"Mommy! Daddy!"
Justin quickly pulled out of his very heated 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknEyBdmROf
kiss with Mary. Pulling the sheets up, he went to cover both of their 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBWEFS1JDa
naked bodies. After which, he laughed as he rolled off of Mary and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUqZ8hK61r
turned towards their door. "Come on in, girls!" He called.
Two 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrvCWUqwt0
small girls ran in with the biggest smiles reaching their face. One was a362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZuvT2eeew
red-haired girl with blue eyes, the other a brown-haired girl with 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAuVa3lIwm
violet eyes. The red-haired girl, Ida, was the oldest, at six years old,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKo5KPDWzv
and the blonde, Ethel, was three. In her arms, Ida carried a baby girl,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1vsQRfXdo
Sallie. Sallie was six months old and had black hair and green eyes.
Sitting362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiUJe1Yuss
up a little on the bed, not letting the sheets fall past his hips, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgPPuf6pmi
Justin held his arms out and helped Ethel into the bed. Then he helped 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM7lHtA6pY
Ida, and took Sallie into his arms. "Good morning, sweethearts." He 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHpC0m9FCz
greeted them as he gave a kiss to the top of each of their heads. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ5ofIyVdO
Wrapping an arm around Mary, he held all four of his girls close and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C8lbPEVKC
sighed in content.
"Are you going to take me riding today, daddy? 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY5lgMXk7e
You promised me, last night, that you would." Ida asked excitedly. She 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0WkmebfNG
was a beautiful girl, and had even been deemed a much beautiful baby, as362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79A1ZXAytY
an infant. They had no clue where she got her red hair and blue eyes; 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9jpJndRFm
it was one mystery that they figured made her that much more unique. And362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDvFUsEVjT
they loved her for her uniqueness.
He beamed over at his oldest 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oLSoiKuO8
and poked her nose playfully. "Well if I promised, don't you think I'd 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4V6P941j4
take you riding? Since when has your daddy ever made a promise he can't 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFME0rGDYda
keep?"
Mary chuckled and stroked Ida's hair with loving fingers. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ogzispUmb
"One of the many wonderful qualities about your father, Ida, is that he 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxAovYhqr9
has never made a promise that he cannot keep. He's a smart man, not a 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUeORY7hYy
dumb one." She told the girl.
Justin scoffed teasingly. "Wow, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRasVilfko
thank you for that backhanded compliment, love. Girls, I love your 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkjlPXZKgV
mother with all my heart, but she is very good with giving compliments 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnODEQHrb2P
in backhanded ways." He saw the look on his wife's face and gulped 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUcPEtvPuj
slightly. "I-I mean…uh…thank you very much, dear?" He suggested with a 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGeCWW2Z2f
crooked smile as though saying, please, just don't hurt me.
She 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPKrKPsot6
laughed outright and shook her head. "I wasn't going to punch you, Jus. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkYiW2g1zd
And even if I wanted to, I still wouldn't; not while you have the baby."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPm65og0hk
She reminded him.
He sighed in relief and pressed his lips to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8adX63h9MW
Sallie's head. "You saved your old man's hide, Sal." He said gratefully.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oJl6DrrCA
Then he looked back toward Ida, remembering their conversation before. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRmtmxmeW2
"We'll go out riding, after breakfast, Ida. Speaking of, whatcha say we 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgJi3CzbS0
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."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89CMKaAJ9s
He agreed. He was just about to get up, when he remembered the state he362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf1QRujx99
and Mary were in. He blushed lightly, glaring at his wife's sly smile. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dvHSQR7hU
"Ida, Ethel, why don't you two go get dressed while mommy and daddy get 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38FgBwDIFI
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.
After362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9fZFrXJfP
they were gone, Mary barked a laugh, while Juatin glared playfully at 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGNx93F7h5
her. "Oh shut up." He mumbled while leaning in and kissing her 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKYiJ0wBXE
collarbone softly.
