AUTHOR'S NOTE: I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has read, favorited, followed, and/or commented. It truly means the world to me. I know there was a longer break between updates this time (Life has been a bit crazy- I'm juggling work with a new puppy!), but I promise to continue to update. Thank you all again! As always, a special thank you to Julia for continuing to help, inspire, and always give me the push I need to go on when I'm at a loss or down. This story would definitely not be as interesting without her assistance. Also, thank you to Milagro for pointing out that Scarlett would be a young child during this time period. I have edited all the places where I mentioned her.

The invigorating audience at the Exit/In cheered. Rayna and Deacon bowed and Rayna took the mic again. "Thank y'all so much! Please welcome Vince Gill to the stage!"

Their performance that night had been a memorable one. The crowd loved the two songs they performed and they were asked to return in the future as the main act.

As the next few weeks passed by, Rayna began noticing more changes happening in her body. Her hormones were raging. Her mood swings happened constantly and she was always horny. She finally talked to Deacon about moving into her place and he agreed that would be the best option with more space for the new baby. The move was going very slowly as Rayna got exhausted easier. Deacon was driving her crazy about taking it easy and trying to stay attentive to all her needs. Tandy had moved in with Teddy, much to Rayna's dismay. Things were finally falling into place.

"Hey, Ray," Deacon interrupted her, sitting on the floor of his living room with a bucket of ice cream and a big spoon in her hand.

She looked up at him, a hint of guilt in her eyes, and slowly put the spoon down. "Yeah?"

"Mom just called. She's fallen in love with the city. She wants to know if she can stay here for a bit since we're moving to your place. Just until she finds a place of her own. I told her I thought it would be alright."

"Deacon," Rayna exclaimed. "Give her the place! It's not like we're going to be using it anymore and we clearly don't need the money. Hell, she can have most of the furniture to go along with it." She thought about it for a moment before adding, "I kind of regret moving the couch out now, though."

"Are you sure, darlin'? I told you I'd sell it to help with the upkeep of the house."

"Of course I'm sure! Give this place to your mom. We're fine."

He smiled proudly at the mother of his child. Rayna was the most generous person he knew. It was a stark contrast to the family he grew up in. She was going to make such a great mother. "You're amazing, Ray. She and I can move the couch back," he assured her. As he started back towards the bedroom to continue packing, she called him back.

"Hey, Deacon. I have some news I need to tell you."

He returned to her side and looked down expectantly.

"I wanted to wait and tell you during a special moment, but I just can't hold it in any longer." She beamed at him with a smile that stretched across her face and reached her eyes. "Edgehill called and said they were signing me. We have a record label!"

"Baby, that's wonderful! Congratulations!" He knelt down and hugged her around the ice cream. She sat the bucket and spoon to the side and pulled him down on top of her.

"Easy, darlin'," he cautioned. "We don't wanna hurt the baby."

"The baby's fine,' Rayna assured him. "Now get out of those clothes. Now. I can't take it any longer."

She pulled his shirt over his head and he unbuttoned her blouse. He pulled off his jeans and she pulled down her pants and panties. They grabbed each other with hunger in their eyes and kissed again. She wrapped her arms around him and pushed him down, right into the bucket of ice cream.

"Ahhh, that's cold," he exclaimed.

Rayna laughed and sat up, her hand on her mouth trying to hide her grin. "Sorry!"

"Oh, you think that's funny?" His voice was rough and sexy. He picked up the spoon and dropped some of the contents down her bra.

"Deacon," Rayna shrieked.

Before she could say another word he had his tongue in her bra and was cleaning up the mess.

"Hey! Whoa…" Patricia greeted as she opened the front door, stood in the doorway and took in the sight before her eyes. Deacon and Rayna immediately stopped and grabbed their clothes to try to cover up. "I'm sorry! I'll come back." She quickly turned around and started out the door.

"No, wait. Mom!" Deacon called out as he tried to get his clothes on as fast as he could. He ran after her and caught her outside.

I'm so sorry. I should've knocked, sweetheart," she insisted. "Next time I will." She was avoiding eye contact and all out of sorts.

"It's okay," he assured her. "I was gonna call you back later anyways. Rayna got a record label to sign her. You can have this house if you want it."

