411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzrC00Njqb
It was a cold and dark day.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OgQLIxoQ7
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKMMWvPFGG
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSZaBJnOeE
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EI2EceNNm
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsimPHUgG2
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHwzmwx4x6
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6BR7uJ47C
“Do you, Justin Daniels, take411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwOQ1RPb6N
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGHeYVsBJ2
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgnjLqmGCu
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKDKDxSosz
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH9HL4BDXw
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulvaZ2mMv9
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhgwYpRBnd
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7gadJjCPO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaxNJbNK49
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYXu7hYP72
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kOog4jcRJ
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle6c3JFajT
and respect him, until death do you part?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIxBb89aVC
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImlILRMjMR
She couldn’t help it; her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzzwC5ep6n
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbkng0fSSn
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhbizPh2vP
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfWpyWmp6U
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPAvivMduP
“Then, without further wait,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQahJgNs63q
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoJ10vsFkL
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hF5ly404t
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfGDxNXmlu
Not waiting a second longer,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhisOj9vDbm
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw2Egx3WiW
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8cEF5tBzP
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Xojs12uZ
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73KcnxPrSq
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejIwHKjqt4
After the marriage ceremony,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bjZ4Lw5Vu
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZCdvtgl6r
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWhkuSm4Lq
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrdd08GlPO
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT7q5yRNGj
Avery, went first.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ1UdM4bja
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Qwk7YR5C
“I have known Justin and Mary411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJiTKfaOTC
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylYZs8jtoh
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvpHjmkvS9
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqaJjMHlxI
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlKw51xqxH
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8153LDw8G
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfs7rKcBm8
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId2eX6QABv
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn3FcSgLDu
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFr4dq6I8F
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUSetLlfce
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJVrS3GHlS
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZQOluvbfl
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndSXpiVyMu
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSuaeilpWN
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HuTXJ8Kn1
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmLSKa7lbE
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK0AmCrpqT
took a swig of their whisky.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCv39XT7ph
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nXimZM6jU
After the bride and groom411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2orTIoD1tC
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWmh7NYCrN
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ5EPFgyeG
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVeX7Faylk
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfqY6qDUGT
constantly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0PclQLGoJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO7ZqMqMti
Hoots of fun-filled laughter411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLARHrhoYz
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7GGoOp6M8
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KIttljMqD
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINwfT6RhZu
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCD3VETujs
came that night.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvnwpbhNRu
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1QNRcmhvu
That was seven years ago,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00fVf3wTFD
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaZNh2GKfX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX0rpEHPbZ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbIhpLJTks
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrhgAhcBJp
Present day411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliSyYfVOlE
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD1wvhRvbw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYjMMDBb8c
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She was bleak, weary, and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0tfsVvXTj
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn63daol8P0
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJxd4czQ4B
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0ZxAZzxKD
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH57y885HwX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1qTPV0KZH
Mary looked behind her, where411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyalby8BuYc
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm33YpzFcUv
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIBPURteyz
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6pHHhmTBL
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmrdy0hYog
given to little Ethel.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXnEKjl6Oc
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA99vdXhjCD
Turning completely to keep a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z9iidKnq7
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIqCk3Q70Z
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ngP5E4fzJ
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzmes0ILRV
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZnUlAhjBd
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPKL4Vex06
knew was that she hated it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb0fH7DyJK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaDERCLU3a
Not even a month after Justin411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2ushODEDt
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3uPEvLqrW
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9p9Md8rjA
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFPfz0RTMG
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uUTC3I1gi
eyes of his own two children.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S0zQ6AFzl
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmlyqNmsUS
She was currently seven411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DLNQq2yAs
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz6ZBryrnE
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd60gFOFwa
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TodAuLgMw
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOLKv5Yyad
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcHn6joYK9
having an affair.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XCmbt5Gh8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJjANslQDw
A hiss brushed past her lips,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TnvZdzkTa
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlurmh22ab
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eL8FXkVvo
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MpnyPDpxN
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAaLS2iD3g
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvwlabrpDY
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XaLAL2OzC
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCD0MTUWxj
Just then, a whinny could be411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSRVxUvmIj
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpFFVapyTQ
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6j8jMUwC8
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAHxEla8yS
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDAdaRT2tv
her or her girls.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DHwRXbLa7
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvBZVl6Ahn
Waiting by the porch, rifle411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeVGBIzJJE
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1F2BrbNLU
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPerjQ3WBom
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2Rysu0oIW
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPOUZlPpwG
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uNHTwT4eF
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GAHM7gaO3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6imAcFJh53
She didn’t dare to hope, but411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqZ0bXXJvC
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS0YTgw3nt
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePcRTCeLxC
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KDIQUS0vG
the dirt ground hard and painfully.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlARVkCOcaF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT6V8ltWFC
It wasn’t Justin.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkfjLsgUVT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHuKGjw1TE
The man walked up briskly,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgY2pfZF2k
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zJJVh85r2
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosNRUtAcG5
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxZSHwCT6X
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyzgNhmCzK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVrt6AsGNc
She forced the lump down her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yAM88pWru
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXIjnEmWIA
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl7pL6FFJq
He ran a shaky hand through411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo4FfTHNHJ
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4YwmuxSGf
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPEyaWuAj4
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStv8AS0q85
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPgmsusoyo
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlREaWEI7U
Shock filled her at first.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQisWpQp94
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBfviweTwM
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC2zIQfQg0
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg8dboZSJQ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7K34NSDXa
“Daddy coming home?” Ethel411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6oN2FXa73
asked her softly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAKQXTY5MS
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6epP1EXHr
The tears raged down her face411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQo0VRSRQF
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oLHlMUcoT
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz0mxK7m4c
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMWq0aZFyQ
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBgqg4TlC1
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRaYfXPETi
