Deacon fell asleep easily with Rayna in his arms. While he still struggled with Rayna and Luke's affair, he knew Rayna loved him, and he truly believed she was sorry, and it would never happen again. He was sure in time he'd get past the hurt and betrayal. He accepted that he himself was largely to blame for the trail of events leading up to Rayna's affair, and knew that if he'd handled their problems better it might not have come to that point.
Rayna was having a harder time now that she knew he still struggled with her infidelity. It had been a year. She'd said she was sorry countless times, and tried to reassure him it was a mistake. She had no romantic interest in Luke, although she was aware that Luke still hoped maybe they'd have a chance together someday. Luke had been there for her during the first days after Deacon's accident, when the doctors could offer no hope, or answers. She had completely broke down in Luke's arms in the hospital waiting room the day after Deacon's accident.
She'd felt guilty that day when she went back to Deacon's bedside. He was laying in a hospital bed, struggling for his life, his handsome face battered and bruised beyond recognition, and she'd been two rooms away in the arms of a man she knew Deacon despised. She'd tried to distance herself from Luke after that day, but as the days went on, and Deacon didn't wake up, she had hours of nothing to do but think.
She'd let herself wonder "What if Deacon doesn't wake up?" "What if he does and doesn't remember her, or the kids?" Technically they were separated and living apart at the time of his accident. She wasn't sure if he recovered where they'd really stand with each other. If he recovered and they couldn't make things work "Would she have a future with Luke?" If Deacon didn't survive the coma "Could she love Luke?" "The kids would need a father."
Luke had called her about 2 weeks after Deacon's accident. She was waiting outside the school to pick up the girls when her phone had rang. He was about to go out on tour again and wanted to see her before he left. She'd met him for ice cream with the girls, and he ended up taking them all to his ranch to show the girls his horses. They'd gone back the following day because the girls wanted to swim in his Olympic sized indoor pool. It was part of the few hours here and there Rayna spent with the kids away from the hospital, and it was more about the kids than her and Luke.
It was all innocent. The kids were there the entire time. They were never alone together. The only contact was caring embraces because her world was in pieces and she needed Luke more than she wanted to admit. She needed someone to hold her and tell her it was gonna be OK when Deacon couldn't. Luke had done that for her.
Luke had also been great with Maddie and Scarlett the few times they'd been around him. She'd had to take them to the studio a couple times after Deacon left her. She didn't hear from Deacon for an entire week after that horrible day he'd walked in on her fight with Luke and heard everything. Luke had been sweet and played with them, letting them sing in the booth.
There was nothing to admit. No wrong doing, but she felt maybe she should share with Deacon the support Luke provided her in those dark days. She wondered if maybe Deacon could see Luke truly as her friend and nothing more he might soften towards him, but she knew Deacon was extremely stubborn and could be so closed minded. His disdain for Luke went much further back than the affair.
She felt guilty where both men were concerned because the affair had actually forever altered two relationships that she valued very much. Her marriage while now strong again would always have a dark cloud. Deacon had forgiven her, but she knew he'd never forget and whenever things became challenging she knew it might come up.
Luke had become her best friend before the affair. He was there to talk when her marriage was falling apart. He was there for movies, drinks, and dinner to cheer her up. They shared a lot of the same marriage issues. His wife, and Deacon were both unhappy at home as they toured, and Luke understood the fights, the time away from kids, missing milestones, and special occasions.
Rayna missed that part of her friendship with Luke. She didn't have a lot of close friends because of her career. Most people wanted something from her, or the attention from being near her, or the power she could provide to help them achieve their own success. Luke understood that even more so than Deacon, but at the same time Luke had been there in the beginning before she was Rayna Jaymes, and cared then too.
Sleeping with Luke had forever changed the dynamics of their friendship. She couldn't run to him with problems about her marriage anymore. They could remain friends, but Deacon was a taboo subject. Knowing how Luke felt about her meant not talking about marriage issues with him anymore. If she did he'd get false hope that maybe he could have a chance with her, and she didn't want to do that to him.
She was committed to Deacon, and her marriage. She loved Deacon more than she'd ever love anyone. They had 3 kids together. They'd been to hell and back in the past year and survived. That had to mean something. She had to forget any type of relationship with Luke. Deacon wouldn't understand even an innocent friendship that Rayna so needed at times.
