407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lwj5z0v6C
It was a cold and dark day.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxitcEFrez
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzXESrfFmw
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbx8MeSEYV
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMnrHZgWPc
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve3ugHixrB
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd416WOYXK
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdsw3loH2d
“Do you, Justin Daniels, take407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErB7jifNxE
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8xk8SOKmh
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgoFRxyFop
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsG540CARi
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEffd7f1Jms
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhS1Are5wB
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H1oqIsn2X
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKgNdWvYZF
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSmHeWEqq1
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONNBlSoLXW
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eF29irQkw
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGzaZ7cOcb
and respect him, until death do you part?”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJRM67eiTm
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhvSPhMvnr
She couldn’t help it; her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzGVr12ulX
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyjEQL7SuT
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8Wz77CedA
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6VO3qHGOM
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dmCCFsZFU
“Then, without further wait,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ9vkAyN4Q
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeanCLNHYWc
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzSuMOg4TM
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZapJFQpspS
Not waiting a second longer,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kvsqKos1l
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNZJSato6q
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpTsdpJAS5
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW1MI4naGZ
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGKhCoUJQz
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt4JpHwktf
After the marriage ceremony,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqOhAVwif3
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQdWmpqgJJ
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElbxzw2Dwd
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58fBqQSsxg
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrI2MsXHrS
Avery, went first.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kUUHRvkjj
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkINWHB0RLX
“I have known Justin and Mary407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWOqjO5xTG
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4AddPXJow
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD3OJZ4uWt
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjX3I4Boif
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUYnRymLaR
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU6VN4ScnV
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9vtPAoOAX
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbMd4siycC
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh8dMaEMw0
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYqMRE0WRs
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5ae9Cp3l5
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUspL2gsYxG
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJlgr3eU08
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt85V9s6OTS
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7bJqakVHc
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGmfIxlyF9
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z1ne04LA4
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mrf6UxfnQ
took a swig of their whisky.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcaFGRvWSp
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZjzzqxFMp
After the bride and groom407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9Bz7ZBHJ6
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qGHxVjk3x
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSHkyTxhdp
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSL3yY7wMx
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E0d6YNKK7
constantly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIMEsq7dvA
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGky1aSKmnu
Hoots of fun-filled laughter407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDex4HCXwf
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXz02iQQDE
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJrhcmGqsf
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79CxgGi7k1
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQusEhcQWGl
came that night.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uxrjKVCex
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSfiGGzabU
That was seven years ago,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ222Cy3BU3Q
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aJ5dV1wB7
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEOjcBiqg8
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA3qyqNvfI
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIyMhbk6ol
Present day407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhWJvLNnma
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAcJnnO3Qu
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVBCd90Did
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtmoUujQOL
She was bleak, weary, and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubzp0Wxh36
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KYODKhzXX
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41jufzvFzE
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWUGGZ4rjX
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxf8KXlx77
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiIwWun284
Mary looked behind her, where407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdDbScVYN9
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXyveffbzR
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSmuhAWQNC
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCLfDMNNpC
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxNVU97X8N
given to little Ethel.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3WbF3OhKh
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7myftPEU1
Turning completely to keep a407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4HqgpM9lj
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwbfaD7Y0Z
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBHQBB4idN
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MjWTMKfTa
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TsItuvEjJ
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zLoJm0hD5
knew was that she hated it.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2qTJveutZ
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu9UQKUQe2
Not even a month after Justin407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgW30Wllcb
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqflOr08RAo
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZeWbyxFlL
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo89L0PrP0
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqEFzZ415u
eyes of his own two children.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJWR54IrEr
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqC3SlFVgu
She was currently seven407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44KxLc6AEc
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeqtvNGvQr
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XafNfVUMQ
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLJsFxEQYp
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWWkPPav6M
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkrWujO1S2
having an affair.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUdChdXOxd
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NTqttTnBZ
A hiss brushed past her lips,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX06iAqJOTW
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoYUXOJ8wb
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY9C1ZoTm8
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fzCVU0qdT
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcskN8uAjF
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M2q7d1SrL
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVRIt0VM80
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuCGeDb1mQ
Just then, a whinny could be407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5lxvuHfMj
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDA0aqrXeh
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO1KRyQ4Vq
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjRqqD2lpZ
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAk3iPQZQR
her or her girls.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIGNa25zpm
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLfKlnVZUO
Waiting by the porch, rifle407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEXXwqC2Ph
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgj3PkPHKV
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEVnIFZnrg
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xmTqNXS5i
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wKS5t6QUr
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KrxgeGnO6
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SLigKB0E7
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalA71w7grw
She didn’t dare to hope, but407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8GHuDbxUa
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQdKXn4GN3
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs83fctEXhJ
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCo5gjbA6j
the dirt ground hard and painfully.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx4H3p3lEs
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpgX5d3NO5
It wasn’t Justin.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvVCarSFya
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLRExq5DHf
The man walked up briskly,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw5bG7qATP
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03KqdAC9RR
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzObVMe24Ba
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMnF13iQm4
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqk1wwRd1k
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5yPpm7Tq4
She forced the lump down her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk1rmPW02h
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtlfeuGWsv
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1AHkHRdgu
He ran a shaky hand through407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjjKqPDRUM
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhbl9BGMQ9
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVCsj9maUw
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVjY9tdWXf
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4gfTp5KtX
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJxsXOobjO
Shock filled her at first.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WIYGAop7Z
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRpFDRRxEg
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO1a0SZXZ5
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQH6NiYNqK
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJIgy0afK9
“Daddy coming home?” Ethel407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z7ydxo0dO
asked her softly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcEBvapRTV
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l7MG83c9W
The tears raged down her face407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd8dWBI8aJ
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS56ptpmDkG
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm2tBhabar
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMza1IoDyQP
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZvmp2H20D
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2Q6UgBzBn
