"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRYPgCrZ31
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIITipt5hCg
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpMy16043w
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruX8V8tf8w
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOTOTwmK3P
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kblN5RMib
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDkbxuGZGh
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd8j4Xv2nS
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgiDhC79GY
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypX62hYDnv
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhjLD2RHCa
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAPgVqLayh
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaLtBCUsRT
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5qRxBmliA
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjGYtu8c25
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPTzrdP6Jn
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2WPoChDfr
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUdXhtPPg2
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7V5j8ClYn
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVoq0x8WUd
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvlXfGi6wD
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOjZBSVoUh
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFh11Sx8rL
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA6sDvRdiv
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysVTDGYe9t
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm9J9FsIsz
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8AljTclee
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3w9cO3g2U
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4RP6Kvbsc
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOPRZwdnVK
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iSSdyQvat
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJHTY1VHCu
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTwRbQsMqx
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHoA81I8AC
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mRYQw8F6y
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC4CnL1qxJ
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx71H2hqJN5
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."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R1g7ZnrOx
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF98wPFSOpg
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jn6lWygZa
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjMPjUuHEl
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.
After282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIEdQtDx4g
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYzn3g9yd5
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ylRXwPAf1
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi35cJhQmzJ
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WvNwGLaWp
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDpQ7UfPNU
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZi0JKEecV
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxJNuOdFJy
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHN7pItOgm
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY31IC3J5R
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHFqKS6HWD
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2TPRVyeWb
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYPvy9QaoE
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw3bqruS6C
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZnrGj8H6j
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupxmGlOhEo
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzYIqytzGI
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqnWjwuiDU
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4MjLCzorp
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnoUHQyh0W
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZtuVNKOQb
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDTV6hGfu2
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8jAMKaxwJ
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu33wMuryz
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Vno39MhY
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY0r2U33wx
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6ZoIPxD6u
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhh4265VSV
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KYXGeNVaA
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQurM0lBtp
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWse55CimTO
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoGOD5y2Np
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesod17Reuu
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJGWiAZMpz
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX9CXsHlSY
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGkNGwXfhq
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgVsnaQ26d
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwi99CBxZf
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡianqZTSA03
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4jm4rjox8
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoqfeGazIe
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfD4E7hfCO
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF5ByZ3mod
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXxzcN5DyD
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbiDOLoWDl
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxPpqFmi1F
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpc2fmLIo3
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfoJxwYkEm
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1r9xkBi8k
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j3BEijg1a
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSjzS1JcW1
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsyK0IZVfS
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQnLj25aNC
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnz73yHwxM
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86Kp5YIdM8
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAry4I5jaxK
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7D0wroucm
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT3xOCnDzE
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00mUNuAC8R
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwOWfuqy84
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YKktYofWg
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdJPOT8YG1
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjt9QULO0J
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RdRNjuH0C
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSrqM96cYU
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLya6Ie8aTs
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm2NSBYdco
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEn4zJWssd
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyQW5fvbI5
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpMDacmFnL
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp8PVPoHQX
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNyudxKJEw
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL0ALx6v1B
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNs9SeUosg
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjoPE2WfPs
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7ughD7mpE
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakmlhUCCCV
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe77HSMOPzI
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7UcDHFyHE
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACXMO5ARbJ
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQjgxXrwlT
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTbxnuqCGf
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt1gPdsP2B
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem9fdJBelX
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIadMs5HIUU
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW8knKEJEa
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbcChkU4BJ
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp5oJVKKXf
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9LTYfuF1O
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESZkLXL3lz
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQnL4lHFla
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ipFd888DE
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRKBU5iSzb
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrruGNMA9dy
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIiXE9qQNH
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZVNN6T2SD
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFCVkd3HPx
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUxrvLHvmO
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFPn0WVMk9
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9FnhSw52C
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRlPZ6VCmb
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcISWhrFInP
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEQGKk2zSQ
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.
