"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj3XVbVrwp
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV2sXrwGi4
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiw4vRbdMS
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGPmAZXS4P
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN24clcdbr
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx7UzRlYyx
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv4YmHuyC7
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB15v37fZyp
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3a6Vcogi9
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk3LjWs8Go
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnZ3hiQpk8
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D4mlY7u4a
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumLBASucgB
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DTW5c3e2d
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ai2xfjcfa
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgX8cnwDBR
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen6HwgWGNA
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiX0TzHzXz
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2yvs8CgHV
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEVcVnj9vI
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fxHdjuPBK
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZpsuStx6L
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOOKpbPzxs
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRLulYsWMg
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnSA64GJwa
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqITmvBtgB1
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhPs2HONYZ
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6PetfHlNh
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcSNtDa7PS
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUz4S5pkT0
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6biCFlqV0c
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFcn36E8pr
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmiBwSrvSM
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vQ5T3vJDg
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAE76u4akE
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4fs2wTjI6
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVLvhT5TMO
get up and make something for these munchkins, dear?" He said to Mary.
She hummed. "I suppose we should. How bout you get it started, and I'll feed Sal?"
"Sure."373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FdQnQQtgd
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8v2ckKxWD
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGwCkingRe
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTGxD2Ylqz
ready?" He suggested to his daughters.
The girls ran out eagerly, their messy hair swooshing around them. Then they closed the bedroom door as they ran out.
After373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbEASqPeIi
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyQXCDy3Jd
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJVOflndNm
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjNDVOlFzH
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZvUGKKgt4
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5986P6UJki
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDWlc6eoOF
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtkBuq9Oao
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tHEC20sQm
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rhmibs4xk
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJBwHd7vgh
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9k3mU7Ws6
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r13xpnqVj
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fBGMqkifc
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54v5bVPSbG
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV1DPbT1EP
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYYQYwP7en
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC4bojHZzy
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn2KZabfzN
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtZhzrxVsq
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWTWvdwa1S
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNm6thQjOc
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ1pzlORAN
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjvQux0OFt
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw6zILNN1A
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG4BTbpLkB
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHFVJceeSe
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo8AARexAc
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FtoEeQMCo
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIeJtNuifl
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0UGPBmx46
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08lCYXojp7
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7h4ngK8iS
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEFx69aIZD
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaRTsAauPN
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQoLWpcIlJ
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ldqif2YfE
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W2bKeDgOu
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2Jyqx6fVm
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWXfC92EuI
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJBsI5qGBD
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bXaRTZKez
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsw9JDJRVC
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2EwxVktbs
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdma0dqPRhu
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r5eZ2bNAs
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPTVzAHfeE
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDx1VWSJLg
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Gy1FY5Be
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD3xr94u7x
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbtWyFBiZX
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxiNrcltz3
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLnAl7d8xU
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNg5J1tvGb
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaN8RSgQux
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAovLTpezkK
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKzfufabdO
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSu8vJ9bJW
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdAJrDco05
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1M6rD6j1r
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7csvsSTf6m
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7efuFL8LLW
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wdln6sn8v
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfBeA4ouml
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPT293ZRaL
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVZR9TaZkG
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxd7nm1h96
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEAAGzGDsW
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOJe88ry9E
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQr3sIcA2n
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedf0P0AMXq
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA0qrrZ5L5
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMglOIDSm7G
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5lFNS74Ro
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyaLFmGUzD
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AXdNMfjsg
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmMRzGhXei
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ329zK4fKpe
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOS4DaH3Gf
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcT9wvgajj
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFT1UkgfKj
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbc2v4tkVV
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQROcDmJJh
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M7tSBWFxx
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMDTumVlRY
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrL2meqy3r
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPXDOqdduP
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgMBDvBzFV
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWPVnINvXj
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooFrMi6hsy
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3CvXvwUKe
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq3QN3lPNE
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLmBPeDIZk
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXYtbvB8Rb
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDw2dWrQpT
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvh5hyQ0FW
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVCUgkeGWr
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHceANP6GG
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCFwsidlU4
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e9a9SweRX
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADHD4xAfhK
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigIML7SJLQ
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCZj5ggCvy
pushed it back up.
"I wanna go, papa!" Ethel said hopefully, lifting her arms toward her father.
He chuckled and picked her up. "When you're a little older, sweetheart." He told her and kissed her brown head.
