No, I hadn't forgotten about this story. It is always at the back of my mind as l continue to juggle real life. While it might take me a while to update (I am forever in awe of those writers who can post on a regular basis) I will eventually post something. This story is far from over, just like Rayna and Deacon's love. Once again, thank you to all those who have hung in there between chapter updates and continue to read my little musings, you have no idea how much l appreciate it. Also a big thank you to all those who leave such lovely reviews, I know you don't have to but l love you so much for doing so 3

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Rayna fought the desire to snap at the journalist who had asked the question. She knew she was tired, but the constant questions about the state of her and Deacon's relationship was wearing her down. Ever since Markus had quit her and Highway 65, the tabloids had been fuelling the flames of rumours regarding their relationship. Every day there seems to be a new angle, or new photo of her and Markus together. How they managed to get so many photos of them together baffled her. What hurt the most were the accompanying photos showing Deacon apparently looking heart broken. Seeing the pictures of him going about his day, being a dotting family man, without her there, broke her heart. She knew logically that she had to be out on the road, selling Markus' album, but she longed to be back home surrounded by all the mundane family dramas.

Nightly, after hanging up after their regular phone call, Rayna would crawl into the t-shirt that she had stolen from Deacon and let the lingering scent of him lull her to sleep. These last two and half months had been the longest of her life. She missed Deacon with every fibre of her being. She was shocked by how much she missed him. During their turbulent history, they had been apart off and on so many times, for various reason, that she had assumed that this time the longing for him would be similar. It had rocked her just how much she missed him. Not only had she missed lying next to him at night, breathing in the scent of him and cozing up to his warm body, but she missed all the little things that their life now encompassed; the frantic school run, the ritual of getting ready to go to bed, the whispered conversations about various day's events as they laid in bed.

Pushing the memories back, she returned her attention to the press in front of her. Even when promoting her own work, she hated dealing with this side of the business. It was even worse this time around. The reporters were like vultures picking over a carcass. They were determined to get to the bottom of why Markus suddenly re-joined Boulevard, and no amount of her claiming that it was his plan all along would satisfy them. When they weren't getting answers they wanted from her they turned their attention towards her private life, zeroing in on her and Deacon's relationship.

The Beverley had finally begun to operate smoothly, leaving Deacon free to return to the Bluebird café and his regular Thursday night gig. Upon hearing this, the press had also returned to the small café and knowing that a scandal sold more papers than the truth, they had also begun to question Deacon's song choice. Rayna knew that a lot of the songs he was singing were old ones he wrote shortly after leaving rehab as he struggled to come to terms with her marriage to Teddy. They were such heartbreaking songs, that dealt with Deacon's demons and the loss of love. Hearing them now would bring tears to Rayna's eyes. The press was having a field day, claiming that the songs were about Deacon's current heartbreak upon learning about Markus and her, and their supposedly torrid love affair. No amount of denial from her would satisfy the reporters, though Rayna had to admit, some were worse than others.

There were a core group of reporters who constantly asked her about her private life. The worse by far was Candy O'Brien. Candy had a history with both Rayna and Deacon. She was the one who had broken the story about Deacon's cancer. She had written not only about the cancer, but had also implied within the Rolling Stones article, that the cancer was the result of him drinking again and that the only reason Rayna stayed with him was because he was on deaths door. Clenching her jaw, Rayna fought not to get angry at the memory of Candy's article. The article had not only forced Deacon to reveal details about his illness before he was ready but had also exposed their relationship to the scrutiny of the press. Both herself and Deacon preferred to keep their personal lives away from the glare of the limelight, but Candy had thrust them into that harsh light. During her time with Luke, Rayna had experienced living under the microscope, and she had no desire to return to that way of life.

Rayna had already shot Candy down when she asked about Deacon and his performance last night at the Bluebird. Talking to him last night, Deacon had played to her the old song he performed that night. Her heart broke as she listened to the lyrics, knowing that he had written it during a dark time in their relationship.

She momentarily allowed herself to picture him playing on the small stage of the café. He was wearing her favourite faded blue jeans teamed with a white shirt, with the arms rolled up revealing his toned forearms. He had completed the look with a grey waistcoat. He would have freshly trimmed the course hair on his face for the occasion and her fingers twitched as they recalled the glorious rough feel of it as they caressed his face. His eyes would have expressed the joy he felt being back in this intimate setting. He would have embraced the crowd, inviting them to join him on his journey of discovery, would have made them feel like they were his friends by telling them a story about how the song came to be. They would have returned the favour by leaning in, and holding their breath as they listened, enthralled as he took them on the most heartbreaking journey about love and loss. His voice, thick with emotion, wove the story of their love and gave them a glimpse of their unbreakable bond. Closing her eyes, Rayna's breath caught in her throat as her ears strained to hear Deacon's smooth voice as he caressed the words he had just written:

And our paper houses reach the stars
'Til we break and scatter worlds apart
Yeah, I paid the price and own the scars
Why did we climb and fall so far?

