The wind was picking up; Katrina didn't stop what Francesca needed to do. She needed this moment. But she wasn't wearing a coat. Moving her arms to still hold her as she picked her up and carried her to the short distance to the house like she would a toddler. She often wondered why God made her so tall and big-boned. As a child, she wanted to be like Julia. Now she knew so she could carry her older children like a baby they never got to be. As she walked into the house, she prayed her daughter had finally come home for good.
Epilogue
Christmas day, 1873
Colorado territory had its beauty of mountains and snow, but on Christmas Eve it seemed so much more special. Katrina looked out the kitchen window at the children building a snowman in the fresh snow that had fallen the night before. Never had she remembered it snowing on a Christmas eve before. Being Colorado, she was sure it would probably snow every Christmas. That was fine with her. She was learning to love the snow, even the bitter cold that came with it.
The entire family was going to Cole's house for Christmas eve supper. They got together often. First, they would put up the Christmas tree and decorate it. The girls had such fun making the decorations.
Julia walked in, taking off her coat and boots. "Wow, it's an iceberg out there."
Katrina smiled and poured hot coffee for Julia, who had not gotten used to the weather. She was always complaining about it. "Here, sit and thaw. I don't know how the children handle the cold so well."
Julia sat, taking a sip of the hot drink. "I know. The southern kids have gotten used to it." She winked at her. "I am the one who gave their snowman the hat."
Katrina chuckled, glancing out the window. The hat was a summer straw one. The snowman looked like a southern redneck. "The southern kids knew how to do it their way. Who would have thought this is the first Christmas in Colorado? So much has changed."
Julia agreed. "So much good and struggles have come from this year."
"So much has improved, even Fran and Sara are happier." Katrina was so glad for that. Oh, there were days when the moods were so hard, but they were getting through those struggles. Healing was coming slowly. Katrina sat across from her, took another sip of coffee.
Just then the front door opened and the children piled in, along with Andrew pulling in a tree they had cut together earlier.
Katrina helped Carlissa take off her many layers of clothing. Then she picked her up and put her on her hip as Andrew put the tree in the parlor. After Andrew moved it back and forth until it was perfect, the children got out the decorations, and with no order, put them on.
The Donovan children started talking of past Christmases as they worked. Then Melody asked Sara and Carlissa, "What was your favorite Christmas memory?"
Katrina almost flinched. The girls likely didn't have a good memory of any Christmas.
Carlissa just shrugged as she put the glass angel on the tree.
Sara mumbled, "This is my first Christmas."
Melody’s mouth dropped open.
Francesca shrugged. "This is my favorite." She added bitterly, "Past Christmases were drunken men and parties."
Katrina looked at her lovingly. "I am glad you are here this Christmas and hopefully every Christmas with us."
Francesca looked uncomfortable but smiled lightly, putting the wooden bear she had carved, with Andrew's help, on a branch.
At supper, Katrina looked around, seeing the joy, the laughter on their faces. She was so blessed. It again showed her how this came about. They were all here because two mixed-race couples took in seven no-account orphans and raised them into these wonderfully reasonable adults. Because of that, they now had spouses and many grandchildren. She knew Ellen, Missy, and Ben were looking down at them —Joyful over what they saw.
IZZY HAD NEVER FELT pain like this before. It was Christmas morning and her body was about to explode. So this is how it would end. She was going to die on Christmas. She was as big as a cow, and now her stomach felt like it would break in half. She was sure this wasn't what labor felt like. "Jesse!" Taking the bedsheets in her hands, she screamed.
You are my beloved daughter.
Jesse came right to her side. "I have the water ready, Angel. You are doing wonderful. You are so strong, love."
I have raised you to do great things.
Izzy didn't know how much more she could take. All she knew was she couldn't do this again. It was just too painful. Something had to be wrong. She would die, she knew it. Jesse kept at his praises. It was driving her crazy. "Shut up!" she said through grinding teeth.
You are my chosen child.
Jesse nodded. "Of course, love, whatever you need." He panicked. "What can I get you? Food? Coffee? Water?"
I am your Lord. King of Kings.
CLOSING HER EYES, SHE leaned back. Maybe a towel so she could put it in his mouth. He was the one who did this to her, anyway. "Nothing'." Suddenly she needed to push. Her body was breaking. She would surely die.
You are a child of the King. You can do everything with the Lord's strength.
Pushing, she grunted. She would not scream. She was not a child. She was a woman who could handle this like a cowgirl. It's not like having a child was a new thing. Women had been having babies since the beginning of time.
Jesus’ Beloved daughter, adopted into the family of God.
Another push. "Jesse, I need you to get that clean towel. You are going to have to catch the baby," she told him. Then another push came. Stronger this time.
You are my beloved daughter.
Jesse's eyes went wide. "Me? You want me to catch the baby."
Every life is a gift from God.
Izzy moaned. She had told him this before. The labor must have wiped his mind clear. "Yes!" Another push came. The baby was getting closer or she was going to burst.
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
She could do this. Jesse moved to get the towel. Then he got near her legs. He looked like he was scared out of his wits. She almost laughed at the look on his face, but another pain came and she pushed.
God is the strength of my heart.