Her mind continued to wander throughout the night as Deacon slept peacefully beside her. He was so handsome in the moonlight. They'd been together almost 9 years now. Married 6 of that. He could still drive her crazy with a touch, a soft kiss, or even a look at times. Watching him sleep she was so thankful he'd survived the accident. He could easily have been the one driving and suffered Vince's fate. She would rather go through a bitter divorce than lose Deacon that way so permanently.
The morning the police stood on her porch and told her there had been an accident, Deacon's truck, and the driver was dead. Her world stopped spinning. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. The thought of a world without Deacon in it was incomprehensible. He couldn't be gone. Not like that. She'd almost collapsed when the medical examiner pulled back the sheet and it wasn't Deacon. Her heart started beating again in that moment and she took what felt like the first breath in over an hour since the police had shown up.
The morning sun was streaming through the bedroom window. Rayna had layed awake all night her mind running through the past year over and over. Mason had been overly active, back to what seemed normal for this pregnancy. She'd had heartburn all night. In hindsight lasagna and garlic bread wasn't the best idea after 9pm for a woman 8 ½ months pregnant. The day was beginning and she was exhausted, but excited for the first "date night" she could remember ever having with Deacon since they had actually been dating.
Sure, they'd spent a lot of time together. They'd shared a lot of romantic times, but all seemed to be either award shows, red carpet events, concerts, family dinners out. She couldn't think of a single time in recent history or maybe never in their marriage where they'd actually had a "date night" with just the two of them.
"Good morning, baby." Deacon sleepily said as he reached for Mason and gave Rayna a quick peck on the lips before quickly moving down to kiss the baby bump.
"Oh…I see how this is gonna be. You're getting a boy and I'm not gonna exist." She joked as he slowly worked his way back up to her lips stopping to take extra care at her swollen breasts.
"That's not true. You know I need you. I just can't keep my hands off him. I'm so ready to hold my son. This last few weeks is gonna take forever but, I'm not sure it's gonna be 3 weeks, Ray! The girls are awfully swollen this morning. You feelin OK? Any contractions?" he asked as he kissed Rayna's neck moving back up to her lips.
"Nope, just a lot of movement like he's been doing. I don't think your son cared for my lasagna as much as his daddy did. I didn't sleep a wink. My mind just wouldn't shut off. Mason kicked all night, and the lasagna kicked too." She laughed
"I'm sorry sweetie. Not much longer. Maybe you should see the OBGYN about all his movement? Is that normal? Maddie never moved that much." Deacon asked a little worried.
"I asked at my last check up. She did an extra ultrasound and said everything looked fine. He's bigger than she'd like, but seems healthy."
"How big does doctor Finn think he's gonna be?"
"Well, I have an appointment Monday. If he's over 8 pounds by then she said she'd probably take him early."
"Wow…Maddie was barely 6 pounds, and Scarlett wasn't even 5 pounds when we saw her at 2 weeks old. Remember she practically fit in the palm of my hand?" Deacon recalled of the first time they met a tiny Scarlett. She had only weighed 4 pounds 9 ounces at birth. She was still tiny for her age.
"I'm goin with you Monday. I should've went to that last appointment."
"It's OK, babe. You had to stay with the girls, but they'll be back in school Monday so I'd like you there especially if she decides to induce early. We can go right to the hospital." She smiled and took Deacon's hand.
"Monday…huh? January 5th. Good Birthday? Too close to Christmas?" he mused at the thought of Mason arriving as soon as Monday
"Today would be fine with me! I can't wait to get this kid out."
"A New Years Eve baby. Tax deduction if you come out by midnight Mason." Deacon laughed as he encouraged Mason to make an early appearance
"You might wanna enjoy your last weeks of quiet, Ray. He could be worse once he's out."
"Well, yeah, but then he's daddy's little problem while mommy catches up on sleep." Rayna laughed and kissed Deacon's cheek
"I'm perfectly fine with that. You can sleep for the first few months if you want. I loved every second of Maddie's first few months."
"I remember. I barely got to hold her. You always had her in your arms. You spoiled her rotten. She screamed if we tried to put her down for the first year."
