9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvBT1hyXau
It was a cold and dark day.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuezH8wmvf
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy3nPihPTg
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkMQeO8MLj
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmNwVvEsRa
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOIKby3tnX
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb5l56Jm559Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDiwtwlBi6
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUztI6oeKQ5
“Do you, Justin Daniels, take9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyUDj6bmAz
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkcCRG8cir
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd0MW6baR2
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3gkrgjV6z9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMAbpThBgS
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAcnc44lgm
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAANnwUyHL
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYxb9X5ryl
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡALW8yyIW8T9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJWw79AcuR
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygs94PFYon
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYlhavefWN
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgxxMFGnRb
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqsHzwwfuU
and respect him, until death do you part?”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX4qiaw2wC9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeTYw3tKiq
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTG5qtL7RC
She couldn’t help it; her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi62KNBhkQL
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet08rwcVhv
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQo2WPwHXn
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nFoI6F11L9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjftm0hXhBO
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qi3YJAbES
“Then, without further wait,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0I52EVymS
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF7p18GZpi
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡACwwK55s1d9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs86w7Q7iv
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYvH4ymZ7I
Not waiting a second longer,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3oZtq7aqx
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse0AlxHcE0
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDYdl3LH2S
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTWOTpe1zE
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnbqNtAkv79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1TzCf6krK
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8njlJm7qo
After the marriage ceremony,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RiWFbmUdV
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLXskzHrT8
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbehzxCiTKJ
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKAAHgM3aZ
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJKXb5xSwq
Avery, went first.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDuB2dIHeJ9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IEihcVA5F
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknqUX7bJbl
“I have known Justin and Mary9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb4t8gzF96
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aOLs6XoH2
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31puWnC77N
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQYxj7OTMX
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S7PEAVBZD
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2E4xBr9Jy
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcpVKI3yCP
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCIDrmenYd
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPm0l75qA79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CgFHOg9X0
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUc7QXQTvs
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ15rFwOUUM
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UppA6dQfb
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY535W1VPw
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyyt0eZO9T
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiO0Ho7Vfn
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66lbar7bmX
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKwhdwwdkF
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VXVWEk4Az
took a swig of their whisky.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWuPmijXCP9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGGNSRe02A
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLlt2y0yMk
After the bride and groom9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTgbPdQ9hq
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ7qwZhLZk
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX5Hr8grH2
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVW37LgYUy
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDhw3Owlzv
constantly.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zszavNTd19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVtLDUTTmB
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8xSbEDsDy
Hoots of fun-filled laughter9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02chzf55BF
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgB42eZV8m
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4u4XGIA9l
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89okrXAx3c
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEsNJu1Jqa
came that night.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGQZGc6MDG9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XeA1cgKMp
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vzug0sRyv
That was seven years ago,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K9wyT1ACs
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiCo7ZGrXj9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHpYhrbycX
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiTxNayg26
copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2SJC3epWr9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5RVCpODZr
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J8wIqYTYa
Present daycopyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz7hyOtFB79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXtLuhW3xY
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj42eGr3kr
copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvpYTxYAYV9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqbDWU4UO2
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GZyruQnyn
She was bleak, weary, and9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJGqLV6dZr
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuSQ7PKbKy
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePeeoGJe4h
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq0jQLeWYd
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfYMYAQcZM9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDHgtP5d1P
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfF1u3HdiL
Mary looked behind her, where9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUbve2hsYf
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnToDmdIAf
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynudoZh6cA
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHv4cJ6tb5
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSsCg5ZtOA
given to little Ethel.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqmLIVAbAb9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmXdAldSrp
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj6XnjHuMS
Turning completely to keep a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwL18168vV
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIehFsS0FKs
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dMbaauSEh
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdNweWxl53
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNhytJqtpb
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuoIGzTarx
knew was that she hated it.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWGIUAfTbe9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscLgIZcglh
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB5AaykA2K
Not even a month after Justin9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYeaHUKA5b
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yoTO7T0ne
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGQnh0VBBY
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnWAyEuifA
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo8ShWZaXm
eyes of his own two children.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5tNRrnIEn9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg3fDkfzWR
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxieuSM9n5p
She was currently seven9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzN6s43rf1
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEhSUVcav9
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12rfxj2HH7
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FHTM9YQBe
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpS8iN4uXz
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYC5e9pgR6
having an affair.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiNR4vMFHm9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXM5RyeQoQ
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ffWoxJs2H
