AnneShirleyBlythe-

I am glad you enjoyed the Ken interlude, at first I wasn't going to add it in, but I loved it to much and made it work and expanded it abit. But yes a little girl, and her name as well. I'm not sure if anyone actually thought i was going to use that one, but it was the only name i had in my head for her., and you do get her nickname as well in this chapter! I hope the birth wasn't too horrid, it took abit of a time to get a good balance of what was happening, without all the gory details because who actually needs those? LOL. Either way, I am glad you are doing well and thank you for your contineous support on this story!

To: Lieutenant Kenneth Ford

ID 163322

10th Battalion

CEF,

France

May 28th 1916

Dearest

Meet your daughter, Persephone Beryl Ford, I do hope you approve of her name. Nothing else seemed right, and I kept coming back to it. I know you were joking about it, but it planted a seed in my head. I call her Seffie for short because even I know that Persephone is a mouthful.

I am making leaps and bounds every day, I won't be out of bed for a while yet, but I am stronger every passing day. Your parents come to visit every day and your mother is in love with Seffie and your father will hold her and tell her stories I am told when I am resting. She doesn't want to leave which is understandable.

I paid the photographer an express fee to develop what he thinks is the best portrait for us as soon as possible. So I can send it to you as soon as I can. Mother and I made the gown as we worked around the Red Cross and other things. She has pretty gowns but they are still a little big on her.

She has your nose though, truly everyone says so. Her hair is the most beautiful strawberry blonde. Golden like your mother and Persis, but it has almost this innermost reddish glow to it. Of all the colours we dreamed it might be, I did not expect it to be this. I was so certain she would have your dark hair, but it seemed like the gods had other plans for her!

Mother says her eyes will most likely change, they are a dark grey-blue at the moment. It will be interesting to see what they will be either way. Di is going to draw her for you with coloured pencils, so you can see her in colour, or possibly paint a portrait for you if she feels up to the task.

But truly, for one who was never as fascinated by babies as other girls, I cannot stop myself with her. I am utterly enamoured and obsessed with her, which of course I would assume is normal, I am her mother after all. It is just surprising to me how strongly one feels about their child. But then I think back…and remember how I felt…about the other one and feel slightly guilty for hating such an innocent thing. It's a bit confusing honestly, so I try not to think of it, circumstances change many things after all. Maybe in a way, I understand your masculine ways to protect our country…and King? I would do anything for her Ken, I would lay down and die if it meant she had even an ounce of survival.

Love Always, and come home to us safe.

Rilla and Persephone

The name confuses most who hear it at first. Beryl is suitable, and more often than not the ladies try to persuade her mother to suggest another name. Father had raised his eyebrows when she told him what to put on the birth certificate but ultimately said nothing. He had come across many different sorts of names over his years as the district doctor. Both have decided that this was their daughter and she was never one to be indecisive.

Meanwhile, her recovery is ongoing over the weeks, while she can finally walk by herself, it takes a week before she feels strong enough to wash her hair and detangle it.

She struggles with her body, the soft skin that Mother helps her wrap tightly in cotton strips to help give support without wearing a corset. The morning she wakes up to find that her milk has finally come in, she feels self-conscious even more about her body.

Her days are spent in the routine of waking up to crying, nursing, and check-ins with her Father and Mother, more nursing, more nappy changes and mid-morning naps as she recuperated from the ordeal that was childbirth. Her afternoons were spent letter writing, nursing, naps, endless snacking and glasses of water and cups of tea. Most of all she couldn't quite get over the fact that she was a mother. Little hands flexed against the flesh of her breast as her baby ate loudly. It wasn't pain-free, but she was used to it now at the very least.

Her sisters kept her company, but callers who weren't family seemed to understand that she was not up for visitors. Though in her second week of motherhood, as she basked in the daylight of the afternoon and her little bundle dressed in some frothy concoction that only a grandmother could make or buy for their grandchild. She hears the familiar giggle of a little boy, followed by his mother's footsteps.

She looks up at the knock on her door, she looks up to see Minnie in a spring dress and her golden hair pinned up in a simple but becoming style holding Little Jim's hand who was dressed in a white and blue sailor suit.

"Minnie!" she exclaims loudly enough that her child protests slightly. "What are you doing here?"

"Same thing you once did for me, keep me company and help you out," she says smiling brightly. "Can you say hello Jims?" she whispered and the little golden boy looked at her before waving and Nan came to the door.

"I'll keep him occupied while you visit?" Nan tells them both and takes his hand to lead him out of the room.

"I am not sure what sort of help I need, but the company would be lovely," Rilla tells her.

"Then that is all we will do," she tells the young mother. "It meant a lot that you kept coming back, even when I was on my feet again."

