The Anniversary Waltz
A/N Strange times, fluid situations, but there can be comfort in the familiar and for many of us frequenting this little patch of the internet, the characters of 5 ½ to 6 seasons of a TV drama have lodged themselves in our hearts. A bit of fluff then and my first conscious piece of AU. Thanks go to 'Sunday for the rallying call and everybody who clicks though.
Damask, snowy white tablecloth, thin, elegant, twinkling candles, a couple of scented ones aflame on a side-shelf adding their musky tinge to the room, and plates from the old family dinner service, one of the few things she had taken home after Lamar's death. Rayna checked on the home made lasagne in the oven and figured it looked almost like the picture on the internet. She strapped on her heels and smoothed down the well cut LBD, trying not to think about her new lingerie beneath. Finally she dimmed the lights. "It's nearly ready hun," she shouted upstairs and tossed green salad in a bowl.
That morning Deacon had brought her breakfast in bed. He had really got the hang of that waffle maker. When they were first starting out in the music world his food came in cardboard boxes and she could burn a pan of water. So much had changed, now having made through Deacon's transplant and her 2nd major car crash Rayna valued every moment she shared with her man. After breakfast he had got ready for work, meaning a session for Will Lexington's new album. Well, strictly speaking not exactly after breakfast… Not every day is your 4th Wedding Anniversary and by the time Rayna had recovered, showered and got downstairs both Deacon and Daphne had left, and there were 3 messages from Maddie in LA on her phone. Four years can be the Linen, Flowers, Fruit or even Silk Anniversary. Deacon had gone the full nine yards. Dusky blueberries for breakfast, roses and then downstairs this new tablecloth and the red and black silk currently caressing Rayna's curves. Way more imaginative than the engraved silver plectrum she had got for Deacon.
Deacon came down scrubbed, salt and pepper hair still damp and looking more comfortable in his suit than he ever managed on CMA award night. They embraced and Rayna asked how the session had gone.
"Pretty good," replied Deacon. "I believe Will could be a fine songwriter if he put his mind to it enough, but Zach keeps lining up ready-made material from Tinpan Alley for him."
"I suppose he doesn't want Will hooking up with another Kevin," Rayna suggested.
"That's lame. If he can't write regularly he won't get more confident."
"Why don't you put him in contact with that woman who keeps sending you demos? What's her name, Jessie Cain, Bryan Ferry? Might help us work out if she really is worth signing to the label." Rayna served dinner.
"You know," said Deacon, "that's quite a neat idea, you're more than a pretty face Ms Label Head. And this food does smell interesting. " They took their first fork-full's.
"Too much garlic?" asked Rayna hesitantly.
"Can you have too much garlic?"
"Depends who you want to kiss."
"Well that narrows it down considerably. Short list of one and guess what, it's not Jessie."
The front door banged, a mop of hair, crop top and tight black jeans scowled in.
"Oh My God, my life is officially over."
"Hi Mom, Hi Daphne," Rayna tweeted, "have you had a good day."
"Daniel only went and dumped me. Right in front of Cassie, all because I wouldn't go to a stupid party with him. I've got an assignment to finish, these grades are important. But of course he's just a boy and doesn't ever get it." With her sister's career blossoming Daphne had rebelled by going apple pie, burying herself in school work, books and IT. If it wasn't for the deep love of music ingrained within her, Deacon would have sworn she was a clone for Tandy. The teenager looked around the subtly lit room and softened. "Um, Happy Anniversary guys, I'll just go to my room," and she left mumbling an apology. The stairs thumped and Hank Williams bleared out from a smart speaker. Deacon grinned.
"Most folk's kids would vent their angst with rock music. Ours does Hank Jnr!"
A short while later Maddie face timed from the West Coast.
"Hi sweetie, everything OK?"
"No it is not! Everybody hates my new record. The reviews are horrendous and social media is so spiteful."
Rayna cut in. "Maddie, I've told you a million times, do not look at social media comments, there are too many ignorant people out there."
"But I've ruined my career Mom!"
"Nonsense. This is one song. I made whole albums of clunkers in the 90s." Maddie's latest project was indeed daring, the song mixed bluegrass with RnB, complete with a rap break performed by a big player, yet the result had managed to simultaneously piss off both the country and urban communities.
