In 1988, Maureen and Paul completed their family with a fourth daughter named Angel. A month later, Vivian and Thomas completed their family with their first, and only, daughter, Desiree. The following month, Maggie and Richard completed their family with their third son, Richard Jr., or Ricky. Two weeks later, Violet and Jack welcomed their daughter Valerie. Two months later, Max and Kimberly welcomed their daughter, Tina. Three weeks after that, Vince and Cassie welcomed their first child. A son they named Arthur. A month later, Bella Drake and Dean Burger married. They had reunited the year before and got engaged six months later. After Angel's birth, Paul had decided to stop following Perry on cases out of town. Perry had gone to Denver to be a guest lecturer and Della went with him. One of his students, who happened to be the son of a good friend, was murdered. Another student, Ken Malansky, was arrested for the murder, but Perry believed he was innocent. Ken helped investigate the case to prove his innocence. Ken and his girlfriend, Amy, nearly got into trouble one night while investigating. Perry had to go pick them up. After bringing them by the hotel room to show Della they were safe, the young couple left. "They make a lovely couple," Della commented.
"I suppose," Perry said.
"What's the matter?"
"We're missing something. I don't know what, though."
"Why don't we go to bed and then tomorrow we can look at everything again with fresh eyes?"
"I doubt I could sleep, but you go ahead."
"Perry, I'm not going to bed until you do."
"Della, after Maureen's kidnapping, what did Nicky say that he'd wanted to do the kidnapper once he'd found out that she'd been raped repeatedly?"
"He wanted to kill him." Della stared at her husband for a moment, "Perry, you don't think...?"
"If someone had done that to Penny, I don't know that I'd be able to stop myself from doing something illegal. I barely stopped myself when it happened to Maureen. Denny and Patrick have said they wanted to kill the man who kept hurting you."
"Actually, Tragg stopped you."
"I bet after this, you can't wait to get home."
"Well, we do have two more grandbabies on the way. Both are due very soon."
"Our children are repeating history," Perry joked.
"Our children witnessed a healthy, loving relationship. It's made it easy for them to have the same."
"They're reproducing like rabbits."
"Are you saying that you and I are rabbits?"
"Close enough," he said.
"Well, you were the one always getting me pregnant."
"I didn't hear you complaining about how I got you pregnant."
"Well, I didn't say that it was unenjoyable. But it takes a man to get a woman pregnant. Therefore, you get the blame."
"You wanted all of those children. Even when you said you were done after three pregnancies."
"Well, I would have been perfectly happy if we'd never had any more after Maggie. However, I wouldn't trade Violet, Max, or Vince for anything in the world. I mean, all three have saved my life."
"Darling, all of our children have saved your life at one time or another."
"You know, I didn't have any problems until I married you."
"Actually, you didn't have any problems until Maggie was born."
"Huh, I never thought of it that way, but it's still your fault."
"Yes, dear," Perry said.
"You know, I couldn't get pregnant for two years. Then I couldn't stop getting pregnant."
"I'm just that good," Perry said with a smile.
Della smiled as she rolled her eyes. Then she picked up a pillow and threw it at her husband, "dream on, old man."
"Old man? I'll show you," and he did.
"It's a good thing I can't get pregnant," Della said after.
"Again, you're welcome," Perry said dryly.
Della laughed, "Perry, even without the vasectomy, it would still be impossible by now. That ship sank years ago."
"Well, my ship was shot down in its prime." Della started laughing uncontrollably, "I'm glad you find this so funny."
"Perry," Della said through laughter, "you had that vasectomy twenty-seven years ago, and you're still bitter about it."
"Della, you don't understand."
Della glared at her husband, "Perry, you've seen the size of our children and their heads when they were born. You've also seen the size of where they came out. I highly doubt that your pain was greater than mine."
"I never win this argument."
"No man ever has or ever will win this argument."
Perry looked at his wife and smiled, "you know that I'm just joking with you, right?"
"I know," Della said with a smile.
"To this day, I'm amazed by what your body could do. I mean, your body carried and grew life for nine months. Then, your body was used as nourishment to help that life live and grow. Men can't do that. We can't even aim for the toilet."
Della chuckled, "no, you can't. It's right in front of you too."
"A woman's body just knows what to do. Ours never does. Otherwise, we'd have perfect aim each time. I know that I've told you how proud I am of you. I'm also proud to be your husband."
Della kissed him, "I'm proud to be your wife."
Perry looked into Della's eyes, "you're my hero."
"What?"
"Della, look at how many times life's knocked you down. Each and every time you get back up stronger than before. You're a survivor and a fighter. You work harder than anyone I know and you love with your entire heart and soul. You're incredible. You're my hero."
Della smiled, "and you're mine."
Perry finished his time at the university a month after the murder. Following the case, Violet and Jack welcomed their son, Jesse, completing their family. Della and Perry didn't get to meet their new grandson until they returned home. Two months later, Vince and Cassie welcomed their second son, Alex. While Bella and Dean welcomed their first child, a boy named Eric.