"It meant a lot that you didn't treat me like the others did," Rilla says quietly. "Though I feel like I will be cooped up for a while, making it to the washroom is a chore and a half by myself."

"It takes time, you gave everyone a scare, but you pulled through and that is all that matters. Now I haven't seen the little one since she was born and they can change a fair bit once they are cleaned up!"

Rilla laughs and transfers the infant to her. "I am assuming you heard her name through the gossip?"

"I might have, but I rather hear it from your lips," Minnie tells her honestly.

"Minnie, meet Persephone Beryl Ford," Rilla says with a contented smile. "I call her Seffie though."

"It suits her, and knowing your love of that tale. Understandable," Minnie nods her head. "Hello Seffie, you are a sweetheart."

"She is sweet, gets a little salty if it takes me too long to get nurse properly," Rilla admits with a laugh.

"They do tend to be like that when they are this tiny, " Minnie laughs knowingly and Rilla shifts in her spot, sitting up more and bringing her feet under her in the bed as the spring breeze of blossoms comes through the window. Her nose wrinkles and she prepares to sneeze trying to brace herself as she does and groans.

"Oh Hades…" She says after a moment unsure what to do or say. "That feels worse than a sneeze on your period."

"Do you need help?" Minnie asks without a beat and Rilla only shakes her head. She stands slowly, knowing she would get woozy if she stood up too fast. She takes her time and holds onto the edge of the bed gathering herself before slowly making her way down to the hall.

She comes back, slightly pale as she sits down on her bed and out of breath. Minnie reaches for the glasses of water and hands one to her, and a biscuit by the bed.

"Blood loss isn't easy to recuperate from," Minnie says knowingly. "But it will get easier in time, I can at least promise you that."

Rilla acknowledged with a quick nod before she nibbled on the biscuit and drank her water. "Father keeps trying to feed me liver, but I can't stomach it." She says making a face at the thought of it and Minnie nods knowingly.

"Have you told Ken the truth yet?" Minnie asks her next and Rilla only shakes her head.

"He doesn't need to know the details right now it will only distract him," Rilla tells her. "I'll tell him when he comes home."

"Rilla he should…" Minnie stops as the baby grizzles in her arms and Rilla reaches for her.

Rilla Ford,
Ingleside, Morgan Rd
Glen St Mary
PEI

May 23rd 1916

A Daughter…we have a daughter!

I have a daughter, I have no words at the moment as I read the telegram. Everyone is congratulating me still, news like this reminds everyone how precious life can be. Of course, we Canadians don't get enough leave to see home, as French and English do. It stings when men come back from seeing their loved ones and children, happy as clams. I mean we are happy for them of course, but there is jealousy sometimes.

Still a daughter!

Your father mentions hiccups, and Bleaker who was with me and tried to keep me calm about it. I do hope whatever transpired that you are recovering well. I have little to no concept of labour or childbirth so it is hard for me to grasp, but I know I never wanted to put you in danger.

Your father also mentioned reddish hair, which makes my heart sore. I love your hair and she inherited it. I cannot wait to see it. I await the name you have chosen for Poppet. This is what I have taken to calling her, Poppet in my head the past months. It's a common childhood nickname for kids in England.

I hope you are well though truly, I hope you know that you are the strongest, bravest person I know.

I love you for allowing me to be a father…for giving me another person to love and to promise to return to.

I love you

Kenneth.

When Rilla finally makes it downstairs it is the beginning of July. She was over being cooped up in her room and decided she was over it and she was surprised to hear her father agreed it was time, but she still had to take it easy. The stairs were harder than she remembered, as rests halfway down. Father is beside her, as Mother is holding Seffie at the foot of the stairs for her.

She nods to her father and uses his hands as leverage to stand back up and finish the stairs. Still out of breath, she settles into the wicker chair of the veranda. Taking a deep breath she sighs and takes her baby from her Mother and cuddles her close to her bosom. Peppering kisses onto the top of her head before fixing the little white cotton bonnet.

"Look who is finally back downstairs," Mrs Elliot says coming up the walkway. "We were beginning to worry that you were hiding this angel from us.

Rilla can't help but blush at the insinuations of the older woman's words. "No, no," Rilla says shaking her head.

"Rilla just needed some time to adjust that is all," Mother steps in. "Babies are big changes."

Rilla looks to her mouth and mouths thank you and transfers Seffie who protesting quietly to her shoulder contently patting her bottom.

"Well, I haven't seen a prettier baby in quite some time I will say that. Kenneth will be mighty proud of her I am sure. Though I am sure he'll be wanting a son next." Mrs. Cornelia says matter of factly.

Rilla can't help but choke on the air.

