Annistyn
LAST WEEK, CALI askedme to be the photographer for Dakota and Kylan’s birthday party at the clubhouse.I absolutely agreed and we signed a contract Roger helped me prepare.I’ve decided to put off school for right now and focus on starting my photography business.Roger is helping me a few times a week get everything together and I love learning from him.We spend a couple hours each time and I take notes on everything he shares with me.I’ve even gone to a few of his jobs as his assistant and helped him as I learned how he works various events.I even went to a photoshoot he had for a book cover.That was interesting as I watched everyone work to bring together some beautiful pictures.My cousin is truly talented and I hope I can be even a fraction as successful as he is.
Yesterday Roger showed up to the house with the edited pictures.They were all on his computer in a file he sent to me once we went through them all.The only ones he actually had printed out and brought with him are the ones Kreed pointed out after we were done.I thought they were going to be normal size pictures, but they’re bigger than posters.Kreed immediately hung them where he wanted and I catch him staring at them every now and then.Every single shot my cousin took that day came out amazing.For the first time in my life, I don’t see the abuse or trauma I lived through.I see a strong woman who can overcome her fears and push past boundaries she hasn’t stepped out of before.I’m starting to see myself the way Kreed and Cali do, but it’s still going to take time for me to believe that’s who I am.Kreed and I plan on printing some of them out so he can put them on the walls of our home.I’m nervous, but I won’t stop him from doing it.
Today is the day of the party and I’ve helped Cali, Caleb, and everyone else set up.The Prospects are doing all of the heavy lifting while Cali and I have cooked and told Caleb and Kreed where the decorations go.We’re having the party out behind the clubhouse since it’s such a beautiful day.The kids are running around until it’s time for them to get ready.While I’m in the kitchen of the clubhouse with Cali, my stomach starts bothering me.The smells of all the food we’re cooking make me feel sick as I hold it in and keep pushing forward.I know I’m not sick, I rarely get sick.For the last few days I have felt sick to my stomach for a few hours and then it goes away.No one knows because I know Kreed will worry and drag me to the doctor.I don’t want to see a doctor for something that is probably nothing but stress or something.
After spending hours in the kitchen with Cali preparing all the food while we wait for the cake to be delivered, I’m finally ready to head home and get ready for the party.I need to shower and change before going through all of my camera equipment.Every time I get ready to use it for any reason, I always go through and check everything to ensure it’s properly working.There’s a lot that can go wrong and I don’t want to mess something up because I couldn’t take a few minutes and check everything out.Plus, I need to make sure I have extra batteries and the new memory card I bought a few days ago.I’ve had a few paying jobs so far and each one gets its own memory card so I don’t mess anything up.It’s something Roger taught me to do because he did mix things up early in his career and almost stopped taking pictures completely.I’m glad it didn’t ruin his passion for something he’s amazingly talented at doing.
“I’m gonna head home and get ready for the party.Unless you need me to do something else before I leave,” I tell Cali as she puts the last dish in the dishwasher and adds the soap before starting it.
“We’re good here, Annistyn.Go home and rest for a while.I still have to get all the kids ready and make sure the decorations are right.You’ve got time to take a nap if you want to,” she says as she dries her hands off and smiles at me.“Thank you for all the help today.I usually do this all alone.”
“I wouldn’t let you do this alone, Cali.It’s a lot of work and you’d still be preparing things if you didn’t have help.Can the Prospects help carry things outside when it’s time?”I ask, looking around as she places the last bowl in the stuffed refrigerator and carefully closes the door.
“Yeah.They’re out there helping Caleb and Kreed now.When it gets closer to the party, they’ll start taking everything else outside.I’ve also got a bounce house for the kids on the way shortly.Caleb will deal with that.If we need more help, I’ll let you know.For now, rest.You don’t look like you feel very good,” she says, stepping closer and staring at me.
“I feel a little drained and my stomach is bothering me.I’ll be better soon,” I inform her as she gives me a weird look I don’t quite understand.
Cali doesn’t say anything as I grab my phone and keys before leaving out the door in the kitchen I never realized was there.Stepping outside, I see the yard transformed.There’s tables with blue and purple tablecloths covering them, a tent set up with empty tables and pools for the drinks and ice, speakers are set up around the yard, and there are chairs all over.The bonfire pits are filled with fresh wood for tonight and I see Caleb and Kreed talking to a man who’s holding a clipboard and walking the area while staring at the ground.I have a feeling this is the man delivering the bounce house Cali just mentioned.At the same time, the kids are running all over the place playing some game as they laugh and squeal.I walk past everyone and give Kreed a smile as I point in the direction of the house to let him know where I’ll be.
