a/n

you thought the past chapters were sad?

ha

haha

just you wait

this is where it really starts to get sad

<><><>

U.S. declares war on Germany

Those five words changed the lives of the Kelly family completely.

The family stood on the train platform, the children feeling as if they were saying goodbye to their father for good. However, their distress couldn't match Katherine's, who was wrapping her arms tightly around Jack's neck and crying softly into his shoulder. She felt his own arms wrap tighter around her waist, as if it was the last time they'd get to hold each other like this.

They pulled away from their embrace, pressing their lips together and kissing with more passion than any kiss they'd ever shared before.

It reminded Jack and Katherine of the first night they kissed: they weren't sure if they would see each other again after that night. If Jack was sent to The Refuge or if he left for Santa Fe, that would be their only night together as more than just a reporter and the star of the news.

But this time it was different: they were saying goodbye for the last time.

"I love you," Katherine choked out, resting her forehead against Jack's and feeling heavy tears spill down her cheeks.

"I love you, too, Katherine," Jack responded, not bothering to use his nickname for her and taking that one sentimental moment to give her his genuine farewell.

"Please come home to me..." Katherine whispered, trailing her hands from the back of his neck to the sides of his jaw.

"I promise."

The whistle on the train blew, and Katherine unwillingly pulled away from Jack, kneeling down and drawing Velma, Veronica, and Joseph into her arms. Each had tears falling down their cheeks, watching as Jack cast them one final, sorrowful glance over his shoulder before stepping onto the train.

Katherine couldn't hide the horrible feeling that that was the last time she'd feel his lips on hers again.

<><><>

"Mama, please," Veronica begged, kneeling at Katherine's side where she sat on the settee. "You need to call the midwife."

Katherine shook her head, her eyes emotionless, "No. It'll only make this more real."

Katherine had been like this for the past two weeks Jack was gone, with the months slowly eased into May. She had distanced herself from her siblings and children, unable to comprehend the fact that she was now alone despite the fact that she had her family with her.

The thing that helped her push through the most, though, were her children. Despite feeling alone, she wasn't lonely. Having her children with her was like have a part of Jack with her.

But despite the reassurances her children gave her, there was a suspicion that only terrified Katherine:

Sleepless nights, cramps, fatigue, and—worst of all—two missed periods.

"Mama, please," Veronica breathed, taking her mother's hand in her own and looking Katherine in the eyes. "We need to know if it's true or not."

"I know it's true," Katherine choked out, looking up at her sixteen year-old daughter. "I'm pregnant, and Jack doesn't even know."

Veronica didn't know what to say in response to that, she simply stood up, beckoned for seventeen year-old Velma and twelve year-old Joseph to follow her. The children did so, stopping at the sight of their distressed mother before seating themselves at Katherine's side.

"Look at us, Mama," Veronica said. "Over the last seventeen years, you and Papa have created something special: the three of us—four counting James. Papa is going to come home to meet his fifth child, I'm certain of it. We all know Papa is too strong to give up on us."

Katherine couldn't respond. Her eyes stared aimlessly at the fireplace in front of her, her eyes glassed over with the despair she was feeling. Hesitantly, she began to whisper, reaching for Velma's and Veronica's hands. "I hope you're right."

She peeled her eyes away from the fireplace and wrapped her arms around each of her children. "You've all grown into wonderful people," she said quietly, resting her chin atop Joseph's head. "I'm so, so lucky to have you as my children."

"No," Velma mumbled, "we're lucky to have you as our mother."

<><><>

"The Battle of Crna Bend," Katherine read aloud, resting her head in her hands as she looked down upon the news stories her reporters left for her.

Just like she had with training, Katherine was now left alone and in charge of The World now that all three of her brothers were gone to fight in the war.

Fortunately, Katherine had some help.

"Hey Kathy," Crutchie greeted, limping into Katherine's office and placing a stack of papers on the desk. "Today was a good selling day according to da newsies. Apparently everyone wants ta know every update o' the war."

"As expected," Katherine murmured, not bothering to look up at Crutchie. "Tomorrow will be a good day as well, I suppose. There was a battle between the Central Powers on the Entente from May Fifth to May Ninth. A victory for the Central powers. The Entente need the U.S. forces as soon as possible."

Crutchie could sense that Katherine didn't mean that politically; she was worried for Jack's sake, for Davey's sake, and even every other newsboy that she met and loved during the strike. "Kath," he began softly, looking down at her so intently that she had no choice but to look up, "I'm worried, too, okay? But we can't let this worry get in the way of our lives."

"So you're saying I shouldn't be upset?"

"You have every right ta be upset," Crutchie responded, leaning into his crutch. "But you don't have ta let this stop ya from bein' happy."

Katherine pushed the report of the battle away, standing from her seat and attempting to control the shaking of her hands. "I'm two months pregnant, Crutchie," she said with closed eyes. "I can't shake the feeling that this child could be born without a father; that it could live without a father."

"That's for fate ta decide, Kathy. Until then, we gotta live."