The Magpie's Death

Something of a Miracle

"Dada. Jack. Dada Jack."

Ellie sat on her father's shoulders as they strolled down the sidewalk. High above the world around her, she rapped her monotone song. There was no expression on her face, but her eyes shined and her free leg swung gently. At each word, she attempted to clap, but her rhythm was terrible. The sharp sounds from her hands rarely matched the speed of her words.

Squeezing Sam's open hand, Jack chuckled. "Ellie, your song would be better with some more words..."

And some semblance of a beat, Sam thought.

He wasn't about to stop his daughter or point out her complete lack of musical talent. The fact that she was even attempting to express herself while making this much noise was a miracle. Secretly glancing sideways at Jack, he thought this entire moment was something of a miracle. He didn't want anything to ruin it.

Jack's suggestion was ignored and Ellie continued her repetitive rap as they turned the block to the main street through town. The strip was busy, all of the locals and long-term summer tourists venturing out on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The further into the crowd they strolled, the more Jack tensed and tried to pull away. Sam only strengthened his grip. This was the first time all three had gone out in public together and he knew Jack was afraid. He wanted to show him he didn't need to be.

"What if people see us?" Jack asked, trembling slightly in his panic.

Lifting his hand, Sam gave it a light kiss, then returned it to his side. "So?"

"We're not in the city," Jack replied. His eyes darted from stranger to stranger. "People here aren't used to this and they aren't as accepting."

In reality, Jack was the only one paying attention to their clasped hands or the fact that they were close enough for their shoulders to brush together. He was too preoccupied scanning each passerby for a reaction to notice that none of them were looking back.

"Then I guess they need to get used to it," Sam said without worry. "If they don't accept it, oh well. And if they try anything worse, I'll take care of it."

Jack looked up at him, one worry instantly replaced with another. "You're not really gonna do anything... Right?" There was silence as they walked and a finger poked him in the side. "Uh, Sam? Right?"

He only shrugged, avoiding the question. He honestly wasn't sure himself, but he guessed that saying he wouldn't was a lie and he'd promised not to lie anymore. Jack responded with a frustrated sigh. After only another half a block, a familiar face, followed by a familiar collection of faces, approached from the other direction.

"Oh, look." Sam stared at the men ahead. "Maybe we'll have a chance to find out."

Jack squeezed his hand tight. "Don't actually do anything, okay?"

"Even if they deserve it?"

There was no reply to that. Jack was naturally passive, but no doubt still felt conflicted in this situation.

The group of four stopped just ahead of them and Mitch flashed them an arrogant smirk. "Jackie boy. Long time no see."

"Yeah. It was nice." Jack remained his calm and sarcastic self, but he shifted a little closer to Sam's side, taken by a deep-rooted fear he couldn't control.

Sam looked down at the man who used to be a bully. All he saw was weakness and insecurity. He was nothing to be afraid of.

"Been behaving, Mitch?"

Mitch cleared his throat. "So, I guess you really do swing both ways."

He found his own comment amusing, but he wasn't confident. His friends avoided meeting Sam's eyes as they forced a few smiles and chuckles for their leader.

Sam shrugged, not bothered by the question. He guessed it was meant to be an insult, though he wasn't sure why.

"I just care more about what's on the inside."

"That's cool, man." A couple of Mitch's friends nodded their agreement, still wearing uneasy smiles. "Not that we want to see it, but whatever makes you happy."

"It must be difficult," Sam said, leaning down until he was face to face with him. "It's one thing for a pretty guy like Jack, but I don't fit your stereotype, do I?"

Putting his hands up, Mitch cleared his throat again. "Look, man. You can do your thing and I'll leave you be, but it doesn't mean I have to like it."

"You're right." He backed away again. It was the first sensible thing the man had said. "The feeling's mutual, so I appreciate it." Using the hand interlocked with Jack's, he gestured around the group. "We'll be going then."

"Ah, yeah." Mitch and his friends shifted over and the two sidestepped them, continuing down the sidewalk without glancing back.

"Hah..." Jack was grinning like a fool. "That was so strange." Tugging at Sam's arm, he paused to look over his companion, who was unaffected by the entire encounter. "What exactly did you say to them that night?"

Sam glanced up at Ellie, her eyes curious and wandering around the street. She didn't seem to be paying attention to their conversation, but he didn't want to take any chances.

"Let's just say I mentioned a few of my skills and let them know what could happen if they chose not to take my advice."

There was no need to mention what those skills were for Jack's eyes to widen a little. Then he turned his head and laughed.

"A threat from Maggie is permanent," he said, repeating Finn's words from that night. "Is it wrong that I feel oddly pleased by that?"

"Don't ask me. Right and wrong isn't really my area of expertise."

Jack laughed again and looked up at Sam with sparkling green eyes. "Did you just make a joke?"

"I think I was being serious." Their gaze met, but his face remained as stoic as always. "Did it sound like a joke?"

Jack didn't respond. Smiling wide, he pulled Sam's arm up to rest around his shoulders as they continued down the street. They walked a few more blocks, then he directed them onto a small dirt path into the woods.

"Have you ever been to look at the falls?" he asked, snug under Sam's hold, keeping his hand held tight against his chest.

Sam shook his head, so Jack hurried them along down the trail until it opened to a wide creek. A tall bridge crossed from bank to bank and he dragged them to stand the middle.

Turning to stare at the small waterfall, Sam let out a little breath.

"Beautiful, right?" Jack sounded proud as he looked out over the railing. "We almost missed the timing. The sun has to be in the right spot."

Looking into the falls, Sam could see their reflections in the crystal water. The combination of the shining sun, the clarity of the creek above, and their distance from the falling water made it look like a mirror. He pulled Jack in with his free arm, looking at the picture of the three before him.

"What do you see, Ellie?" Jack asked.

As always, she pointed, watching their image shimmering ahead. "Dada Jack."

Sam tugged gently on her ankle. "It isn't just us."

"Ellie."

He nodded and Jack chuckled, pressing himself closer. "I'm really happy right now."

"Yeah... I think I am too," Sam quietly agreed, his chest tight and warm and his mind peaceful for the first time in forever.