But she swatted his head, making him pull back 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBmfIUrVEu
and give her a confused look. "I have to feed the baby, and you need to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVNbQZoKsS
start breakfast for our other two girls." She reminded him with a 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs4LG3qPOR
smiled. At his despondent face, she kissed him softly and ruffled his 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUW9ymUKWb
hair. "Later, lover boy."
He grinned slyly, stroking her arm with 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo1yVYRxYv
such softness. "I'll hold you to that, sweetheart." Then he rolled out 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDFVOr5u10
of bed, albeit reluctantly, and went to dress. After which, he left to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kiu0ARdPS
head for the kitchen to make breakfast.
As he stood at the old 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FkfmXbqOC
stove, his two oldest daughter came bounding in, their long hair still a362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqiKQQ1ROm
mess and in need of help. He laughed as he put the spoon with which he 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11krK3tRv6
was using to make porridge down and knelt in front of them. "You girls 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwSAiISUxZ
need me to do your hair?" He asked as he stroked each of their heads.
Justin362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97G7boLA8r
and Mary had gotten married when they were fourteen and nineteen. There362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFwQhSPoWT
was no doubt in Justin's parents' mind that their son was in love, and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9C9ayCKFc
that Mary was in love with him. Mary had fallen in love with him for 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5wosj7Ue1
more than just his looks though. She'd found out, early on, that he was 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzRP9Z86AP
able to cook and clean, unlike many of the suitors that had begged her 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusvHgkiw4V
for her hand since her father's death, when she was twelve. Justin was 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxtaCwu3xd
different though.
His ability to cook and clean made her one happy362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Y5ZInyJJ
woman, when they married. And a year later they had Ida. As she began 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJmfOg2VjM
to grow hair, and it grew longer, Mary was pleased to discover more of 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2utzpxz5Pv
her husband's hidden talents. He could do hair. He had offered to do 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4CgFoctXw
hers on numerous occasions, but she had always insisted on doing it 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7VMc8h6eC
herself. But as Ida grew, and she was left tired, Justin had stepped in 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdTqjY9PJm
to do whatever his daughter needed. He could dress her, change her 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RvXM8mitO
diapers, do her hair, everything. And now, he had two daughters to do 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaJNUvs5T9
that with; which they both loved when he did their hair.
Ida 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xrlvjc5KC
nodded and held out two leather bands for him. Turning them around, he 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmhMRMw8Jk
used the wooden hair brush to gently pry out the nasty knots in their 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTOwmJLhOE
beautiful hair. Then he but them into loose braids. After that, he 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy3zfHkE3l
grabbed some flowers that Mary always kept on the table, and put them 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVw6bOjumB
into random spots of the braids. "There we go. There's my beautiful 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49bYG8jUJB
girls." He said pridefully as he touched each of their cheeks and placed362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d7PYFVMfU
light kisses on their foreheads.
The girls each giggled and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTkIYWzJkJ
kissed his cheek. "Thanks, daddy." They said unanimously. Picking up the362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnEIKV1CTm
ends of their dresses, they raced to the table and climbed up on the 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIpE8rwem8
chairs that were still to big for them. Justin helped them up and then 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSthrmragX6
went back to making breakfast.
Mary came in, not long later, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzubR6GtiKm
Sallie in her arms, dressed in a thick dress to keep her from the bitter362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5pDYcfWtU
cold that threatened them during the winter months. Mary herself wore a362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYre0lxew31
simple, beat up, blue dress with an apron over top. Her hair was loose,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrjfchKI16
with only parts of the front being pulled back into a small braid.
That's362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuCQhvqL47
when Justin set breakfast in front of everyone. They'd had nothing but 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNkFHjmg3A
porridge for the past few weeks, but, unfortunately, that was all they 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FVnb9Smin
could afford at the moment. Justin had lost his job at the sawmill 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFWmr4rx8X
several months ago, because of the impact of the war that had just 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXdDFqRcIb
started not even half a year ago. The Civil War, as they called it. They362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBODmAWIlR
were at war with their own countrymen. It was sad to see it come to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHj0fWq3XJ
this, and see the effects it cause. Because of it, Justin had lost his 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL2DYJoMsf
job, and they had been reduced to nothing more than rations of food.
