the lock and flung the door open.

"Ace I'm home!" He called.

No answer.

He expected her to be at her typewriter or to come running and jump in his arms. No?

"Katherine?" He called.

Jack walked inside and set down his suitcase.

"Kath?" He asked looking around.

He walked around looking in the kitchen and was about to go into the bedroom when he looked back on the couch and saw her laying there fast asleep.

Jack smiled softly. His Ace. The one he'd missed the most this trip. Who he thought about everyday and drew whenever he could.

He walked over and gently shook her shoulder.

"Aye, Aye Ace." He whispered, "Ace I'm home early."

Katherine said nothing, too far into sleep, and just subconsciously scratched her nose and flipped over facing the couch.

Jack sighed longingly. She'd wake up soon at least.

"C'mere." Jack whispered.

He gently leaned down and scooped her up in his arms. She subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of it, searching for the warmest place and sighing contently.

Jack let out a small laugh.

If she was going to sleep she might as well be comfortable.

He gently carried her to the bed room and laid her on the bed, softly stroking her hair as he sat down next to her. He kissed her freckled cheek tenderly. It felt so nice to do that again.

* * *

About 20 minutes passed before Katherine began to stir. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly and she yawned, her eyes fluttering open slowly to reveal the image of Jack. Wait, Jack? Wasn't he supposed to not be home until tomorrow.

"Jack?" She mumbled softly.

"It's me." Jack smiled, "I'm home baby."

Katherine wasted no time and sprung up, flinging her arms around him and crashing her lips into his. They moved in sync quickly and feverishly.

Jack quickly picked her up and placed her against the wall. Katherine wrapped her legs around his waist and ran her hands through his black messy hair.

"I. . . Missed y-. . .ou." They mumbled between kisses.

She trailed her small fingers against his cheeks, rubbing the scruff on them softly.

Jack turned around before falling on the bed, landing on top of Katherine.

"Oof!"

"Oh." Jack muttered, raising his eyebrows.

"Shut up." Katherine said grabbing his cheeks and kissing him again.

Jack finally stood up and then sat down on the bed and Katherine climbed into his lap.

"I love you." She mumbled, hugging him close.

"I love you more Ace." He whispered kissing the crown of her head.

"I love you most." She whispered.

Jack then tipped her chin up and kissed her softly before falling backwards again but with her now on top of him.

"Jaaaaaaaaaaaaack!" Katherine whined.

"Sorryyyyyyyyy." Jack imitated.

But no one could deny the smirk and raised eyebrows in his face.

He was home and he couldn't ask for anything better.