Something in the Water

Who I Am With You

"Which do you like Hunt?" I asked looking in the mirror. We were getting fitted for CMT award outfits and I examined myself in the mirror. I was wearing a black and white patterned jump suit. "Surprisingly, I like this one." It was a halter top style with a significantly steep neckline and was just about backless.

"It's nice," he smiled but I could tell he was distracted, "I like it and as long as you're comfortable." I took one more look in the mirror and the stylist sold me on it with a few accessories. I looked over to see Hunter texting intently into his phone and I shrugged it off to go get changed. Once we were in the car and headed to go pick up the kids, I asked him what was up.

"Nothing, just some silly fan stuff if you would believe it."

"Okay," I sighed, "are you excited? I'm nervous. I haven't been following much of the hype around these awards." After the award show, we had a ton of CMA Fan Fest press, Sutton's open mic and then the show over at the river side stage.

"Regardless if you win or not - the fact you were nominated after having a break means you're back in business and people are noticing. I'm proud of you." The evening was spent with Hunter helping Sutton rehearse her set while I tackled grade one spelling and grade three speech writing with Easton.

"Beckett, sweetie these are your spelling words for the week. I want you to write them down three times each." I switched sides of the table to help Easton. "What is your topic?"

"I want to talk about Millie."

"That's a great topic. You love her, it will be easy to talk about her for three and a half minutes." I reviewed the speech rubric and helped Easton get started, "I will help you but what I want you to do is start by listing all the things you know and love about Millie. Like she's a three year old greyhound, she used to race, she likes apples..." he looked at me and smiled, getting right down to business.

"Easton loves that dog, I hope we have her for a long time," I went on to tell Hunter about Easton's speech as we got ready for bed, "makes my heart melt." Hunter and I made small talk as I massaged his back with the lights out until we both fell asleep.

"Thank you so much for watching the kids," I hugged Lynette and Leo as Hunter and I made our way to the car awaiting us, "dinner is in the fridge and the PVR is set to record the show."

"It's so nice to see you both, have fun!" Leo said. We headed into the car and down to the arena where the award show was. We took pictures on the carpet, I signed a bunch for cds for the fans lined up outside and then we were ushered into our seats. The award show was being hosted by Lauren Alaina and Cole Swindell, then shortly after the opening performances wrapped up, the award distribution began.

Lauren Alaina read out the nominees for the first category, "Your nominees for female video are Lindsay Ell Turn Right, Jenna Hayes, A Life That's Good, Kacey Musgraves Round n' Round, Kelsea Ballerini Lovers Don't." Cole Swindell held the envelope as the voice over wrapped up and the cheering subsided. He opened the envelope and leaned into the mic.

"The winner for CMT female video is,"he looked at the envelope and exclaimed, "Jenna Hayes! Come down here girl!" Hunter and I jumped up and he kissed me before I walked down to go collect my award. Lauren and Cole hugged me and I caught my breath.

"Wow! Thank you all - thank you God and my family - Hunter, Sutton, Easton and Beckett, to everyone who worked hard to get this album out with me, my director, screenwriter and producers for capturing my vision for this song.... This all means so much after having gone hiding under a rock for some time.... thank you CMT for the support, and my fans who I've been seeing here tonight and out on tour! I love y'all! God bless!"

I wrapped around the back of the stage with Cole and Lauren before heading back to my seat to enjoy a few of the performances and then the last category was up. In my mind I had already won by being nominated in such a sought after category and I was one of two females who made it in the top five. Dierks Bentley and Carrie Underwood were presenting the video of the year award. They listed off the nominees and Hunter held my hand as Dierks opened the envelope. "The winner is, Miranda Lambert, Lighthouse." We stood up and applauded, Hunter kissed my cheek and whispered.

"At least the other woman won." I nodded.

"I'm here, I already won."