So, this chapter is almost like a bonus scene from between the last chapter and the next one, which is one of the reasons it took so long. It's like chapter one-and-three-quarters, just so all you readers understand how they get to the events of the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

"Jack, I don't think you understand what you're doing," Katherine said as she watched her husband apprehensively. "Are you sure, I mean, won't you just let me do it?" Jack shook his head insistently.

"Ace, I'm her father. Don't you think I can give my own daughter a proper bath?" Little Eveleen watched her parents bicker with disinterest, as though wondering why their attention wasn't on her. Her wispy, dark brown curls were soapy, and drops of water left wet trails down her face.

"Jack, she's a baby, you must be gentle," Katherine explained. "She doesn't know to hold her breath, and she's not going to stop squirming because you tell her to."

"Yeah, not doin' what others tell her to, wonder where she gets that from?" Jack replied sarcastically. When Katherine took a breath to retort, he quickly added, "Never mind, don't answer that." He took the washcloth his wife offered and began to carefully dry Eveleen's face. "See? I'm gentle."

"I am going to get more towels and fresh clothes for her. Can you not drown her during the one minute my back is turned?" Katherine went to the bedroom to retrieve one of Eveleen's little dresses.

"I ain't sure your negative criticism is setting a good example for the baby, Kath!" Jack called. He leaned in closer to Eveleen. "I hope you grow up to be just like your mother," he whispered. "Don't ever let anyone tell you what to do, got it?" As if in reply, Eveleen smiled and gurgled. Jack began to rinse off the suds that streaked down his daughter's body.

"What sort of influence are you being on her now?" Katherine asked, placing some towels on the counter. "Is she soap-free?"

"Never seen a cleaner baby." Katherine unfolded one of the towels and held it and her arms open. Jack lifted Eveleen from the sink basin they were using as a tiny tub and placed her in her mother's arms. Katherine wrapped the towel around her and began to pat her dry. "I told you I could do it."

"Remind me not to leave this house on bath day," Katherine teasingly replied. Jack rolled his eyes before pressing kisses to both of his girls' cheeks. "Can you dress her? Her clothes are over there, and I need to change."

"You goin' somewhere, Ace?" Jack wondered as he took Eveleen from Katherine.

"It's something I need to take care of," she replied from the bedroom. "I might even have a surprise when I get back." Katherine emerged dressed in her semi-best, pinning up her hair as she went to the door. "This shouldn't take long."

"You's all dressed up for someone," Jack noted as he joined her at the door. "Do you wanna tell me who?" Katherine smirked and gave him a quick kiss.

"That's part of the surprise," she replied slyly. "Be good for your Papa!" she told her daughter. Eveleen babbled something in the language of babies, her hands reaching for her mother's face.

"She said that she loves you," Jack murmured as Katherine leaned in to press her forehead to her daughter's.

"I love you too, darling." She straightened, squeezed Jack's hand, then opened the door and left. Eveleen began to look around almost in confusion, but before she could begin to cry, Jack began to bounce her gently.

"What shenanigans shall we get into while Mama's away, huh?" He went back to the counter to fetch his daughter's clothes. As he carefully dressed her, he studied her face with his artist's eye. Eveleen definitely looked like her father when it came to her coloring; forest green eyes and brown hair, and Katherine had been right in saying that she had his smile. But the graceful slope of her face; the way she observed the world; how her eyes were already so inquisitive for a five-month-old; that was her mother.

"You know, I don't think you've had your portrait done, yet," Jack said as he finished buttoning the dress and set Eveleen in her cradle. "I did your mother after we got married. I did it properly too; good paints and canvas, and she posed for hours in her wedding gown. She looked beautiful. We gave it to her parents." Eveleen cocked her head, as if she truly understood what her father was saying.

"When I do one of you, Mama and I will keep it. Then, when you're older, I'll do another one, and that one can go to your grandparents. How does that sound?" Evie waved her hands in the air, and Jack slid his through the bars of the crib. It took her whole hand to grasp one of his fingers. "For now, how about a sketch?" Jack gently wiggled his finger free from Eveleen's grip and went to retrieve his pad and pencils.

"I was sketching your mother when she came up with your name. Of course, she didn't tell me. I was telling her about my mom, and my little sister." Jack paused, shifting slightly to get a better angle of his daughter. "Everyone says you look like me. I think you look like her. You look like your Auntie Eveleen." His pencil strokes were fluid and relaxed. "She's watching over you, up in Heaven. She'll make sure you never get hurt. And so will I. And so will your mama. And so will Uncle Davey and Uncle Crutchie and Uncle Racetrack and ..." Jack trailed off, chuckling to himself. "You's got a lot of uncles, don't ya?"

