"Mommy! Daddy!"8964 copyright protection207PENANAYQh3UnzsvU 維尼
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 211Please respect copyright.PENANArK3zm2rRYp
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 211Please respect copyright.PENANAPuKX6aopd6
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 211Please respect copyright.PENANA2UG6NRF6Q8
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.8964 copyright protection207PENANA13875b5m5V 維尼
Two 211Please respect copyright.PENANAgHOJGByDE6
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a211Please respect copyright.PENANAgrnzNlnWlr
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 211Please respect copyright.PENANAP9oRMNHv3V
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,211Please respect copyright.PENANAoQLkpiIxpU
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,211Please respect copyright.PENANApL3tlKgf9v
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.8964 copyright protection207PENANAmiN1KxjwYS 維尼
Sitting211Please respect copyright.PENANAwYSlMaIu30
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAG4Ot7dvnub
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 211Please respect copyright.PENANAUlhh96sn3q
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 211Please respect copyright.PENANAtyee1XCl30
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAM0EVm3TzJW
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 211Please respect copyright.PENANACU2GKvIG7D
sighed in content.8964 copyright protection207PENANA9wbFbug19w 維尼
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 211Please respect copyright.PENANA1EhfSA7s3d
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 211Please respect copyright.PENANAlxSqClYDmI
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as211Please respect copyright.PENANAvUeMZg1CGG
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 211Please respect copyright.PENANAQS79FZJHYJ
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And211Please respect copyright.PENANAiu0jQ2M2ZE
they loved her for her uniqueness.8964 copyright protection207PENANAUZEsl9Bm1h 維尼
He beamed over at his oldest 211Please respect copyright.PENANAIOCKm5cKh3
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 211Please respect copyright.PENANAP1LDiQsGhQ
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 211Please respect copyright.PENANAdGLDvmUZV0
keep?"8964 copyright protection207PENANAuzZMaTK0G2 維尼
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAytZx6hQuLP
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 211Please respect copyright.PENANAhdWeYpXSxC
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 211Please respect copyright.PENANAFwPY4bf9yK
dumb one." She told the girl.8964 copyright protection207PENANAFPBOMDGNlz 維尼
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAOEdPwXGy8d
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 211Please respect copyright.PENANA5yAoOaNqP5
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 211Please respect copyright.PENANAQZ2swAAcev
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 211Please respect copyright.PENANAZPeEtDTETL
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 211Please respect copyright.PENANANdObj2lJG5
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.8964 copyright protection207PENANA3e28oPYXQZ 維尼
She 211Please respect copyright.PENANAHA1ooBM2gh
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAuZh8rjBQyP
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."211Please respect copyright.PENANA6UEfzDHXWF
She reminded him.8964 copyright protection207PENANAF4n3Nt6VJW 維尼
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 211Please respect copyright.PENANAidljQGJb9t
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.211Please respect copyright.PENANA1toO27KScF
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAJNDjmFfETP
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 211Please respect copyright.PENANAgwny6hrfWZ
get up and make something for these munchkins, dear?" He said to Mary.8964 copyright protection207PENANAo8YTQWVzey 維尼
She hummed. "I suppose we should. How bout you get it started, and I'll feed Sal?"8964 copyright protection207PENANAsfzul4kbkw 維尼
"Sure."211Please respect copyright.PENANA05LHXRXRru
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he211Please respect copyright.PENANA7NrlpyuxS3
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAUb4qnjMT9O
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 211Please respect copyright.PENANABIHR7TMITt
ready?" He suggested to his daughters.8964 copyright protection207PENANAUUCMhacw6F 維尼
The girls ran out eagerly, their messy hair swooshing around them. Then they closed the bedroom door as they ran out.8964 copyright protection207PENANAe2xufhQZdI 維尼
After211Please respect copyright.PENANAIUzexhRnfm
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 211Please respect copyright.PENANAwYRf1t1881
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 211Please respect copyright.PENANAKOnCwSzt88
collarbone softly.8964 copyright protection207PENANAu9FQ2HYIqt 維尼
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 211Please respect copyright.PENANADOT0BO97rg
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 211Please respect copyright.PENANAJKGGFWIwvc
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 211Please respect copyright.PENANAZs0oKGZPdV
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 211Please respect copyright.PENANACyZF0JwFpS
hair. "Later, lover boy."8964 copyright protection207PENANAbMjNS1IMJO 維尼
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 211Please respect copyright.PENANAKfmJYUQvrY
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 211Please respect copyright.PENANA5RxUciRykJ
