Where Love Grows

Perfect Storm

"Happy last day of school loves!" I dropped the kids off and headed to yoga before grabbing lunch with Stephanie. We were packed up and ready to head out on our summer adventures in just a few days. Between CMA Fan Fest, tour preparation, radio interviews and promotional shoots, I had barely enough time to spend with my kids, let alone my best friend.

"Hey stranger," I was greeted by Stephanie sitting on the patio at Maggiano's, "good to see you."

"Likewise," I hugged her and sat down, "I can't believe it's the middle of June, I haven't seen you since,"

"Your birthday in March." She finished my sentence, "I have been so busy, you have been way too busy. Congrats on the CMT awards. I PVR'ed it, I love that song."

"Yeah it's one of my favourite." I smiled as we placed our order and continued talking.

"I love it so much, I was hoping you and Hunter would sing it at my wedding." She beamed. I almost dropped my drink as I reached for her hand. Resting on her ring finger was a pear shaped diamond resting on a platinum band.

"Stephanie!" I got up to hug her, tears in my eyes. "When? How?" She explained how Dustin proposed on their recent trip to New York after a romantic dinner on a roof top overlooking the harbour. "So freaking romantic."

"We have more news." My eyes grew wide as I could only imagine where this was going.

"We are getting married in September and come October, we are getting our twins. We did IVF with a surrogate." I teared up and hugged her.

"I am so happy for you. Happily ever after, eh?" She smiled and nodded. While we ate we discussed everything wedding, and how it was just going to be small, close friends and family, maybe 100 or so people.

"Would you be my maid of honour? After all, I wouldn't be here, with this man without you."

"Absolutely." After lunch, Steph headed into work while I headed to the rehearsal space where Hunter was.

"Hey good lookin'" He put his guitar down to greet me, "you're all sorts of smiling. Good lunch date?"

"Amazing." I told him everything and he was over the moon, saying he would have to text both Steph and Dustin. "Can we squeeze in a few songs to practice? I have to leave in an hour." Hunter nodded and we got down to business, practicing our acoustic set for the tour and festivals.

"I liked that, perfect." I kissed his lips and grabbed my bag. "I have to go get the kids, love you."

"Love you too Jen," he hugged me once more before letting me go, "I'll be home for dinner tonight." His smile melted my heart. He had been working double time between tour prep and promotion.

I pulled up to the school and welcomed two giddy boys and a very angry teenage daughter into my car. "How was the last day?" The boys talked my ears off while Sutton sat silently in the front seat, her eyes evidently red from crying. We arrived home and the boys cleaned up their lunch bags and romped off to play in the yard while Sutton trudged upstairs. I sent Millie into the backyard with the boys before heading up to Sutton's room. "Knock, knock." I pushed the door open, "Sutton?"

"I just really need to be left alone mom." Her back was facing me as she rested on her bed.

"That's fine. Umm, I'll just put my iPod here for you. I made a playlist for you." I closed the door and heard her footsteps across the floor as she plugged the iPod into her speaker, the volume of the first song just loud enough to trickle through the door.

I walked through the door with you, the air was cold
But something 'bout it felt like home somehow
And I left my scarf there at your sister's house
And you've still got it in your drawer even now

Oh, your sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze
We're singing in the car, getting lost Upstate
Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place
And I can picture it after all these days

And I know it's long gone
And that magic's not here no more
And I might be okay
But I'm not fine at all

I stood with my back against the wall as I heard her breakdown into tears by the time the chorus played. I snapped out of it as I heard the boys pull the back door open, "MILLIE!" No more than ten seconds later, the big, goofy greyhound was tearing up the stairs, muddy paws and all.

"No! NO! MILLIE!" she jumped onto Easton's bed before careening across the hall into Beckett's room. I closed my bedroom door before catching her. "BOYS!" They stood at the bottom of the stairs, "What happened?"

"She ran through the garden and I was coming to get you but she pushed past me." Easton said, his hands covered in mud.

I looked down at the dog as she was panting, the biggest smile on her face. I had to laugh. "Okay, let's get her leash please, Beck. East, go wash your hands. We have to clean yours and Beckett's beds now. I walked her back downstairs and outside. The boys helped clean up the mud.

"Why are you laughing, mom?" Easton said, confused as I hauled out the vacuum.

"She looks pretty happy with herself doesn't she? It's kind of funny. It sucks that shes filthy."

As we were cleaning, Hunter came home, confused as to why mud was splattered around the house. The boys explained in great, dramatic details and Hunter chuckled, shaking his head. "How about I handle dinner and you three just finish what you started?"