What May Come Epilogue

"Is this the one, Papa?"  "That's exactly right. Thank you son, you're an excellent assistant."   Jenny came out on the front porch with a tiny bundle sleeping in her arms. "How's it going out here?"

"We almost finished, Mommy, do you think she likes it? "  Thad looked at his newborn daughter sleeping like an angel. "I'll tell you what, Michael, when she wakes up, we will ask your sister what she thinks."  This satisfied three year old Michael. He smiled with pleasure and wandered into the house to play with his trains.

Rachel walked up the steps, "Hey, looking good, I see you have added your latest addition."  "Just finished." Thad returned the screw driver to the tool box. The Hollingsworth family sign, hung with  love, had once again, grown by one. Sarah came skipping out the front door and let out a little squeal. Rachel gave her little cousin a tight hug and asked, "How is my special girl today?"  "I'm a happy girl today; did you see our sign?" She pulled Rachel by the hand for a closer look. 

"This says, The Hollingsworth Family." Pointing carefully, "Thad and Jenny, that's mommy and papa ....under it, that's me, Sarah. This is Michael and papa hung this one today, Is-a-bella." Sarah sounded it out, proud to be a big sister and proud that she could read it all by herself. She smiled wide revealing her missing tooth. 

It was the biggest accomplishment of her six year old life. She was a reader! She leaned forward pulling Rachel down to her level. "Did you know that papa gave mommy this sign so she would marry him?"  "Really?"  "Yes, he gave her this sign, and our house, and a shiny ring and his heart." She cupped her tiny hand over Rachel's ear, "Mommy says that was her favorite part, his heart."  Rachel flashed Jenny a questioning look. By way of explanation, "At breakfast, Sarah asked me how Thad and I met." "Oh, I see." They exchanged knowing smiles. Little Sarah popped up like a sprite, "Grandma and Grandpa are here and look, Nana and Pops. And they brought the pizza!"

Sunday dinner was a time when the Carmichael and the Hollingsworth families gathered as the tribe they were; ever growing, ever loving, and never silent. The house nearly burst at the seams, but there was always room for one more. As the hustle and bustle to set the table and lay out the food went on around them, two young boys stood looking out the large picture window that gave a spectacular view of the back yard. Thomas stood unseen, but listening intently to the priceless conversation taking place. Michael stood with his arm around his cousin, Niccolo. At two and a half, he was the younger of the pair. Michael took a deep breath, just like his mother always did. Thomas bit his lip, so he wouldn't laugh. "Now Niccolo, I will 'splain it one more time....the tree next to the swings is an apple tree; that is Sarah's. Papa says she is the apple of his eye. He planted it when she was borned. The tree by the pond is an almond tree and that one belongs to me. Papa says I'm his little nut with a big smile and busy feet.  And the little one, waaay out there, is a peach tree. Papa just planted that one for Isabella, because she is his sweet peach. Papa says that is what the best families are made of, fruits and nuts. Understand now?"  Niccolo had listened to every word, then he said, "Uh huh, we all fwuits and nuts."  Michael patted his cousin on the shoulder, "Yes, yes, good job." 
                         
                           "Dinner is ready, come and get it!" 

An orderly stampede followed. Thomas made his way to the table, smiling as he went. As Thad stood cradling Isabella in his arms, he took in the scene before him, his heart full with the abundant blessings that surrounded him. In a split second, his mind drifted back to when he first met Jenny and to their first book. To think that now, he is holding their third child and the bookshelves in their office are heavy laden with awards proving to everyone what they knew from the beginning: They were a team made in heaven. Jenny walked up and gently touched Thad's elbow to bring him into the present. Looking down into those beautiful brown eyes of hers, he said, "Thank you."  Jenny simply asked, "For?"  "For being like no other woman."