She362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnweus8PJRZ
looked over at Justin with a soft, hopefully encouraging smile. She 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YCyoRv3bu
knew that losing his job had struck him right in the gut. His pride was,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylieUo5Lcw
without a doubt, damaged. With great struggle, she had managed to get 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhoWJtlVZi
him to admit that he felt like a failure as a husband and a father, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvMplTbJBZ
because he lost his job. He felt unable to provide for his own family; 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1EJOaSqS5
to him, that was something worse than death. All he wanted was to give 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltLmbXr1Lj
his wife and young daughters a good home, good clothes, and good food. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBLiwejj3W
Now, he couldn't even do that. It took its toll on him, and she could 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR6st4P85B
see it in the way he had started to age from the stress of the last few 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9P8NinVmw
months.
They were doing all they could for the time being. She 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5JPdt3PX4
would eat little, but still a substantial amount so that she could 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptXBrRhJYe
provide milk for Sallie, and he would hardly eat anything. He had 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F0avxXf4r
started losing a significant amount of weight, which he and Mary could 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB34RwAB4n
only hope the girls hadn't noticed. She had also lost a great deal 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FQ6ZaiOz1
amount of weight, but still not quite as much as him. Even their 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56GobJHd3d
daughter, Ida and Ethel, had begun losing weight because of the food 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBnQQAtG3N
shortage.
He looked around at his family, as he always did at 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsevtSdHFfs
breakfast and dinner, and felt his heart break once more. His wife's 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUafYzHZwLi
face, while beautiful as he would always find her and know her to be, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3EQ0XFh6e
was shallow, and dark bags lined under her eyes. She looked so…empty. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbo4z6TRuU
His daughters looked weaker than they once were. They used to be so 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUvuXnKT3i
lively; and while they would still run around and play, they couldn't 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpidaKh3tA
last as long as they once did. One of his favorite things to do, had 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvfl6OH252
been to watch his little girls run and play. They were like fairies, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnlQW4c0cX
when they ran through the tall, summer grass. So beautiful. So 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADe4JlFLqR
enchanting. Now it seemed there was only a sliver of those girls left in362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqalUJE0Ba
the daughters he'd raised.
Then there was Sallie. She was smaller362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9yUmDy2U4
than most six month old babies. She'd been born at nine months, she 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5YOWzGJGH
just wasn't getting the necessary nourishing most babies needed. She was362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEtGQ1U9IO
healthy, but looked so torn down compared to most, healthier, six month362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbb26gLwTM
olds.
He hated seeing his family so broken up. As a man 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd9Jv5fg04
especially, it hit him right where it hurts. His girls were the most 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Blci1tOvJ
important treasures in his world, and taking care of them felt more like362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWnhkNVvcY
an honor than a duty. To have that honor suddenly taken, and to not be 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N9xfTFrbT
able to give his girls anything more than grits and moldy bread as 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyueyxXO7V
meals, was about the cruelest thing for him. Now they were suffering, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe9QRAJpgy
and there was nothing her, or anyone else, could do about it.
Mary,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWBwCOdLka
seeing the heartbreak that was all but written on his face, reached 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgQp8KeI3H
across the table to take his hand in her own smaller one. With her eyes,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w6hU1pfIO
she told him that it was alright. They were together. They had each 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNzYHnBRmu
other. That was all that mattered. And she was right; he knew that. but 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLdu1J2skK
deep in his heart, he couldn't help that feeling of letting them all 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfuiZs1WBQ
down, even though it hadn't been his fault that he was fired.