"Ohhh…that's true. She still screams if she doesn't get her way." Deacon laughed
"We really ready for this? 3 of em. We'll be outnumbered."
"I'm ready for anything with you, Ray. I'm just happy we have another chance."
"Me too, Deacon." She smiled sleepily in his arms closing her eyes as Mason settled down for the first time in hours.
"Why don't you go back to sleep, Ray. I'll take the girls out for breakfast and call Tandy about taking them for a few days. You look so tired, sweetheart. Sure you're up for tonight?" he asked
"Yes, I can't wait for tonight and a few days alone. We gotta get it in now. Once Mason gets here we won't have any quiet time for a while."
Rayna was so exhausted she drifted off to sleep while they talked. Deacon covered her, and quietly slipped into the shower. She hadn't moved 20 minutes later when he came out.
He quietly crept down to the living room. The girls were sound asleep still. It was barely 8am. He needed a private place to call Tandy to set his plan for the evening in place. He went into the sound proof home studio and dialed Tandy's number.
"Hey, Tandy. I've got a really big favor to ask you and Bucky. Do you guys have any plans for the next 2-3 days?"
"uuuhhhh…No I don't think so. Buck hasn't mentioned anything. Why?"
"Well…first I'd like to ask if you'd be willing to take your nieces for a few days starting tonight?"
"Sure, love to."
"Great, and there's more…you guys have breakfast yet?"
"No, just coffee."
"Would you and Buck join me and the girls for breakfast? I'm planning a surprise for Rayna tonight. I'm gonna need your help."
"I love surprises. Do tell?"
"Soon. I'll pick you guys up say 930 for breakfast out?"
"Well now you've got me curious. OK, we'll be ready. See you soon."
Several hours later with his surprise plans for Rayna set into motion with Tandy and Bucky on board, Deacon arrived back home with the girls to pack and get ready for the evening and a few days alone at the cabin.
He'd kept the girls in the dark about the plans fearing they'd be excited and spill the beans to Rayna. The girls simply thought they'd be spending a few days with Tandy and Bucky which was partially true.
Rayna was packing for the few days at the cabin as Deacon entered their bedroom. She'd already packed the girls suitcases for Tandy's.
Deacon wrapped his arms around her from behind rubbing her bump and kissing the back of her neck which still sent butterflies to her stomach every time he brushed the back of neck with his scruff. She turned to kiss him and hold him tight. She'd felt really needy clingy with him towards the end of her pregnancy with Maddie. She was feeling the same now like she needed to be in his arms, and couldn't get close enough.
"Somebody miss me?" he asked as she held him tight
"I always miss you when you're away from me."
"I missed you too. How you feelin? Did you get some sleep?" he asked concerned she still seemed so tired
"A little, but someone isn't much cooperating with relaxation." She sighed as she ran her hands over Mason.
"Maybe he'll settle down on the drive to the cabin and let you sleep tonight." Deacon smiled and kissed her bump feeling Mason rapidly move under his hands.
"I dunno, Ray. Maddie never moved like that." He said worried
"Maybe we should do dinner and come home? Tandy can still take the girls and give us some time alone."
"I'm fine, Deacon. You haven't been to the cabin in 8 months, and I haven't spent a night there in years. We're only an hour from town. I was in labor with Maddie for 6 hours. Even if he decides to come early we'll make it to the hospital." She tried to reassure a very worried Deacon
"You sure? You feel OK, and wanna go out tonight?" he asked giving her an option if she needed to rest
"Yeah, Maybe getting out doing something will help settle him down? I've been looking forward to dinner alone with my handsome husband all day." She wrapped her arms around Deacon tight again
"You're like a little suction cup. You just can't enough of me, huh?" he took her face in his hands for a kiss as Rayna clung to him
"I don't plan to let you go for the next 3 days." She squeezed him tighter
"I don't plan to fight you. I'm all yours." He held her tighter still feeling uneasy as Mason flipped and flopped against Deacon as they hugged tight
"Sit down, baby. Let me rub your back and shoulders. You're so tense." He sat Rayna on the bed rubbing her back and shoulders
"Jesus, Ray. I can feel him moving in your back. Why don't you call Dr. Finn? I'd really feel better if you get checked out before we go to the cabin."
