Chapter 7:
It was a week before the tour would begin again and a few days before the girls were headed back to school. It had become a tradition for Deacon to take the girls to the cabin before they started back to school, one last hurrah before the new term. Due to his touring schedule, the week differed every year and he was excited that his year he was able to spend their last official week of summer with them. The only difference was that this year they were going to be a foursome instead of the three musketeers.
Maddie and Daphne had noticed the shift in their parent's relationship and figured that might as well strike while the iron was hot. They had tried their best to ask casually over a family dinner a few days ago. Daphne was elected to pose the question as Maddie felt they were more likely to appease her. Deacon had let the decision up to Rayna, telling her he didn't mind if she joined them, "the more the merrier," he had said. Rayna was hesitant, the last time she had been to the cabin was right after Daphne was born. She was also painfully aware that the pre-school tradition started when they had officially ended their relationship, and it was the first time he had the girls on his own as a single father. He was scared that their relationship ending would somehow mean the end of his relationship with the girls. He was wrong though; he was a wonderful father and the girls adored him. After a short pleading from both the girls, Rayna acquiesced, she didn't want to disappoint them and when she saw the slow grin spread across Deacon's face, she knew she made the right decision.
Today was a perfect summer day and the family decided to spend it lounging by the lake. The girls were taking turns jumping off the tire swing Deacon had put up a few years ago. Rayna cringed every time the girls threw themselves into the air. She knew they were having fun but fun and safety didn't always go hand in hand much to Rayna's chagrin. Deacon was wadding in the lake egging them on and Rayna couldn't help but appreciate how good he looked. He was still well built, not an ounce of fat on him. His three-day stubble and messy hair giving him that devil may care look she never could resist.
Spending time at the cabin with him had introduced her to new sides of him. The first thing she noticed was how much neater he had become. In his early years he was a down right slob. She cringed thinking of the apartment he and his friend had when she first moved in with him. She didn't mind at the time, being sixteen and homeless made one less concerned with the state of the free accommodations. When they had lived together on their own, he got better than but nowhere near as neat as he was now. She also learned his cooking skills had vastly improved. He was always a pro when it came to breakfast but was now a proper chef. Over the years the girls had mentioned when he made something they particularly loved but tasting was believing. On a more concerning note, she also noticed how tired he was. In the mornings he seemed to have is usual energy but by late afternoon he seemed exhausted and often fell asleep on the couch, having to be roused by the girls to start dinner. She chalked it up to the tour and then falling sick before their break. She figured he just needed a little R and R.
Deacon looked back to admire Rayna lounging on a chair on the dock. She wasn't a big fan of swimming, especially in the lake. He used to tease her that it was the Bell Meade in her, too fancy for lake swimming. He knew it drove her crazy when he implied that she was a stuck-up rich girl and not country enough, but he loved to get a rise out of her. When they first met, he was struck by her voice then her beauty, though if he was being honest, they went hand in hand. She was a girl when he met her and though she probably wouldn't agree, he thought she aged like a fine wine, better and better with each passing year. He loved the way she grew into her body; her confidence was his own personal aphrodisiac. He loved the way her mind worked; he could watch her think all day long. Every scar, every stretch mark and sunspot where like a road map to his own life. He couldn't imagine every finding another woman on this plant more beautiful than Rayna James. Though he continued musing, he guessed that one day his own girls would come a very close second.
She caught him looking at her and gave him a smile. Just as he returned it, Maddie cannon balled next to him covering him with a splash.
"Mom, come join us?" Daphne yelled.
"I don't think so sweetheart, I'm content sitting here watching y'all."
"What, you worried about getting your hair wet Miss Bell Meade?" Deacon postured, the girls snickering behind him. They weren't used to him teasing Rayna around them in such a playful way and they were enjoying watching their usually confident mother squirm.
Rayna lowered her sunglasses to give him a glare. "Not going to work Claybourne". He turned back and winked at the girls before swimming over to the dock and climbing up the ladder. "Don't get any closer Deacon, I'm warning you." She said holding her hands up. Unfortunately, that did not stop him. He continued to slowly make his way to her causing her to jump up from her chair, but he was quicker and before she knew it, she was in his arms, his wet body pressed against her. "Deacon!"
The girls where laughing so hard they were crying. "Throw her in dad!" Daphne shouted.
"Yeah dad, let's see if the Queen of Country can swim," Maddie added.
"Don't you dare Deacon Claybourne," she warned as he walked them closer and closer to the edge of the dock. "How about we make a deal?" Deacon nodded his head letting her know he was open to negotiation but didn't stop backing them toward the lake. "I get to stay dry now and later, when the girls go to bed, I will treat you to a recreational shower."
