ONE YEAR LATER....

Jack sighs as he looks at the picture in front of him. It looks so perfect. He and Katherine strolling through the middle of a dusk seeking Central Park. He has been working on this for a month. Usually the longest he will take on a drawing is only a day or two. He has been preparing himself for this moment for a long time. To his coworkers and recently discovered cousin, Clark Kelly, they would not understand why this would be so hard to draw. He draws Katherine all of the time. Her beautiful face frequents the pages of his sketchbook on a regular basis. It is a minor detail really. For some reason, his fingers shake as his pencil nears the paper. "Come on, Kelly, just draw it! It's no big deal. You won a strike for crying out loud. Joe gave ya permission, so what's da problem?" The problem was the minor difference between this picture and every other picture Jack had drawn of Katherine. In this picture, Jack is drawing Katherine wearing an engagement ring.

Katherine leaves immediately as soon as her break starts. Her story has not been going as planned and something else has been bothering her. Jack has not talked to her all week. Usually, he knocks on the window of her room at the Pulitzer mansion and pulls her out onto the fire escape. It's been a week since that happened and Katherine has no clue why. She recounts everything that has happened over the last month or so and nothing that could have really hurt him comes to mind. Katherine wanders down a street that passes by the World building and an idea comes to mind. She walks up onto the sidewalk, takes out her pen, pulls a piece of paper from her notepad, and starts writing Jack a note. Maybe just an invitation to a night to themselves will get him to stop ignoring her. Katherine pushes the door open and heads up towards Jack's desk. All she sees is his cousin Clark, who is looking around his work. He snaps to attention when she approaches him.

"Hi, Clark! Have you seen Jack?" She asks not wasting time on the formalities. Her reporter instincts going against her better judgement. Clark offers her a friendly smile and says,

"He's up on the roof, poor kid. I wouldn't bother him if I were you. He's been moody. Work's been rough for everybody. Boss is cracking down the whip, no offense to you or your daddy. Anyways, about Jack, can I take a message for him?"

"Sure," Katherine replies and hands him the note. Clark takes it from her palm and examines it skeptically. "It's nothing really important. He just hasn't been around a lot lately and I just wanted to make sure he was okay," She says hurriedly. Clark nods and gives her a reassuring smile.

"I'll make sure he gets it. He will appreciate that you've thought of him, I'm sure," Clark says and wanders off to find his cousin. Katherine looks at a clock on the wall, and realizing that her lunch break is coming to a close, runs out of the building and back to work. Clark waits until she leaves to run up to the rooftop. He has never understood his cousin's odd fascination with standing on a rooftop and looking at the city. With the note for Jack in his hand, he informs his boss that he is going to the roof for a moment. Clark takes the fire escape ladder two steps at a time and he sees his younger cousin leaned over his portrait of interest.

"Hey, got something for you," Clark greets handing Jack the folded in half note. Jack opens it and looks at the neat handwriting. He rolls his eyes and looks at his cousin.

"She wrote me a note? A note?" Jack asks nervously. His hand shakes as he holds the small page that he knows has been torn off of Katherine's notebook. Clark sighs,

"You know, if you weren't in such a mood, I might have told her to come up. You have been so on edge lately, Jack. I don't know if it's the fact that you are still selling papers or what, but you need to calm down." Jack shoots him a sour look and snaps,

"I'm worried dat she ain't gonna say yes." As soon as he says this, the engagement ring box feels as if it is burning the inside of his pocket. Clark shoots him a look and glances at the note in his hand. Jack returns the look and says, "I'se sellin papes no mattah what happens." Clark has been telling Jack that he has a real job and doesn't need to sell papers. Jack has been resisting his cousin's words knowing that if he quits he'll never get to see his family, who he is much closer to than his real family member standing next to him. Clark sighs again and shakes his head.

"Just read the note, Jack. I'm pretty sure you'll be reassured once you read it," Clark says before he climbs back down the fire escape ladder. Jack gently opens the note and starts reading it.

Dear Jack,

You haven't come to my window in a week. Are you ok? Every time I've come to your desk, your cousin is there and you are not. I get the feeling that you are avoiding me. Even if you are, I figure sometime in the park or on one of the fire escapes would be nice for both of us. Just come talk to me. Stop being such an impossible boy, I love you.

Love.