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 211Please respect copyright.PENANAYm9rzjQKxd
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.8964 copyright protection207PENANANhxZZAeEtv 維尼
As he stood at the old 211Please respect copyright.PENANA9b2W6DwvyR
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a211Please respect copyright.PENANARkNTxgtrUT
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 211Please respect copyright.PENANAtdBAt0VS2h
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 211Please respect copyright.PENANA2Xb9zGVBkC
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.8964 copyright protection207PENANAeJJgGDeS5t 維尼
Justin211Please respect copyright.PENANA25jnC3b9ff
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There211Please respect copyright.PENANAUXKdx1rLdy
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAUH3Ho5ZZxV
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 211Please respect copyright.PENANAUplgiItt5g
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 211Please respect copyright.PENANA85MmKqfh5d
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 211Please respect copyright.PENANAscP9J82qTJ
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 211Please respect copyright.PENANABriRdzuCuJ
different though.8964 copyright protection207PENANAFhw4Lwwi7l 維尼
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy211Please respect copyright.PENANAG0AUCiqjkn
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 211Please respect copyright.PENANAFkwOJgEXVZ
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 211Please respect copyright.PENANA83Egj3gSsZ
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 211Please respect copyright.PENANAHxIalFU7dO
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 211Please respect copyright.PENANASEX2z50Sge
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 211Please respect copyright.PENANA5rM8coiE6A
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 211Please respect copyright.PENANAsoSM5KgfBF
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 211Please respect copyright.PENANAJsMLFSIAK5
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.8964 copyright protection207PENANALYeRYaz071 維尼
Ida 211Please respect copyright.PENANAX2nuap7qWX
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 211Please respect copyright.PENANA1rESJr3PsE
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 211Please respect copyright.PENANAxK4LfS5FwK
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 211Please respect copyright.PENANAUAOPPJPtsc
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 211Please respect copyright.PENANAFfJigN6nVY
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 211Please respect copyright.PENANAWlptCBLs1B
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed211Please respect copyright.PENANA1qBvguM1Hw
light kisses on their foreheads.8964 copyright protection207PENANA1u0TeQiGPs 維尼
The girls each giggled and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAhVcS0Rf2NO
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the211Please respect copyright.PENANApAK1EfWbkU
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 211Please respect copyright.PENANA9J1uTrwBqD
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 211Please respect copyright.PENANASd5kXF8ED4
went back to making breakfast.8964 copyright protection207PENANAfYIsOdbq3g 維尼
Mary came in, not long later, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAbcwq6E8a2Y
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter211Please respect copyright.PENANA5EbAKxefvq
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a211Please respect copyright.PENANACrwjRo0mg1
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,211Please respect copyright.PENANAB7za5jsA63
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.8964 copyright protection207PENANAERMYltToF8 維尼
That's211Please respect copyright.PENANA2tUjrA5da5
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 211Please respect copyright.PENANAEFaouklPi4
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 211Please respect copyright.PENANAACEMav6tk8
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 211Please respect copyright.PENANAOPcpWkGn0q
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 211Please respect copyright.PENANAOEtXgwJ03S
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They211Please respect copyright.PENANAiwSq18XN3W
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 211Please respect copyright.PENANAmPiA1FDSKj
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 211Please respect copyright.PENANAoqeYc3xHS0
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.8964 copyright protection207PENANAdLfxy8AQU8 維尼
She211Please respect copyright.PENANA5VcAly3F7q
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 211Please respect copyright.PENANAtg8G88zbTZ
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,211Please respect copyright.PENANAnAkrnnUVxn
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 211Please respect copyright.PENANA4O20qK4vqT
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAd3R7kPQ5gL
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 211Please respect copyright.PENANA4te0AuCqaf
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 211Please respect copyright.PENANACnUMVBHuUc
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAJyWm2zYO9n
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 211Please respect copyright.PENANAhfGTPLfhP1
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 211Please respect copyright.PENANA9h7aR4Pes0
months.8964 copyright protection207PENANAykToExA9yL 維尼
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 211Please respect copyright.PENANAFOQPJ9b2gU
