Chapter 22:

"If you can just sign right here Mrs. Claybourne," the bell boy said as he handed Rayna the check for the breakfast he just got done laying out.

"Thank you, this looks delicious," she said handing the check back. He smiled at her and she waved goodbye as she shut the door.

Rayna looked up to see Deacon standing against the doorframe of the bedroom, a towel wrapped around his waist and a smile on his face. She laughed, "It's been a year since we got married, when are you going to stop smiling every time someone calls me Mrs. Calybourne?"

Deacon made his way over to her and wrapped her in his arms. "It does happen often Ms. James so I'll take it when I can, besides you gonna tell me you don't get a thrill every time you write Rayna Claybourne?"

"Oh babe," she started as she patted his chest and moved to sit down to eat. "I stopped getting a thrill out of writing Rayna Claybourne by the time I was eighteen."

He smiled at the memory and sat down. "I remember the first time I saw your scribbles in that notebook you kept under my pillow."

"Your pillow?"

"My bed, my pillow, even if I was sleeping on the couch at the time."

"So, you knew I used to doodle your name?"

"Course I did, made me smile every time I thought about it and now, I get to smile every time I hear it," he finished as he reached over to place a kiss on her lips.

"I'm starven" she said.

"Well then," he replied and leaned in closer only to have her push him away.

"For real food Deacon." He pretended to pout, and she just shook her head at him. "Not that I haven't enjoyed us taking a year and half honeymoon, but I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon, I think you can wait 20 minutes until I eat these pancakes."

"Ray, you know your supposed wait on hour after eating to do any strenuous activity, you don't want to get a cramp," he said gravely.

"Oh darn, I guess we won't get to use that big ol bed another time before we have to head out," she replied.

"Good thing we have our own plane," he finished before diving into his omelet. That made Rayna laugh and though she didn't think it possible, his smile grew even bigger. "So, this the last one of these awards shows we got to do?" Not that I mind picking up the hardware," he said as he nodded towards the Grammy awards sitting at the other end of the table, "but I'm ready to hang up the penguin suit."

"I think you looked rather handsome in your tux," she mused. "And I thought you liked it when I got all dressed up?"

"Well, you did look awfully pretty last night in that dress, but I have to admit I prefer you in your jeans and tee-shirt, actually if were talking about preference, I prefer you naked and in my arms."

"Funny, that's how I prefer you too" she retorted with a wink.

Less than two hours later they were cuddled up on the couch of the Highway 65 jet, watching the clouds pass them by. Rayna couldn't believe how far they had come. She could still remember the beat-up truck they used for their first mini tour. The used equipment and stained material seats. The funny thing was that they didn't even mind, on the contrary they were so exited just to be able to play their music and get paid. Now all these years later they were sprawled out on a private plane, two Grammy's wrapped neatly in a carry-on bag to add to a collection including a dozen or so CMAs between them. It had been a year for the books. Despite their struggles early on, they finished their album in a few months and were married the day of its official release. Even though Rayna was adamant that she wouldn't use her personal life to sell records, she was proud to release a statement about her marriage to Deacon just an hour before releasing their album to the world. By the time they returned from their honeymoon it was gold and by the end of their tour it was not only platinum but the highest grossing country album to date. It seemed everyone was in love with Rayna and Deacon. The only people giving them a hard time where their two daughters who had an opinion about everything, especially about not being allowed to forego school to go out on their tour, attend award shows or go to interviews. Rayna and Deacon privately referred to it as their honeymoon tour. While their schedule was demanding they still found plenty of alone time and stolen moments. Sometimes Rayna felt like she was twenty-two again on her first major tour.

"You know," Deacon started bringing her out of her musing. "this past year reminds me of that first arena tour we did, only difference is I don't have to sneak into your room pretending I was sleeping in my own bunk."

"Babe, are you reading my mind?" she asked amazed how they could be so in sync with their thoughts.

"You thinking about that tour too, or about me sneaking into your room in the back of that old bus?"

"Both" she said turning to find his lips with her own. He kissed her deeply and when he finished, she sighed and nestled back into his arms. "God Deacon, I had so many big dreams, but I never imagined it could be this good. How did we get this lucky?"

"Baby, I'm not sure but I do know that I am going to spend the rest of my life thanking you for it."

"Me? I think you had a pretty big part in making these dreams come true. Don't you think Mr. Claybourne?"

"Yes, I do, Mrs. Claybourne. He kissed the side of her check and it was his turn to sigh. He couldn't remember another time in his life when he was this content, this happy and whole. "What do you say when we get home, we gather those amazing daughters of ours up and we head out to the cabin for a couple days?"

"I think I can handle that, but I'm sure Bucky and Tandy are going to have something to say about me skipping out on all my CEO responsibilities."

"Well Bucky is just happy we got a ton of cash coming into the label and Tandy, well she is still trying to get back in your good graces, so I am sure they won't say boo."

"Good thing this album panned out then."

"Yeah it is, now that my investment is paying off, I got my eye on a vintage Martin."

"You need another guitar…" she started but he cut her off.

"Like you need another pair of shoes."

She turned her head to the side to eye him but then shrugged, "point taken''.

"Ray?" he asked.

"Yeah" she replied lazily.

"Thank you for never given up on me."

She squeezed the arms he had wrapped around her a little tighter. "Thank you for always loving me."

"Thank Watty for getting you that spot at the Bluebird. Single best moment of my life, seeing you. You know took me all of two minutes before I was completely in love with you."

"Damn, she said with a smile, took me ten."

She turned once more to find his lips.

"Well, I wasn't looking my best that night, if I'd made an effort, I think I could have had you in under a minute." She laughed making the sensation of their kiss all the more thrilling.

"Ten minutes, a minute doesn't matter Deacon as long as I have you for the rest of my days."

"And that you will Ray, all of my days, there all yours, I wouldn't trust em, with anyone else.

The End