She373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJHop6ktEY
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmck5rRkcb
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6Pk08szIn
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hCy0Jj5Rp
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQnpE298sP
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk56iqNEqU
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPuDKubnar
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLszlDMaF0
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWw15Symt0
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV9rWlOzXp
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1xj85oa7V
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYyNOXbn2y
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLzux6iOO0
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8stzVTpCT
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl5PcSorIY
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9m8qPjIdm
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxxBVgF8wE
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxoWpHELsu
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KgVhe89Km
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mC1hryUtV
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOejHwttShW
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwJO4tREJ5
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuCNfuFSau
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yF5NodfDs
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2YYy48mQ7
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5rO7yfa67
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqlOvUgHbl
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQTdlWXbGq
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPhgtszzkt
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3eEuyS51S
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskhrCTkUMF
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnoEF0sv3v
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIB8pCgNUT
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLfwrUmpph
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TIPtSZ0wu
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpASvI2a6u
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBzOwattLZ
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf3C7tQZyb
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUy7Kq9E5l
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bgWAgj1ZJ
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmFb6CXU67
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCcCNcpvZp
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ7iY0GHFq
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fElfkGEcH
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6nknj4jzu
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjSDdtncyn
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBxLuJbvEA
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfhyo3btIK
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t159zEEB3
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxQNjemuIU
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacUDkGorVy
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJzCOxDesG
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJDfD7JJLz
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCxqEgt0Ck
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfFtjMXrkL
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5vWVHa3gn
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uyMGTxB29
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFEFrsH9Em
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWGaqODvGf
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IOIh2UOzb
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAmCaoHz5v
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEstGISgsF
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklwSypIVUi
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgycDRdcIP
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkDgNBPZ6x
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM8NuVq1hH
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzHwkjvjSa
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOl8lc3PTz
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcyn2wbpBG
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucqAzmEP3P
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm9wDBNdhr
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tXncSDrEB
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjVk2msbBZ
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zc8XE5p4z
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoEi0cdkgY
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX4i5vAFqX
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8winBrPVi
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05fbrOYYam
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiMhwBNYkl
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0Wab6qEyQ
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjBucITFY2
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6uCSqSbrF
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVqnIsQdxu
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoRdHSg8E5
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IKu4nwtyq
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZYC5YE72n
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLZJyHu6Y6
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AdtFs7ice
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iFTd8a8NC
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEK5CBzM76
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA6loVGIwo
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWoX03MhtU
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRWy6qGf10
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCZhFEgqOv
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TGrp5eXiW
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaWB8jY6mi
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjKUcxbUGM
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iPHTwdmEC
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PLfoqEPT4
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zqQJanmej
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxgN7QADzX
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZeUs0ePJp
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv6gt28lhf
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq7hVp7kzt
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0bazosX69
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj3jvxEUbV
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEVlXy7aoF
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrOyTtFwKm
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeV6je0bgR
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgi9gdvRQY
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJmRbn3pVf
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCrh0UjtKM
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXD9VUIVn6
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOmZnHcj9o
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOthfO8Mxwh
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6EOvMhClp
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10fttFLKrr
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDanFYnawmB
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiCLXFDKaA
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi2dPhtUCg
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9tORyJynI
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskFWn5tafF
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4DLMcTwLU
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4nzQGm0Dj
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmIBqWbjHZ
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQesM9uNSy
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UUa7orHic
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWUDbR8VOP
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO5Y74BB8K
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv60gicurr
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6ABg2MrRZ
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf1c8xGPj9
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu4qCWNjPu
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3O2vOfS4J
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBTu6aEZqV
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCjgSPBEyD
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJT3Rmnj8z
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5CnRkoPOP
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiRYz9c0dr
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfDPGhvJiY
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr0xFc2feF
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq2AWYC092
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlxijXNiXq
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUSLPPdYD0
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xcgl52bWB
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZtZWEutLX
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PJrS0aT7v
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJcQgMBnt9
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjeaH3fX8d
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMgN3iLiOB
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSDVzRvQ6S
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1wQM7e4TH
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqqNRucMbr
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaMFCLvA61
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU9K7cFsNy
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPQCGpLOet
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL7itieRZE
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMVtX0j9BE
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ncXKdBLSE
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu36KfHR4r
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel4VCkZqwN
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5bnnloYGX
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeTXuEkdAv
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcxhORANxk
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhc1lGBeni
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2Ua9HVaDB
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAQKfXTvSJ
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BV5aTPlCr
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVwrVxOmzK
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZdH2pVhaZ
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt8JrUtT0D
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR6OlaAldu
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH4pDZW4YG
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSi2qxay4i
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF5JlX8ylj
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLibqx6Pep1
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dxf0BSGOl
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gQlvpOy2x
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFP762zi5x
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnf4FDiUOS
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOsNgyrQUZ
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoxD8GHxPo
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0fRIgHLGN
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS6QBI4AJ9
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs05L3Kd5A
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsTLRyoUV3
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1CjkxyBGu
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPULDhFXJcZ
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oaYO9L9xu
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl6mNsqWeS
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdtOdSpg3O
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH29EMVMVT
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyEDC4Mliy
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEYPRWLmwj
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfs93YuEJa
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tyq8ZYi2X
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamqfe6m6iO
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkk3pWRfs6
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzRx4TZmAn
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrNxXNTWdZ
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8k6yMmZew
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzb31yo5CQ
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFBMpyr6sJ
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtpnz8uEI2
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFkcZm4lQM
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68CBRcxjdy
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLI6BaP6Ph
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jg3YuhBaN
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3lLPvMwqy
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TegDIAabV
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWeU6azFFH
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAQ3ZvlYzf
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShatnJTCZX
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKJUMEJB1S
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFGGig7oWS
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTd4DX4gak
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAdLgE8w5c
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ATcWJGYbM
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKfis6gzT1
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkvTE4rXY5
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ok8g1DbhZ
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYRanuSCm9
that moment, had changed.
