410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurPwGumXYk
It was a cold and dark day.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSqUwOkriW
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2if1mxExA
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PdPcmG2LL
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgXyqSFqW2
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUPW4MmFSW
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeC5w5NCUz
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg4qoqJBlO
“Do you, Justin Daniels, take410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGEByCc2Xj
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUSViUBqZE
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEst1deGzz0
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jg3SX7dJX
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxVq2bkQ3e
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQBc9osNmX
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG9ArAPd0S
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsurRPYlC02
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4XaLoXru6
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoENHI3vJV
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGhw2w22t5
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizK0U2KBA1
and respect him, until death do you part?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UWcM4Mris
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8NGYeRKoo
She couldn’t help it; her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yhqC5ApGN
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5gp5CxIZ1
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1fSrRzBLF
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UMWXKxjGQ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXvdbBhm2s
“Then, without further wait,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYO3ttUTLC
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0VzKCGKQN
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUkWEjoFRi
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn3Av2sD4p
Not waiting a second longer,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DCsB5YZCK
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIBuXtZJZX
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeazQP8cES
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DjjavgPQ9
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KaEdvBjeY
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99bwOhcWDJ
After the marriage ceremony,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ6lfm79zk
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62KHo1NlNl
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T37xQuwGB
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eh9KzPUT5
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAJv0efEuN
Avery, went first.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBQg8NF0Ze
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P71pL6oXO
“I have known Justin and Mary410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6j2uY9d6h
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbvTVWoqtJ
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zBLhKy6S7
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ou2GhiBDq
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDLY7I3gMw
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJCtqtbxME
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGamv4CKIC
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiF6uWPsLL
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdY4hSvqAz
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkMSLLTexU
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9UDf1lfHR
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuFYmBrdvY
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgbXoZOFlB
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Nuntlp01J
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsWGQftm9c
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6DnhhOo09
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP6q5LOeMI
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY35IRpzx4
took a swig of their whisky.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2Dg7RWb1U
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAW2G2twbI
After the bride and groom410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE2K7t48RN
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJDY6Ua2Bb
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlU5gqkVlv
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOxxvurQik
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkNQB4aKcL
constantly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHZaowadjn
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgicNuJtdYN
Hoots of fun-filled laughter410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kTFHdi1Ex
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Z3Y1plZu
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LQ0ZH0JpB
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdafujGO8hG
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKWd2Khnba
came that night.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjWaMwtyUL
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbP0zZynBZ
That was seven years ago,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHz4XjngW5
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14F0EO2Oxr
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQHi6PWonN
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3aegE3ihC
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA0mO8OcFd
Present day410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA3FLyYxgk
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410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBTL9EVmM2
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She was bleak, weary, and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPj1J9N2HT
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDfJ7sNSXE
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP586cTKhhP
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9IorsJlOe
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH67kiffLl
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtEKDPN7qs
Mary looked behind her, where410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKTDHve4LO
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCmwehEsga
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kgX8LDRbZ
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwcl6jrunt
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnsp5ubMbt
given to little Ethel.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC9cPBgpRh
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqLsTvvlM6
Turning completely to keep a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1gDw7oPyP
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LVeIptZr6
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm0BuDCtdw
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTS76sV8m7
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtbjrEdifn
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WQjofe8kv
knew was that she hated it.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKoOHoNy54
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnV9VpDdjC
Not even a month after Justin410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYc22afasZ
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Wzw5nrQG
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMxbX0HMIR
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXorOVfQ6F
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LTCCYhfqC
eyes of his own two children.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Krtuk5Mlu
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv5HF7LtAp
She was currently seven410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t5VFuJvP9
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerPQLd8No2
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41k5v76JLt
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMhfsml8Kk
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbspdvfqhp7
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8qoHsbfTJ
having an affair.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwncVV3gy3
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtqS1sMff2
A hiss brushed past her lips,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH2fAM2nO5
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtcvVt0F4k
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYBGecalVM
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXVLdABhid
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf4NozYNJ1
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFC7Ap4xKO
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL3tuRcRdE
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9BGyW4WHh
Just then, a whinny could be410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5V4D1xNCn
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h2DFb9NvJ
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPZzfTk3M9
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgNa2VnNz2
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhN65XRDwo
her or her girls.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaprXpfHb1x
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30J0DJLlDW
Waiting by the porch, rifle410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fvJzABDTq
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk2zGac7if
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXHIekeINk
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq454f4CAdR
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYA3gwDuvO
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDHrTjV9ZD
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v4PIyr6dM
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3vngX0yx5
She didn’t dare to hope, but410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9okh7i6MKU
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhXgN5PIKa
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTg3xmpXQB
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlL3Li6ELc
the dirt ground hard and painfully.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOrogivxPY
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXEtBzjNHJ
It wasn’t Justin.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajNb8hl6wA
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtykSuQvqBC
The man walked up briskly,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc6fRkspC3
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0WhEmNyPB
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6mU9TCPFr
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cAj0mK3M5
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1T0R70Fxc
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29h9a89OIl
She forced the lump down her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KdrC2esJC
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGrpIkGAye
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C0MmmprVn
He ran a shaky hand through410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDIuVm1DU5
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GwLWbAoRP
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH3oKilAst
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mPRHL56Z9
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Aq115HFSQ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ74r52xD4
Shock filled her at first.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3hSHnQQns
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGzBRm8mdL
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuCifVPIVC
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzbElbH9tr
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI3yMvPnhx
“Daddy coming home?” Ethel410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJkPG9AQmL
asked her softly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5sEEySkEW
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy43ztx8J02
The tears raged down her face410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFSZ15p3CL
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXpSjpk4Vw
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvbs0Ib2n8
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMP8gLdsUD
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXityn1XCa
