March 27, 1919

John thoroughly enjoyed the following spring. He showed John-Boy how to plant a tree, how to fire up the saw blade, and how to clean the shed. He took pride in showing his firstborn how things were supposed to be done.

That night, John lay in bed talking to Olivia.

"I can't imagine how I ever left these boys. Along with you, these little boys are the most important people in my life. I just love spending time with them."

"They love you John. And the just adore the time they get to spend with you. Whenever you left, it was hard for me. Jason was young enough that he didn't fully understand, but it broke John-Boy's heart every time you left."

"I know. I wanted to cry every time I left him. I'm just glad those days are behind me now."

Olivia smiled. "I'm glad too John."

July 13, 1919

It was a hot Sunday in the middle of the summer of 1919. The whole family had just gotten back from church. Olivia and Esther had fixed the noon meal and set the stove on low heat so things would cook slowly while they were at church. Now that they had gotten back, they pulled the dishes out of the oven and set them on the table. Everyone sat down to eat.

After lunch, Esther and Olivia did the dishes while John and Zeb took John-Boy to the school playground, about two miles from their house.

While the women were doing the dishes, Jason began to get up and walk.

"Look Livy," Esther smiled.

Olivia turned around and smiled. "You're gonna be running after your brother before you know it, Jason Wade Walton. And one of these Sundays, your grandpa and your daddy will take you to the park as well."

Jason looked at his mother. The biggest smile spread across his face.

September 6, 1919

It was a hot day in September. Olivia had been feeling sick the last couple weeks and decided to go see Dr. Vance. John went with her.

"John, Olivia, congratulations. You will soon have a family of three. You're pregnant Olivia."

John kissed Olivia. "I knew it Honey!"

"Oh John, I love you. You've never been with me when I've received those exciting words before."

Dr. Vance smiled.

"When is she gonna be born, Doctor?" John asked.

"John, you know it could be a boy too." Olivia smiled.

"Yeah, it could. But since we have two boys, what are the odds of having a third one? My money's on a girl."

"He or she will be born in the Spring sometime, my guess is early or mid April."

"April, John." Olivia smiled. "Our anniversary is in April, so are Grandpa and Grandma's birthdays. And it's such a pretty time of the year. New life all around. Warmer, longer days. A spring baby!"

That night after supper, John and Olivia told the family.

"As you all know, Olivia hasn't been feeling very good the last couple weeks. We wanted to make sure she wasn't sick. She thought it may be influenza, but I told her that September is awfully early for that virus. Dr. Vance instead told us that she is pregnant and due next spring!"

Everyone hugged John and Olivia.

"What do you think, boys?" John asked. "You're gonna have a little brother or sister."

John-Boy and Jason smiled and hugged their parents.

October 31, 1919

It was Halloween. John and Zeb decided to take John-Boy trick-or-treating for his first time.

"Daddy, can I come?" Jason asked.

"Well Jason, maybe next year. It's awfully late."

"But John-Boy gets to go."

"He's a little older than you, Son. You can come next year."

"Why don't we take him John?" Zeb smiled at his son.

"All right Jason, you can come too. Hold onto your brother's hand and stay with me and Grandpa, okay?"

"I will Daddy." Jason smiled, holding onto John-Boy's hand.

"I wish you wouldn't take either of them." Olivia said. "You know how Grandma and I feel about this holiday."

"Oh Livy, what harm is there in taking a couple little boys to a handful of neighbor's houses to get candy?"

"Just keep it that way."

"We will Liv. See you in a couple hours."

"I'll be waiting." Olivia smiled.

Around 9:30, John and Zeb returned with the boys. The four men had a great time and John-Boy and Jason thought that it was great fun to stay up past their normal bedtime and walk outside in the dark with Grandpa and Daddy. And though it wasn't Grandma and Olivia's favorite way the men spend time with the boys, deep down they really were glad that they had a good time.

April 9, 1920

A very pregnant Olivia helped Esther bake a cake for Zeb's birthday the following day.

"What do you think, Livy? You think it's a boy or girl this time?" Esther asked.

"I'm holding my breath for a girl. This pregnancy has been very different from my first two. But we have names picked out either way. If it's a boy, he'll be Benjamin Charles. If it's a girl, once again she'll be Mary Ellen."

"You've never gotten to use that name." Esther remarked.

"I know. Even if we have to adopt, I'm gonna have my Mary Ellen. It's such a pretty name."

"I hope it's a girl." Esther smiled.

"Me too. John just knows it's a girl. But then again, he wasn't with me every day during either of the boys' pregnancies. "

April 16, 1920

At 7:20 a.m., Olivia went into labor.

"John, Zeb, this is it." Esther said. "Go get Dr. Vance. And take the boys with you."

They did as Esther commanded. Soon Dr. Vance was there.

Zeb and John took the boys to Ike's store and hung out there.

At 3:15 in the afternoon, Olivia gave birth to her and John's third child.

"I know you said you'd be happy if this baby's a boy. You said you already have two boys but you said you'd be happy even if this baby wound up being your third son."

"I did." Olivia said. "And I still feel that way." She smiled. "It's a boy, isn't it?"

"But this time things went differently." Dr. Vance said. Then he smiled. "Olivia, you have your girl. Congratulations!"

Esther smiled.

"A girl!" Olivia's eyes welled up. "Can I hold her?"

"Of course." Dr. Vance smiled.

"Mary Ellen Walton, you are the most beautiful person I've ever met." Olivia cradled her newborn daughter.

Dr. Vance smiled. "I'll go get John, Zeb, and the boys."

Olivia smiled. "Thank you."

Within 20 minutes, Zeb, John, John-Boy, and Jason were back home. They came into Zeb and Esther's bedroom.

John smiled. "Dr. Vance said you got your girl. I'm so happy Liv!"

"She's your girl too." Olivia smiled.

John grinned. "Is this Mary Ellen?"

Olivia nodded and smiled.

"I figured so. "John grinned. "I know Mary Ellen had been our girl name for the last two pregnancies. But we hadn't been able to use it yet."

"Well she finally got here. It took three pregnancies and nearly five years, but I finally got my girl!" she beamed. "I'm the most blessed woman in the world. I've got a wonderful husband, two amazing boys, and a beautiful baby girl."

John smiled. He then helped John-Boy and Jason look at Mary Ellen.

"This is your baby sister boys. This is Mary Ellen."

The boys smiled. John-Boy kissed her, and Jason did likewise.

"You boys are so sweet." Olivia smiled.

Zeb smiled. "She and I almost have the same birthday."

"That's true Grandpa." Olivia smiled. "She was born 6 days after Grandpa's birthday and 5 days before Grandma's."