kelsxaballerini

[kelsxaballerini]

[ text ] : hey, i miss you. that's all.

( text ): i miss you too, baby. how is the press going?

[kelsxaballerini]

Kelsea Ballerini

[kelsxaballerini]

Oh my gosh, I am literally the most uncool person ever. Hence when I am just fangirling over you. Yes, I did. I wish I could pull off your style. Please, I would love that so much, let's do it.

Stop it right now, you’re gonna make me blush. You are cool, like, ridiculously talented, effortlessly cool, and also somehow the sweetest human ever? I should be the one fangirling here. And the fact that you stalked my Instagram? Honored. We need to fangirl in person, preferably over drinks.

[kelsxaballerini]

I am not in the studio yet but my little notebook full of songs for the next era has some ideas that I am excited about. I am just not fully ready to leave the Patterns era right now. He has been spending a bit of time with me there, it's nice. Sometimes but not as much. Private: She did!! I am screaming, crying, and throwing up. Please, let me know if you guys need anything. Aunt Kels is here for you. How are you feeling?

are you already in the studio making another album? i wouldn't put it past you, you're such a busy bee. do you spend a lot of time in nashville with joe? do the paps still follow you around there or do you get more privacy? private: did cari give you the good news yet?? we're having a baby!! it's still early days, so we've only really told family but we're so excited.

[kelsxaballerini]

Private: It can be a lot, I get it. Are you okay? Ah! The scream I just let out. I am so so happy for you guys, this is amazing. I am so ready to be the best auntie this kid has. Do you need anything?

private: i apologize for dropping off the grid for a bit. after dropping BOY, my mood kind of spiraled and i've been avoiding the outside world for a bit. however, i'm back and i come with good news -- you're going to be an auntie sooner than you think. yes, that means exactly what you think it means. vic is pregnant! @kelsxaballerini

[kelsxaballerini]

[kelsxaballerini]

Knowing that no matter what she had been through the last good few years, Dibs was always excited for her to come home is something that kept her strong. She loved how Joe just fit into that. “I’ve never really thought about it. It’s just been Dibby and I for so long now, I guess I was scared I couldn’t handle another dog alone.” Kelsea admitted. “I’m sure he’d love having someone to show off too.” She laughed, scratching behind his ear. 

Her heart soared and it was reflected by the smile on her face. Her work was her life and it was true, she came with so much baggage but Joe didn’t seem to care about her past, he saw her for the woman she was now, not a past version he had to fix, just her. “Wait, seriously?” Kelsea asked, bitting her bottom lip. “Well if we unpack your stuff we can move right into that drawer and shelf I will clear out. If you want that is.” Kelsea looked at him, her hands nervously playing alongside the neckline of his shirt. She knew her feelings ran deep for Joe, that this was more than she had ever felt before but she also knew there were a lot of factors here and the last thing she wanted to do was say the wrong thing and spoil the moment. 

“You’re so bad.” She teased, moving back up to kiss him on the lips. Deeper, more intensely. Joe drove her wild in the best way and she used the leverage of his hands in her pockets to push herself even closer to him as her hand snaked down his chest. He consumed her and there was no one else who could take her from this moment. She for perfectly with Joe, she could stay here forever if she let him. 

Joe couldn't help but chuckle at the mention of him and Dibs, knowing damn well how fond he'd grown of Kelsea's dog over the past several months that the two had been together. "My little guy," he said with a laugh. "He'll always be a mama's boy at heart, though." He gave a pause to think, then eventually brought up a question he'd been pondering for a couple weeks. "Do you think you'd ever get Dibby a sibling, or is he more of an only child kind of dog?"

There were few feelings better than Kelsea's hands in his hair, and he hummed softly to let her know as much. "Wouldn't want to do it with anybody else," Joe was quick to retort with a smirk, leaning in enough that he could press his nose to Kelsea's. "For real, though, you should... if you want to, that is. Your place is way cozier than my formerly known bachelor pad, but you've got a half of the closet whenever you want it." It was a sizable step -- one that Joe had often felt like he wouldn't feel ready for again -- but Kelsea was changing the game every day, and it felt fundamentally right to take that small step of 'moving in' to each other's spaces.