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjt21nEAQO
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRCvwqy2b2
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUda9ig44i
The small girl had tears in her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOBTIeGpLI
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYnJTd9p3D
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9slitEcPp
Mary hated to think of it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11ZwrGdeym
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISId0vcPxX
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtciRUVj6pB
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXzWtZQoxP
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxuRxM5gcV
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6tO3u5P2h
Her heart ached so much410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE7y6Mc3xv
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgV4ZWtyjd
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoZCiQCL7b
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy6fKVGVBj
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTB7EUV1jO
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNVxkCi8wm
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOlsnNQENJ
chance to do or see.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlRnsIJV8Z
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nW5pyBOHy
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpFnC6b9tg
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy0vIekkWb
……410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSiYFpHEja
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp4q0tKom5
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For several days, the Daniels410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTajPzgJ0sT
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAg0qXAK6l
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkenAeAshH
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwL636RlZI
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7XR0Dy2dQ
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaakvgjVeRX
as the news of their father’s death.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4pnxrFwGS
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Ida and Ethel, while still410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBiGyBAF2j
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7GazH4Ekt
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWRWcqNvfz
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrjclh4hlT
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiutUq3cU6
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It was barely a week after410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGab5o7IXg
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrj4g9LfeI
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybRbSSUNaf
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjBpc1W932
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilI4n2J1jQ
Just as she was getting up to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1oBaXn16G
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zW7Jpxz2p
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpjEYCPDmO
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSHBvmODUG
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aj9faKEC1
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4P5xp0XHZ
It’s to early, she said in410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhEuarryVI
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXy7kIFFLs
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfdnIrc5Qy
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpjwDmRGtl
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOZujR2BWG
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr4IZ3tTHO
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMkmFJUuCr
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwDxjgrY7A
Braving through her fear for410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIhjY7C7tC
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEMi3QYeZN
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMTqFtLm5H
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W3vJ8zeBh
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH7x4qK2ua
The seven year old wasted no410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIYiCybVaP
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a6X8WYOUg
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGMF396TlN
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwGiBAW84Q
gave them a snap.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7wBmwcTWy
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Only half an hour later, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzSScA9jLv
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uSSgz4Avx
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXScuF4W8P6
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNijVzbbUGn
“Back here, Lee!” Mary called410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CyZtjmRG9
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66eqnJQsJf
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleZpXSU9yZ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPu4yLNNSL
“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRwDgCNrFi
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5baccXG9Nf
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bZ1WFqICQ
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡots7gHtxt7
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xV6XIMRCQ
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fX7ztmB3b
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Hours passed by, and the only410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVzbUL7Dt0
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r2IbeEUg9
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnuJkLQCsJ
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPTRlFt7qd
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBg6ZlO8ri
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It was well into the night,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgxE8m43Jg
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZUN2sKV1Z
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtzqyb2CBR
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk0dr3Fi7B
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z4eY3DDDV
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWEtzBb7x3
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4BqTG9r7p
And so it was. Two days of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2wo2wM6e5
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7JUfyEX30
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTBpcXrkus
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE3nWhE4xO
actually giving birth.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoty8Bzl5Rs
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And then the third day came.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40p1emPANC
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It hit them all, like a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tYfCY8x9b
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCU7oqVYwd
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdzbtU3ldh
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK2hOhvsYU
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoWFmWtIVC
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNuWr5OyGi
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That night was long and hard.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabqo77JAoL
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD8mZkIN02
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimvhLP2Ssb
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdUU0QHQrP
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iXgIrpKzm
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUojObWxXB
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrzL5yd1gQ
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EBpUXp7CR
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“So?” He said nervously.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtKFd1ahij
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuXTADYalD
Her smile, still, didn’t410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyzO92g1DB
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpdmpJzbGW
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJgsEbRTET
whispered.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU56uZX4qHR
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN5HodcbTx
Mark sighed and shook his410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDzU1KKUUX
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5qpQYnpl7
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9XaRqiiRg
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmBQd8Zw5g
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebd6EzBotY
She chewed on her lip. “I410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOyN4fa6LT
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGPhBjhp0T
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhsR6soRFy
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“What’s her name?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK6MMti5tZ
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Leah smiled again, having410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagL5FtWpG0
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSrpWRthX1
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxhczgugpZ
that it was perfectly suited.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrdYse7bkE
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbG38Jd7lO
Mark knew, all to well, how410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWUgF4uuW1
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjcsi4zxzp
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W7DJFux0P
Margaret Hope Daniels.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF83DsplmXa
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5556nVlqSC
He wrapped and arm around his410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPTqHS5TtW
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeL5bYqn8j
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I5HJTrue7
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ51cTVwRTG
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVId0vUxg9x
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07vSidYR4a
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYa3znxcJj
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsveH0J1VHj
father; it was a painful thought.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N99lb1GGU
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffR3ByNP85
Mary’s head snapped up to her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu6E6G6IMa
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviKFhZY6Ep
them gently, yet eagerly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLHRLaR2Bp
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnXlixCv03
They came in and stood beside410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaj1dynOvD
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd09qDylkQ
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy8a0m62cU
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXPvyGYwIJ
The exhausted mother managed410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6eFnl8K1X
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVes16YiEX7
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy1GdCNSIS
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQQNd1F70C
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdpw4I7U4g
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00C0JHKNOq
with all of us.” She whimpered.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMWOV8ReL5
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The Avery’s embraced her and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS086WDgJmU
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp4GlwYT7M
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlVuuwhhSx
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33tpsoZFKg
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn66nx8mrJ
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTEcaHbEQ8
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.
