Brooklyn, Baby | Spot Conlon ²

Chp. 8: Trains

"Train tickets," Kendall says, looking at Francis. "To New York," 

"We thought you and your brother and whom ever else you pick could go back to where you used to live," Aunt Anne says. "Bring back those memories, yes?" 

"That's a marvelous idea, Aunt Anne, thank you." Francis says, cautiously watching Kendall, who was being scarily calm. 

"I do not know whom I should take with me," She says. 

"Well, you could bring Eric and show him where you came from, like a little romantic trip before he leaves," William says. 

"Unfortunately, Eric and I are leaving tonight on a business call, so I'm afraid that won't be an option," Henry Buckley says. 

"Oh, Kendall, take me!" Rosaline pleads. "I've always dreamed of going to the big city!" 

"Oh, um, of course! I'd love for you to come along," She says. "Anthony should come too, he knows the city even better than Francis and I do, if that's possible," 

"I really couldn't impose--" 

"No, Anthony, please join us!" Rosaline smiles. "I'd love to have a personal tour guide," 

"It's settled then! You leave tomorrow afternoon!" 

"Aunt Anne, you give us barely any time to pack!" Francis chuckles. "If you excuse my sister and I, we should probably get started," 

"Please make sure you finish before Christmas dinner tonight," Aunt Anne called as the siblings ascended the stairs. 

Once they were upstairs, Kendall went to her room to pack. 

"Kendall, are you alright?" 

"It's Christmas, my brother. Why wouldn't I be?" 

"Kenny, come on. Will you be okay in New York?" 

"I will be just fine. New York is very big, not everything is traced by him." She folds some clothes into her leather suitcase. "Focus on getting Anthony and Rosaline alone," 

"Now, Kendall, is it ladylike to pin a woman together with a man?" 

"What do you mind if I'm ladylike or not? As far as I'm concerned, brother, New York won't judge me." She grinned widely. "Who am I to stand by and let a beautiful romance go to waste?" 

Jack grinned, shaking his head at his sister. "I should get started too," 

"See you at dinner," 

"Hello, Francis," She heard Rosaline's Southern voice say before closing the bedroom door. "Oh my word, Kendall! You are one sneaky woman," 

"Sneaky? What ever do you mean?" She played dumb. 

"Getting Anthony to come along? Did he tell you anything?" 

"Anthony is my best friend, Rosaline. Going to New York without him would be like going to the theatre without your spectacles." She paused. "What happened between you two?" 

"Nothing," She replied quickly. 

"Mmhm," She said suspiciously. "Nothing to do with you two departing early last night?" 

"Must you judge me so?" 

"Your morals are your morals, my friend," 

"Oh, god no! We did nothing of the sort. We drank a little too much, and talked in the garden," She assured her. "Although, when we were dancing, I felt a feeling I don't think I've experienced before," 

"Did your stomach flip? Your heart racing because it just yearned to know what he would do next? Your mind is racing with thoughts, thinking you wanted him to be closer to you? Did your fingers feel numb when you touched him?" 

"What are you doing inside my mind?" 

Kendall laughed softly. "It's adrenaline, Rosaline. I've experienced it firsthand," 

"With Eric?" 

"Sadly, no," 

"What?" Rosaline was shocked. "Who else do you speak of? Are you seeing a man elsewhere?" 

"No, no, but I do speak of another man," 

"Another man?" Rosaline gasped. 

"Must you judge me so?" Kendall laughed. 

"Your morals are your morals," She replied, teasing. "Who is this man?" 

"I think I must fill you in on a few things before we go," 

<><>

Telling Rosaline the history of the newsies and New York took longer than she had thought. They were now on the train, and she was finishing the story of her adventure to New Jersey. 

Anthony and Francis sat many seats away, but they watched the two girls, engaged. 

"She is so beautiful," Anthony sighed. 

"I think you and Kendall are a bit too related-like to think that," 

"Rosaline," Anthony rolled his eyes. "She's so intriguing," 

"How so?" 

"Her name, for starters. You would think it would be pronounced like the flower, like Rosealine, but no, it's with a 'z' sound, like Rozzaline," 

"Very intriguing," Francis said smartly. 

"Her eyes, they beg you to dare her," He says, ignoring Francis. "Her voice, Francis, her voice!" 

"Before I lose my lunch, I pray you stop," 

"Even a child could understand your love for each other," Rosaline says dreamily. "Please, tell me more stories,"

"If I had more, I would. Why do you enjoy such tragedies?" 

"Don't you see, Kendall? Your love, it was fiery and passionate and filled with so much LOVE!" 

"Adventurous, I know. Yet, I am with the man I am meant to." 

 "I do pray that you can find that love with Eric," 

"I am not so sure," Kendall sighed. 

"If you are having second thoughts--" 

"What if this is the only chance I get? To marry a man of noble status? I must move on with my life, and fulfill my duty to wed, to expand  the family," 

"You have a notable mindset, but you must remember to listen to what's most important," 

"My brain," 

"Your heart," 

Kendall smiled with her lips as Rosaline takes her hand. 

"My heart is telling me to get out on those streets and see what I've dreamed of," Rosaline grins. "I say we listen," 

"If we must," 

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

im so sorrryyyy this is a filler

PLEASE HANG IN THERE, THERES A LOT OF BETTER STUFF COMING