Epilogue

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz

August 9th, 1907

Race and Clara's wedding was not nearly as grand as Mush had thought it would be considering the money Clara's family was said to have had. It was held on a sunny Friday, the sky a wide, cerulean blue that you only found at the height of summer. A soft, cool breeze came off the river, controlling the summer heat to a manageable temperature which was perfect for the outdoor reception at the Renwick's estate in Gramercy Park that would follow the ceremony.

St. Patrick's Cathedral was a tall, gothic-styled Catholic church that sat regally on Madison Avenue. Mush continually glanced up and marveled at the high ceilings, the beautiful stained glass windows, and the immense altar at the very front of the church. The architect of the entire building was breathtaking and it was enough to distract Mush as they stood up by the altar, waiting for the Bride to come down the aisle. He nudged Blink, who stood to his left, and pointed at one of the stain glass windows depicting a biblical story.

Blink rolled his eyes as the bridesmaids came down the aisle, and Mush grinned as Blink's gaze was snagged on the first girl, Clara's maid Katherine. The same woman who'd rebuked his advances well over a year ago, before Race and Clara went to Chicago, and again, at their engagement party as well as numerous times since then. It had become increasingly funny for Mush, Race, David, and even Jack to hear of all the ways the girl repeatedly turned him down. Each time seemed to only make Blink want her more.

Those thoughts died instantly as Mush caught sight of the next bridesmaid, his Vivian. She seemed to float down the aisle and she captured Mush's gaze in a way no other woman ever had. It instantly brought back to him the memory of their own, much smaller, wedding only a two months ago. He found himself winking at her as she met his gaze and her cheeks flushed but her smile widened as she stopped to stand beside Katherine. He loved making her blush because it contrasted so beautifully with her blonde hair that had finally outgrown her dyed brown hair.

And then everyone's attention was taken from the bridesmaids as Diana reached the altar and everyone else rose to their feet and turned to catch the first glimpse of the bride. Racetrack, with Scott at his right side, jerked nervously. Mush felt a twinge of sympathy as he remembered the nerves he had at his wedding. But, then he remembered the doors opening and catching the first glimpse of Vivian in her beautiful gown and everything after that had seemed like a dream...Mush's daydream trailed off as the doors opened and the Bride and her father took their first steps down the aisle.

Race let out a breath, as if he was surprised she had shown up, and then it caught as their eyes met. Clara's green eyes met his and the instant happiness and love between the couple was tangible as she walked toward him, everyone else falling away.

Her dress was perhaps not at the height of fashion, but it was beautifully simple on her. She was decked in white satin, the bodice hugging her curves to her waist where the skirt flared just a bit. Instead of the high-necked dresses that were the rage, hers was a modest neck cut, and the three quarter bell sleeves with the appliqued lace and pearls finished off the tasteful gown.

The ceremony was a long one because both of them were Catholic, although Mush couldn't remember a time when Race went to church. All the same, Mush enjoyed watching Race marry the woman of his dreams, his heart light as he listened to their vows that were simple and sweet. Race, of course, couldn't keep from making a small poker-related joke in his, causing Clara to laugh as well as all of the newsies who knew him and who sat on his side of the church. He even got a chuckle out of his father-in-law.

When they kissed, everyone stood up to cheer and the groomsmen moved to clap him on the back and hug Clara as they pulled apart. Race, still holding Clara's hand, lifted up their interwoven hands and whooped in excitement. Laughter and love rang through the church as everyone moved outside to cheer and throw rose petals at the happy couple. Racetrack graciously handed his new bride into the carriage and the guests applauded as the horse drawn carriage lurched forward and the clanging of cans and boots clattered behind it, secured by string.

Conversation rose from the crowd of guests as they discussed the ceremony and began to file into the awaiting carriages that would take them to Gramercy Park. Mush, having lost sight of the bridesmaids during the hustle and bustle of leaving the church, strained his neck looking for his own blushing bride.

As he caught sight of Vivian, his breath hitched just a tad. Sometimes he still found it surreal that he had found the one woman in the world that could complete him. Every day was like that first time they'd met, that spark that blossomed into an unquenchable thirst for Vivian just as she was. All of her. Every bad thing, every wonderful thing; everything that made her exactly who she was.

He spied her standing to the side with Nancy and Wesley. Sneaking up behind the young boy, he picked him up under his arms and lifted him up to his shoulder. Wesley yelped in surprise, but laughed as his arm snaked around Mush's neck to support himself. Mush smiled at the women as they both lit up at the sight of him. Warmth spread through him at being with his family.

