I am borrowing the characters and imaginings of the great Callie Khoury. I do not own these characters.

Sorry this has been so long in coming. Hope you enjoy it! Your comments and feedback are welcome and appreciated.

Chapter 4

Rayna, Deacon and Daphne were sitting at the dinner table when Maddie strolled in with a dreamy look and a goofy smile plastered on her face.

"Hey girl!" Deacon called to Maddie. "What's up?"

Maddie collected herself and blushed like a child being caught with their hand in the cookie jar. "Nothing. Why?"

"You had a date tonight, didn't you?" Rayna called her out. She knew that look on Maddie's face well and she wanted to find out just how worried her and Deacon should be.

"Yes. Why?"

"Why don't you have a seat and tell us all about it." Rayna encouraged.

Daphne egged her on. "Yes, tell us all the gory details! Did he kiss you?"

Deacon saw Maddie's obvious discomfort, so he ran interference. He wanted her to feel free to share things with all of them. "Alright, Daphne. Give your sister a break. Dads don't want to know the 'gory details'! What can you tell us about this guy?"

"Well, he's a musician. Surprise, surprise. In fact, he's a pretty well-known session musician here in Nashville. Dane Cahill. You might know him."

"Yeah, I do. I had him sit in with Juliette a few months back on a track she was laying down. He's pretty impressive! Not as good as your father, but then again, your father is the best in the business. But, he's respectable and not bad to look at." Rayna gave Maddie a reassuring smile. She could see that her praise helped to put Maddie at ease.

Deacon squeezed Rayna's hand and ran his thumb over the inside of her wrist.

"So, score one for Dane. He plays a mean guitar, so that is a plus and he looks dreamy. What else can you tell us?" Deacon probed.

"Well, he's a real southern gentleman. He held the door for me. He stood up when I stood up. He introduced me to his friends. I know. I know. I'm a strong, independent woman, but most men today are hardly gentlemen. They ignore you when their friends come around. They barely notice if you leave the table and they let the door slam in your face. It was nice to be with someone who has manners and knows how to treat a lady."

"Glad to hear that there are still some gentlemen out there." Rayna cooed. Impressed.

Daphne jumped in, eager to pose her question. "But, is he a good kisser?"

"Daphne!" Deacon chided. "Whad I say about there being some things Daddies just don't want to hear!"

"Okay. Well close your ears, because sisters want to know!"

Rayna giggled and gave Deacon a playful shoulder bump. "Yeah. Close your ears. Inquiring minds want to know."

"Okay. Okay. You ladies win."

Maddie shook it off. "Sorry. I don't kiss and tell."

Looking to change the subject and redirect the spotlight, Maddie asked her parents, "When did you first know that you loved each other?"

Rayna and Deacon looked at each other and laughed and said, almost simultaneously, "Not the first time we met."

"Hey Ray, I love what you wrote in your journal about that night. I think the girls will enjoy hearing that story. What do you say you pull it out and share it with the girls? They've only heard the PR version. Why don't you tell them in your own words about when you realized I was your one true love."

"Yeah, Mom. Maddie said you read your journal to her. I'd like to hear." Daphne pleaded.

"Okay. Give me a minute. Why don't we all get in our pjs and meet back here in 15 minutes."

Rayna and Deacon went up to the bedroom to change and grab the journal. "Do you think this is the best idea, babe?" Rayna asked. "That entry is a little PG-17."

"Our little girls are women now, baby. I think they need to hear the story from you. I also believe that hearing what true love is will help them to understand it's not just a 'dreamy', polite guy that fusses over you and holds the door for you, but someone that is there for you unconditionally."

Rayna wrapped her arms around Deacon's neck and purred, "Have I ever told you how smart you are?"

Deacon chuckled and pulled Rayna closer and smiled as he kissed her. "No. But you have told me a time or two that I can be a complete idiot sometimes!"

Rayna pulled back and playfully slapped Deacon's chest. "I love you so damn much, babe. And I intend on showing you tonight. So, let's get the journal and hightail it downstairs."

The girls were waiting, wrapped in polar fleece onesies, gripping hot chocolates with looks of great anticipation on their faces.

When Rayna and Deacon sat down, Daphne jumped up and nestled into Rayna's side. Rayna squeezed her, thrilled that Daphne still liked to cuddle even though she was a 'cool' teenager. Maddie sat on a chair next to Deacon and pulled her legs under her. Rayna opened the journal, cleared her throat and patted Deacon's leg for reassurance.

"Y'all know that your father and I met at the Bluebird and Dad wrote "A Life That's Good" the night we met. Well that is all true. And, there was an instant, undeniable spark between us. But, I didn't really fall in love with him until a few months after we met."

"I know y'all will find this hard to believe, but your mother was headstrong. And, if I'm being honest, I was, too."

"Watty didn't think my guitar playing was up to par so he brought in Deacon to teach me. Course I thought I played guitar just fine. And your father didn't appreciate that I dismissed his instruction. But God bless him he kept coming back. He kept trying until he wore me down and convinced me just to bring him on as my guitar player." Rayna pecked Deacon's lips as she basked in the memory of their blossoming love.

