411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQNpTAtfJz
It was a cold and dark day.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SAWaLIHiA
Wet. Dreary. Certainly, not a day one would wish to be married on. But for411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvn6o7fvWl
them, there wasn’t a more perfect day. And they were being married in the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jCduVj0Yk
church, after all; it wasn’t like they had to worry about being rained on, or411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtfV64HW6U
their entire wedding being ruined, altogether. Nothing could ruin this day for411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunaUKchvOc
them. Not the weather, not a kink in plans, nothing.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8flqNN0Wq
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAy5nlObEu
“Do you, Justin Daniels, take411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmve2fnsorX
this woman, Mary Smith, to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love and to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIC7MV9qyr
cherish, and to honor and respect her, until death do you part?” The priest, who411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjN0UrnFp9
was their good friend, Jacoby, asked with a smile.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyentWdho5
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc9VkBux8S
Justin beamed, tears in his eyes,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNZrOmWlzS
as he stared down at Mary, right into her eyes. He didn’t even have to think411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVlGtkGkhv
about it. He gulped down the lump in his throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I do.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGM9aoi4Ab
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBtjcDKzTh
Then turning to Mary, Jacoby411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwTxzPkYxq
directed the words to her. “Do you, Mary Smith, take this man, Justin Daniels,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vQXZUTABl
to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, and to honor411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjYEHslneZ
and respect him, until death do you part?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VH8wireJ8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2MH9tqlM1
She couldn’t help it; her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVSdsgwrby
tears fell freely down her unblemished face, as she nodded without a second411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0HRS5Qs2E
thought. “I do.” She said with a strangled voice. Justin smiled at her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbYbkGmMCQ
confirmation, as if previously afraid that she would change her mind.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKrjc01JV5
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zgWzAsEq7
“Then, without further wait,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HH09PTFCJ
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jocoby announced411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpE6kYGS8Y
with his thick accent weighing heavily throughout the small room.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6ptQNM2q1
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcwHwZDY01
Not waiting a second longer,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5bySo6sWQ
Justin slid his hands over Mary’s slender hips and pulled her near to him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IRGO8LHrn
Smiles lit their faces as they kissed passionately, but still innocently enough411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK04S3lmwj
while in front of a crowd. Cheers rang through the whole room, as they sealed411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNGXu4N1xP
their marriage officially, finalizing their union as one.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5B06wcBXg
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEfIXaXblb
After the marriage ceremony,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu86wB3Vt9C
the crowd hauled over to the bar just across town. For hours, they drank, sang,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpReopaUq66
and danced the day away. When it came time for supper, they all gathered411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5FLE6FoSA
around, the finest mugs, filled to the brim with the best whisky, in their411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg71KLldwG
hands. It was time for the bride and groom toasts. Justin’s best man, Mark411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi9H95VVE7
Avery, went first.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMKMrq3WOy
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Q8ne0RwQ
“I have known Justin and Mary411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCBdeZpMxc
for most of my life. Separately, of course. But I know that there isn’t a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyFDZEje6l
couple better suited for each other, than the one right here. Justin, you’re my411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lyVYT9Uzg
best friend, though I know that, to you, I come in second place of Mary. My411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAgyctRBKc
friend, you chose well. If only there were more women like Mary out there. And411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWsKgJVglj
let me say, you deserve the finest. After Catharine broke your heart, I thought411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1ENDxIg0o
you’d never move on. I’m glad you proved me wrong. To Justin and Mary Daniels!411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbR7wzihex
May you two live long, and happy together!” He cheered before raising his mug411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3AJW2y3co
to his lips and taking a long swing, just as everyone else did.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGivmo0wD0
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF10w6uDPVM
Mary’s maid of honor, Leah411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz26esNnSwW
Cassidy, went next. “Mary, I have seen you struggle through everything in your411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZUM4W0InV
life, since the day your mother passed. All the things you went through with411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6cvmCXk5b
your father, they were tough. But, they also made you strong. And I couldn’t be411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjvt1v1W4Z
happier to see you as the strong woman you are now. I know that you will work411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcH1pzivyD
