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Race had just finished selling his last pape and was making his way back to the lodging house when he heard a noise from an alley. It sounded like a wailing infant but nobody was stopping to check. He would’ve just left it if he had been closer to the lodging house, but this was the more uperty part of Manhattan. Something was pulling him to look so he gave in to his curiosity and ducked into the alley.
That’s where he found it.
That little wooden crate stuffed to the brim with soft blue blankets. They looked expensive so he didn’t understand why they were out here until he looked inside. Amongst the blue bundle was the screaming infant, his little face red from crying. Race looked around to see if anyone was around, perhaps a mother busy with chores or a nursemaid, but alas it was just him and the kid. So he did the only thing he thought logical in the situation. He carefully removed all but one blanket from the crate and stuffed them into his satchel bag before carefully wrapping the kid in the final blanket and scooping him up.
“Guess yous comin’ with me kid.”
His hold was timid and stiff at first as he slowly made his way through the city’s back alleys to avoid attention as he tried to calm the baby in his arms. He wasn’t really sure what to do. Sure he’d helped with the littles back at the lodging house but most were at least four years old. They’d never found someone as young as this.
As Race got closer to the lodging house the kid snuggled into his chest and started to slowly fall asleep. The adorable little sleepy noises he was making made Race’s heart melt and he relaxed a little once he could see the lodging house down the street. Then the thought hit him. What were they going to do? They were just a bunch of teenagers. They didn’t know how to care for a baby. They couldn’t. They needed to be out selling papes every day. His feet led him the rest of the way as the fear slowly ate at him.
Inside the lodging house was chaos as always. It was past curfew so some of the the older newsies were helping the littles get ready for bed. At the centre of it all was Jack surrounded by at least seven littles, one on his hip and the other six gathered in beds around him as he told them a story. The littles loved Jack especially when he told them stories about Santa Fe. He was the father of the lower Manhattan newsies and despite outward appearances Race was most certainly the mother of them. He would occasionally (more like often) go into what the others called ‘mother hen mode’ especially around the littles or if someone got hurt.
By the time Race entered the lodging house, protectively cradling the infant, it had quietened down considerably and all the littles were asleep in their bunks. Most of the older newsies were sat around in the living room, common room area where Jack was pacing the front of the fireplace. Race knew it was because he wasn’t back before curfew. Jack always worried about the boys but his worry for Race was different, after all they were lovers and all the boys knew it.
When Race walked in Jack practically jumped on him barely stopping himself in time once he saw the blue bundle in Race’s arms. His eyes flicked between Race’s face and the baby in his arms slowly taking it all in before speaking.
“Who’s this Racer?”
His voice had a hint of the softness he used with the littles but it mostly held concern and some serosity. His eyes finally settled on his boyfriend’s filled with uncertainty and fear. Race fell into Jack’s arms, being mindful of the kid still in his own, the moment he felt them wrapping around him. That’s when everything just crashed down on him like a wave, rambling out words too fast for his brain to catch up.
“I didn’ know what ta do Jackie. I couldn’ jus’ leave ‘im there. ‘e was all abandoned in the alley. No one was even payin’ attention to ‘is crin’. I couldn’.”
“Shhhhh. Is alrigh’ love. I’s got you. We’ll figure somin’ out.”
Jack’s voice was softer and Race could feel his fingers gently running through his hair as he held him. After a few minuets he calmed down from the sudden emotion rush and let Jack silently lead him over to one of the big armchairs by the fire and pull him into it with him so he was half sitting on Jack’s lap. The oldest newsies had herded the others out of the room at the beginning of the commotion so now it was only him, Jack, Specs, Albert, and Crutchie sat around the fire, Race still cradling the infant.
All eyes were on the baby boy bundled up in Race’s arms, everyone trying to think of what to do next. They all knew letting go of the kid would be hard, both Jack and Race took to new newsies in an instant especially the younger ones. But this was different. This was an infant. They needed constant care and feeding. Something theses boys weren’t sure they could provide. Eventually after a long silence Specs spoke up.
“We could find some milk. Heat it up and see if he will feed. Then tomorrow we could see if Davey knows what we could do. He’s always got answers. Plus he’s got Les so he must know something we can do.”
