401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBmgFtjHdK
It was a cold and dark day.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhfTmaQC5L
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbN9ybvQ3f
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TOMksAqhe
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eMTaNmhe1
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SJaD7D2TQ
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgR8AQ9RcE
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiEPiFa1wC
“Do you, Justin Daniels, take401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi11D2ltAuv
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WWv44pRdl
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6OiQtd99R
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLAOTwrZUa
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3re96pWwlW
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7bW5gfyqv
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHCwKG2ykp
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT97ZxGfNkK
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx15T0kb3d7
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1py9p81Xs
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchQucqH2Md
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaRekyeOWI
and respect him, until death do you part?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBcy9Hlbry
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9hxdE67NI
She couldn’t help it; her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDVdnNYwmX
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw5i0zjSkL
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU1q0G1mS6
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HebQvymoM
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y2amzQoqD
“Then, without further wait,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu0jaxv7r3
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagOY10CTBu
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasywhjBnaG
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuu20QDLec
Not waiting a second longer,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYsJy4JUfr
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zQrrPTVNl
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YgpcgM8Ua
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfREx3tGEPH
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99vyZsHIKL
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC9r36FL5t
After the marriage ceremony,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s8ijMIgwg
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzinJjo8BGn
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjQpYQQKvN
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimlHVpDakI
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWOEFlpCiS
Avery, went first.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWccXtVyHr
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFXDxbEAdg
“I have known Justin and Mary401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFjuoCyNXj
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pQCfI8vJC
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUz3dZQJhc
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXrMg03v9k
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApYvhbUsMr
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SDnwCiLD9
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPZUqdZsmp
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh1DCs66Lq
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit93fu7z3N
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYerE4USYxI
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVONGP9iheH
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhoqN0NsbJ
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v42W56lyh
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnpzZcvAk9
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbcPotHLGv
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN8TBxLTRe
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwdpJgIfBA
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40Ariv389W
took a swig of their whisky.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMKdL0vuAq
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsjX88HUAt
After the bride and groom401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3YLFNwag7
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKJFk8lYAK
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XmHtuygmL
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zukfpnREv
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnO1zHYbyR
constantly.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gitIh95DW
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKECpuKFLD7
Hoots of fun-filled laughter401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbcBYnfG6L
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18xUpqp9eB
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbg4M4hxS9
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj3pf1q3rF
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3562Qqfl5a
came that night.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j993tmB0G
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfm0CmHggS
That was seven years ago,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RNx6JkVvH
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3NpaUchqa
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OUjSTfINS
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJFtOcdHOg
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQUyXUdEIo
Present day401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqk1OiRYmp
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She was bleak, weary, and401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcePQUL8Yhd
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BqS6BZNXi
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JVXZopp9w
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhhek1fAbd
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTJrvrjLgy
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TRXXKuqlA
Mary looked behind her, where401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7MdhOxPlA
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuGC27W63B
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1b0CCneNP
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1sV9HltGV
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP0M8IyMRd
given to little Ethel.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5rIAJbGJL
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4XTCmRHyR
Turning completely to keep a401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFktwdZljg
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskMkDGzWdU
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrMNfbbHLq
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GBHEtf4pR
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCRGKLSsJt
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTckMYlIDd
knew was that she hated it.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2uqbVclr3
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFfKX6eNlj
Not even a month after Justin401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZjaL508oI
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZrxZONhbn
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStveAfPEii
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflGgz0I1EG
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX1MOcq6BT
eyes of his own two children.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu1XSjTHZi
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtQZE4zgrJ
She was currently seven401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLjN1BYOY6
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc1wKQ8FPe
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkKXUKrJk7
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybnAlLD7hD
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWqtLpGXGx
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF96v6SvoZW
having an affair.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWmYQAx0Ko
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd0I0Orio4
A hiss brushed past her lips,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsms1KPKly
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2oXEPzOn7
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTDoOsX3Ci
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGuMd9CqhU
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B8d4TxlyB
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzlAvHtAsn
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhMZPBHKg2
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsFAxGItIH
Just then, a whinny could be401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2UL3y9ZzF
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwicJPApea
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosTd5I1o2M
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdcXP4PY2T
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3pLEGt5E7
her or her girls.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBRNjZJW2N
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h6MeYyJqe
Waiting by the porch, rifle401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMhctoaOBX
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeniF9AOcgK
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUl9vkVuYe
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM5Azufkah
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaUUFJN7yw
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i3u39bzC8
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMb31bQAwD
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ58e7jW7N
She didn’t dare to hope, but401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsQNYYjchf
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvVSpk2TKU
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXknrJiMRlK
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ20uNlswH
the dirt ground hard and painfully.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLXZqBtlLm
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuImIBwBEy
It wasn’t Justin.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsjw7fXliD
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxGf6LdYfy
The man walked up briskly,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNkOUD6xUI
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuBLv9dtd3
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS5IL7BT1o
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R9hLUeRNd
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAR71hWF9mR
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GiQXslbKo
She forced the lump down her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4kcygyu4P
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm14gk63oO
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddjTg8NKpw
He ran a shaky hand through401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkANy9Fcw4
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsIpTOvw5l
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1sfBSm6i3
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELQa5uqnn2
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUcav4EICe
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLyhqIhZ63
Shock filled her at first.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYCRTAmSjT
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b882mMa7S
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqTdn8UszW
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3crvUZxAep
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTV5XkxHBT
“Daddy coming home?” Ethel401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7huJsSpr9
asked her softly.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCBdo7OG4K
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vT42Lkl3M
The tears raged down her face401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDospRN3LK
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaruphFv9Uz
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPnBUiT3Cb
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9u8O6v3hF
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa4CYV7lqh
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJljxw73tAF
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeRy9fXszP