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 211Please respect copyright.PENANAmH2MJQzoyO
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 211Please respect copyright.PENANARzsVn8aQH1
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 211Please respect copyright.PENANAzq02D3Qvkm
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 211Please respect copyright.PENANAsxstSdwaLX
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 211Please respect copyright.PENANAhYso5f0poU
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 211Please respect copyright.PENANAgNDeCHHwsp
shortage.8964 copyright protection207PENANAEJK394tKYl 維尼
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 211Please respect copyright.PENANA7Vbtl2I3rb
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 211Please respect copyright.PENANA1elYK2ogdP
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 211Please respect copyright.PENANASUDNj6H4fB
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAs2vsc7mQji
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 211Please respect copyright.PENANABRYb5VetoW
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 211Please respect copyright.PENANAJdv158eAKd
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 211Please respect copyright.PENANAxnhvTfwuv5
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAChFQNwJ0yu
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 211Please respect copyright.PENANAeiM8sorRo9
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in211Please respect copyright.PENANAI384jmoa8Q
the daughters he'd raised.8964 copyright protection207PENANAkjysiK4arC 維尼
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller211Please respect copyright.PENANAuA00gsMt74
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 211Please respect copyright.PENANA7JLWlJGv5p
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was211Please respect copyright.PENANACyootb0Z5R
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month211Please respect copyright.PENANAOdytnu89jk
olds.8964 copyright protection207PENANAzonf9FWgMV 維尼
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 211Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5x0V15HMf
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 211Please respect copyright.PENANAhoxfZcx5eV
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like211Please respect copyright.PENANA6IwmqAthe5
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 211Please respect copyright.PENANAQMepjoNv7O
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 211Please respect copyright.PENANAXbgfBGNDfg
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 211Please respect copyright.PENANACH5vvT6Qdw
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.8964 copyright protection207PENANArJhhikXlSH 維尼
Mary,211Please respect copyright.PENANAiP1nhOrfRo
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 211Please respect copyright.PENANAzGCZb8H7Ym
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,211Please respect copyright.PENANAI6lwqoe0Iv
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 211Please respect copyright.PENANAHm9QQGpybs
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 211Please respect copyright.PENANAoHw5tEaQPr
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 211Please respect copyright.PENANAGxxMuuuwey
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.8964 copyright protection207PENANA5ug8z9WXKF 維尼
As 211Please respect copyright.PENANAB65hxiSHtT
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 211Please respect copyright.PENANAprDbhVcD4e
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 211Please respect copyright.PENANAXYBzLUYYYv
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 211Please respect copyright.PENANAPcGvbCuNhq
broad, loving smile.8964 copyright protection207PENANAnQBrK871ad 維尼
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 211Please respect copyright.PENANAI3fVhpUfkn
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 211Please respect copyright.PENANAcKDQIZ5DBW
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 211Please respect copyright.PENANAVbNfm3E3i6
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAkvSd0tocLH
pushed it back up.8964 copyright protection207PENANAzNKwGxldGS 維尼
"I wanna go, papa!" Ethel said hopefully, lifting her arms toward her father.8964 copyright protection207PENANAt80qleryyK 維尼
He chuckled and picked her up. "When you're a little older, sweetheart." He told her and kissed her brown head.8964 copyright protection207PENANA2H43szvIu9 維尼
She211Please respect copyright.PENANA0SUnBdD2QZ
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked211Please respect copyright.PENANAr0ig6KEFMn
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she211Please respect copyright.PENANAX9e09QDX2D
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"8964 copyright protection207PENANAEk3IaPiFGE 維尼
"She's211Please respect copyright.PENANAkMuMI3Kl2z
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 211Please respect copyright.PENANAwUEEeU2zu7
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like211Please respect copyright.PENANAELIGeMrLeO
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 211Please respect copyright.PENANAq9SJwhwQsh
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 211Please respect copyright.PENANAjD0bgIFScF
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 211Please respect copyright.PENANA5sHily6MMP
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 211Please respect copyright.PENANAS5eycuoI1z
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 211Please respect copyright.PENANAmhS6Jt2PH1
understand one day.8964 copyright protection207PENANAD6HfItrfpg 維尼