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC8wbDWrAg
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED6nukINJH
The small girl had tears in her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKEzUq8JBR
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23RWsQII57
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstONdV26uv
Mary hated to think of it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXYDwS11rH
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYxUbuhrgv
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE0hNjwFwo
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh98jIAJvIh
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNNLHngEj9
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXNOtU8HSj
Her heart ached so much411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPBeej3B4d
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnunsNX31Zu
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDr4xwjpd2
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc16P8ffpj6
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRiaBlDgKc
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk40dSJ1pX
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCyTirWTOg
chance to do or see.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zYg85pNFB
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2gULzc7wO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8djTorkNF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZWl2Ht178
……411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22PlFjySdn
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411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbaDe4fQWR
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For several days, the Daniels411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs87DITO8g8
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlJNJI1wgT
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKHtF7SoO2
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0DeO9ihPb
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdTFQNRxR3
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGNrfmbDgd
as the news of their father’s death.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkFVcmflLG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg0yRLXorM
Ida and Ethel, while still411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkfD0Yn7O1
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Leq1HPvT
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDAWpotWrV
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrf4A8NZ4M
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdMIVBWl83
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgu37kjv7S
It was barely a week after411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2wGv1w8fB
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSb08mmBxI
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqeop2MyP3
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yz8UCE9IN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPuwxRPY2a
Just as she was getting up to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV42QI963h
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxii58ZJnL
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmbxvq9nON
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFL0FumrPx
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxCqhB1BW2
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dtJaavSNg
It’s to early, she said in411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTAYd2q5ds
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLQFOYfyg2
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLR0bkTN5F
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK93ZWmX7c
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx80qY0srfF
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLZLS8eyGw
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs57JNsE9H
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nMlNo4ZrJ
Braving through her fear for411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy08rL7TfwO
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJocf7d4XtX
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYE2FpkQho
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5CnaF4aNQ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9DssKMTgY
The seven year old wasted no411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXC1cVM4xQ
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlE5fpM1Qa
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvnLQW64Yy
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAdbwbFLO6
gave them a snap.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdu4NSSlca
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshjb6cxcmZ
Only half an hour later, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJT3xfMGtA
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XCoaWujUJ
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUevl7R6Gy9
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7suC12ZTw
“Back here, Lee!” Mary called411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItxBHMwucR
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4tD0mnSQn
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZwWtNOnsi
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhCjkMGnPF
“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKc2nqOtaE
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoF7YyE7uu
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipwlpNlnE7
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPdMxHkODB
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UgQRnErtP
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnHzcsYSed
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f0hJxQGJh
Hours passed by, and the only411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMH0dni5fE
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj07fSjACZ
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HLqipk1Aq
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFDQl97bzI
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItbQAeGBPK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBKA8FBdbO
It was well into the night,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH7LyaYefE
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU36MKYQ261
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYPwvUEkcT
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLurY1ufDH
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHpXbx9dLR
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4E6fVZ2TZ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPK6ajMYIL
And so it was. Two days of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1vsm8sh0B
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJY7Br77F3
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnNtu321jd
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdOMAdDrJy
actually giving birth.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWU1r4DHw8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW62ojzw5h
And then the third day came.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY5xNXwmZy
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWZBoRk0aS
It hit them all, like a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOQIz5WoKl
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUkk6RG1Sg
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy7gEPlTLQ
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvUbL4xdTW
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNQd1TXwVH
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3KxfElhkS
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsIQsgX5Xe
That night was long and hard.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd29wYzNogv
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEntvEOWeph
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJZ0TyS1hF
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Rz1Fle2M
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XQYY30l6u
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcO0tAtGad
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXq9WLIrsg
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhqDoxIhUB
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oeZLwczcS
“So?” He said nervously.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WVR9YE06l
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4cgVKBEvM
Her smile, still, didn’t411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul4qA6U630
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9xIgZbgri
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDDTX0Wx4c
whispered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e9JgMNFye
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqz8fhmAMu
Mark sighed and shook his411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQqZAMdmYB
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDiWtcjvvh
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDMprkrKHs
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FeOILvn83
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05IsKeWkUX
She chewed on her lip. “I411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZmCy7mHt3
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1IkM9EGwW
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1cr2Uh7LU
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3v0U0qhSl
“What’s her name?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpF90AR0tU
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWknwjs1lqe
Leah smiled again, having411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdIklsPf15
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbZtHbYE90
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6rRdOIM4E
that it was perfectly suited.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO3LT1vcbO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mQ6qeWjf7
Mark knew, all to well, how411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Hs7PV01qk
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ODR29Qk2v
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vjricmeN3
Margaret Hope Daniels.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZLcSxd7ww
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Q8rEYA8q
He wrapped and arm around his411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx4QEtlQtO
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRMJ6xsdtH
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2fKOOlTbK
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiBapwdob6
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Idqa5CDGx
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YlJnUV33O
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC7HSGlQ7b
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuEt3jHuYr
father; it was a painful thought.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBanKbNlfux
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ1t87z65L
Mary’s head snapped up to her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1gz2NtbOd
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUWzU1OaRF
them gently, yet eagerly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYFQDkHNC6
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFLy0RZu3O
They came in and stood beside411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeHh0CibQQ
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII3NmIqsnO
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4QTucrYb0
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOgcg1N8ZE
The exhausted mother managed411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttDYlAf3TF
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLTIAmBhAJ
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv9nfwirEZ
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9StUFlLKeB
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWCP3OkiXS
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3H7tgVjbm
with all of us.” She whimpered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRHjIoupX8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkQtyVMlms
The Avery’s embraced her and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWM76lLoPG
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs70hYXQhyO
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3NOaelcue
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0xBvV5C9X
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZsjfWvvDU
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib99jXAIKI
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.
