The Magpie's Death

Visiting the Past (2)

"Hi Mama!"

Ellie's feet hit the ground and she hurried over to the small, plain white stone, placing a little hand on the front and a bundle of daisies in the short grass.

"Look. Dada got flowers. Finn say you like."

Leo stood back with Jack, watching the girl talk to her mother. A wave of mixed emotions hit him. Pride and shame, satisfaction and guilt, joy and pity. A hand squeezed his and he turned to see a warm and comforting smile.

"I think you have some things to say, so I'll leave you two alone."

He only nodded as Jack stepped away, then brought his attention back to Ellie and her mother. An afterlife, people listening after death – he didn't believe in any of that, but his new husband had explained that wasn't the reason people spoke to friends and family who were gone. Everyone has something they want to share or things they never got to say. Even as a one-sided conversation, it felt better to say those things out loud.

Leo wasn't sure about that, but he did have things to tell this woman. Since she was no longer here to listen, this was the only way to express how he felt.

"Dada!" Ellie called out, waving her hand at him. "Say hi to Mama. Why you stand there?"

He smiled at his blunt daughter and stepped alongside the grave to crouch next to her. Pulling her into his arms, he gazed at the stone for a moment. He had bought the plot and ordered the marker, but there was no body. That was long gone, unclaimed and cremated by the city. Still, it was the least he could do for the woman responsible for this life.

Taking a small breath in, gripping Ellie a little tighter, he spoke.

"Hi Charlotte." Just saying her name made him feel guilty. "You don't know me and I originally came to apologize, but now I'm not sure that would be honest. I am sorry for how things ended. No one deserves that and all I could give those men in return was my knife. I'm also sorry for changing your name and your life, and for setting up this empty grave. I did it for your daughter, but I also did it to protect myself and the life I want."

It had been an easy life to change. Too easy. Even after a thorough investigation, they found nothing. Charlotte May Waters had no family, no friends, and no one who would even notice she was gone. Just like him, she had been a shadow. And just like him, Ellie had been her reason to want something more. He swallowed, pausing to read the words engraved on the stone.

Charlotte Marie Winters

1998-2020

Loving mother, Brave soul

May you rest in peace

"More than an apology, I want to selfishly thank you." He huffed out a shameful laugh. "What an awful thing, thanking someone for their death. You were just a job, a mark, but that day changed everything. I know from your actions and from watching River grow that you loved her. You would have done anything for her, so I hope you can understand me."

He smiled looking at the stone, thinking if Charlotte really was watching, she would be glad to see her daughter now. This certainly wasn't the plan or the end she wanted, but her actions had at least given her little girl a better life.

"I seem to be making a lot of promises today. In two weeks, River will be five, and in September, she'll start school. She's beautiful, intelligent, and independent. I promise she'll have the life she deserves. Loving parents, a family and a home, and everything she needs and wants. Saving her saved me and now I'll protect her."

As if she could understand, Ellie turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself up to kiss him on the cheek. He held her but stayed crouched to the ground. She shifted to look back at the stone.

"Mama," she cooed sweetly, blue eyes shining and a big smile on her face. "I have two dadas today. Are you happy? I think you happy."

Leo choked at the innocent words and stood, his daughter's legs dangling against his waist.

"Bye Mama." She waved at the stone. "I see you later!"

He wondered how well Ellie understood the situation and how much of her mother she could remember. Someday, she would be old enough to have that discussion, but for now, this was enough. He spotted Jack at the bottom of the hill, standing before two matching headstones, and carried her down to join him.

"Did you say everything you wanted to?" Jack asked, smiling at Ellie, then taking Leo's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

Leo shrugged. "I can always come back if I didn't."

With a nod, Jack's smile stretched eagerly across his face. He turned back to the graves. "Mom. Dad. This is that frustrating man I told you about."

Leo bobbed his head, greeting his new husband's parents. "Sir. Ma'am."

"Can you believe it?" Jack asked the stones. "I'm married and I have a precious, five-year-old daughter." He took a little breath and Leo could tell he was holding back tears. "You always supported me, and I'm grateful for that, but I know underneath you were sad and scared. Now I have my own family. A husband who loves and protects me, and a tough little girl who takes care of me." The grip of his hand grew stronger at those words. "I've never been happier, so you don't need to worry about me anymore."

There was a minute of quiet and a tear escaped down Jack's cheek. He was keeping the rest in, trying to be strong in front of his mother and father, so Leo pretended not to see. Instead, he cleared his throat, feeling weirdly nervous standing in front of Jack's dead parents.

"If I was really meeting you, I wouldn't be able to tell you about myself... so I'll skip that part. Instead, I'll just say that your son is the most beautiful person I've ever met. I'm still learning, but I hope I can care for my family as well as you cared for yours."

There were a few more moments of silence, then Jack quickly wiped his wet cheek and took hold of Leo's arm. "Enough. Let's go back and celebrate."

He only nodded in reply. With Ellie securely seated in his elbow and a tight grasp of Jack's hand, the three continued down the hill toward home.

END