I'm there, right by your side

18 - One Last Thing

Jack decided not to give Katherine her present with her family there and decided to do it once they were back at her apartment. He figured it may be more special with it just being the two of them. Once dinner was finished he was given a box with his leftovers. He went around and shook all their hands.

"Katherine? Before you go, will you and Jack take me up to bed and help me to sleep."

"Sure Lu." She took Jack's hand. "We will be back in a bit." She smiled. "Go say goodnight to mother, father and the boys." Katherine said to her little sister. Lucille quickly ran around and hugged them all saying goodnight. She then went upstairs with her sister and Jack. Lucille got out her night dress and went to change into it with Katherine. Katherine then carried her little sister to her bed and tucked her in. "I love you Lu. And I'll be sure to come see you again soon. You're the best little sister I could ever ask for."

"So are you Kath. You're the best big sister in the whole world. And I'm so happy that you and Jack are happy. Jack! Don't go hurting my big sister or I will hurt you harder." She said trying to be stern but failing.

"I won't ever hurt her. That's a promise." He said softly. "Now sleep well little one."

"Goodnight Lucille." Katherine said stroking Lucille's hair. "Sleep well." She sang a soft lullaby that their mother would always sing to her as a little girl. Lucille quickly fell asleep and so Jack and Katherine said goodbye to her family and headed back to her apartment. The couple held hands as they walked down the road. "You did it Jack. You survived your first Pulitzer family dinner. How does it feel?"

"Feels great actually. There were a few small fights but I think I was able to prove to your father that I am good enough for you."

"You're more than good enough for me J." She said as they continued walking.

"You're mother is the nicest woman ever and she's done an incredible job raising all four of you kids. Lu is the sweetest little girl. You're brothers are both how I expected them. I think Ralph was just feeling protective of his little sister. And Herbert seemed interested and willing to get to know me well. I think had your parents not been there I'd have been able to have a great chat with him."

"Yeah. I definitely felt like he wanted to ask you more questions but didn't feel it was his place to."

"Definitely." He smiled. They soon arrived at her block and headed upstairs to her flat. Once there they went to her couch and sat down together. Katherine immediately removed her shoes as they were killing her feet. "Hey love, why don't you lie down with your head in my lap." He suggested. She liked the idea and did as suggested and gazed up into his eyes. They held hands with their fingers laced together and smiled. He ran his free hand though her curls. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"Yes Jack. Several times."

"Good, because I want you to know I've never seen a girl more beautiful than you Miss Pulitzer."

"And I've never met some one as handsome as you Mr Kelly." She smiled, reaching up and running her fingers though his hair. "So so handsome. Makes me wanna do this." She sat up and pulled him into a passionate kiss. The two began making out on the couch and Jack lifted Katherine up and carried her to her bed. They continued the kiss before they eventually pulled back and laid on the bed together.

"Hey. Umm. I actually have another present for you. I was going to give it to you with your family around but everything got a bit crazy and I decided it may be more romantic doing it here. Just the two of us."

"Jack. I told you all I wanted for my birthday was to spend it with you. And that's what I've done. I don't need anything else."

"I know you don't need anything else. But I wanted to get you something." He reached into his picked and pulled out the box. "Here you go."

"You didn't!" Katherine said immediately recognising the brand name on the box. "Jack. I can't believe you." She said before opening the box. She smiled widely and lifted it out the holder. "It's beautiful." She said staring at the golden ring on a chain.

"It's a promise ring. It symbolises my love to you. I promise to always love you and to always be truthful and loyal. I promise to always stand up for you and support you. I promise to never hurt you. And I promise to always be there, right by your side when you need me most."

"Jack. It's perfect. Thank you so much." She handed it to him and turned to he could clasp it around her neck. She looked down at it around her and a few happy tears escaped her eyes. She looked back at him and put her hand on his bicep. "I don't know what to say Jack. This was something I never expected." She gave him a soft gentle kiss before shuffling closer to him and leaning against his side as they both leant against the headboard. "How did you afford this J? These things ain't cheap."

"All the money from 2 months of cartoon drawings. 2 backdrops for Mrs Medda and she's also paid me 50% of the one I'm doing for her next week upfront." Katherine nodded against his shoulder.

"Don't you dare attempt to buy me something expensive for Christmas or... I dunno what I'd do. But please. You need the money for yourself so you can eat. And any money you don't need. Save it for the future. We spoke about building a family in the future at dinner. That's something I really want to do Jack. I want to have a family with you. And if we're going to have a family, we gotta have the money to care for them. So it's time we both started saving our money."

"Okay. So then it's a deal. Neither of us buy the other Christmas presents."

"I still want to get you something. Just maybe something small. How about we spend just $2 each and that is all. That's what, the money you get from two days of selling papes. How does that sound?"

"5 dollars?" Jack said raising it a little wish a cheeky grin on his face.

"Okay 5 dollar Christmas budget." She said softly. He nodded and yawned. "I think it's bedtime for us both." She said softly. "I'll go change in my bathroom and you can change here love." She said getting out of bed. She went and changed into the purple night gown again and removed her makeup and brushed her hair. "Jack love. Are you done?" She said softly.

"Yeah I am." She went back out and crawled into bed with Jack. She pulled the covers over them and cuddled up to his side.

"Remember, you're welcome to stay over whenever you like. I love getting to cuddle you at night. Especially now it's colder at night. I don't want you getting yourself sick by sleeping on the rooftop. I know you love it up there, but your health is more important." He nodded softly and kissed the top of her head.

"I hope you've had a good birthday Ace. I love you so much. Sleep well,"

"I've had the best birthday ever. Thank you. Sleep my J." She cuddled up with him and closed her eyes falling asleep quickly. He fell asleep straight away, holding his girlfriend close.