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LATERTHATNIGHT, 9:43PM
...
"COMEONKENNEDY,WHAT'SWRONG?"Dovani groaned as she rocked a fussy Kennedy in her arms. Envee and Asante were bound to retrieve their children in about an hour but Kennedy was fighting her sleep.
She was already upset at Semaji going back on the time he was supposed to be home so they could enjoy them a move but he still hadn't came back. No call, no text, nothing. But, she decided not to even contact him. She wanted to wait.
"I just changed you, cmon mama." She patted the babygirl on her back as she continued to fuss.
Dovani gently rocked Envee's daughter, Kennedy, in her arms, her patience unwavering as she navigated through the baby's fussiness. "Come on, little Kennedy, let's settle down," she murmured soothingly. After confirming that Kennedy's diaper was fresh and she wasn't hungry, Dovani figured the baby might just need some extra soothing or perhaps was feeling a bit gassy.
She continued to pat Kennedy gently on the back, hoping to help relieve any discomfort that might be bothering her. Walking softly around the nursery, Dovani hummed a calm tune, the melody soft and rhythmic, designed to soothe.
As she walked, she gently bounced Kennedy, a technique she had learned worked wonders during her time helping with the twins. Gradually, Kennedy's cries began to soften, turning into small whimpers as her eyes began to flutter shut. The combination of the gentle rocking and the steady warmth from Dovani's embrace worked its magic.
With Kennedy's cries ceasing and her body relaxing into a peaceful state, Dovani carefully approached the crib. She whispered soft affirmations as she lowered the sleepy baby back down, ensuring Kennedy felt secure before letting go. "There you go, sweet girl," she cooed, adjusting the light blanket over Kennedy's small form.
Dovani watched for a few moments as Kennedy's eyelids closed completely and her breathing evened out, signs that she had finally drifted off to sleep. Satisfied, Dovani tiptoed out of the nursery, leaving the door ajar just enough to hear if Kennedy stirred.
Back in the living room, Dovani settled onto the couch, allowing herself to relax while keeping an ear out for any sounds from the nursery. She grabbed a book from the coffee table but found herself reflecting on the evening's events instead of reading. Successfully soothing Kennedy provided a deep sense of fulfillment —it was moments like these that made babysitting so rewarding.
Every now and then, she glanced toward the nursery door, ensuring that all remained quiet. Dovani felt prepared and confident, knowing she could handle whatever the night might bring while Kennedy's parents enjoyed their much-needed night out.