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgqCwRZO2l
The small girl had tears in her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBbbTr5StE
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN8Lx7ctnu
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE8SIVx570
Mary hated to think of it401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTiGOGCOmu
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuP0ZabPou
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmhFPV4SYz
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReu0uoY9Op
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjxdOSDVRU
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI7LIShXqs
Her heart ached so much401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH3hLoXXnM
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48Pjuo5soA
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjmDdjk4hW
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRUu6my0cf
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBEU9OnNpS
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83xrKhw7Hv
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC70WvydAh
chance to do or see.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGO2SagWh5
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiTChU7cK7
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV1oZYf3Y1
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMntrttwQU
……401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLNCDsf9z4
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401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb326tkvf21
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For several days, the Daniels401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xI99ZrvwS
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7sPeCHPpB
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCtoPIuBJx
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBOyTjpPBS
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYyTIpy6Fd
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FMKwP9tQV
as the news of their father’s death.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpm61AGgqS
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Ida and Ethel, while still401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nqpkwxWxi
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjr2GxnE6A
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphgpBafw59
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdDwxF902A
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfjuiKopoL
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfYEWnfisA
It was barely a week after401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL95kUpxkHh
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrQQoBQuE6
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1tnjMT1Ks
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsybGZiSWOT
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7im1o6DaOG
Just as she was getting up to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFuH5qKlpI
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNgaXYXdIc
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlX1oPC9vk
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDQHpjr5Fn
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRozLdY53h
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXpm1hh3vm
It’s to early, she said in401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuSqEOU9HT
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOT1ybCubX
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNC1aDEgkZ
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9fPjzYePh
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM04rE5CDgA
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3salb982R
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT3vDhumV1
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzUeGhF3e8
Braving through her fear for401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh5xVpw7Q9
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrnKvcILLT
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXRFYGz8q8
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD2jA9Cyv9
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDpgLIwpCg
The seven year old wasted no401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy7z1li4MN
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvPnf1QPUP
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygaYgKpZcs
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnMMRrw1hi
gave them a snap.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rF2mp6yLP
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdKQYZDTdv
Only half an hour later, she401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMAPXvw0wV
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVoiG1KfqU
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48GLDuaFj6
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGu21cCcxx
“Back here, Lee!” Mary called401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsF73zB1zm
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJutf8857tN
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmZAbPf4NC
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cTuLYFKss
“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz8QMuaBmX
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNKNombqnf
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hO7xyRGGw
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5apnevzjXF
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEDHLfgMh5
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG6hWYbW69
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxIBgaHLeX
Hours passed by, and the only401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xHvp2cJpS
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTViPUkfkYs
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf0hU3YLCV
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZAgjkTHEY
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LHEbLvZgC
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuan8jiE94O
It was well into the night,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXobD94HwfC
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbOeNxUrK1
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwyB5smFZ9
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOteFvpyEKO
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HIrhr7DzK
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6FH821fuD
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiWVKUZyeu
And so it was. Two days of401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9sY13pwz0
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD57s4MQlo
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiqJjQJgD8
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9y8qwpfm4
actually giving birth.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRior2UzmJL
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And then the third day came.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXlBwD8Lkc
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It hit them all, like a401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDphAMxUI3
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CJVYKcqLw
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVArfbHMMXt
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnFUOYw6GP
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PcdKALSlj
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOc1lkmR6l
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUmmjvs8PD
That night was long and hard.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlcmEBAjWo
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AqvbPipIR
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HzVHxlgMx
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOz5RUZWka
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV65w115a8
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPiDsrMLxq
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNyO0SOMoI
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvsxnNPBgd
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JoWhBuL7G
“So?” He said nervously.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz8NnlCe3h
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Her smile, still, didn’t401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnNmClBD35
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1MK6QmyAy
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QANsVopGj
whispered.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhvicmBJjS
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLY0czRMmF
Mark sighed and shook his401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCsMjCjkYP
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5i8FZtevo
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl2aKZyhV4
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYSHpTAv0d
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK20onVDuQ
She chewed on her lip. “I401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzCoyTu3kA
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtPSdUHK1J
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzipfUdldk7
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9xEFdviLV
“What’s her name?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsdYJhNMfJ
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzIIIqx3cK
Leah smiled again, having401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnH6jpiNpo
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryjCfNnkKA
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRNSGH0HvE
that it was perfectly suited.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGpOuDE6uC
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o0sgi6JMz
Mark knew, all to well, how401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ5hJROBXt
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKYZtjyuLx
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tYml61V5P
Margaret Hope Daniels.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEPHNSNCdz
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gaKVWPBGo
He wrapped and arm around his401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcymqviLEo
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VcskXJ48s
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClOY3w5ven
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ad6yG4jSK
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds5nAmuPuY
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpRvGVcLa6
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh39vrCUxS
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUNmPEOnU3
father; it was a painful thought.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikyJhmVyJB
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoOMm6Y71E
Mary’s head snapped up to her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cv9lye2Q0
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkM4DALyFb
them gently, yet eagerly.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOY1xdMPFF
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8L7Bxjro3
They came in and stood beside401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxr3Dr9WyW
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYEdWN9lPd
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U1WiK8bwM
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjjuTPm7aS
The exhausted mother managed401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrz0VOivoG
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAylVxSU2ll
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbtCsPhfnQ
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakYcWvpGia
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpduhqL3TM
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCZj1g2QHe
with all of us.” She whimpered.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUWtxUrs58
401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3fRwjdjdQ
The Avery’s embraced her and401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCgPgGmb3X
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLimRqoi534
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGLPGQkNLG
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIGInDX4cZ
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbuKZmmT9z
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoBsPBDxLf
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.
