It Started With a Carriage

Chapter 7- "Maybe leave out the insults and you can talk Italian to me later."

HOLY CHICKEN NUGGETS-Talk about records...Word count on this is: 5,156!!!

----------------

If there was something Spot could do to help Clarice, he would move Heaven and Earth to do it. He had come to the conclusion years ago that she was one of his blind spots, but he would never in a million years have guessed the way he would end up helping her was by loving her openly. The pain from the loss of Race was still heavy in the air and he was frightened to think either of them was using the other as a method of coping, but even if that were the case, there was nothing better than the memory of her sweet voice saying she loved him, nothing more searing than her lips, nothing that made Spot feel more alive than calling Clarice Higgins his.

It had all happened so fast, he didn't hardly believe that they were together, but the doubts that flooded his mind were shattered with every interaction. "Are you sure you're ok with being in a relationship, love?" Spot had his arm around Clarice as they were watching the Brooklyn newsies splashing around in the water for probably the last time this year. The water was already colder than what Spot could tolerate. He'd mandate no more swimming till spring soon lest there be a breakout of pneumonia.

"Yes I'm okay with it, besides I think I found the right one." She smiled resting her head on his shoulder. It was slightly chilly out but nothing she couldn't handle. Everything seemed right for her, even after the loss of her twin. Against all odds, she felt safe when she was with Spot. It wasn't like she didn't feel safe around the Manhattan Newsies, because that would be a lie, they always looked after her, but Spot was different from all the rest. Clarice couldn't tell if it was his embrace, his charming good looks, or even his smile. But despite all that, she felt for one in her life, she was protected by someone who truly loved her other than Race. It was a strange feeling.

"If you makes you feel better, Race already gave me the mandatory big brother speech when you both were here after the strike." Spot kissed her cheek tenderly. She was simply one of God's greatest creations.

"At least he was looking out for me." She had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that her brother was going to have that talk with him sooner or later, but she hadn't expected him to have already done it. She had started to think he was going to have to do it in spirit. She had given up hope that he'd have given it in reality and that had saddened her tremendously. She had cried for days, weeks afterwards she felt as if didn't have any more tears to cry. She'd cried a few tears or more with this particular issue, but she was okay for once.

Something that bothered her, was that she never got the chance to apologize to Jack whom she'd attacked after Race had died. Unfortunately, she still blamed him for Race's death, how could she apologize to someone who killed her own flesh and blood?

"He loved you so much Clar." Spot sighed, then there was the knot in his stomach. HE knew she blamed Jack for everything. "Jack and the Hatten boys are coming over for a poker game tonight. If you don't want to see him, we can go somewhere."

"No!" Clarice said harshly. "I have to apologize for my actions." She still blamed him. They didn't speak one word to each other at the funeral. She was very resentful towards him. That's just how it was. Maybe it was for the better.

"Are you really sorry? Because if not, don't say it. I wouldn't blame you. I'm still pissed at him myself." Spot's voice was cold when he spoke about Jack.

"Well I have to at least talk to him or say hi." She was trying to be reasonable, maybe she wasn't ready to forgive him but she didn't want to keep ignoring him all her life. In the back of her mind she thought the Hatten boys thought of her differently now. 

"Why do you want to say anything to the bastard? Hell, I'm going to be doing my best not to soak the guy." Spot inhaled deeply. "What are you not telling me?" He knew she was worried, he could feel it in how tense she still was in his arms.