Chapter 9 - There Was a Time

"Yes! Yes! Oh, God, Deacon! That's it. That's it. Don't stop! Don't ever stop!"

"You like that, do you now, Ray? Cause I ain't gonna stop anytime soon," Deacon groaned as he pumped faster in and out of Rayna as he held her hands above her head while the tepid water washed over their bodies. The slippery friction was delicious and more than he could take. He thrust into her one final time and their voices echoed in unison in the cavernous shower as they gave in to the demands of their bodies to seek release.

They continued to hold each other tightly as their breathing slowed and their bodies slid lifeless onto the shower bench.

They sat wrapped in each other for a while, their fingertips dancing across one another's skin, continuing their intimate exploration.

Reluctant as she was, Rayna was the first to break the spell when a chill ran down her back as the air cooled her body. She gave a little apologetic laugh. "Sorry, babe, I think this is a wrap."

"Yeah, I guess it is. The girls will be back from Teddy's soon and we should exhibit some decorum. We don't want to scar them for life!"

"Well, I think that ship has sailed. It's been a wonderful, decadent weekend. It probably is time for us to act like respectable, upstanding adults. Although, I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed our walk on the wild side these past three days."

"You are insatiable, woman! And I love you for it!"

###

When Teddy dropped off the girls promptly at 6 p.m., Rayna and Deacon were in the kitchen making grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, sporting jeans and t-shirts featuring local music venues, looking very much like an old, married, boring couple.

"My babies, I missed you!"

"Mom! Really! I love you, but I haven't been your baby for a long time," an exasperated Maddie declared.

Deacon chuckled and smirked at Rayna and quipped in his most formal voice, "Well, hello, young ladies!"

Daphne as always let it all roll off her back. She scurried over and gave first Rayna a big hug then nestled into Deacon. "Mom. Deacon. I missed you. We had so much fun with Dad hiking in the Smokies. We even talked him into taking us to Dollywood and riding the Wild Eagle!"

"No!" Rayna exclaimed incredulously. "Your dad couldn't even handle riding in a tour bus back in the day!"

"Let's just say there's a first time and a last time for everything," Teddy conceded.

"Care to stay for dinner? It's nothing fancy, but you're welcome to join us."

"It does smell good. Thanks. Don't mind if I do."

"Wonderful. Girls, why don't you take your bags upstairs, wash up and come on down. Who wants a little apple on their grilled cheese?"

"Me."

"Me."

"Make that three", Teddy chimed in.

"Got it. Four with apple and one with hickory smoked bacon."

"Perfect, Ray. You may not be a kitchen magician, but you sure know how to grill up cheese sandwiches," Deacon teased. His remark was met with a playful slap on his behind which didn't go unnoticed by Teddy.

Teddy watched wistfully as Rayna and Deacon fell into an easy rhythm. If their actions were set to music it would produce a perfectly synchronized melody. She put down a napkin. He put down a spoon. She ladled the soup into bowls. He placed them on a soup and sandwich server and added a sandwich and delivered it to the table. He grabbed the glasses and she the pitcher of sweet tea. Their movements back and forth in the kitchen choreographed to perfection.

When the girls rejoined them, the five of them consumed their grilled cheese and tomato soup ravenously like it was their last meal on earth and swapped stories about amusement parks, busses and junk food. With all the congenial banter, it was hard to believe that there was a time when Teddy and Deacon couldn't stand to be in a room with each other and if they were, it was likely that someone was going to throw a punch or raise a voice.

This new normal was much better for everyone, not the least of which was the girls. There was no picking sides anymore. They were a family of five.

"I'm so glad you stayed. It's nice to catch up," Rayna offered as she saw Teddy out.

"You know, Rayna. I always knew I could never have what you and Deacon have. Tonight just reinforced that."

"And for that, Teddy, I am sorry. I couldn't see it. I loved you and I still do. But you're right, Deacon and I have something that is rare. He is definitely my soulmate. We may fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but the love will always be there. It just took us a lot of time and a few broken hearts to know our truth."

"I'm happy for you, Rayna."

"Teddy, you're a good man. You had a few missteps on the way. But who am I to judge? I'm the queen of missteps. I believe that good men do come out on top. And I pray that you find what I have. You deserve all the best."

"Thanks, Rayna. Good night." And Rayna hugged Teddy, laid a kiss on his check and gently erased it with her thumb. She would not be who she is or where she is without Teddy's love and for that she is eternally grateful.

"Well that was a long goodbye. Should I be jealous?"

"Oh, babe, that is so far from the truth. You got me and there's no gettin' rid of me now."

Deacon reached up and pulled Rayna down to him on the couch and pressed his lips long and hard into hers to reassure himself.

"Ray, you know I never pry into your marriage to Teddy. That's between you and him. But, when things started to fall apart, what were you thinking about? Was I the reason or was I a convenient out?"

"Come on, now. It was neither. Choosing you was inevitable, but the hardest decision I ever made."

"I don't get it."

"Well, let's revisit that walk on the bridge back in 2012."

Rayna took Deacon's hand and led him upstairs. He sat on the settee at the foot of their bed while she disappeared into her wardrobe to retrieve her journal.

"You remember that walk across the pedestrian bridge, don't you?"

"Like it was yesterday, babe. Like it was yesterday."

"Well it wasn't yesterday, it was, September 26, 2012.

Edgehill wants me to sell my soul to keep doing what I love. It was the height of insults for that twat Marshall Evans to even suggest I tour as a "co-headliner" with that pop tart, Juliette Barnes. I built this label and damned if I'm going to compromise my integrity.

Teddy doesn't understand why I don't just jump on Juliette's tour. He reasoned that once we're in the black, I can make the music I want. But will my audience still be there?

I shouldn't have, but I talked with Deacon today. He suggested the opposite. Maybe I sought him out because I knew he would tell me what I wanted to hear. But it's more than that. He knows what I sacrificed to get here. He's been with me every step of the way in one way or another. And he's been my biggest cheerleader in this God forsaken business since day one.

Talking to him brought up all kinds of things. As I looked at him, I felt I was looking at that boy I knew when I was 16, that man that is the father to Maddie and somehow everything changed.

Through my marriage to Teddy, I've always loved Deacon. That was never going to change. But, sharing this with him reminded me that he is and will forever be the other half of my heart. Despite everything, he still loves me.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but my world and my heart need Deacon. Maddie needs to know him as her father. And, God help me, I need to have him as my husband. I pray that in the process, I don't burn down everything in our paths.

"Well, I did almost burn everything down, but here we are, together. Forever and ever."

"Amen."

"Amen."