Newsies Oneshots

America

Sorry for updating again today, I'm not trying to get annoying or anything, but I've spent a ton of time on this one and I'm super proud of it, I couldn't wait any longer! This one is one I've been working on for probably a month or two. I hope ya like it!

***

"Sean, sit down!" Mary Conlon sighed.

"I wanna play!" The boy whined.

"You have to wash up if you want supper!"

The small boy considered it for a second, then slowly sat down. Mary tried to clean some of the dirt off of his face and had to hold him still as he squirmed away from the damp rag.

"There! All done!" He proclaimed, pushing her hand away.

"Sean Patrick!"

Sean pouted and reluctantly let his mother return to wiping his face and hands, though he complained the whole time.

When she finished Sean jumped away from her and hurried over to the other side of the room to play with his brother, who'd just woken up from his nap.

A quarter of an hour passed before the thin wooden door squeaked open. Sean's head shot towards the door and, seeing his father, he leapt to his feet. He ran over to the man and jumped into his arms. The man swung Sean around, causing him to erupt in a fit of laughter.

"You've been a good boy today, haven't you Sean? You've been behavin' your mam?"

"Yes sir!" Sean nodded enthusiastically.

"You even washed up when she asked?"

Sean hesitated, then shrugged guiltily. His father chuckled and ruffled his dark hair. Michael had also toddled over and Mr. Conlon picked him up as well.

"And what about you Spot? You've minded your mam, right?"

"They've both been angels," Mary said affectionately.

"There's my beautiful Mary!"

Mary laughed as he set the boys down and spun her around the room.

"William!" She gasped, playfully batting him away as he planted a kiss on her cheek. "What's gotten into you?"

"Can't a man love his wife and sons?"

"Of course you can, but you're unusually happy today," Mary replied as she wiped her hands on her apron.

William leaned closer to Mary and lowered his voice. "I've got them. The tickets. We leave in two weeks."

"Really?" Mary grinned.

"Yes, we're going to America!"

All throughout the small dinner William explained the wonders of America to his sons. Michael didn't understand much of what his father was saying, but Sean listened with wide eyes, in awe of the faraway land that would soon be his new home.

"We will be rich! In America every man is a king!" William declared. "Life will be better there," he finished.

And Sean believed him.

***

When William returned home from work one evening four days before their departure, he was greeted by wailing.

Mary was singing softly to Michael who was screeching and crying. Sean was sitting in the corner, shoulders hunched up to his ears as he played quietly with a few smooth pebbles.

"What's wrong with him?" William asked worriedly.

"I don't know, he's been like this all day! I haven't even finished supper yet!" Mary cried.