When Love Comes Around (Love Conquers All) Page 26
Donna admired Kevin for how well he treated and loved her daughter. It didn’t matter that he worked a full-time job. When he came home in the evening, he rolled his sleeves up, and helped his wife to feed, change dirty diapers, bathe and put their babies to bed.
One evening Donna praised Kevin for being such a good dad. “That’s so nice of you to help out with the babies after working all day.” Smiling at her, he lovingly corrected his mother-in-law. “I’m only doing what a father is supposed to do. I don’t deserve any recognition for doing what I do.” He went on to make it clear that Sydney, Kalvin and Shayla were just as much his responsibility as Starr’s. That he loved his wife and children and would do anything to ensure that they were taken care of and happy.
“Okay, come on everybody let’s get a group photo. Starr, Kevin, grab your little people.” Chuckling, the photographer mused, “It was so much easier to get these guys in a group photo three months ago.”
Kevin lifted Shayla from the floor throwing her up in the air. “How’s my baby girl number two?” His reward was drool and squeals of delight. Before he could get to Kalvin, the baby had crawled over to his dad’s leg and pulled himself up. Smiling down at his son, he adjusted Shayla on his right hip. Squatting down, “Come on up here, Tiger.” Kalvin excitedly bounced and clapped his hands the second his daddy lifted him into his arms.
“Come on here Miss Sydney,” Starr cooed as she lifted her daughter from the toy chest. Kissing her chubby cheek, Starr sat next to Kevin.
“All right, let’s get this picture taken. I think your guest is getting a little restless.” Kyle had come into the den for the third time, complaining, “Aunt Starr, Uncle Kevin we’re ready to sing happy birthday so we can cut the cake.” And for the third time, Donna chased him out the house. “Child, have some patience. As soon as the photographer’s done we’ll be out.” With his head hung low, the young boy moped back outside with the rest of the guests.
“Kevin and Starr, I want you sitting hip to hip.” The photographer said motioning with his hands for them to come closer.
Both did as they were instructed. “Now, set little man between the two of you. Now put Shayla on your right leg Kevin and Sydney on your left leg Starr.”
After the triplets were positioned, the photographer held up a yellow rubber ducky, the kind that made a squeaking noise when squeezed. Peering through the digital camera, the photographer waved the ducky in the air and sang, “Over here babies,” as he squeezed the plastic toy.
On cue, the Dawson family smiled as the photographer snapped the perfect picture.