Deacon raised an eyebrow. "Really," he asked as he stopped his movements.
"Really and I assure you, you won't regret it," she said seductively as she turned them around so that his back was now to the lake. "Deal?"
"Deal," he said putting out his hand for her to shake it. Before he could wipe the grin off his face, he felt her hands on his chest as she pushed him clear off the dock. He hit the water with a huge splash and the girls erupted into laughter. Deacon surfaced, a frown on his face. "You snake! I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree Rayna Wyatt!"
Rayna's laugher turned and there was nothing playful about it. "What did you call me?"
"Uh oh," Daphne said looking at Maddie her eyes as big as saucers.
"You did it now dad," Maddie said trying to hold back the laughter.
"You heard me… Wyatt."
Rayan launched herself at Deacon forgetting all about her intent to stay dry. She took him under with her and when they resurfaced, she tried with all her might to dunk his head under water. "Take it back Deacon, take it back," she said as they struggled. Rayna was getting the best of him, mostly because he was laughing so hard. There were so few people in the world who could push her buttons, but he was one of them and he loved it. "I said take it back!"
"Okay, Okay, I take it back," he said in surrender. She was still on the offensive, legs wrapped around him as he struggled to get his footing. "I swear, I take it back. You are nothing like you father." She stopped then and looked down at him. "Usually," he added before he dunked them both under the water.
A few hours later they were all lounging in the living room, showered and ready for bed. The girls insisted on a fire and Deacon obliged, the four off them sat around making s'mores and singing songs as he strummed his guitar. As the night went on and the stars were out in splendor, the family jam session turned into a duet. Maddie and Daphne curled up under blankets as their mom and dad sang songs from albums past. It was the most peaceful they had all felt in a long time. These were the nights they all longed for but would never voice out loud. Some things were better left unsaid.
It was mid-night before Deacon and Rayna noticed that the girls were fast asleep. They kept playing though, unable to resist the pull of the music and the ambiance. When Deacon started strumming the melody to 'No One Will Ever Love You', Rayna fell into a trance. She began to sing, and her voice was almost haunting, it sounded more like her twenty-year-old self had come back from the past and took over her body. Deacon too felt the change, it was almost like they were in a dream, a dream he could never allow himself to have. When they finished the final line of the song, they were inches from each other, and Rayna couldn't resist kissing him softly.
Remembering that the girls were present she pulled back. She then took his guitar and set it next to him before turning and nestling her back into his chest. He automatically brought his arms up and wrapped them around her. They sat with their backs to the fire watching their daughters sleep.
"We made them," she whispered.
"Yes, we did," he replied and squeezed her a little tighter. "Best thing we ever did, and that's saying something will all those Grammys, CMAs and platinum records."
She laughed softly. "I would give it all up just to be able to freeze this day, this moment."
"Me too baby," he said kissing her cheek. "Thank you for coming up here with us."
"Thank you for inviting me."
"You know when I bought this place for you all those years ago, I couldn't even imagine something like this, it was your dream and I don't even think I understood what you really meant by it until just now."
She turned in his arms and kissed him. It was gentle yet deep. She kissed him for all those years they spent building a career, she kissed him for all those years he spent trying to destroy himself, she kissed him for the years the spent building a family and the years they spent trying to keep it together while being apart. When she pulled back, she stroked his check. "I love you." It was a simple statement but one that had such a heavy implication on their lives.
"I love you too," he replied softly as she turned back in his arms to resume watching their girls sleep. A few minutes later Deacon broke the silence. "You know Miss James; I believe you promised me a shower."
"I don't think so Mr. Claybourne. The deal was I stay dry and you get rewarded later, as I recall I took a dip in your lake."
"Yes, but that was of your own volition. I didn't throw you in," he reasoned.
"Maybe not physically but you know you played me."
"Doesn't count," he said tickling her sides.
"I'm not drying my hair twice in one-night Deacon, sorry Charlie," she said laughing softly and patting his leg.
"Showers out, lakes out, was else we gonna do?"
She turned her head slightly, her lips right below his ear. If you promise not to fall asleep you can come can put me to bed,"
"Rayna, what man in their right mind would be sleeping in your bed when they had other options?" At that they stood. Deacon swopped down to pick her up in his arms and carried her down the hall to her bedroom. 'Our bedroom' he thought. They were taking things slow for now, but Deacon couldn't wait for the day when they would be able to be together out in the open, to truly be a family with their girls.