Rayna cleared her throat. "Alright. Here goes."

I turned 17 tonight. I didn't get a car or have a party at the Country Club or even have a cake. But this was the best birthday ever.

Tandy treated me to lunch at The Hermitage Hotel. I'd rather have gone to the Loveless Café, but I knew Tandy thought that I should have something special and The Hermitage was special for her. She gave me a beautiful silk blouse. I didn't want to offend her, but I looked at it and thought about where on earth I would wear it these days. My wardrobe primarily consists of t-shirts from bars and concerts, jeans and jean skirts.

At least Tandy made an effort. She even asked how Deacon was, but still made it clear that he wasn't good enough for me. At least she tried. More than I can say for my father. I haven't talked to him since I was kicked out seven months ago. I don't know why I thought my birthday might compel him to reach out to me. He never approved of me and my music and he never will. And he still holds Deacon responsible for "soiling" his "little girl".

If he only knew.

"Mom. Why did Pawpaw think Dad wasn't good enough?" Maddie asked.

"Simple, honey. Pawpaw didn't know Deacon. Your father is the best man I ever knew. He's strong and giving and generous and there is nothing he wouldn't do for us."

Daphne was wide-eyed. She didn't know this side of Lamar. She only saw the kind, loving old man that delighted when she sang for him and showered her and Maddie with gifts. "Pawpaw really kicked you out of the house?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes. Yes, he did. He didn't want me to play music for a living or associate with Deacon. But music and Deacon are the same thing. They are my life blood and I couldn't live without either of them."

Deacon pulled Rayna's head down on his shoulder and gave her a hug. Rayna looked in his eyes and silently said 'I love you'.

"Guys! Really! You're doing it again – that eye sex thing. We're right here."

Rayna blushed, straightened herself up and continued.

When I got home from my afternoon with Tandy, Deacon was waiting for me. He had on his Sunday best – clean jeans and a pressed flannel shirt. The apartment was clean. There were candles everywhere. And, Vince was nowhere in sight. He looked nervous. It was so cute.

The table was set. He gently took me in his arms, wished me a happy birthday and kissed me thoroughly. He is such a good kisser. I thought I was going to melt right there.

After dinner he brought me a chocolate, chocolate cupcake with a mountain of icing with one single candle and he handed me a package, clumsily wrapped. I unwrapped the package and inside was his Johnny Cash "Highwayman" tour t-shirt. His favorite. He apologized that it wasn't much but hoped that my wish would come true.

I put on my t-shirt and Deacon pulled out his guitar and we huddled together and sang and played music most all of the night. I felt so free and genuinely happy.

This was about the best birthday I ever had.

Ever since mama died, I dreaded birthdays. Until now, I thought that she was the only one that could truly love me for me.

Now I know there is someone else in this world that loves me and someone that I love.

Yes, this has been the best birthday ever!

"Mom, Dad, that is so sweet!" Maddie gushed.

"Dad you were such a romantic! I bet Mom would not be impressed by a used t-shirt today!" Daphne teased.

"I beg your pardon, missy. I am not a diva. It is the thought that counts! And, Dad knew that t-shirt was my absolute favorite. And, every time I wore it, I felt safe and secure and loved. That, my sweet girl, is priceless."

"What about that air fryer that Dad got you for Christmas? That went over like a flat note!"

Deacon to the rescue. "Alright. Alright. Leave your mama be. I for one love that story. And, over the years I've given your mama some very sentimental and not expensive gifts and she has lavished some unspeakable appreciation on me."

"Okay. I've heard enough. I'm out of here." Maddie declared.

Daphne got up and kissed her mom's cheek. "I liked it. Thanks for sharing that. I hope I find a man like Dad someday."

Deacon grabbed Daphne and gave her a bear hug. "Thanks, Squirt. I love you."

"Goodnight girls."

When the girls were out of earshot, Deacon chided Rayna, "Chicken!"

"What on earth are you talking about?" Rayna asked innocently.

"You sanitized that story a bit."

"Well, come on, babe. I can hardly share with my daughters how I wore that t-shirt and only that t-shirt that night while you had your way with me all night long! That was a happy birthday, indeed."

"Yeah, you're right. That probably would have scarred them for life. Alright, whadya say? How about we head to bed, too."

"Sure."

While Deacon dove into the bathroom to get changed and cleaned up, Rayna rifled through her dresser until she found that old Johnny Cash t-shirt. She slipped it on and sprawled seductively on the top of the bed.

"Good Lord, woman are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Deacon exclaimed as he stepped out of the bathroom and took in every inch of his wife's bare-naked legs from her red-painted toes to here well-toned, sun-kissed thighs. His mouth watered and he laughed as he devoured her with his eyes. He chuckled and said to her huskily as he jumped onto the bed beside her, "The t-shirt's a little tight around your chest, babe."

"Well then, I'll just have to take it off."

"Yes. You'll just have to take it off. And, by the way, I intend to have my way with you all night long!"