Vivian poked his side as she moved to stand beside them and it caused him to jerk and laugh as Wesley clung to his head, "Don't worry, kid, I got ya." He told Wesley before turning to his beautiful wife, "Hey, now, miss I'm carryin' a child."

Something entered her expression and she glanced around before leaning in to whisper in his ear, "So am I."

The small admission stunned him. They hadn't been trying for a child, but Mush would be lying if he said having one wasn't on his mind. Slowly, he lowered Wesley onto the ground and stooped before him, "Whatya say, Wes? Would ya like havin' a little bruddah?"

"Or sister?" Vivian added, absolutely beaming at the two.

Mush smiled, "Or a sister." He conceded.

Wesley's eyes got big, "You're not gonna forget about me, though, are ya?" He asked, looking hopeful at the prospect of a sibling, and yet fearful at the same time.

"How could we evah forget about you, munchkin?" Mush countered, pulling Wesley in for a hug.

Wesley laughed just as Blink joined their little family, "You guys ready ta head over?"

They all nodded and Blink helped them into an awaiting carriage. It jolted forward and the horses' hooves on cobblestone rang through the streets. Mush put his arm around Vivian and settled a hand on her stomach, a thrill of excitement pulsing through him as he imagined a tiny baby already being formed.

Vivian smiled at him and put her hand on top of his, "Are you excited?" She whispered the question to him so that it was for his ears only.

"Of course, how could you even ask?" Was his soft reply, but even as he asked he saw the answer in her eyes. Still, memories of her first marriage haunted her, and often times she was unsure of herself. Fortunately, the nightmares had ceased, and she was growing more and more confident every day. She was flourishing into the well-rounded, secure woman she had always been but had never gotten the chance to embrace. She had said she couldn't overcome the abuse overnight, and she hadn't. It had been a hard thing to overcome, he knew. Past abuses, memories, and images always there in the back of your mind causing you to mistrust the people around you, fearing at any given moment they would turn on you; it had been just as difficult for him to forgive Shawn. To marry the cousin and best friend of the love of your life after she dies, to abuse her for things out of her control, and to betray the trust of the one person you swore before God to always protect in sickness and in health. He didn't like to think of any of it.

But, Vivian had forgiven him. Eventually. She had the strength to let the old disease lie, to give up the darkness of her past for the hope of a brighter future with him. He marveled at her, at the strength of character she possessed to trust him with herself and her son, to love him in return with a wholeheartedness that spoke volumes of her courage. Mush had spent years waiting for this woman; never quite sure he would find her but putting faith in the powers that be to bring them together.

"I love you." She whispered, her blue eyes brilliant as the sun streamed across her face and turned them nearly translucent.

"I love you." He replied as the carriage lurched to a halt. Getting out, he helped all three down, taking extra care with Vivian now that he knew she was pregnant.

Just as they got out, the next carriage pulled up and the other groomsmen and Hazel came out. Blink was looking as carefree as ever, but Jack and David were not. David especially looked stiff and his shoulders were tense as he walked ahead of them. Jack was scowling lightly, but with Hazel's hand clasped in his, David's anger didn't seem to really faze him. Scott was the last one to exit and he gave Mush an uneasy smile, "Those two don't get along very well, do they?" He asked as Blink tossed an arm around Mush's shoulders.

"Nah. Not in the least." Blink replied, lazily. "C'mon, receptions this way." He ruffled Wes's hair and led the way around the house until the back yard opened up into a splendid set up. A couple dozen tables were set up, a large area beyond that was left wide open for dancing, and the orchestra hired was already playing soft music.

Vivian sighed, "I remember this." She spoke low, her words for him alone as she added, as if the image wasn't already at the forefront of his mind, "Our first kiss."

He gave her a slow wink, "Maybe we'll replay the event before we leave."

She was still pink when he sat her at the bridal party table beside Katherine, gave her a kiss, and then moved to join the other groomsmen, taking the open seat between Blink and David. "Where they at?" He asked, looking around at all the guests still filing in. He waved to Wesley and Nancy who were seated at a different table with Hazel, Skittery, Swifty, and Boots. Race's old friend Trout, from Brooklyn, was there with his wife, JoAnna and Mush waved to them, excited to see them back together again.

Blink wiggled his eyebrows, "Doin' what married couples do, Mush."