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,211Please respect copyright.PENANAcsZecWECl3
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play211Please respect copyright.PENANAshhlOD3StU
in the small family room.8964 copyright protection207PENANADXjgoxJtAP 維尼
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.8964 copyright protection207PENANA3DGqMejDnQ 維尼
He211Please respect copyright.PENANASoj9e3fBVA
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 211Please respect copyright.PENANAAS3HLgj6SC
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 211Please respect copyright.PENANAU2DO1wc7LU
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 211Please respect copyright.PENANA2i7lax7va6
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong211Please respect copyright.PENANAb42tSIvHGG
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 211Please respect copyright.PENANA2vDKqKtpF6
soft cheek.8964 copyright protection207PENANAVRPmBPT2rm 維尼
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 211Please respect copyright.PENANAPSaSi0OHlw
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAPs8aqcpTA1
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAy1pyVMkS8j
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 211Please respect copyright.PENANAWW4WVA5Dvp
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 211Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8Bynepdip
saddle.8964 copyright protection207PENANAD0HGloXTzp 維尼
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains211Please respect copyright.PENANAktZzuxqYEh
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 211Please respect copyright.PENANAy3Gbt8m7Ht
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.211Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3nBFK0uA4
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 211Please respect copyright.PENANAYIdGPHU36b
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to211Please respect copyright.PENANAQqLEWqTLJA
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.8964 copyright protection207PENANA45Tkzgqpxq 維尼
As they rose 211Please respect copyright.PENANA2xEpuj17LJ
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 211Please respect copyright.PENANAcAM6u0RbP9
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 211Please respect copyright.PENANA3eONsxRF8n
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 211Please respect copyright.PENANANwFHl7LMzn
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to211Please respect copyright.PENANApv36p9xzHd
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to211Please respect copyright.PENANAZLa3wREznU
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 211Please respect copyright.PENANABHnaaQeoR2
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 211Please respect copyright.PENANAmg2jcP7N1k
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.8964 copyright protection207PENANAKoMrzIDuAP 維尼
She fit into this 211Please respect copyright.PENANASF1POE5BiG
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 211Please respect copyright.PENANA8lVnbuLgNK
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAkfwX8ncr6l
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 211Please respect copyright.PENANAeyqtHZqmC8
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 211Please respect copyright.PENANA35hIzvPNaK
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 211Please respect copyright.PENANAhEzBoyqqDa
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 211Please respect copyright.PENANAS5kZNOL4Ft
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 211Please respect copyright.PENANA765TGNMXeN
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 211Please respect copyright.PENANAG81yaxCiQE
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.8964 copyright protection207PENANAGzNJsna8SQ 維尼
She 211Please respect copyright.PENANAUCaInKuAs3
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 211Please respect copyright.PENANA661vnzCt57
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to211Please respect copyright.PENANADX85ROA93v
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAZeclRRGVMJ
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 211Please respect copyright.PENANAfxjELrYl6v
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 211Please respect copyright.PENANADwKITjsc5c
Mary already knew what that was like.8964 copyright protection207PENANARrHliEFUPg 維尼
Her father had been a drunk 211Please respect copyright.PENANAtghtiQxySB
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 211Please respect copyright.PENANA9IGHxJtEEA
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAVSOB6siqqj
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 211Please respect copyright.PENANA61voyb4GzD
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 211Please respect copyright.PENANAvXepSyhU4N
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.8964 copyright protection207PENANAz3TPn61A4J 維尼
Her211Please respect copyright.PENANAaUP8EjIy4e
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 211Please respect copyright.PENANA01BC0FUELu
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 211Please respect copyright.PENANAESCRD9lAGE
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAOeeaOAYJwn
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 211Please respect copyright.PENANAqYdrFZ0mdi
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to211Please respect copyright.PENANAboKXNBA1wf
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 211Please respect copyright.PENANAYvNz6bZmFp
working anywhere else but in the house.8964 copyright protection207PENANARk1eKG0KHb 維尼
Being thrown, so suddenly,211Please respect copyright.PENANAQlbf9slM63
