Author's Note: Hi, guys! This is a very short little fluff-story, but I hope you like it!

Also, I don't own Newsies or the characters.


Jack Kelly bolted up in bed.

"Ace?"

She wasn't beside him.

She was always beside him.

Jack softly walked down the stairs, so as not to wake up the kids.

"Kath?" he whispered hoarsely.

"I'm in here, baby," Jack heard from the kitchen.

He rushed toward the sound of her voice.

As soon as he reached the kitchen, he flung his arms around his wife, who was making instant coffee.

Katherine set down the sugar packets in her hands; fortunately, they weren't breakable, like a mug would be.

"Hi, Jack. Good morning, baby." Katherine smiled, nestling into Jack.

"How long has ya been awake?" asked Jack.

"Maybe an hour."

"I can't believes I didn't notice you was gone 'til just now."

"Sorry I didn't wake you," started Katherine, "but I just really wanted my coffee, so I came downstairs."

Jack nodded, kissing the top of Katherine's head. He gently released her from his tight grip. (Well, it seemed tight- Jack couldn't feel his arms, legs, hands, or feet because of his paresis, or, partial paralysis.)

"I love you, Katherine." he whispered, stroking her long auburn locks with his hand.

"I love you too, Jackie," she whispered back, smiling up at him.

Jack glanced down at Katherine for a moment, then leaned down and kissed her.

She gently wrapped her arms around Jack's neck and kissed him back.

A couple minutes later, when they pulled away, Jack smiled.

"That makes up for you leavin' and not tellin' me."

Katherine laughed. "I said I was sorry!"

Jack laughed too. "I know." He kissed Katherine's forehead. "Want me to make ya some pancakes, Ace?"

"Yes, please," she said gratefully, knowing she would burn the pancakes if she made them.

Jack lifted Katherine onto the kitchen counter, then started to get the ingredients he needed to make pancakes.

Katherine swung her feet back and forth as Jack searched for the flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and whatever else you need to make pancakes.

"Hey, Jackie?"

"Yes, Plumber?"

"Would you draw me later?"

"Sure." he agreed.

Katherine made sure that she asked Jack to draw as often as she could, because drawing calmed him.

Though Jack struggled greatly with many different things, Katherine prayed and did her best to help him through it all.

Drawing, reading, drinking tea, taking deep breaths...

All of those were calming activities for Jack.

As he began to make his batter, Jack smiled at Katherine.

"I's know I just said this, but, I love you, beautiful."

"You can say it as often as you like," Katherine replied, "because I love you too, my beautiful Jack."


A/N: There's my one-shot! I hope you enjoyed it! Kind constructive criticism/comments are greatly valued! Thank you!