211Please respect copyright.PENANAAPz8c1qXyX
It was a cold and dark day.211Please respect copyright.PENANAaNdzhRMqiu
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for211Please respect copyright.PENANA3EydIWUsah
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the211Please respect copyright.PENANAaQ2YCi6YZ9
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or211Please respect copyright.PENANANnjcZQ0RBl
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for211Please respect copyright.PENANAq9XWofgzwL
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.8964 copyright protection207PENANAoKPgM4smeF 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAGkIWUEEqsu
211Please respect copyright.PENANA6TW57Iu6Ep
“Do you, Justin Daniels, take211Please respect copyright.PENANA5PHWsMKvGu
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to211Please respect copyright.PENANANNH4FCZ05z
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who211Please respect copyright.PENANAExekvZPOMK
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.8964 copyright protection207PENANAtO3Yhcv0Yp 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAfesvBjH6Co
211Please respect copyright.PENANAEcg9Zvivgd
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,211Please respect copyright.PENANAtCL0VwpVV6
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think211Please respect copyright.PENANAPdUVAojpTJ
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”8964 copyright protection207PENANA2bkgya81HR 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAzRoGPvgike
211Please respect copyright.PENANAYaqlbK4xkW
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby211Please respect copyright.PENANAzh4Xwh8I7K
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,211Please respect copyright.PENANAeCCYegmxXn
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor211Please respect copyright.PENANA5Jp5eLD2jn
and respect him, until death do you part?”8964 copyright protection207PENANAVpFNIJ7g1G 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAUADGrSMGwu
211Please respect copyright.PENANA4t4C9zkxPW
She couldn’t help it; her211Please respect copyright.PENANA3v73VsS4iC
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second211Please respect copyright.PENANAWIMLtfPyyh
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her211Please respect copyright.PENANAcQgL6nEYxK
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.8964 copyright protection207PENANACh932VdzTE 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAQLt5q8i0HA
211Please respect copyright.PENANA5nWEbUmZ5g
“Then, without further wait,211Please respect copyright.PENANAXZZvrb4Gss
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced211Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ld2GksOsa
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.8964 copyright protection207PENANA3rDVJDIdHR 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANARhSr4sg7KV
211Please respect copyright.PENANA5JFGcxxdzj
Not waiting a second longer,211Please respect copyright.PENANAZYStuuCxGD
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.211Please respect copyright.PENANAyJNqAeLbRt
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough211Please respect copyright.PENANAANyf88UJjE
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed211Please respect copyright.PENANA4Mrv5ZVAoM
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.8964 copyright protection207PENANAJFvXIozwFC 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANALTWwAQzAQj
211Please respect copyright.PENANAP79MotMmoQ
After the marriage ceremony,211Please respect copyright.PENANAKODgs8SnHJ
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,211Please respect copyright.PENANAhkGaGafqtM
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered211Please respect copyright.PENANAu9Cx7wZJWh
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their211Please respect copyright.PENANAyiM2u2AULO
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark211Please respect copyright.PENANAtWw73PrBZ6
Avery, went first.8964 copyright protection207PENANAuA3luw2woQ 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAUJaE1rqjrz
211Please respect copyright.PENANAVXGpf845YU
“I have known Justin and Mary211Please respect copyright.PENANAfu8cGW8kwK
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a211Please respect copyright.PENANAHIM7GN9WMl
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my211Please respect copyright.PENANAitLhoAKkXg
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My211Please respect copyright.PENANAxREcBTke3H
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And211Please respect copyright.PENANAz3ZneXm7Uv
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought211Please respect copyright.PENANAe6vur7IcvS
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!211Please respect copyright.PENANACm2TzaFZkA
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug211Please respect copyright.PENANAUPth7QKdRu
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.8964 copyright protection207PENANAPMKmaMbiRk 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAo1EwQMNLDE
211Please respect copyright.PENANASD3jycpX9U
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah211Please respect copyright.PENANAZLJ9VsBKMH
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your211Please respect copyright.PENANAxijXeAPhki
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with211Please respect copyright.PENANAG0dVWRcZo7
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be211Please respect copyright.PENANAbwNuo8Fzaa
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work211Please respect copyright.PENANATTT6M76Jcn
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.211Please respect copyright.PENANA0YmzrILUym
