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It was a cold and dark day.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacEQTfM7nq
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObiJV6fleu
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36BnaRKy5W
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaaDbLEeGG
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUj9qKbvSc
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1rGNugo0e 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qn9Jt5ASX
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“Do you, Justin Daniels, take227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF47yVCyADj
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJCM8sjVxM
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2HZKKBcnb
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡldCXb7xzFW 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2b277bFsq
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7E96WRofu
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v4rOtfveU
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmRcasvxnR
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsTEURyYle 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0YGtghHZ0
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWu138l7ru
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfYQfIE8zt
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPzxcx3kp5
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gk4z2XhLc
and respect him, until death do you part?”8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxL0MEo25Z 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUXDhQhsNx
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIWmOnYNDt
She couldn’t help it; her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAATXM0EUf
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6erO5e9OL
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS5iIWoia0
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEpHIcY4Ce 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7keAQktly
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqNFlHYTTm
“Then, without further wait,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyvvxcVLoY
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvcnowxTJF
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg88hG00yr 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENFPGEQXfi
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Not waiting a second longer,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCtbonq91y
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNyKROS4o9
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8oROxH0iL
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHPyTlUbcX
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6udqzGurEQ 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoFEEfcrXc
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After the marriage ceremony,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3ZzDuhUop
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ62FZSvw1u
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3zev1eJtI
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYZNUw6YZB
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZsKEVYn7O
Avery, went first.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bzzalpx8N 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBjEuQP8oo
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“I have known Justin and Mary227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBP5RP3aM6
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm1OmCDiCf
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFexvzZzJK5
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqPDdwDxzO
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJYlMfLQtu
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXrRocJvdX
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SlStlJ0wV
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi3RR5M1Li
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡySXghUI4Xs 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0B4qooEsd
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkH0PufWk0
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzFBwLMbfR
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFj2UKVlTJ
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngUFVumufa
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77EzMOybZ0
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexM5t8yP16
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGjarJ6DoZ
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QI7HLTZER
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjMRDwgmxQ
took a swig of their whisky.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa6Nuwvx64 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQYSFaumNV
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU92g5538i
After the bride and groom227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJThAcVORcj
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOF0myKQK2
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g5eWlxHA8
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7RkHitnJ5
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusbY4UXnbA
constantly.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5t5MkOtft 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GwtEvHreV
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYh8VsczF7
Hoots of fun-filled laughter227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdUSgoRg4c
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta475lauE6
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWjpvFiz0X
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcASKOL1gj
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcblFgrx0c
came that night.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yr6PIg1ed 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemG5i51rEv
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That was seven years ago,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdZ3r6R5SB
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XNsobAdSZ 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OkFwu37YG
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8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLoZfbCAwT 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JVWQh8IYF
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVRXrmm6NV
Present day8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZe28nR94M 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxcQtHTRfi
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dFDqUDv3K
8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr4qoNcgPx 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgII9qxkBeA
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She was bleak, weary, and227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0rp6Affrq
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQr0BTmKsw
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2PwQvStBZ
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmiMlysgwj
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEJPejvuXk 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPbS4xlGlj
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4mtcFpdt1
Mary looked behind her, where227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UDTkGn1B6
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN6ac75mtH
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIVhQnBsQc
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0qnifBzp9
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQOHsg4WXn
given to little Ethel.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCqHupmSIJ 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG2Pl9PyLq
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OrcWIYmds
Turning completely to keep a227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nv0GBZVsT
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShDZOxOemp
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYx6PZBuio
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGDtVqy4de
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9GzBxtCsU
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKzlW3v8bR
knew was that she hated it.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuJ9laaC6t 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1Hz7pF0ER
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Not even a month after Justin227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wW6DZTQbI
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ6m1oA65L
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqcsIVNokA
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37sRGI6k9R
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfHFVYGOV0
eyes of his own two children.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAEdrkGAHv 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0MOdKuabP
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsmPnPuOSs
She was currently seven227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgLTW7Domz
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5wQ4eLrqs
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDWkRk8JnG
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC2PxwDAzW
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurHSkRqXGO
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZtTSmzazk
having an affair.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡriJZFyHAVA 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oM0QC8SV1
