Rayna rubbed at her temples, trying to will some of the tension away. Today was not turning out how she had envisioned. Deacon was meant to be home today. She sighed silently to herself. She had no idea when he was due back, he had rung late yesterday excited about honouring Beverley and that he would be staying at least another day. Glancing down at her phone, judging by the lateness of the day, she doubted he would be home today. Biting down on her lip, Rayna struggled to prevent the unexpected tears from spilling, she was miserable that Deacon was once again not going to be home. This wasn't how it was meant to be. He got the new liver. They were meant to have the happily ever after. They had suffered enough; this was meant to be their time. All she wanted to do now, was to go home and forget about everything. She just wanted to soak in the bath and escape from reality for a while.

Her patience had been tested today, first with Maddie's constant attitude towards her and then Markus resisting every suggestion she made. The only highlight as far as she could tell, was that Daphne had finally opened up to her. The fact that it was Maddie's talent that had finally convinced Markus to change his mind, just made the whole situation with her more difficult. She needed Deacon more than anything at the moment, he was always her sounding board. She had always relied on him to give her sound advice, to steer her on the right path. Rayna could feel herself falling into that pit of despair, when things started to overwhelm her. The last time this happened was shortly after Teddy asked for a divorce, and her and Deacon were estranged. Not having him in her life had created a void allowing everything else to overwhelm her, resulting in her freezing on stage.

"MOM"

Hearing Daphne demand her attention returned her thoughts back to the present.

"Can we go?"

Not trusting her voice to betray her emotional state, she nodded at her youngest daughter. Daphne grabbed her stuff and came and stood next to her mother. Clearing her throat, Rayna turned towards Markus and Maddie. Rayna rolled her eyes at how animated her eldest daughter was being; she used to be like that with her.

"Maddie grab your stuff we are heading home."

Maddie threw her mother an irritated look before stomping over to grab her stuff. Rayna's eyes tracked her daughter's movements as she stormed off towards the car. Daphne slowly made to follow her sister. Rayna smiled weakly at Markus in apology.

"Sorry. I really do need to get them home but we got some great work done today."

"Yeah no problem Ray. We can pick up again tomorrow."

Rayna's heart clenched at Markus' use of Deacon's nickname for her. She nodded absent mindlessly while longing to see Deacon.

"Sure. Just check with the guys and make sure they are free and call Bucky to book the space. You should call it a day as well. Get some rest. You are no good if you wear yourself out."

"Na, I want to get this right. I'm so close."

"Markus, go home. You can't force the process. Trust that it will happen. You need sleep, you look exhausted." Rayna gently squeezed his arm, before grabbing her bag off the couch. "Treat yourself, take the night off. You will see, tomorrow it will all fall into place."

Laughing softly at her concern, she reminded him more of a mother than a record producer at the moment.

"Yes ma'am."

Rayna slapped his arm at his sass.

"I will catch you tomorrow."

Deacon pulled open the door to Soundstage. It felt like ages since he had last stepped foot in here. He missed the days of sitting around playing music with Rayna. Hell if he was being honest, he just missed Rayna. He knew he had been distant with her since waking from his operation, even more so since Beverley's death. But he intended to make it up to her.

Deacon's smile lit up his entire face as his daughter turned the corner.

"Hey"

Maddie frowned at her dad before muttering a response.

"Hey, what's wrong?

Maddie rolled her eyes at him before answering.

"Um, how about you and Mom grounding me and taking my phone off me?"

"Maddie, you know why we did that. You betrayed our trust in you."

"You both treat me like I'm a kid. I'm not, I'm sixteen I can make my own decisions."

"Maddie, this is neither the time or place for this discussion. Why don't we continue this at home?"

"Whatever! I'm going to wait in the car."

"Maddie!" Deacon stared in disbelief at the retreating back of his daughter. She had been so argumentative lately. Deacon rubbed his forehead as he contemplated Maddie's recent change in behaviour.

"Deacon!"

Deacon soon felt two small arms hugging him tightly.

"Hey sweetheart. How are you going?" He kissed the top of her head.

He felt her nod against him in response.

"Daph, are you ok?" Deacon pulled back to look more closely at her. Her eyes were full of tears as she nodded at him. "Oh sweetheart" He pulled her back in for a hug, lifting her off the ground as he swung her around. Her feet flying outwards as she squealed in surprised. Placing her gently back on the ground, he worriedly asked,

"Now, what's wrong? Why are you so upset?"

"It's nothing. I'm ok...I missed you Deacon"

She hugged him tightly again. Deacon smiled at her attempt at changing the subject.

"I missed you too sweetheart."

"I'm going to wait in the car, Mom won't be too long. She is talking to Markus."

Deacon leaned against the wall. Content to wait for Rayna. He wasn't in the mood to make small talk with Markus. All he wanted was to see Ray.