Full Circle

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

"Daddy, what's Mommy doing?"

Clint adjusted the baby in his arms and stooped down next to three year old Jackson. "She's talking to your other Daddy, kiddo. She wanted to tell him about Cassidy."

Jackson looked up at the little girl asleep against Clint's shoulder. His blond hair was askew, falling in to his eyes, and Clint couldn't help but see Austin in the little boy's face. "You mean Austin? Doesn't he live in heaven?"

Clint smiled. "That's right, he does. But this is his special place where we can go to think about him and talk to him until we get to heaven."

"Oh." Jackson responded, looking back to where Gabby knelt by Austin's grave. "Okay." And then he turned his attention back to the toy tractor in his hand.

Clint rose at the same time Gabby did and watched her crunch back through the leaves. It had been almost four years since Austin's death but Gabby still visited the cemetery whenever they made it to New York to visit. She reached for Cassidy, who had just turned three months old, and accepted a kiss from Clint.

"Did you tell my other Daddy about Cassidy?" Jackson asked. "Was he happy?"

Gabby reached down to ruffle his blond hair. "Yes, he was. He said to tell you that he expects you to be a good big brother and take care of her."

Clint suppressed a grin as the boy puffed out his chest. He reached down and picked him up, tossing him over his shoulder. "Kind of like I take care of Mommy."

Jackson giggled. "Or maybe like Superman?" he asked hopefully.

Clint rolled his eyes and Gabby laughed.

"Yeah, like him too." Clint conceded. He adjusted Jackson into his arms and the foursome headed out of the cemetery.

Gabby reached out to gently squeeze the back of Clint's neck. "Don't worry Cowboy," she whispered, "You'll always be my superman."

Clint smiled. That's all he'd ever asked for.