It was almost as if she couldn't be close enough. If Joe were honest, his mind was racing and filled to the brim with thoughts -- of her, of the coming tour, and everything in between. When Kelsea moved to sit in his lap, though, it was only her that crossed his mind. "Me, implying?" Joe chuckled lowly, hands moving to slide into the back pockets of Kelsea's jeans as she kissed at his jaw. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

[kelsxaballerini]

I want to seem cool to you but I am just here to fangirl. I can't like, the other day there I spent an hour stalking your instagram because you are just so in and the fashion choices? Insane. You are always killing it. @eizagcnzalez

[kelsxaballerini]

kelseaballerini: cma fest, wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. @cupofjoes

[kelsxaballerini]

It was such a fun time, I am still working with him so it is going to be exciting. It's been a crazy year in every sense of the word but I love it so much. I will, we just gotta do CMA Fest first. I am going with Joe on tour so I am getting to play groupie for fun. Of course I did! It is such a feat and no one deserves it more. You continue to break down barriers and smash ceilings for everyone, Tay.

Hey, second's not too shabby! I'm proud of both of you, for the record. You've had one hell of a year, and I'm hoping you (lovingly) get to slow down at times and just enjoy it all. I won't ask what comes next; instead, I'm going to ask you what you plan on doing for fun in the near future. The way I screamed when you shared the post on Instagram and made my heart sing... always going to be the luckiest to have you in my corner, Kels. Country girlies forever, no matter what they say.

[kelsxaballerini]

The blonde singer head fell back as the laughter ran through her at Joes words. It was so easy just to let go with him. She got to be the version of herself she always wanted to be. No shows, no pretence, just her and he still wanted to be here with her. "He loves you too, he will go crazy when you walk through that door." The idea of the pair of them curled up with Dibs was something she was really looking forward to.

Naturally, her arms snaked around the back of his neck to play with his hair when he pulled her close. Big cities always made Kelsea nervous, espeically ones she didn't know too well but with Joe by her side all weekend, it was never an issue. He always calmed her. "Should I clear out a drawer, clear out a shelf?" She teased him with her own lyrics. Kelsea didn't want to scare him but the idea of him being here all the time was something she knew she wanted.

Moving over to the sofa she fit so easily in his arms and brought her knees her chest with her head resting on his shoulder. Kelsea looked up at him with a smile at his words. She moved to straddle his lap, placing a kiss on his lips. "Mr Jonas, just what are you implying?" Kelsea teased him, placing kisses down his jawline.

"Fine," Joe had huffed dramatically, "but don't come crying to us when you're in bed all alone and trying to be the biggest spoon on the couch." The words fell off his tongue with a lighthearted laugh, grateful for what he had found both in and with Kelsea; these moments he'd been collecting were beyond special, and he cherished every single one. "I do love that dog, though," he'd added with a lopsided grin, "so naturally, I'll be excited to see him."

A wave of relief flooded Joe's senses when they were both back in Kelsea's home -- alone, together, at last. He'd settled in so easily to her mannerisms over the past few months; it felt like second nature when her hands found his shoulders, and it only compelled him to pull her closer. "It is, isn't it?" he chuckled lowly, arms reluctantly sliding from her frame to grab their bags and take them back to Kelsea's bedroom. "I've got a toothbrush, a pair of sweats... I mean, I'm basically already moved in."

Once he'd put their bags away, Joe moved to the living room to plop down on one of the couches and patted encouragingly at the space next to him. "Come here," he said softly, eager to wrap his arms around his girlfriend again. "What're we thinking for dinner? It's the lady's choice, because I've only got one thing on my mind right now and it's definitely not a takeout menu," he teased, one corner of his mouth curving upwards into a sly smirk.

