This gift, has to be special. Because she is so special, and it's not just for their anniversary, it's for her to remember him by while he's overseas. He wants it to be perfect, perfect for her.
Petra. It's just a syllable, but he likes to call her Pet instead of by her full name. It's an expression of how special she is, showing their closeness and what she means to him, a declaration that she is the world each time it falls from his mouth.
He considers jewelry, but there's no heart or intent to it, it's so impersonal, and a cold, hard rock isn't what he wants her to have to remember him. That gets him thinking though. Precious stones. Everyone knows the meaning of the name Petra is stone or rock, but—
This is it, it's perfect. In the light the magpie has beautiful blue and white wings and he thinks its songs will make her smile. He's delightfully intelligent and will be Petra's companion with Levi gone, another small heart to love her and for her to love.
He brings him home and tells Petra he's found her wings, and explains that he's found another meaning to her name that few are aware of. He says she'll have her own Pet to rush and fly happily about; and when she smiles when she reaches out to gently touch his feathers, he knows he's touched her heart.
She declares she'll call him Little Levi, because he's a symbol of their joining, their pledging, their being attached. She nudges Levi playfully; she knows the meanings of names too, and it is their anniversary.
Little Levi's songs aren't pretty but they make Petra smile and she thinks he's just like her husband. After she opens the door to find three military personnel on her doorstep, is told Levi is dead and they regret to inform her they could not recover his body or his effects, she stays strong. When she cares for her Pet, she touches the beautiful feathers, the brilliant blue and white wings he gave her, every day and she knows she has proof that he was alive. To her, at least.
She has her little love to comfort her in her sorrow with Levi gone.
A/N: Etymological references for Petra/Pet and Levi are from searching "feather" and "Levi" respectively at etymonline . com.
For extra meaning behind Little Levi, check out wiki/Eurasian_magpie#Traditions at Wikipedia.