As 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk64UMX5sG
the family finished their breakfast in silence, Mary got up and cleared 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwFHPKbd8J
their pans. Meanwhile, Justin grabbed his hat and rifle and ruffled 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHhUJu7iFT
little Ida's red hair. "You ready to go, half pint?" He asked with a 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmX25IhkFL
broad, loving smile.
Ida jumped up excitedly and bounced on the 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiAXzRQNGC
balls of her feet. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She squealed. A laugh slipped past 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWRIyGiDcF
her lips when he placed another hat on her head as well. It was a bit 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD90cA7VpI
too big, and fell slightly over her forehead. But she smiled wider and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQAGA13b3H
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.
She362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C61bq2Nuk
pouted, crossing her arms. And he couldn't get over how much she looked362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrJPA2Lsoi
like Mary when she pouted. Other than those violet eyes, of course, she362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX4D0sdijM
was her mother's spitting image. "Why does Ida get to do everything?"
"She's362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliDuvoHU4U
older, Ethel. I know it ain't fair, hon, but I promise that we'll go 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF6ibr5DDz
riding together when you're a little bit older. Alright?" He didn't like362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTjnvfFiV4
disappointing either of his older daughters – Sallie of course being 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZJ9okSIYg
hard to displease because she was only six months old – but he also 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U1Hp278do
couldn't take major risks. He hadn't taken Ida out riding when she was 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5dz9dExzM
three, and he wouldn't do that with Ethel or Sallie either. And she 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wx6z8V7ou
might not have found it fair at the time, but he knew Ethel would 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DUGuFoEcO
understand one day.
She was still pouting, but nodded anyway. "Ok,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSf2O48ps6
daddy." Kissing his cheek, she wiggled out of his arms and went to play362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK79EikakU
in the small family room.
Mary came forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Be careful?" She whispered.
He362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr3dxtJTQj
smiled and nodded. "Of course, darlin'. And I'll bring our daughter 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWZ1ouitPU
back in one piece." He promised, making them both laugh. Then he leaned 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ715KDvAP7M
in and kissed her lips chastely. "I love you." He mumbled against her 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm5E17RvA0
lips. Then pulling away, he stooped down to scoop Ida up into his strong362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQzyzZJle1
arms. "You ready to go, baby?" He asked, nudging his nose against her 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxfZl84wPe
soft cheek.
She giggled and kissed his cheek. That was answer 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PMDzkXc4L
enough for her father, as he turned for the door. A last look back, and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u0zCp5Fd2
he left with Ida snug against him. Within minutes, he had his horse, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPkSsmJRu9
Bobbie, ready and saddled. Then he saddled Mary's horse, Mosey. Picking 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrIdS82tbB
Ida back up, under her arms, he lifted her up and set her in Mosey's 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1elEepfGT9
saddle.
Father and daughter spent hours riding the deserted plains362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jbyDWnKdS
of Braiden, which was part of the Dakota Territory. For miles, there 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEmk2usW5p
was nothing but sage brush and wild grass. The air was fresh, and clean.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgfCILY6vW
To Justin, that was the best thing about living in the Dakota 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkVyPlrO7I
Territory, rather than the big cities. And he couldn't be any happier to362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylfPHWejYb
be raising his own family in such a beautiful land.
As they rose 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jjMjGqyrp
through the plain, over the hills, and through the tufts of rolling 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaST4ezm66b
grass that danced with the wind, he watched his daughter with a proud 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOdY92yMV6
smile. While she looked like no one in their family, he couldn't help 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T86TkHxGK
but admire all of their qualities that fit into her. She was as close to362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEG2CE32zi
perfect as one could ever be. While she made mistakes, she was quick to362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y6CzGKpu5
try and make up and apologize for those mistakes. And she was quick to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqad0cusb2t
forgive too. She never once held a grudge, and for that, everyone was 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY2wjCPjjw
grateful. Being on her bad side was never fun.