"Cornelia," Mother says rolling her eyes. "It's not like you and Marshall have ever found yourself a son yourself after taking Mary did you?"

"Yes, but young men are all the same," Mrs. Cornelia waves her off.

"Well, he isn't here," Rilla says quietly.

"No, he isn't, and even if he was, I would set him straight about any other babies popping into existence for at least two years," Father says from the door frame. "Three if I had my way."

"Funny, because you didn't even follow your own advice after Shirley dear," Mother teases Father with a sly glance, and his thumbs slip from his braces and hit his chest ears tinging red.

"Now I have heard all about the name, Persephone very neo-classical of you, but you cannot be calling her that mouthful all of the time?" Mrs. Cornelia asks her. "Persis? No that would be confusing for the Ford, and Percy is a male name, but it could work. Are you sure you don't wish to call her Beryl? Whatever will Kenneth think?"

"I call her Seffie, Mrs. Elliot," Rilla tells her with intent as her back straightens.

"Seffie?"

"Persephone—Sephone—Seffie," Rilla breaks it down for her. "It fits her perfectly, and Ken is the one who told me to call her Persephone, it was his idea when he wrote me about what we should call her." A slightly like but the older woman didn't need to know that! Seffie who was so used to the indoors was starting to realize that she wasn't in her usual place. She makes small noises, and Rilla adjusts hers, whispering lightly as she kisses the top of her head.

"Do you want to go see the garden?" She asks quietly, standing up slowly before she moves around her baby so she is being held properly but can see things around her.

"Rilla," Father calls out to warn her from doing too much.

"I'm just going show her the flowers at the steps," Rilla responds to her father, brushing him off. She hadn't bled in almost a week and she could do most things without getting lightheaded all the time now. She makes her way to the small front garden, pointing out flowers and greenery to the little one letting her parents and Mrs. Elliot talk amongst themselves.

"You know, Anne if I look at her, white dress, hair down around her like that. I see a glimpse of the carefree girl she was when she turned fifteen, before all the tragedy," she says voice getting softer at the end of her words. "The only thing that tells me otherwise, is the baby in her arms of course."

Rilla's cheeks go red, saying nothing as the gate squeaks open. Rilla turns to it seeing Shirley come in with his bike.

"You have mail," he says to her handing her the envelope. "Hello there Seffie," he says smiling at his niece, tickling her stomach lightly reaching for her.

"She just ate, so don't bounce her," Rilla warns him as she looks at her letter. smudges of earth on the envelope. She can always tell when he wrote these letters.

Rilla Ford,
Ingleside, Morgan Rd
Glen St Mary
PEI Canada

June 17th 1916

Dearest,

This letter will be back and forth because I received yours and my mother's at the same time and there are things that I must say.

First off….She is gorgeous, seriously Rilla. Her name fits her beautifully, I may have been jesting when I suggested it, but I am not angry at it by any means. Anyone who dislikes it will not matter to us.

Seffie, I am assuming sounds like the middle of her name Seph—it is a sweet little name for her that will work for her childhood, and adolescent years, further if she wishes it.

Thank you for adding Beryl in there as well for me. You are right, it does remind me of your first name this is never used. I put her portrait across from the one I carry of you in my empty cigarette carrier. Men do poke fun at me using it for photos, but it's generally waterproof and makes the most sense to keep them there. I can only imagine how small she is, I can imagine what it would be like to hold her.

I will make it home, I will hold her, she will know me Rilla. I promise you that.

Now, Mother wrote to me, wrote to me about everything. I understand why you didn't tell me Rilla, but you should have told me Rilla. Mother makes out to you almost dying, and being on bed rest for almost two months! Something about leeches as well!

Now… I am just sitting here trying to grasp what it said. How I did do this to you? I am at fault for this. I am surrounded by death every day and you were supposed to be away from that. You were supposed to be safe from that fate, yet….Yet I put you in such a position to face death? I should have had better resolve and more strength to say no to you. I should have shot it all down and never touched you as I did. Because now I am sitting here with my flask wondering if I damned you to Hades himself and how could I forgive myself if you die on me. I would rather die myself for you.

The baby can do without a father, but a mother. She needs you Rilla.

Why did you not tell me the truth? You know you can tell me anything. To think I have sent you close to (scribbled out word that looks like death…) I would have been worried yes, but I would have made sure it didn't hinder my duties. You have to trust me with such things love. You don't have to take or deal with things on your own.

So please, don't hide things from me, because we love eachother and you can trust me.

I can't wait for more photos of Seffie, and Bleaker says she is a perfect specimen and looks more like than myself as it should be as she is female!

I love you, and I am not angry, truly, I just don't want you to hide things from me.

Love Always

Your Kenneth