Chapter 3
Back in the US I had already had my permit so in the UK I was eligible for my license. I passed with flying colors. This made my life a hell of a lot easier. I moved into my step-grandparents, Granny and Gramps, house and was finally settling in. I nanny my step-cousins, Leo, Ethan, and jasper, every day. Leo is 6, Ethan is 3, and jasper is 6 months old. I couldn't explain to you the looks I got from people as they saw a 15 year old girl walking around with a young boy, a toddler, an infant and a baby on the way. Honestly it was quite amusing.
I met some amazing mothers through nannying my boys. I was part of a regular car pool to soccer practices for Leo and I also joined a mommy and me group for Ethan and jasper. From these mothers I got many more babysitting gigs and I also spread my word of how I like photography. Many were supportive of me using Leo and Ethan's friends in my new portfolio.
Through this babysitting, I met Mary Wolverhampton. She had a son who played soccer with Leo and a young son the same age as Ethan. After babysitting one afternoon I showed her many of my pictures of our boys playing together. She fell in love with them and asked me to be her "go-to photographer". I was flabbergasted and thrilled. She hung my pictures all per her house and asked me to take photos of her entire family. Of course I agreed.
Mary invited her whole family over for the "photo shoot". She had her parents, her brother and his family and her sister and her family. They were all a bit shocked to see that she had hired a pregnant 15 1/2 year old to take photos. Frankly, her parents were very against it. Mary and I both had a feeling that they would need some convincing, which they did, so she showed them all of the photos I had taken of her boys while I cooked dinner.
My plan for these photos was to catch the family in its natural state. I cooked a large family dinner and set the long dimming room table all nice and pretty. Just as I finished setting all the food on the table, everyone agree to let me photograph them. They all say at the table and I went back into the kitchen to get some water. The oldest cousin followed behind me to get a soda, and it's a good thing he did. As I walked into the kitchen, I spilled water and continued to slip on it. Luckily the boy was right behind me and caught me before I fell and something terrible happened.
"Oh my god. Are you okay?!" He said as he caught his breathe and helped me stand up straight
"Yes. Thank god you were there. I can't thank you enough" I said catching my breath and rubbing my belly that was about six months along now.
"I don't think we have been properly introduced yet. I'm Liam Payne. Mary is my mother’s sister." He said as he shook hand.
"Very nice to meet you Liam. I am Rory Cooper, you photographer for the day" I said with a smile shaking his hand.
"Well, let’s get this water cleaned up and get back out there, eh?" Liam said with a wink and I nodded in agreement.
As the family sat down for dinner, I got amazing pictures of them saying grace, smiling and laughing as the passé the food around and told everyone how life was going. Liam's grandfather told jokes all thought out dinner giving me amazing pictures of everyone laughing. When dinner ended everyone went outside an all the men and boys played soccer, or football as they call it here, while the women say and drank tea. I snapped great action shots of the football game and peaceful shots of the lady's drinking there tea and laughing at the football game. When it became too dark out to continue playing, everyone came inside and I took a few formal shots of each individual family and them one of the entire family.
"Well everyone, I think my job is done for the day, but to make sure you are all satisfied with the pictures I am going to quickly upload them to my computer and play them through on the TV for all of you." I said
They all sat together in the lounge as I started the slideshow of pictures. I was too nervous to sit and watch with them so I made my way to the kitchen to gather up my stuff. I heard cheers and laughing coming from the lounge and my stomach started to flutter with butterflies. Liam soon came into the kitchen to find me packing up.
"Your pictures are amazing. We have never had any family pictures like these before. We usually go to a store where we are all in the same hideous colors and we just stand there like robots." He laughs and I smiled back. "My grandparents are thrilled. They are so happy at how the pictures capture that actual essence of our family. I think you now have a lifelong customer."
"You really think there that good? Gosh I was so nervous. This is the first time I have done anything like this. It was just a hobby before Moved to the UK." I said shyly.
"First, yes they are that good. They are bloody amazing! And second, how long ago did you move here? “He asked
"About three months ago. I met Mary through my aunt who I nanny for. Your cousin James is best friend with my cousin Leo. I babysit my three boys and your two cousins quite a bit." I answer back and his eyes went wide.
"You are how old and you handle that many kids? What about school?" He asked in shock.
"I'm fifteen and a half." I giggled. "I home school myself while the kids are at school or napping or at night."
"Homeschool? Wow you are one busy girl." He said with a smile as Mary walks into the kitchen.
"Liam, Rory, will you come to the lounge please." Mary asks
We walk out to see a smile on everyone's face. And then they all start to applause for me. I was in utter shock!
"Rory, I told you they would love you and your work! We are all so please with these absolutely beautiful pictures that we have all decided that you will be taking all of our family pictures from now on!" Mary exclaimed and clapped.
I stood there with this huge grin across my face speechless. I look to Liam who just winked at me. And then I felt something rolling down my cheek. I quickly realize that I am crying and wipe the tears away.
"My gosh. Please excuse my tears; I blame it on the hormones." I said making everyone laugh. “I cannot thank you all enough for this amazing chance. I mean it not everyday people are this accepting of me, let alone give me an amazing opportunity like this"
They all got up and cheered and Liam walked over to hug me, staring a massive family hug with me in the middle. As everyone dispersed from the giant hug. I walked over to Mary to talk about the next day.
"Mary, do you still need me to watch the boys tomorrow?" I asked
"Actually, I'm not sure. Liam has offered to stay the night and watch the boys while all of us adults go out for the day. Liam? Come here will you?" She explains as Liam walks over. "Will you be okay with all the kids tomorrow? Because Rory is my usual babysitter and I'm sure she wouldn't mine coming over to help, would you?" She turns to me.
"Of course not. I could even bring Leo, Ethan and jasper to play" I said with a smile.
"Actually that would be great! And make sure to bring your boys" he said
"Fabulous! It is all settled." Mary said excitedly. "Well I will leave you two to figure out the details"
"What time should I come?" I asked Liam as she walks away.
"How about 7:00? We can cook breakfast for the kids and start the day nice and early."
"Sounds great. See you then." I said as I went to leave. I waved goodbye to everyone and made my way home.
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hey guys, sorry i havent updated in a while. i havent really got any feed back so i have been really nervous to add another chapter. i decided that the first two werent really alot anyways so i figured i would give you guys some more to seee if you guys give me any feed back then.. well i hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. and i will probably update more soon :) please comment and vote thanks
xoxo - kenzie