She fit into this 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTOLOElBqs
life, better than most. This was the life she wanted. So many times, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPin2CwZytq
since she was old enough to speak, she had crawled up into his lap and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILDMOVudBR
told him that she loved the life of the prairie. It's like living in a 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwMpW0pYlS
fairy-tale, she would tell him. And she knew not only the magical parts 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xUMdxdEvZ
of the prairie, but also the dangers of it. She knew the harshness the 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09Ku3PiV7a
winters could bring. She knew to watch for mountain lions, and rattle 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj9mpwWQNf
snakes, and scorpions. She knew how to test whether a berry was safe to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQqSOxT9I8
eat, or deadly poisonous. She knew it all, and still, she loved it. She 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYlmVJHPcO
loved all te harsh realities that came with a beautiful land.
She 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWkh7b8T0q
wasn't like all the other girls, he well knew. While other girls loved 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr40SLIgFUi
dresses, or butterflies, she preferred to spend her time learning how to362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgLizLZIB1
survive the rough life of the prairie. Justin and Mary had agreed, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUmkSjTbZs
before they even had children, that any daughters they had needed to be 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbzMN1yho5
taught how to handle themselves. They couldn't always depend on a man. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ipk3Hb0ag
Mary already knew what that was like.
Her father had been a drunk 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNXP9LRbyW
her whole life. Her mother was meek, and never spoke for herself. Being 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pUjKE61Vv
raised mainly by her mother, Mary had been much the same, for years. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHNTeKY0Zq
When her mother died, when she was seven, nothing changed. She remained 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7qtGg0I5J
the quiet girl that never spoke up to her father. She could hardly take 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BNa0yQUdZ
care of herself, and knew little to nothing about the wilderness.
Her362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdpC6j5ncG
father had never cared, though. He turned a blind eye as to Mary's 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZksqVoFGz
well-being. The only times he would acknowledge her was to tell her to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAxv6Qq0dw
cook, or clean, or to mend his clothes. She was more of a slave to him, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JpXByNvmd
than a daughter. And when he finally drank himself to death, he left 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE76MyGeyCy
nothing behind for Mary to live a good life from. She didn't know how to362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqUl3i8TTt
work the small farm she lived on; her father didn't believe in women 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVdnZG0KpJ
working anywhere else but in the house.
Being thrown, so suddenly,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAETIsZCwmh
into the cruel world that she'd never had to think of before had a big 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUfM0DGaGU
impact on Mary. Being only twelve years of age, she was nothing more 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOn7E6GLsm
than a scared orphan that was terrified by the sudden new world. she had362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHE1Wwkwaj
to teach herself the ropes. No one was there to guide her. And when she362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsSQVpTpU1
met and married Justin, she vehemently told him that she didn't want 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALf8Yegx80
her own daughters to go through that, should anything happen to one, or 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHWIydR6gk
both of them.
He was quick to agree, telling her that he believed 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzCa51TxjM
women should know the rules of the wild. He didn't think it fair to see 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cKqoo9gWA
women suddenly left on their own, when their husband, father or brother 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2YURfzhI8
died, and having little to no clue on how to handle themselves. That was362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx72c5orwJp
no life, for any woman. And he couldn't, as a father and a husband, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2PJCRpvWw
live himself in knowing that if he didn't leave behind those rules with 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN3uTAsYcf
his women, something much worse could happen to them than if they did 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcP3xSWTkz
know. And as a man that loved his family more than anything, he'd be 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5dzlbWvh3
damned if he let anything happen to them because he didn't give them the362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjFga7taUC
tools necessary to survive.
He had just started teaching Ethel, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSr2UOe2qg
as well. While she was a bit confused by the lessons, she knew that when362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNmSltQpn1
her father was trying to teach her something important, it was for a 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg4Xk2U31M
good reason. She paid very close attention to him, as she often did with362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsugWOb0s7
a lot of things.
