Where Love Grows

It's All Good

"Hey love, mind coming with me to a dinner meeting at the brewery?" He poked his head in the bathroom where I was curling my hair, "You look beautiful, birthday girl." He kissed me cheek and leaned up against the counter.

"Thank you sweetie. I can't even say my age out loud just yet. It's scary."

"Forty" He whispered in my ear with a smug grin. "It's the new twenty five." I laughed and shook the can of hairspray, setting my curls.

"I'd be happy to come with you. We gonna leave Sutton in charge?"

He shook his head, "My parents got back from their cruise a few days ago, they wanted to see the kids." He had that mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes. The kind that made me think he was up to something and needed me out of the house.

"Well, then who is the interview for?" I started my make up, dolling it up a bit for the fact that my picture could be taken.

"It's a meeting, not an interview," He corrected me, "I think I might tidy up my face." He started digging through the drawer for his trimmer. "I had a restaurant company approach me about investing and creating a bar or diner, something with my name on it."

"Bar and diner are super different. How do you feel about it." I examined his eyes. I could always tell if he was fibbing or hiding a surprise by his eyes.

"Not sure. I would like you to come listen and give me your thoughts. I like what I have right now, I don't know if I want to pour myself into something else. I just want to get back on the road."

"I understand that. I want to go full force on festivals this summer, even if we tour in between. Like I am cool to live on the bus." Hunter smiled and agreed. We wandered downstairs to find our tribe in pyjamas playing video games on this rainy Saturday morning. "Where's Sutton?" I asked the boys and they pointed down the hall toward the piano. "Hey girl," I said, sitting next to her.

"I think my voice is tired." She sounded raspy. "My throat feels like it's working really hard to get the songs out."

"Well, rest it. I'll make you tea, it always helps me. No talking, no whispering and no dairy." Her eyes were wide as if I asked her to stop breathing. "I got put on vocal rest a time or two. You need to give your voice a break. You have been practicing all hours." She followed me to the kitchen where I made her a tea and added honey. "Careful, it's hot." She nodded and cupped her hands around the mug. Hunter joined us and he saw the tea packets and honey on the counter.

"Vocal rest?" He eyes Sutton and she nodded, "Better rest now than lose your voice before the play." She nodded. Hunter and I made brunch for the kids where I got to open gifts and cards. Eventually Sutton headed upstairs to watch movies on her tablet while Hunter took the boys out to walk Millie. The day was quiet until Hunter's parents arrived which prompted me to get changed.

"What should I wear?" I stood in my bra and underwear, staring at the closet.

"You look perfect, but if we are going out, you do need clothes." He whispered, wrapping his arms around me. I turned around slowly, placing a kiss on his lips.

"Thank you, but not helpful." I looked at Hunter, he was hearing black jeans and a dress shirt. I fished through my clothes and pulled on a pair of burgundy jeggings and a creme coloured dress top.

"That's perfect." I touched up my make up before we said bye to the kids and headed out the door. We were driving in the total opposite direction of the brewery. I looked at Hunter and he chuckled, "Don't worry." I sat back and had to laugh while I rolled my eyes.

We drove for about a half hour and drove onto the property of Cheekwood Estate. "They close at five sweetie." I said and he shrugged, continuing to drive up toward the massive building. He parked and came around the car to open my door. He smiled and laced his fingers through mine and lead me up to the mansion, opening the door and leading me into a dimly lit foyer.

"Happy birthday Jen." As he said that, the lights came on and in the room adjacent to the foyer, I saw friends and family.

"SURPRISE!" Ali and Stephanie emerged from the crowd, arms wide open.

"Oh my goodness! Ali!" I hugged her, "When did you get here? How?"

She laughed, tears filled at the corners of her eyes, "I came this morning, and I leave tomorrow afternoon. Just had to see you on your birthday." I thanked her and mingled with everyone from Steph and Amy to Cole Swindell and Chris Lane.

"Hunter, you went above and beyond." I kissed his cheek, "Thank you."

"You're most welcome." There was music, food and the drinks were flowing freely. Hunter got cup cakes and everyone sang happy birthday and cheered as I blew out the candle. We danced and talked. By midnight, the guests began to dwindle. I barely remember getting back to the home or even getting into the car for that matter.

"Here love," Hunter's whisper woke me but I kept my eyes shut, "you will want some tylenol."

"What did I do last night." I groaned, rolling over and pressing my face into the pillow. I heard Hunter chuckle and could feel him climb into the bed, cuddling me.

"You danced, and you drank, which made you dance more and made you thirstier so you kept drinking." He kissed my shoulder and rubbed my back gently. "I'll close the blinds and you rest. Beckett has soccer in an hour. I'll take Easton with me."

"Thank you." I mumbled, "I love you."

"I love you."