[kelsxaballerini]

[kelsxaballerini]

Thanks. I just feel like I always have a million ideas in my head and it just helps me when I get it all down on paper. And then it becomes a new album. I could never make you look bad. We are making it work, which is amazing. Private: Oh, I totally get that and I promise I will not buy anything until we know for sure and are in the clear. I cannot wait for this to happen. You guys will be the coolest moms, they will be so lucky.

i actually admire the work ethic and that's why you're so successful. you're just making the rest of us look bad, btw. i've only worked a handful of days this year and i'm starting to feel like an underachiever. he's so famous that getting any kind of privacy is tough but i'm hoping the cameras aren't bothering you too badly. private: i'm not pregnant yet, so maybe the baby clothes can wait a little bit? that's the superstitious part of me tbh. i don't want to start buying things until it's 100% confirmed. however, i love how excited you are for us and our future baby will be so lucky to have auntie kelsea in their life.

[kelsxaballerini]

Me either, I love us for this. All about those that lift us up. Thank you! That is what it was all about. They all mean so much to me and all helped me in so many ways so letting them have their moment was so important to me. We got second and I proud of him for that and I am sure he is in for a good career. Thank you, you are too kind. Also, back to you. Girl, the way I screamed when I found out you had your masters back. Yet again, proving to the world what a badass you are. I am so proud and so happy for you.

Not a single one, Ballerini, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It was incredible -- what a powerful team of female songwriters on a really powerful song. I could go on about it for hours but I won't, I promise. He really has -- I promise I've been voting! You've been nothing short of incredible, Kels. Everyone you coached is so lucky to have been gifted a sliver of your heart and expertise in the industry. We love you to the ends of the earth, girl.

[kelsxaballerini]

Having time scheduled out where they didn’t have any commitments, didn’t owe anyone anything but just had to be with one another. It was perfect, he was perfect. The weekend confirmed what she already knew, Kelsea was falling in love with him. Part of her wanted to tell him but there was still one part of her worried that it would scare him off. Kelsea nuzzled into Joe as the settled in for the flight. Hearing him call it home made her heart skip a beat. “If Dibby goes straight to you then you’re both on the sofa.” She laughed. 

It felt so natural that Joe was coming back to her place and Kelsea was very thankful she didn’t have to go to bed alone tonight. She just wanted to order take out for dinner and fall into bed with him. A routine becoming so easy, she didn’t want it to end. She was thankful to have someone like him, even if she said she was fine to carry her own bag, he still took it for her. A gentleman, her gentleman. Kelsea giggled when Joe pulled her in at the waist, her hands on his shoulders as they kissed. “You know I really like hearing you call this place home.” She beamed. 

𝒽𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒 / joe & kelsea.

In the past few months that Joe had been with Kelsea, it'd become evident that home was not a place but a person -- and yet, there was nowhere Joe wanted to be in the world right then than back with Kelsea at her place in Nashville. The trip to Boston had been incredible, but nothing compared to getting cozy with his girl and her dog at home. As they got settled in their seats on the plane, Joe was quick to reach for Kelsea's leg and squeeze softly at her thigh. "What a great trip, baby," he whispered, leaning in to press a quick kiss to her cheek, "but I can't wait for us to be home together." There really was nothing like it; as the plane landed and they grabbed a car back to Kelsea's place, Joe felt himself feeling more and more at ease -- coming down from the busy atmosphere and exhaustion that came with a fun-filled vacation. Joe awkwardly shuffled through the door with all their luggage and, as soon as they'd crossed the threshold, he quickly discarded all their bags to grab her waist and pull her toward his chest. "Welcome home," he then whispered, leaning in to capture her lips in a soft kiss. @kelsxaballerini

[kelsxaballerini]

*waiting in their hotel room*

Happy release day, @cupofjoes!

You put your whole heart into this album and I am so excited for the world to hear it. I love watching you work and love celebrating you even more. Brb going to stream it 10000 times. Congratulations, baby!

KB x

[kelsxaballerini]

Kelsea Ballerini