Just the Way You Are

They Don't Know

J: Just getting my nails done for the party this week.... Would you believe that there are divorce rumours swirling around us again?!

H: smh, that's ridiculous. I'm en route home, should be there for dinner. I love you

J: love you too xo

I closed my phone, shaking my head as I skimmed through the latest gossip magazine. I finished my mani-pedi and headed home. With all my spare time, the house was the most tidy its been since having children, and I also managed to write several songs. Three thirty rolled around and I scooped up the kids and we headed home for dinner.

"Mommy, are you and daddy okay?" Sutton asked quietly while she set the table.

"What do you mean okay?" Puzzled as to why my nine year old child was asking about my marriage.

"Some older girls were asking me if you and dad were still together." She explained to me that the older girls showed her the latest article, but Sutton jumped to our defence by saying Hunter was away for work.

"Oh sweetie" I said quietly, "your dad and I, we are better than okay. Everything is so good. I wish we could always be together but our jobs make that tricky. I never want you to have to worry about us." I hugged her and told her to ignore the bad lies that people make up. We got the table set and just as I was dishing out the shepherds pie, Hunter rolled through the door. The kids raced to the front, mauling him with hugs and kisses.

"I missed you guys," he hugged and kissed each child before ushering them back over to the table, "and I missed you, beautiful." He kissed my lips and we sat, enjoying dinner as a big, happy family. The evening winded down quickly and Hunter and I made our way to bed.

"Something's bugging you," he said quietly, and I nodded, "tell me." He turned his body to face mine and reached for my hand.

"So Sutton asked if we were okay." Hunter's jaw dropped and I explained what she told me.

"What else could we do?" I shrugged. There's no manual for this. "I think what you told her was good. She doesn't need to worry." He kissed my cheek, and we turned out the lights.

"Hunter, your album release party is in four days. I booked out Pinewood," she handed Hunter the paper with all the details for the party, as well as his upcoming tour. She handed me another paper, "ACMs and CMAs." We were performing even though we didn't get nominated for the ACM awards. On the other hand, we got nominated for CMA Vocal event of the year for our Two Hearts Tour.

"This is exciting. I see the ACMs are in Vegas."

I turned to Hunter and he squeezed my hand, "Ill meet you off the tour and my parents will watch the kids that weekend." We ironed out details with Alexis before wrapping everything up and getting the kids from school.

"Isn't it super crazy having all three kids at school," I held Hunter's hand as we walked up to the school to get the kids, "aaaand you're album release is this week. Thirty six and still ruling the music world."

Hunter smiled, almost blushing, "I can't believe it, three kids in school, together for almost eleven years and here I am still making music." He kissed my cheek, "I'm living the dream." We got the kids and were walking back toward the car when I heard someone calling me.

"Mrs. Hayes," a teacher waved, "Can I speak with you?" I nodded and ushered Hunter to load the kids in the car.

"How can I help you?" I was puzzled to say the least.

"I am Mr. Robbins, Sutton's teacher," he shook my hand, "I just wanted to let you know that Sutton told me about the older girls that were talking about your family. It really upset her."

I nodded, "Sutton brought that up with me the other day," I shrugged, "I told her there was nothing to be concerned about. My husband and I will touch base with her again tonight. Thank you for letting me know."

I climbed into the car and Hunter cocked his eyebrow. I squeezed his hand and whispered, "Later." We decided to go to the chophouse to celebrate an early birthday for Hunter and wrangled the kids together. We set Beckett and Easton to bed first before Hunter and I had a chat with Sutton.

"Your teacher told me that you were really upset by that awful article," I looked into Sutton's blue eyes, they were glossy from the tears welling, "I didn't know it upset you so badly." Hunter held one of Sutton's hands.

"Sutton, you know mom and I love each other very much right?" She sniffled and nodded. "Sweetie, your mom and I are not getting divorced, ever. Unfortunately our jobs are challenging and people actually make money by making up lies." Sutton looked confused.

"What dad means is people make up stories and sell their stories and pictures to the magazines," I bit my lip, hoping I wasn't telling her too much, "but not all magazines are bad. There are some that are good and honest."

"Like the ones in the basement?" She asked, and I nodded, wiping a tear that escaped her eye.

"The ones in the basement are good and honest. But the ones that you were shown, the ones that were lying, those are the bad magazines." We settled up our conversation and reassured Sutton we were great and she hugged us both.

I sat on the counter while Hunter and I brushed our teeth, "I forget how sensitive she can be." He nodded, as she has always been our outgoing child compared to her quiet brothers.
"I hate seeing her sad," I rinsed off my brush and Hunter wrapped his arms around me, "we will just have to keep the conversation open. I'm glad she talked to her teacher versus trying to bottle it up or handle it herself." Hunter nodded and lead me to bed.

He pulled me in close, kissed my lips and ran his fingers through my hair. My hands explored his body and he walked me back until I laid down on the bed. He climbed over top of me, kissing my neck as I wiggled my underwear off, then his pj bottoms. He pressed his hips against me and I could feel he was being a tease, "Oh, come on," I whispered, raking my fingers through his hair, "you're so mean." I kissed him, gently biting on his lip and he entered me slowly. Any ounce of stress on our shoulders melted as he moved his body rhythmically into mine, eventually getting me on top where he could get us both off, his hands touching all the right spots. I carefully climbed off and laid beside him, slightly breathless, "I love you."