Ace

Jack stares at the note for a short awhile. He has been avoiding her just not intentionally. He loves his Ace too much to do that to her. The boys at the lodging house could have easily written a long book about how much Jack loves Katherine. Suddenly, three voices yell at the top of their lungs,

"Hey, Kelly!" Jack looks down and sees an embarrassed David, standing to next Crutchy, Racetrack, and a very excited Les, who were obviously the ones shouting at him. All four wave at him and Jack runs down the fire escape as fast as his legs will carry him. It's only been since this morning since he saw them last, but it feels like it's been forever. Each boy tackles him in a huge hug. They and a couple of the other boys at the lodging house know about what Jack is going to do in the near future. Davey asks him,

"So, you surviving?" Jack shrugs. He has no idea what to expect from Katherine especially after his apparent avoidance of her. She'll understand once he explains and then proposes, right?

"You're still sellin today right?" Crutchy asks and Jack nods. He has not gone a whole day without selling for the past year. "You's ain't talkin, what's going on?" Crutchy asks and Jack let out a groan.

"Well, dere's my cousin, Clark who tinks he knows what's best for my life. Den dere's whole proposal ting goin on and Clark keeps tellin me to quit sellin dat I got a respectable job and I should just do dat. But if I quit sellin, den I won't see you guys until I come home latah and I love sellin so much," Jack says and the four guys nod, "And den Kath wrote me a note sayin I've been avoidin her which ain't true. I'se just been busy between work and sellin and gettin stuff ready for da engagement. I haven't had a free time to go talk to her." Crutchy nods and Les pipes up,

"Did you finish the picture yet, Jack?" Jack nods and pulls it out of the pocket.

"Dat looks real, Jack! Like I feel I'se standin right dere wid you and Ace!" Race exclaims and the other boys congratulate Jack on his drawing. Suddenly, someone yells for Jack. The older four roll their eyes and Les acts confused,

"Jack, are you in trouble?" The young boy asks worriedly.

"Nah, kid. But, I will be if I don't get back up dere," Jack answers hurriedly as he runs up the fire escape again. "See ya later, boys!" He calls as he carefully scales the ladder. He sits down at his desk area and starts writing Katherine a note.

Once she gets home, Katherine sees a note on her bed addressed to her. She recognizes the messy handwriting as Jack's. All the note says is to meet him up on his "penthouse" in a couple of nights. Katherine smiles at the note. Maybe he is going to shape up and apologize exactly for why he's been avoiding her. This never happens seeing as Katherine can hardly get Jack to leave her alone most nights. Or maybe they will just enjoy some time together and put this behind them. After all, Jack is very busy most of the time. Her work has kept her busier than ever. Ever since the strike a year ago, Katherine had been receiving harder and more exciting assignments than before. Sometime together would be good for both of them.

The next two days pass for both individuals at different speeds. Katherine cannot wait to see Jack and the days stretch out even longer for her. Jack is nervous, the most nervous he's been in his entire life, and the days speed by leaving him in a fog. Those two days consisted of lots of pep talks from Davey, Crutchy, Race, Medda, and the less encouraging words of Clark. The picture and engagement ring feel as those they weigh much more than they should in his pocket. On the day that Jack and Katherine are to meet, Jack escapes to Irving Hall as soon as lunch break hits. He rushes down to the basement and loses himself in painting sets for half an hour. Medda sees the basement light on and goes down to investigate. The minute she sees Jack, she rushes over and wraps him up in a hug and asks him,

"Now, what did I tell you yesterday?" Jack sighs as they let go and answers,

"Don't let da unknown beat ya." Medda smiles and gestures to the painting and says,

"That's looks amazing, Jack! If that picture you drew looks anything like what's up here, Katherine is in for a real treat." She pats him on the shoulder. "Now I'll leave you to it. Enjoy yourself. Destress and get your girl this evening, Kelly!" Jack sighs and keeps painting away at this gorgeous city skyline. He steps back to admire it and as he does he notices the time. Time for two hours more of work and then off to sell papers, and the inevitable. Jack puts his head in his hands and moans softly. How did he think proposing to a girl would be easy? He cleans up and heads off to work. When he walks back into the office, Clark walks over to him and starts chuckling. Jack is not in the mood.