"It's New Years Eve, Deacon. I hate to bother her now. I have an appointment Monday."
"DAMMIT, RAYNA! CALL HER, OR I WILL. THIS IS CRAZY. YOU'RE MISERABLE. MONDAY IS 5 DAYS AWAY. WHAT IF SOMETHING IS WRONG?" He didn't mean to lose his temper but he was worried. Rayna's pregnancy with Maddie had been a breeze compared to this.
Rayna burst into tears as a hormone shift took hold. She was sobbing incoherently rubbing her stomach.
"I'm sorry, Ray. I didn't mean to yell. I just hate seeing you so damned miserable. I'm gonna call the doctor. Gimme your phone?" he said asking for Rayna's phone with Dr. Finn's numbers stored
"Is this one the emergency number she gave you?" he asked finding 2 numbers for her
"Deacon, it's not an emergency!" She protested as he called the number anyway.
Dr. Finn herself answered on the 3rd ring. There are some perks to being Rayna Jaymes.
"Hi, Dr. Finn. This is Deacon Claybourne. My wife Rayna is really uncomfortable. We're not sure anything is wrong, but I'd feel a lot better if you could check her out today, please?"
"What seems to be the problem?"
"She's not getting any rest. The baby moves and kicks all the time. I can feel it in her back now. She's just exhausted, and emotional. She says her insides hurt."
"OK, well, doesn't sound too alarming, but I'll meet you at my office in 30 minutes. We'll do a quick ultrasound just to make sure things look OK."
"Great, thank you soo much." He hung up and rubbed Mason
"She'll meet us in 30 minutes for an ultrasound." He said as Rayna was trying to stop crying
"C'mere, sweetheart. I love you, and Mason. I'm worried. This doesn't seem OK. You shouldn't be this uncomfortable and in pain. C'mon Mason, calm down big guy. Mama needs a break." Deacon pulled Rayna into his arms as she sobbed and rubbed her back where he could still feel Mason kicking
"You already got the girls stuff ready for Tandy?" he asked Rayna
"Yeah, their suitcases are packed and on their beds."
"OK, let's get everyone in the truck. We'll just go ahead and take the girls to Tandy now."
"C'mon sweetie." He helped Rayna up and knew she was in pain
"Take it easy on the stairs, Ray." He said as he grabbed the little pink suitcases and followed her to the garage
"C'mon girls. We're goin to Aunt Tandy's a little early." He said corralling the kids to the garage."
"Would you mind if we take the Escalade, honey? The heated seats help my back." Rayna smiled at Deacon knowing he hated her SUV
"Anything for you, baby." Deacon smiled as he helped Rayna into the passenger seat of her SUV
20 minutes later Dr. Finn pulled into the parking lot of her closed office and ushered them into the dark space. She flipped on lights and power to the ultrasound machine as Deacon helped Rayna onto the table.
"OK, lets see what's going on in there?" she said as she glopped gel on Rayna's abdomen
"I'm glad we got you here today. Nothing is wrong, but he is very large. I was pretty certain I was going to have to take him after your Monday appointment, but I don't even want to wait that long. He's over 9 pounds now."
"So, what does that mean?" asked Deacon
"Well explains all the discomfort. Rayna's frame is small. Mason is pushing on her rib cage, and kicking her kidneys. That explains the back discomfort and feeling him there."
"I'm going to schedule you for a C section on Friday the 2nd. Let me check my schedule. OK, how's 1pm for you?"
"So surgery?" Deacon was concerned
"She'll be fine. We could induce for a vaginal delivery on Friday, but sometimes they don't work, and the risks are higher with added drugs. My advice is a C section."
"OK, we're havin Mason Friday." Deacon was beaming with joy
"You guys have a great holiday. Get some rest if you can. I'll see you Friday to meet your son."
"Thanks for getting us in so quick doctor." Deacon appreciatively said to Dr. Finn as he helped Rayna off the table.
As they drove home Deacon kept his hand on Mason. Rayna relaxed against the heated seat.
"Friday, huh?" Deacon couldn't stop smiling
"I'm happy this pregnancy is almost over. Not sure I want a C section, but I trust Dr. Finn." Rayna seemed worried as Deacon kissed her hand
"You're gonna do great, baby." He smiled as they pulled into the garage
He helped Rayna in and to the couch. Just in the past day she'd become so uncomfortably miserable. It was bad before, but now she was suffering. Deacon hated seeing her like that.
