September 4, 1923

With the new school year, Jason, now 5 ½ years old, joined John-Boy at Walton's Mountain School. Mary Ellen, 3 ½ years old, was lots of help to Olivia with the babies. Erin, 15 months, was taking baby steps. And 6-month old Ben was sitting up on his own.

October 31, 1923

John and Zeb bundled up the three oldest children and got ready to leave.

"Taking those children out tonight? Really John?! It's the devil's night!" Grandma exclaimed.

"Oh Ma, it's just a little harmless fun. We won't be gone long." John replied.

"Well hurry back. Olivia's putting Erin and Ben in bed. She doesn't need you out gallivanting the night away. You are a father of young children, remember that."

"Yes Ma. We'll back soon."

"I'll watch him Esther." Zeb said.

"Oh, now I'm real comforted." Esther replied sarcastically.

Zeb chuckled.

November 21, 1923

Everyone went to the Walton's Mountain School. It was the night of the Thanksgiving play. Thanksgiving was the following day. John-Boy was Samoset and Jason was a male pilgrim. Both did very well.

February 25, 1925

Olivia went to Dr. Vance with stomach pains.

"Is it what I think it is?" Olivia smiled.

"Actually, you have a mild touch of the flu Olivia. You're not pregnant this time."

Her smile dropped. "Oh."

"I'm sorry Olivia. But you're still only 25 years old, 26 in May. You and John still have plenty of time to have more children."

"The girls are wanting another sister so much." Olivia replied. "I was hoping that maybe this would be a baby. But thank you doctor."

"You're welcome Olivia. I'll talk to you later."

That night, she told John.

"Are we about to be parents of six?" John smiled.

"No, I'm actually a little sick. That's so sad." Olivia said.

"I was hoping it was a baby."

"Me too. Maybe God's giving us a break because he knows we'll have twins next." She smiled.

"Maybe so." John smiled.

September 8, 1925

Mary Ellen, now 5 years old, was joining her older brothers at school. She was very excited to embark on this new "grownup" experience.

November 26, 1925

All the festivities of Thanksgiving were over. The dishes had been cleaned. The food had been put in the icebox. Everyone sat in peace by the fireplace.

"Well, I think I'm gonna turn in." Zeb said. "Good Thanksgiving Eve, all."

"Pa, one thing real quick." John replied. "We wanted to wait until Thanksgiving to tell everyone. But about a week ago, we found out that Olivia and I are pregnant! He or she will be here in the middle of June."

Everyone celebrated.

"June's when my birthday is." Erin smiled.

"That's right Honey." John smiled. "You and your little brother or little sister will have birthdays real close together."

"I hope it's a sister." Erin smiled.

"Me too." Mary Ellen replied.

"Mama, what will the baby's name be if it's a girl?"

"Elizabeth Tyler Walton."

"Such a pretty name." Mary Ellen smiled..

"If the baby's a boy, his name will be James Robert Walton." Olivia added.

"I still hope it's Elizabeth." Erin smiled.

Everyone was eager to welcome the new Walton come early summertime. Olivia was 26, John was 31, Zeb was 60, and Esther was 48. As for John and Olivia's children, John-Boy was now 9, Jason was just three months shy of his 8th birthday, Mary Ellen was 5, Erin was 3, and Ben would be 3 in four months.

June 13, 1926

"Wake up Honey." John whispered to Mary Ellen.

"Daddy?" the young girl asked. "I hear rain. What time is it?"

"It's pouring rain outside. It's 5:30. Honey, John-Boy and Jason are downstairs. I need you to wake up. I'll wake up Erin and Ben. Your mama's gonna have the baby. I need to take her to Charlottesville. I'm gonna take you to Mrs. Brimmer's."

"Is Mama all right?"

"She'll be fine. The baby will be fine. Get dressed now, Sweetheart."

Mary Ellen did as her father told her.

In a few minutes, all the children were ready. He took them over to Mrs. Brimmer's.

"Thank you Flossie." John thanked the woman.

"Oh John, you need a jacket. You'll freeze in that morning rain."

"I have a jacket in the truck. But thank you anyway."

"Tell Olivia I will be thinking about her and praying for her."

"I sure will." John replied. "Thank you Flossie."

The truck roared back home. John ran into the house. Olivia was in severe pain.

"Oh! Oh Oh!: Olivia groaned. "AWWWW!" she screamed as Esther squeezed her hand.

"Don't push too hard, Honey. You don't want to have that baby in this living room. But you're doing great."

They soon got to Charlottesville. The hours went by slowly. Soon it was evening.

Olivia, who had been in labor since shortly after 5 that morning was still in labor at 6:30 p.m.

"I'm going to have to do a Cesarean." Dr. Vance told Esther.

"AWWW! OH! OH! OH!" Olivia wailed in pain.

"Big push, Olivia." Dr. Vance said, grabbing her hand. "Here we go."

Esther grabbed her other hand.

Olivia pushed with all her might. "AWWWW! OH!"

"We have to do it, Esther. She's in so much pain." The doctor told Olivia's mother-in-law.

"I agree. I'll go sit with the men."

Dr. Vance performed the surgery and at 8:00 p.m., John and Olivia had twins! Both were boys. The older was named James Robert Walton and the younger was named Joseph Zebulon Walton.

"Twins, John!" Olivia smiled. "I knew it."

In a few minutes, something was wrong. Joseph couldn't breathe. Dr. Vance tried to save him, but he couldn't.

"How is Joseph?" John asked when Dr. Vance came into the room.

"I'm sorry John and Olivia. We tried very hard to save him, but we couldn't. I'm so sorry."

Tears streamed down Olivia's cheeks. She looked up at John. He hugged her.

"Can we see James Robert?"

"You sure can." Dr. Vance replied.

John hugged Olivia and she began to sob.

"Oh John!" she sobbed.

"Olivia, I'm so sorry." John replied. A tear rolled down his right cheek as he held his wife.

A couple minutes later, the nurse brought in James Robert.

Olivia cradled her son. "I'm gonna take such good care of you James Robert." She whispered. "I'm so sorry we lost your brother." She began to sob.

John turned his face away. Tears streamed down his cheeks. It hurt him so much to see his wife hurting. He also had his own pain to deal with in losing a son that he would never know. However, he got enough strength to go tell his parents.

"I'm gonna go tell Pa and Ma." he told Olivia.

She nodded.

John and Olivia told Zeb and Esther.

"We're so sorry." They replied. "We love you both and will be here for you through it all."

June 21, 1926

It had been eight days since Joseph Zebulon's death. It was Sunday after church. John took the tiny casket to burry on the mountain. He brought Zeb, Esther, and Olivia with him.

Tears streamed down Olivia's cheeks as she watched her husband burry their son.

"I love you Olivia." John said, drying her tears.

"Thank you John." She sadly smiled. "He has a beautiful place to rest."

They hadn't told the children about Joseph because they didn't want them to be overwhelmed. But John, Olivia, Zeb, and Esther would always know the truth. All they could do now was enjoy their time with James Robert.