Just the Way You Are

From the Ground Up

"Hunter is coming down tomorrow," I said looking over the list in front of me, "I paid the coaches and the rental fee, invitations went out. We need to order pizza tomorrow and I'll pick up the cake." Steph stared at me.

"Is every birthday like this?" I shook my head.

"It just happened to work out this way this year. Usually we take the boys out for dinner but since they're older and have more in common, this worked out." I smiled and turned my attention back to my list when my phone began to buzz.

"Yes, how are you Alexis? Yeah, no this is fine. Umm I have the boys birthday party tomorrow. Can we meet on Sunday or Monday? The album is in the hands of the production team, yes I'm supposed to head over there sometime next week. Perfect, email me that - looking forward to it. Thanks!" I put my phone down and turned to Stephanie, "Sorry, how was your interview at the rehab centre this morning?"

She sipped her tea, "It was fine. Good vibes, nice people but I feel like I would be in the same rut I was in just doing joint replacement therapy all day everyday. I want something fresh."

"St. Jude fresh? That'd be a hard gig," I sipped my coffee, "we do the annual music city fundraiser with them. I've left in tears seeing what some of those families go through with their kids."

"I know. It's hard, I'm sure your sister feels the same way about Alex though. Like if I could help that child, I would feel so much more fulfilled than helping some sixty something learn how to use their new knee." She took a breath, "It weighs pretty heavily on my that I'm gonna be thirty six soon and I have literally nothing to show for it. Divorced, single, living in my friends basement, no offence I do appreciate it. But I dreamt I woulda had at least one kid or maybe a dog."

"While you're here, you're family. You're doing the best you can with the cards you were dealt. Don't undermine yourself. Sutton freaking loves having you here, someone else's voice than my own," I shook my head laughing, "Hunter and I, we care about you. You have a brilliant education backing you up and you are one hell of an amazing person and friend. Maybe you can convince Hunter we need a dog around here." I smiled and we headed out to get the kids from school.

"Aunt Stephanie," Easton said quietly, "can you help me tie my shoe?" She nodded and knelt down to tie his laces and Beckett stood next in line.

"Ahem," I looked at the boys, "where're your manners?"

"Please and thank you." They said in unison. We were at the gym getting set up for the birthday party. I allowed them to pick ten friends each and the soccer coaches were going to run some skills and games with the children.

"Hey, coach Matthew," I flagged one of the young men over, "so everyone is here, can we make sure if we play a game that we mix up the big and small kids. Some of them are just four and some of them are like, seven going on eight." He nodded and agreed. The party started while Sutton helped me set the party room up, Stephanie ordered pizza. Just as we put the finishing touches on the table, a familiar figure moved in the corner of my eye.

"I hope I'm not late to the party." I turned to see Hunter, arms open.

"Perfect timing," I hugged and kissed him, "all the kids are in the gym." Sutton greeted her dad and showed him to where the kids were.

"He's a super human," Steph said quietly, her arms crossed her body, "when does he go back out,"

"Tomorrow afternoon to Ohio."

"He's amazing. Where can I find someone like him."

"I swear, he's almost one of a kind." Hunter returned with Sutton and grabbed a seat next to me.

"How's everything Steph? Jenna told me you're moving out here..." they caught up and before we knew it, the coaches were leading the twenty two kids into the party room. They got settled and we handed out pizza, did birthday songs and cake before everyone headed home.

I crawled into bed beside Hunter, "Damn this is a tease." I whispered, his eyes met mine.

"I know. This is why I liked touring with you, I could hug and kiss you whenever I wanted." He leaned in, his hand rested against my jaw, holding me close.

"They may not have said it, but the kids were really happy you were here today." He nodded.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I cannot believe that Beckett is five and Easton is seven. They're all practically adults. They're freeloaders." I flopped back into my pillow laughing, but our laughs were suddenly interrupted by screams. I jolted up and across the hall to Beckett's room to find him kicking and screaming in bed.

"Beckett, Beckett sweetie..." tears filled my eyes as I had to wait out whatever he was fighting. I looked over my shoulder to see Hunter ushering Easton and Sutton back to bed. Once everything subsided I woke Beckett up, "Hey baby," he looked dazed, "did you have a bad dream." He shrugged. I encouraged him to get up and get some water downstairs, afraid if he flopped back to sleep he would just fall into another terror.

"That was scary," Hunter whispered as he filled a cup, handing it to me, "has it always been like that."

"No, that was the worst but you see why I can't have him sleep with me," I turned and handed the cup to Beckett, "baby are you sure you're okay? Have you been watching any scary shows."

"No mom." He sipped his water, "I'm tired." I nodded and we got him tucked in again, heading back to our room.

"He should be okay. When they occur it's only once then he's all good. That was the most intense I've seen." Hunter nodded, still shaken from what he saw. I put a hand over his, "Hunter, babe, it's going to be fine. Kids outgrow this." He nodded and we cozied up, getting back to where we left off

"We love you," I kissed Hunter as he headed into the airport, headed for Ohio, "see you in three weeks." The kids hugged him and we sent him on his way.

"Mom, does it make you sad when dad leaves?"
Easton asked quietly as we headed to soccer.

"Of course baby," I tried to search for the right words, "I love your dad, he loves us and he loves making music. It's hard sometimes when he's away but I support him. Just like when I go sing, he supports me too."