"C'mere, sweetie." Deacon pulled the ottoman close and put Rayna between his legs spread out in front of him so he could rub her shoulders and rub Mason from behind as she leaned against his chest
"That feel better. Warmer against me like a heated seat." He kissed the top of her head
"Yeah, that is comfortable." She drifted off to sleep leaning against him
"Feel a little better after your nap?" he asked as she woke in his arms
"I am feeling better. What do you have in mind tonight?" she asked trying to get information out of him about his plans for the evening
"Why don't we just stay in, Ray? You're so uncomfortable. There'll be other chances for "date nights." I'll make you a nice dinner. Anything you want. I'll run to the grocery store. Buy you all the pickles you can handle." He laughed as he kissed her head again
"I've been looking so forward to going out." She started to cry as the hormones attacked again
"Ray, please don't cry. You were never this emotional with Maddie either. I can't stand to see you cry, honey. We'll go out if you feel OK. I do have some very special plans for us tonight."
"I wanna go out, Deacon. I wanna go to the cabin. We have a couple days." She sobbed still leaning against his chest
"OK, baby. Whatever you want. If you feel up to it. We'll keep all the plans the same except come back to Nashville Fri by 1pm for your C section." He gently rubbed Mason who for the time being was calm
"I think he likes this position. He's been calm. You napped for an hour and I didn't feel him move at all. If I have to sit with you like this for the next 2 days to make you comfortable I will." Deacon smiled as Rayna comfortably leaned back again.
"You're almost there, baby. Just a couple more days." He held Rayna as she drifted off to sleep again
Deacon's cell phone ringing in his shirt pocket woke them both. Rayna was still leaning against his chest. They'd been sleeping for a couple hours.
"Yeah, hello." Deacon answered sleepily
"She's good. She's been sleeping. Yes, same plan."
"What was that about?" Rayna asked as Deacon slipped his phone back in his pocket
"Never mind. We should probably finish packing and get ready. We have a 10pm reservation for dinner." He smirked knowing the suspense about tonight's plan was killing Rayna. She hated not being in control.
"What? 10pm?"
"Sorry so late. That's why I let you nap all afternoon. I plan to keep you up late." He smirked kissing her on the back of the neck
"Wear something nice." He asked as she waddled toward the steps
"Like what Deacon? A tent? I'm huge."
"You're fine, baby. You're waddling. It's damn adorable. You didn't with Maddie." He was laughing at her and she started crying again
"Oh, Ray…I'm sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean anything by that. It's cute. I love you." He pulled her back into his arms to soothe those hormones
"I'm glad we're havin this kid Friday. Those hormones have really got you sensitive." He pulled her into his arms for a tight hug and then a passionate kiss
"You look great. Come on please don't cry anymore. I didn't mean anything with the waddling comment. It is adorable. You're beautiful, Ray. I love you pregnant." He held her till she stopped crying.
"We OK now?" he asked as they went upstairs to pack
"Yeah, I'm just fat, and waddling, and I feel so emotional." She sniffled
Rayna was in the shower when Deacon got dressed. He was loading everything into the Escalade when she came downstairs. He was in his best navy blue suit, crisp white shirt and black dress boots. He walked into the foyer as she came down the steps in her black evening dress.
"You look amazing, Ray." He smiled and kissed her as she hit the bottom step
"I look like a waddling penguin, Deacon." She sniffled again trying not to cry and mess up her make up
"I'm sorry about the waddling remark. I had no idea you'd get this emotional. It's cute. I love your waddle." He was laughing again.
"You're so handsome in that suit and I look like a big, black, blob!" she looked like she might cry again.
"C'mon, baby. You ready? You're my blob, and I love you. No more tears, OK. It's gonna be a great night." He lovingly led her to the Escalade
"I figured you'd be more comfortable with your heated seats. I packed your car instead of mine."