hard in your marriage. Justin loves you, I think everyone here can see that.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp0RDtTxou
What can I say? He has a great taste. To Justin and Mary Daniels! May you know411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tWtFUNnuF
bright and happy days, and always know how lucky you are!” Once again, everyone411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFViGosgS0
took a swig of their whisky.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlolmA2tLM
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNXZQjwywl
After the bride and groom411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyuArGcVBa
were toasted, the people went back to dancing, and before to long it was time411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEBf8xGTWB
for the first dance of the newly wedded. Against the wishes of his parents,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShFh96LXI7
Justin and Mary had decided they wanted a lively reception; so their first song411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuRSgP3plq
was The Old Zip Coon. It was a spry dance, one that kept people moving411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnQqiDuU6m
constantly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtETlWxlG7z
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsMCFAoj08
Hoots of fun-filled laughter411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5gBnFZ4fJ
filled the air, as the couple swung around with the biggest smiles. Soon, the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcaTWB311K
whole community joined in, and the room was full of women and men bounding411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaywUjEZeUo
around the spacious bar. Without a doubt, it would be a time for the small town411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Oks3D6iyR
of Berk to always remember. But, for Justin and Mary, the most memorable part411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlots4rWKFF
came that night.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8EtOGNGPw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aUD60avcd
That was seven years ago,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzxWlBxXTi
though. All but a faded memory, left in the past.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPyyyrqQqO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnVhdKSYpd
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxDnEHNRTf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOQimaQ1is
Present day411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk3cyonV6V
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgZq758vOE
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs657LQXxcI
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtXDtAGi2z
She was bleak, weary, and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNlJ2NoSS7
couldn’t find it in her heart to smile. She longed for it, yearned for it. all411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXpKdkxegE
she wanted was to look out at them, running around in the sunlit yard. They411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v1JEwVp10
were so graceful and beautiful, her two oldest daughters. They had finally411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilFPpwtFcs
cheered up, she just wished she could join in their happiness.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSTkTALn15
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUicb1AQFb9
Mary looked behind her, where411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn82H9rivsj
her youngest was sitting up on the floor with a big smile. So much like her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WmTzvhVma
father, she thought. Sallie was, indeed, the spitting image of her war-bound411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYngX0umof
father, all but those green s. She had his face, his nose, his hair and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPBRp70ui1
freckles, everything. The Violet eyes had passed over her though, instead being411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOqrT2GiwF
given to little Ethel.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUpihCW7Ma
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhcQNmXaBL
Turning completely to keep a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtprlQzGGSM
full eye on her daughter, and make sure she didn’t wander off, she leaned411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NSrXW5p5v
against her chair and sighed. Resting a hand on the swell of her belly, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUZBniFrTW
rubbed it gently, lovingly. For the hundredth time since Justin left for war, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku6yuTSRWK
felt her heart break again. She didn’t understand how it was possible to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbg0ewrymq
experience heartbreak so many times, in such a short amount of time; all she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu5A0Zcr8S
knew was that she hated it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Cs28j9Pz
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv9dGBujmz
Not even a month after Justin411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCPYrZVSC9
left, she discovered that she was once again with child. She was pregnant, with411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgl8zOuk5j
a baby Justin didn’t even know about; a baby she wouldn’t get to tell him about411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRFQzjWvZX
until he returned. Now, not only would Sallie be estranged from her father, but411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLHInnuZSU
another baby of theirs wouldn’t know him. He would be a total stranger, in the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaDj2sTIXV
eyes of his own two children.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0L06sqfLZ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b8MEyiBxX
She was currently seven411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxAHXFRgtu
months along, and her belly was already round and swollen. Women of the town411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MoL0feMBO
had talked, first thinking she’d had an affair. But when she vehemently told411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8YTOpkvSM
them that that was certainly not the case, that she would never do that to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfemGNXsiEU
Justin and their girls, the women began to take pity on her. She hated it, but411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fip8vKsMh
had to admit that their bugging petty was a step up from their thinking she was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoyezSrmLI