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 211Please respect copyright.PENANAWibpbSYJOF
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 211Please respect copyright.PENANAVZ2xIZOhVa
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had211Please respect copyright.PENANAtAIpO64kwB
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she211Please respect copyright.PENANA8EoHBDyp3N
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 211Please respect copyright.PENANAHMhEJT9OfQ
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 211Please respect copyright.PENANAPXWrfYShfj
both of them.8964 copyright protection207PENANA3NEV6uqaNO 維尼
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 211Please respect copyright.PENANAf6ljZ2nrdj
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 211Please respect copyright.PENANAHYN2niZH8E
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 211Please respect copyright.PENANAlCMWMeKpi5
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was211Please respect copyright.PENANAD6sa60QeXa
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAgTSFYs9iEY
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 211Please respect copyright.PENANAXzgANowDLz
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 211Please respect copyright.PENANAg7ujtLaj24
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 211Please respect copyright.PENANAtWuJsKsdZB
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the211Please respect copyright.PENANAeJbddFUtzB
tools necessary to survive.8964 copyright protection207PENANAzTuob71f8D 維尼
He had just started teaching Ethel, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAB2SFF2VylU
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when211Please respect copyright.PENANAFi5rUrTttC
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 211Please respect copyright.PENANA8E8xdQkVYU
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with211Please respect copyright.PENANAVj67JPc2Fh
a lot of things.8964 copyright protection207PENANAMzpQ1ARW4D 維尼
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAU7M3W2oodB
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but211Please respect copyright.PENANAdDx9BVLEC4
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 211Please respect copyright.PENANAJzVg9jpSnA
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 211Please respect copyright.PENANAbrYvbb0Bp6
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 211Please respect copyright.PENANAeW2Rvg5E25
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing211Please respect copyright.PENANAeNN5m9qUpL
short of amazing.8964 copyright protection207PENANAdYJVYCLrYk 維尼
They returned at dusk, having had a most 211Please respect copyright.PENANACq6UvkTpIU
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 211Please respect copyright.PENANAuQigyJizcc
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,211Please respect copyright.PENANAkHXVFc5A6E
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 211Please respect copyright.PENANA08XUXGvghG
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.211Please respect copyright.PENANAXCEsw9MbBo
She obediently did as she was told.8964 copyright protection207PENANAD7UCyWqlZ7 維尼
As Mary neared him, he was 211Please respect copyright.PENANAiFCsKR1S7E
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAkh14B1VjH3
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and211Please respect copyright.PENANA7XZcefDoBh
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 211Please respect copyright.PENANAuD9Qg3V0qY
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 211Please respect copyright.PENANATvYpvX9Mp0
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAQVuZTb9jT1
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 211Please respect copyright.PENANA1LR9nKMKfq
twice.8964 copyright protection207PENANAJBZZ8H63qB 維尼
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving211Please respect copyright.PENANAJRasF5g1XG
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 211Please respect copyright.PENANAF76jdRVA4u
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.211Please respect copyright.PENANA5XZYf4B4To
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 211Please respect copyright.PENANA2dsSgb1THF
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.8964 copyright protection207PENANABxTn9uIZWQ 維尼
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.8964 copyright protection207PENANAiYVbs8JgF8 維尼
He211Please respect copyright.PENANAFLnPCN67yL
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the211Please respect copyright.PENANAyOGKWYpHFU
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 211Please respect copyright.PENANAyp4rFNLnXq
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were211Please respect copyright.PENANAFPePyG5D8E
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.211Please respect copyright.PENANAmUJf5u51LQ
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 211Please respect copyright.PENANAFozFp44O4q
words were clear as day.8964 copyright protection207PENANAcMjKtSlrEc 維尼
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."8964 copyright protection207PENANAnc25BSJPHn 維尼
She211Please respect copyright.PENANAO5iA9SKWo8
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his211Please respect copyright.PENANAciEbcjhCne
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 211Please respect copyright.PENANA52OSUOcUT6
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell211Please respect copyright.PENANAkcI97D23U8
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was211Please respect copyright.PENANAqoFcs3PJoV
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 211Please respect copyright.PENANA4dvpCnd5eg
