He hardly slept. She'd surprised him when she showed up at his door, but he had still been glad to see her. He had felt such a mix of emotions – anger at her father for kicking her out, worry about what she would do, protective of her. She had still seemed so tense when he'd finally gotten her to go to bed. And then she wanted him to hold her. He had panicked a little, not wanting to take advantage of her situation, so he was glad she wasn't asking for more. She had still been shaking a little when he settled himself behind her on the bed and put his arm around her, but she had quickly fallen into what he assumed was an exhausted sleep.

He had dozed most of the night and finally got up as the sun started to lighten the apartment. She had made a little noise but had not woken up. He took a quick shower and changed clothes. She was still sleeping soundly, probably would for a while. He made coffee, pouring some in a travel mug for himself, and then he wrote her a note. He stood at the end of the bed for a minute, watching her sleep, then finally left the apartment, closing the door quietly behind him.

He was still thinking about her, halfway through his shift at the diner, worried about what would happen to her next. Would she go home? He thought she probably should, but he knew she was stubborn about her career. He walked over to the next table, setting his bus tray on the edge. He knew her father was against her performing, although he didn't understand why. And she, of course, was just as stubborn. They were two very strong people, determined to do things their own way. He wondered if she'd still be there when he got home or would have gone back to Belle Meade.

"Claybourne? Table ain't gonna clear itself," came the voice of the front-of-the-house manager, as he walked past him. He looked back and then down, realizing he'd just been standing there. He shook his head, to get rid of his musings, and concentrated on clearing the table. But, for the rest of his shift, his mind wasn't far from the pretty, spunky redhead who'd captured his heart. He knew she was trying to be brave and he loved her all the more for it.

####

She pulled into the parking lot at Tandy's apartment. She sat for a few minutes in her car, thinking about the events of the past twenty-four hours. There had been such highs, like the set she and Deacon had done, capped off by Watty's surprise news of a paying gig. She'd lost sight of that a little, in the wake of what had happened when she got home, but she got excited all over again, just thinking about it. She and Deacon would need to work on a set list, one that would really get an audience excited and get her the next paying gig. She knew she still had a lot of hard work ahead of her before she really made it. If she made it. She knew it was always a long shot, but she was convinced that her hard work would pay off in the end. In fact, she was counting on it.

Then she thought about the confrontation with her father. It was the worst fight they'd ever had and she still didn't understand why it had had to happen. It had felt like he was angry with her and she didn't know why, didn't know what she had done to make him so angry. She had a lump in her throat then and felt like crying. She didn't regret walking out, but she just wished she knew why it had all mattered so much to him. She had adored him when she was growing up and now she felt like she no longer knew him.

She looked up at Tandy's apartment and hoped she was there. She was glad Deacon had been home and that he'd let her stay overnight, but she also knew her feelings for him confused her. She wasn't sure what he might expect from her, in spite of him saying he wouldn't do anything she didn't want. She just wasn't sure what that was, especially after everything Tandy had said. She did think that Deacon loved her and would be sweet to her, but she was still a little afraid of that. She took a deep breath and got out of her car.

She walked quickly across the parking lot, then up the stairs. She slowed her pace as she got closer to Tandy's door. When she got there, she stood in front of it for a moment, not sure why. She felt nervous, for some reason. Maybe it was because it seemed like Tandy and their father had gotten closer, in the years since their mother's death. While Rayna had let herself get wrapped up in the music, Tandy had graduated and started college, majoring in business, working summers at Wyatt Industries. She hesitated another moment. But Tandy's my sister. First and foremost, she's my sister. They'd grown up, thick as thieves, holding onto each other in the aftermath of Virginia Wyatt's death. Tandy had supported her dreams, maybe a little more hesitantly than their mom, but she'd taken her to the Bluebird, to the Exit/In, and other places. She took a deep breath and raised her hand, then knocked on the door, and waited.

When the door opened, Tandy looked surprised to see her. "Rayna, what are you doing here?" she asked. Rayna had felt mostly brave up to this point, but seeing her sister suddenly overwhelmed her. The tears she'd been holding inside suddenly welled up in her eyes and she felt them spill over onto her cheeks. Tandy's eyes widened and she opened the door further. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?" She reached for Rayna and pulled her inside, shutting the door behind her. Rayna felt embarrassed that she couldn't stop crying and when Tandy put her arms around her, she sobbed into her sister's shoulder.

Tandy led her over to the couch and they sat down, Rayna still crying. Tandy put her hands on her arms and looked at her with concern, then reached up to smooth her hair off her face. "Rayna, what's going on?" She grabbed a tissue and handed it to her sister.