A hiss brushed past her lips,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GFEMUObbF
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizD4FuDUl2
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpi0mGy69B
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbitP4nEgy
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy8WDNrhHM
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjscBsyh1Er
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ixJd8Z6j9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrDUUtYh7f
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrNYnrLPIt
Just then, a whinny could be9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1WOConUp1
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2sZWntVFA
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav1Ytppff7
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS9EHL34Gt
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52vy2rWvnB
her or her girls.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVoHIg96YN9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x68vzxUON
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xFbcnXfrE
Waiting by the porch, rifle9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxHe5KG1g3
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmBJu6j218
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4GwgSTe7k
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQRA4XkLZA
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCWqmrwFuy
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkCuQSmK6u
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡut6ikaO6Pv9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZkWzpUTbT
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0vrqRSXxn
She didn’t dare to hope, but9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlI7Qy0cj7
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn71kHreAC
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75CDw3vo03
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvouDf3Erm
the dirt ground hard and painfully.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGxLegZng69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8KTa4ABjb
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqgR4MUAbU
It wasn’t Justin.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu15bKmlRl9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXq2r3hvHJ
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtRBn2GXEZ
The man walked up briskly,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SqpKvbE5n
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIlZKM31iL
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9fDLCFsAj
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJcS8WnkBt
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lOfD9qrfg9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbb3aWPeY7
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJhem3R1vr
She forced the lump down her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWayPjvdE6
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJXuvbLuy19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmiRpsOfHM
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGvEURHLTc
He ran a shaky hand through9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde9nMZHhcl
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSHGK79ymQ
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJxQosI5dB
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirQsPDrwVE
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfvClHnH2e9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkxA1hHbQ3
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cMz2a1Lgf
Shock filled her at first.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzGd1vRt2M
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U7Eu8WbjN
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelZ1V2bWNs
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bzQqc0REf9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba1Ro2ngwp
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ej9iNifZC
“Daddy coming home?” Ethel9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dX3eS5qPT
asked her softly.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BZ46ugRYO9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS04TStWgJs
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM6YWpMeFL
The tears raged down her face9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIZOLdHRDw
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwxQpqjlG3
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlPUkMk70Z
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRHSGt5nlJ
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7fsXFSh0y
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOTaJeX3lY
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz4nbp4y679Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ePK6wecUz
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOGbgEQ8VR
The small girl had tears in her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgGBrpPotb
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9im0Jz0Ad9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwpchvIvIC
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DrMPIqFRm
Mary hated to think of it9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyDc94CZs5
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPCA1T6JoO
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmurNhgwHWn
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tVHF5Mi4e
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHPfMVJ2MH9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne4ZO5TUPh
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcMa03rwLo
Her heart ached so much9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQROxxTjPY
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydcCc1I5Wy
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFKaQKdigZ
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaPyYn5SHU
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf73Sk5Bq2
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OIUYyEcRV
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx5164obX5
chance to do or see.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFhV2sk71r9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OldReyXPZ
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZNHTMgxY7
copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNAxaAgJAR9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaFzcLEBXB
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3p3hhhPe7
……copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQzN5lIOnv9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe6CVZocxn
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1y0AKLfmJ
copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡweaN9dgukh9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Mg73xpTM
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI0DkWDI8b
For several days, the Daniels9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tcDtNof2L
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSPK9XOGmI
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTqtxLpaty
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz1ydulCJn
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHgcspah6w
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zqq3Xcs8F
as the news of their father’s death.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz5w6g7nZI9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uf23two5g
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsY3FrtPJA
Ida and Ethel, while still9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJaMadKmFT
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GohIrKfQQ
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDiuGYWaNF
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaoUXy7HVN
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXzNKE9ttw9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXtZfcr0sh
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYU9tB7pLV
It was barely a week after9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w5tq21yKX
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmUPl92N9u
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZtZ8WBglm
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0L9OVm5pG9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpThSkkUS5
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRerL4NV6A4
Just as she was getting up to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF44Ed0ftl
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFLwXEQhyJ
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqYOc2C79c
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKRgOwtPMX
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlgsSmI0KI9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapCWVAALS9
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfzt4LwGTF
It’s to early, she said in9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5pKmegQ43
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfsqbn0L9S
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF7u8cgES9
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLfKvCYMs2
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfhhFtFGfP
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyauGEDSViL
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYGhMqWVUq9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cwkm1WlNp
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDEGVk9A0o
Braving through her fear for9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzyVgdz88R
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUduqyRsvcg
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBTyhOTqpU
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTqd2f8oky9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPtnLJAkSI
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMWGduxFZK
The seven year old wasted no9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTlPsDEl34
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSTJgEsQZl
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza8vRl0p1Z
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XTvNl8sHc
gave them a snap.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HUk9NHSNr9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX4qGk49b3
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKeCg6YgvZ
Only half an hour later, she9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFX9aKvjdd
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJaA9RUe06
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwqhNcIK8C9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuRx77D5o8
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FN2PYMlhZ
“Back here, Lee!” Mary called9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMJJmSAh6A
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo5fVcnziM
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAvBOxQWVb9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnrvpgtcCL
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcayVTVNtcU
“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bj9QfmdOF
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw2r1sIvEk
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQvOLoJzSW
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXxN7o2tCR
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cnc3pEMUi
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0Spl2c3U09Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b9C0U0KuT
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYQeLYDNsf
Hours passed by, and the only9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBR2NVrrHm
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOyTqyOrii
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZhcd2aQQC
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6veYy1T0tB
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvwVMk8u4g9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndqV7RtWjL
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEKwRYy2Po
It was well into the night,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWUTUsVOto
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQCQLKHeG0
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VFLrwK0yA
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpewj7rM2ff
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF63vRNc6u
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fRCRG9HD59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7pSTRpDRY
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgcKAkbmmr
And so it was. Two days of9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN6IRBAFOH
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91OzUHqkli
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizyvj8Pvvc
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW802RREsxs
actually giving birth.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡT86LxrNKvI9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HuXgoFHI0
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1zywSHmoc
And then the third day came.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZdgVZA3uF9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyklyndq1FY
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOFYMWnrE5
It hit them all, like a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD70bETS0i
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zDr80Ez2j
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw8dvUaSmO
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNr5ODKIwK
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BkD2sEH2G
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAVbdMRnuu9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zd9NI3XAp
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyddE2RoKn
That night was long and hard.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LZup2W3JZ
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKyXTmFXkg
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6PBjtDbSo
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1axwzzsDj
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn30lXn1UH
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiN7T7Awit
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQv5o1EYui
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnDy9a0WVw9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWFlW1jk2e
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kwOrpW2Ve
“So?” He said nervously.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFvSWqSxum9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ50Wu1Asv
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKry6oApIC
Her smile, still, didn’t9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKW9zozvqv
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWlPXikYTM
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMxWlElV44
whispered.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNX8ZaURxo9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHPuRoTrUk
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEgiudAPct
Mark sighed and shook his9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHf9EAOZwS
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43ATysirTd
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPS27nfHcs
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0MYzV9AS49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO9rXN2LNy
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSCeMaG4Cz
She chewed on her lip. “I9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpo9rwwHeJ
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pxjRu6TgU
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xKCpG3iex9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUM38yePDR
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVgN5IjCpy
“What’s her name?”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡErlCzkMubk9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzYSSPnYIE
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTayFeHdswR
Leah smiled again, having9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVMBIRj2tJ
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOizGao397
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2hgHvYVYv
that it was perfectly suited.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxlFwUAGus9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjrzUaqecT
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNIgnprLtA
Mark knew, all to well, how9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbDarlFqgE
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3XnDSx36K
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4yFlV4MGx
Margaret Hope Daniels.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBZvdpcgHq9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzJ0KalpBC
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xG1UjTsn0
He wrapped and arm around his9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck5K0qF5cm
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAWmAGxW58
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9GfbBz43W
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fhaZhAFnN
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10nXmYEUVK
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uTJJ5kj9o
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffEwpEOZjb
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlbbjy9Xs4
father; it was a painful thought.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmS9YstLWF9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvyBfiGzBQ
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR5Cougcuz
Mary’s head snapped up to her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiVAte8DbB
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT7humzbWb
them gently, yet eagerly.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PdquJl4pQ9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U38wrDME7
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2qhCTvLxH
They came in and stood beside9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfBuw6Q6hN
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkHlseM50q
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡwarwGFVTWC9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnsDE5waQ4
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdjtIPzzVQ
The exhausted mother managed9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdb4yDilIj
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVGfylk5wb
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9opsR7irHe
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3st716qmO
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8JqniMIoi
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxHi0zqj07
with all of us.” She whimpered.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKZcTXEnIA9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxibZLj0RJn
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtvqUTIHB6
The Avery’s embraced her and9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vEHOFgeYh
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwzxvlRwdB
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT4pkZj3GV
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGqPoeuEts
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPYvnuRe14
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVYUkiUEmA
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.