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvzMMObLv4
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeu3xSFWz3
The small girl had tears in her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wj3bR3m1u
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eHHqgLv2w
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FKKmZIomF
Mary hated to think of it407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPAuCfmjvc
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwcEYBhwdq
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlgUAFCvdD
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIA8QzWnLs
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ahQqnkup5
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZSHnYudH3
Her heart ached so much407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJIzydxUgn
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQXdQHyuC2
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqrefmZ6b3
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQZURXkbuR
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExI5OXPXh0
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyRAw2cMCe
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl9yBPHVC5
chance to do or see.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuD3EX0zZ1
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEmlR4A9dL
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgx1m0NVK2
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yy44EgCwX
……407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FYKuLYNah
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqisO5l9lz
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cwPBDPVdg
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For several days, the Daniels407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMEAU1j6w6
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3A4tzszt3
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTe7z7P2pD
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B5oukJLPU
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEDdmBfuth
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh8q250SWK
as the news of their father’s death.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXpeM0r5Gf
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Ida and Ethel, while still407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjDSvdQ0W0
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX5jIsjtH5
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI2mxYDy3c
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WacmfL6hO
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPboMBdoCCq
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It was barely a week after407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmFU80Be5B
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbJyxC8AhW
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEVn37VVdD
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lyTieWhpw
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3PcGzbaFC
Just as she was getting up to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ8riLjDwv
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkN2TDyXDt
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO0bbgHOeY
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AWQ3lwTED
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a3Z6TLfwk
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykwcaFc98f
It’s to early, she said in407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0dGeZAHyW
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZuXPKFdPn
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3LfIraZfF
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaOxTrFvMv
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAYLsmOJQt
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3lzW4nyMw
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqIAx5rqmz
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsnQp46cHT
Braving through her fear for407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92MQaYAYbC
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpKhlcfJFa
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju2EpaaKAx
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p0FPooLlj
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWfXZFEGoi
The seven year old wasted no407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4QyyQlh7s
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGJe5KKblm
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc9yjxQY3P
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnMcVdSJgm
gave them a snap.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQTgSnPPUU
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp9Bl6NdSe
Only half an hour later, she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQwGP4Rlas
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPjFIJa0RU
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wZbGRtUxh
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcHJuF2Yhj
“Back here, Lee!” Mary called407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcOi6fZ8UJ
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDDmNtfG1k
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkpj72bLO4
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT3O0RaA8P
“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU5GqWkWkq
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDNrna9Y0B
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXl5Vgttth
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkERhJoUDK
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecLDMEh2lm
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGMlZbmLEg
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5qaRenGb7
Hours passed by, and the only407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrrNFCXbJA
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGAyR9Tayd
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLeqoc7QaC
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHr8070nzF
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JR3o1n1xr
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It was well into the night,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV0SfdctCv
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB1ak4AU06
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvA91hin0h
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOL1HjTdTY
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxmU0gPaBI
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPNp0rvYVm
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR1zjDUpZ3
And so it was. Two days of407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41EJTbwMaC
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9T3QbjCQA
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiCoD0ulj2
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89ipOwXEpc
actually giving birth.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri3kQBvk27
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGxqiu7imL
And then the third day came.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNQKkfsWjq
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It hit them all, like a407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN41kmxVCf
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKMy37YF9G
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAJJnSY9PZ
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8kW9SVDSO
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU6IaYE5Vl
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0ZCH3JV5z
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gj0oeegEW
That night was long and hard.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALXnyUy0bT
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHheV2FvuZc
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEkk7ZoqIV
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLZmXYAimk
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6UcV8tPEd
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLW9K7OYDV
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXbUpUPBH2
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0uOzdE9jm
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3WiefkoBA
“So?” He said nervously.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnOG93zJ1U
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Her smile, still, didn’t407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkVupNHGpD
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjK46mUkEV
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv9s323Avt
whispered.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKxhtYYXM7
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeW3xtjRe3
Mark sighed and shook his407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKti4nBgwxF
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBALmCh4P6
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPeAIhGDAV
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76SpvilyWI
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzETPfAlU8c
She chewed on her lip. “I407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLBmpiMKF8
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUQRhqjFJr
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEc8pc6aKd
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFMrFlFi6P
“What’s her name?”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyrFXdg1UA
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Leah smiled again, having407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZhvkr4EFB
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7980D6Q1ie
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQqURbYtIz
that it was perfectly suited.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn2GcCC2WT
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Mark knew, all to well, how407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMsIB3yOEL
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ111iwalw8u
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA0yo3EtuI
Margaret Hope Daniels.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy9vsLJxVx
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He wrapped and arm around his407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXju6qMAH2
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzn17yzD5e
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1QyfbmhwS
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoNQXWAgRY
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHA9yHWDZX
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3sIIu2NWK
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtdgz4DZ4c
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhMziQtisA
father; it was a painful thought.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFUl2s2ldR
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6Vz75rlAe
Mary’s head snapped up to her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mWemxFPf4
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklfAVWxkoa
them gently, yet eagerly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4YVMCfMcC
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK99OpRfZ6
They came in and stood beside407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R0ZswSh5Q
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBGw5O369W
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN8z4WcsqZ
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMb9vMBLin
The exhausted mother managed407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ywxjPWdwo
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ1xDqGKIF
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb10RE1iBvp
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrmTzXWtmr
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaf0ffrxpr
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1qLgGvA6j
with all of us.” She whimpered.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKq0S8k0Xn
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTaqieEYfx
The Avery’s embraced her and407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQmQNppDfH
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLfdtnh0nP
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ887X7qKHEy
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucsE10dy2m
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzFdGJyTM4
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbybrNQ2D9B
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.