***
Idon’t know why, butI ended up falling asleep on the couch as soon as I entered the house and sat down for a minute.I woke up to a blanket covering me and Oreo sleeping against my stomach with the TV playing low.It wasn’t on when I fell asleep as I look around and find my feet resting in Kreed’s lap as he watches some show.I watch him for a minute until he looks over and smiles at me.
“Feelin’ okay, Pixie?”he asks me, rubbing a hand up and down my leg.
“I’m feeling better.I was a little sick earlier and didn’t realize I was exhausted,” I tell him as I stretch my body and disturb Oreo so she jumps off the couch and starts to pace in front of us.It’s her sign that she needs to go out.
“I’ll take her out while you rest.We still have some time before the party starts.Do you want somethin’ to eat?”he asks me, carefully lifting my legs from his lap and placing them back on the couch.
“I think I’ll just make a sandwich in a minute,” I tell him, trying to remember what we have in the refrigerator.
“I got it, Pixie.I’ll be back in a few minutes and get it taken care of.You stay where you are,” he says, leaning down and pressing his lips against my forehead in a gentle kiss that always makes me melt.
Closing my eyes again, I sink further into the couch cushions.Kreed is back in a few minutes and heads to the kitchen to wash his hands before making me a sandwich.He adds chips to my plate and brings me a bottle of water.I sit up and eat the food slowly because I’m not sure if my stomach will revolt again.When I’m done eating, I get up and take care of my plate before heading upstairs to shower.Kreed doesn’t join me today and I take my time letting the hot water hit my body.I have no clue why I’m so exhausted lately.
By the time I’m out of the shower and dried off, Kreed is in the bedroom changing his clothes after showering in a different bathroom.I grab a pair of jeans and one of my long-sleeved tee-shirts before grabbing a matching bra and panty set.It’s one of the sets Kreed bought me in a deep red.I know he loves this one.After dressing and doing my hair so it’s out of the way when I’m working, I head back downstairs to check my camera and everything.Kreed watches me and listens as I explain what I’m doing.He asks questions and genuinely listens when I speak.
It doesn’t take me long to check everything and pack it back in my bag.Kreed and I leave the house after putting down food and water for Oreo.She’s not allowed out during parties yet.As she gets older, we’ll start bringing her with us.Right now, she’s still too small and not ready to be around so many people.The two of us walk down to the clubhouse instead of driving Kreed’s truck.I’m still exhausted, but could use the walk to wake up the rest of the way.
When we get to the clubhouse, the party is already in full swing.Everyone is outside including the other clubs.I didn’t realize they were coming.I head for a table that’s out of the way where Sam is sitting and I immediately look for Kreed’s mom.
“She’s not here this time, Sweetheart,” Sam says as she smiles up at me.
“Oh.I know she’s been packing and getting everything ready for the move, I was just hoping she came with you guys.It’s really good to see you, Sam,” I say as I pull out my camera and remove the lens cover.
“We wouldn’t miss our grandbabies birthday.Just didn’t tell anyone we were comin’,” Playboy says as he walks over to join us.“How you doin’, Annistyn?”
“I’m okay.It’s been a long day already, but I’m here to work,” I answer him, giving a smile before I head away from their table with my camera ready to go.
I spend hours capturing so many moments of the kids and adults.While my main subjects are Kylan and Dakota, Cali wants pictures of everything.I make sure to get the tables loaded with food and gifts, the birthday cake that turned out better than expected, and all of the decorations.Once all of that is taken care of, I start taking pictures of the kids as they play and run around the yard.
Kylan is dressed in a pair of jeans with a tee-shirt on and a cut that looks just like his dad’s.His short hair has been brushed out of his face and he’s wearing a sash proudly proclaiming him as the birthday boy.Dakota is wearing a light purple dress now and her hair has been braided into some kind of crown that wraps around her small head.Her sash is purple with pink and white polka dots and says ‘Birthday Princess’ on it.She rushes up to me and hugs my legs while I tell her how beautiful she is.Kylan joins her and I’m soon wrapped in the arms of the twins as they laugh and don’t let me go for the longest time.I pretend I’m about to fall and they laugh so hard.More kids come over to join them and see what’s going on but they never let go of me.Kylan doesn’t let anyone else get close either.He’s so adorable.
“Annistyn, you need to eat,” Cali says, walking over with plates of food in her hands for the kids.“Go get in line before everyone else does.”
“Oh, I can wait.I don’t need to eat right now,” I tell her as Dakota and Kylan finally release my legs and follow Cali to a table.
