Free A Time for Peace by Barbara Cameron Page B

Chris standing on the porch wearing big grins. Hannah held something behind her back.
    "What's going on?"
    "We want to see Phoebe," Hannah told her, almost dancing with excitement.
    "But she's still sick—"
    "We know, we know. Ask her to look out the bedroom window?"
    "Okay." Jenny went into Phoebe's room.
    "What's going on? Did I hear someone at the door?"
    Jenny picked up the robe at the end of the bed and held it out to her grandmother. "You did. Do you think you can get up for a few minutes to look out the window?"
    " Ya. What's going on?"
    "I don't know. Hannah and Chris want to show you something."
    After helping Phoebe put on the robe, Jenny wrapped the shawl they kept on the bed around her shoulders.
    "I'm not going outside," Phoebe said with a smile.
    "I don't want you to catch a chill."
    Jenny pulled the rocking chair over to the window and helped Phoebe sit in it.
    Hannah and Chris came close to the window and waved.Phoebe waved back.
    "We have something to show you," Hannah yelled through the glass. "But it's just for you. Turn around, Jenny."
    Puzzled, Jenny did as they asked. When Phoebe gasped, she started to turn but Hannah called out warning her not to.
    "I thought you didn't want to know if the baby was a boy or a girl," Phoebe said.
    "We still don't. But the midwife I'm using was concerned about something and sent me for a sonogram. Everything's fine, but I thought you might like a preview, Phoebe."
    "I want to see!" Jenny yelled.
    "Too bad!" Hannah returned and she was laughing. "And you can't tell anyone, Phoebe. Not even us!"
    "Can I turn around now?"
    "In a minute," said Phoebe. "Hannah, it's a little hard to see.Can you bring it closer to the window?"
    "I'm pressing it to the glass," Hannah called in. "The nurse said she wrote on the side margin what the baby is."
    "There—oh, my, I see what she wrote now!" Phoebe exclaimed. "What a miracle, taking a picture of what's inside your womb. It's a miracle." Her voice was soft, reverent.
    "It's not fair!" Jenny yelled again, but she was laughing. This was totally ridiculous but so, so sweet it brought tears to her eyes.
    Hannah was giving Phoebe something to look forward to.
    "Maybe we'll let you see when you give us Phoebe back!" Chris called.
    "No deal!" She had an idea. "So Chris, you must want to know if it's a boy or a girl."
    "I do but I'm going along with Hannah on this one since I can't help her carry the baby."
    There was a knock on the door frame. "Jenny? What's all the commotion?"
    She gestured for Matthew to come in. "Hannah and Chris came over to show Phoebe a sonogram of the baby."
    "I thought they didn't want to know."
    "They still don't. It's just for Phoebe to know." She turned to him. "Why don't you try talking to them? You know you want to know."
    "No I don't."
    She pushed him toward the front door of the dawdi haus. "Sure you do. You want to know so I can know."
    He stood firm and no amount of pushing would budge him.He turned and kissed her. "I don't know who's crazier right now—my sister or you."
    "Her. C'mon, Matthew, she'll listen to you."
    Laughing, he hugged her. "You're wrong."
    He fell silent for a moment as they watched Phoebe. "Look at her, Jenny, just look at her," he whispered in her ear. "Look at the color in her cheeks. What Hannah's doing is as good as medicine."
    "I know." She watched, love swamping her as she rested against him. Tears were running down Phoebe's cheeks and she looked like she never wanted to stir from the window.
    "We better go," Chris called in. "It's getting cold out here. I don't want Hannah to get sick."
    " Danki," Phoebe called. She pressed her fingers to her lips and blew them a kiss. " Danki, both of you. I love you!"
    She turned and saw Jenny and Matthew. "What a wonderful surprise."
    Pulling a tissue from the pocket of her robe, she wiped her cheeks. "I'm sorry she doesn't want me to tell you."
    "I made some potato soup," Jenny said persuasively.
    Phoebe laughed. "Not even for your potato