410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtBNqB3Bgl
It was a cold and dark day.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBul1UODWf
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9brZZ7URMT
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08azvlNDWh
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFkWVT4K7M
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq2L3IxOLn
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UDCeEMQpB
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVJDCCnbPv
“Do you, Justin Daniels, take410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG5wHr7LIU
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7nq0eJTWE
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpmqgPr67O
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcA0WxdoSl
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3vJoXfIrS
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEGx5H0aeX
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBAt8bpQqk
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMKyRu6RqF
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuM2FVSaEj
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMLjqgkHTV
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hqqS3UeEs
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoLXAawfFd
and respect him, until death do you part?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvZG99nCkm
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvSfuvCtx8
She couldn’t help it; her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7PD0S2VSM
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPlI7LLQa7
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWgA9zcutB
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJxCa37YqY
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HfqxKQZr7
“Then, without further wait,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1uOpVLo3s
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoTdL8goaI
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFysXNhN9A
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6xJlUdR1k
Not waiting a second longer,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT7ONEhz2P
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6NKZCRnF2
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvN66yAuiN
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklEmsxUhww
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkmeWymbwM
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOaxhSHPAG
After the marriage ceremony,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6qHtq9Cto
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xqhICmjIS
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpK4awxAUk
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yX0wCTHEn
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDmNMh7eWt
Avery, went first.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLi6gVW7e7
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa1FuN65vF
“I have known Justin and Mary410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8RLucQM6m
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ185E1aoVpE
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xaDEMPXYA
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcttocW5El4
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SIpmyzfvh
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGTrQomx6j
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW9m0KA9Xr
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcb9x8IyDO
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqADcVjITmh
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0APqTYMaB
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDvSL9vbUz
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3dJa746T6
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLIEAgUkqr
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU9SyVtCbF
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5izhNeOduD
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMniBUhqf8T
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6VBEnFbuo
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyae3PTnhF
took a swig of their whisky.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JRFA4cYSI
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdUHyBNbsS
After the bride and groom410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiZcneNUZg
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRDeHVR1Lq
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1VwJOxNcO
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHxkBOmgUc
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ4eZyLmcg
constantly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLs4BzjnwK
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ9Qj4vNA3
Hoots of fun-filled laughter410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0erQ8ApCV
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3sSIRAZz4
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeilQSAFAo
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidkB5Hz3rA
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHdpzE9xwP
came that night.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2omT9YNzI
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPV5vmLbfb
That was seven years ago,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07rfv5k6Ar
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqd7JWfvnC
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDg17IYdm8
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClujZCLlan
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mOeC8Y1CB
Present day410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lVQQ7DmT5
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwyjxvcf1N
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk7ptWxDZh
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBdQjvLCY3
She was bleak, weary, and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxprmGVMFWV
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAqj6qbbRE
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtBQkWZ1qa
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz69cPeLUFU
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZQFABk2wZ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvueE2h17i
Mary looked behind her, where410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPexC8IhbRc
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthHQXddB3z
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EMmk4J3Lu
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlsPeW9n1N
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteSUvMnCNZ
given to little Ethel.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi4IWdERX8
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo9ZEG1umg
Turning completely to keep a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpx345ohxK
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFeBNnNFd1
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNPLHIoBVB
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1m7Cp4PAp
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXqP3krsKh
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMYG2jLN8J
knew was that she hated it.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQolPdGnZrN
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVkdn1su6O
Not even a month after Justin410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z6CgUoQvp
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bkzIzTRIZ
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReLGtRm4WK
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kPSTQntfN
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSPxiISa7m
eyes of his own two children.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6TBmEClhl
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbJU1qP2UO
She was currently seven410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ojulQuDz6
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BeDGBc8fy
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEstZJ86bA
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU5K9BjUCi
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R1kLFOaSs
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lWgG3vvTF
having an affair.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7iYzhx95o
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2wQd94gMf
