Modern AU 

"Ok, while Race, Specs, Albert, Finch, are gettin' the tree-"

"Are we sure it's a good idea to let the nightmare twins pick out the tree with only Specs to keep them in line?" Feister asked cutting Jack off. "We all know Finch is gonna drown himself in hot cocoa."

"What have you done Cowboy?" Mush asked slowly. He looked over at Feister and the two of them started to snicker.

Jack rolled his eyes before continuing. "Ike, Mike, you untangle the lights-"

"That rhymed," Elmer commented.

Jack slowly blinked and took a very deep breath before saying, "I'll help with the lights too. Henry, Jojo, Elmer, an' Crutch, you get the stuff for the tree. Tommy, Buttons, Sniper, Romeo, you get the decorations for the Lodge, Feisty, Mush, Blink. Popcorn strings. And this time don't eat the popcorn. We are not going back to get anything from the store unless it is absolutely necessary."

With that being said the newsies all headed off to their respective job. Most of the roads in New York were still closed. And while they wanted to make a batch of cookies, Kloppman wouldn't let them ever since the last encounter with the baked goods.

So, with nothing better to do they all decided to decorate the Lodge for Christmas. It was either that, or sit around all day doing nothing. Since Race, Albert, Specs and Finch weren't back with the tree yet, and after the boxes were brought down the newsies all went to work.

"Hold that end - no the other end - the one near your - Ike don't do that you're gonna... and now he's stuck," Jack said with a sigh.

"I hate doin' the lights," Ike groaned.

"On the bright side they all work!" Mike chirped happily after plugging in the lights While Jack and Mike were busy untangling Ike from the lights, Henry, Elmer and Buttons were sorting through the stuff for the tree. There were ornaments of all shapes and sizes, different colors and a lot of sparkle.

"Be care not to break anything," Crutchie reminded as Henry picked up one of the more breakable ornaments.

"I know," Henry replied while admiring the item in question.

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"Why are New York Winters so cold?!" Finch asked. "Right now I wish I was a penguin."

"Stop your grumbling," Race complained. "By this time next year we'll be able to drive." since none of them could drive they had to walk in the very cold streets of New York. Then there was finding the right tree while staying on budget.

"And then you'll be complaining that it's too hot and wish you were a some animal from Africa," Albert added with small hand gestures.

"Will you all shut up and focus!" Specs shouted. "The sooner we get a tree the sooner we can go home." which was a lot easier said then done.

When the four boys got to the nearest park where there was a popup tree farm it all went down hill. Finch of course was buying a extra large hot cocoa, while Race and Albert were well...doing what they do best. And no, it wasn't getting into trouble (thankfully)

Specs was busy trying to get Finch to stop talking about how he could roast a small marshmallow with a toothpick and a candle, when he heard a "run for your life!". "What did they do now?" Specs groaned.

'Hey Specs! Finch! listen if you see a very big, an' angry lookin' guy about this high, I wasn't here ok? Ok bye!" Albert said quickly before running off. Before anything else was said a very big and angry looking guy came up to the two boys said, "Hey punks! Have you seen a scrawny looking ginger?"

"What did this-" Finch cleared his throat before saying, "scrawny little ginger do?"

"Him, and his blonde friend flirted with my girls," the guy replied before running off.

"And here I was thinkin' they knocked down a tree." needless to say the big guy did catch up to Race and Albert. The guy threw them into a big pile of snow and walked off angrily.

To make matters worse a random dog almost spoiled the snow. But Specs and Finch got there on time before it could happen.

"I hope you two learned your lesson," Specs said with a small laugh as he helped Race up.

"Never flirt with a girl just cause she's pretty," Albert said as Finch helped him up. "You never know who her scary father might be."

"Now we just need to find a tree."

"Like that one?"

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"A little to your left Specs...no no. Your other left...steady...steady....."

"Finch, you're steppin' on my foot!"

"Sorry Al.

"I got the popcorn to make...how big is that tree?!" Feister asked as she walked into the living room with a bowl full of popcorn. She saw Race, and Specs, and Albert, and Finch all struggling to get the Christmas tree up.

"Bout seven feet," Race replied.

"How did you get it through the door?!"

All four boys stopped what they were doing and looked at each other. They were all thinking the exact same thing. How they got a 7ft tree through the tiny door was well....let's just say Specs and Finch had to wedge his way in between the door and the tree, so he could pull from the other side.

When they could've used the back door instead (which would've been the smart thing to do) but then again, newsies weren't the best at making the right choices.

When both boys finally got to the other side it was a bit hard to pull, because the tip was on the inside and the truck on the outside. So that's how they all spent the next twenty minutes jamming a 7ft tree through the door.

"You don't want to know," they all replied. Feister just nodded before going over to the couch and sat down. Ike and Mike were busy untangling the lights while Jojo and Elmer were hanging up the stockings.

"Ooo, popcorn!" Kid Blink said. He was about to grab a handful when Feister swatted his hand away.

"This is for the tree not your stomach!" Feister yelled with a "don't you dare" glare. Which made Blink huff and go back to what he was doing. Feister then started to string the popcorn together while the boys did their own thing.

"Don't mind if I do," Mush said as he grabbed a hand full and stuffed it in his mouth.

"Mush Meyers!" Feister yelled. "Did ya not hear what I just told Blink?" when Mush didn't answer Feister said, "It's for the tree, not your stomach."

"Since when do trees eat popcorn?" Mush asked with a cheeky grin. Feister did her "I give up' groan. One she's done many times.

"Are gonna stand there like the idiot ya are, or are ya gonna help me string popcorn?" Feister asked.

"That was the job I was given," Mush replied with a cheeky smile.

"Can we get a little help here?" Mike asked. Everyone stopped what they were doing to see what happened. And sure enough, Ike and Mike somehow tangled themselves in the lights.

"Three time's the charm I see," Jojo joked with a small laugh.

"Less talking and more getting us out please," Mike yelled. The three of them then got off the couch and proceeded to untangle Ike and Mike from the lights. Needless to say Kloppman had to go and help.

Soon enough the twins were out of the lights and the lights were well...back to what they were before. Sniper and Tommy boy were busy winding the garland around the railing of the staircase, while Crutchie was hanging up the rest of them stockings.

As the newsies were getting the Lodge ready for Christmas Kloppman was watching with a smile from the safety of his desk. So far now messes had been made, nothing broke, and for once, no one was yelling.

Soon enough the Christmas tree and all the other decorations were done. The Lodge looked like something out of a book. The evergreen tree was so plain and boring when it first came into the Lodge.

The silver garden and popcorn string were both wrapped around the tree neatly with the different colored ornaments standing out one way or another.  There weren't just round ones, but snowflakes, hearts, reindeer, a little horse with cotton coming out of the chimney like smoke, stars, angels, and a nutcracker.

There were more lights on the windows along with paper snowflakes, and a homemade wreath that was made out of green and red garland, hung on the front door. The tree was sending off a sweet smell that filled the Lodge, adding to the warm and cozy feeling.

"The tree looks good," Feister said under her breath.

"Can't agree more Feisty," Mush said with a small smile.

"Lookie what's under the mistletoe!" Romeo exclaimed. The boys all turned their heads to where Romeo was pointing. And sure enough it was Mush and Feister, who both looked up to see that they were indeed standing under the mistletoe.

So, without even giving much thought Mush pressed a lingering kiss to Feister's cheek. Much to the boys disappointed. "It's supposed to be on the lips!" Race yelled.

"Actually it just says to kiss the person. It never says where," Mush replied with a cheeky grin. "And I believe you owe me somethin'."