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 211Please respect copyright.PENANAZA9fC60keY
ever before, stroking her soft hair.8964 copyright protection207PENANAl0CiaquTuK 維尼
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.8964 copyright protection207PENANAqObBp3qeUU 維尼
He211Please respect copyright.PENANAZUs52BvzOa
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 211Please respect copyright.PENANAnd4c8o2y0C
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 211Please respect copyright.PENANA9Npedf9VRj
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.8964 copyright protection207PENANANd0VXWUN4f 維尼
Going inside, they 211Please respect copyright.PENANACpTnB4soTV
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 211Please respect copyright.PENANAd8UzNf8hmk
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 211Please respect copyright.PENANAlMP2KP5hG1
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 211Please respect copyright.PENANAv14pXGleDD
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.8964 copyright protection207PENANAmY47964SWG 維尼
"Ida, Ethel…you two know211Please respect copyright.PENANAVwz3vPoePS
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 211Please respect copyright.PENANAHQslXZaxg4
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."211Please respect copyright.PENANAreKgtO2tQ6
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAM3Ma9uucUx
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right211Please respect copyright.PENANAAp7MisAjcn
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to211Please respect copyright.PENANA3M2caIHe6a
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and211Please respect copyright.PENANAieOgFTnEAb
mommy."8964 copyright protection207PENANA4IRO1NfeFd 維尼
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she211Please respect copyright.PENANADj4yavC4WF
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 211Please respect copyright.PENANAHTQKey8sIr
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.8964 copyright protection207PENANAhYACvaLOE7 維尼
He blinked211Please respect copyright.PENANATh94g0RmuF
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 211Please respect copyright.PENANAY6pKZV2lBw
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 211Please respect copyright.PENANATYwtr84q6m
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 211Please respect copyright.PENANAyerS07ILan
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAovJH4Lwso1
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was211Please respect copyright.PENANAlnsjEp7ZJ6
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.211Please respect copyright.PENANAP3boRaRgj8
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 211Please respect copyright.PENANAgpAvejDHao
are you thinking, darling?"8964 copyright protection207PENANA3TmJXhc5PH 維尼
She was expressionless. It was like 211Please respect copyright.PENANAIGbtSX9LPj
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?211Please respect copyright.PENANABwZmXC5xo7
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 211Please respect copyright.PENANAZfFBZ7ZrMc
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.8964 copyright protection207PENANA37FzPNGsKO 維尼
He couldn't 211Please respect copyright.PENANAargjc2gaRX
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 211Please respect copyright.PENANAhNndnjKAdz
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 211Please respect copyright.PENANAZD7yLO2lGh
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAiIE2cPiCfE
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 211Please respect copyright.PENANAlvQAMvhBtU
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that211Please respect copyright.PENANA5P6exWB5XD
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 211Please respect copyright.PENANAM1PrtDXC1B
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 211Please respect copyright.PENANAPpPULZqBcd
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.211Please respect copyright.PENANAgc0mQYhzfP
His own daughter.8964 copyright protection207PENANABGaryLYtjW 維尼
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 211Please respect copyright.PENANAayYFtAZObX
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 211Please respect copyright.PENANA9cQeGvGHGT
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 211Please respect copyright.PENANAwLdWQoC2SO
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAqLI4ZJXIEM
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 211Please respect copyright.PENANAwaW6OSTeKT
choice; he was going.8964 copyright protection207PENANAivt5h9iYrK 維尼
That night, after all the girls were fed and211Please respect copyright.PENANAVsSbHiONRv
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 211Please respect copyright.PENANAXmNoRCniuC
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 211Please respect copyright.PENANAj4eCfB1cfI
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 211Please respect copyright.PENANAd8Jr0Tgb2U
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 211Please respect copyright.PENANAvmBN91VOBF
slid his hands down to hold her hips.8964 copyright protection207PENANASAY0lX6FkF 維尼
It didn't take long to strip211Please respect copyright.PENANAZGekEYsDCd
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAF72IktIcD5
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 211Please respect copyright.PENANAmFgPpRaUeK
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he211Please respect copyright.PENANAQUovFh9M2p
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 211Please respect copyright.PENANAXcEj72WzCy
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.8964 copyright protection207PENANAdzX8QfQEzd 維尼
When211Please respect copyright.PENANAMyp1nf7Enr
