Top of the World

Precious

February rolled into March and Sutton's spring break was just around the corner. After the miscarriage and the roller coaster ride we were on last year, both Hunter and I took time from work to be parents. We had a few small projects buzzing around but no music, no tours. We decided we would drive to Myrtle Beach for a family vacation.

"Sutton, come get your bag please," I called from the kitchen, "Easton, have you gone to the bathroom?" He shook his head and took off to try before we piled into the car. "Sutton, try and go to the bathroom please. It's a long drive." Hunter packed the car with our suitcases, we buckled the kids in and we set the security alarm.

"Are you guys excited?" Hunter asked, pulling out of the driveway. Both kids asked what kinds of things we would do.

"Well we will be staying near the beach, so lots of swimming," I started, "there's an aquarium, rides, lots of fun stuff." Eventually, both kids fell asleep and we made the six and half hour drive to Charlotte before stopping for dinner. We gently woke up the kids and took them to McDonald's before hammering out the last three hours of the drive.

"We have arrived," Hunter said, pulling up to the Best Western hotel, "Sutton, Easton, you guys awake?" He looked in the rear view.

"Barely," I smiled looking over my shoulder, "hey guys, wake up."I reached back, patting their knees. Sutton and Easton woke up slowly but we made it into the hotel and the both wanted to lay down. It was almost ten, well past both their bed times. "We'll let them sleep it off, they'll be wired tomorrow." Hunter and I tucked them in and crawled into our own bed.

Somewhere between eleven pm and seven am, Easton climbed up into bed with us as I woke up with him laying almost on top of me. I wiggled out from underneath him and decided to get started with the day. I showered and everybody was up by the time I got out. I dried my hair and Hunter showered after me. "We'll go downstairs to get breakfast then we will head out for the day." Our trip to Myrtle Beach consisted of two full beach days, a trip to the Ripley Aquarium, the zoo and a lot of time and quarters were spent on the carnival games along the pier. Hunter was getting ready for dinner while Sutton and Easton watched some tv, I scrolled through my calendar on my phone. It was March 23rd, and I realized I was over a week late. The miscarriage messed up my cycle a bit, but I knew by now, if I wasn't pregnant, I should've had my period already. I decided to brush it off and wait before saying anything to Hunter. We geared up for our last dinner before heading home tomorrow.

"Don't get mad but..." Hunter held my hand as half the waitresses at Chili's came over singing happy birthday to me with a red velvet cupcake. Easton, Hunter and Sutton sang along as I blew out the candle. Hunter and I shared the cupcake and the kids got ice cream before heading back to the hotel.

"Thank you for a wonderful trip," I leaned into Hunter and kissed his cheek, "I cannot believe I am thirty one."

"It's not that bad," he smirked, his voice just above a whisper, "you still look like you're twenty four." He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek as we drifted off to sleep.

The next morning I was woken up by a wave of nausea and made it to the bathroom in the nick of time. Hunter jumped up and held my hair back as I leaned over the bathroom sink. "You okay sweetie?" He asked, tying my hair back. He handed me a face cloth.

"Yep, I'm good," I wiped my mouth and flushed out the sink, "sorry to wake you."

"Don't be," he leaned in the door frame, "having children has made me less of a germaphobe." I smirked as I rinsed my mouth with listerine. His voice was quiet, "Is there anything going on?" I looked over, he looked a little concerned but his eyes sparkled with a little bit of hope too.

"I'm not sure yet." I walked into his open arms. I pulled away before placing a kiss on his cheek and we got dressed and ready for the ride home. We woke up the kids, got breakfast and piled into the car.

"Try and eat Jen." Hunter whispered, holding my hand. I had a sip of water and a small bit of a muffin before deciding that was enough. The drive was long and we stopped in Knoxville for dinner before making the last two and a half hour stretch home. It was about nine when when we walked into the door, Hunter brought in the suitcases, I carried Easton up to bed and Sutton lagged behind.

"Let's handle the suitcases tomorrow," I smiled, "Sutton sweetie, let's get you in bed, okay?" Hunter scooped her up and we tucked them in before going into bed.

I sat back on the bed, scrolling through my phone. Hunter's eyes were staring through me, and I was afraid to look at him. He shimmied closer to me, wrapping his arm around me. "It's okay if you're scared to be excited." I relaxed in his embrace, he began to sing.

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
And you can't cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go

"You're right," I nuzzled close to him, "I am scared." He held me, he didn't need to say anything. "I should do a test."

"Whenever you're ready for it sweetie, no rush." I nodded and we turned out the lights.