Better in the Long Run

Neon Light

"Dearest Hunter,

Wishing you lots of love and happiness on your 40th birthday. You deserve the best today and everyday.

Forever and always, Jenna xo"

Hunter read the birthday card before digging into the presents from the kids and myself. The kids got him a few new shirts and a cologne. He hugged them and thanked them before they ran off to get ready for school. "This is from me, nothing naughty, I promise." With a joking face of disappointment, his face turned to shock when he opened up the brown ring box the revealed a finished wooden ring. "I did some research and digging. That is a ring made from the one hundredth barrel of your Five-H whiskey."

"No way, how cool?!" He hugged me before he continued to dig through the gift bag. Within it he found a custom decanter and a bottle of whiskey barrel coffee beans. "Jenna this is all so cool, thanks babe." I kissed his cheek.

"You are most welcome my love." Hunter headed off to a co-write while I got the kids to school. Before they hopped out, I told them what was going on for dinner, "We are having a small surprise party at dinner for your dad. He doesn't know that everyone is coming to join us. He thinks we are just having a family dinner." The kids smiled and headed off to class while I headed to The Rock Bottom restaurant and brewery to drop off balloons and birthday cake for the surprise party. Afterward, I grabbed coffee with Amy.

"I feel like with everybody being in school, we are just so busy all the time." She said, talking about Hailey's second grade class. "How are the kids taking to that new school?"

"Really, really well. Sutton said she feels encouraged to try out for stuff. Easton said in the spring he's going to try out for the junior soccer. Beckett isn't old enough for try outs but I know he will one day." I sighed and took a sip of my coffee, "I'm glad we moved them. How are things, how's work?"

"Just the usual, I just work straight days now so I can be home for Hailey. What have you been up to?" I briefed Amy on the album, and we discussed the surprise party for tonight. "Oh he's gonna be shocked," I nodded, "I can't believe we are getting to reach our forties." She laughed and shook her head. I agreed with her, mostly feeling sort of terrified for myself. We wrapped up our visit and I had time to get a pedicure and my hair done before going to get the kids from school.

"Agendas out, homework before dinner." I looked over the agendas, "Beckett, you have to do this math work sheet, Easton, what is this?" I handed him a notebook from the teacher, "Sutton, you have an art assignment?" I reviewed the rubric, create a piece of art (paint, media or song) to explain a time you felt sad, scared and alone. "Why sad?"

"Part of the class got sad or scared, part got angry and the other part got happy." She smiled, happy with her assignment, "Writing about sad stuff isn't that hard." I shrugged and handed her the rubric before she hopped off to the piano.

"Mom I have to build a pulley system for science."Easton said, handing me back the notebook. "With candy."

"Oh, great. Ummm, can you draw me what you're supposed to build and we can build it together this weekend?" He nodded and sat down with a pencil and paper to design his project. By the time the clock read five, I had the kids washed up, changed and reading on the couch while I did my make up and Hunter arrived home.

"You look gorgeous." He kissed my cheek as I looked in the mirror. I opted for a grey maxi dress with a denim vest and gold sandals.

"Is it too much?"

"Not at all." He said sweetly, pulling a tee shirt from the drawer. He buckled up his black jeans before heading down. "Rock Bottom, right?" I nodded, informing him we made reservations. We arrived and the parking lot was almost empty. I advised everyone to park elsewhere in case Hunter recognized their cars. We walked into the restaurant and found close to thirty friends and family shouting surprise as I let Hunter walked through the door first. "Did you plan this?" He laughed, hugging me.

"Of course. Happy birthday Hunter." I kissed his cheek and he broke off to greet his parents and friends before we sat down for dinner. Before the cake, I stood up to make a quick speech, "Thank you all for coming to celebrate Hunter's birthday with us. Can everyone join me in singing happy birthday?" Everyone cheered and on cue, two servers brought out Hunter's cake with the candles lit. He blew out the candles and we served up the cake. Hunter thanked everyone again and the night dwindled down. We said goodnight to our guests before taking ourselves home.

"That was a sweet surprise, thank you Jen." He kissed my lips softly.

"You're very welcome babe," I kissed him back, "happy birthday." He pulled me in closer, kissing me softly from my lips to my jaw and down my neck. I guided him back up to my lips and felt him against me, he was ready. Gently, he tugged my shorts and underwear down and I freed him from his boxers.

"Come on top," he whispered, guiding me over top of his body, holding my hips firmly. He guided my hips back and forth, I learned forward to kiss him, "yes, babe," he muttered. I used my free hand to feel myself up and get to climax simultaneously. With a half drunk smile, he said, "I love you."

I gently lifted myself off of him and rested my head on his chest, "I love you."