65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLWKP22rqv
It was a cold and dark day.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYS2ocZVWC
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl0zNIAQKX
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sJYdz0g1q
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMspEvNRuIO
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6897HWPiNA
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡwskOqG94GB65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO3ZMgzNwA
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei2DXyrO29
“Do you, Justin Daniels, take65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9iMg0I6iv
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGykJy707Ux
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9PLNNjeCm
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwJML4mRKy65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofvG1MGJSZ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzyzi7GjfB
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXKGIyt1M5
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoalURmGy6z
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXDedDiRZr65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm96VsdCLs
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBqZh8xKaj
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyucsmz9UF
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs1SyXkMA6
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOHFOYOlJZ
and respect him, until death do you part?”copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwTAkkhuoX65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAyaM0wmaq
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1US3Nr18dC
She couldn’t help it; her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetrV8fUXAE
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgeuq1vWnG
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpAftnHvwV
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JtPweUS5E65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KoyGxOAup
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerFtW5vs2T
“Then, without further wait,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pjJFM7niD
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqnGY3eMEI
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBB4PPH8HH65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTaRm6XSy0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHp4q5Rys9
Not waiting a second longer,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKzzryDFlh
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxayoxFmpe
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaVMemR6Vj
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf64PGwojbJ
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWdtwyNN2c65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAgL8FiO2H
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oSZa7m2dh
After the marriage ceremony,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltoqi4WGn8
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYIHKRn2Fp
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKINCIYJ40W
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmqJNJOJpc
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQazxVrUX6
Avery, went first.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8VeXrtSkz65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHP7kx63B7
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XtqGh9u0z
“I have known Justin and Mary65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSpRsXMTRK
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0brQjLnqPZ
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPW1gDiq8i
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZObpGDmtxe
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxqEoKqLag
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH6IJmm1Mu
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMjvbZ9ysH
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFfdkDXLp7
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKb8P0Yx9F65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aP8Tyvfzh
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU43pf3zNv
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAbvNw8Lix
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkIItCgYRQ
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBKjFazIJn
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0XpwLWFwf
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpzV72xo0p
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg1ZAG99pT
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDTv3phZ4N
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehdOdlRLKR
took a swig of their whisky.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIBsb81YW365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ8cYIT7Si
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qWUVZjcYo
After the bride and groom65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dGe1TzSEj
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPjS2hBWpu
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqUbkQaE29
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23mIhoCRhg
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb16uU9Lw5a
constantly.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHc6W9yq1S65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lAVwVMHzP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCSel9CX1T
Hoots of fun-filled laughter65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecVlGPurlA
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmVdis84aI
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1kMfGVSEX
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS9HdPwIhS
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUee8wHgBR
came that night.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyDaGsbE0k65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvTkh80d1E
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNxjuL90tq
That was seven years ago,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMl71tEIKf
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf2VHe4Id165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJKs31B4eC
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIopgIT1RUu
copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoIYvF835a65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMhDUi6y0Q
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAAy3EAFIP
Present daycopyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Iyfp0q3165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrdHHWBINw
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5juIdMPLM
copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡLngOjX2nGg65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzng7qUI5C
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn4L5LHGuu
She was bleak, weary, and65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIzwciJZ7v
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN493czYUF
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr2Fd7rUOV
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1EYyRghQo
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡotE7s9MAcR65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCcRMg4meZ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Pr4vEbWy0
Mary looked behind her, where65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX1wVzncRe
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEQNwD3BZh
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1725CGhzf
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrcjY8TllK
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWpqJW4Nx3
given to little Ethel.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8WuGcTHDX65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ585caaPRso
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JQj2OsWaN
Turning completely to keep a65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJK6at3ehA
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimJnzUyoL0
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSJDcMsFJC
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqmdxwHALY
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3kUrTOZiA
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6tJKGwclf
knew was that she hated it.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡIokYcDWf0D65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOGb2dIJNu
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYx2TZWHYf
Not even a month after Justin65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYlLI5rfiN
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7BbjEo2nc
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5a48335L2
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl31GOJMgY5
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ucFFwj4yH
eyes of his own two children.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp6awykj9x65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4Nr9Wuc1g
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenjf38ZQpY
She was currently seven65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVss888Ercd
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tiWUrSpDU
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFShZ8l88bx
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ670zf9ITAV
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JopGjQyIu
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsomJnv4wDg
having an affair.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUF7omji3W65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Kn4kCd2wO
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDym2eFTMn
