Mail Ordered Deception

Prolog March 15th, 1896 Jackson’s Point of View Tears stained his cheeks, as he turned to face the bed, trying to force his face into one that looked brave. Yet, there Lilly lay there, tucked underneath the multitude of blankets, but still somehow, she seemed cold, making that endeavor impossible. Jackson did not know what to say or do and did not even flinch at the sound of his newborn baby girl crying in the next room. The little one was not even a full day old yet and was already stronger than her mother was at this point. Jackson could not help but feel some anger at the thought of this. There was anger at God for allowing such a sad fate to come upon his wife, anger at the infant that was the final nail in her mother’s coffin, but most of all anger at himself for not being able to do more to save her. “I’ll tend to her,” a voice called from outside the door. Jackson was not paying enough attention to recognize who it was. Soon enough, the crying had stopped, and he leaned down to kneel next to the bed. Fresh tears began to pour down and his whole body heaved with sobs but even so, Jackson gave everything he had to be silent so as to not wake his wife. It was then that he felt her hand stroking his hair. Immediately the tears stopped, and he snapped his head up to look at her. “Jackson, please do not cry. This is not as terrible as you think,” Lilly whispered to him. Her voice shook with a weakness that could only come from extreme exhaustion. Jackson did not know what to say for a reply, so instead he simply took the hand she had in his hair and held it to his cheek. “I know we had such plans, my love. To make your ranch shine, to raise a family together, and to grow old side by side,” she paused then, taking a breath. “We will still do these things; you just will not be able to see me. Still, I will be there." Jackson looked into her eyes and saw she was somehow happy. He attempted to smile and was somewhat successful. “I would prefer to be able to see you. You do not have to go, you know. I can take care of you until you are well again." Even as he said the words, his heart did not believe it, and he could tell that she did not either. “You listen to me, Jackson. It is up to you to raise our little girl. She will need her father to be strong. I want her to know me through you." With that last statement, the anger rose again. Lilly saw the change in him, and she spoke up again, her voice somewhat stronger. “I am serious about this. What is happening to me is not her fault. I was the one who insisted on having a baby despite the doctor’s warnings. If anyone is to blame, it is myself and no one else. She is a part of me. Love her, Jackson. Love her, as deeply as you love me, and as deeply as I love you." Jackson’s anger subsided as he realized the truth and wisdom in her words. “I will love her, I promise." Lilly smiled up at him and he smiled back. After a moment, her eyes fluttered closed and the hand he was holding to his cheek suddenly had a weight to it. He knew then that his wife was gone. More tears threatened to spill but he forced them back. He had just promised that he would be strong. The crying from before began again closer than it had been, and he slowly turned his head to the door. There, in the doorway was Lauren, holding the baby in her arms. Jackson stood and walked slowly over to her, his knees shaking slightly. Once he reached them, he looked into the baby’s face. She looked so much like Lilly that it was uncanny. “Let me hold her, Lauren." The maid then held the baby out towards him, and he took her in his arms. The fit was perfect, and the baby almost immediately settled back down to sleep. Involuntarily he smiled at her, before realizing once again that she was the reason for Lilly’s death. His smile changed to a deep frown. This would be more difficult than he thought. “Here, you may take her back." Lauren immediately reached out and held her close. “Did the missus ever give a name,” Lauren asked, her eyes red as if on the verge of crying herself. Jackson nodded, forcing the lump in his throat down so he could speak again. “Yes, she did. Lauren, I would like to introduce to you Bethany Porter."