"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEyCAyK6Jo
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XDauPpFFV
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFZjRLz6dG
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjnD4esGRX
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWii6odYjN
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEQqCNhvAH
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLO9hYwbCm
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvABDyKVsie
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJKOMhj7ZU
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBgSzq42SP
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3lkUvVZcz
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKWrs3kRgE
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutbbWvePBA
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtDHwTIEK4
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgrbEJI9GL
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHvJE70Q4c
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRUn3fhS5l
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU98drWoO96
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx15SnrrNy
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblajuJiXdb
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXIbsKYC7i
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHQBm0hYZ8
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sNGAcV2Ej
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oD6FFwYr5
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlwCIGRSbL
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbntuoem1Hv
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuFhs6FBg1
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaTyGPbfCj
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLguK5zFBU
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSpCHE2wPK
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH3hjTEgj2
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmg9CESRva
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQnnBsY39C
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKW8bYe6KK
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULp78DJCml
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0403NBPBMv
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbLrwqrgZt
get up and make something for these munchkins, dear?" He said to Mary.
She hummed. "I suppose we should. How bout you get it started, and I'll feed Sal?"
"Sure."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGyB1TCk6k
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hF2N5QB7e
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhvBENrmZ4
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hFaegErfA
ready?" He suggested to his daughters.
The girls ran out eagerly, their messy hair swooshing around them. Then they closed the bedroom door as they ran out.
After390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy8DDSeS4d
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk8YCk3uu5
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ9TaFRwWk
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxDonnHTEM
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmL2QEB17Z
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlyeoLWzNP
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAUBOQXaLD
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOqF7xneKi
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bUVeU9fL2
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe5RWqikx7
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRTtqibrEh
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixllX3XldP
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUwdl50U8h
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7RkmnwcUh
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthqivbCzik
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67dKbe1BCR
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaInrgzDou
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUQXhfuolN
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8EIEKQROp
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnLJt8444w
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8rukuIqp0
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj0JCNdSDW
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzqf6JNs9v
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyATEwm7yA
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwL8Z8buYZ
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9F7LXIeKU
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qLMTDf8bT
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT1t67IWAa
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRvIkDfWd8
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAArsb7pXSY
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcMsMyO5Ar
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlKmIadIKh
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4mWVbekSN
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjjqFenLAW
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ehxtsNNQ1
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KPZ9KtGxU
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBVstXOdfh
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYcQz3FGb0
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8wzs7kt00
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGRxoJcd1O
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA7dXDY6X1
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQdanWLzyU
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRhm2trMSW
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVEjgTdjyg
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhLrmdtkiH
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7PsXg9e6a
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6hGkTIgjI
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs3ma2dILb
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5Mt8tuDtp
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQzIramEGc
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6QLScwkEy
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm4CfFPUb9
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVETVMCS9GM
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LdJYDyYDc
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2344y2YIIz
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm45zYWwTv
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJoTKQoaRQ
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53AuA1h03V
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQAySxWyBJ
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq7YHGdPuH
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEmZ3WPT5p
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjZOPwS597
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxQ7YmieYk
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6yATIb2D4
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbST6yM8ljt
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCLcx6qw5T
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfZCgtOcdU
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPbENl55U1
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQUg0c1bTr
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSovblF0dF
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzRCtZbZtS
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU1aTCdUQp
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWe44U5eaD
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqxnBdBIsj
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOGngJVuL4
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLHmQKfSI8
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN44YqDQljg
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E3bss2J3t
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav7eG92zDj
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0imYUrOHk
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyLI37cAdZ
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzDzh4Uiru
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQvpqcVRvp
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwA9DK3C3R
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgB9i3d5Jt
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl81bgHzKo7
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwZwtN14s0
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMNadhWfge
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GLqFvzXKs
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrikPN17my
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC6mZ8TyHE
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN1Np4zpRa
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbULRhkHvu
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXDJlwLaus
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq4EKHXsxH
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZfmo9VTT8
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ5d1JBTyF
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwH4w6O67f
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS5CjC7W3T
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQKGJeX9DI
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLvo4NPvHQ
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yEXjdqIcD
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQQpa7y9gt
pushed it back up.
"I wanna go, papa!" Ethel said hopefully, lifting her arms toward her father.
He chuckled and picked her up. "When you're a little older, sweetheart." He told her and kissed her brown head.