"What's so funny? I'se nervous, give me some space," Jack grumps and Clark keeps snickering. Other office staff join in on the laughing and Jack questions,

"Ey! What's da big idea? Did ya plan a make fun o Jack session or something?" Clark stops chuckling and says,

"You know it's hard to take you seriously when you have paint on your face." Jack's face flushes red, and he takes his assignments with him and storms out. Not bothering to wipe the paint off his face, Jack runs up the fire escape to the "penthouse" to finish his work. Jack smacks his Newsboys cap on the ground and changes into his clothes that he wears for selling. About two hours later, the afternoon edition circulation bell rings and Jack runs down to join the boys. He makes it to the circulation gate, buys his papers and waits for the other boys to come back from lunch. Crutchy, Mush, Albert, Finch, Romeo, JoJo, Specs and Race all see their fearless leader waiting for them and say hello.

"So how ya feelin today?" Crutchy asks in a cheery manner. Jack rolls in his eyes and groans,

"Was hopin you wouldn't ask dat question." Race and Crutchy are the only ones who know about Jack's plans for the evening.

"Don't worry about da boys. I told Mush, Specs and Albert about your plans. Dey's gonna help Crutch, Davey and I wid crowd control," Race says sitting down next to Jack and Crutchy. Jack laughs and says,

"I'se more interested in seein crowd control den my own proposal. And by crowd control, ya mean givin Ace and I space right? Not lettin da boys see me propose to her." Race smiles and says,

"Whoa, me? Ya tink I would let da boys watch ya propose to Ace?" Jack rolls his eyes and slaps Race on the knee good naturedly before yelling to the boys to hit the streets. Race takes off for Sheepshead and Crutchy sells with Jack. The two boys shout ridiculous Kelly crafted headlines about bars burning down and a scandal in the Hearst mansion. After about an hour or so, the two retreat back to the distribution office for the evening edition. This time Jack and Davey sell together after sending Les off with Mush and Kid Blink. Davey fires question after question at Jack about his day. Finally, Jack says,

"Okay, Davey, nuff wid da questions already! I'se so nervous!" Jack sells his last paper yelling about a woman getting lost on the train tracks and winding up in Cincinnati. Davey apologizes,

"I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't know how nerve wracking it would be for you. We'll be right there for you no matter the outcome. Don't forget that." The two boys wander back to the Lodging House and Jack wanders through the Lodging House and up to the penthouse. The six boys who are aware of what's about to happen encourage him as he goes up. He finally climbs out to the penthouse and takes in the fresh air. A few minutes later, Katherine's curly head appears on the rooftop.

"Hi! It's good to finally see you in person," She greets him and Jack offers a weak smile. Katherine walks over and gives him a reassuring hug. Something is definitely up with him. "Are you okay?" She asks softly. Jack nods and pulls away to look at her. He cocks his head and some of that cocky, impossible boy that Katherine knows is inside somewhere, pops out for a moment. A small smile spreads across his face as he does.

"Got someting for ya," He says and nervously pulls the picture of his pocket. Katherine takes it and smiles as she sees what is on it. She can tell Jack put a lot of hard work and passion into this picture. Katherine sees Jack and herself, their hands intertwined and each had a hand by their sides. Jack and Katherine, in the picture are smiling at each other, but Katherine notices something odd and slightly out of place. Her hand that is holding Jack's has a ring on it. Jack smiles at her reaction and says nervously,

"Every time I get discouraged or scared about us, I would toirn to dis picthah and tink of how happy we look togethdah. I want it to be dat way forevah. I love ya, Katherine and because of dat I have one question for you." Jack sinks down to one knee and Katherine's eyes widen and a huge grin lights up her face. It all makes sense why he drew the ring on her finger in the drawing. He was trying to tell her how much he loved her and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Everything made sense now. He had been busy working on this drawing and nervous since he was going to propose to her. Jack reaches into his pocket and pulls out the ring.

"Will ya marry me?" He asks. Katherine feels tears gently form in her eyes and she says softly,

"Yes, I would love to marry you." Jack pulls Katherine to him and slips the ring onto her finger. Katherine leans down and Jack's lips meet hers. The world and all of its problems melt away as the anticipation wears away. Jack feels so much better and pulls Katherine closer to him. Her hands wrap themselves around his waist into a hug. Just as they break apart for air, Jack hears the shouts of the Newsies in the windows. Jack shoots a friendly glare at Race and shouts over the roar of cheers,

"Ey, Racer! Thought ya said you'se was keepin em away from me and Ace. Not right dere." Race shrugs and says

"Yea, but what was da fun in dat? We'se all was wonderin what was gonna happen!" Jack slaps him on the shoulder playfully. Davey, Crutchy, and a bunch of the other boys rush out onto the penthouse. For once, Jack doesn't care. In fact, he'd rather have his boys have seen the whole thing. It was a memory that would remain in their hearts forever. The boys hug Jack and Katherine congratulating them. Even Spot had made an appearance to show his support for the now engaged newsboy. After all of the chaos died down, Davey sent the boys back inside to give Jack and Katherine some space. Katherine laughs as Race pushes Romeo back in the window.