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know211Please respect copyright.PENANA9wt7vo4zIE
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone211Please respect copyright.PENANAsBFqPucOUV
took a swig of their whisky.8964 copyright protection207PENANAH7ZJB9zLg7 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANATa0r2aBwM8
211Please respect copyright.PENANAcWEmFFs97t
After the bride and groom211Please respect copyright.PENANAFf0xOYw0IQ
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time211Please respect copyright.PENANAiUsPiZQZ37
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,211Please respect copyright.PENANAL5lT8APOCu
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song211Please respect copyright.PENANA3YojQZArPA
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving211Please respect copyright.PENANA3bV6x3tzcH
constantly.8964 copyright protection207PENANAzJLU0zhDu3 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA29rB4GLwI2
211Please respect copyright.PENANAPTcWsHGFIt
Hoots of fun-filled laughter211Please respect copyright.PENANAb4SBsTr063
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the211Please respect copyright.PENANAXqoKAyqxY9
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding211Please respect copyright.PENANAvEIHdG3uHq
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town211Please respect copyright.PENANAt397F1yJop
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part211Please respect copyright.PENANACekiCHEuVb
came that night.8964 copyright protection207PENANAnMubJ0b9U7 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAcQ0WGEcioS
211Please respect copyright.PENANAGpHemMQEYT
That was seven years ago,211Please respect copyright.PENANAo262cqgGKv
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.8964 copyright protection207PENANAIugslARfnU 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAB0VrIOPixy
211Please respect copyright.PENANA4SuJsqFSrT
8964 copyright protection207PENANA7wUHKoOdoY 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAPPRdbtNm3l
211Please respect copyright.PENANAvaQLdcBSrN
Present day8964 copyright protection207PENANAbZUCY7TGpk 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAnwg2bP2dOW
211Please respect copyright.PENANAXgN9YiSQn4
8964 copyright protection207PENANAi0e1PFfWad 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA1cBJv6Ol5J
211Please respect copyright.PENANAQIqjV8qkjD
She was bleak, weary, and211Please respect copyright.PENANAk3I5HwQiOX
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all211Please respect copyright.PENANACggOhc6Wcp
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They211Please respect copyright.PENANAgHWPYVZCAc
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally211Please respect copyright.PENANA95PHbFauYE
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.8964 copyright protection207PENANAicXDzYTUXn 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAtRldJO6AcH
211Please respect copyright.PENANAa1eD2B3R8x
Mary looked behind her, where211Please respect copyright.PENANAadzVi9qpXY
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her211Please respect copyright.PENANAXV6nq4BlhA
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound211Please respect copyright.PENANACv8cw4v1Yy
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and211Please respect copyright.PENANAzWjKAOcTNO
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being211Please respect copyright.PENANAzKuKO4A3jZ
given to little Ethel.8964 copyright protection207PENANAX2C2S5ATxq 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAm9zL0LpkA6
211Please respect copyright.PENANAqcJ3YUGWNu
Turning completely to keep a211Please respect copyright.PENANAm8FukXG9Wq
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned211Please respect copyright.PENANAhl6s4Y0HYB
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she211Please respect copyright.PENANA5J35Ua0ayZ
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she211Please respect copyright.PENANAqSY2EJNmxZ
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to211Please respect copyright.PENANAfVzQurkUoW
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she211Please respect copyright.PENANAdhKsjk774e
knew was that she hated it.8964 copyright protection207PENANAAYJoVcbzHp 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANANXNFGJrOEm
211Please respect copyright.PENANAKxyVLEZdV7
Not even a month after Justin211Please respect copyright.PENANAHzbbRRVib5
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with211Please respect copyright.PENANAH3gbkBSbLv
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about211Please respect copyright.PENANAVLHi7EUynm
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but211Please respect copyright.PENANA1Xg4Czu97U
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the211Please respect copyright.PENANAd7jKPMlzdt
eyes of his own two children.8964 copyright protection207PENANAwSfdWklEUP 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAN3XIeesxXa
211Please respect copyright.PENANAYX0HtV0MAe
She was currently seven211Please respect copyright.PENANApMB5YvfpcP
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town211Please respect copyright.PENANAJ21G2aF6uW
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told211Please respect copyright.PENANAWf5cmmwP9y
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to211Please respect copyright.PENANAemKfixi3JM
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but211Please respect copyright.PENANAWhXWzqQOHb
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was211Please respect copyright.PENANABjuw3ypRFb
having an affair.8964 copyright protection207PENANA70joSze6hy 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAIUWwBMl0iO