"Deacon, I don't want to be a burden," Patricia replied.

"Mom, you're not a burden. We're okay. Please let me do this for you. It's the least I can do after all you've done for me over the years," he pleaded.

She looked into his sad, puppy dog eyes and finally relented. "If you insist," she sighed.

"Yeah, just give us a couple days to finish getting what we need out. You can have most of the furniture. We'll have to bring the couch back. Rayna was wondering where to put it anyways so it'll be good to not have to find space for all this stuff."

"Thank you, darling." She gave her son a huge hug.

"Hey, Ms. Claybourne," Rayna greeted from the front door. "Sorry about that."

"Oh no worries, dear," Patricia laughed. "I'll see y'all later. Thanks again, Deacon!"

As she pulled off, Rayna moved to stand beside Deacon.

"Wanna pick up where we left off?" She raised her eyebrows at him.

He looked down at her in amazement and shook his head. "Baby, my mom just walked in on us. We're standing outside the house. I think it's time to take a break. I've lost it for the time being," he chuckled.

"Deacon," she groaned, pouting. "I need it! The baby needs it…" She looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Oh, the baby needs it? That's the way to get me into bed," he laughed so hard he made her laugh. "Ray," he said as he put his arm around her shoulders and they started to walk back inside, "I'm not going to be able to give you another baby after the end of this pregnancy because I'll be so worn out I'll never be able to perform again. You gotta pace yourself!" He kissed her forehead.

She laughed at his joke and swatted his arm as they made their way inside. "Well if you won't help me, I'll take care of matters myself. I'll be in the guest bedroom if you need me," she said as she trailed off.

"No, Rayna," Deacon called as he hurried after her, "wait!"

She turned back as he grabbed her hand.

"Okay, I'm here to take care of your every need. You're not doing this alone," he laughed.

"Thought so," she giggled as they headed off to his room.

His tender kisses drove her crazy as she waited for him to take her. He was gentle and loving with her, despite her desire for him to be rough and wild. His careful touch and attentiveness to every inch of her body wasn't what she wanted, but it's exactly what she needed.

Early the next morning the phone rang.

"Hello," Rayna answered sleepily as she picked up the receiver.

"Hello. Miss Jaymes?"

"Yes," she replied as she sat up in bed.

"This is the detective you spoke to from the Nashville Police Department. I wanted to give you an update on Lamar Wyatt. Would you like to come down to the station or do this over the phone?"

"Just tell me over the phone, please."

"Alright then. As I know you're aware of, Mr. Wyatt was arrested for the murder of your mother. We have found sufficient evidence that places him at the scene of the crime that night and have a motive for his actions. He has pleaded guilty and is forgoing his right to a trial by jury. He has been charged with first degree murder and will be spending the rest of his life in prison. Do you have any questions?"

"No," Rayna choked out, completely shocked. "Thank you, officer," she added.

"You're welcome, Miss Jaymes. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

She hung the phone up and looked over at Deacon who was stretching his body to sit up."

"Hey, baby. What was that?"

"Daddy's been convicted of Momma's murder. He'll be spending the rest of his life in prison." The tears started steaming down her cheeks.

"Oh, Ray," he sat up and put his arms around her as she cried into his shoulder.

"Why? Why did he do this," she yelled out as she bawled. "I mean, I know why but how? How could he do this to us? I hate him!" She was so upset her body was shaking. She was screaming.

"I know, baby," he hushed her as he stroked the hair flowing down her back. "Calm down and take some deep breaths," he suggested. "You need to avoid another panic attack and stay calm for the baby."

She listened to his advice. "I just don't understand," she continued to vent. "How can someone do that to another person- to tear apart a family. He's the definition of evil."

After she settled down, she called Tandy to update her. Deacon made Rayna a big breakfast and took her to a local park to go on a walk and get some fresh air. She felt much better after the walk.

"I was thinking we could go over and work on the house today," she suggested as they walked up the sidewalk to his house holding hands. "I need to stay busy and get my mind off the phone call earlier."

"Yeah, and we need to get this place ready for mom. Just don't overdo it. You gotta tell me if you need a break," he demanded.

"Babe, I will. I'm fine. Now let's get going."