"Come on, Race. Can't I just see if dey's gonna kiss again. It's so nice watchin em and everyting," Romeo pleads, but Race shoves him inside and shuts the window.

"Well, guess he got his answer," Katherine says and Jack chuckles softly,

"Yea, but he has a pretty good idea of what's happenin next." Jack takes Katherine's face in his hand and kisses her. Katherine pulls herself close to Jack deepening the kiss. Once they pull apart, Katherine says,

"I really meant it when I never thought I would fall for you. I never thought I would, but I've loved you more than I've loved anyone else." Jack beams and raises an eyebrow at her.

"Fer shoah?" He asks. His hazel eyes searching hers. Katherine takes his hand in hers and says in her best attempt at the Newsies accent,

"For sure." Jack grins and they kiss gently as they hold hands. Once they pull apart, Katherine scrunches up her face in thought and Jack asks,

"What's on yer mind?" Katherine smiles and says,

"I'm just thinking of the time Race called me the King of New York. Feels like so long ago, but now I understand how they felt when they were on the front page of the newspaper. They felt like they could do anything which I guess is kind of how I feel now. We have broken the rules of society by even talking to each other. I guess the boys weren't kidding." Jack grins at the thought of Race. He takes Katherine in his arms and says,

"Dey's was right bout dat, ya know? You'se are da King of New York as a repordah. You'se also pretty enough to be da King of New York. You'se my King of New York and now you'se always gonna be my King of New York. My beautiful Ace whose da King of New York." Katherine swats at him playfully and says,

"Stop flirting!" A chuckle escapes from her lips as Jack's arms move up to around her shoulders and give them a gentle squeeze.

"Hey! I can floirt wid ya. We'se engaged and all. Unless you don't like da floirting but it does come naturally wid da charm," Jack says flirtatiously. Katherine looks up at him and rolls her eyes.

"You're still flirting with me. Couldn't even wait a day after being engaged to resist, could you?" She asks. Jack shakes his head and answers with a simple,

"Nope, but what would da fun in dat be?" Katherine shakes her head at his ridiculousness and commands gently,

"I love you even when you flirt with me on the day we get engaged. Now, kiss me, my Cowboy fiancé." Jack smiles and says charmingly,

"Anyting for you." Katherine leans up again and Jack closes the space between them. Katherine's arms wind themselves around his neck and Jack's find her waist. Everything feels perfect just in this moment. Jack Kelly with the love of his life, his Ace, his King of New York. Katherine Plumber-Pulitzer, with her Cowboy, and her impossible boy. Jack and Katherine knew that this was the life they wanted and they wanted it together.

THE END!!!!!

AN:/ Yay!!! I just completed my first book on Wattpad!! Thanks so much for reading!! Even though this one is my least popular Newsies book!!!! I had a blast writing it and this is by far my favorite scene!! If you read the whole book, thank you so much for sticking with me every week!! If you enjoyed this book, please go check out my other books!! They are even better!!! If you are reading this right after I have posted it, don't go away. I have something new coming shortly after this was posted. I hope you enjoy that too. Thank you for the encouragement throughout this story. I have loved getting to put this story up on Wattpad. This chapter is probably my favorite. The way Jack proposes is in classic Jack Kelly style and it is adorable. And Jack is a flirt, but that comes with the territory. :) I hope you guys have enjoyed this story. I would love feedback and if you have anything, you would like to see me do in the future, please let me know. I am still taking OCs for the oneshots, so if you would like your OC in my oneshot book, please submit your form. I do have to apologize to you guys. This is the last prewritten thing I have posted. I am sorry. I have not had the inspiration nor the time to prewrite something again. I am also sorry because this is going to be the end of a consistent update day for awhile. Thanks for understanding. Thank you so much for reading this book and this chapter. I have loved getting to write on here. This story is the reason I joined Wattpad. Thank you so much for welcoming me here. As of now, this story is now complete. Thank you so much for reading. See you very soon, friends!!!