Deacon tried to help. "The important thing is do you believe in the song?"
"Of course Dad. I wouldn't have released it otherwise."
"Then that's all that really matters baby. You can count the sales of my solo albums on your fingers and toes but I'm still damn proud I made them."
"Is there no positive feedback?" Rayna asked, slumping back in her chair, her folk chinking the china.
"One guy on some PSB channel literally no one has ever heard of." Maddie's head toss blurred on the screen.
"Use it," said Rayna calmly, "Get Bucky to arrange a slot with them and start a cult around song. You can turn this ,I know you can."
After she hung up Rayna and Deacon looked at each other.
"Kids, it don't get any easier." Rayna surveyed her half eaten main course. "Shit, the lasagne's gone cold. Still at least that can't happen to the ice cream." She went to the refrigerator and pulled out two high glasses of ice cream sundae, oozing chocolate sauce, fresh cream and ruby strawberries.
Peace returned to the domestic scene… until. The doorbell rang, twice. They looked at each other. Few people knew the code to the black metallic entry gates and those that did were aware this was a special day for Rayna and Deacon.
"I'll get it," said Deacon. He opened the door, took in the bobble hat and yoga pants and then the face of Juliette Barnes.
"Hey," she said.
"This is a surprise, woooa." But the former Country star had already spied Rayna and pushed passed Deacon. On the driveway Avery manged to lockup an SUV while keeping Cadence in check and holding a baby boy in the crook of his other arm.
Rayna looked at her former label mate who she had scarcely seen for 2 years. Juliette placed a memory stick onto the dining table. "Ta Da!"
"What's that?" asked Rayna.
The younger woman's nose rumpled as if she was about to say 'Doh' but settled instead for "Demos for my new album. I'm coming back."
"That's great," replied Rayna, catching her breath. "Deacon and I will take a listen and get back to you, we're kind of busy right now."
Juliette laughed. "Sorry Rayna, you don't get it. Glenn sowed this up with Zach ages ago. In exchange for my Greatest Hits package Highway 65 have to release my next album, no kick back." Rayna's mind had to process how Zach had let that clause slip though while her face tried not to crack at the sight of Deacon smirking over Juliette's shoulder."
"Oh don't look like that," cried Juliette, "my Best Of album was Christmas number one on the country chart. Kept Luke Wheeler at number two, you should be grateful! Besides this is some of my best work. I hear strings, I hear bossa nova, I hear a duet with Blake Shelton, I hear…"
"Expense," Deacon exclaimed while slyly feeding Cadence ice cream sundae.
"Art!" the catch in her voice reminded Rayna of Miss Piggy in full flow. "Anyway just to let you know I'm dropping the first demo midnight Saturday as a download for my loyal fans, so you guys better sort some studio time." She took her daughter's hand and left.
Avery was wearing the kind of expression Glenn Goodman carried off so well.
"I'll talk to Zach," he said, "It will be fine, trust me, good night."
Alone again they dissolved into fits of giggles. "Well she's not changed," said Rayana.
"It will be hard work, but she does have a lot of talent and I hate to see that wasted in a person. Anyway the income will be useful now that the Exes have broken up," Deacon paused, "again."
"No? When did that happen?"
"I had Scarlet on the phone in tears this morning and Gunner's not answering his mobile," (just like someone else I know thought Rayna) "I wasn't going to spoil tonight by telling you. Bet'cha they will be back singing together, just as soon as he plays her some hook and gives off his puppy dog eyes."
"Who'd fall for a stunt like that?"
Deacon picked up the Gibson acoustic propped against a dining chair, played the opening of 'I Shouldn't Love You' and looked up at his wife.
"OK, dumb question. And now the ice cream's got HOT. Jeeez."
Deacon stood up and looked at the melting soup of cream, chocolate and fruit in Rayna's glass. "Looks fine to me," he mumbled casually, coming up behind her. "very lick-able, just need something to serve it off." His arms were about her waist.
"Deac? Whaaa, no, I mean it sunny, NO!"
Subtle fingers had risen, cupping her breasts. Deacon could feel the underwire in her brand new bra.
"Shhh baby, no one will ever know. Let's take this to the snug, lock the door and pretend were still teenagers. You'll love it Ray, I promise."
About three and a half minutes later Rayna Jaymes had to admit he had been right.