Better in the Long Run

The Story of Us

September rolled in to October and for our Columbus Day weekend, we decided to fly up to Toronto to celebrate the Canadian thanksgiving. "Pass the gravy please, Sutton." Cade said across the table. "So aunt Jenna, are you making any new music? What about you uncle Hunter?" His bright brown eyes were wide and sparkling.

"We are working on a project, slowly but surely. It's actually almost done. Just little details left." I said, passing the sweet potatoes to Hunter. "How's school going, grade six, right?"

He nodded and talked about his teacher and what they're learning. "What about you Sutton, how's grade seven?"

"There's a lot tests. But I like it. I heard there is another school play coming up in the spring. I'm going to try out." She beamed as she scooped some cranberry sauce onto her plate. Cade and Sutton bantered in while Easton and Beckett both worked on their meals. Alex was growing and I was happy to see how well he was able to feed himself and walk around the house. The guys took the kids out to play after dinner while Ali and I cleaned up.

"It's nice to see them all together," I mentioned, putting leftovers in the fridge, "sometimes I wonder what life would be like otherwise."

"You would be miserable." She said with a laugh, "So, what's this album you're working on?"

"It's a much anticipated duet album." My sister squealed and clapped her hands. "The best part is that I basically wrote every song, Hunter edited and co-wrote. We wrote the music, recorded the demos ourselves and produced each track. All we have to do is the album art and promotion."

"That is super romantic. What's it gonna be called?" She have the table a final wipe before sitting down.

"Toss up between The Story of Us or Stripped. Seeing as it's a pretty raw, deconstructed list of songs..." I tried to describe it but instead I let her hear the final cut of With You.

"Wow. That's a lovely song. You can sing gosh darn it." She laughed, "I'm really proud of you. I know mom would be."

"Thanks, I feel like she would be." I told my sister about the newspaper clipping, "I never knew that happened. It must have meant something to her to have held on to it and then gave it to me." Ali nodded.

Our visit wrapped up and in no time at all, we were back home for school and work. After a few meetings and consulting with our team members, it was decided that the album would called Hunter and Jenna Hayes: All Undone. "I'm so happy with it," I said as I looked through the album art and promotional merchandise, "what do you think Hunt?"

"When's the release date," he said as he looked through the tee shirt options, "and I like those three shirts." I nodded and we were told the release for the first single will be December fifth and the album can follow up on January tenth. "Perfect." He squeezed my hand. We decided to do all of the instagram ourselves on our personal accounts once we made all the final decisions on the merchandise. "We should probably go and meet with Taylor." I looked at my watch and nodded. Taylor was able to get us VIP wristbands to her concert at the end of the week and it was all going to be a big surprise for Sutton.

"I cannot believe your daughter is thirteen years old. She was what - three or so when you were in California?" Taylor said over coffee at one of the cafes near our office. "And by the way, I loved your last album Jenna, seriously beautiful work."

"You're so sweet thank you. And thank you for the wristbands. Sutton is a huge fan." I smiled as Taylor fished out five wristbands from her purse. Confused for a moment, Hunter chimed in.

"Stephanie is coming. I texted her and that way Dustin and I will take the boys out bowling or something." Taylor wrapped up her visit, but reminded me to come early for meet and greets. I thanked her again and we headed out to get the kids from school. Our evenings were consumed with homework, reading, projects and assignments.

"This is why people say pay attention in school. I don't use algebra playing the piano but I will need to remember algebra for my kids homework," I groaned into the pillow as Hunter laughed, rubbing my back.

"I know. And I spent my days in school day dreaming about my day plans and tour bus designs." I rolled over and he leaned in for a kiss.