Newsies everlasting

Chapter 11

"You asked to see me?"
Jesse found Jack up on the roof top, as usual, staring over the moonlit streets of New York, soaking in the scenery.
"Crutchie, I need ya advice on something." Jack said, still not removing his gaze upon the world below him. His palms had turned sweaty after hours of contemplating what he was going to say, however he refused to let this worry be translated onto his face. Jesse, however, knew Jack better than anyone, and didn't even need to look at his friend to recognise his anxiety.

"I'm listening," he said, taking a seat next to his best friend, placing his crutch on the concrete roof behind him.

"I don't know how to say this, I ain't told anyone yet. I ain't even said it out loud to my self yet." Jack put his head in his hands, terrified to hear his friends response. Calmly, Jesse put an arm over his shoulder and squeezed his hand, urging him to continue.

"Crutchie, Katherine's pregnant."

Jack had half expected his friend to shout, or bombard him with questions, or lecture him. But, arm still wrapped around Jack, Jesse just smiled, flooding Jack with relief.

"That's amazing, Jack, truly amazing," He beamed, "when did you find out?"

"A couple of hours ago. Ain't ya mad at me? We ain't even married yet!" Jack asked, almost willing his friend to be angry.

"I'll only be mad at ya if I ain't the best man at ya wedding!" he chuckled, shoving his friend jokingly, "but in all seriousness, I would never be annoyed. Ya love Katherine, and I just know you is gonna love the baby just as much when it comes along. Don't worry about the other boys, as much as everyone tries to deny it, we all know that there will come a time for each of us when we have to leave. They'll understand."

"But they look up to me! I can't just leave em! And, mainly, I'm gonna miss you, Crutchie, I don't wanna imagine living without ya." Jack had started sobbing, something no one other than Jesse, not even Katherine, was ever allowed to see.

"Oh, Jacky boy, I'm old enough to take care on my own" this seemed reasonable considering Jesse was 108, "and the other boys ain't so dopey, either. Well, actually, I ain't to sure about Race, but I'll keep my eye on him for ya. Promise me ya ain't gonna stress about us over ya new kid?"
Jack grunted, unsure if he could keep a promise like that.
"Jacky boy?" Jesse teased.
"Fine, Okay, I promise, just quit calling me that!" The pair of them burst into hysterics, while gazing out onto the world below them.

"I guess we have to start this whole life business now." Jack said, staring into oblivion.

"Believe me, I've already started it." Jesse frowned slightly as he said this. Sometimes he regretted becoming immortal, even if it wasn't his fault. Unlike his friend, he could never experience the joys of ageing, raising a family, growing old, being an adult, nothing. He was trapped in his seventeen year old shell for the rest of time, constantly living in the shadows to protect himself and his family.

"I don't wanna grow up yet" Jack moaned, breaking Jesse from his thoughts.

"I do! You have no idea how much I wanna grow old, to live a full life" Jesse said, fighting back the tears that threatened his eyes, "promise me, Jack, promise me that you'll appreciate every year you're blessed with!"

Jack was shocked by his friends request, and quickly mumbled his promise. Why was Crutchie so desperate to grow up? Did he think he wouldn't survive much longer because of that bum leg of his? That must've been it, there was no other explanation.

"Crutchie, youse gonna be able to do that eventually, ya know? Don't worry about ya leg, that ain't gonna stop ya from..."

"It ain't 'bout my leg, Jack!" Jesse interrupted, annoyed that he couldn't just explain everything.