We held our cards, built them high
But way too close to the light
So turn your head, and let us go
I'll learn to breathe on my own

"Rayna!"

The harsh tone attached to her name, bought her suddenly back to the present. Blinking a couple of times against the glare of the lights, she coughed to cover up the fact she had been miles away.

"Sorry, what was the question again?"

Taking a calming breath, she attempted to focus her thoughts towards the slew of reporters in front of her. She was two weeks away from finishing the tour promoting Markus' album and she needed to ensure that the last few days when smoothly. So far, the tour had been successful, they had managed to convert the publicity behind Markus' sudden departure into album sales. Bucky had worked his magic and prevented the press from finding out the truth about why he had left, though it hadn't prevented them from sniffing around trying to uncover the truth.

"Rayna, do you care to comment on stories coming out of LA that have Markus renting a house in a gated community in the Hollywood Hills, and that he has been quoted as saying he needed a large house as a close friend is coming to stay with her two children"

"Harry, you know I don't comment on gossip, especially gossip that doesn't concern me. If you don't have anything further..."

"What about the fact he also stated that he needed a secure house due to his friend's ex being volatile and violent, and that she was worried about what the ex would do if he knew where she was."

"I know nothing about what is going on in Markus' life and as such I will not comment on it. We worked well together, and it was an enjoyable experience. We produced an album we are both proud of and I wish him all the best with his future endeavours. "

Moving quickly onto the next set of questions, Rayna tried to steer the conversation back to the album and the tour. However, the press sensing a hint of a scandal refused to move on.

"Rayna, Deacon performed last night at the Bluebird café, as your long-time collaborator you and him, have written some powerful songs. How do you feel about the song he sang last night? It left the audience in tears caressing their face. His songs so often describe of a deep love and the pain of heartbreak, this one is no different. Is he referring to your relationship?"

Rayna knew exactly what song she was referring to. Deacon had written it shortly after she had given birth to Daphne. He had confided in her years later, that that was the moment he had known he had lost her forever. He had clung to hope after she had married Teddy and had Maddie, that she would eventually return to him, but after Daphne he knew that he had lost the only woman he had ever loved. He had played it for her only once before, during that brief time when they had reconnected after her divorce. Her heart had shattered as she listened to his sorrow. Tears had streamed down her face, knowing that she was responsible for causing him such pain and by with-holding the truth about Maddie she was potentially adding more pain to his heartbreak. Hearing it again last night was no less painful. She had taken some comfort in the fact that they had battled their way through the mess of their past, and in two weeks she would be by his side again and moments away from marrying the only one who had ever held the key to heart.

"Well Deacon is probably one of the most talented songwriters I have even known. He can tap into the depth of his talent, and weave words to produce the most heartbreaking and tender songs. He gains inspiration from a lot of sources, like all songwriters. As for that particular song, you would have to ask him about it, only he could tell you where it originated from."

Catching Bucky's eye, Rayna silently signalled that she was done with this press conference. Pasting on her professional smile, she smiled as she left the stage. Rolling her eyes at Bucky, she put an arm around his shoulders as she took a big breath as she tried to will the bad feelings away.

"Two more weeks Buck. Two more weeks. Kill me now!"

Laughing Bucky nodded in agreement. He knew how much this solo tour was costing her. Not only was she missing her family, but she was also trying to secretly plan her wedding, so the press didn't get wind of it. He tried to shoulder some of the responsibility, lifting some of the weight away from her, but unfortunately these press conferences always focused on the persistent rumours about her and Markus' relationship. He knew it didn't help that Deacon was stuck in Nashville looking after the girls and running the bar. Bucky knew how the paparazzi worked. They were able to manipulate an innocent situation and blow it up into a scandal. The fact that Deacon and Rayna had not been photographed together in three months, was enough to get them salivating about a potential break up.

*** song lyrics from Niall Horan: Paper Houses. Song used without permission and any use was not intended to offend. ie. please don't sue me because all you will get with be $10 in change