"Hey, that's my sister and best friend." Scott said, from David's other side, his face twisted up into a look of disgust. The guys all chuckled.

"Speaking of what married couples do…" Mush began, smiling as the guys all groaned.

"We don't wanna hear the details, Mush." Blink said before he could tell everyone his news. "We knows how it works."

Mush rolled his eyes, "Nah, not that part. Just what comes aftah."

"The sneaking out of her place part?" Blink asked, making Scott laugh and David roll his eyes. Jack grinned, being uncharacteristically quiet as Mush tried to tell his news.

"Viv's pregnant." He blurted out before anymore jokes could be made, anxious to share his good news.

Blink's face didn't register his words right away but the other groomsmen stood up and congratulated him before each going to congratulate Vivian farther down the table. He saw her turn bright pink, but stood up and thanked them all. Blink continued to stare at Mush. "Ya got her pregnant?"

Sometimes, it was hard for Mush to understand Blink. It was like he didn't want to accept that they all were growing up. "Yeah." He could feel the pride and happiness swell in his chest and he couldn't comprehend why his best friend wasn't excited for him.

The blonde man stood, and Mush thought it was to congratulate him, but he ran a hand through his hair before turning and walking off. Just like that.

Hurt, Mush watched him until he disappeared, and then realized someone was watching him. Turning, he caught Vivian's blue eyes, the worry and concern there so different from Blink's blue eyes. Ever since she had accepted him, had agreed to give him a chance, the space between him and Blink had only grown. Blink didn't dislike Vivian, although Mush was sure he did when they first met, but he was just as wary of her as she was of most men. When he spoke of it to David, the hotelier had chalked it up to jealousy, that Mush was moving on with a family of his own while Blink was being left behind.

She came over to him and pulled him into a hug. He smiled softly as he breathed her in and whispered in her ear, "I'm afraid I'm in your debt."

Pulling back, she regarded him curiously, "What do you mean?"

He tightened his arms around her, reliving the last year of their courtship, engagement, and marriage in his mind. His Vivian had paid back the debt, but he hadn't kept the money for himself. He had put it into a joint bank account for them, had used the money to pay for the small wedding they had and surprised her with their very own house. Everything he did, it was for her. "You are carrying our child. When he or she is born, I'll forever be indebted to you and I will always do everything I can to show you how grateful I am that you took a chance on me. On us."

Love filled her eyes and she leaned up to kiss his lips, "I remember saying that I didn't need you, Alex, only wanted you." She finally murmured as she pulled away from the kiss, "But, I've decided that is entirely untrue. I somehow how both need and want you. I cannot live without you."

He savored her words, his issues with Blink pushed to the back of his mind as she professed those words. How was it that even when he felt terrible, she could make him feel so wonderful?

Suddenly, cheering broke through their moment as the Bride and Groom walked in, hand in hand. They pulled apart to re-join the bridal party and Mush reminded himself that today was not about anyone other than Race and Clara. But, Blink didn't come back and Mush noticed that Katherine's chair was also strangely empty.

Race leaned over partway through the wedding to ask, but no one could give him or Clara an answer of their whereabouts. Mush didn't think anything of it, figuring Blink was moping and that maybe Katherine had finally caved to his advances.

The wedding carried on without them and so did the next few days afterwards before anyone started realizing that something was very wrong...

MmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmM

August 11th, 1907

A soft knock sounded on the apartment door that had been Racetrack's but after Clara's parents had gifted the couple with their own home, Race had happily given up the apartment to Jack and Hazel.

The two were just sitting down to eat dinner when the knock interrupted them. "Who could it be, Daddy?" Hazel asked, glancing between the door and her father. Every time she called him daddy, he felt as though the sun was shining directly onto his soul.

He smiled reassuringly, "Not shoah." He mumbled as he rose to answer it hesitantly. Jack had never had anyone as important to him as Hazel, so he found himself much more cautious of just about anything.

He opened the door, prepared for it to be anyone other than who it actually was. "Hey, Jack." Her voice was soft, her green eyes bleak as they met his brown ones, "Can I stay here till I get back on my feet?"

A/N: Bahaha, so that's the epilogue. I'm setting everything up for Blink's story, but I hope you enjoyed Race and Clara's wedding! Questions, comments, and guesses can be submitted in a review! I hope to have the prologue for Blink's sometime this week!

Truly,

Joker is Poker with a J~

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. I do, however, own Carlos. But, you shall get to know him more in the next story!