Part 11
Kevin made his way down to the kitchen after waking the boys up. He was going to fix their breakfast, pack their lunches, and get them to school, just as Tyler always had but was met by his mother and Mrs. Dorough.
"Good morning, son," greeted Mrs. Richardson. "You look like you're doing better this morning. Did you sleep?"
Kevin knew that his mother probably wouldn't understand so he simply said, "Yes ma'am. I had a good dream about Tyler just before I woke up."
"Are the boys up?"
"I got them up before I came down. They'll be down shortly. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"We've got it for now. Paula is headed back to Florida this afternoon. I think Howie said he was going to take her to the airport and I think I'm going to head home later too. You have plenty of people here and more than enough food for all of you."
"It's okay, Mama. I need to start getting back into a routine with the children. Ty would want that."
"Yes, she would. What are you five going to do today?" she asked, handing him a cup of coffee.
Taking a seat at the bar, he said, "We had planned to work on music for a new album."
"Can you handle Taylor too?"
"She'll be fine. I think I'm going to hire a nanny though. I need someone to keep all three of them when I have work to do."
His mother smiled, "You'll find your way, son."
"No need to find my way, Mama. Tyler and I set a path for the family that included my career, their education, everything…I'm going to stay that course and achieve OUR dreams."
"I know it's too soon but have you considered dating again?"
"You know, Tyler and I talked about it. I just can't even consider it right now…Tyler was my best friend…she was there when I broke up with Kristen and when Daddy died."
"Son, you'll never have another love like Tyler and no one can ever replace her in your heart or the children's but don't give up on love."
"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, Mama…it's just going to take time."
The rest of the crew began to join them in the kitchen with Howie giving his mother a kiss and the other grabbing their cups to fix some coffee. Talk shifted to their plans while the wives/girlfriends helped Mrs. Dorough and Mrs. Richardson with breakfast. The boys had joined too and everyone made sure they got their breakfast so they wouldn't be late for school.
As breakfast was about to finish, Scott asked, "Daddy, can everyone come to school today?"
"What's up, son?"
"We're having an assembly today for contest winners from an essay contest Mrs. Leary entered our class. My essay won first place and I'm going to be reading it."
Kevin looked around the room and everyone nodded their agreement to go. "Of course we'll be there. What time, son?" asked Kevin.
"Ten."
"We'll be there." Standing up, he pulled Scott into a hug as he said softly, "I'm so proud of you, son! And your mother would be too."
Scott felt the tears well up so he buried his face in Kevin's chest as he whispered, "Thank you, Daddy."
The two stood for a few seconds, before Kevin said, "You and Jerald go get your things together so we can head to school. I'm going to get your sister up."
Kevin headed up to get Taylor and returned with the little girl snuggled against his shoulder holding a teddy bear that had belonged to Tyler when she was little. Taylor's little hand was behind Kevin's head playing with his hair too.
"Good morning, Tay Tay," greeted Howie as he moved to them and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Want to come with me?"
"Go on, Tay. I have to take your brothers to school," said Kevin as he tried to give her to Howie. Taylor went to Howie and snuggled next to him just like she had with her father. Kevin leaned to her and gave her a kiss. "I love you, Tay Tay!"
Grabbing his keys and putting his hands on each of his sons' shoulders, the threesome headed to school.
With Kevin gone, Howie moved to sit down again with Taylor in his arms, rubbing her back. "Want some milk, Tay?"
"Yes sir," she answered softly. "Sing me the song?"
"Which song, sweetheart?"
"The one she sings to me every night."
Howie looked at the others questioningly. "Taylor, I don't know the song. Can you sing it for me?"
Without moving away from Howie's chest, Taylor began to sing the song and he recognized it as the one Kevin had sung to Tyler in the hospital. He began to rub her back just as Tyler used to do and in no time at all, Taylor was asleep again in Howie's arms.