She282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VvGsPJbIj
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGJboeZQnM
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfSsjCHlUz
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfevcZpGTZw
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7LcUYNj9o
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmns5oVjQd
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFcd8aHymw
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb9GigIFJL
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZa9Yk4hOs
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVSxyg5tfA
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nygVNeDrs
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxyZYq7Vuc
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhfoDyc2YA
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDENT950hCa
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0zQCElTtj
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhOzq3T1G6
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPN3BI7GFw
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrYXaF6hiS
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuk4Rrh7Mr
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RHP8LMA2l
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UzFit7Vle
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cg3mu14Xa
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBDwKObFgg
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcFLYama6w
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8VoTMmDTz
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTE9StZSI4
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHlRGiQDjy
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2fOFzYB13
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU5WpKCUiS
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAB4HEndcx
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC26Y0QTdJr
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy38zZ2lnoi
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl1kGx8vtl
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR4ZZkxiK8
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JMys3ufSF
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRVhhvZioj
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNT4Zu3mrf
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKps9mzLnB
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSy13KXPmU
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtNx8nSUCd
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLJ4A8gfEX
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrFUYKU7zk
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelcR9Lgx3h
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaFZywvue6
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gEO18WboY
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbgs7gOAaC
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU1tnCvRIq
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbviM84cvp1
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fGWH3vmn6
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXpbUbIpWf
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOrjzcQG8j
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiDrL3JM9l
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LafCX71n4
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ItYKCHgp4
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZmBGTaBEK
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRUcMysfyC
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBNya8XVLK
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAzTuIhYly
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTgQvTba0O
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguUVyPm9C2
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cA2bBURb1
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnlWgKHNRp
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjQU6nGHam
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3QRDHnE4L
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVwucElNcU
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIZsvZBrxf
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkW4LagBa8
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFHkangTr4
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQeAuev9KY
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrPEpcktpg
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1PQbN5HsJ
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWGCD92xLC
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8afVRhKQbk
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFw6OokAHU
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEROHyO9mV
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWBrUjaSQo
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiVYfVbDcs
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA4qgcISpO
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHu04y2QEN
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIaVlzmagB
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fC4PFKLlN
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZOQ7nCCXC
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uoo0jq0BI
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrD9DqGFGH
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hFZRrYcs6
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4Vp4SwA5K
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEyJ5A17Ot
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3jUiGVCGw
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjHvIcYex9
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFli9Hml541
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx5o6ranub
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZfT8Q61tN
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLFbBdRCwX
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDpHMR3Sri
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGwR5SwmLM
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTolKXma78e
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwvue14Fhc
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt0PNQBfHn
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ175G3KoIea
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡherFhp33m4
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxznXQusOqw
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJULpc19ljA
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUttXUXjwr
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ruR57VlS1
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe9XZq8AUu
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLlyiDDWnv
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCLuZiNtoe
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouHSTCpUZp
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuVvV4Paf8
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0QOsG8RLv
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZVrceODzL
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJnEfZb1s7
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr3MwUjPPz
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcV5UBl0WL
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOaMhaZxFn
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7ZTjqsdfX
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1W5trqx2k
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYPRzceLut
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8pcRgxHD7
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxoKDMGCh0
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVKvhLv4N0
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByhbBCO2GR
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyyRWM78lJ
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkERhNcTMh
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCrR9hqvJQ
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdn31ATXGf
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqKjndZqRo
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNhSYg9OZ0
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4cPakJpS1
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoVeikiQrn
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwE8OZngQJ
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILlVzALEx3
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0twNZ62rx
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYs1Rg91Hl
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oGNQoc0iZ
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nNGnvd8Ig
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjASsx4f5BE
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzRJO2jIna
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfudwMFgG3
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwv2ttQV8t
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjtPtdxm7d
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUN1dTPaPd
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX6iIuCmAf
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerkHTJWonG
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ercjZqFJk
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GGyRXmwSO
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKhYytBbyA
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LptCvXC34
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2LHtMDJ2L
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxjeeB7sr8
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRplATeFFkg
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLBEq4A41J
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzmLx3ETcp
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9suuQ6mQt
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTWGsT0YPL
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrgvOOWcgM
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveab7VQtzS
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZaK3fINm6
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCDjZjVaxD
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcZSh9mPDw
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpznIb3L0ei
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8iewpt20j
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8d5orUYSq
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGZ5DabcUp
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeWnPWaz6T
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXYUIIrtj5
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdWcakD19o
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZolTjHrCj
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsQSCXfBke
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33cMro3xlf
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FaWrpFWs1
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS0RrGyrh1
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaxlJr5LRs
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvptZAc6dMV
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3rUa9fgkl
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeZ8csWEff
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb1hOQlVF2
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AIt2Uj3io
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAQ7O5ke2u
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwJ7NDFU0y
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YNyePZemS
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeVS9o9pt3
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeh1E4q2mW
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFf8763zhY
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91RUTFjlm5
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKWmOCQVgi
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gittiqTDT
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzsKu59459
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrREoarzdn
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLbTr4boBI
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMlS4dAkJI
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo3v00p2pw
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wdJn5L1h9
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB8B5cRcXD
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUbwLLqOMQ
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmIsvTZcE5
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVCuO8IlAe
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM1rtZb09q
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3l0mPsBwW
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkMBYt16g1
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaoEPoRzim
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd6sJC6YDF
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOAbC1hRLX
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaE0cNgqYJ
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkAUqQWk3d
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PDsHOIZJL
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYgTwzXgHn
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdhgvsIzw9
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy2sw4UJsC
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRUZKhJvyW
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgPNbd1XpE
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAmTtJ2m0y
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWVQWygp58
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7CK7l6ZYl
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPISiY8e2C
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs8z8guIe7
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNi5Zi0bJd
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hGelrDGZP
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToavMmkrXq
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6b22t55OU
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBgF04BmUA
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmczSqbvRW
that moment, had changed.