211Please respect copyright.PENANAtvTVVodRZI
A hiss brushed past her lips,211Please respect copyright.PENANAto37dcRBSQ
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She211Please respect copyright.PENANARg0dL9uYuo
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been211Please respect copyright.PENANAlf3FiLrohI
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active211Please respect copyright.PENANA6ytyartBUk
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she211Please respect copyright.PENANAXX3UcIgsti
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried211Please respect copyright.PENANAIbmZ4WYiXZ
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.8964 copyright protection207PENANAHzNIz6NG73 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAUMHIJr06PA
211Please respect copyright.PENANAVaf5h2AW5h
Just then, a whinny could be211Please respect copyright.PENANAUgPgiFFQ9Z
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of211Please respect copyright.PENANAkPIQ36W4xi
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;211Please respect copyright.PENANATW9hyM5Z0X
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by211Please respect copyright.PENANAigf4ycijK7
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm211Please respect copyright.PENANA6r0PHNLun1
her or her girls.8964 copyright protection207PENANAQEyH0yk0gW 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAkpCv3FmVfs
211Please respect copyright.PENANAuHUInxkBNs
Waiting by the porch, rifle211Please respect copyright.PENANAC7ejQjIxqy
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up211Please respect copyright.PENANAWzbXIw5q67
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.211Please respect copyright.PENANABDbRoHR0hf
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person211Please respect copyright.PENANAX3dYWceJga
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,211Please respect copyright.PENANAcWTm0ZDD4A
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and211Please respect copyright.PENANA4B8sgHJ4L3
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.8964 copyright protection207PENANAXYxVljGDDh 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAehKBk7NXkf
211Please respect copyright.PENANAawW7JDNJMl
She didn’t dare to hope, but211Please respect copyright.PENANA5pkP11uD0O
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAUqHsMQ8jCv
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it211Please respect copyright.PENANAnb4RfUcrKm
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting211Please respect copyright.PENANAOptFZqtKH4
the dirt ground hard and painfully.8964 copyright protection207PENANAwoW3V5NNnT 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAZjTM622b1V
211Please respect copyright.PENANADhM9c4pCzn
It wasn’t Justin.8964 copyright protection207PENANAmphCPvqhXg 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAbf4bxMRngV
211Please respect copyright.PENANAbqdi3nmnOj
The man walked up briskly,211Please respect copyright.PENANAVSycOQDEXZ
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two211Please respect copyright.PENANAYaz2XJN2a4
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as211Please respect copyright.PENANAWB5z1QwNrO
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,211Please respect copyright.PENANA7kblNap7MH
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.8964 copyright protection207PENANAZTixMnNeUE 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6xnCKQ9Fn
211Please respect copyright.PENANARivokAhxPP
She forced the lump down her211Please respect copyright.PENANAOe52VL3LCX
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”8964 copyright protection207PENANAdNFxg5X6M4 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAPvIrTEFLZt
211Please respect copyright.PENANA9SYSj58gsa
He ran a shaky hand through211Please respect copyright.PENANAyH4HAyp607
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform211Please respect copyright.PENANANS4ccblnK0
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was211Please respect copyright.PENANAiIYujuVNi2
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One211Please respect copyright.PENANAIzKlOFjFls
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.8964 copyright protection207PENANAuaBN6reX4Y 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAbzHW0rEsj8
211Please respect copyright.PENANAGlnUgaepUv
Shock filled her at first.211Please respect copyright.PENANAFk0yJuY6cT
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over211Please respect copyright.PENANApwl9f6YWdI
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to211Please respect copyright.PENANAaKc2Wh2Sl0
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.8964 copyright protection207PENANANefMqZrtut 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAvg9cBtOZKm
211Please respect copyright.PENANAM5g7rwotA5
“Daddy coming home?” Ethel211Please respect copyright.PENANA6BxRTyWiJi
asked her softly.8964 copyright protection207PENANAgv2Gbv5RQK 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANApS0JXUtflu
211Please respect copyright.PENANA7uLtKsQVlC
The tears raged down her face211Please respect copyright.PENANASwVriChKrT
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down211Please respect copyright.PENANAArJMx0mlHT
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not211Please respect copyright.PENANA4JGdMtfXbW
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat211Please respect copyright.PENANA1xtlpMGtD1
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of211Please respect copyright.PENANACSCz0nSwWv
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were211Please respect copyright.PENANAO4dVH53mhu
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.8964 copyright protection207PENANAQfD62HF7gu 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAyREVNRTwMX
211Please respect copyright.PENANADW1m0i1chD
The small girl had tears in her211Please respect copyright.PENANATFrg5zcAJo
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.8964 copyright protection207PENANAr3SuZXFfq9 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAY06i4PG90r
211Please respect copyright.PENANALqKabCL8lU
Mary hated to think of it211Please respect copyright.PENANAtt4XJKoVTK
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to211Please respect copyright.PENANA3MbWbscmkw
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.211Please respect copyright.PENANAOz3rhvQwgs
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.211Please respect copyright.PENANAOsMbHrmBRY
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”8964 copyright protection207PENANA0gHgJkGOoO 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAsTcJM5pyfb
211Please respect copyright.PENANAIgIPFjze6T
Her heart ached so much211Please respect copyright.PENANANnc1w9v8jW
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember211Please respect copyright.PENANA3oeWiAgLAu
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He211Please respect copyright.PENANAeduCEptZiC
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never211Please respect copyright.PENANAH3IQBu8saJ
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would211Please respect copyright.PENANAYLV1mFgagG
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on211Please respect copyright.PENANAObjZkXF9wp
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a211Please respect copyright.PENANAxIICT9PjNt
chance to do or see.8964 copyright protection207PENANA1Kml1w1Ogb 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAZdhziTRamY
211Please respect copyright.PENANAkxxaWBbf7R
8964 copyright protection207PENANAGil3AD0B4A 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA0OxBOgAKdS
211Please respect copyright.PENANAhsa8eR9eWJ
……8964 copyright protection207PENANAC8Sv50r5mH 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA29wIdxfkCJ
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8964 copyright protection207PENANA4u6171BH70 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAvkulTn39yv
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For several days, the Daniels211Please respect copyright.PENANAlan616V9vn
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few211Please respect copyright.PENANAQYRa6G8wAd
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:211Please respect copyright.PENANA4PbMjHwvsc
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.211Please respect copyright.PENANAy6MhHJlWb7
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it211Please respect copyright.PENANADar14ymBfZ
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time211Please respect copyright.PENANAvfy8PBNCGP
as the news of their father’s death.8964 copyright protection207PENANAJNVSOfN8vm 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAnZpvYzpDbj
211Please respect copyright.PENANAoOQgU6Y0bZ
Ida and Ethel, while still211Please respect copyright.PENANA0dxOAbvRi2
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to211Please respect copyright.PENANA7gLlG0Yp8S
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it211Please respect copyright.PENANA9c8k4Ty2Wc
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older211Please respect copyright.PENANA1jesWYCKcl
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.8964 copyright protection207PENANAyZHk9Td2n8 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA0WakDqVAjE
211Please respect copyright.PENANAntEt2LnReJ
It was barely a week after211Please respect copyright.PENANABGyZV7PcP5
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,211Please respect copyright.PENANAvX5bLrI97c
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when211Please respect copyright.PENANArzxx31od9L
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.8964 copyright protection207PENANANC4cHXYZ4E 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANANsV5Ve6dSs
211Please respect copyright.PENANAk6JXtWE34X
Just as she was getting up to211Please respect copyright.PENANALh3Ri3AIO2
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.211Please respect copyright.PENANApgsNmTAwyj
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was211Please respect copyright.PENANAQeEEztEahU
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small211Please respect copyright.PENANAl5EFNFFYks
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.8964 copyright protection207PENANAcj8mD2v2p3 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAEKKlcmA6tm
211Please respect copyright.PENANA9UiG4cx2c7
It’s to early, she said in211Please respect copyright.PENANArvKgcXKCSF
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d211Please respect copyright.PENANAA0TWSmo61T
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first211Please respect copyright.PENANAWWycu4eBof
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child211Please respect copyright.PENANANGYKCttfLt
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the211Please respect copyright.PENANAum19r7o2bg
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the211Please respect copyright.PENANAmpxBqYj6vA
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.8964 copyright protection207PENANAoeR0DvlKlL 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANANrBkilS7ik
211Please respect copyright.PENANAOUa3l8eg6G
Braving through her fear for211Please respect copyright.PENANAbbUhKmDlcx
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to211Please respect copyright.PENANA6qjhoYo1af
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is211Please respect copyright.PENANAtKsRJ3TCOM
