Five Months Later….

Frank smiled as he gave the woman her change and handed her the bag of donuts. As he watched the woman leave, his gaze wandered over to the window and he sighed before turning his back to fetch the broom. It had been almost a year now, and he still had not heard a word about Jack.

He sighed. It wasn't a first time a street kid vanished, yet it always bothered Frank when one of his regulars would disappear like they never existed. Jack had been a special kid too. He'd always look forward when Jack greeted him with a new trick.

The shop's bell jingled and Frank replaced his frown with a smile to greet. "Hey, what can I get you for today-Jack?!"

The very boy he was just thinking about approached the counter with a huge grin. "Hey, Frank, you look good! How's the shop?"

Frank's jaw dropped as he looked Jack over. The boy barely resembled the skinny street kid that use to sit outside his shop. His hair was no longer brown, but a snowy white. Did Jack dyed his hair? Someone had fatten the kid up to a healthy weight and his clothes look brand new.

"Business has been good," Frank said as he pressed his lips together. He was tempted to ask where Jack had been all these months, but that wasn't his business. If Jack wanted Frank to know, he would tell. "How about you? Doing okay?"

Jack gave a warm smile. "Better than okay, it's why I stopped by," he said as he leaned on the counter. "I've always appreciated what you did for me, and I just wanted to tell you I was alive and not dead in a ditch somewhere."

"I appreciate that," Frank said as he leaned on the counter. He raised his head and suddenly noticed a man with pepper grey hair standing outside his window. How long had he been standing there?

"That's my foster dad," Jack explained as he gestured to the man with his thumb. "I have a new home and family now."

Frank blinked and then laughed as he patted Jack's shoulder. "That's great, Kid. I'm happy for you. You should bring them by, I'll give them all a free donut."

Jack chuckled. "I will," he waved at Frank as he headed back to the door. "I got to go. We're running late for a show I'm giving at the hospital. See you, Frank!"

Frank waved and watched happily as Jack left the shop and the man wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulders before they walked away. Frank smiled, he was relieved to see Jack was not only safe, but happy. In his opinion, that was probably the best kind of magic of all.

The End

Author's Note: So, that's the end of this tale. Thanks to all my readers that stuck with me for this. I never imagined it would get this popular, and I can honestly say all your comments have been encouraging. I'm just so grateful to hear them.

For those wondering, I do got a rough idea for a sequel to this, but I'll need time to make a proper outline and to write it mostly out. (Not to mention I got a few other fics I've been meaning to finish.)

In the meantime, I'll try to get around to writing some short story pieces taking place in the same setting to tie you guys over. Until then, thanks to all my readers! You are all awesome.