Chapter 4: Pandora's Box
"Did I hear right? Watty said he saw Deacon last week at the Bluebird, that he's been playing there for the past six months at least? Apparently he's got some new songs, too."
"Yeah, that's right. I ran into Billy a while back and he told me," Bucky replied. He and Rayna were sitting in her kitchen going over their rehearsal schedule. "I guess I should've said something. I... well, you know, its' kind of awkward. I wasn't sure if you'd want to know."
Bucky noticed that Rayna couldn't help but smile and added, "But it's nice, you know, that you're happy for him."
"Yes, I am happy for him. It's such a relief, Bucky. You know Deacon. Even though we're not together, I still feel like he's family. We have so much history."
"You were a good team for a long time, too."
"Yeah, we were." Rayna looked over at the window. Maddie was playing in the yard with their nanny. She looked so happy and care free. "Okay, so what did you think of Pete?"
"Not sure."
"Oh, you mean you don't think the eyeliner and spiky hair fits with our look?"
"Yep, that about says it all." Rayna laughed.
"Oh the look on your face when he came up on stage to play. You don't know how much it took for me not to burst out laughing."
"Sorry, I'll try to screen better next time." Rayna couldn't stop giggling. "I don't know, that kinda made my day. I needed a good laugh today." Rayna heard the door open and soon enough, "Momma! Momma!"
"Sorry, Rayna, she just needs some time with her Momma."
"That's okay, Judy. We're wrapping it up here anyway." Rayna bent down to pick up Maddie. "Hi, sweet girl! Momma's gonna go push you on the swing! Doesn't that sound fun?" Maddie smiled and started fussing to get back outside. "Okay, you go out now with Judy and I'll be right there."
"Okay, Bucky, I think our time's up today."
"I'll call you tomorrow morning or as soon as I hear from Jimmy about our next interviews. See ya."
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"Absolutely not!" Teddy replied, in a stern voice, trying to be sure he wouldn't wake up Maddie. He came home by 7pm every night so he could at least read to her before bed time. As usual, Rayna had just fixed him a plate of dinner and he was standing up, eating, when Rayna dropped the bomb.
"Teddy, we've always agreed that if Deacon got healthy, he could be in Maddie's life somehow. This is perfect. He needs a break, Teddy. You know how talented he is. You want Maddie's biological father to be someone she can be proud of- you know, when she's an adult and we tell her the truth."
"But this is too much, Rayna. Playing with the band, traveling with you? How do you expect me to deal with that after all he's put you through?" Teddy put the plate down on the dinner table and turned away. Rayna walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Teddy, I love you. You are Maddie's daddy and I love you even more for that. I wouldn't do anything to harm what we have. I just can't stand the thought that one day Maddie will know the truth and she'll hate us for not letting her know Deacon. She'll hate me for not helping him. I think she'll hate us both!" Tears fell down Rayna's cheeks.
"Rayna," Teddy turned around and wrapped his arms around her. "We'll figure this out," he shrugged. He knew Rayna's fear about Maddie finding out about Deacon sometimes kept her up at night. Even though she made an oath to him, he did worry at times that she might breakdown and tell Deacon, and that made him even more anxious.
"I suppose it would give Maddie a legitimate reason to be around Deacon without it looking suspicious or forced." Rayna looked up at Teddy and kissed him gently. "Will you think about it, at least, please, for me?"
"You need to give me some time, Rayna. This is asking a lot, but you and Maddie are my world and if you think this is what's best for her, then I have no choice but to think about it. Just give me some time."
"You're such a good man, Teddy Conrad. I love you so much!" Rayna kissed him again.
"Now sit down and eat." Teddy sat down at the table. Rayna put one arm around his shoulders and then sat down on his lap. She picked up his fork and lifted it to his mouth. Then she picked up the glass of red wine, had a sip and gave some to him. "God, I love you," Teddy whispered to her.
