My Sweetheart -Newsies Racetrack Higgins-

Epilogue

New York, New York. 1910

Ruth stood on the boardwalk, closing her eyes as she breathed in the smell of the sea. Her hair was slightly blowing in the wind, making a mess of the blonde curls around her shoulders. She opened her eyes and looked out towards the horizon. The sun set created a variety of colors to display themselves in the sky. The brilliant reds and oranges bled into dark blues and purples, and the outline of stars were barely visible. The sound of carnival rides and children's laughter filled her ears, and she turned around to look over Coney Island. Little children ran hand in hand around the park, their parents chasing after them. Teenagers hung around the edges of the amusement park, snacking on peanuts and cotton candy. She smiled fondly to herself, remembering the times she'd sneak out from her house to join her friends here.

She pushed herself away from the railing that she was leaning on, and decided to meander through the park. There were more rides now, many of which she would've thrown up on if she had ridden them. Children lined up in front of them, chatting excitedly as they waited to board the ride. Ruth smiled at a small boy that rushed past her, yelling out a small, "sorry, ma'am."

"Mama!" A little voice cried out, making Ruth turn.

"Mama!" A little boy, no older than six laughed, attaching himself to Ruth's legs.

Ruth bent down to pick up the little boy, settling him on her hip. "Did you leave your father all alone?"

"He was followin' me." The little boy grinned, showing off his missing teeth.

"Charlie!" Racetrack ran up to the pair, quite out of breath. "You can't go running off like that."

Racetrack had matured gracefully. He had lost the look of childhood innocence in his eyes, but had gained wisdom beyond his years. He still had his blond curls that Ruth loved to play with. She would play with them while she read her book, his head in her lap, her hand in his hair. He still wore bizarre patterns, which while her mother still found it strange, Ruth adored it. She loved every mismatched sock, every clashing shirt and pants pair, every button sewn on from another shirt. Racetrack was older now, but still that same boy Ruth had fallen in love with so many years ago.

"Sorry, Papa." Charlie gave his father a small smile, knowing it would get him out of trouble.

Charlie Higgins was six years old, and a handful. He was lucky enough to inherit his father' hair and eyes, and his mother's personality. He made a mess wherever he went, knew how to sneak his way out of trouble, and became quick friends with everyone he met. He was loud, and chaotic, but Ruth and Racetrack would have it no other way.

Racetrack shook his head at his son. "One day, you won't be as cute as you are, and that will stop working on me."

"No it won't." Charlie nuzzled his head on his mother's shoulder.

"No it wont." Ruth repeated, making Racetrack chuckle at his little family.

"You shouldn't be carrying him, you know." Racetrack took Charlie from her arms, letting him cuddle in his.

"I'm barely showing." Ruth frowned. "I can hold my son if I want."

"Not if it harms my future son."

"What makes you think it's a boy?" Ruth rose an eyebrow.

"I know these things." Racetrack joked. "I guessed right the first time." He peered down at Charlie, who was playing with a loose string on Racetrack's coat.

Racetrack admired her as the sunset cast a hazy color over everything. Ruth was older now, with shorter blonde hair, and darker eyes. Her face was thinner and more mature. She stared at him with piercing eyes, which made him shudder whenever she was angry. And although he still saw her as the small seventeen year old he met one day at the races, she had grown up.

"What are you looking at?" She put her hands on her hips.

"We've gotten old, haven't we?"

"Why, we're not old." Ruth said with a smirk. "Now, Jack and Katherine, they are old."

"Of course, compared to them, we're practically teenagers again."

Ruth smiled at her boys. "We should be heading home. It's been a long day."

Racetrack took her hand in his, gently running his thumb over her hand. She squeezed his hand, before they set off back to Manhattan, the sun nearly set behind them.

The End

A/N NOTE:

I am almost sobbing as I finished this book. It has been three years since I started this book, and I am proud to announce that it is finally complete! I know this epilogue may stink, but it is how I imagined that this would end. I always planned for them to get married and start a life together, but I was unsure how to write it, until now.

This book has kept me sane during some pretty hard times. Every time it gets added to a reading list, or gets votes, or comments, my face lights up. I hope you all continue to like and share this story.

Finally, it's been a pleasure writing this for all of you. I hope you have had as much fun reading this as I have had writing it.

Also, did anyone pick up on the Coney Island foreshadowing towards the beginning of the book? Lol.

(NOT EDITED)