When they came out what Annessa saw was a big dog. Not big...no no no. He was humongous. But she loved dogs. He felt that this girl was a bit different than before. There was one time he wanted to get closer to the girl and she started screaming and running away. But today she saw him with a happy smile, so he walked cautiously towards her and sat down.

She slowly approached and patted and stroked his head. He looked at her and with one movement slobbered her whole face. Then he sat still and waited for her screams. But nothing happened, actually, she started laughing. He father first feared her reaction but when he saw that the child laughed unrestrained, he sighed in relief.

At that moment a young woman approached them holing with one hand small basket whit what it seems food and with another hand her back. It seems she was already in the late period of pregnancy. She looked at Annessa with warm eyes and then looked at her husband angrily.

''As I said before you will sleep in a shed whole next week. Big ol' man hitting child into unconsciousness, I don't need such a man in my house. Do you know your wrong?''she yelled at him angrily, but on his face was just foolish smile as he nodded.''Yes, my dear. I will do what you say, just don't get angry. You see she is fine now and we will go together to teh fields. She wants to help me.''

''Fields? Are you crazy? She had a fever for so long and just woke up. To go to the fields? Do you want me to extend the punishment on one month in the shed?''she yelled at him while she pointed her finger at his nose. He closed his mouth and hung his head. He really is wrong, Annessa is indeed a small child. After such ordeal to go and help in fields is really wrong.

Annessa saw them bickering and felt warm in her heart. ''It was my idea, not fathers. I was wrong and I need to learn to control myself. I am sorry about what I did before and how  I acted. I was jealous of you two being in love and then a new child. I was scared that you all will give up on me and not love me anymore. Just let me join father from time to time. I am sorry I can't call you a mother, at least not now. I will try to change, I promise.''

They went silent for a moment and they came to Annessa and hugged her. Her father stroked her head.''I am really sorry I beat you up. I know I shouldn't have done it, There is no excuse for what I did. Let's start anew if it's possible.''In his eyes, Annessa saw that he was truly ashamed and that he felt guilty. 

She sighed.''Father, I know. Let's start anew.''She turned to her father's new wife.''I never asked you what your name is. I am sorry. ''

''Tayla,''she said while looking at her with a cheerful smile. It seems this woman is a very happy person. She smiles all the time. Annessa nodded.''Is it possible to call you aunt Tayla?'' Tyla nodded. Its better than ''that woman'' that Annessa gave her before that.

''Aunt Tayla I will do my best to live comfortably with everyone. And I will love the brother or sister in your belly.''She looked at the belly.''May I talk to it?''

Tayla nodded. Annessa came near teh belly and stroked it.''Little person inside...I hope you can hear me. Soon you will come to this world and I will be here. Waiting for your together with your mom and our dad.''

Even if she didn't expect much from Annessa the words ''your mother'' made he feel sad. She was determined to change that sentence. She will be the best mother. Definitely. Annessa looked at determined look at Taylas face and didn't know why?

Her father took Annessa in one of his hands and the other one had the small food basket. Tayla was worried that there won't be enough.''Should I pack more things? Wait I will pack more bread and meat and...''he looked at her with a smile.

''My dear did you forget where we are going. How many fruits are there? Don't worry I won't let Annessa get hungry.''He saw her worried face.''Don't worry we won't work all the time. There is that small stream we can go and catch some fishes and we have now basket so Annessa can gather some wild fruits so you can bake a cake tomorrow. What you think of that?''

Tayla's face shone with a happy smile all of sudden.''Good. You two have your time today. Do not overwork and eat something. And Annessa, gather the fruits you want me to make the cake. Ok?''Annessa smiled at her and tehy went ways under the Tayla's happy gaze.

When they were far enough Tayla went back inside the house and stroke her big belly.''My child. Finally, you are accepted by your big sister. I will try my best to make her happy. Hmmmm.After they come back tehy will be hungry. What should I cook?''She spoke while looking in the pantry at things they had.

When Annessa saw the surroundings she got stunned for a while. The trees were high and the ground was dark brown. Everywhere were sounds of insects buzzing and birds chirping. She even saw a rabbit hidden in the bushes. Her father when everywhere, where her eyes went as she gasped. It was as much fun for him as for her.

They passed the forest and teh stream before tehy arrived at the vegetable field that he needed to work on. There were rows of all kind of vegetables and Annessa saw it with shiny eyes. She went closer to tomato and saw a few of them already red. She looked at him.''Father, can I eat one?''

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He nodded. ''You can. If you want you can wash it in the stream, but there is actually no need. There was rain a few days ago. The tomatoes can be eaten straight from the plant. Wait, Tayla will kill me if I let you eat it without washing it. Sigh. Let's pick up a few and let me wash them. When I was a child I ate them without washing and they tasted best then. But you were sick, so it is better if we wash it.''He picked up the few red ones and washed them and gave them to Annessa to eat.

She bit into the red tomato fruit and felt all kind of emotions well up in her. Nom Nom. So tasty!!! No additives, no pesticides no plastic. Pure tomato taste and the smell filled her mouth while she enjoyed every bite of it. 