She390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCypycZnrf
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuuQPpr57u
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqcWSXiiE9
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZVDubN1Jw
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd0y1UF8ed
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA6TLtLrN3
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWmQaIlvlg
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgUN3A2IFn
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFb3Qh4CON
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8nUDeAgF6
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq2ICtwvtz
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyG7sImoBB
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqNmxx2Tx7
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztOxnDA7nt
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyLfIylq0K
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAygGH4C2fo
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK6aklDHBb
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwSsuIrVrR
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf3vSNmINK
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7bQlxHToU
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNljs4sYtv
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2qQEltnvM
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0nLEY1GUC
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PZwyFVhTZ
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10fvs0ESb1
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliJXorVvtM
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQfGvvuzDx
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopfCd2cUlS
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyenQRFpia
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLV9vTPg1o
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCaew0G7rr
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpBQGdinbE
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IsOT8qYCF
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hFeOWLUdB
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSTNl619UF
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhSE6VTXsf
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULCcDrpRjj
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg2lPR913L
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogn7wcDPcg
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMWWnRjcTj
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHcuwVYcfC
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQIHy5Si0X
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA2kgaj6Px
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuPPea7min
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dL4PwiR6G
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXM5IF3azx
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0EKwvuwPf
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNXR9p6MxW
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl104ktPEXg
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpEuzEOJpD
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEXmXgpDd0
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy314QBQOQr
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvUrdLeTXt
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY3Z7PHVbp
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJPUo6ebEy
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTStpkADFhH
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yOWfvQbzk
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFppGTj9BOU
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXgyfZ7NEK
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthteQJcBy9
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8zJFDo1vz
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXSZquzjid
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qgzlixqmx
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1nwe6nYHY
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwn7ojT8mI
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQujImMNwv
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCEjQLeJ5q
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiILJoN0GaR
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAknMqreJXV
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UmimJXOK8
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccNKagM994
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH6ACXA6RX
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8pDumeR4j
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxp1xEypXI
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7ef5UEY7J
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBhGiUuJM9
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiOXvpjw7F
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpz40M3MIR
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LLJz8LQTt
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ9yv0NYDO
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NwO4JKKmB
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5tfu3IFtu
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzuROQKQWD
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJnGsjCmGe
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXRsLXYoYB
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct1xnPIN3h
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG1JIA0JJL
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3IdJlKDlZ
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK5ONZqvLL
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO13qI3ENw
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ9zJSlH7w
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo8xtwwfne
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR89jS2vHNt
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsJWk2pmQc
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ7psyzH8k
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWWsUNoVau
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKuJ13uu8z
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCSC6niN3B
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s2l5J70HF
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iY7pUSc1m
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJOzDJuRhH
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaJpS1h1LK
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmrJi0ZDji
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4JVRCNt4n
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aXUCd9P9O
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYQfYYzYDt
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V2HVwFXKQ
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPbllXJJdo
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE5vTuLhoC
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne3XkrFGsv
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QlaW5t1yC
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspDW7be1G5
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlAqVg850m
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Od4JHjTb
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4teBbB5viw
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiWBw8DbYY
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNv7mYlASO
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCT4dyZyoO
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz2ac24iO3
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sQ2UzdoAS
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG4qk7pVOq
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeIv50Z5DD
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBgTyef22x
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveCWNIu4pI
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjq8wKZTkB
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAVtXOapHn
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTOWgpiHI8
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymu8ewJfay
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2dUBUc8iJ
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXlbouTVfb
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTIKqFcEDK
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXusrXBILOo
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXMrK0PhNN
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMPwgDSd5E
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHLwj6rX81
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtKcxF76vM
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ4A5f4dJ6
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rMVDVLIW9
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IyQXSuF0e
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOp3qrUhBG
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjA7P8I3zc
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMworJvgPB
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hEtg4zyaB
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObvDRgNY1K
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLepplhMhhT
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dLUsSq1Rm
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh6BufOXkZ
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9Yxw5rCnM
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVFzHOa4OA
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy63lD2UTE1
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UmHTCVfRg
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m0XWlZ7zC
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQv5g9AJ65
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLqapcQFZe
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kuRbJHM0j
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzpFIomY3e
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx3oqbhJL7
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsibAXiefY
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciPBjzl1FS
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEQHMlVLKI
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpy1eyrDDv
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeNbLrDbNp
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6egqtW43q
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83VrKRTyN8
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkXN55FKEA
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj3V6gbMNf
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4JnMe7b9i
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pNxFJLXCu
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BCmUnFL8t
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXJHZvj2iw
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVKe0nptf5
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW6S23DRD7
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8ndvlgwyE
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0WaojXUyT
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrd1jCD2K3
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl8yobGhnV
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUitEY8RUiO
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohVrauXhRo
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiIk7vOa2c
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkKgiGLGO5
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLZ4gRJADt
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn9ashnLL5
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcHp03UAoM
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg04puqwM9
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7nYRS1mH1
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyJ1F4tNqJ
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa8RacNKqV
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcudiV0Owm
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGnSmo2dY0
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVxeYsf9JD
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqESnoh0yr4
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmATHNsydX
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCRsC1UXsw
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2BelGztPb
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGcesSdM1q
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcDkDY0IOz
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveKS47Zr5p
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR2h0Nm5Kl
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFTHYRHpnl
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnJFirOlZJ
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45ytuVv69N
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGq5jumDxX
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXtoI2AfHx
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUlQp74Ne9
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQlpeYSbBJ
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPB3FqGw37
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrwHeCAgVg
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl3gur0ISX
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpncC0DV88
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW5ZueSHO6
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11Pnnlrprv
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ6eH13cih
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XWxZZBTEM
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrVjRUJ67c
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsEoCwAF0G
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR1P289EOQ
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfylv4ALSD5
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxF9I3INKB
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvdHFHCDuY
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2THedzPkd
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcurZR03irB
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjs2N9uarC
that moment, had changed.