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.8964 copyright protection207PENANAueAlTi8YHg 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAAQhIWHYHjj
211Please respect copyright.PENANAwYTRJR3701
The seven year old wasted no211Please respect copyright.PENANAhjyPWtOZ2e
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out211Please respect copyright.PENANAeGhePPfGKQ
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled211Please respect copyright.PENANAUdoYgX4zID
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and211Please respect copyright.PENANAIoj7adafS8
gave them a snap.8964 copyright protection207PENANA0Uph6VQvfC 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA3NaKD8xTAd
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Only half an hour later, she211Please respect copyright.PENANAduo2YxXNuJ
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately211Please respect copyright.PENANAmsqWKVAYVi
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.8964 copyright protection207PENANAb5HPL2QEMA 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA9i4K0yD7DF
211Please respect copyright.PENANArwyzfyGVDf
“Back here, Lee!” Mary called211Please respect copyright.PENANA86ZaLe3keu
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and211Please respect copyright.PENANAjTAsgEcmJL
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“8964 copyright protection207PENANAhk6ZwS0Ed8 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAXFVsOGP6Zq
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“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are211Please respect copyright.PENANAjynh70gIJ1
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,211Please respect copyright.PENANAq6KxjP04be
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked211Please respect copyright.PENANAIvzSCud8zH
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.211Please respect copyright.PENANAeeOD0RWV9A
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the211Please respect copyright.PENANAUk77mrrqxc
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.8964 copyright protection207PENANAc5epd9fwMm 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANATQbqedJ8Gh
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Hours passed by, and the only211Please respect copyright.PENANAQYylhPJI6J
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from211Please respect copyright.PENANANsjh2IPSWx
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and211Please respect copyright.PENANAs1YoGxAtwl
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they211Please respect copyright.PENANAt0IK0cvYNq
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.8964 copyright protection207PENANAv2ZMKTgRhB 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAWttS9HCWp6
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It was well into the night,211Please respect copyright.PENANAEtfW4ONUKL
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary211Please respect copyright.PENANA4XEZAh8IGf
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah211Please respect copyright.PENANA8oCpVCZHVd
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her211Please respect copyright.PENANAhaZyQ1u3qt
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the211Please respect copyright.PENANAllBQD40qiu
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.8964 copyright protection207PENANAgJcnHyXxKn 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAchcWnIGY3J
211Please respect copyright.PENANA2VeSqW6aBe
And so it was. Two days of211Please respect copyright.PENANAjlqaNzaKVf
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and211Please respect copyright.PENANACpE1olb4RJ
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to211Please respect copyright.PENANAmM5OH6J7wH
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of211Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZioWxddUY
actually giving birth.8964 copyright protection207PENANA7E70fzqT1Q 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAN8idO53PyH
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And then the third day came.8964 copyright protection207PENANAs4P73YbOyR 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAwgUvnS0sZM
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It hit them all, like a211Please respect copyright.PENANAW0ymCqGvPh
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally211Please respect copyright.PENANAeCXcMLt8iR
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over211Please respect copyright.PENANAZUFwr3ME81
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she211Please respect copyright.PENANAD5egsYZsqj
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out211Please respect copyright.PENANAYSn989Zg79
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.8964 copyright protection207PENANA9V0FIIhkeg 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAILTSvNKjT1
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That night was long and hard.211Please respect copyright.PENANAIlIbPzBFPo
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,211Please respect copyright.PENANAQI3X0nY6Zk
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room211Please respect copyright.PENANA2JamZL3JgH
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile211Please respect copyright.PENANAskVcMASZii
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking211Please respect copyright.PENANAMTO1Rj0iR9
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting211Please respect copyright.PENANA0yQoaYJlch
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched211Please respect copyright.PENANA4C8AP7zwnt
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.8964 copyright protection207PENANAxJv5CxgmaA 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAMyrids5Rrv
