Elly May Duke

Lily only nodded. Soon her brothers and sisters were there and Enos started them on a little nightly singing.

Lily shrugged half nodding "If you say so mom."

Lily nodded "I don't have one doubt about that and that's why I'm worried. I'm worried he'll get in trouble protecting me."

While all this happend Jake said his goodbye to Lily and gave her a kiss on the porch before leaving. When Lily came in she sat down on the couch beside Daisy and sighed "I really do love him mama, but I'm worried about him. . .even the small fact that he gave me his mama's ring."

Daisy chuckled, giving him a kiss "Well I'll go give Jesse his bath and then " she turned to the other young ones "Y'all need to get yours. Then we'll have our nightly singing before y'all go to bed."

Daisy let a little chuckle slide as she patted Enos's knee "You always did say you loved the fact that she was strong like me."

Lily looked to Enos with a look that said she would try her utmost even if he was trying to tell her logically.

Daisy smiled "Don't worry honey, your father and I as well as your uncles aren't going to let anything happen to you." Lily nodded "I know mama, but I'm the one who's supposed to protect them." she insisted.

Lily nodded "I believe you it's just that after what happend I'm kinda worried about my brothers and sisters." she turned to Jake "And you sugar."

Lily shrugged "All right." However, that didn't completely make her better "Y'all ain't in danger are you?" she asked just making sure.

Lily nodded "A little dad/son kind of stuff?" she asked knowing how caring her dad would be to someone like Jake."

"What was that about?" she asked. Daisy smiled, having an idea what the two had talked about.

Enos winked "In most cases that's the idea son." he chuckled a little "Come on. Let's go on back in and talk to the girls." Jake nodded not having any oppositions and followed him into the house.

Enos nodded "Sorry if I made you feel nervous son, but I just. . .well you'll understand this someday too if you have a little girl, but" Enos smiled thinking about where he pulled the line from "don't worry I ain't gonna clean my gun for you."

Enos nodded "I know she loves me. I've known that since we were in High School if not before. You'll understand someday son."

Enos nodded "I hope this never happens to you son. I often feel like I'm letting Daisy down because I can't protect them the way I used to."

Enos nodded laying a hand on his shoulder "I believe that after today. I hate to say this, but I need you to really keep it on her since well. . ." he looked down at his leg that had limited him so he never had gotten back to normal.

Enos shook his head and Jake after a better look could tell he was trying not to cry "Not at all son. In fact you've done a wonderful thing in my eyes. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm thanking you. Lily has needed someone like you for so long."

The younger ones just stared not understanding what had just happend. Daisy, who was slightly trying to figure out what had happend looked upward hoping that Jesse heard her prayer. "Son, could I talk to you for a minute?" Enos asked. Jake looked slightly confused, but obeyed and followed him out the front door "What is it sir?" he asked. Enos rubbed the back of his neck "I really have no idea how to say this or even really what to say." he admitted.

Jake nodded "I know you will. . .you're the first and only girl I've ever seen who would."

(What I had for my birthday cake a while back. We went to the cheesecake factory and I had something called like snickers or something. Made my stomach a little off it was so rich.) Jake turned to Lily "It is a special night." he said in his most caring voice. Daisy and Enos looked to one another seriously wondering what on earth. Jake sighed and pulled something out of his pocket. Lily gasped when she saw what it was. "Lily," Jake said, his eyes becoming silghtly moist "This was my mama's." he said slipping a small ring with a purple stone, that although had a crack in the middle and was somewhat dirty, still beutiful, onto her finger. Lily looked as if she could've died. "Lily, I've never known nobody like you. I want you to have this even if we don't ever get married. I just. . ." he couldn't say anything else.

Lily blushed "Aww mom ya didn't have to do that" Daisy grinned "I had a hankering this would be a special night." (I love it myself)

She smiled when she realized it was hers and Jake's favorite.

However, by dessert they were all mellowed out to Daisy's cooking that that didn't bother them. Daisy, at that time went to the kitchen and came back with something.

The younger ones would grin at eachother once in a while at something to do with Lily and Jake.