An hour passed. Jack barely noticed. He realized that, with the exception of Katherine's portrait, he never really got to take his time drawing someone. Eveleen was the perfect subject; she didn't cry, didn't complain that he was taking too long. Eventually, she just fell asleep, and Jack sketched her like that. How lucky was he to have two angels in his life?

When Katherine returned home, she found her husband just staring at their daughter, a finished sketch on his lap. He seemed to be in some dreamlike state, and Katherine was hesitant to wake him from it. Instead, she changed back into her regular clothes as silently as possible.

"So, do I get to know where you went now?" Jack asked when she reentered the sitting room. Katherine went to him and kneeled down to kiss his cheek.

"I went to see my mother. She invited me to tea." Jack smirked and pulled her back for a proper kiss.

"And what was discussed at tea?" he asked, trying to imitate an upper-class accent. Katherine glanced at her sleeping daughter.

"Remember how you said you wanted to meet my brothers and sisters?" Jack's eyes widened in surprise. "My mother is throwing a little party in honor of Eveleen, and I've agreed to let her invite them."

"That's very generous of your mother, but we don't need, I mean, Evie ain't even one yet. Does she need to be introduced to your society so soon?"

"This isn't like a coming-out ball, Jack. This is a chance for my siblings to meet their niece," Katherine explained. "We can invite the Newsies too. And I made Mother promise: just immediate family; none of Father's business friends." This made Jack rub his temple.

"Your father'll be there?" Katherine gave him a look. "Okay, okay, your father'll be there, which will not be a problem, of course, and I'll be civil towards him." Katherine rolled her eyes. "So, when is this party bein' held?"

"This weekend, on Sunday," Katherine replied. "Very simple affair, just the Pulitzer, Kelly, and Newsie families." Jack smiled and gave his wife a soft kiss.

"The Kelly Family." He reached over the crib wall to stroke his daughter's cheek. "I love the sound of that." Katherine perched on the arm of the chair Jack sat in and brushed some of his hair behind his ear.

"Good," she said. "Now, how about we go out to Jacobi's Deli for dinner? We can treat the Newsies and tell them about the party."

"You just want to get out of cooking," Jack teased. Katherine rolled her eyes and stood up, reaching into the crib to scoop out Eveleen. She blinked herself awake as her mother gently bounced her. "I'll go find the the fellas, they's been dying to see Evie again, and we'll meet you two there."

"Sounds like a plan," Katherine agreed.

Half an hour later, mother and daughter were waiting at one of the tables at the Deli, the food ordered and on its way. The dinner rush hour hadn't started yet, so the place was more or less empty. Suddenly, though, the relative quiet was broken by loud chatter, signaling the arrival of the Newsboys.

"Evie!" Les was the first to make it to the table and slide in next to Katherine to greet the baby. Racetrack and Specs were close behind him, and Davey, Crutchie, and Jack brought up the rear. "Can I hold her, Kat?" Les asked eagerly.

"Of course. Just be gentle, careful, and remember to support her head," Katherine replied before placing her daughter in the young boy's arms. She then stood up to greet the rest of the Newsies.

"How's motherhood been treatin' ya, Kat?" Crutchie asked as her gave her a one-armed hug. "You getting enough sleep?"

"I'm scraping by," Katherine replied. "It's barely any different than staying up to write an article." She turned to Davey. "And what about you? Are you getting enough sleep between classes?"

"Yes, Katherine. I'm really enjoying college," Davey replied. "Maybe you should try it, they offer degrees in journalism."

"Dave, she's an incredible person, but even Kath's got her limits." Jack nodded to his daughter, who had stolen Specs's glasses. "Making ends meet for a little one and a fancy education would be harder than it was to get ole' Joe's blessing." Katherine smiled and nudged Jack gently.

"I got my fair share of an education growing up. If anything, it should be you going to art school when we can afford it," she said. Jack kissed the top of her head before leading the others to the booth.

"So, did you gather us here for a reason, or is this just a pleasure visit?" Racetrack inquired. Katherine reached over and took Eveleen back from Les.

"My mother is throwing a little party for Evie, and she would like for you to come. More importantly, I would like for you to come, and that was my condition for allowing my mother to hold this party." The Newsies exchanged uncertain looks. "Please, it's only close family, my brothers and sisters, my parents, and I think my aunt is coming as well. It would mean so much to me for you to be there."

"Plums, if it's important to you, then we'll come," Racetrack agreed. "You're sure it's all right for us to go?" Katherine nodded assuredly.

"So, I think that only leaves one very important question," Specs said, drawing everyone's attention. "Will there be food at this party?" That night, Jacobi's Deli was filled with the sound of a family's laughter.

So, the next chapter will have more to do with Katherine's past and my take on her family relations. It will probably come out quicker than this one, so keep your eyes open! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Until next time, signing off, and may the mouse be with you!