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A hiss brushed past her lips,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdZpdD3ygT
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30s6CPboCa
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jZCvCuLER
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanL0H7Nfha
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiErqYpEnAp
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlocqTz0Mo
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE4URj0Qv3 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqMeEQyb9V
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Just then, a whinny could be227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXkYgCXP8A
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzSP8HOZB2
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SSodkMtTE
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H1bH9PAkZ
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF0gMr76Fo
her or her girls.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡuESwz9fvH4 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYK8rpLXbA
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Waiting by the porch, rifle227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXGqn6iyst
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld4sLnZtpF
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrhT3IOiN9
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLVSCv1MIh
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC43jeFyF9
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5FUa7yoyK
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPgIFtONLP 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCuv3xVw0f
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She didn’t dare to hope, but227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT16aqntJs
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMzwVV5FnE
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LSebSXHXq
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIv6et98pF
the dirt ground hard and painfully.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcpA837ORw 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cc69r9yoo
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOeFxsrlFM
It wasn’t Justin.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa92dynUui 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjt4rU3zEb
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The man walked up briskly,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b34VsFFi4
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegWIXN5XvE
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUEd7EGoRZ
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgwALERAcn
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zM6huEfn6 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLmAsDhwCe
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She forced the lump down her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhpm4POHDO
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSMVLSk6nO 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH2VDwUUuJ
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He ran a shaky hand through227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgkyzDW8mw
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXv555TGoV
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCyxaRObXf
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBm493gerd
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9dawySR2f 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0T127FaU6
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Shock filled her at first.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnnovmizdM
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogFM8fXlDj
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3qePG9Ouy
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyP0qOZhyZ 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZPZ5hxqUC
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“Daddy coming home?” Ethel227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mNZaYWJac
asked her softly.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNTrmWOYVs 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9AokebcBM
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The tears raged down her face227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUixofdHN7
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mB6YGJA3e
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nK3d5s3dC
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzWGXJk0lz
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFsEgvwkNP
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7dYJHgQyC
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwARHyRk6f 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNnwjxjBFz
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The small girl had tears in her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0woEXsO1TJ
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmZpyLUiwF 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwErV8xxm1
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Mary hated to think of it227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qaPsjp9Nf
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mvyrfToWQ
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lj4W8CgSk
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtnuBeA0g5
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hIbzOwTq2 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm7kRS0nam
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Her heart ached so much227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fn1dwPDPX
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJlt2goHPC
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLEfZsrGmc
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMCL8yZJwU
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡditWjHleo9
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsUm7ikx0l
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCesyxh0DR
chance to do or see.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1ImKHDfOs 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBiiFycZEM
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8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZU8FWwdX4 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziht1H5shj
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……8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb8ELPTEVc 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxME7FcR7GW
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8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhUd9EWVXS 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdSFCNPokz
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For several days, the Daniels227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7K6fairGP
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9lzN7peco
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhUw89ijXF
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWojzquqsd
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSmOdPVljR
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lwQFQ9hFB
as the news of their father’s death.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaGYrXdOlO 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xwpNjQOHz
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Ida and Ethel, while still227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xx87ppb5G
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuoTbIlxPb
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9ANwqavzD
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P6bd4LcCj
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHnfYVLUqS 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntY8Tuhhyi
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It was barely a week after227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziO5BzpVXI
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JYGPSk19t
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavIyt15cyg
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡI471qjzoxD 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NQxzkPrGr
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Just as she was getting up to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkUyLEff8d
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW83wB8tOWE
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTgQIWzwwu
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHqyDdnki9
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIR18nOfEB 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMr5rJmZdr
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It’s to early, she said in227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVJ1EBq5pR
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl9BnYcpGu
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewjocje5aI
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC5FiSTmnE
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv3aOcCht8
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup8QEcu3qC
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1JCF9T2hl 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC2DK3P95J
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Braving through her fear for227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnghEKv7yU
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5a3d0whPw
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RZ1B1nTzw
