Epilogue
To think that had he remained so foolish and stubborn, Benedick would not now be surrounded by so much love.
Just like the night that he had first come to this house to protect Victoria, a storm raged outside. On one side of his bed his wife slumbered.
When the lightning had flashed the first time, followed by thunder, Benedick sat up in bed, but Victoria slept on. It wasn’t that storms frightened him, but he had learned to be alert after a limb crashed through Victoria’s window.
Not only had damage been done to the house, but a portion of the garden had been destroyed when the tree split and fell at the back of the house.
Lightning flashed again, followed by a crack and then thunder. Benedick pulled himself from the bed to look out the window to see if they were going to experience the gale winds as well, but none of the trees were being forced to bend.
When lightning lit a third time, the door to his chamber was flung open and Rebecca, who was only two years of age, rushed in followed by four-year-old Paul, who Benedick was convinced was conceived that very night when he had waited to hear words of love from Victoria.
It was a good thing that he was wearing the nightshirt that Victoria insisted upon. It wasn’t that she had suddenly grown modest or puritan. She just didn’t want to have to explain to her daughter why Benedick looked different, or her for that matter. That knowledge would come soon enough.
He hated wearing a nightshirt but understood Victoria’s reasoning.
“Rebecca is afraid,” his son declared bravely.
“There is nothing to fear,” Benedick promised.
Thunder rumbled and Rebecca scrambled onto the bed and under the blankets. “That is my side,” Benedick informed her.
She scooted over only slightly and patted the mattress as if he could squeeze into a space that was barely big enough for her favored doll.
Lightning flashed and Paul was next to scramble into the bed. Claiming a space next to Victoria.
Benedick chuckled and returned to bed where he moved Rebecca over to sleep next to her brother then made a space for himself.
In no time at all both son and daughter were asleep while Benedick could not find a comfortable position. Yet, he could not be happier.
As he turned one last time, he glanced over at Victoria who was watching him.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“We need a bigger bed.”
She smiled brightly and caressed her hand over her swollen belly. “Indeed, we do.”
* * *