Take It From Me

Move Along

Between the summer tour, filming for the Next Country Star  and camps, the vacation was over and the kids were gearing up for school. In a whirlwind we were getting Sutton ready for her first day of high school, sending Beckett into fifth grade with a food allergy and Easton was going into seventh grade with a rediscovered love for soccer.

"I love you boys," I smiled as the kids hopped out of the car, "see you later!" I drove off to a writing meeting downtown while Hunter took Sutton to school.

"I am so incredibly proud of you." He smiled before she jumped out of the front seat of his Mini Cooper. "Have a great day, love!"

"Thanks dad!"

J: Boys are at school, going to songwriting w band & a few others. Will be out by 3

H: perfect. Going to the brewery and team meeting at the office. You okay to tackle dinner?

J: yep xo love you

H: love you

"Jenna, is it true you are signing to Thirty Two Bridge?" "Will you ever tour again?" "Are you going to keep writing after you leave Atlantic?" The reporters were hounding me as I exited my car and walked up the steps to my writing session.

"All I can say is that my story isn't over yet - I'll keep you posted!" I waved and headed inside to see Kyle and a few other friends ready to get down to business. "Before we get started, I want to let you guys know that no matter what you hear, I'm not done in this industry and I am reviewing offers for the new year."

"New year, new start." Kyle said and I nodded.

"Let's get down to business, I had this idea stirring..." I opened my notebook and we got down to business.

"And when darkness turns to light
It ends tonight
It ends tonight
Just a little insight could make this right
It's too late to fight,
It ends tonight."

"Wow," Sutton let out a barley audible gasp, "that's such a good song." Her brothers agreed as we sat around the piano.

"For the first time in a little while I wrote it for me," Hunter sat on the sofa across from the piano bench and nodded, "I have exciting news that I will be singing more, again because in January I will be with a new label."

"That's so exciting," Easton hugged me, "what made you want to do that?"

"Well, remember my contract with Atlantic is ending and because I have slowed down a little, they're not resigning me." Sutton looked confused and almost shocked, "I'm not sad about it one bit though. Since day one, I've always said I'm a mom and wife first, everything else comes next."

"She's right," Hunter interjected, "and since almost day one, your mom has pushed really hard to get where she is today and overcome a lot of obstacles."

"So this label I'm signing with understands that I'm a mom and that my family is everything to me. There will be lots of other investments and opportunities to take part in, so that's why I have decided to sign with Thirty Two Bridge." The kids applauded and hugged me.

"Luke has some different ideas, not just music," I sat on the couch with Hunter after the kids went to bed, "first off, he wants us to consider me going to the Crash My Playa event, then doing a guest spot every Wednesday at his restaurant for the month of February."

"You aren't even out of Atlantic yet," Hunter smiled, "but I support it, and as long as it's not too much for you."

"Thank you Hunter," I sipped my wine, "for everything, truly." He placed his hand on my knee. He knew it was a hard decision to step back to take care of the kids but even harder to decide to keep pursuing music with all the ups and downs in my life.

"You deserve to shine Jenna," he squeezed my hand, "honestly. And our kids are so incredibly proud of what you do, that's probably why Beckett was being sassy and why they always ask to hear you sing."

"Being their mom is truly the best thing I could have done these past few years...." my voice drifted off and I broke my gaze from Hunter. My mind was swirling with the album we did together, the UK tour and Australia. I thought to myself, I haven't totally stopped but I really put family first and music got swept aside.

"Stop thinking Jen," he stood up and held his hand open, "I think we should call it a night." I took his hand, stood up and we made our way to bed.