#gabriel baxter

[snapdragonsimming]

Nearly fifteen years of marriage hadn't yet dulled the spark between Reina and Gabriel Baxter.

[snapdragonsimming]

Reina's advancing condition, the many little ones under their care, and the rigors of farm life all conspired to keep her as well as Gabriel in what seemed a state of perpetual exhaustion. When they could, they folded themselves into a corner of the house's main room and napped while the Baxters, senior, attempted to ease their burden.

[snapdragonsimming]

Back at Baxter Farm, the dreaded day occurred: Reina went into labor. But luck was on her side, for she delivered a healthy son without much fanfare. Both Reina and Gabriel were thrilled. A boy! Their last and only son had been born nearly ten years ago, and in the intervening years they had had six daughters--six cherished daughters, of course, but none could carry on the Baxter name through love alone.

Gabriel wanted to name the baby after his younger brother, Luke, but Reina firmly denied him. She had not liked that man and would not stand for her own child to be named in his honor. So they compromised, and called the baby William for his grandfather.

[snapdragonsimming]

In the wake of yet another child's death, Reina and Gabriel sought comfort in each other, emotional...and otherwise.

It was no surprise when Reina found herself pregnant again by early spring. By then she was sick of being pregnant and dreaded starting the horrible process once more, but it was too late.

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A month before Emma's first birthday, Reina found herself pregnant again. It was far sooner than she or Gabriel had expected, but it wasn't an unwelcome surprise.

The month passed by in a hurry, and then it was Emma's birthday. She grew into a contented infant who looked somewhat like Gisela, though with a rather frailer constitution than both her older sisters. Reina and Gabriel watched anxiously as their daughter became sicklier and sicklier; then, one gray morning, they awoke to find her little body cold in the crib. It was a terrible shock, especially so soon after the death of poor Marcella. They buried Emma in the family plot behind the house and tried their best to focus on the new life that awaited them.

[snapdragonsimming]

The new year--and new decade--dawned cold and bright. A few months later, on a fine spring morning, Reina went into labor. Anxieties swirled as the day went on, for this hadn't been expected for at least two more months, perhaps even three. But when her and Gabriel's little girl was born, fat and healthy, it became clear the family had simply miscalculated. The baby may not have been the son they had hoped for, but there was always time. The new parents breathed a sigh of relief, and named their daughter Emma.

[snapdragonsimming]

Gabriel's grief notwithstanding, Reina was still able to persuade him into having a little fun one sunny afternoon.

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Gabriel's grief over his brother persisted as weeks turned into months and the sickness receded from their little island. Yet he could not afford to slow down. It was harvest-time, and he was in charge.

With a little help from his father, his wife, and his young nephew, he managed to collect all the year's crops. It was a bountiful harvest. At least he had that for which he could be thankful.