Tag to "I Saw the Light," Nashville 1x16. What if Deacon already knew Maddie was his? (The girls and the media don't know.)
Deacon stood in the wings behind Stacey and Maddie. There was something about the moment watching Rayna play, watching this amazing girl watch her momma – it made his heart full. He swung his arm around Maddie's neck, giving her a side hug of sorts. She smiled up at him, her smile reaching all the way to her red glasses and hazel eyes. He smiled back at her.
He had been backstage when he heard the music start. It confused him at first because he knew all the music in both sets backwards and forwards, Rayna's from over a decade of repetition and Juliette's from recent necessity, but the opening chords didn't register. And there were so few songs that either woman started acoustic.
But then Maddie's strong voice rang out through the stadium, her sister's shortly following. The sound made him rush to stage right, not wanting to miss any of his baby girl's first stadium performance. Leaning against the Anvil cases next to the stage, he stole a glace at Rayna, who was entranced by their performance. The pride on her face matched what he felt himself – Maddie had grown into such a lady, and he could tell she and Daphne would go far with their talent.
"Ho." Deacon joined in as the chorus began, speaking a little louder, so that Ray would realize he was there too. He cocked his head and gave her a half smilke. She held his gaze for a couple of seconds too long to be acceptable, after all his girlfriend was wandering around New York sightseeing by herself. But that in that short time Rayna's eyes shone with amazement of this person that they created.
"Hey," Rayna chanted, grinning right back at him.
And despite not being able to say it, because he knew how badly a bombshell like this could affect Rayna's career, he was so proud to know that he was a part of that girl's greatness, of her future success. He may not have been able to support Maddie in all the ways a father should, but in the ways that counted – genes, advice, support – it was enough.
It would have to be enough.