Better in the Long Run

Heaven

Our time in Manchester wrapped up and we did our two day stint in Edinburgh, Scotland. We had two days off before the last few shows and spent Sutton's birthday in Edinburgh. Hunter and I agreed to go explore some of the castles - something all the kids would enjoy.

"Oh my goodness! Mom are you seeing this!" Sutton called from the back of the car, "Wow!" The kids were speechless as we explored, and we made sure to take plenty of pictures.

"Mom, did you and dad come to Scotland a while ago?"

We nodded, "Yeah wow, ummm what, four or five years ago now? Either way, the history here still blows me away." Once we explored every corner of the castles, we headed to the city for Sutton's birthday lunch.

"It is absolutely amazing that you are thirteen years old. Your mom and I are so proud of the young lady you are growing up to be." Hunter smiled, almost teary eyed.

"Happy birthday Sutton." I said as we sang happy birthday at the restaurant. After we enjoyed the dessert, we piled into the bus headed for Glasgow to meet up with the band and continue on the tour. In the blink of an eye, we finished our tour in Dublin. We had two days left with Hunter before he headed to Australia and we went back to Nashville.

"I'm going to miss you babe." I hugged him tight, "Travel safe and have fun."

"It's just two weeks, and I'll be meeting up with you in Toronto."

"Right. I almost forgot." I placed a kiss on his lips before Hunter said bye to the kids. We headed to our gate as Hunter went to his.

"Mom?" Sutton said quietly as we sat and waited for the plane, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am sweetie. Are you?"

She nodded. "I'm already missing dad. But I had a lot of fun on this trip. It was so different than home."

"It is very beautiful here." I smiled as she leaned her head on my shoulder, "I'm happy you and your brothers could come with us." I watched the boys sit together across from me as they played a game together on the tablet. After what felt like an eternity, we boarded our plane. "Who is sitting with who?"

"Can we sit together?" Easton asked.

"As long as you behave. You get one chance." They pinky promised they would behave and I sat with Sutton. The flight was long, and it was so nice to see Stephanie waiting for us in the arrivals section.

"Hey guys!" She helped me wheel out suitcases and handed me the keys to the suburban. "How was the trip and tour? Did you guys have fun?" The kids chatted her up the whole way home and when we arrived home, we found Lynette, Leo and Millie awaiting us.

"Millie!" Easton exclaimed, "I missed you!" She licked his face and her tail was wagging like crazy. Lynette was a total sweetheart, making sure we had groceries and making us a welcome home meal.

"Hunter set off for Australia?" Leo asked over dinner. I nodded and he turned his attention to the kids, "Tell me, what was your favourite part of your trip? Sutton - how did you spend your birthday?"

"We went to the castle in..." She looked at me.

"Edinburgh, Scotland."I smiled.

"Yeah. Scotland. It was awesome."

"Wow," Lynette said, "your dad emailed me a picture of all you on a bridge. Where was that?"

Easton piped up, "That was in Manchester. There was a river and a little restaurant beside the concert place. It was so cool." Beckett shared that his favourite part was the castles too. I thanked Lynette, Leo and Stephanie for all of their help in getting us home and settled before they headed out.

"Sutton, shower first." I turned to the boys, "Can you guys help me empty the suitcases?" I had them sort the whites, darks and colours with me in the living room. We sorted the laundry and once all the kids were showered, I got them settled with a movie in Netflix. "I'm gonna grab a shower, you guys good?" They nodded and enjoyed something Easton picked. I figured he would still be in the sky but I sent Hunter a quick text before jumping into the shower.

J: made it home, so good to be back. Love you

I showered, put on some comfy clothes and headed downstairs to see my tribe cuddled up on a heap of pillows and blankets. "Can I join?" Beckett scooted over and I cuddled up between him and Sutton. "I love you guys." I kissed them and sat back, realizing that we were watching Finding Dory.