They all looked up at him when he started speaking thinking through his suggestion before Jack gave him a nod.
“Good idea Specs. You three go see if yous can find somin’.”
The three quickly got up with a nod and left to go find something leaving Jack, Race, and the baby alone curled up in the armchair. They sat in silence for a while watching the kid nuzzle into Race in his sleep, until Jack speaks.
“I know you don’ like it but we probably can’t keep ‘im. We’s need to be out sellin’ papes an ‘e needs constant lookin’ after.”
Race gave a slightly sad hum in response as he tucked his head in the crook of Jack’s neck not taking his gaze off the infant in his arms. Very gently he stroked his thumb over the baby’s soft cheek causing him to let out and adorable little noise that caused Jack to soften. Race felt an arm slowly move from around his waist to resting over one of his own cradling the kid.
That’s how the others found them the next morning curled up in the armchair asleep. They had fed the kid last night after Specs, Albert, and Crutchie had returned with a bottle of warm milk Kloppmann had made up for them. Now Jack, Race, and the baby were fast asleep Jack with his legs hung over the arm of the chair Race curled into his side and the kid curled up asleep on his chest. Jack had his head resting on Race’s and a protective arm around each of them.
Crutchie had taken charge that morning with the help of Albert and Specs being as their leader and second were dead exhausted and needed the sleep. They managed to get all the newsies ready and quietly out the door without disturbing the three in the armchair.
They were trooping them all to Newsies Square to get their morning papes when Davey and Les joined them. This was a usual part of the routine, Davey and Les would join the group to walk the last third of the journey with them. Davey knew something was off the moment he noticed neither Jack or Race was there.
“Where’s Jack and Race?”
He asked as he reached Crutchie starting to walk beside him while Les went to join some the younger newsies closer to his age. Crutchie snaps out of his thoughts and looks up at Davey registering what he asked.
“Oh. They’s back at the lodging house sleepin’. They’s had a late night las’ night.”
“Are they okay?”
Davey’s expression morphed into concern then confusion as Crutchie explained what happened last night. It took him a moment to process then he gave a quick nod glancing to where Les was running ahead with some of the others Specs with them to keep an eye on them.
“Keep an eye on Les for me.”
“Course. Go ‘elp Jack.”
Davey gave Crutchie another quick nod before turning on his heel and starting the walk to the lodging house.
When Davey got there Jack was awake and up once again pacing in front of the fireplace, a very common thing for him, but this time he was careful holding a little blue bundle to his chest. Race, however, was still half asleep curled up in the armchair nearby. It was so adorably domestic that Davey almost didn’t have the heart to interrupt but he had to. They both looked up when he walked in quietly announcing himself.
“Crutchie told me what happened.”
Race got up seemingly more awake now and Jack stopped his pacing both of them looking towards Davey. After a minute Jack sighed and shook his head slightly, looking back down at the kid in his arms.
“We don’ know what to do.”
“We’s was ‘opin’ you’d think of somin’.”
Race added on the end going over to where Jack was standing resting his head on his shoulder. Both boys were looking to Davey waiting for an answer but for the first time since the strike he was at a loss.
“I don’t know. The only thing I can think of is taking him to an orphanage.”
Jack sharply shook his head holding the kid slightly more protectively and Race tensed beside him. Davey just watched confused.
“What’s so wrong with that?”
“A few of our boys is from places like that. Nothin’ is like the refuge but the places that’ll take a kid like ‘im is almos’ jus’ as bad.”
Jack explained with a sigh, resting his head on top of Race’s. Davey flopped into a nearby chair with a huff racking his brain for a solution. Race followed his lead and curled back up in the armchair by the fire being uncharacteristically quiet.
“It’ll be hard to find someone who’ll take him. I could ask my mother.”
Davey mumbled to himself going through possible answers in his head until Race sat up suddenly his face lighting up a little.
“Tha’ migh’ work! Ask yer mofver.”
Davey looked to Jack silently asking if they should go with this plan. Jack took one look at Race and nodded.
“I’ll go now. I’ll be back in a bit.”
Davey said as he got up and headed to the door stopping before leaving and turning on his heel to look at the other two.
“Oh. I forgot to ask. Does he have a name?”
