Something in the Water

You're Still the One

"How are you finding everything? I always have this fear that I'm abandoning you guys." Hunter and I were having brunch at the Waffle House after taking the kids to school.

"You have nothing to feel bad about. Everything is going as smoothly as possible. Sutton got invited to a sleep over this weekend at Savannah's so she'll be there. My dad is taking the boys to soccer on Saturday, it's all good." I smiled as he reassured me with the squeeze of a hand. "I got my tour finalized, it's crazy busy but I also think that we will be sweeping up this awards season. The CMT nominations come out tomorrow morning."

"It's been a while," I laughed, sipping my juice, "Norah is finalizing the plans for the CMA fam fest. It will be so nice to be home for that." We chatted more about the brewery, Hunter's tour and the kids. "I don't want to hold you up on rehearsals." I said as we walked back toward the car.

"No worries babe," he opened the door for me, "I took the day. The guys know you're back out first thing tomorrow and I just wanted to catch up with you. I missed you." He kissed me, quite passionately before I could respond.

"Well then," my voice was soft, "how about you and I take some of that home and catch up?" He nodded and kissed my lips before starting the car. Once we got in, he locked the door and brought me upstairs. We couldn't keep our hands off each other, and I worked off his belt while he walked me back and laid me down on the bed. "I love it when you get like this." I said between kisses. Once he stepped out of his jeans he got up on the bed beside me, his hands exploring the curves of my body, working his way around all the right spots. We were entangled in each other, kissing, touching and whispering until we lay breathless in the bed sheets. I rolled over and kissed his warm cheek, "Every damn time." He wrapped his arm around me and kissed me, leaving a smile on my lips. I slipped out of bed to gather my clothes and he did the same. We made our way downstairs and decided to sit in the backyard and enjoy the May sunshine with Millie.

"Everyone is loving that you have a special guest almost every night." He said, sipping his coffee, "How are you liking the headlining."

"There's a lot to it, I feel almost constantly exhausted. But then I go on stage and it's like a whole surge of energy." My phone dinged, an email from Byron, distracting me from my conversation. I slid my phone open to see that my single A Life That's Good went certified platinum, the music video has one million hits and the album itself was almost halfway to platinum. I relayed all of this to Hunter and he jumped up from his seat to hug me. The afternoon was spent chatting and just soaking up every minute of each other's company.

"I have a question..." I started, and Hunter turned to me, "what are your thoughts on getting Sutton a phone?"

"She's eleven. I didn't get a phone til I was fourteen. Does she need one?" Hunter asked.

"I was fourteen too but, I just feel like with her growing and things changing, I want her to be able to reach us if she needs to on her own accord." I paused, "I want her to be open with both of us. I just know what's coming and if she needs either of us, I just want to be that one call away. We could implement some rules around having a phone."

"I understand. I just hesitate because so much crap happens online and I don't want to expose her to that." I nodded, understanding his very valid point.

"Trust me, that has always been on my mind since the divorce rumour thing a while back." I stood up from my seat to sit on Hunter's lap, I wrapped my arms around him before kissing his forehead. "Maybe we should talk to her about it." We agreed to discuss it with Sutton before bed and we picked up the kids from school for some family time before I headed back into the tour.

"Mommy, I love you and I will miss you." Beckett wrapped his arms around me, kissing my cheek.

"Beckett, I love you so, so much." I put one last squeeze into my hug. "Just another little stretch before you, Sutton, Easton, dad and even Millie come out with me. It will be like a family road trip. He smiled and we tucked him in before doing the same for Easton, and lastly Sutton. We asked her if her friends had cell phones and the school rules about phones, and proposed that for grade six, we would consider looking at getting a phone for her. She dubbed us as 'the best parents ever' before saying good nights and I love yous.

"What time is your flight?" Hunter asked, setting his alarm.

"I gotta be at the airport at eight. Norah is driving me so I'll have a chance to say hi and bye to the kids." I leaned my head on his shoulder. "I love you so much. I can't wait to see you and the kids in Memphis."

"They'll love the surprise. I love you Jen, sweet dreams."