having an affair.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabSmN9VZgO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjhBF8YIUk
A hiss brushed past her lips,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwrY5HuGa0
as she felt a sharp jab to the side of her stomach. “Easy, little one.” She411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCAwuBHVoU
whispered, directing it toward the baby inside her. Lately, she hadn’t been411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jilfBThBe
feeling right. She was throwing up more, and the baby had been much more active411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQhDK3o5eg
than he/she had in the beginning stages of movement. Almost constantly, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOg2LVJs95
felt the baby turning completely around, which just wasn’t normal. It worried411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeefghpoaQI
her, yet she decided not to go to the town doctor.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKZ08tSieA
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEf0F6xCda
Just then, a whinny could be411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I4aoUn0Uw
heard from down the trail. Mary frowned, as no one ever came this far out of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwmpSFcxJJ
town. Maybe it was a passerby? Someone looking for direction? She didn’t know;411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LfVsATIWa
but taking extra precaution, she grabbed the rifle that had always been kept by411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GiJbmSkgX
the door, and readied it, in case it was a robber, or someone who would harm411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHmvHE5LJp
her or her girls.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJjIvvGsbI
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqxUAIxVgD
Waiting by the porch, rifle411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnGKnrGP8U
readied, she watched as the mounted horse glided toward them. “Girls, come up411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyvqrmUFwf
here, please!” She called to her daughters, and they obeyed without argument.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQc83v5P0T
Watching the horse and rider come closer, she could finally see what the person411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40IzzIQNSk
was wearing: blue army jacket, with a blue cap. Gold lined the jacket and cap,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIyXiLExGZ
and the clothes could be seen as clean. The horse was also well groomed, and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOhYqTyxN7
it’s saddle appeared to be fancy.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHpIwJJDHV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT1UDgU273
She didn’t dare to hope, but411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe84TWBvNvf
the closer the rider neared, the more she felt her heart begin to lift. “Justin?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8a5V0uYkQ
She choked. Closer and closer. Faster and faster, her heart beat. But it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9ZgfxVPyE
suddenly dropped, when the man came to a stop and unmounted. It fell, hitting411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVyzvvEjpc
the dirt ground hard and painfully.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6jWzpUWXX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebXNs51M1r
It wasn’t Justin.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXMOvU8Eck
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS4XwCjPZq
The man walked up briskly,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglAYpolOBW
taking off his cap as he came up the steps. His gaze drifted down to the two411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdCDEj41Fa
girls behind her, clinging to her dress. A tone of sympathy edged his eyes as411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeC1fmN2jw
he slowly lifted them back up to meet Mary’s. “Ma’am, I’m sergeant Michael,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOaWqWhZlY
are you Mary Daniels?” He asked softly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVNfDm4Xld
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ099grezY5X
She forced the lump down her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdczOYyr2L
throat and nodded. “That I am. Is-is my husband alright?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ1DaopCOH
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW0EhgWTd8
He ran a shaky hand through411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ521nl45jXF
his hair and closed his eyes briefly. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m…I’m sorry to inform411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIdcxJLYIP
you that yesterday, July 2, 1863, at 5 in the afternoon, your husband was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbY9iqVRGx
killed on the field of battle at Gettysburg. I’m so sorry for your loss.” One411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBbgopsp7d
last look at her and her daughters, then he turned and left.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeLnLHknj8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56NXmczwPk
Shock filled her at first.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23GTYdCxR8
Against her will, a sob ripped through her lips, and she slapped a hand over411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lodb4W4B5
her mouth to stifle her cry. Slowly dropping her eyes downward, she looked to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wp4RckWg7
her daughters. They looked scared, confused, and worried.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gn5T2OMNb
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42gf6RS37d
“Daddy coming home?” Ethel411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGqTBr3r3f
asked her softly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dAvkLmYXD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAhN6RyFmU
The tears raged down her face411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LjIT6jF7I
and she shut her eyes tight for a moment. As best as she could, she knelt down411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSLrObqAYS
and pulled the girls close to her. “No, Ethel.” She whispered. “Daddy’s not411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mLWIlPoWz
coming home. He’s…he’s with the angels, baby.” She choked, the lump in her throat411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pE7V4Ltio
growing by the second. Her daughters were too young for this. The pain of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnwEj4QZZA
losing a parent was difficult no matter what, but none of her children were411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL7kByHCit