“No. I’s didn’ think it’d be a good idea. Don’t wanna get too attached y’a know.”
Jack shook his head slightly and looked at Race who was leaning on the arm of the chair his chin on his arms giving Jack his best puppy eyes.
“Please Jackie. What ‘arm could it do.”
Jack just sighed and closed his eyes. Davey could see him fighting himself trying not to give into Race, but all three of them knew he couldn’t. He had a huge soft spot for his boyfriend and Race knew he could get Jack to do anything with those puppy eyes.
“Fine.”
He gave in with a huff gaining a huge smile from Race. Davey couldn’t help but smile as Race’s face lit up and he got up going over to Jack gently taking the infant in his arms. Jack softened and let a smile show as he wrapped his arms around Race’s waist from behind resting his chin on his shoulder looking down at the kid.
“What was yous thinkin’?”
“How’s abou’ James. We’s can call ‘im Jimmy.”
Davey couldn’t help but feel as though he was intruding. It was such an soft intimate moment between the two. So he just slipped out of the lodging house unnoticed and started walking home.
How could Jack not melt at the sight of his gorgeous boyfriend holding little Jimmy. The kid had come into their lives and crawled into their hearts. Said kid had just woken up and now Race was sat on the floor leaning against one of the chairs his legs straight out in front of him with Jimmy carefully laid on his lap in the dip of his legs Jimmy’s head by his knees. Race had a huge smile on his face as he played with the little boy on his lap and Jimmy’s little giggles filled the room.
“You’s gonna make a great father one day Tony.”
Race looked up at him as Jack sat beside him sneaking an arm around his waist and letting his head drop onto Race’s shoulder. Race smiled and kissed his head before looking back down at Jimmy.
“Ya really thinks so Jackie?”
“Course I’s do. I mean looks at you with Jimmy and the littles.”
Jack gently tickled Jimmy’s tummy with his free hand making him squeal and giggle. Race’s smile grows as he leans into Jack watching him play with Jimmy.
“You’s is gonna be a good farder too.”
Jack lifted his head off his shoulder and gently pressed a chased kiss to Race’s lips. They pulled away but didn’t go very far just enough for Race to drop his head onto Jack’s shoulder. Jack gently pressed another kiss to his head and intertwined their free hands.
“We’ll do it together.”
They sat like that for a while just holding each other and Jimmy enjoying the peace until Davey came in lugging a small bag of things.
“I explained everything to Mom and she said she could take care of him during the day but there’s not enough space in the house for another. She also gave me some of the baby clothes from when Les and I were tiny along with some other things to give to you.”
“Thanks Davey.”
Jack nodded and got up patting Davey on the shoulder before going back to pacing while he thinks. Davey watched him for a moment before crouching beside Race looking down at Jimmy dozing off on Race’s lap. Race, however, was looking at the bag Davey’s holding.
“What kinda things is in there? ‘E probably needs changin’.”
That made Jack and Davey stop and stare at Race for a second confusing covering their faces as Jack voices what they’re both thinking.
“I didn’ know you’d knew how to take care of babies Race.”
Race just shrugged and reached for the bag which Davey handed to him. He searched through it for a little while before finding what he needed and started changing Jimmy.
“What? Yous never asked. I’s ‘elped me Ma with me siblings when I’s was little.”
They both nodded before Jack went back to pacing and Davey flopped into a chair both thinking. Once he’d finished changing Jimmy, Race laid him on his chest and gently rubbed his back letting the little one fall back asleep.
“What is we gonna do then? We’s could ask Kloppmann for one of the adult rooms. I knows we ain’ adults yet but I’s sure ‘e’ll understand.”
Race looked up at Jack wishing he could do what he always did when Jack’s pacing got too intense. Usually he’d get up and go over to Jack standing in his way so he couldn’t pace anymore and wrap him in his arms, just holding him until he calmed down. But today he couldn’t do that, not without disturbing the sleeping babe on his chest, so he did the next best thing.
“Jackie. Come ‘ere. Yer pacin’ is gettin’ intense again.”
Race freed one of his arms and opened it to Jack sitting himself up a bit as he did so. Jack paused his pacing and looked at Race before shaking his head and continuing again. Race sighed and carefully got up grabbing whatever cushions and blankets were close using them to make a safe nest in one of the chairs for Jimmy that he couldn’t fall out of before turning to Davey.