A hiss brushed past her lips,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToypnlHvpI
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrQaHAadmh
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwdevfO8Ww
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2oh74S1bi
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdE3GG8ECv
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuku62Cgve
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHF2mycFHl
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35Z8nbQiVX
Just then, a whinny could be410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8ZPf5FJTD
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf7A9VmGII
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q6UGNFASA
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWv3yKV693
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pDjyPT09U
her or her girls.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5rtFDIciK
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaxI1FuvgU
Waiting by the porch, rifle410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqkrrBwLjT
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOn1rSzyrm
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaKr9TwWLL
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkls6nBBdyQ
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25nVUf7BEY
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLa7xkuF3H
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5tKVFi8F4
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdemZNbcNV
She didn’t dare to hope, but410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKgARBjRWz
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILKHtfLHML
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoJWdrnGsI
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypT44fKCqn
the dirt ground hard and painfully.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEioPCOe00
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS203VWs6oz
It wasn’t Justin.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MQLRCtunW
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak9RuriICW
The man walked up briskly,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97YeCWHf6P
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKOiXpkLos
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItX25pe1e1
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7OobtN4dj
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfucnaF6iW
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosZNdUO8Wh
She forced the lump down her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcROzvEWag4
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KSCbaWb5p
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8w90y0JWx
He ran a shaky hand through410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZldbBU4Wp
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscpnlqJUyA
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLiX8zcv01
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tuAYcx75c
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vn3pmBaFL
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xkbuL5vmo
Shock filled her at first.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGJkzevo7w
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy7o3HRczP
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcM39g3HRp
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqQDmg560c
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwCp6FXDUm
“Daddy coming home?” Ethel410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFBMc8Z7Et
asked her softly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0MU1C093Z
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8AgOyzPEw
The tears raged down her face410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWdHN1DdzL
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtLl8LHVeP
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8SxE3waGk
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiZUizAyiN
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxY2kqspOx
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmJ3uHkaNv
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfASAgCbU3
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn9gL6a8Wt
The small girl had tears in her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzoEVXf85K
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu40E3aAV05
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDp1RiK9Rw
Mary hated to think of it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLUAu2akgS
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB8oLXxj7b
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hadTZHLuf
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1GJCgMkIM
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PpXydWRVU
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1HP2y3pGL
Her heart ached so much410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvsTspV9VP
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhotKIj8XV
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVGoPRydha
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWsqk6QeqZ
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyY5EKj91e
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcchd3bpWA
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySjzPXSA5s
chance to do or see.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lpzZXxVJv
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwBScutouQ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2LPXyeHv7
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf137GZocVL
……410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXjtKG7pc3
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmxf27CQAf
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfeXQ4eJEP
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For several days, the Daniels410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdiWGCunpV
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqH0s194Fu
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQHrrUiVXn
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQs0ZZwMfk
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoqxbNldjy
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBOe0ghuf3
as the news of their father’s death.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnArzBapHOQ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbadvD4ouJY
Ida and Ethel, while still410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetqS2v09JT
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZLIdW2V0e
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29uAvzP4lb
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigRvV5EHLq
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8GkKUHQAy
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI9RnZGiUW
It was barely a week after410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKAmT6E0QJ
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHrjCHPNER
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr6dO7AwXf
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2a9WB2iPe
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEJEdNy1a8
Just as she was getting up to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrNl3bdj2e
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJudzehvHz
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk6hSErAy8
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADQDAude5I
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MxgGaZFEq
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPcubjwwrs
It’s to early, she said in410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9XwjHZ6sc
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaUwRLafgE
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WV4gg7p4S
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMayI7INz0
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGdAIyGbYx
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn24VoYxslI
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSMijIs69z
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXGPLgHgKs
Braving through her fear for410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkayqP1KkpW
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZrxbyeob9
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp61poLOvf9