A hiss brushed past her lips,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfMKZaf3GT
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKEHOZj22Q
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0upmxD2qq
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNFcxEmNI2
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2MmJBl3Eo
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvooVLVzNm
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMlzLxdINe65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd9FpHkMv3
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc5BzPdUTS
Just then, a whinny could be65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOnHcjs8Sg
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRtDxTlRFQ
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu306CQkwJ
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPxAxKTZSL
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnDJ1aDm2i
her or her girls.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡljDsta0Ota65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXNgXUSOep
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqf50MQTMI
Waiting by the porch, rifle65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE26iM7spuv
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHsvXqpPeE
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM4uS4hIY3
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC6xUSEnh8
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZPlvNLVC0
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSMDmEIDmG
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE41Lto5Ms65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNjNleFZBW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uWYQsLCoo
She didn’t dare to hope, but65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXgpBC3jgq
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XejKzxpz9
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIEjGuMr6a
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI767JJb3Z
the dirt ground hard and painfully.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11emBZUPIH65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3WRnHrV71
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uJIOqdASj
It wasn’t Justin.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡ330HvuRwjl65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI2SOaBymF
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYIuQ6bh1j
The man walked up briskly,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6N2OBs2bk
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW2nORxqpT
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XSOrIUD0W
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj2JmRlOTx
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFZLGLf4Q165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9etcCh3aHt
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MqWBSFvvF
She forced the lump down her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssZucllx9f
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS2LfEL9tt65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4juxv6Pzgw
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kjtgVlWrR
He ran a shaky hand through65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTjBnwWJ36
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8ptFVzvuQ
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xal1rgnnI
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZByAZ4xI8
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwwSe2n5yG65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHg3aWYKrt
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu1LP2d6pA
Shock filled her at first.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEAqdbphJ8
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnQHq1EpL6
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmAU7qWkwl
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡrelr01cf6365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl0wLdIbvr
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVO9CfagEW
“Daddy coming home?” Ethel65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxiXsqnoLU
asked her softly.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDVioaXakq65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHfKe1XWds
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwocG0rRh6
The tears raged down her face65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOED6C6xZui
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf09ZeaXao
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyUNKBObt6
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhKVnm1Vmw
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefLeoKszHD
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7bSVWuJ8X
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbWa3acqgL65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpeAlCXnxj
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMzF0Yqtx8
The small girl had tears in her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vfiobfSUn
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IZs90umfB65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKN4k9Giwe
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq0b619wvH
Mary hated to think of it65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECdUVB5at0
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjKlo5u5o0
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0rkcxmm3R
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IuhDpSJzm
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvelODvLNP65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7Gus4AW9Y
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtYoObVaxZ
Her heart ached so much65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CIwTlWM5v
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ODPj6TT33
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0wQpk1lvz
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxb345p0Su
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1jaQCgKvj
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnjkdIFf3a
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoI1rM7QNZ
chance to do or see.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr18B5jNwA65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj0EtQhKBN
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oanIo5oE9
copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDjy5tzAPO65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytygvZ3CQR
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcbBREs8p3
……copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfkqA836UR65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsr6PavVy9
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57CDo8DsKu
copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6iXfT3zHz65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlGuXx9pGy
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB0VIQ5dLE
For several days, the Daniels65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRMZua77CS
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVehqbPzBv
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7478ZPY53K
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpBwp6Hxdj
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPfD7FPWeq
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmvzuuptzs
as the news of their father’s death.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡagctPiWoTM65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejRQQhWxO9
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdY6R5MG21
Ida and Ethel, while still65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uoC4T6tmG
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB0NrR5noT
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf7wmZC9GE
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN9zqdsxHP
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡd41xuCGyIB65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCqeqR5vet
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLJwh6vUgb
It was barely a week after65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrZH0pVtWC
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiafIoGztbO
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBAH7RODL4
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFHICXCFwj65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkwP2weYZb
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAilQ0KwzeI
Just as she was getting up to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocjYTrQI5C
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVWiKZPZXP
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby7wo8hUHv
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6HW4BnUjs
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGAr9qK6OD65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6nso8se7p
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iXbPlj6g1
It’s to early, she said in65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT7jPbUd5e
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCk35JbxXj
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1CUdrgwyw
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaqGtfRotX
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8AXcFGncD
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8Fj3TKjpi
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2ITAdwgMe65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYtgEWwwlZ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY84VkJBIV
Braving through her fear for65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp4VI7Otqe
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgcfwRc2ox
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SwaXruG2d