"We got everything? Groceries, cabin, shed and generator keys, my meds, your hospital bag for Friday, infant car seat?" Deacon ran through his mental check list
"I think so. Where are we going?" Rayna tried again
"You'll see." He smirked as he started the Escalade
20 minutes later they arrived for their 10pm reservation at the Kayne Prime steakhouse. The hostess led Deacon and Rayna back to the private Union room with amazing union station and city views.
"It's beautiful, Deacon. Thanks for getting the private room. I'm not up for fans like this." She smiled and rubbed Mason
"You're pregnant, Ray. You're absolutely glowing and beautiful."
They chatted and had a nice dinner. They talked about the kids and Mason and how life was about to change. Deacon told Rayna he was going back to the Bluebird on Thursday nights, and gonna really start working his hands to try to play guitar again and reclaim his opry band leader job. He had some new material he'd worked on before the accident for Belcort.
"Remind me to looks for my music bag at the cabin, Ray. That bag wasn't in the boxes you had brought back home."
"I'm gonna take 8 weeks away from Edgehill after the baby, and then start work on my album again." Rayna told Deacon
'Not too soon, Ray. We're gonna have 3 kids. Last time we both tried to work it was just Maddie and it was rough." He reminded her
"Oh Buck said Marshall quit. There's a new label head at Edgehill. I guess he wants to meet with me soon. His name is Jeff."
"Is that good, or bad?" Deacon asked kinda concerned about new blood at Edgehill
"I guess we'll see when I meet him."
"We've got an hour drive to the cabin, babe. We should probably go." Rayna said noticing it was almost midnight
"Not just yet." Deacon smiled and stood up
He pulled a small box from his jacket pocket and dropped to one knee
"We've had a rough year. I love you, Rayna. I wanna reaffirm that tonight, and marry you all over again. So..what do ya say baby? Will you marry me?"
"What on earth are you doing, Deacon?" she was smiling not sure what he meant
Lamar, Tandy, Bucky, and the girls came in with another man Rayna didn't know.
"You haven't answered me yet, Ray?" Deacon still on one knee looking up at her with his deep blue eyes so hopeful for the future reminded her
"I'm not sure what you're up to but, YES! I'd marry you all over again Deacon."
He slipped a new wedding band on her finger.
"This one symbolizes the life we have. There's a diamond for forever, but there's also an opal for the girls and a sapphire for Mason."
"It's beautiful. I love it, Deacon."
"This is Judge Mark Pratt. He's a friend of your father and Tandy's. He's gonna renew our wedding vows tonight." Deacon said as he leaned in to kiss a now sobbing Rayna
"I love you, baby. If I get forever with you, I'd do it all over again, and not change a thing." Deacon whispered with misty eyes.
"I…I….don't know what to say? I love you all so much. You are the sweetest, kindest, man I've ever known Deacon. Thank you for all of this. It really feels like we have a second chance now." She sobbed as everyone got in place.
Judge Pratt began…
Rayna and Deacon will you face each other and join hands
Good relationships never stop evolving. Like fine wine, they just get better with age! Rayna and Deacon, you have now been married 6 years and have now come to this beautiful setting, so that you could renew your vow and commitment of love to each other.
Not one marriage is perfect. As you continue in this union, you already know that it will take a lot of love and work to maintain your relationship.
Many couples tend to think of marriage as a 50/50 proposition. Actually, the best relationships are 90/10. If you both will give 90 percent and take only 10 percent, you will have a formula likely to bring both of you happiness for the rest of your lives.
As you continue on your journey together, I ask you to remember this advice:
Let your love be stronger than your anger.
Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break.
Believe the best of your beloved rather than the worst.
Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it.
Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.
Give your spouse the same courtesies and kindnesses you bestow on your friends.
Say "I love you" every day.
Rayna and Deacon, I remind you that marriage is a special gift; a lifelong dedication to love and a daily challenge to love each another more fully and more freely.
With this understanding, do you Deacon, continue to take Rayna as your beloved wife?
Will you continue to be a tender, faithful husband?
Will you continue to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and keep yourself only unto her?
"I will" Deacon said with tears in his eyes
With this understanding, do you Rayna, continue to take Deacon as your beloved husband?
Will you continue to be a tender, faithful wife?
Will you continue to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and keep yourself only unto him?
"I will" Rayna said almost sobbing again
With that said your love and commitment to this marriage have been reaffirmed
You may kiss