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96Pz7T3XJs 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOfOY9WhsA
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The seven year old wasted no227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJQS6RhxJ3
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB89DGlAlly
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW803KGKmAS
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBypgoAxnt
gave them a snap.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S6uQVaEfF 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwDBZBZlXY
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Only half an hour later, she227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP6N83lgBW
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7gxHxTm3O
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5EAlLXTT7 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyol0pizscv
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“Back here, Lee!” Mary called227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmhWpkpgSY
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPAZSX55U9
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jJlxMAxBM 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpT8sN6Wlc
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“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ7mf1uD9q
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ0eYfK6Xg
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOyWoEqZ5a
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRUnBDqRYM
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LRPn8dEB3
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoMXH4vZkX 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyl00UUXn3
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Hours passed by, and the only227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iHXKoZkOj
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHny5ZarCk
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MszD5mkkg
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZT58COnvQ
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV9RNLdf0d 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYfNJ5lxwx
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It was well into the night,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewW82e0ddi
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMooFtsVAc
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh7Vd4Sl4i
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXTlKQCh6C
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKJTAda0Ow
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRNqDifRoz 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFvmNtj1V8
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And so it was. Two days of227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK4Q7nwU5x
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO116Cu3FS
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEl2o1HvwX
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPDFk5Ck5K
actually giving birth.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cbiaOzztj 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iKe20AMS8
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And then the third day came.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡP13BnuqCWZ 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QbH7G9M2H
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It hit them all, like a227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGeGbqe4pu
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrvpSQ2UeG
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOl52NSHJ0
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMz9BEnjMH
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIUeiK62yz
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjqUtJ2tPt 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOf4gPiKi8
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That night was long and hard.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA4XgUklGZ
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTlBbYsSok
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejQjOhUP9u
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6CbqOnh7K
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3ANFiVhhp
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1hhdJwff3
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyha63HBtYb
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsqhu3pSnO 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRksrfidBN
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“So?” He said nervously.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKsyZdSRyY 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG8hxHlT6R
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Her smile, still, didn’t227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAlnJCOkhb
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCWEWvDi1q
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRie7GPNywX
whispered.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HJZiRVjhA 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hWpXTQvjZ
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Mark sighed and shook his227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTmCbxPXiC
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOCFlJYHVx
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviocY9VeKA
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMQvblrlMg 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2o2yDljRX
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She chewed on her lip. “I227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCJj184TQL
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEMdVGiEZ4
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXpEtT5bQV 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHZPFmBpeG
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“What’s her name?”8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZbMrd9GmV 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUESKE4wdN
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Leah smiled again, having227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxImRlvGNd9
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j7UcWJoII
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3vl4jwvUe
that it was perfectly suited.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIUqn0pqwQ 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n7hFpHDv5
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Mark knew, all to well, how227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZXvm6hoI1
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmHaJpbhoQ
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgppSOYrRUf
Margaret Hope Daniels.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvXDzUSJAL 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXdygMe060
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He wrapped and arm around his227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhn4eKe2VK
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1gAXVb9hq
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gwCEgAYxw
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CzWbNTjd2
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48OasmPwuq
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt33g3pjRa
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvaIRTtBZj
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rRzEEUeQz
father; it was a painful thought.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuFoJGFEMl 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQxUWQd2G6
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Mary’s head snapped up to her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2PH1obUYu
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PUUFfuzFS
them gently, yet eagerly.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP9gb6Perd 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR2NOF5tAL
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They came in and stood beside227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofWsPCyIp5
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9dxK15HME
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR2fTiU1CQ 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXBPi0IwYL
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The exhausted mother managed227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5rzog8zbB
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBuu9ikZ40
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUDgKGoJhK
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsPXDb9VOQ
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKthgw0GE1
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTvC4Hosat
with all of us.” She whimpered.8964 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vytjp7AxX 維尼227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NOJvolM0U
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The Avery’s embraced her and227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia1m0RlnLQ
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH1Pak3ifI
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwFH1P5boE
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PNOg4zDzx
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyncLjpqlHv
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CdqSOQ5yH
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.
