Better in the Long Run

Love You For a Long Time

"Hand me your list, Beck," I scanned through the back to school list, "I wish I did this before the award show." I muttered as I grabbed a few packages of lined paper.

"What about this, mom?" Beckett said as he waved a box of markers in my face.

"Beck, you have hundreds of markers, love. Let's just stick to the list. You excited for grade three?" He nodded and we continued down the next aisle. "Okay, your sister needs blue, black and red pens. Can you get me a pack of each?" He hopped to it while I grabbed sticky notes and erasers. "I can't believe school starts tomorrow." Hunter took Easton and Sutton out grocery shopping while I tackled this task with Beckett as he was also in dire need of a hair cut.

"Smile guys!" I lined the kids up and they held their annual signs stating the first day of school. Hunter was especially happy to be there for this first day hustle and bustle.

"How is it that I've missed several of these first day of school moments?"

"It's because sometimes we can't be in the same place at the same time." I laced my fingers through his, "There are many more firsts to look forward to. We still have about ten or so years left of these kinds of firsts." I smiled and we decided to head to the brewery to check in on things before heading home.

"Hey, so I was thinking," Hunter had a particular twinkle in his eye, "what if I sold the mustang that is hibernating in the garage and I got a Mini Cooper?" He showed me a few pictures on his phone.

"If you would actually use it versus it sleeping in the garage all the time, sure." I kissed his cheek, "treat yourself." He smiled and decided he would go tomorrow to the dealer in the city. "Can we talk business for a sec?" I handed him a mug of coffee and he nodded. "Our music, when would you wanna release it?"

"You're on track to release a new album according to your record deal. It's been a year and half since you released your last album. It would be a big follow up and you gotta kinda catch the next big wave before it settles you know?" He smiled, holding my hand with his free one.

"I understand and maybe that's why I'm so about getting this done. The hard part is over. We have the songs written, the demos are done. Just gotta produce them."

"And are we hiring a producer out of budget or?" His voice trailed off.

"Think between you and I we can do it?"

"I know we could but it would just be work. Sam might be able to help."

"Work I know I have time for. I promise. And if Sam wants to help, I couldn't say no." I smiled and Hunter relaxed, standing up to wrap me in his arms. "You're the best you know that?"

"All I can do is try." He whispered and kissed my cheek. The rest of the day was filled with 'first day' stories about teachers and classmates from grades seven, five and three.

"I remember taking you to preschool Sutton," Hunter said as he twirled his spaghetti on his fork, "your mom was so nervous. I tried to tell her that we should just keep you on the road and teach you how to tune guitars." Sutton smiled and shook her head.

"I was nervous, and you seemed so little at just three years old to be going to preschool. Then Easton was born so it was kind of nice you had something to do during the day."

"I didn't go to preschool." Beckett announced.

"That's correct," I said, and I explained when he asked why, "well both your dad and I had a lot going on with work, and you had your brother and sister to play with. Sutton didn't have anyone to learn how to share with at her age. Easton went to preschool because you were just a baby and I needed a break to be honest. You were ready for JK when the time came. I wouldn't do anything differently." Beckett gave me a smug smile before diving back into his dinner. Sutton cleared her throat before throwing her pearlescent blue eyes toward her dad and I.

"So, Lilly told me that there's a Taylor Swift concert coming up in October...." she averted her gaze back to her dinner.

"Yeah, and?" Hunter smirked.

"Well, you're like, friends with her right?"

"What are you trying to ask us Sutton?" I had an idea but I wanted her to say it out loud.

"I am pretty sure it's at the Nissan stadium, and it might be sold out....." she sighed, "if you're friends, can't you like, get us backstage?" Hunter looked at me and I shrugged.

"Just because we are in the business of knowing other celebrities, doesn't mean we should use that privilege to take advantage." Hunter said coolly, "What I will do is see if Taylor can get us wristbands for the vip section. Not backstage. Fair?" Hunter looked at me for approval before affirming that with Sutton.

"And I obviously have to go. Because it's Taylor." I placed my hand over Hunter's and he laughed. "Sutton, please don't tell anyone until we talk to Taylor okay?" She nodded, grinning ear to ear. We tidied up dinner and enjoyed a walk along the riverside before calling it a night.

"I don't want her to learn that she can use us to get closer to other celebrities - especially for the sake of making and keeping friends." I said to Hunter as we got ready for bed.

"Oh I know." He slid his phone across the counter.

H: Any chance I can snag wristbands for Jenna, Sutton and two friends at Nissan?

TS: Absolutely! Let's talk tomorrow.