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back211Please respect copyright.PENANA60stbF1sgK
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,211Please respect copyright.PENANADCRoR2YnY3
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.8964 copyright protection207PENANAyzAGw2bklT 維尼
He 211Please respect copyright.PENANAnOnYEL2bZX
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAcrl6LXdOWT
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 211Please respect copyright.PENANADC9E3QU1VH
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than211Please respect copyright.PENANAAaDMsHD8NA
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.8964 copyright protection207PENANAnqKd0dnBDD 維尼
Afterwards, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAwLLFnSSpew
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 211Please respect copyright.PENANACgAzIg2Afg
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 211Please respect copyright.PENANAJ49ZDhp2hs
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 211Please respect copyright.PENANAVEISfwTBZl
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.8964 copyright protection207PENANANhZO6zWF8B 維尼
The211Please respect copyright.PENANAW7SPgDbqKH
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.211Please respect copyright.PENANAsLaB14hzSG
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and211Please respect copyright.PENANAzAm8dvEYxu
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 211Please respect copyright.PENANAei97PinhC6
bundled up and went out to see him off.8964 copyright protection207PENANA0UbjMv8tzO 維尼
It didn't take him long to211Please respect copyright.PENANAnh6xG3hKUW
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 211Please respect copyright.PENANAQmIBp0C260
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 211Please respect copyright.PENANAYkZueHCsXo
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 211Please respect copyright.PENANAIAzbeFIK0X
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 211Please respect copyright.PENANAidjGA8JW84
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 211Please respect copyright.PENANA0WHyFwjuw9
how was he not to cry?8964 copyright protection207PENANAg2S6YZDtoF 維尼
When all was ready, he turned to his small,211Please respect copyright.PENANAfyKmqEJPf2
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 211Please respect copyright.PENANAePBl2uS36G
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was211Please respect copyright.PENANArUC798rpio
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.8964 copyright protection207PENANA3tFH7kXFmV 維尼
Licking211Please respect copyright.PENANAnSMhEbtjnq
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 211Please respect copyright.PENANAzHz6uVck8B
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.211Please respect copyright.PENANAFhyGmmiN54
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 211Please respect copyright.PENANARdiBdyLNeo
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 211Please respect copyright.PENANA1Z5TNXTk0n
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them211Please respect copyright.PENANAaBfKS3EiCd
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 211Please respect copyright.PENANAyWeSr05oek
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 211Please respect copyright.PENANAjiayZZiYHE
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.8964 copyright protection207PENANAEO5CMvK7nL 維尼
His heart melted when he211Please respect copyright.PENANA4gVHmfDyP2
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 211Please respect copyright.PENANAw2iLpsvgJa
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and211Please respect copyright.PENANAKSDlO0GDa3
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 211Please respect copyright.PENANAuoGkDrA3IO
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they211Please respect copyright.PENANAjOTBrU5DiL
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 211Please respect copyright.PENANADlhy9Zc21V
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 211Please respect copyright.PENANAdsyLowa0Vl
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.8964 copyright protection207PENANA2NF8TMlhLY 維尼
He took a sharp breath when211Please respect copyright.PENANAAAl1Dqlqvv
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 211Please respect copyright.PENANAz5Ye6z6JZd
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 211Please respect copyright.PENANAlG13MFwhIe
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.8964 copyright protection207PENANAy696KJRtn8 維尼
She nodded 211Please respect copyright.PENANASvbXpdVWzE
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 211Please respect copyright.PENANAkT3KzBl0da
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."8964 copyright protection207PENANAUVcjeOh54w 維尼
He 211Please respect copyright.PENANA9z4cxidcXk
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 211Please respect copyright.PENANAabP888IHYy
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 211Please respect copyright.PENANAVLV6PLDZZ2
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One211Please respect copyright.PENANAt6nqgCd38J
last time. I want to see my family happy together."8964 copyright protection207PENANAbIgTnkuLvN 維尼
All too soon,211Please respect copyright.PENANAzjnMGxeizp
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 211Please respect copyright.PENANAwHpKay3exa
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 211Please respect copyright.PENANA2sMbeIwKaM
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in211Please respect copyright.PENANAIgPzE1DQwo
that moment, had changed.8964 copyright protection207PENANApatwXnNXbT 維尼