"I see the head! I see the baby's head!" Jesse nearly shouted.
The gift of God.
Izzy gritted her teeth. This was it. This was time. She had to do this. Pushing, she couldn't breathe. She was sure this child would never come. The pain was like she had never felt, but her heart filled. This was her child she was fighting for. This was the child God had given her, even though she didn't deserve it. Love filled her like she never felt before. It was all-consuming love, as if God was showing this was how much He loved her. God loved her as much as she loved this child. God was giving her this child as a gift. Showing her how worthy she was. How precious she was in His eyes. How He treasured her for just being her. She didn't have to change to be His daughter. She could just be herself. She gave one last push. This is what it felt like to be truly consumed, loved, and it felt wonderful despite the pain she was in.
The LORD is merciful. We love him because He first loved us.
Jesse had never had so much fear and joy. Izzy was in such pain he wanted to take it from her. He wanted to help her. He saw the baby's dark hair, feeling so much love for this child. Feeling a bit of fear. What if he wasn't a good father? Owen hadn't been.
When your mother and father forsake you, I will be there. I am your Father.
God was trying to get his attention. He had been trying for some time. Jesse hadn't been listening very well. God wanted him to give up all his bitterness. Give all his pain to God. Give Him all your fears and anger. Replace fear with faith.
You are my beloved son.
Then he saw the baby's face, and it was pink and wrinkly. Oh, how he already loved this child. God had given him such a wonderful gift. A beloved, beautiful bride and now a child. How much God must have loved him.
Children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Tears ran down his ch
eeks as the baby came. Tears of joy and of release. It is like God came into his heart and took out all the bitterness. Cleaned his heart for only love to come in. Then the baby fell into his hands.
Every life is precious.
"Izzy! Angel! It's a girl," Jesse said over the blinding tears that came. "We have a baby girl." The baby let out a soft cry, upset for being woken up. Jesse gently wrapped her.
Izzy held out her arms, waiting for the child to come to her. "Give me my baby."
Jesse gently handed Izzy the baby girl who now cried louder, like she wanted to go back to sleep.
Izzy held her baby girl. Her arms shook, but she lay her crying, wet, wiggling baby on her chest. Oh, she felt so good to hold.
Jesse leaned close to look the baby over, who now lay quietly against her mother's chest. "Look how beautiful she is." His gaze met Izzy's. "Thank you for giving me such a wonderful daughter. I am so proud of you."
Izzy melted. "Ellen is so proud of you. She would love her namesake."
Jesse nodded. "Ellie May, did you hear that, you have a wonderful Grandma, who watches over you."
Izzy kissed her head. "Yes, Ellie May, you will now have love from your family and God." Jesse kissed her. Like his touch did every time, it brought such joy and peace. God had truly loved her to give her so much.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
So many people have helped me along this journey I can’t mention all of them. But you know who you are and you are greatly appreciated.
First to my heavenly Father for putting this story in my heart. I would never be able to push forward if it hadn’t felt like I had to. To get this story out in the world. God, you have given me a passion for children and women in need. I pray I did this story justice.
To Angie for helping me perfect the scenes. One of my favorite parts in the story where Izzy and Francesca talk, you helped me get that scene perfect with your input. Thanks for always being there. And I hope we get to meet one day in person on this side of heaven. ;)
To my family that always supports me in this journey. Y’all are the best.
Rose Hale for all of your support. You are an awesome, encouraging reader.
MANY PEOPLE HAVE ASKED why I have written this book, especially about this touchy subject. I wrote it so people could see their Value in God. To see everything comes down to the value of human life.
What made me do a story? Well, it started when I started to research adoptions and foster care placements that didn’t end well. I wanted to know why and it started me to find out Rad, (Radiative Attachment disorder). And that changed my life. So I started to research. I knew Rad couldn’t just be a modern-day thing. Actually writing this book, I did many years of research. Many more years than actually writing the book. Haha. I wanted it perfect and very to the times of the 1800s. I read books from orphanages, prostitutes, and asylums. I wanted to deeper to find the facts no one knows about. And guess what I found Rad in many people from Ann Sullivan to children on the frontier, in orphanages, and yes, many in asylums. You might wonder why I mention Ann Sullivan. She was raised in an asylum and then school with no attachments. Her first attachment was Helen Keller and she never let anyone close to her. While we often remember the survivor, we forget about the people that got them there.
When Andrew asks Dorthea Dix, How she can be kind to the master of the asylum? Her Answer was word for word. She was always kind to the guards, owners, matrons, etc of the asylum. She knew many were evil and unkind to the touched people but she knew she couldn’t change them or fire them. So she would go about it with the law. She was one of the first women to go before the House and Senate. She was truly a woman who made such a difference in her time.
So I took what I learned and wrote this story. What I hope you come out of is knowing your value in God. Whether you are like Katrina, Izzy, Francesca, or even like Maryanne. There is always healing in Christ. He always forgives. Always look for the value of human life. It is all around us.
Until next you can find me on FB, insta, and other platforms. I love to talk, especially to my readers.
LIBERTY MOUNTAIN
Is coming out in the Summer of 2022.
Liberty Ranch Page 36