"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja7UMj9GPd
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lUmADE8MR
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUjx7Wo6v1
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxhGS1zbd5
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EFIi019UZ
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrjTr5I8kE
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiakCPlRjUh
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFOq2koNTd
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqV6YMusVe
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8QPdKnljR
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTCT3fLXeL
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ7agFZUbd
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GMP9lUESC
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxvZhv34uX
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwBRycAytm
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHIgsWr9Z1
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqxr2oekK2
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYscBtGKn6
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnB85MCJ5C
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyjR0CSpe5
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi79JyGLos
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqEkd9iw2j
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIKU4fRy7Q
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KQz0GkEny
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0AoXjjBir
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G6JokamO2
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG1zbDHogX
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR8jMBXVyG
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsaHj4nWkH
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPaaElOqE1
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ8cv9cROJ
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQchVPOfB2
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfepWqLmxAX
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErlLvXgDx6
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDtPfiJV69
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6GbYBJhhh
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mzO4EBdIR
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."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL6mqWRCNL
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkgoiRFvXg
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcpO1TekNf
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37poVO64R7
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.
After381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJo8jPU8Xy
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthiucCd1c2
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqySgOLRctG
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV34IDgs5Z0
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgUbErkkgl
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfHD1KvMN5
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDaKwbRgeN
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamAYTLTYrp
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kTSLRUUfc
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLli2COZE0
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ6ym0WVIR
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV9z1eoRoX
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxClxFpWMx6
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yWHPQDLWh
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZV56XZcUI
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazwndSwrSM
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5Niciolc4
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjZlRZTUYl
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPJD23Cmz7
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGyoWK9LrI
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvW96hIzFO
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjoA36MbNn
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1zI0w9VjZ
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTEstLKPvZ
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClMMc68F7K
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXshZWw46M2
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEpJsBV098
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU5tHwqTU5
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABTbj3qp0l
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxe96tGHtV
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5kUA16aQR
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFBIkY0DtH
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Pvq2U5sl
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr6R2vbasK
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX2wvn1JRG
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSDkgUxoQS
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux5sGQY62t
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfuXX4mYQx
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1Erky07Ga
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMvgzN6POV
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDvj6aitQO
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJB9i7MARS
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUyWGXtOmL
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVtFilIPmQ
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlKaJ9L9Hi
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBI9Yd26QO
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZK19j5ozh
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7ufcZcxgM
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n4aV9dyh4
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMBpbl8Jgk
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOmCRePSVt
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBK62Ow3I3
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiP90fSb8U
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4baebkBgn
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrAkwjijcx
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdCgqwIGCI
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPh024JHoh
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTwDYTz1kr
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZMbcWdHvE
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVLOvRjUdv
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBOVvuQ751
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVxfPGGTph
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9FdRCtNLl
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I6tsN3lEV
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcqIP3m8So
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBlHYPH4Ik
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ37ZK7a6lf
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzDGPQJp7P
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj5NLPhYUW
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbFrtKT2Nn
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jbkkngvpI
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSAmyMerHp
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJJeVtMbzG
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f00esUXHJ
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxd4bGLbpr
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71wehPXNzo
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xtAS2g088
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsl94Ny19V
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxbjgJTYTH
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEtc64i4lm
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlDQgOK9WG
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nz0DwViwE
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYydfXpEUa
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1smiGaHSp
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzPxMoTiDk
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlIQ5aeAtC
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWUwWa4ZAr
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6P3EvpBzh
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3qhR6Vh64
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUlIzYmEc9
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc1Jv4sC2m
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXY6z7klUm
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEubRQbP870
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tt034y4xy
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHfJiKpCjL
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR6UJ4ddG8
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa55yJp2C5d
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77iRUQQxXr
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnoMNLZKlR
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BINaCWHip
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYlohGJwF2
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENXgh1EQ5P
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e3KlJZFUB
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.