Rayna wiped at her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm herself. She clasped her hands together in her lap and breathed in again, then out. "Daddy..." She could hear her voice start to shake and she breathed in and out again. "Daddy kicked me out."

Tandy looked horrified. "What? Are you sure?"

Rayna frowned. "Yes, I'm sure. When I got home last night, we had a horrible fight and he told me if I was going to keep performing onstage, I couldn't live at home anymore. He told me I had to leave."

Tandy still looked horrified. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm sure he didn't really mean that." She was shaking her head.

Rayna sighed. "He did, Tandy. He gave me ten minutes to pack." She straightened her back, trying to seem more in control than she really felt. "He didn't try to stop me."

Tandy put her hand over her heart. "I just find it hard…oh, dear lord," she said, swallowing hard. "I just don't, well, I don't know what to say." Then she frowned. "Where did you stay last night?"

Rayna looked down at her lap. "I came here first, but you weren't home. And I didn't know when you'd get back."

Tandy put a finger under Rayna's chin and forced her sister to look at her. "Where did you stay last night, Rayna?"

Rayna knew Tandy would be angry, even though she hadn't done anything wrong. She raised her chin up. "I went to Deacon's."

####

Tandy felt her head spinning. She knew she needed to keep her emotions under control, try to help navigate her sister through whatever this was. She was astonished to find out that their father had kicked her out of the house. She needed to talk to him, find out what was really going on. She couldn't wrap her mind around the idea that he would kick a sixteen year old out into the world. And then the perhaps even more alarming idea that she had sought out Deacon. Again. She focused back on Rayna, who was sitting there looking so small and fragile. "Sweetheart, tell me exactly what happened," she said, trying to stay calm and in control.

Rayna sighed. "I came home, Daddy and I had fight about my performing, and he told me I couldn't stay. That I had ten minutes to pack up and leave."

Tandy felt her heart beating hard and her mouth felt dry, but she knew she couldn't get hysterical. "What did you argue about?"

"He was mad that I'd gone out and somehow he knew I'd been on stage." She reached for Tandy's hand and tried to smile. "I got offered a paying job, Tandy. I mean, a real paying job. Not just tips."

Tandy didn't quite know what to say to that. "Was that all?" she asked. "Just that you'd been on stage?"

Rayna shrugged. "I guess that I'd done it with Deacon, because he doesn't like him, and he went on and on about how I had to live by his rules. You know." She sighed again and then her lip started to quiver. "He said I was embarrassing this family and that it was wrong of me to use Mom's name on stage. And that's when he said if I didn't follow his rules, I had to leave." She grabbed Tandy's hands. "I really didn't think he meant it. I mean, he's gotten mad before, but not like that. I went upstairs and packed. I thought when I came downstairs he'd say he didn't mean it and I'd still be mad at him, but we'd get over it. But he was in his study with the door closed."

Tandy considered all that. She knew their father didn't want Rayna pursuing a music career and, while she knew it could be a tough road for her sister and there were certainly no guarantees she'd be successful, she couldn't understand Lamar's disdain for it. It had been a constant theme ever since Rayna started getting more serious about her music. She knew Rayna was talented – that was obvious – and people seemed to respond to her singing. Tandy knew she was biased, but she thought Rayna had what it took. She took a deep breath. "Don't you think you should go home?" she asked. "I bet Daddy regrets what happened last night."

Rayna scowled and shook her head. "No. You didn't see him, Tandy. He was dead serious. And if he can't support me and my dream, well, then I don't want to live there. I can do it on my own."

"Rayna, sweetie, you're just sixteen…." She knew her sister thought she was all grown up. But she wasn't completely sure when Rayna had gotten so stubborn and determined.

"Almost seventeen," Rayna interjected.

"That's still not very old, especially not to be out on your own. And what about school?"

Rayna shrugged. "I don't need school to be a country music star."

Tandy tried to smile encouragingly. "Sweetie, I know that's your dream, and I support that, but you also have to be realistic. What if it doesn't happen? Or what if it isn't all you hoped for? Finishing school would be a good thing."

"I don't care about that. But I'll get a GED, if it makes you happy."

That wasn't what Tandy wanted, but she decided to deal with the other problem. "Rayna, you can't stay at Deacon's anymore. You know that."

"But you weren't here," she said. "What was I supposed to do?"

"Well, I, um." She didn't really have a good solution for that. "You should have gone back home." Rayna started to frown and Tandy squeezed her hand. "I know you have feelings for Deacon, Rayna, but he's really a man. With experience. And he could take advantage of someone like you."