“‘ey Davey yous mind ‘oldin’ the others off fer a bit.”
“Sure. How long do you need.”
“‘Opefully not long.”
Davey gave Race a quick nod in response before getting up and heading out. Meanwhile, Race walked over to Jack and stepped in front of him getting in the way of his pacing path holding his arms open.
“I ain’ gonna let yous pace yerself into the ground. I’s love ya too much.”
With that Jack let himself be wrapped in Race’s arms his head dropping onto his shoulder. After a few minutes Race felt arms wrapping around his middle holding him tight.
“I’s loves you too Tony.”
Race smiled a little and kissed the top of Jack’s head gently carding his fingers through his hair, after a moment he asked.
“What’s got yous all worked up aye?”
Jack let out a long sigh and lifted his head looking over at Jimmy sound asleep in the little nest Race had made for him.
“I knows you wan’ to keeps ‘im with us an I knows money is doin’ a bit better buh we’s still barely make enough to keeps us alive let alone a baby. I’s don’ wan’ to let yous down. I loves you. Buh I don’ thinks we can do it. We’s can’t give ‘im the life ‘e deserves.”
Race softly cupped Jack’s cheek and gently turned his head to face him. Jack leaned into the touch closing his eyes and letting out another long sigh.
“Looks at me Jackie. Please.”
Jack lifted his head a little and opened his eyes as Race gently stroked his cheek with his thumb.
“I knows yous is scared. I is too. And I knows this ain’ gonna be easy. Buh keepin’ ‘im ‘ere with us is probably the bes’ life ‘e’s gonna get. After all what well to do family’s gonna takes a baby from a newsie. At leas’ ‘ere ‘e’ll ‘as a lovin’ family.”
Jack huffed in response leaning forward slightly to gently press their foreheads together. The arm around his back tightened a little comfortingly.
“Okay. Guess we’s gotta introduce the boys to der new brotha.”
Race grinned at Jack’s statement and pulled him into a kiss less sweet and innocent than the last, the two holding tight onto each other like a lifeline. After a few seconds they pulled away breathless, big smiles on their faces as Race whispered.
“Like yous said. We’ll do it together.”
The two looked over to where little Jimmy was sleeping soundly watching a few moments before Jack slipped out of Race’s arms going over to the little nest and lifting Jimmy into his arms. He carefully laid the infant on his chest as he walked back over to Race and placed him in his arms glancing at the clock.
“The others should be back soon. I’s’ll gather them in the bunks then we’s can tell ‘em. Until’s then we’s should probably talks with Kloppmann.”
That’s how all the lower Manhattan newsies, including Davey and Les, ended up gathered in the bunk room of the lodging house later that evening with the promise of an announcement. Jack did a quick scan of the room. He, Davey, Crutchy, Albert, Specs, and Race with little Jimmy asleep on his chest were gathered at one end of the bunk room in a little circle hiding Jimmy from view. The rest of the newsies were waiting around them for the last few stragglers so Jack did a quick headcount before being.
“Alright everyone quite down. As yous may have heard we’s has something to tell yous all. An that is all of yous has a new brotha. Racer found ‘im yesterday an at the moment ‘e’s a bit small to be a newsie so we’s all gonna help takes care of ‘im. So everyone meets yer new brotha Jimmy.”
Jack gestured for Race to come forward with Jimmy. All eyes in the room were on Race at first confused as to why he’d stepped forward until they noticed the baby snuggled into his chest. A few of the littles moved forward curiously to have a look but Race was struggling to balance at their level so he sat on the nearest bunk, laying Jimmy on his lap like he’d done earlier, and let the littles gather around him. Jack couldn’t help but smile. The well known cocky, outgoing, tough Racetrack Higgins being soft and sweet with the littles. Not many people got to see this side of him and it was an adorable thing to watch. Jack snapped out of his thoughts and pulled his eyes away when Davey nudged his arm.
“You’re smitten.”
Jack huffed out a laugh looking back at Race who briefly looked up giving him a huge smile before turning his attention back to the littles. Jack just smiled and shrugged.
“Yea’. Why’s wouldn’ I’s be.”