Now, watching Ida smiling with rosy cheeks, and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpqaB7oECs
her loose hair drift with the cool winter's breeze, he couldn't help but362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3jZe1iLjQ
imagine her as she grew. He visioned a beautiful young girl, riding 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB30Mhm8fA
merrily through the fields. A girl that didn't care what society had to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRxkHBmxpw
say about her unorthodox upbringing. A girl that didn't need to depend 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPgF1DanyI
on a man to take care of her. A strong, able-minded girl. It was nothing362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Awani2e48
short of amazing.
They returned at dusk, having had a most 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouVN5wLEEX
enjoyable time. He was just helping her off of Mosey, when he saw Mary 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIi9RMmXce
walking towards them, a despondent look on her beautiful face. Frowning,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0ghaiIXLf
he crouched in front of Ida and adjusted her hat slightly. "Why don't 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RYVIcj1Wp
you go on inside, Ida. Mommy and daddy will be in shortly." He told her.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUxWccSMef
She obediently did as she was told.
As Mary neared him, he was 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUaNTtUVqy
troubled to see tears in her red eyes. She'd been crying a while, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmZ21wRprL
already. but why, he wondered? She was the strongest person he knew, and362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7BnS0Du9O
she hardly ever cried. When she did cry, though, it was usually for 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qrLiyirkx
something serious. She cried when he lost his job. She cried when they 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr03qktK3z
lost their baby boy, William, two years ago. Those were the only times. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG29kqGua7Q
Two times, in their seven years of marriage, and he'd only seen her cry 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS9bnEzXYe
twice.
As soon as she was close enough, he wrapped her in a loving362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0poJeFhaeK
embrace. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong? What's wrong, baby?" He mumbled in 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8mdhZtjSI
her ear. "Mary?" He pulled away and held her cheeks in his gentle hands.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmGnOoMNjf
"What's the matter, dearest?" He rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKA4JtxmQV
push away the nasty tears that lined her cheekbones.
She didn't say anything, just handed him a crumpled piece of paper.
He362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSf6x6hMLq
furrowed his brows as he took the paper. Unfolding it, he read over the362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJHhTPpqVz
content carefully, and slowly. Neither he, nor Mary had been taught to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT9t3n78PQ
read or write, as children. They had to teach themselves after they were362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD20vlyqxJC
married. Though they were better at it, they still encountered trouble.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zAPFvqrLF
But understanding what was in the letter was no trouble for him. The 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ327B57Pu8Y
words were clear as day.
"I've been called to war. I leave first thing tomorrow."
She362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWEkVDgfVb
released a sob when he said it aloud. And once again, she fell into his362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKRMZzBNuX
arms. He was still in shock, but quickly began to cry along with her. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdvMFBhYYD
This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, he tried to tell362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MEnhTMAoW
himself. But the sound of his wife's cries clearly told him that it was362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW24mxb0VEy
happening. He was going to war. He was leaving his wife and three 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnnNi1uc2X
daughters behind. He cried into her shoulder, and held her tighter than 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc3KSMkox1
ever before, stroking her soft hair.
"What are we going to tell the girls?" She whispered into his chest.
He362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUvXfyKmZM
shook his head and kissed her neck. "We're going to tell them the 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkida9XFTQp
truth; that I've been called to join the war. There's no avoiding this, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwMWuub1nA
Mary. We can't lie to them." And she agreed.
Going inside, they 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUTG0F2Bw3
both called the girls from their room, and Justin beckoned them to sit 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSanSB8lWNP
on his lap. He and Mary shared similar glances as they struggled with 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwLx817HRs
just how to tell their daughters that daddy had to go away. They didn't 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeODnr76hk
sugar-coat it. They told them everything.
"Ida, Ethel…you two know362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tw5bo3MKI
that all I want is to protect you, and make sure you're safe, right? 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRudMKOGWiW
Because you, and Sallie, and mommy are the most important things to me."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P7hYZCPTH
Justin started. When they nodded, he pulled them even closer and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonuQuYfhl1
stroked their soft cheeks. "Well that's what I'm going to be doing right362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI2gKCmOmR
now. I…I've been asked to join the war. That means I'm going to have to362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvNGw6XE2G
go far away, and make sure no bad people can hurt you, your sister, and362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIOv9G3dqa
mommy."
