Hello Again (Book 2 Hello Series)

HA3-Summer Fun

Chapter 3...Summer Fun

(Danielle's P.O.V.)

The summer always seems to fly by especially when you're raising four kids, two puppies, and constantly being pulled into five different directions. But it's always refreshing to spend time together at family gatherings.

We were all over at Dawson's parent's house for the Fourth of July. The kids were running thru a sprinkler with the puppies on their heels in the back yard. While the Guys grilled burgers and hot dogs on David's new grill. Olivia had even invited my sister and her new husband over. I hadn't seen Abby so happy, the way she was with Luke, in a very long time.

"Abby, Baby Natalie is getting so big," Olivia stated looking at Natalie walking while Rebecca's older girls held her hands.

"I know, she'll be 15 months in a week," Abby declared happily.

"How's Bryson dealing with Luke?" I asked looking up from the sleeping Ross in my arms.

"At first, Bryson and Luke butted heads, but now they're getting along. I think Natalie has a lot to do with that," Abby smiled then taking a sip of her coke. "How's my new baby Nephew? And when are you going to let me hold him already?"

I gently got up and slipped Ross into her arms. I prayed he didn't wake up. Ross was by far the crankiest baby we've had yet.

"Is he sleeping okay? Does he still keep you up at night?" Rebecca asked watching him over Abby's shoulder.

"Um, he's not as bad as he was at first, but he still has a tendency to wake up at night," I sighed. "But of course Dawson is always asleep. That man can sleep thru almost anything."

"Don't tell me about my brother's heavy sleeping, trust me we all know. Mom used to have to throw cold water on him to wake him up for school every morning. When he was little he would cry because he thought he'd wet the bed," Rebecca laughed. I couldn't contain my laughter. Hearing little Dawson stories were always entertaining.

"Speaking of your brother, your other brother has made his grand entrance," Olivia sighed. I pitied Olivia dealing with Damien. She had to love him because he was her child, but time and time again he was always in some kind of trouble.

"Good afternoon Ladies," Damien stated as he waltzed in with this young, redheaded girl. She looked as if she was old enough to still be in high school. Poor girl, she didn't know what she was getting herself involved with.

"I'm glad you could join us Damien. Even though you are two hours late," Olivia stated. There was a smug expression on her face, and I knew it was because she didn't approve of Damien's little friend.

"I'm sorry Ma, We had...um car trouble," Damien coughed looking at the girl. Car trouble my foot. I just hope he used protection this time. "Well anyways I'm going to give Kate a tour of the house."

Someone needed to save that child and fast. But then again I couldn't call the girl a child abuse because Damien acted more like a child himself.

(Dawson's P.O.V.)

I walked into the kitchen to get a platter for the burgers, and I saw Danielle pouting looking out the window. I snuck up behind her and hugged her kissing her neck. She smelled so good. 

"What's bothering you?" I asked hugging her tighter. I didn't like seeing her upset.

"Your brother," she stated angrily. I looked out the window and I noticed that Damien was playing outside with Hudson. They were throwing a football back and forth. Hudson dropped it more than caught it. "I don't like him hanging around Hudson. I'm always holding my breath because I'm afraid he's going to do something that's going to hurt Hudson in the end."

"Baby, he's not going to hurt Hudson," I sighed. Danielle was still protective of Hudson ever since Damien showed up at Hudson's birthday drunk as a skunk. "Danielle, I think Damien is just trying to have some interaction with his son. Even if that's just simply being there to play outside with him."

Danielle somewhat relaxed as I went back outside. I laid down the platter for Brent. I saw that my dad was holding Ross in his arms. The man had full ledge Grandpa Syndrome. The man had just turned into one big teddy bear.

"Dawson, you and Danielle make the prettiest babies," my dad stated smirking.

"Dad if I didn't know you better I would think that your were bragging about your genetics," I laughed putting burgers on the platter.

"Well I do think Ross looks like his Grandpa," Dad bragged playing with Ross.

"I sure hope not," I joked and then laid the burgers on the picnic table.

After supper all the kids were running around with sparklers, while the adults sat around eating homemade ice-cream that Abby so graciously made.

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy," Sadie squealed running up to me.

"What's the matter princess?" I asked worriedly. She just crawled in my lap and pouted. If I wasn't so worried about her I would have laughed at the sight.

"Daddy, my glitter stick just went out," she cried. It was one of the sweetest things I'd seen, and I couldn't help but feel bad for her.

"Well, do you want a bite of Daddy's ice cream?" I asked and she rapidly nodded her head. I gave her a bite and it turned that precious little frown upside down. What could I say, life was good with little girls, broken glitter sticks, and homemade ice cream.

We finally made it home after a full day, and getting the kids into their beds was a real chore. I think I made three trips out to the car. I was so glad we had moved into our new house. My old house was never meant to be a family home, and as the kids got older the more crowded it felt. The only thing I hated about the new house was carrying the kids up the stairs. There were so many stairs. When I finally made it to bed Danielle was passed out. Just like I was taking care of one of the kids, I went around and took off her shoes and laid them by our bed. Then I tucked her in the bed. She was so peaceful when she slept. I joined her after I had stripped to my boxers, and dozed off as I pulled her close.