June 2014…
Rayna patiently waited at the Nashville International Airport with her grandson, Clay. Deacon had been on tour for several months. She was happy he'd be home for Maddie's wedding, and she'd been missing him more and more lately. He hadn't been home for over a month. She'd normally try to visit him on the road, but things with her label, Highway 65 had been crazy. She was also helping Scarlett raise Clay.
Deacon's career had really taken off once he'd decided to go solo again. He'd been touring fairly heavily for the past 15 years. While his fan base had been slipping the past 5 years, he still remained one of country's biggest names. He was still known as Nashville's best guitarist, and well known for not only writing his own lyrics, but those of many other major country success stories.
He loved touring, the fans, the excitement onstage, but had decided this would be his last major tour. The Boots and Bars tour would be wrapping up by the end of summer, after a year long stint. It was a compilation of his greatest hits, which followed his greatest hits album release last summer. The tour had been a major success. Belcort was pushing for more dates as the end came near, but Deacon was ready for semi-retirement and time at home.
The private plane landed on schedule. Rayna couldn't wait to get Deacon in her arms as he climbed down the steps, and off the plane onto the tarmac. Almost 22 years of marriage hadn't changed a thing. Deacon was still the most handsome man she'd ever seen. He was ageing a bit around the eyes, but still had a thick head of dark hair at 46. Rayna was jealous. She had to dye her red locks monthly to keep the grey away.
"God I've missed you!" Deacon whispered into her ear as he pulled Rayna and baby Clay into his arms on the tarmac for a long embrace followed by a deep passionate kiss.
"I can tell. I've missed you too, babe!" she replied returning the embrace and kiss
"How's my grandson?" Deacon asked as he took 3 month old Clay from Rayna
"He's been good. Missing grandpa, I think."
"I can't believe how much he's changed and grown in a month." Deacon said as he held Clay tight and nuzzled him with chin scruff.
"How's Scarlett? Any better?" Deacon asked hopeful
"Not really. Seems worse since Gunnar left on tour. I can see why he wanted her to stay with us while he's away. She's distant and seems detached from the baby."
"You think it's just postpartum depression, or something more?" Deacon asked concerned
"I hope it's just that and not more, but with Beverly's DNA it really worries me." Rayna admitted
"Yeah, I really didn't plan to raise another kid, Ray. I'm tired, and ready for semi-retirement alone with you. We'll have Mason outta the house in a few years."
"I know, babe, but what can we do? Gunnar's on the road so much, and after what I've seen lately, I'm afraid to leave Clay alone with her for long."
"That bad, huh?" Deacon asked
"Yeah, she seemed so happy after Gunnar married her, and all through the pregnancy. Let's just hope it's postpartum depression and she'll be fine soon."
"Yeah, I guess. How's Mason?"
"Aaahhhggg…don't even ask!" Rayna sighed
"Still bummed about Kiera breaking up with him, huh?" Deacon asked as they got to Rayna's Escalade
"Yeah, if I hear Megadeth's "In My Darkest Hour" one more time I swear I'm gonna scream, Deacon! He's been hiding out in his room playin it and singin it for days on his bass guitar."
"Alright, I'll try to talk to him." Deacon sighed as he fumbled to buckle Clay into his car seat.
"Have these things become more complicated or is it just me?" he asked still fighting with the car seat
"A little of both, babe. It has been 15 years since we've had a baby." Rayna laughed as Deacon finally got Clay buckled and climbed into the passenger seat next to her
'Tell me again why I came home?" Deacon playfully asked as he leaned in for another kiss across the console and a quick neck nibble
"I thought you were lovesick for me?" Rayna laughed and nibbled his earlobe
"I am. I can't wait to get you alone later. These damn kids are gonna be the death of me though, Ray!"
"…and of course your daughter's wedding. Speaking of that, you have a tux fitting tomorrow." Rayna reminded him.
"I don't even wanna think about THAT!" Deacon sniped and slumped back into the passenger seat
"Honey, we've talked about this. She loves Colt. He loves her. They've been dating for over 2 years. They've been engaged since Valentine's Day. They live together. They're amazing when they sing together. You need to just give him a chance. This isn't going away. They're getting married."
"I know, Ray. I just…never thought my baby girl would be a Wheeler!" Deacon sighed and squeezed Rayna's hand.
"You're hands are like ice, Deacon! How are you feeling?" Rayna asked worried
"I'M FINE, RAYNA!"
"Yeah, you keep saying that. You've been sick an awful lot this year. You never used to get sick. I think while you're home you need to have a physical." Rayna suggested
"I'm just gettin older, Rayna. This on the road lifestyle is takin its toll. In a few months I'll be done and home for good. I'll be fine, baby. Don't worry." He tried to reassure her
"I'm worried, Deacon! If you won't make an appointment, I'll make it for you and drag you to it!" she said as Deacon cussed and protested in the passenger seat.
Deacon quietly sulked in the passenger seat the rest of the drive home. Rayna knew he was mad about seeing a doctor, but she was worried. He'd been sick several times in the past year. His hands were always ice cold, and he seemed to run a low temperature more often than not.
"So, when does the whatever the hell they're calling it tour roll back into town? I miss my baby girl. I haven't seen her in 4 months." Deacon finally quit sulking and asked as Rayna pulled into the garage at home
"Maddie and Colt will be back tomorrow, and they're calling it the Bourne on Wheels tour." Rayna matter of factly told Deacon as she got Clay out of his car seat
"Bourne on Wheels! Great, just what I always wanted. Claybourne and Wheeler combined on a tour and an album!" Deacon sniped not happy about the name chosen for Maddie and Colts first bus tour together and album.
"Deacon, she's happy. Isn't that all that really matters? Don't you remember how happy we were in the beginning, on our first bus tour as young kids?" Rayna reminded him
"Yeah, but I seem to recall a pretty rough 7 or 8 years of marriage after that. I don't want that for her, Rayna."
"Well, babe, she's 21. You don't get to decide anymore…and maybe we had some rough years, but the last 15 have been pretty amazing. I wouldn't trade any of it. It was all worth it to end up where we are now. I love you, and Maddie loves Colt the same way."
"You're right, as always. I love you too. I never thought after all we went through early on things would be so great between us all these years, but I wouldn't change a thing either, Ray."
"So, are you OK, now? Can you get through this Claybourne Wheeler wedding for your daughter's sake?" Rayna asked as she put Clay in his pack and play and came back in the kitchen
"I don't like it, but for Maddie…I'll do my best. Right now, I can't wait another second to make love to you. It's been over a month. C'mere…." He whispered as he dropped his suitcase and guitar, scooped Rayna into his arms, and carried her to the bedroom for some afternoon fun, while Clay napped, and no one else was home yet.