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“So?” He said nervously.8964 copyright protection207PENANAvUbOsIIYP8 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAIM3vaNMyPq
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Her smile, still, didn’t211Please respect copyright.PENANAGGQHF5bpoR
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.211Please respect copyright.PENANAEIDeuIRug5
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She211Please respect copyright.PENANA70WUkpWn3L
whispered.8964 copyright protection207PENANAasmimIM4Ft 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA2kUXgSgVkW
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Mark sighed and shook his211Please respect copyright.PENANAomZtNje9EJ
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all211Please respect copyright.PENANA3X5BKLQXsD
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,211Please respect copyright.PENANAu3JCMSX3bl
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.8964 copyright protection207PENANAuU6KuSdynw 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAukuUo2eeUr
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She chewed on her lip. “I211Please respect copyright.PENANAstLasW8kG8
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?211Please respect copyright.PENANA4CHVQQQ6D3
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”8964 copyright protection207PENANAMNNstQaHRf 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA6xaFyyPS9h
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“What’s her name?”8964 copyright protection207PENANAknJO5DnyiH 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAstJd7ZEJBb
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Leah smiled again, having211Please respect copyright.PENANAxJ0h8OZXmB
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely211Please respect copyright.PENANAlJ9yAyeGsP
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought211Please respect copyright.PENANA7ICLSc77Yn
that it was perfectly suited.8964 copyright protection207PENANAHuhtAbnwVD 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAlrzIeJauz4
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Mark knew, all to well, how211Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8Q8WbmPvQ
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before211Please respect copyright.PENANAjA9VGFKTm9
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be211Please respect copyright.PENANAqDnHyoPSYD
Margaret Hope Daniels.8964 copyright protection207PENANA292HAhHlHS 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAG5UMBcgE8k
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He wrapped and arm around his211Please respect copyright.PENANADvT0XNxnJ3
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they211Please respect copyright.PENANA4EakbQTq4N
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The211Please respect copyright.PENANAzHqW1Gyp0M
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized211Please respect copyright.PENANAVYagCNjwrm
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see211Please respect copyright.PENANAqYoP52rjlw
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,211Please respect copyright.PENANAOFgsFFbzXm
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her211Please respect copyright.PENANAECcj6mfEfZ
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her211Please respect copyright.PENANAXNeJSZh5DJ
father; it was a painful thought.8964 copyright protection207PENANAtilAzOKyfy 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAmRz0LcNA4U
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Mary’s head snapped up to her211Please respect copyright.PENANACFpXHosaxz
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to211Please respect copyright.PENANA0AaSieTuEw
them gently, yet eagerly.8964 copyright protection207PENANA7aMV6SpvFb 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANABejDaj0kCV
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They came in and stood beside211Please respect copyright.PENANAfwpy5fPrE6
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled211Please respect copyright.PENANAtm9wtItDpS
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.8964 copyright protection207PENANA5w07q9uWDj 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANAic4e58zop8
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The exhausted mother managed211Please respect copyright.PENANAtHhGW9N5fk
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her211Please respect copyright.PENANAlHQjixgj1X
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.211Please respect copyright.PENANAi0pebYSgTO
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little211Please respect copyright.PENANASsc0WgKBVx
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her211Please respect copyright.PENANADV93b0JIGm
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s211Please respect copyright.PENANAgjzYBfE0GP
with all of us.” She whimpered.8964 copyright protection207PENANA7S4zhNbQ5V 維尼211Please respect copyright.PENANA0omN95eYCb
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The Avery’s embraced her and211Please respect copyright.PENANAdDt4mw9VcH
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They211Please respect copyright.PENANAg2uR1FssbD
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,211Please respect copyright.PENANANTTBgvrH0p
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was211Please respect copyright.PENANAcftx9YAd42
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been211Please respect copyright.PENANA1GFE7xmfCJ
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary211Please respect copyright.PENANAdFpkSL9gpr
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.