Epilogue
Seven months later
Perry walked outside onto the patio. The sun was high in the sky, spreading its midday warmth. He spied his wife crouched
down in the butterfly garden, weeding the young plantings they’d put in two weeks earlier. So that’s where she was. He headed
toward her, his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face. Daisy from Marigold. It didn’t have the same ring as Daisy from
Dover, but it was music to his ears. It also hadn’t been a difficult decision for her to move here. “I already feel like it’s home,” she’d said when they discussed it after their proposal—or rather, pact, as she liked to call it.
When he reached the garden, she stood up and arched her back. “ Ach ,” she said, staring down at her protruding belly. “Look at this. I’m more positive than ever that I’m having twins.”
“Chances are gut that you are.” He went to her, unable to resist placing his hand on her stomach. He felt a kick, and then another one, making
him smile. She was due at the beginning of autumn, but she looked like she might go earlier. “ Mamm would love another set of twin grandbabies.” He kissed her cheek and took the short-handled tool from her, threading his fingers through hers. “I’ve got a surprise for you inside.”
She smiled, her plump cheeks turning rosy. “I love surprises.”
“I know.” While he wasn’t a fan of them, he enjoyed surprising Daisy. She was always so excited and appreciative. She had
brought him out of his shell, and he wasn’t even dreading yet another family gathering they were expected to attend tomorrow.
Since their wedding last December, four more babies had been added to the Bontrager clan, and they were getting together to
celebrate Mamm ’s birthday. Having her by his side made everything easier.
“I was thinking,” she said as they walked hand in hand toward the house. “If we are having twins, we need to think of backup
names.”
“I guess we do.” They had chosen Perry Jr. if the baby was a boy, and Grace for a girl. “Did you have any in mind?”
“Faith for a girl.”
He nodded. “I like that.”
“And... Ferman for a—”
“ Nee . No way.”
She halted. “Why not? Ferman is a fine name.”
“It is. But do you know how big Ferman’s head will get when he finds out we’re naming our sohn after him? He’s already got a sohn and grandsohn named after him.”
Daisy smiled and moved closer to him until her stomach met his beltline.
Perry shook his head and laughed. “Fine. Ferman it is.”
“Danki . ” She tried to lean forward to kiss him and almost tipped over.
His arm went around her waist to steady her. “Allow me.” He nuzzled her neck for a second, and once again they headed for the house.
“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Mamm gave me some news last week.”
He opened the back door for her and they walked inside. When they were in the kitchen, she stopped and faced him. “You’ll
never guess who’s getting married.”
“You’re right because, besides your family, I know exactly no one in Dover.”
“You know one other person.”
Perry frowned, searching his mind. Then it hit him. “Maynard?” He hadn’t heard that name in a while. Thank God.
“ Ya .” She grinned. “ Mamm said she’s nice. I’m happy for him.”
He took her hand. He was done talking about Maynard. While he was secure in the fact that Daisy didn’t have any residual feelings
for the man, Perry didn’t want to hear about him again. “Can I show you the surprise now?”
Daisy squeezed his hand. “Yes, please.”
He took her to the butterfly room. The door was shut. He put his arm around her and said, “Close your eyes.”
She giggled and obeyed. “Okay. I’m ready.”
He opened the door and guided her in. “You can open them now.”
Her mouth dropped open, and her hand went to her heart. “A nursery?” She looked around the room in amazement, then back at
him. “Oh, Perry, it’s beautiful. But where are all the butterflies?”
“Some of them are still here.” He watched as she walked around the room, looking at several of his butterfly drawings adorning
the walls.
“These are all my favorites,” she said, then stopped in front of the largest one. “You finished her.” She turned to him, her
eyes damp.
He moved to stand beside her and looked at his drawing of Lady. He’d worked on it for almost a year, discarding many attempts. He wanted her to be just right, and he thought he’d finally done her justice.
“It’s perfect.” Daisy clasped her hands together and looked around the room, her gaze landing on the opposite wall where he
hung her cross-stitch scriptures. “It’s all so perfect.” Then she went to the crib he’d placed in the room yesterday while
she was visiting Rosella. “What did you do with everything else?”
“It’s in storage.” At her protest, he added, “For the time being. I know you said the boppli or bopplis could stay in our bedroom so I could keep this room for myself.”
“We could have made it work,” she insisted.
He ran the back of his hand over her warm cheek. “You know how much I like our privacy.”
She blushed and rested her hand on her stomach. “Then we’ll have to add another room for your butterflies,” she said.
“I fully plan on adding to the haus . But I have a different idea for my collection. I want to share them with my nieces and nephews. And then our kinner , when they’re old enough. There’s plenty to geh around.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
Perry nodded. “It’s time. I’ve kept it to myself for too long. Maybe one or more of the children will take an interest. If
not, I can donate some of the materials to Marigold School.”
“What a wonderful idea. And so generous.” She put her arms around his neck. “Just one more reason why I love you, Perry Bontrager.”
He snuggled her against him, his heart overflowing. “I’m ready to have another boppli ,” he said.
She laughed. “We haven’t had this one yet.”
“If it’s God’s will, I want more. A lot more.”
“It will be awfully crowded around here.” She gave him the sweetest smile.
He kissed her and said, “I’m counting on it.”