Better in the Long Run

Gunnin'

"Merry Christmas!" Lynette and Leo entered the house, arms full of bags and gifts.

"Hey, merry Christmas," Hunter welcomes them in and helped them carry the gifts in, "come on in." We got settled around the living room with the tree lit up, The kids made a big circle on the living room floor and Millie laid on the bed.

"Grandma! Grandpa!" Sutton, Easton and Beckett jumped up to greet them with hugs and kisses before heading back to the carpet. Lynette and Leo greeted Ali, Jon, my dad and the boys as we all got settled with coffees, teas and got chocolate.

"Alright Aunt Ali and I will hand out the gifts to everyone then we will open them okay?" The kids nodded, their smiles beaming. We handed out the gifts to the kids and adults and began opening them. The room was filled with thanks, smiles and chatter as we opened presents and enjoyed a turkey lunch together. Ali and I tidied up with Lynette while the guys took Millie and the kids into the backyard to play in the little bit of snow we had.

"Ali I minister say those boys of yours are so tall. Alex is really on the move." Lynette said kindly as she loaded the dishwasher.

"Yeah he is amazing. He wouldn't be as great as he is if it wasn't for Hunter and Jenna helping us get the therapy he needed when he was little. I'm forever grateful for that."

"You would've done the same thing if the roles were reversed." I said as I slid the pumpkin and apple pies into the oven. We enjoyed the afternoon as a family, the kids played games and Elf was on tv for the twentieth time this week. The holidays were a special time and I was so grateful to have everyone in our home. By the 27th, it was time for Ali, Jon, my dad and the boys to head back to Toronto. Leo and Lynette had our boys for the day while we took Sutton to get her ears pierced.

"I'm a little nervous." She said, holding mine and Hunter's hands as the piercer put a tiny dot on each of her ear lobes and prepared the gun.

"You'll be okay," Hunter smiled, "just breathe, close your eyes if it helps. It will just take a minute." The piercer lined up the gun and the loud click sent a sterling silver stud through her skin.

"Holy macaroni." She said, almost panting, her eyes closed. I smiled as she squeezed my hand and the piercer lined up for the next ear. Click, "Oh my goodness." She opened her eyes, and the piercer handed her a mirror.

"Try and keep your hair away from them, even sleep in a braid if you can. Don't touch them unless you've washed your hands okay?" Sutton nodded, "Here's a cleanser. Once a day just put this on a cotton ball and wipe the back and front. They'll be a little sore for at least today. You need to keep those in for about six weeks before you can change them but I recommend you try not to fiddle with them okay?" Sutton nodded and thanked the piercer before we headed out.

"Are you happy with it babe?" I asked her as we drove home.

"Very much so. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

We headed Lynette and Leo's for dinner and gathered up the boys. "My Sutton those are very pretty. Gotta take good care of them." Lynette smiled. We enjoyed dinner before heading home to unwind and relax.

"Tomorrow we have to go to the office to talk about release week." Hunter said, scrolling through what I suspected was his email.

"Yeah, we'll just bring the kids I guess?" He nodded, "I'm excited, and a little nervous."

"Nervous about what?"

"People's reactions, the feedback.... I realize you put a lot on the line to do this with me. I sat cross cross on the bed, dumping my worries on Hunter's lap.

"I wouldn't worry about it." He smiled, handing me his phone. Our song was most requested this week on Sirius XM the Highway, and had reached 25,000 streams on Spotify. "If I didn't take risks, I wouldn't have a career. That being said, doing this with you wasn't a risk at all. It was a pleasure." He leaned forward and kissed me.

"Wow, well if this single says anything, maybe things will be okay." I smiled and he nodded. We kept talking back and forth until we realized the time, "I love you Hunter, very much." He pulled me in close and kissed my forehead, reciprocating his feelings.