even through their first decade of life. Her oldest was barely seven.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMX7bD8H2o
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPuGFuczdq
The small girl had tears in her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkyKfvCdYN
eyes, and her lip quivered. “Daddy left us forever?” She whimpered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkH9qXaKeo
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMElGgEaos
Mary hated to think of it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvWs6p8ZjO
that way, but what other way was there to explain to her daughters? Unable to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3JOdK2WLi
say anything, she nodded and pulled her daughters into the safety of her arms.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJytoVysil
“He loved you girls. So very much. You and your sister were everything to him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSwr8K0aYb
And if he were here, right now, he would tell you how much he loves you.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WsVLODIqk
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFrgizSJzO
Her heart ached so much411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PSmgiacCh
though. Sallie wasn’t even a year old, and the father she would never remember411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlqe7NvJ7U
was gone. The baby growing inside her would never even meet his/her father. He411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv2nxQ1IPF
hadn’t even known about her pregnancy. Now he would never know. He would never411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3nPGslgSR
know his youngest daughter. He would never know his unborn child. He would411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1B6OBCM1Y
never walk his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. He’d miss out on411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerzaC7mv2Y
his grandchildren being born and growing up. All of that, he would never have a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubAMGKaByJ
chance to do or see.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4JJFx0xOZ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIlXC82KKr
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE2g939qFF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzk7Oz3uYo
……411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pTyEUSdxT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZQPuz6cr2
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSkWXLSQLa
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOl6HbOMUV
For several days, the Daniels411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsWOqLIYZl
girls were all in a state of melancholy. Townspeople had stopped by a few411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLrLFMU6W3
times, both to give their condolences, and to offer Mary anything she needed:411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqoixmjRmw
help with the girls, food for the next few days, someone to talk to, anything.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmw516j6oD
The young widow refused though. She didn’t wish for charity, and she thought it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3S55CMyU5
best that she be the one to care for the girls, especially through such a time411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS4Nki3Rdn
as the news of their father’s death.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NH9Z2r5PZ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7jQpCvrwf
Ida and Ethel, while still411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW87XcvjNOG
not fully comprehending that their father was gone forever, seemed to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwaEanUo5g
understand that something really bad had happened to him. Mary hated seeing it411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67CqxD81bY
on her daughters; she’d gone through the same thing when she was not much older411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYRRsNDUsB
than Ida. She knew it wasn’t fair, on anybody.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GVoXpwMoh
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvMkAQ8BZK
It was barely a week after411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf41ECwKraN
receiving the news, when Mary felt a hard kick to her lower abdomen. At first,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gr3Kz7oBo
she didn’t take it to mean anything, just the baby putting up a fuss; but when411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI8cCcsDM3
the kicks increased in severity, she became slightly worried.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa0E7GkG0c
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqDflN07kY
Just as she was getting up to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKprE9U1Du
make something for the girls to eat, she felt something wet between her legs.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcwvMMS1ll
Shutting her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself what she already knew was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5yRe9mvgt
happening, she looked to the ground under her feet. There it was; that small411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5in861MEH
puddle that could only mean one thing: she was in labor.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsqpu8ZpNu
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTJciCwnm0
It’s to early, she said in411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkXtzyZ4jb
her mind. The same thing had happened with her baby boy a few years ago. She’d411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZeem7AYFP
gone into early labor, and he only lasted a few minutes after birth. The first411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBkpT61GGx
thing since her father’s death, and it broke her. Losing her child, the child411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjDsxqp51Y
she had carried for six months, the child she felt moving inside her, was the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwLgNtv4kL
hardest thing. She couldn’t go through it again, especially after the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIbi2gkMsw
heartbreak of losing her beloved husband.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1YuFXMMgM
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ao5jrASXN
Braving through her fear for411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXNFgthJHG
the moment, she looked to Ida, holding her stomach tightly. “Idie, I need to to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkeGbC8bzM
