Some time in 1970 when Lavina Duke (Jesse's wife and the Duke kids' aunt) is on her death bed.
Lavinia's POV:
I know they'll make it without me, they're all so strong. I'm proud of each and everyone of them.
Jesse loved me as Christ loves the church, just as the good book says he ought to have. Never did a more honest, upstanding man walk this earth.
He loves those kids, too. Just as if they were his very own. And speaking of my babies:
Luke always set such good examples for Bo and Daisy. He and Bo have gotten into some very troublesome situations, but don't all boys? He always tries his best and he respects me and Jesse as to his own parents. A hard worker indeed, and always so caring, worried over his family members as all Dukes are. I'm so thankful for his help in taking care of Bo with his asthma, we never could have done it without Luke. I'm so grateful for his maturity and problem solving skills, he'll make a good father some day for some very lucky children.
Oh, Daisy, my sweet little girl, she grew so fast. Sprouting up into a lovely young woman, although sometimes she acts a little tomboyish. She's so sweet and caring, always the one to pass out a free hug, or reassuring touch of some kind. She treats me like the mother I always wanted to be, and respects Jesse like the loving father that he is to the kids.
My baby, Bo has been through so much, yet he never seems to let the smile leave his face. He's looked up to Luke since he was a small child, but he seems to be becoming more independent as he matures. I've never seen a closer bond, even with brothers. They actually cut their hands with a real knife so they could be 'blood brothers' although it wasn't the safest idea, I think it brought them even closer together, if that's even possible. He accepted from a very young age that Jesse and I were his 'parents', and he never looked back. He calls us aunt and uncle, but he loves us like the parents that we are to him.
Knowing that this is the last time I will see them until they meet their end and join me, I want to get a good look at them. I'll never forget them and I know they'll never forget me. Jesse's rough beard and his kind face, the very face I fell in love with. Luke's strong leader look, his deep blue eyes and his wide smile. Daisy's sweet, ladylike features, her kind loving touch and her fluffy long hair. Bo's baby blue eyes and his thick yellow curls, his raw rubbed knuckles that always delivered the first punch. These are the dearest people in the world to me. I love them so much and I hope they don't take loosing me too hard.
Lord, please look after the four of them. Love them for me.
Jesse's POV:
There lay my dear Lavinia, for the last time. She's only 50 years old, it's not fair! I reckon she's put her fair share into this world, even more. The way she'd always smile, and her soft brown eyes. Her hugs and kisses, and her sweet embraces. I thought I'd prepared myself for this, but I just ain't ready to let her go. I don't know what else to say, there are no words.
Luke's POV:
Seriously? I don't even know what to say. No, actually, I do! This is the most unfair, ridiculous, tragic... I don't even know! She ain't even that old yet, a mere 50. I ain't ready to loose her, I can't. I can't lose her love and her leading, I can't lose my aunt. She was even more than that to me an' Daisy 'n Bo, she was our mother, 'cause we didn't have any of our own. She never could have no kids of her own with uncle Jesse, and she wanted kids, but taking on three all at once? She did a hell of a good job raising us with uncle Jesse. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was our mother. I don't know what I'll do without her, I've already lost enough family members, most of them before I even knew how to speak, or could remember them. She was always so perfect, she always had the words to say. I ain't ready to let her go, but I know You're ready to come get her. Let her have a gentle ride, huh?
Daisy's POV:
This isn't happening. It just can't happen, so it isn't happening! Tomorrow I'll wake up from the horrible nightmare of these past few months and my aunt won't even be sick at all. I reckon I can't fool myself anymore, she's gonna go soon, and I'd better cherish these last moments, rather than tell myself it's all just a dream. I wish she'd just get up and come home! I reckon she's gonna get up and come home to You, but I'm just too selfish to let her go. I need her! She's basically my mother! I can't lose my mother a second time, I've already lost my biological mother when I was only a year old. She's fought this so hard for so long! Why can't you let her win the battle that she's put so much energy into? That just ain't fair. Life ain't fair.
Bo's POV:
There ain't no way on this earth that we can go on without her! Haven't we lost enough family already? You took away my parents and my cousin's parents, all in one accident. You took uncle Jesse's siblings from him and left him with their children. And aunt Lavinia? You just put her right in between the whole mess: a grieving husband, two confused children and an infant to take care of, all in a matter of minutes. She did a heck of a job, though. If she was my real mother she couldn't have loved me more, and I couldn't have loved her more. I could have behaved myself a little better, but I couldn't have loved her more. I reckon my only regret is that I caused her so much trouble. Tell her I'm sorry when You see her. You also might wanna get ready to explain all this to me whenever I get there.
da end.
