Something in the Water

Hanging On

"Happy New Year Jenna," Byron shook my hand before offering me a seat, "I am sorry we couldn't get this out before your mom passed, but I'm sure she would've been proud." He opened his desk drawer and handed me my fifth studio CD, "Well done. The release date is March tenth and we are releasing the title track as a single, correct?" I nodded, "February tenth." He handed me my copy and we touched on a few other topics including setting up a music video shoot and tour.

"Can I headline my own tour? I'd like to bring Dustin Lynch in and another artist, your pick."

"I'll talk to Dustin's people and get back to you." On that note I headed out in the chilly January air to pick up the kids from school. They bombarded me with hugs and kisses before we climbed into the car, making our way home for dinner. Hunter had a late day at the studio, working hard on another album of his own.

"Mom?" Easton poked his head in the kitchen, "Millie puked on her bed."

"Oh ew, can you put her outside please? I'll come clean it up." I grabbed paper towel and Easton lead Millie to the door and shooed her outside where she puked again. I cleaned up the mess, and brought her back in and dried off her paws. "You okay sweetie?" She seemed alright but I made sure the kids didn't give her any food.

"Hey Jen," Hunter called, "oh what happened?" He saw me stripping Millie's dog bed.

"Just an upset tummy. She seems alright."

"Sorry I was late. Where are the kids?" I laughed and looked around.

"They've gotta be upstairs. Easton was just helping me with her."

"He loves that dog." I nodded. I placed a plate with dinner on the table for Hunter and went upstairs to find all three kids sitting on the floor in Sutton's room singing together. I leaned against the door frame, admiring the sweetness just as Hunter came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me.

"Hey!" Beckett said, looking up, flashing his toothy grin.

"What are you guys singing?" They replied with Everything Has Changed, and we admired their team work. Shortly thereafter, we got everyone in bed, and eventually Hunter and I climbed in our own. "Those kids I tell ya," I smiled, rolling on my side to face Hunter, "they're amazing."

"They are." He put his phone down and his eyes met mine. "Did you have your meeting with Byron today?" I nodded and rolled over to pull my CD from my nightstand and handed it to him. "Jenna," his voice was soft, "congratulations babe." He kissed my head before opening the CD, examining the booklet and the album artwork. "It's beautiful."

"Thank you." I smiled, "This is probably my most introspective album. I dug into some dark places."

He sighed, a smile rested on his lips, "Those dark places, everyone has them."

I nodded, "On a lighter note, the title track is going to be the first single, they're releasing it in three weeks. We are planning a music video... thoughts on incorporating the kids? And maybe yourself?"

"I would love that." I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for being my rock," I whispered, "I couldn't have made it through all of this without you."

"You don't need to thank me babe. I wish I could've done more, spared you some of the pain." He kissed my head, "You can rest easy knowing your mom made her choices, and that letter.." Hunter's voice drifted off.

"It really wiped the slate clean." He nodded. "Your dad seems to be doing alright."

"Yeah, Ali's house is on the market and they're moving in with him. It's better for Alex to be in the bungalow... no stairs, verses the townhouse they're in." I kissed Hunter's cheek and we cozied up for the night.

Right before I turned the light off, I gotta text from Norah.

N: Just got confirmation you will be headlining your own tour with Dustin Lynch and Runaway June! Congrats.

J: amazing thank you!

"Everything okay?" Hunter asked.

"Everything is perfect. I love you, sweet dreams."