Ethel shook her head, and her bottom lip quivered, as she362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo4Fc47zuN
threw her chubby arms around his neck. "No, daddy! No! No! No! I don't 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktF93zJZIT
want them to take you far away!" She cried desperately.
He blinked362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnope6ObWB0
away tear as he wrapped one arm around her to keep her close. "I don't 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9j2ndYx1G
want to leave either, honey; but I need to protect you. Ethel, if there 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJi8riZqN9
was another way, sweetheart, believe me I would take it, in a heart 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG8nh6J1II
beat. But this is the only way I can protect you, your sisters, and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcVCH9vBRQ
mommy." He hated doing this. He may as well have told her that there was362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6Rw7IlHbJ
a chance he wouldn't be coming back. Her innocence was already damaged.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9upGXzxM7D
She was to young for this. Ida was to young for this. Ida. "Ida…what 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qdUz3rjmn
are you thinking, darling?"
She was expressionless. It was like 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrpGgFHQZP
she didn't know what to say; and really, she didn't. what could she say?362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05OK7EyQy1
So instead of replying, she scooted up and buried herself in her 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD79vOByos7
father's chest. "I love you, daddy." She whispered.
He couldn't 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjsy6szOJX
hold back the tears that threatened him, not anymore. He let them go as 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh3DzUF2le
he bent to kiss her head softly. "I love you too, little one. Both of 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH4L0T2JAp
you." He spoke towards Ethel. After they got down and went to try and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXwoiKPMnr
distract themselves from the heartbreaking moment, Hiccup took little 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ917AfWekxt
Sallie. She couldn't know what was going on. All she would know was that362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeMNaLg4ye
she would be waking up, looking around for her daddy, and realize he's 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA6gwsI90A
not there. She would wonder why. And God forbid, if he were to be gone 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQj4GTcRil
several years, he would come back and she wouldn't even know who he was.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiolwh2lv5
His own daughter.
All to suddenly, the Daniels' world was 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yEmu1SWuY
crumbling before them. It was all being shaken, taken away from them 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGZgpNdAOy
within the snap of a finger. He didn't have a choice. It was either 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0L8ZH0E7C
leave and stand a chance of coming home, or stay and undergo trial, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcSsOS5XPU
guaranteeing that he would never see his family again. there was no 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgibQM767ef
choice; he was going.
That night, after all the girls were fed and362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YaVSOTBQd
tucked into bed, Justin shut the door of their room, and was 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BYCo6dgGV
immediately met by his wife's passionate lips. It took him no time to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbtvmsdFbl
respond to her kiss, and wrap his arms around her small frame. Their 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzxKTPvOHf
tears melted against their lips, as he pushed her against the wall, and 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkIwnA6JP3
slid his hands down to hold her hips.
It didn't take long to strip362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ALHbjowTN
each other of their clothes and for him to lay her on their bed. 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfofDCbFvs
Heartbreak filled what little space there was between their bodies. As 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL2MG0MnVs
he buried his hands in her disheveled hair, and kissed down her neck, he362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv23DeRE0eX
mumbled words of absolute love and adoration for her. He told her how 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUxMLY2rcA
much she meant to him, how he loved her, how beautiful she was.
When362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAfzacOQn3
he finally entered her, she held tight to his back, trying to keep back362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV30UruWarC
her sobs. But it was all for naught. She dug her fingers into his back,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqosYuX1y1I
and cried softly into the crook of his freckled shoulder.
He 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbTrlvF03K
shook his head and shut his eyes tight. "Don't cry. Please don't cry, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW7De7klst
darling." He said begged with a strangled voice. But he too couldn't 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1wtnDTyMK
hold back his sobs. And as he made love to her, they shared in more than362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhD0ZyCajMU
just passion, but also their fear and heartbreak.
