Epilogue
Two years later
“Heaven help us. There are two more Marks in
this world,” Tony said as he entered Mark’s parlor.
Velma was with him, and she was carrying
their one-year-old son, Ned.
“Ha, ha,” Mark replied as he shifted one of
his newborn twin sons in his arm. “You’re just upset because I had
two children on my first try while you only had one.”
Tony snorted. “It took you twice as long to
make a child. Velma and I had ours practically right away, and I
bet we’ll be having another one in a year.”
Velma shook her head as she sat next to Tony
in a chair. “This isn’t a contest. It’s not about one of us having
more children than the other.” She brought Ned onto her lap and
handed him a cookie to nibble on. “The important thing is that
everyone is healthy.”
“Hear hear,” Mark agreed. He tucked the
blanket more securely around Earl’s head so that he was more
comfortable. “Natalie did a wonderful job of giving me two terrific
sons.” He sat next to Natalie on the couch. “God willing, they’ll
have more sense than to go into farming.”
Tony shot Mark a pointed look. “Next time you
eat your dinner, remember that if it weren’t for us farmers, you
wouldn’t have any food.”
“Why do you two argue every time you get
together?” Natalie asked, finally looking up from Raymond who was
sleeping in her arms.
“We’re not arguing,” Mark said. “We’re
joking.”
“Well, it sounds like you’re arguing to me,”
Natalie said. She glanced at Velma. “Don’t you think they sound
like they’re arguing?”
Velma snickered. “Imagine what your house is
going to be like once those two get old enough to talk.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Natalie
asked.
Velma shrugged. “I might be enjoying it a
little bit.”
“Just wait until you have the second child,”
Natalie said. “You won’t be so smug then.”
“Twins are the worst,” Velma replied. “They
fight over everything.”
“You’d think that, but you’re wrong,” Mark’s
father called out from the entryway of the parlor.
Mark glanced over and saw his parents. His
mother came over and greeted each child with a kiss to their
foreheads.
“Growing up in my house,” Mark’s father
continued, “no one argued more than Tom and Joel, and they had
eight years between them. Even you two,” he pointed to Mark and
Tony, “didn’t argue as much as they did.”
“Thank goodness for that,” Mark’s mother
said. “I wouldn’t have kept my sanity if they had. I don’t know how
your mother put up with Tom and Joel picking at each other all the
time. And they still do it.” Natalie handed Raymond to her, so she
took him in her arms and smiled. “I don’t think those two will ever
grow up.”
“They don’t want to, so why would they?”
Mark’s father peered down at Earl and said, “Don’t let Mark tell
you what to do. It’s your life. You have to do the job you want. If
you live someone else’s way, you’ll never be satisfied.”
Mark leaned to Natalie and whispered, “And
that’s how Tony ended up deciding to run a farm instead of being a
part of the family business.” He’d never understand it, but then,
his dream had been to design businesses like his father did, not
run after animals all day.
Mark’s mother sat next to Natalie and said,
“Ben and Annabelle are still in St. Louis setting up the new
orphanage. They hope to be back next week. They’re eager to meet
their new nephews.”
“Who knew Annabelle would have such a gift
for children?” Mark’s father asked as he picked up a cup of tea.
“She loves taking care of them. She and Ben even adopted a
two-year-old boy named Chris.”
“Which brings up a good point,” Tony began as
he put his arm around Velma’s shoulders. “This family needs a girl.
There are too many boys. Fortunately, the missus and I are working
on that.”
“Tony,” Velma warned.
“What?” Tony squeezed her shoulders. “We’re
going to have a lot of children. Some are bound to be girls.”
Mark’s mother laughed. “I hope you do have
more children because I love holding my grandchildren. Now I know
why your grandmother got so excited every time the family came over
for holidays. I’m looking forward to spending lots of time with
Ned, Raymond, Earl, and Chris.”
Natalie grinned. “Well, I’m glad Ben and
Annabelle are helping with orphanages. Mrs. Gordon is thrilled with
the three children she and Mr. Gordon adopted. Those children were
exactly what they needed.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Mark’s mother said.
“That poor couple went through a painful time after they found out
their nephew was involved with a criminal family.”
“Well, they’re doing fine now,” Mark’s father
replied. “Not only do they have children, but their restaurant is
one of the best in Omaha. Everything worked out well for
everyone.”
“Yes, it did,” Velma agreed, giving Tony a
warm smile.
Tony returned her smile and squeezed her
shoulders again.
Mark, in turn, rubbed Natalie’s back. He was
with Natalie, Tony was with Velma, and Annabelle was with Ben.
Things worked out exactly the way they were supposed to. He
couldn’t think of anything else to add to their happy family.