ride Bobbie into town and tell auntie Leah that your baby brother or sister is411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESJRPYnUO9
coming.” She said in a steady, but still fearful voice.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30pjZKoHvb
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe90mRFzEjR
The seven year old wasted no411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBSuSZPREq
time in jumping up from the floor, racing to pull on her coat, and running out411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAd7tMQZoc
the door. She was thankful to know that her father’s horse was already saddled411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGj4itDFoa
up and ready to go. Climbing up, she gripped the reins in shaking hands and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLI7PuyreT
gave them a snap.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBiK2mKRea
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf9yPRE51E
Only half an hour later, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AV9Y8HgaM
returned with Leah riding behind her. They slid off their horses, and Leah immediately411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k8zjNkroN
made a beeline for the house. “Mary!” She called in a panic.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSQdFQVOhm
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqmZzilZVn
“Back here, Lee!” Mary called411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRWmgwrkmI
back to her best friend. When Leah stood beside her, she took a deep breath and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW5o3kYtcl
leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I know you have to take care of the boys-“411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsszsPB9BG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oz243LhtM
“Mary, Ivan and Timothy are411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B4M1d0rm6
fine. Mark is watching them. What matters is that you’re in labor. Now, listen,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36PkbxaLda
since you’ve gone into early labor, you know what we have to do.” Leah stroked411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvH2ImbHYm
her friend’s hair sympathetically and dabbed her already sweaty forehead.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui9PQcNi18
“Let’s get you in bed, and I’ll do what I can to bring your little one into the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v4g9W0ByE
world.” She guided her over to the bed and helped her lay down.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefPUjBzC04
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrGBm3cYYJ
Hours passed by, and the only411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLbhqEMnay
thing that seemed to change was the pitch in Mary’s screams. They varied from411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokrkDyTjoC
loud, to quiet, to high pitched, and real low. The three girls, Ida, Ethel, and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGD61mU6lX
Sallie, all sat in the corner. They worried for their dear mother, as they411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEShPeGu0wV
didn’t understand what was going on, but they stayed silent and kept patient.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDVjo5ezt1
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXl3e22w0P
It was well into the night,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHALougcjXP
and there was still nothing to be gained from the long hours of labor that Mary411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb1J4K16Go
had endured. She’d been in labor for twelve hours already, and while Leah411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1P44kPw0u
wasn’t expecting her to have delivered by then, she was at least expecting her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFsW6MsOaX
to be dilating; Mary wasn’t even so much as dilating. There was no doubt in the411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQWZlE0JhT
fellow mother’s mind, this was going to be a long birthing process.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvYhbAxgFx
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMyzeFaVrc
And so it was. Two days of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcIb8wik4P
labor, and still nothing to show for it. Mark eventually had to bring his and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FeCmz1A04
Leah’s two sons out so that she could help them bathe, as he had no idea how to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fBFpXK0LR
do it. Throughout the whole two days though, Mary still showed no signs of411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolquuACfCm
actually giving birth.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe3PTwv5l4
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDU3nLPync
And then the third day came.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2ob3YXFbv
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwX6rd3mgO
It hit them all, like a411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ21Hy3j9cL
tornado. It came with piercing screams, and obvious signs that Mary had finally411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotuItCVzR9
started crowning. For when Leah looked under the blanket that was sprawled over411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q040tv1zR
Mary, she could clearly see a head full of black hair. And at that sight, she411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNtuZl4eYT
gave a joyous cry and told Mary that it was time. She shoved everyone else out411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAIIkbnW6y
in the meantime, asking Fabian to watch the children.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj5yDw8z65
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGxgpAvjIB
That night was long and hard.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgDntGavsJ
And in the end, silence filled the small Daniels’ residence. It was so quiet,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJzwP3vB3T
you could have heard a pin drop. But suddenly, tiny wails came from the room411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd5lde0veg
Mary was in. Newborn wails. Leah came in to the family room with a bright smile411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXzzivOLDC
upon her face. “The baby is good and healthy, though a bit small.” Taking411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OqVaLIPlw
Sallie from her husband, she looked to Ida and Ethel. “Your mother is waiting411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGYjHlzWxn
for you. Go on, I’ll be there in a minute.” She told them softly. She watched411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquCkyzCahu
them leave before turning back to Mark, who looked worried.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f3YyJuTcb
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmIi5EORFP
“So?” He said nervously.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx50IngXGY
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE218NvKXlz
Her smile, still, didn’t411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhGiodbsOk
fade. “Healthy baby girl.” Her gaze fell then, though, and she looked morose.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4UGUZSdFQ
“Mary…didn’t want to hold her at first. She-she looks like…like him.” She411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFV2PxddPk
whispered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiIRWRytPh
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr79vxDIw7
Mark sighed and shook his411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdQ8sH6gXE
head. “Those poor girls. And poor Mary, having to deal with four daughters, all411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTifxnGIs7
on her own. This shouldn’t be happening.” He hesitated briefly before stating,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6qhxSP6iZ
“What is she going to do?” A careful edge to his voice.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4q3y1F8mp
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Pb7u5I2k
She chewed on her lip. “I411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN21cT6sQTx
think she’s going to go to work. How else is she going to care for the girls?411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCsVUSTd4H
Still, you’re right; this shouldn’t be happening.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3Gc2uwPAq
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVqnYhiLWx
“What’s her name?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpqdmH5Etu
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbUSxzbmiM
Leah smiled again, having411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9om87TdM4
known the name Mary had picked. There was no doubt in her mind, it was a lovely411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qCFT5KaHP
name. “Margaret. Margaret Hope Daniels. Justin loved the name, and Mary thought411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdtkkI3r39
that it was perfectly suited.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyNufBhhW2
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr5VrM4hNX
Mark knew, all to well, how411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMx1zK65wK
his friend had loved the name. They had discussed the topic a few months before411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRfBRXBeNg
he left; he said that if he ever had another daughter, he wanted her name to be411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJLCtmI5t3
Margaret Hope Daniels.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw6cnjo02a
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFNNiyDvu8
He wrapped and arm around his411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOwNimtuWg
wife as they started for Mary’s room, Sallie in Leah’s free arm. When they411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pTi32EmGa
arrived at the entrance, Mark couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene. The411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqpgr9h6Dh
girls were on either side of Mary, on the bed, and were completely mesmerized411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJBzGXVRz1
by their new baby sister. Even from such a distance, Mark could definitely see411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoKvt9bSIS
how baby Margaret resembled her late father. Her tiny face was a mold of his,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eWueOFogU
and the small tufts of black hair were as dark and soft-looking as her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIyWIandXj
father’s. He could only imagine how much more she would grow to look like her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj35z9saRIo
father; it was a painful thought.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJkZ6OoOXG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkfs1C6nov
Mary’s head snapped up to her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5abRunOzID
friends, and she smiled wide. “Come and meet the new Daniels.” She beckoned to411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPejjinE2sp
them gently, yet eagerly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcdDioPp6S
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjG5ZvdFLP
They came in and stood beside411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCf7lmKnov
her, admiring the beautiful baby that was nestled within her arms. They smiled411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxySDgFuvj
at each other, and then back at her. “She’s beautiful, Mary.” Mark said softly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgyA37aXyf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY3j0UdYNF
The exhausted mother managed411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z4v6bbCVg
a laugh as she nodded. “She gets it from her father.” Looking back down at her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8WRirswWD
newborn, she brought the girl up slightly and kissed her small, pink forehead.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3JLToMn2u
“I love you, my sweet girl. Daddy would have loved you too. But remember, little411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKg1qCtaOX
one, he’s always with you.” Looking around at all of them, tears embraced her411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWxD3KP655
eyes and caressed her cheeks. She tried licking them away, but to no use. “He’s411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4SzDm99Ym
with all of us.” She whimpered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNylOLNmJ2
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP29nMfHDS
The Avery’s embraced her and411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl62cQcFSX2
the girls, and the Avery boys were quick to join in, always loving hugs. They411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9wvND43hA
knew this was not a typical hug, but they could feel the love than ran through,411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxypOyhiQqS
just as much as the heartache. The one thing they could all feel though, was411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ0X6CWCkf
how it uplifted them. They were stronger together. The past months had been411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke7kI9s2cQ
hard, but they were sure now that they could get through this hard time. Mary411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlZ8qXidRv
and her daughters would make it. They would all make it; together.
