The Ballad Of a Bird~ Jack Marston Story

☙ ✯ ❧Chapter Nineteen☙ ✯ ❧

{listen while you read?~ I recommend Wandering Mind by Chance Emerson}
~ ☙ ✯ ❧ ~ ☙ ✯ ❧ ~ ☙ ✯ ❧ ~ ☙ ✯ ❧ ~ ☙ ✯ ❧ ~
(not edited)

Jack and Kullen had returned to camp as the sun had started to fall and Clara greeted them with a smile

"Did you find her?" She questioned the men as they climbed down from their horses, Jack looked to his right hand man who sheepishly shrugged his shoulders, Jack chuckled to himself before turning to the blonde woman waiting an answered with excited eyes

"Yes, we did Clara." Jack answered and watched with a smirk as the woman squealed with joy before running up to Jack and pulling him into a hug

"Well, where is she?" The young woman questioned excited to see the songbird she considered a best friend

"She decided it was best for Jack to speak to the members and make sure she would be welcomed back" Kullen answered Clara

"Of course she would be welcome back, has she lost her mind." Clara said while letting her leader go and stepped away from Jack to speak to his face

"No she hasn't lost it, at least I don't think she has, but she sends you her best." Kullen told her and both men watched as Clara's eyebrows knitted together as her eyes drifted to the moss covered ground in thoughts before her glaze shot to Jack and she stepped forward slightly towards the man again after looking around make sure no one was listening

"She's has a child, doesn't she?" The smart blonde girl asked her leader and watched as Jack slowly nodded his head answering her questions "Is the child yours or another man's?"

"The kids mine, a daughter actually." Jack answered and the girl once again pulled him into her embrace

"Oh, congratulations Jack." Clara spoke happily as she stepped away letting the man go once again "I can't wait to meet the little sweetness. Oh, Mr. Bohoannon come along we must prepare Jacks tent for three."

And with that the woman grabbed Jacks ruthlessly most trusted man by the arm dragging him behind her helplessly towards a wagon with extra furnishings while rambling on about how she was gonna spoil the new girls rotten

Jack chuckled and shook his head at the woman's actions while digging a cigarette out and placing it between his lips and as he went to flick his lighter open a voice near by called his attention

"Jack," looking behind him, Jack was met with three of his members

"Is it true Jackie? You got a wee one?" Sawyer asked the man his accent strongly laced in the soft question and once again Jack nodded an answer

"What's their name?" Jesse asked his boss wanting to know who he need to protect

"Heidi, my daughter." Jack answered and watched as the three men smiled and Ryder was the last to speak

"You best bring them home to you Jack and us," he told his leader before turning to walk towards the fire, "I've got to come up with a song for Heidi and few lullabies." Jack heard the man speaking to himself as he walked away making the feeling of proud burn thought his chest as he couldn't be more happy that everyone so far was excepting the return of his love and the excepting of a new one

He signed and finished his cigarette in silence before stalking off to find Maggie knowing she would be the hardest one to win over. Approaching the camp edge where the older woman sat stitching up a tear in a pair of Jessie's jeans, she looked up hearing the sounds of approaching footsteps

"Ah, Mr. Marston, what can I help you with today?" She questioned with a smile

"I don't intend to tear you away from your job looks mighty important." Jack told her with a smirk and chuckled as the woman bundled the pants up and threw them at Jack

"Such a little prick." Maggie said with a wide smile enjoying their banter

He picked the clothing items from the ground where it had fallen and walked towards her and sat on the blanket covered ground next to her and she took the pants back to continue to stitch them

Jack was quiet as he surveyed the camp from his position and the woman repositioned the items to continue threading the needle through

"You found her didn't you?" Maggie questioned quietly and looked up as he nodded once again
"Speak boy." She ordered softly

"Kullen found her on his way towards Bacchus Station to check the post" Jack answered, "How'd you know?"

Maggie smiled slightly at the boy she loved deeply like a son to her in away before responding "Please Jack, you've been walking around like you're carrying a gravestone strapped on your back, and then you disappear for a few hours and return with the stone crumbled behind you with a smile I haven't seen bless your handsome face since..." she trailed off trying of think of something but only one came to mind "Well, since that Birdie returned you to us after you had been captured."

Maggie looked to the man who remained quiet and with a smile she asked another question

"Your asking my permission to let her return." The smart woman said understanding the unspoken question

"Something like that" Jack mumbled back as he looked down and his fingers absentmindedly played with the grass blades beside him when he looked back towards the woman "I have a daughter Maggie."

The older woman's needle froze in her hand and Jack watched as she looked forward and gently set the fabric down

"What's her name?" Maggie questioned softly
"Heidi Marston." Jack answered

"How old is she?"

"She's two."

Jack watched as Maggie nodded slowly and murmured
"I see."
as she thought over the new information before looking towards the man

"Jack you stupid man, you think this gang,no, your family is going to deny Birdie coming back or welcome your child then I'll be first to tell ya, your wrong Jack." Maggie stated her eyes stone showing she was telling the truth and Jack listened "And if anyone as a problem with it send them my way I'll sent them straight"

Jack smiled gratefully at the woman who's he's come to love like a mother even if she was only 2 years his senior

"Thank you, Maggie." He told her and watched as she threw Jessie's still torn pants to the side

"Don't thank me yet now come along." She said standing up and Jack followed soon after

"Where are we going?" He questioned as the woman stormed through the camp towards the leaders tent where Kullen had roped Ryder into helping him be ordered around by Clara who stood in the middle of his now empty tent turning in circles as she planned the layout in her eyes

"Miss. Maundy, I was hoping you would accompany me into town for some new fabrics." Maggie's asked the woman who smiled brightly

"Oh! I would love to after I finish bossing these boys around," Clara said before turning to her leader "Jack, should I direct the boys to grab a single bed or a double?"

Jack didn't answer not knowing what to say but a voice answered

"He's been away from his gal for to long to decide which bed, double obviously." Kullen said like it was easiest answer ever as he and Ryder unloaded the frame for the bed he spoke of and Jack watched as his best friend turned to him with a shit eating grin "Just don't go breaking it now, let us get to know the wee one before Boss Gal pops another one out."

"Shut up." Jack said with a smirk and joking pushed the man who chuckled and pushed back and before the two boys could get into a cat fight, Maggie grabbed Jacks ear and dragged him way towards his horse

"You get her, Jack. Spend a few days getting to know your daughter without disruption we'll be waiting for you to return all of you" Maggie told him and Jack couldn't help but hug the woman before he scrambled into his saddle and spurred his off

Maggie smiled at his retreating figure leaving dust behind and watched till he was gone from view before turning around

"Kullen! Mr. Ryder! Finish helping Clara then escort us into town, Miss. Lady, I need you to find some sewing patterns for a wee one." She ordered and the four quickly ran off with their orders, "The rest of you protect this camp till Jack returns with the rest of this family."