Afterwards, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AxSJvjVrR
they laid silently in each other's arms. Nothing needed to be said, to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCZakvn3d0
know what the other was thinking. It all spilled out in the way they 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TvAQiWHxR
made love, and the way they held each other. Nothing could make this 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAtAp9GKDS
better. But for now, being with each other, was all they really needed.
The362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAo8Iuerq0
next morning, they woke the girls up at the crack of dawn. It was time.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xW3YwV56f
Mary packed him supplies, enough to last him through several weeks, and362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjkoAOdd1L
they all sat and ate one last meal together. After which, they all 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzTQKU8GlZ
bundled up and went out to see him off.
It didn't take him long to362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJvck5DMlU
prepare a saddle bag, and then to saddle Bobbie. Though he wanted to 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxr6YvIKDf
prolong the time for as long as he could, he knew that it would just 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxXKaunHJB
make it harder to leave. And he'd never seen a shame in crying, but he 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1KdEL4XzV
also didn't like crying in front of his daughters. But today, he 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW5iLhhiW3
couldn't help it. he was leaving them, potentially to never come back; 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8vbum5geH
how was he not to cry?
When all was ready, he turned to his small,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0GGd1vy4P
but beautiful family. His daughters were quieter than he'd ever seen 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABjn3gEYLq
them. His wife couldn't stop her flow of tear. His youngest daughter was362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVdTwY3QYS
looking at them all curiously, confused to what was going on.
Licking362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNhYB0Ac3x
his lips, he knelt down and held out a hand. Ida was quick to come 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpVoIA89Zl
forward and take it. "Ethel, come here, little one." He beckoned gently.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkZSF1LXYm
She finally came forward, and he pulled her, with Ida, into his 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FagDydhZt
embrace. "Now, you two listen; I'm going to be home real soon, ok? I 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PFnc35ikX
love you. I love you two, so much." He told them over again. Giving them362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZer9Mk7KTp
each one last kiss, he stood to take Sallie int his arms. "Oh, Sallie, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSptodgSLWw
please remember me, sweet girl. Remember, how much daddy loved you." He 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM4r0pLcaG
kissed her softly then handed her to Ida.
His heart melted when he362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0quXGWEhW
gazed at his wife, as it always did. But this time was different. He 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1peJfKP1r
could be saying goodbye to her, forever. He didn't want to lose her, and362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiD4MycP1k
he knew she didn't want to lose him either. It was an unimaginable 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDahkFI4eQ
thought, for both of them. It was hard to believe, seven years ago, they362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNtjYUXVn3
were fourteen and nineteen and just getting married. Six years ago, 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbdK3u59qy
they became the parents of a darling daughter. Now they were saying 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ggTNbisb2
goodbye for an unknown amount of time.
He took a sharp breath when362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLXvsqK4XO
she threw herself into his arms, and he rested his head in the crevice 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjecxOrYoat
of her neck and shoulder. "I love you, so damn much. Always remember 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSQ6qD1wql
that, Mary." He whispered against her flushed skin.
She nodded 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILrwz3kp5v
wordlessly. "I will. Just, remember that I'm always with you. The girls 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKzvReXev8
are always with you. We'll be right here, waiting. I promise."
He 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOoboe37bh
sobbed and placed a single kiss on her neck. "One last time. Just one 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7NovViEv5
last time. I want to make love to you. I want to ride out with Ida. I 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjFw6o7Kw7
want to walk in and watch Ethel playing. I want to see Sallie laugh. One362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr0ZtgpyVb
last time. I want to see my family happy together."
All too soon,362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuehMRMFimH
he was gone. Just like that. And Mary was left holding her crying 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6vdxRrbtI
daughters, as they watched their father ride off into the gloomy 362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC26B2yAia7
sunrise. It would never be the same again, they all knew. Everything, in362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzysrxMQCBg
that moment, had changed.
