A/N: Well, a few of you really wanted to see more, and I did have this scene in my head anyway. But after this little epilogue, it's done. I mean, an epilogue to an epilogue? That would just be silly.

"Well, go on now."

Newt waved his hand at the thunderbird and clicked the locks in his case shut. She just looked at him with eyes like a kicked puppy, her tail sweeping over the sand. He laughed and walked up to her, rubbing her neck.

"Frank won't bite, look, he's all ready to show you around."

Frank gave a cry of agreement, sweeping his wings through the hot, dry air and creating a miniature dust storm as the wind lifted the grit into the air. Newt had to close his eyes and raise one sweaty arm over his face.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Melody trying to hide behind him, nervous as a girl on her first date. It must have been a long time since she'd seen another thunderbird.

Frank folded his wings and made a small cooing noise, soft, gentle.

At this Melody cocked her head, taking a step towards the male thunderbird.

"That's it, c'mon," Newt breathed.

She took another step forward and ruffled her wings, giving him a chirp. he fluffed his wings back.

Then they were jumping into the air together, playfully batting at one another like two puppies, bounding across the cloudlesss sky like it was their playground. He could have watched them for hours.

Finally, Melody settled down to the ground. She nudged her beak under his hand, and he stroked her face where old scars were now covered in feathers.

"Goodbye, sweetheart," he said softly. Then he turned to Frank. "You take care of her, alright? And Melody, you take care of him."

He blinked, swallowed, then lifted his hand from her face. She gave him one final nudge and they were off, two bright white specks in a crystal blue sky. Newt watched them go, his heart as warm as the blistering sand beneath his shoes,

They would be safe here. And he hoped they would be happy.

But still.

He would miss them.