Rayna pulled her hand away and got up from the couch, an angry scowl on her face. She walked away, her hands crossed over her waist. "You're as bad as Daddy," she said. "You don't even know him. He's not like that. He's been nothing but a gentleman. He's never tried anything like that with me and he respects me."

Tandy recognized she needed to back down a little on that. Rayna was already in an agitated state and, considering what had happened, might do something she shouldn't. Like run back to Deacon Claybourne. She got up and walked over to her sister, putting her hands on her arms. "Look," she said, attempting to change the subject. "You can stay with me as long as you need to."

Rayna turned and threw her arms around Tandy's neck. "Thank you," she cried. "I knew I could count on you!"

Tandy hugged her back. "I am going to talk to Daddy, though," she said. "I need to know what the hell he was thinking."

####

Lamar poured himself a bourbon and turned back to face Tandy. She had a stern look on her face that made him smile. Both girls had Virginia's spunk, although Tandy was definitely more pragmatic and measured, like him. He wasn't surprised either that Rayna had run to her. He'd expected as much. He waved his free hand in the air. "She'll come around, Tandy," he said. "She's too young to be on her own. You and I both know that."

Tandy was leaning against his credenza, her arms crossed over her waist. "She's pretty determined. She doesn't intend to back down."

He shrugged. "She will eventually. She can't support herself. Who's going to hire a sixteen year old?"

"Almost seventeen," she reminded him.

He chuckled. "No real difference." He paced the room for a moment, then turned back to her. "She has no real life experience. She's grown up being waited on, having everything done for her."

She smirked. "She's tougher than you think, Daddy. She's basically been on her own since I left for school and she's got a pretty good sense of what she wants. Which is what I really don't understand. Why are you so dead set against her doing this?"

He frowned. "Because it's folly, Tandy. What makes you think she would be the one who would be successful? There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of young people who come here every year, starry eyed and filled with dreams of grandeur. Standing on a stage, in front of tens of thousands of people. Only a few make it."

"Well, what makes you think she won't?"

"The odds are against her."

She hesitated a second before she spoke. "But she's crossed paths with someone who's very connected in the business. Someone who could really help her." He looked at her, raising his eyebrows. "Watty White. He got her a paying job, did you know that?"

He felt a slow burn at the mention of Watty White. It had been one more reason to nip this hobby of Rayna's before it gained traction. "One paying job doesn't mean she's going to be a star," he said, his voice low and lethal.

"He'll get her more."

Lamar turned and poured more bourbon in his glass. He noticed his hand was shaking a bit and the liquid splashed onto the tray. He turned back around and scowled darkly. "Watty White has no business around Rayna," he said.

"Why not?"

His lips narrowed and he tightened his jaw. "He turns heads with flowery words. He did that with your mother. Makes promises."

She looked surprised and raised her eyebrows. "Mom?" she asked.

He stopped, not sure exactly what to say, deciding on a variation of the truth. "Watty White turned your mother's head. Fed her tales of what life would be like on the road. Made her forget her responsibilities here, to you girls. He'll do the same to Rayna." He slammed his glass down on his desk. "She needs to come home and forget this nonsense."

####

Rayna was nervous. About as nervous as she'd ever felt. She kept pacing back and forth, wringing her hands. She stopped and turned to look at Deacon, who was sitting against the wall in the small dressing room, watching her with an amused smile on his face. She sighed. "I wish I smoked," she said.

He looked surprised. "Why?" he asked.

"I don't know. Somehow I just think a cigarette would make me feel more relaxed."

He leaned down and pulled something out of a side pocket of his guitar case. He held out what looked like a slim silver thermos. "Here. Try this."

She took a step closer and frowned. "What is it?"

He pointed it at her. "Liquid courage. Just try it."

She took the small container in her hand hesitantly. She looked at him and he nodded at the container. She screwed off the top and held it up to her nose, sniffing. "Oh, gosh, what is that?" she asked, making a face. It smelled almost metallic and a little woodsy.

"Just take a sip." He nodded at her. "It's okay. Just a sip."

She put her lips on the opening and tipped the container up. Whatever it was tasted like smoke, with a sharp metallic edge. It burned and she started coughing. He got up and took the container as she continued to cough until tears filled her eyes. When she finally stopped coughing, she frowned. "What was that?" she choked out.

"Whiskey," he said.

She shook her head. "I don't think I like it," she said.

He chuckled. "It is an acquired taste, that's for sure." He nodded towards her. "Don't it make you feel a little warm inside?"

