Better in the Long Run

Good as Gold

"Yep, thank you." Hunter hung up the phone and sat at the island as I was making us lunch.

"Insurance?" He nodded. The company would be replacing all of the equipment that was damaged or destroyed by the fire week before last. "Stuff is replaceable. You my love, not so much." He was pretty upset about the loss but had a lot to look forward to.

"I'm glad I'm home. And Sutton's performance is tonight. You excited?" He asked as he received the turkey sandwich I put on his plate.

"Oh my goodness yes. She said she has butterflies but she's so excited." I enjoyed lunch with Hunter before we spent the mid March afternoon doing errands and walking Millie. "She's going to riding camp, did I tell you?"

"Yeah, Cross something right? And the boys are doing what?"

"Beckett is doing a baseball camp while Easton wanted to do outdoor adventure camp." Hunter looked at me like a deer in headlights.

"We should trade your Range Rover in for a minivan." He laughed.

"Absolutely not," I playfully swatted him. "Easton and Beckett's camps are at the same place, just different groups. It will be good for everyone to do something or try something they like. I always feel like the boys get kind of sidelined with Sutton being older and exploring all these avenues of interest." I swirled my spoon in my coffee, "I want to try and have more one on one time with each of the boys and do things they like."

"That's awesome. Remember though, you're only one human. I think the kids are doing great. Look at their grades, they're involved in school and we are finding ways to help them explore their interests." He placed a hand over mine, "You're a great mom."

"Thank you sweetheart. You're a great dad. They love you so much." We picked the boys up from school and Sutton stayed for the cast and crew pizza party.

"Why do we have to go back to school?" Beckett asked.

"Your sister's play is tonight. We are going to support her. And we have to bring her home. We can't leave her at school." I laughed as we parked and walked inside. We were greeted by the principal and directed toward the auditorium. As other guests filed in, Hunter leaned over to me.

"If she's really into music, this acting and show production stuff, we should consider sending her to NSA for high school." I sat back, thinking about the camp Sutton attended the year before last and how much she blossomed.

"I would love to explore that option and talk to her." I looked around the auditorium and it made me happy that we decided this year to switch the kids to the private school system.

"Let me look into it and when I get back, we will talk to her." He kissed my cheek and sat back at the lights dimmed in the auditorium and the stage was illuminated. 

The show was an hour and a half in length. Sutton made a remarkable Wendy and the play ran smoothly. We met up with her backstage afterward and her brothers gave her a small bouquet of roses. "Sutton we are so proud of you." She received hugs from all of us and we headed home, talking about our favourite parts of the play. "I know it's been almost a year but how are you guys liking this school?" Although it was a hard decision, Hunter and I felt it was best for the kids to switch them to this new school after seeing reports from the school board about students performing below the state average, inconsistencies with teachers and bullying.

"I could do without the uniform but it's a nice school. I feel like the teachers want me to do more. Like the play. That would have never happened at the old school." I nodded, agreeing with her.

"I like it," Easton piped up, "there aren't so many kids in my class and everyone seems to listen and be good." I turned to see Beckett shrug with a toothy grin.

"I like school." I smiled, and Hunter squeezed my hand, reassuring me. We arrived home and got everyone winded down and ready for the next school day.

"Sutton, come to my bathroom so we can get that make up off you," she obliged, and as I wiped her face I made sure to congratulate her again, "we are so proud of you. You're so bold to set your mind to something and chase after it. Never stop doing that." I kissed her forehead, "Alright you are make up free, go brush your teeth and get your pyjamas on." She headed out and hunter walked into the bathroom as I was brushing my teeth. He playfully hip checked me.

"I'm gonna miss you," he said quietly, leaning into me, "what are you gonna do with all your free time?"

"Free time?" I laughed, "I am the spring break camp chauffeur." He nodded, "I don't know. I'll probably call Amy or Steph up, see what's going on there." Stephanie and Dustin had been together for about eight months and things were serious. She was living at his house when he was home, but she still worked full time at Vanderbilt. "I will miss you though," I turned around, leaned against the counter and Hunter rested his hands on my shoulders, kissing me gently, "always do." I whispered.

"Let's say goodnight to the kids, maybe we can continue this after." The twinkle in his blue eyes made my heart skip and we tucked the kids in before hopping into our own bed.