Better in the Long Run

Fly With Me

"Sutton," I knocked before I poked my head in her bedroom, "we need you to bring your bag down. Dad is packing the car."

"Okay, just a minute," she zipped her backpack, and sighed, looking at me, she had a "question."

"Yes?" I sat on her bed. She went on to tell me she was nervous about travelling as she was expecting to have her period during the trip. She explained how miserable it made her feel and how her skin was oily and in her words 'angry'.

"Both your dad and I have skin that gets oily easily. We can find a product for you to help your skin. Sometimes just washing with water doesn't cut it." I swooped her hair off her shoulder, "Getting older is weird and awkward and uncomfortable. I know. But I promise the way you're feeling is completely normal, and it will get better." I helped her bring her suitcase down and we loaded up the last few bags in the car before heading to the airport.

We got through check in, security and boarded onto the plane. I sat with Easton while Beckett sat with Sutton. Hunter sat just in front of us with the band to go over scheduling for Australia and New Zealand. The flight was an over nighter, and as we chased the sunset in the sky, I saw Beck and Sutton nodding off. I got up to cuddle them with blankets before cuddling up with Easton and closing my eyes. I drifted off quickly and woke to a gentle rub on the shoulder.

"Hey beautiful," Hunter whispered, "rise and shine."

"Hey," I kissed his cheek, "we gonna land soon?"He nodded and woke up the kids across the aisle for breakfast. "Easton babe, wake up." He groaned and mumbled before sitting up and stretching.

"Hey mom, when do we land?"

"Soon hun," I smiled, "we are gonna have breakfast on the plane. Cool?" He nodded. We are, landed and headed into London Heathrow airport and were ushered by a security team to a series of black Cadillacs that escorted us to the hotel. I was surprised with the number of fans lined up in the airport and jokingly said to Hunter, "They knew you were coming. I didn't realize how popular you are here!"

"I didn't either," he laughed, "I didn't expect this." We got the kids into the hotel and settled. Hunter showered before I got the kids through the shower and lastly myself. We started performances tonight and I looked at my watch, the time read 10:27am.

"What time is sound check?" I looked at Hunter before looking over to see the kids navigating the tv.

"The stage is set, we go at three. We have meet and greets."

"Oh, that's news to me." I furrowed my brow, "Why didn't I know that?"

"I didn't know either," he showed me his phone, an email from Courtney, "we don't have anyone to watch the kids." I looked at them again before looking at Hunter.

"Sam and the guys?" I shrugged.

"We don't really exactly have any other options." He said, "Hmmm. Okay it will be fine. We are here for two days, then we go to Birmingham. We got two buses."

"Lovely," I smiled at Hunter, he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my forehead, "I'm glad to be on the road with you again." I whispered.

"Mom." Sutton's voice was flat, her blue eyes were as cold as ice.

Hunter chuckled, "Sorry, I love your mom so much." He tickled me which made me squeal and jump. I was never afraid of being a little affectionate with Hunter in front of the kids. The way we saw it, they would see how much we loved each other and see a healthy relationship. In the kind of public life we lead, seeing love and positivity against the rumours and rough patches was important.

"Do you guys want to go walk around a little? Mama needs fresh air and coffee." The kids and Hunter obliged. We got the kids outfitted to walk around and I reminded them, "If you see anyone taking pictures, just try and ignore it okay?" The kids nodded and I gave them sunglasses to wear. We walked out of the hotel and found a cafe a few blocks from the hotel where Hunter and I grabbed coffee for us and smoothies for the kids. We walked around and explored, and the kids seemed to really be enjoying themselves. "Your dad and I came to London for a few days on our honeymoon. Can't believe it's been almost fourteen years since then." Hunter squeezed my hand as we walked back to the hotel for downtime before rehearsals.

"So this is amazing," I stood in the middle of the gigantic, circular stage and looked around the O2 centre. Our opening act was a local band picked through management and we watched their set before getting ourselves situated. I looked over the set list, almost an hour and a half worth of songs. My favourite was the acoustic set where we would be debuting one of the new songs we had written and have been working on toward the new album.

"Just you, me and the music," Hunter said, interrupting my thoughts, "the acoustic set."

"What are your thoughts on doing a different feature song each night if it's just us two?"

"You love to keep people on their toes." He laughed. "We would have to practice but yes, let's get through Fly tonight and see how it goes."

"Agreed." I kissed his nose and we started our rehearsal.