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGCIrP5iFq
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKUN7MYtHk
The seven year old wasted no410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa2VmEQ28D
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyrHZbkrrv
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qCwBwXgAn
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnzRHQnI0g
gave them a snap.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFomv2Ehdv3
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Le0vBF86a
Only half an hour later, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7rzLcJSGX
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY5Taha6yS
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pGHRXQzAi
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qy0DRl4yV
“Back here, Lee!” Mary called410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaurklRmaK
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRRzomeStJ
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gG5n6KTPz
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBVv53w8jJ
“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB9Y8aksbG
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdPeSVoTGj
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlWhP0teJa
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKhv33n7nX
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRA82aWN1f
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmZAdNnbLH
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwIC1xdBUg
Hours passed by, and the only410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz37pDUQIO
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xAVjSrm2v
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIjRiFKb1l
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiC20IQ602
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wiBMLe4Ji
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It was well into the night,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16nu3IM2Wr
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIgVrB5UkN
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V2eITaUhF
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1XwDsBPdv
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLHQ9tjbq0
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcgUKUU41q
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3cTxlRLld
And so it was. Two days of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLl1cPWLAg
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vqEPGdao7
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GxGpAmiqi
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0ZqaOoSSG
actually giving birth.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3100HuD99I
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBJJU5F0r8
And then the third day came.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU4qHdJRM0
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyFKgVz9Rf
It hit them all, like a410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv46e3mCIl
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSKp27hxZf
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKM1tEqXXI
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPO6bHfBnv
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVeJGEqi8t
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7d0BdDMb1
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGx2oMejaJ
That night was long and hard.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C2N0ptx35
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v8YbkOWga
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuzGz7Enun
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHTutJcZoq
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pc4aeRseV
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgH1T1YkYq
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn6TAn7EPw
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXtZ2CEBmw
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwld4Mgr5t
“So?” He said nervously.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcZeM8Cdba
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG1HkpGFNC
Her smile, still, didn’t410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw96V3kWFk0
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioV9gZ09aq
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gEd5e4MdB
whispered.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssa8lMe1no
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV3MRgl11I
Mark sighed and shook his410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdUv8cftaN
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6ynVARbuo
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL8xEPz295
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOFkEZ9mSA
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6NTnA8AYX
She chewed on her lip. “I410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpoBxX6OT5
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTrgEeBmt1
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarWs4EUrlI
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwKdXx1ZOo
“What’s her name?”410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI9ZzCAWOz
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF50VT9jVF
Leah smiled again, having410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQrX4zBrwe
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ9gVaSLzH
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS8t5QThpW
that it was perfectly suited.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQhRs8ws74
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiwjxyNY6x
Mark knew, all to well, how410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OvQ4gvVen
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4rg0NBUjZ
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VVhdDTHhJ
Margaret Hope Daniels.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPx12dhS2v
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehMFBYukxv
He wrapped and arm around his410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxLN1tdj4k
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNnzFF7gao
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtbwL5jURR
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfjozbOdrA
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenVQM2TIqG
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDrPxb545d
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3plyUSKR8T
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkYpAUWkRc
father; it was a painful thought.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93K6TcXI8h
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqw7x3qBlI
Mary’s head snapped up to her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaPgg45p5U
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B4yHATd2b
them gently, yet eagerly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv70BF43M1u
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmCSrNF2f2
They came in and stood beside410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbgzCMFIEu
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq0xoOw2j2
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFKWYuYVNw
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst9X5iSvjf
The exhausted mother managed410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjQTVOEUWu
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhfogDfkc8
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2HwCVRJuQ
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQp4omZGE1
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko9xLA5saP
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq32uWbQWVg
with all of us.” She whimpered.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7OzUPoLdO
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKSpAkNQE1
The Avery’s embraced her and410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13xkz6Kx7m
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34Dm6f842j
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGnksbFlIG
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSULGdkDLB
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpDUQCnQge
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHWZmyDj3j
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.
