Better in the Long Run

I'm Only Me When I'm With You

"That is perfect thanks Tammy. See you soon, bye now." I hung up the phone and turned to Millie, "Let's go for a stroll my dear." I clipped up her leash and we walked for about an hour up and down the riverside. As we came back on to our street I saw Hunter pull up in his black Mini Cooper. "Hey babe."

"Hey," he kissed me, "good walk?" I nodded and we walked inside together and I briefed him on the plans for tonight.

"I'm gonna order pizza for pick up and we can grab it on our way back from the school. They're going to be so surprised." I leaned against the counter, "The girls are going to sleep over. They're getting dropped off at quarter to five, Steph and Dustin will be here at five." He nodded, "Want coffee or something?"

"Coffee would be perfect."

"How was work?" He told me about his day and what they were up to while we enjoyed a cup of coffee together. We went to pick up the kids and I looked at the window as the leaves began to turn a reddish gold colour, reminding us fall was fast approaching. I hopped out to get the kids, "dad and I have a lot of work to do for our album release so we are having pizza for dinner." As planned we stopped off a Pizza Hut to grab my order and took it back to the house. Exactly at 4:45 the doorbell rang, Lilly and Savannah were on the other side. "Hey ladies come in."

"Thank you for inviting us for a sleep over Mrs. Hayes." Lilly said sweetly.

"You're most welcome. Sutton, can you show the girls where to put their things?"

"What?" She came around the corner, "Hey! I didn't know you guys were coming." I looked behind her to see Hunter smiling.

"Well that's because you three are going to see Taylor swift tonight." They erupted in cheer, jumping and hugging each other and us. Hunter and I were laughing and once they finally calmed down, they asked if we were joking.

"Not a joke." I said, as Hunter gave them each a wristband. "Aunt Stephanie is on her way, you girls get your bags upstairs, get some food in you and we leave in half an hour alright?" They nodded and obliged. Stephanie arrived just on time and we headed to the stadium while Hunter and Dustin took the boys out.

I pulled up to the stadium and we took the back door in with a security guard. He brought us to a room where the girls sat, "I think once the main doors open and the fans come in we will get taken to the VIP booth." I tried to stay cool as I knew Taylor was coming to meet the girls before her formal meet and greets. I heard a knock on the door, "Come in."

"Hey," I heard Taylor's friendly, bubbly voice, "I heard there are some people waiting to meet me here?" Sutton was speechless as Taylor sat beside her, "Hey, I'm Taylor. You must be Sutton. It occurred to me the last time we met you were like, three years old so I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't remember me."

Still in shock, Sutton smiled and nodded, "We were in California and my dad's arm was broken." Taylor nodded, "It's so nice to meet you again. I'm a big fan. My brothers and I sing your songs all the time."

"Really? Do you have a favourite?" Taylor smiled and stood up, grabbing an acoustic guitar that was leaning against the wall.

"You Belong With Me was the first song I learned on guitar." Taylor handed her the guitar.

"I would be honoured if you played it for me." Sutton's jaw dropped and she nodded, setting up the strings and played note for note. I recorded it and Taylor had a glowing smile. "That was beautiful. Is there something I could sing for you?" She smiled as Sutton slid the guitar back over to her. Sutton asked if she could play Out of the Woods and Taylor happily began strumming and without cue, Sutton, Savannah and Lilly sang backup in the chorus to perfection. Steph and I smiled as we enjoyed the little quartet.

"I am going to sing a surprise acoustic song tonight, Amy requests?"

"I'm Only Me When I'm With You?" Savannah said quietly. Sutton and Lilly agreed, it was their song.

"Done." Taylor said before offering to take pictures and getting lead to her meet and greets as we were taken to the VIP area.

The concert was amazing, Sutton had a smile on her face the whole time and sang her heart out during I'm Only Me When I'm With You. Afterward, we got home and I thanked Stephanie for her company before accepting a huge hug and thank you from Sutton. "Thank you so, so much. Aside from you and dad, Taylor is one of the biggest inspirations when it comes to music and it was so amazing to meet her. You and dad are the best."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it sweetie." I was otherwise speechless and I kissed her before sending her off to bed with her friends. Hunter was in bed and I climbed next to him, smiling, "so, our daughter said we are her biggest musical inspirations." He smiled, and I added, "you, me and Taylor Swift."