STRIKE! ; davey jacobs

BONUS CHAPTER ONE

i. CELEBRATION AT NICOLAS'S RESTAURANT

JOSEPHINE HAD INVITED HER BOYS
and david's family to her father's restaurant for an after strike celebration. it had been weeks since the strike ended. but the boys couldn't afford a day off of work. so it was planned to be a nice dinner for them.

josephine had smiled as she hugged each of the boys that walked through the door. "have any of you seen jack and crutchie?" she was starting to worry neither would show. not that david and his family were there yet either. she knew her boyfriend's family was just running late. they had told her personally that they would be here. "they said they'd be here," mush mumbled, leaning back in his chair. josephine nodded as she pointed to one of the empty tables, "that one's for davey and his family plus jack and crutchie. anyone else who wants to move when they get here, can." josephine was starting to get nervous. it was almost time for the food to be brought out. her father was off in the kitchen giving directions for the night.

josephine smiled when she saw her boyfriend walking towards the open restaurant door. "davey!" her mood instantly lifting as she opened her arms for a hug. david's smile only widended as he hugged his girlfriend. "you look beautiful. mama and papa are coming. sarah and les are with jack and crutchie. they're not far behind." the brunette smiled as she pulled away, "thank you. you look very handsome. i told you not to dress up, david." the boy only shrugged, giving her a kiss on the cheek as she moved to the side. ester and mayer were also dressed up. "i told you all not to dress up!" josephine complained, still giving the two adults a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"jo!" les ran straight into the girl, hugging her. even les was dressed nicely. "hey, les." josephine picked the boy up, hugging him. "these are for you!" les had two flowers for the girl. "he picked them himself." david whispered in her ear, smiling widely. josephine awed as she held them to her chest, "thank you, les! they're beautiful."

"hey, jo." jack said, reaching over les and hugging her. "hey. everyone sit, the food should be out soon." she gave sarah a big hug, whispering in her ear about how nicely jack cleaned up. sarah had chuckled, "he came over earlier today." josephine laughed as she hugged crutchie, "hey, crutch. go sit with jack and davey."

"jo," bumlets called, waving the girl over. skittery, snoddy, and kid blink sat around the boy, each staring up at josephine as she walked over to them. "what's wrong?" "do you think your father will let us have some more water?" the girl giggled as she nodded her head, "i'll go get you guys some more." "can i get a watta too?" crutchie asked, raising his hand. "of course? i'll be right back." josephine was rushing to the back, tapping one of the waiter's shoulder, "i need more water, please." he nodded as he grabbed a pitcher. josephine led him out into the dining area, "they need refills and they need their glasses filled."

josephine walked over to david, dropping her arms over him, "are you nervous?" "very. my hands are all sweaty." david wiped his palm on his pants and shook his head. "david's been talking all day about this." mayer admitted, smiling up at josephine. jospehine smiled back as she placed her chin on top of david's head. "i've been talking father's ear off all evening about it. i think he's about had it with me." the girl had admitted.

it was like her father had heard her talking about him. he exited the kitchen with a smile on his face, "josephine's friends! i'm nicolas, jo's father. dinner will be out shortly." nicolas walked over to his daughter, smiling. josephine stood up straight, smiling at her father. "father this is david." "yes! i've heard a lot." nicolas held his hand out to david, intending to shake it. david nervously took his hand, shaking it, "it's nice to meet you, mr. coburn." "call me nicolas! is this your family?" he already knew everyone's names (jospehine talked nonstop about them all). "this is mayer, ester, sarah, and les. jack and crutchie are also apart of the group." jospehine pointed at each person, smiling up at her father after. "it's wonderful to meet everyone. jo talks about you all so much. thank you for allowing my daughter to spend so much time at your place." nicolas shook hands with mayer.