Hearts & Rockets

Fast Forward

I watched Hunter chase Sutton around the gymnasium from the viewing lounge up above. I covered my eyes, laughing to myself. One of the other moms piped up, "It took a few weeks for my son to listen to his dad."

"Yeah, she's been with me for the past eight weeks so she's testing her dad." I laughed as Hunter scooped her up and carried her under one arm, Sutton was laughing. This was all a game to her. Hunter sat her in his lap as they watched the instructors practice a big kick. Things were getting a bit better, Hunter was exercising his patience as much as his physical body. The group was just wrapping up the class and I headed downstairs. Sutton saw me and came running over as fast as her little legs could carry her.

"Sticker!" She said, pushing her hand in my face.

"Pretty, what is it?"

"A cat."

"Very nice." I zipped up her rain jacket and helped her switch into her rain boots. I stood up to see Hunter guzzling some of her water bottle. "You tired?"

"How did you keep up with her every day for six months?" He laughed, "You're a super human."

I laughed as we walked out of the community centre, "I must say that I cheated with the yoga. I was able to drop her off to a lot of the classes and just watch." I buckled her in as Hunter started the car, "She was just testing you, I think she had fun."

We had a few errands to run before we got home for lunch and Sutton's nap. It was nice to have a little bit of time to ourselves to catch up. "So, what's new? Did you get to write much while I was away?"

I nodded and fished my song book out from underneath a stuffed animal on the coffee table. "Eight songs," I handed the book to Hunter, "is there any chance by the grace of God you can help me with a few more?"

As if he knew that I was going to ask, he handed me his cell phone, "I wrote this in Ireland. I was thinking of how you have been with Sutton, seeing the world through her eyes and helping her navigate my absence." I teared up reading it, certain lines stuck out to me, touching my heart.

"I love it." And without missing a beat, I handed back Hunter his phone and he began to sing it.

"Just like the stars, that fill the summer night sky, I see the same look in my daughters eyes."

"It's perfect." I put my hand on Hunter's leg, he smiled placing his hand over mine.

"Let me see what else you've got there," he flipped through the book, "I like these Jen, your writing has grown so much."

"I've got a growing daughter, there's a lot to say."

"We need to start recording these." I nodded, thinking of the list of songs I wrote with help from the band. My favourite that I had come up with Wildflower. It was completely about Sutton and how she's growing and becoming her own person, asking her stay true to herself as she continues to grow and to always stay a little wild. 

"I think I would like to call this album Wildflower," I said, flipping the page in the book to the song, "it's my favourite."

"I love it, Jenna, you did really good here." We heard chatter over the monitor. I closed my book and before getting up, Hunter grasped my hand, "I love you Jenna. You're seriously amazing." I leaned over to kiss him.

Since Hunter had been home, it felt like time was moving on 6X speed. Sutton was getting better when it came to listening to her dad in class, her coaches noticed her improvement as well. It turns out they were both fans of mine and Hunter's and it was an extra special treat to get to know us better. Things with the album began rolling, starting with almost weekly visits from Alexis, band rehersal three evenings a week and ending with a visit in Byron's office.

"Hunter, Jenna, how's life treating you both?" We had some small talk about how I've spent my almost full year off and Hunter's big tour. "Jenna, I see we have a sophomore album in the works. Tell me about it."

I went on to explain how the band and I kept up working together after the holiday season and began pitching new ideas and how a lot of the song inspiration came from Sutton, and Hunter working. "I wrote one on my own, co-wrote seven and Hunter wrote one."

"Okay let's have a scan through the shelf to see if we can get anyone to put forth a song or two to top you up." He scratched something down on his notepad. "I like what you've told me about it. You already titled it?" I nodded, and stood firm on the title. 

We finished up our meeting and headed home to Sam and Amy splashing around with Sutton in the kiddie pool. It was a warmer May than usual,  but we were enjoying every ounce of sunshine since it felt like most of April was just rain. We thanked Any and Sam for watching Sutton and they joined us for a light lunch before Sutton had her nap. "Hunter, I cannot believe how much she's grown. She doesn't stop talking."

I laughed, "She's also quite the runner." 

"She's too cute," Amy said, "How was the meeting?" We talked about the album andjust as I mentioned the shelf songs, I got a ping from Alexis.

A: Hi Jenna, we have two songs for you to look over, emailing them now!

J: Thanks! CC Hunter

A: Got it

"So I think I have songs," I said, just as both mine and Hunter's phones buzzed, "wanna have a listen?" Everyone nodded and we heard two songs, one written by Sam Hunt called Traveller, the other was from Taylor Swift called Heart. There was a special note highlighted in the email. "Taylor saw the posting up for you Jenna, she sent this directly to Nadine for you."

Nadine was Byron's Assistant. "Wow," I read the blurb Alexis highlighted. "I didn't even know if Taylor knew who I was..." I covered my mouth, listening to the lyrics. It was tasteful, and in classic Taylor style, emotional and raw. It painted a picture in my mind.

Hunter sat back and nodded, "I think you've got it, Jen." Everyone high fived all around, celebrating the creation of what would eventually be Wildflower.