Where Love Grows

Star of the Show

"This next category is celebrating our city and genre's newest talents. These are your nominees for CMT breakthrough artist." I said, reading off the TelePrompTer. The overhead speaker read out the list of new artists and Hunter opened the envelope.

"The winner for breakthrough artist is Henley Chapelle!" Hunter announced. The crowd applauded as a petite blonde girl a few rows from the front climbed up the stairs to receive her award. She hugged both Hunter and I before making a quick speech and heading backstage. I changed out of my dress and into a second dress to grab a seat in the audience as our category for video of the year. Hunter and I sat hand in hand as the Video of the Year category was announced.

"And the winner for Video of the Year is," Chris Lane opened the envelope, "Hunter Hayes and Jenna Hayes - Heaven Can Wait!" Hunt and I jumped up and hugged before going down hand in hand to claim our award. Over the loud speaker, I heard that we had also won "Duo video of the year" and a second award was handed to us.

Hunter stepped forward to the mic first, "Thank you God, first and foremost for giving me this gift and this woman beside me who I can share my passion with. This award is extra special tonight as it is the first time we joined forces on a full length album. We poured our hearts into this project - thank you so much." He stepped back, allowing me to say a few words.

"This is an incredible win for us because this is all from the fans. I may be biased but I think Country music fans are the greatest. Thank you so, so much! I also want to thank our team for accepting our wild and crazy ideas, our family for your ongoing love, support and sacrifice. This is wonderful - thank you."

We walked backstage with Chris Lane and we changed again, this time for our performance. I ditched the glitzy dress and for jeans and a pretty top while Hunter donned his signature jeans and tee shirt. We took our places on the stage with our guitars and played Heaven Can Wait. It was amazing to see our friends in the front rows singing along, applauding us as we rounded out the last few notes.

Granger Smith and Danielle Bradbery walked on stage to award Hunter with the social superstar award. The look on his face was priceless as he made a quick speech. Shortly after our performance, the show wrapped up and the after party began. By midnight, we were calling up an Uber to get home and found Leo sitting up.

"Congrats! You did great." he hugged us before waking Lynette and heading home. I checked on the kids and we stumbled into bed.

"Good job babe," I kissed his cheek, "I love you

"You did a good job too. I'm really proud of that album." He turned toward me, pulling me in for a kiss, "I love you too sweetheart."

"Wow, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes your home is lovely," Jake was grinning ear to ear as he grabbed a seat at the table, "thank you so much for having me."

"You're very welcome Jake." I dished out the enchiladas as the side dishes made their was around the table. "I apologize you weren't able to come earlier this week, we had some work stuff."

"No, not a worry. I watched you on CMT, congratulations. Your performance was great."

"Why thanks, Jake." Hunter smiled as we dove into our dinner. We asked Jake about his music and what got him interested in musicals.

"I really enjoy music and it's kind of a blessing living in this city, you know. But I love to perform, especially in the musicals. I hope get into NSA come grade nine and really work on those skills."

"That's great," Hunter said, "it was a few years ago but Sutton went to a summer camp there." She chimed in and talked about the program and how she too was interested in going to NSA for high school.

After dinner commenced, Hunter took the boys on a walk with Millie while I cleaned up the dishes. Sutton and Jake hung out in the living room where I could hear them chatting.

Seven thirty rolled around and I heard a knock at the door. "Hello Mrs. Payne, please come in." I welcomed Jakes mom in, "Jake, your mom is here." Promptly he and Sutton made their way to the front foyer as his mom and I made small talk.

"Thank you again for dinner ma'am. Sutton, thanks, I'll see you at school tomorrow." They shared somewhat of an awkward side hug and he headed out. Once the door was closed, Sutton hugged me.

"Thank you."

"For what?" I asked as we headed back toward the kitchen.

"For being you."

I kissed her head, "Thanks for being you, don't change."