Top of the World

Positive Vibes Only

"Perfect," I said, placing the last of the balloon arrangements in the movie theater party room, "Hunter did you bring in the birthday plates and napkins?"

"Yep, they're in the bag on the table. Sutton, come here with Easton let's take a picture." Hunter posed the kids beside the balloons just as Sam and Amy came in.

"Thank you both for coming," I reached out to hug them both, "Sutton, come say hello." In the span of thirty minutes, ten of Sutton's friends joined in the party room. We had some pizza before going across the hall to watch the new Paddington Bear movie. Between us four adults, we conquered the 12 children fairly well.

Once the movie commenced, we did a bathroom run and had cake. Sutton decided she wanted to collect toys, treats and food for the animals at the local shelter instead of presents for herself. The party winded down quickly and between a few games of musical chairs and handing out loot bags, all of the kids had been picked up by 4:30.

"Thank you for coming," I hugged Amy and Sam, "totally helped keep everyone under control."

"Thank you for having us." Amy had a curious twinkle in her eye as she and Sam headed out.

Hunter and I packed up the donations and the kids and headed home. I was pretty wiped and I went to have a shower. I looked at my belly in the mirror, I was starting to pop out. I was at twenty weeks and previously, this was the time when the weight came on, the belly became evident and leggings became my choice of clothing. "Knock, knock," Hunter quietly opened the door, "kids are playing downstairs. You look beautiful." He wrapped me up in a hug even through I was standing in my bra and underwear. "You don't need to examine yourself."

"I think Amy knows." I smirked, stepping back from his embrace to look in the mirror.

"It can be a secret as long as you want it to be." He place his hands over mine.

"Yes and no," I laughed, "I think we can tell our children, friends and bands. Our parents would probably like to know too."

"Sure thing. You shower up and we can start by telling the kids."

After dinner, we sat Easton and Sutton down on the couch to try and explain to them that they're another baby. "Mommy and daddy are really happy that you will get a baby brother or baby sister in a few months."

"Is it the same baby?" Sutton asked, her eyes were wide and her smile was innocent.

"No hunny," Hunter said, "God took that baby back but he knows we were really sad and we love being parents. We prayed really hard and had lots of hope that we would have another baby join our family." I placed their hands around my tummy as I had begun feeling little flutters, especially when I would sing to the kids.

Even after our conversation, Easton would reach and touch my tummy saying 'baby inside', and that's when we decided we would have Sam and Amy over.

The next night, Hunter and Sam were barbecuing while Amy was splashing in the pool with the kids. I brought out salad, drinks and buns and after dinner, I asked Easton if he could tell Sam and Amy what he learned the other day.

"Mommy has a baby in her tummy." Sam and Amy both jumped from their seats clapping and cheering.

"I knew something was up!" Amy opened her arms for a hug, "I'm so happy for you two!"

"Thank you." I said, smiling and a little teary eyed, "It was scary and we've kept it a secret long enough."

"When are you due?" Sam asked.

"November fifth." Hunter said. Amy and Sam's jaws hit the floor.

"It's already July twentieth," she said, sipping her drink, "you have like fourth months."

I nodded, "We haven't told anyone else so let's just keep it a secret." Sam and Amy happily obliged, giving us and the kids more hugs as they headed out and we got ready for the week ahead.

"Sutton, come on you don't want to be late for your first day of camp." Hunter called up to Sutton's room from the stairs, holding her backpack. Sutton raced down the stairs, I got sunscreen on her and we all piled in the car. We took Easton along to Buy Buy Baby to pick up the things we needed for our new arrival. The July heat and humidity was amped up and I felt like a pool of sweat in a pretty dress. 

Easton and I retreated back home as Hunter headed to his basement studio. I could tell something was stirring in his mind and he needed that creative outlet. Easton was slowly growing out of his naps, but I encouraged him to lay down, read him a book and reminded him that if he really can't sleep, he can play quietly in his room alone. As silly as it sounds, and as much as I believe it's important to socialize kids, I also believe there is importance in independent play.

I went to see that Hunter's recording light was off, so I made him a coffee and headed downstairs. As I walked down I saw the cabinet with all of the awards, the TCA surfboards and our magazine cover pages. I knew I would be able to get back to where I was last year, just not right now. I walked down the hall, "Knock, knock," I pushed the door open, "coffee delivery." Hunter rolled around from the sound board.

"Ah, you're an angel," he stood up to take the coffee and give me a kiss, "come sit, I want you to hear this." He explained that he had been wanting to do something like Pictures, the song/video collaborative releases he did several years ago. "I want to do it differently, I want you on these songs - the motivation behind everything I have done now and for the past five years is you and our kids." He placed his free hand on my belly. "I thought about what you said about recording the songs for the kids and I may have totally taken it in another direction than what you implied." He spun around in his chair, I loved seeing his passion on fire when something clicked, and he pressed a button on his laptop. His voice, complimented by the compound of piano crooned through the speakers and I listened intently to each word.
"With every step I take
Every move I make
I do it for you
Your hand in mine,
Smiles painted in the sky..."

The song went on until it ended and Hunter looked up at me, his eyes were sparking.

"First, that song was precious," I started, "second, it is so sexy to see you get fired up over making music again." Hunter joined me on the sofa, opening his arms for me to lean into and kissed my head.

"So will you join me on this project."

"I would be crazy not to."