Sorry for the silence. This was incredibly hard for me to write. I couldnt find a valid excuse in this story for Walter and Bertha to have to write letters to each other; so, I wrote it out in the format of Walter's diary.

4 of April, 1883

Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia

It has been a long time since I last wrote in my diary. Life has kept me busy. For starters, two weeks ago my daughter was born; I still can't believe that she is mine. Bertha and I have decided to call her Anne, after Anne Bonny. I hope that little Anne will be just as much of a fighter as Anne Bonny was. If she's anything like her mother then I have no doubt about it.

She has no hair yet, although I expect it to be black like her mother's hair is. She has the same eyes as Bertha, but with a bit more green in them.

I was just thinking of one day teaching her at the school. Won't that be something?

Oh, speaking of school, I should probably write the latest news: Bertha has decided to stop teaching. Anne is quite a handful and I have a strong suspicion that as she gets older it will only get worse.

18 of April, 1883

Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia

Her hair is starting to come in, and it's red! Bertha and I are astounded and have been trying to figure out how she got her fiery hair. I recalled my grandfather being a redhead, and I also recall him having quite a temper to go along with it! Bertha says that she doesn't know if there's a redhead in her family. I suppose anything is possible. Won't we look odd walking down the street? A brown haired man with a black haired woman and a red haired baby!

I can hear Anne crying; nighttime is the hardest for us. Bertha's calling my name, so I guess I'll stop writing.

28 of April, 1883

Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia

When I got home from the school I saw Bertha, sitting on my porch, with the baby in the bassinet beside her. The sun was just starting to set through the apple orchard and it was making the stream glisten. It was a pretty scene, and I wish to never forget it.

17 of May, 1883

Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia

I know it has been a long time. The school has been busy. I have gotten behind with grading the end-of-school tests.

Anne continues to brighten up our day. Smiling has been her favourite pastime. If I tickle her toes then I can usually get a giggle from her as well.

Bertha just went to attend to a sick church member, so it will just be Anne and I for the rest of the night.

20 of May, 1883

Bertha woke up today and said that she had a sore throat. I've decided to take off today to watch her and take care of Anne. I expect she's tired from taking care of her. The baby is such a rough sleeper and the only thing that will calm her is Bertha's milk.

22 of May 1883

Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia

Bertha has still been feeling unwell. And this morning she woke up feeling hot and with a rash all over her body. I've had to take off work, and even though we do need the money, I won't leave her. I think I'm going to ask the doctor to look at her tomorrow. The Thomas's agreed to watch Anne. Mrs Thomas just had another baby in February, and she told me that she would be able to feed both babies. I will miss Anne very much, but I know that this is for the best.

23 May, 1883

Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia

No, it can't be. It can't be! The doctor told me that she has scarlet fever. He says that she might survive, but that I should be prepared if she-no, I won't say it. Oh, what am I going to do?

27 May, 1883

Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia

Bertha is rapidly getting worse and worse. I am up all hours tending to her.

29 May, 1883

Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia

Please, let this not be true! I'm begging! The doctor doesn't think that she will make it through the night. How will I raise Anne? H-how can I raise her without Bertha?

30 May, 1883

Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia

She's g-gone. Died in the wee smalls this morning. It doesn't seem to have hit me yet. How cruel is this world that it took away the love of my life, and a mother to a newborn? A world without Bertha seems impossible-and yet...the impossible has become reality for me...and for Anne.

Let me know if I should do a chapter of Bertha's side. Just a warning that here until the end this is going to be sad.