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbTAUwxwc365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiCGdlO1Pf
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBvsR2k45I
The seven year old wasted no65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7B8iyzMeC
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRUCy8YmaN
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqp7Tgadkf
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWnx4F5Esk
gave them a snap.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrKqTUQE0F65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsbb5Jk36u
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIUgQNw01R
Only half an hour later, she65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXOEuTkAyN
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOf60lQkoW
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTH0Nhejy065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfFJvvw2wy
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMvIr0BLA9
“Back here, Lee!” Mary called65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuYPAZarjy
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8O3Rjyol5
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqcr06YyCa65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfSsYjsz52
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJExIt8HEz1
“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX9101lzqH
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnXxPVRiuW
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeBSX50EJA
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXxPZyRk8h
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NEYkuTbMo
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsCmTwgJah65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87DKZAQ0fA
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVx8LwHDRQ
Hours passed by, and the only65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSDzRY3LaP
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajWO3WpTWE
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxA1GmxoZo
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUhSt9QxV0
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡota6uYoIhX65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6jjUnfjhc
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It was well into the night,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Q1WjaNQ6
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdc8w6vMqN
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpyJYkaUF1
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo5Gp20AQQ
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE4SMAZinq
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPoVgp2fXF65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mPD5OYgID
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy1nerpe1g
And so it was. Two days of65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IU9BGKBZ8
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14uRHzFFPn
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7WkubMUpN
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavw4F7LqIL
actually giving birth.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz73W0zdKK65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKP2BwCgcr
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvzAQ3LDXb
And then the third day came.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9dFgHDEpU65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8HXdm5ZNO
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlyzoa60rj
It hit them all, like a65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5P1GG4sj2
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKalHnINnv
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7Q9GekNeL
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GQWIxCMZV
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODGZYonGbK
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9K040p7gn65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMR3Wyhgmw
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sdSpVp1Ip
That night was long and hard.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx2Dw12TId
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU0wXW4fdq
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfT08jWykE
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXib0VI1XCK
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgFbMD8RTm
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGCcGKvDiQ
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf8tg4ci2O
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGWUJSVi6G65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d5IpRlxIf
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1VwdBgIfz
“So?” He said nervously.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3APgg5XUKn65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywPH05LdnN
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q068pYuXH
Her smile, still, didn’t65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSIFoWhFFw
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed34U49Ghx
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjXtp6ToBR
whispered.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmwznBANIQ65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lJO18KiOp
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2DS6yXgee
Mark sighed and shook his65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHxLbXS5lt
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrPHgQP09D
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZG4RNDO3R
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡavw7qg0lz665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RzACLyuRT
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOlOvBFkCO
She chewed on her lip. “I65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3NE7FsLuv
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCync90YHuP
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CHRSXXQRH65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtDWh8yWtb
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsez7mfz7K
“What’s her name?”copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH4JgrlQf465Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KisXrsV8X
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKrnHIwfF0
Leah smiled again, having65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrsF0z2g89
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eUjGRK9MT
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wEyUlgqAW
that it was perfectly suited.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpzdwZtxl365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1nTHosJEB
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEQMYwEIGq
Mark knew, all to well, how65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNXglRBBic
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJeVDVj6EX
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwCyjA4YjL
Margaret Hope Daniels.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnFkexibna65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWymcTeOvw
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13gfYTai0O
He wrapped and arm around his65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIlSgFtlDM
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62IEoVxCK2
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L6p15jbnj
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D1lvi1YDE
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJGun5qVHb
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRW4hY9A9x
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaaWvGewES
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqBSUZXlVF
father; it was a painful thought.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBRXl7pGXE65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTwtYOr8oB
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjLPghvvNa
Mary’s head snapped up to her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZBZRvZORU
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunN0RLOiTd
them gently, yet eagerly.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE4kRAkl7F65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzxFoOWUjK
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HJFHBbGp3
They came in and stood beside65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUqnVh9KA3
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuCva1k7VD
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL245hBotZ65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0lBG2cSIC
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVixlGsDQcd
The exhausted mother managed65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaIxGSy0Zu
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERuZtb2G3L
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY3QjKiXBu
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvET2lLBlL
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50CA05L2LO
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4MRU6Cd3d
with all of us.” She whimpered.copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡymBpkWxJDu65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfJm8LHUn3
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs3i23oO6a
The Avery’s embraced her and65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTfpL9vnmz
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4OkrX58Rs
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxVfQYjfMp
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppjEO5Oksb
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3gIoHFtQx
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW25SiWQBbD
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.