 Her father saw her eating with relish the tomatoes and continued to work on the field. Annessa saw him digging out the weeds between the plants. She wanted to help but he stopped her.''You know actually, I did wanted to make you help me as punishment. But after seeing you being reasonable I will let you play. Go to the bushes there and get some fruits. Later we can catch some rabbits or fishes. I will be done soon. I worked last night till late as I was angry and now there is left only this part of the field to finish. 

When she stood up and saw really that whole place is already finished and only a few lines needed care. She smiled at him and took a small basket to gather the fruits. When she got near bushes she saw blackberries, but when she turned around and looked at the nearby tree she saw same wild apples. She wanted to get closer and when she looked down she saw the whole floor covered with wild strawberries. She bucked down and tasted teh red fruits. Even if it was tiny, the taste was so pure and amazing.

''Father look, so many strawberries!''she called. He knew she would find them so he nodded.''Gather first as many blackberries as you can. They are good for Tayla and the baby. On top put strawberries or they will get squshed. I can feel the rain coming so tomorrow we will be at home. After the rain, we can go and gather some mushrooms. What do you think?''

Annessa got happy. In her past life, she always wanted to live in nature but had no option to do it. She cheerfully started to gather the biggest and the best-looking fruits. When the basket was 3/4 full she gathered teh strawberries. Her father was done with field work as soon she was done as well. He left the hoe in the small woodshed and took her in his arms. They went to the nearby stream to catch a few fishes.

He taught her how to male fish traps from dry grass and twigs. Annessa was so happy and into it that while she tried making it her hands got hurt. But with her stubborn nature, so she didn't give up. On end, she successfully made the fish trap as well. He looked at her with affection. 

The stream was just a small one and had few holes that some fishes could hide. So they left the traps inside and they went into the forest as he wanted to catch some smaller animal.

''Father, how old am I?''she asked him with a cute expression. That is one of the questions she needs to know.

''Did I hit you too hard? You are already six this year,''he said while looking at her in worry.

''Father actually...''she made a little break before continuing'' don't remember anything. If you didn't call me before I wouldn't even know my name. I didn't want to make you angry as you were telling so I was afraid to tell you that I lost my memories. My head hurts a lot when I try to remember. Sorry.''she said while looking at him with teary eyes.

He got shocked and felt really lousy. To hit his own child so badly and even yell at her in her condition not even asking how she is,he is teh worst.''Father is sorry. I did hit you but I never expected that you would get hurt so badly. Before you would use all kind of schemes to avoid talking to us or even help. As soon I turn around you would make a mess or make Tayla's housework even harder. She trie to protect you and called you just an energetic child. I never hit you before that, but when you almost poked her eye out I just snapped. If she didn't stop me I might have had harmed you even worse. I swear I hit you just couple times on your behind and maybe back. I really didn't expect...Father is sorry.''

''I always taught you to hate me because I am not a boy.''she said while remembereing the womans words.

''No, it was not because of that. She was weak before giving birth to you. After she died I gave you fault. You know actually, I liked your mother. We had a nice marriage. Calm and quiet. She worked a lot and was a kind lady. After her death, I was broken. I walked around half drunk all the time, not caring about you. One day Tayla found you half uncosious because of hunger. I was dead drunk on the floor. She came in saw me drunk and started beating me up because of you. After she started beating me, I tried to run but as I was wat too drunk and didn't came far. She got me, knocked me out with broom and trew galons of water over me to get me sober. In the same time, she want in and tried to make food from the little we hade in the pantry. She was so upset I swear.''Even thinking about it he seemed to be fearful and happy at the same time.''Actually, I believe that she married me more because of you than because of myself.''

Annessa was dazed. That child was too little to understand the whole story. Even if he explained it to that child, she might not believe it. She felt sorry for the child and grateful to its mother for bringing her into such an amazing family. No wonder she told Annessa not to hate him. She knew his heart and soul. She smiled at him and hugged him.

''Father we should have spoken before. If we did many things would have been different. But now we still have a future together in front of us. If you have something to say or if I do something wrong, please talk to me before you hit me. Next time I might die. You are a big man. Your hands are like trees. I'm just a little girl and can't handle hitting. Hmmm?''she spoke to him with cute expression and shiny eyes.

He nodded.''Father is really wrong hitting you. Next time if we have something to say or are angry let's talk about it. Oh, look rabbit. Let's catch it for your little mother.''he wanted her to warm up and give up calling her by name. She really deserves being called mother as she truly loves Annessa.

Annessa knew what he wanted and smiled. After she heard the whole story she will accept her as a mother. After all, she accepted this man as well as father and he even knocked out the small child. Maybe she should let him getting punished for one month in the shed as little mother said. 

He saw a glint in her eyes and it reminded him on Tayla when she is up to do something.''You think about something naughty. Let's talk about it after we catch the rabbit .ok?''He run off as he had a feeling that this time he is in trouble. Sigh. Was it the right decision to make these two become friends now. They will work together now against him. But it's ok. As long they are happy he is willing to accept everything.