She381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeBsJsePKq
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtImub4bJJL
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9asUT5ipx
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknafRMhQ73
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBnRXvszHA
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy1Pu3xB2m
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lZBSdyiEU
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYWe1fvCt6
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqUjMJmI4X
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH3TjCzQOM
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3PPgFkxJq
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5psye11Wi
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlZoi20qLO
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqD9Uw2PxL
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sRncpmsmd
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp6JGcrh9k
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72uFapTYEZ
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiOYEecJAS
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih18LKh0le
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UIm4PCySz
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0wLZoBqvW
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGmq1EUPOz
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4dPWuUyHu
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIwLHWVxXf
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGBlhZuZkP
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVgJWbTVpr
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5bbi4T1vT
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPha2f9zPG
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF5TX5GuAW
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8q38Xu6s6
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWckUyyZmqG
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4WYASoKqv
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtYuCi2A1T
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1J0m07Lww
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVKyxu3nwY
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK0sJW0OQn
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5QEx52JPw
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1ge6oqKnW
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7TtbrjrY8
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAyCES9FgP
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tIMtE8gL8
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzMHK0Md5C
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOTduyLhPG
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaZj4HVGDC
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QO6xFAPeG
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jIPZssStu
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XKeE9WaNe
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSZTdl38tV
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezZlK4rImd
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqZN41r5J0
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5jz830fkp
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjNhD6y4wp
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbFbsiavMn
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3x7oxufN0
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44sOEZW4OD
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1OP2LwFzj
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22ft9KE66U
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnQp4HnNsi
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2X1gHAt5f
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOORfq4jWG1
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83tHKznPHP
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRwIE5Wwkn
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXXFmL0Sma
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucKzfZQneO
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl9gAwi3FP
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgbI9gy31p
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyk7kIq8uS
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLratgcUNO
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr30cTmnMkd
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAi3xugac1
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ927gO3vkDv
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbzuRGBxA1
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxxu6xQch5
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6L8aVVXkv
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaTq3ZcCwM
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcNirnY5tL
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx1uZJRL1B
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN28hlqfDo
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9fUwHdYcB
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iQx3UajHh
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaUdZ9ufaU
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLj2tQHYcn
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wX23IQzXj
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6TrjQ6bQ5
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5tkC8yceT
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWVns9zILR
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6B7DjiZLl
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsYsthnHlm
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA0Y5E16Of
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkAI6hoqRU
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa2FHiZ4Hg
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUjfX443Wl
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeQWTzobV0
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfW55wapzS
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPhXtYD0qb
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ws2usQtwf
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTpeBRPmme
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzeUdSojch
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhyy5WtDNz
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyC7r7pWwK
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK8gocSKrx
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARfjlubckc
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNIJXIW3hG
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUmgeqaETd
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqvlCnInEZ
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69kx3Xed8p
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejcGb1I4S5
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYcLboTuj1
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe3MQf0IE0
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNiP9JcTk9
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweQTNQy2iE
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFIMmCXsid
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiuja5yBVN
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW8UYrwkDI
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj7O5fLWdC
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1VhPFABzV
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl34CBqBbXi
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUp37rGiNU
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLef03m0Rdb
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO7mi8mK3Z
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqBYvHx6KN
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQnkAd2G7v
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KVwtSjtY3
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxIuYXZxF6
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd6koPrhVL
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb0WXt9IXS
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B7STRnaTn
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx8xNaD2ki
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W3bOaHGKB
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CUwxFh8Fp
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9REtWWDxn
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu8g0asfza
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkUJjDjK4P
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaCv28rrWS
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wDAWxT2ya
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZRM5wzdHt
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBVLMknZJX
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvpQDzd8Hb
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQiRdsj1hy
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCxvPeswwX
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTZ3bGwrew
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRXX1N3uUs
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lR3CLu8KK
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeS9swA7dY
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNURG8arWwD
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO080KwWRv
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6luYreFx9
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGw7np8PPi
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN8fSFwUiq
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNfNj39ptx
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuEIoqOszH
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu9XQfQ0lI
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7UW1fSgWl
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNIDKEcB9I
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt20EAtmC2m
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGGwdR4Gc2
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTA0tUhsOt
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaFA81x1b2
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxauA8xKqr
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsLuE9hfvF
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClU1E4ZMfJ
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrP6QokIr3
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuEoeWhO4R
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4KJ9cLgIV
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxunvJaJrr
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7139cyltO
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX7zAKSNJm
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1mMPeyNWN
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7nI74kaZA
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGT59MRFFx
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRT8mw066S
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur7RfgLXWZ
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9J2kDy2Q4
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr6hTuBjQv
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49tlpXoWfu
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYgk27TGP2
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsjrIwnAIZ
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85qHrdTxvJ
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ53YOElhw
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOdmiDznOr
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPrk92L5Uf
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSgLQX6Fh3
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nwuWTTSui
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufnfs3Ra6K
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6NfRHM9ry
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuSN3rSkGG
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzpKAgy2Ez
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkaY1vUxbr
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1hJlVvLDi
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxn4b2aGAS
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmE9eZGVYg
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2csdScivK8
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsx82lUa9E
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvIbVQPz3B
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAebIX3JHf
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH1pjcqFNR
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkumcoEUg8W
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7yLt8CpSC
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWLnSUHV4l
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7AwLvvV48
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFARpSN3vs
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwcSW8bGRw
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcZKxle7V6
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yHG9dSbXo
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlhB3CmV8A
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBLrtZUUGQ
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohe2mk1ZW2
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J3C6uwaHb
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z3sINztQn
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3QWDvLdbJ
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ym0Bz7MI
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5tvXXOMIm
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSWXrLQWoN
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bPaRg7aiD
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaKEuDNCoC
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8ULPl1Bm0
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP0R2B4crs
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUJXbbpEKM
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRl484qnDT
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fl0EFV3Mx
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo102sVXqF
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcKfFF3zED
that moment, had changed.