She thought about that. Once the burn was gone, there was kind of a warm feeling in her stomach. "Kind of," she said. She frowned. "How did you get this?"

He shrugged. "There's always someone who'll give you something on the sly. No big deal." He handed back the container. "Take one more sip."

She wasn't sure she wanted to, but if he thought it was okay, maybe it was. She took the container back and took another sip, wincing at the bite, now that she knew what to expect. Now she really was starting to feel a warmth that seemed to flow through her arms and legs. "Maybe you're right," she said. "I am feeling more relaxed." She handed the container back to him and watched as he took a long swallow. He squeezed his eyes shut for a second, but that was the only sign that he felt the same burn. He screwed the top back on and put it back in his guitar case.

He stood up and reached for her hand. She took it, feeling a thrill run up her spine as she felt the warmth of his skin and the callouses on his fingers. He smiled down at her. "Let's go give 'em a helluva show, Ray," he said.

She smiled up at him and then they walked out towards the stage together.

####

The next day, they met at the park. He was waiting for her, sitting on the picnic table, and he watched as she walked across the grass towards him. She sat down next to him, leaning forward a bit. Then she looked over at him. "Did that really happen last night?" she asked.

He gave her a little smile. "You mean, did you go out on stage and kill it, in front of a place full of people? And then get paid at the end of the night? And get asked back?" She still looked like she couldn't quite believe it. She kept wanting to pinch herself the night before, sure it was all a dream. She nodded and he chuckled. "Then yeah, it really happened. And you heard Watty. There'll be more."

She put her hands over her heart. "I just still can't believe it. I could hardly sleep last night, you know?"

He nodded. "I do know." He leaned over and kissed her. "You done great, baby. You're on your way."

She grabbed his arm, looking very serious. "You're still gonna do this with me, aren't you? I mean, I know you came here to have your own career, but I hope you'll still be my guitar player, at least for a while."

He'd thought a lot about that. It was true that he'd come here originally for his own career. At least one that included himself and Beverly. But that was never about standing behind Beverly, being her guitar player and letting her front them. To be with Rayna meant that he would be taking a step back, literally as well as figuratively. Letting her be the one to shine and maybe never getting a chance at his own dreams. It was why he hadn't been able to sleep.

He looked deep in her eyes and took her hand. She looked anxious as she waited for him to speak. He took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'll be there with you. Long as you need me," he said, and meant it. Having his own career was important, but he had known, since the moment he'd met her, that she was his destiny. She smiled, that beautiful smile that lit up everything around her, even when the sun was shining brightly.

"Just when you can," she said. "I want you to follow your dreams too, Deacon. I want us to do it together."

He slid closer to her and put his arm around her, kissing her gently on the lips. "We will, Ray. A hundred percent together." He looked into her eyes and bit down on his lip. "You and the music, you're the same, Rayna. I want us to do it all together."

She put her hands on his face and drew him in for a kiss. When she pulled back, her eyes were sparkling. "I love you, Deacon Claybourne," she said softly.

He smiled back at her. "I love you, Rayna Jaymes."

####

It was late on a Sunday morning. Tandy had left to go to church with their father, trying to get her to go too, but Rayna had said no. It had been a late night, with yet another paying show, and she had been exhausted when Deacon finally brought her home. When Tandy left, she had rolled over on the couch and closed her eyes, hoping for a little more sleep, but it was elusive.

Finally she got up, folding the light blanket and setting it at the end of the couch, on top of her pillow. She appreciated Tandy letting her stay, but the couch was not the most comfortable place to sleep. It made her think about Deacon sleeping on his couch that first time she'd stayed at his apartment. She smiled to herself, thinking that was really an uncomfortable couch. She took a shower and stood in front of the mirror, drying her hair. She got dressed and went into the small kitchen and made tea. She walked back to the couch and sat, crossing her legs underneath her and sipped on her tea thoughtfully. The next day was her birthday – she'd be seventeen – and she had promised Tandy she would go that week and check on getting her GED. Tandy really had hoped she'd go back to school, but Rayna just wanted to move on with her life. Eventually she'd need to get her own place, she knew, but for the time being it worked.

She was meeting Deacon at the park later in the afternoon. He was working his diner job that day, but would get off after lunch. She smiled to herself, thinking about him. Having him on stage with her made her feel so confident. She still wondered sometimes if he might want to go out on his own – and she had decided, if he did, she would encourage it – but she was so grateful that he was almost as invested in her dreams as he was his own.

She was trying to straighten up the apartment, earn her keep, when the door opened and Tandy walked in. She looked up and smiled. "Hey, you're home," she said, but then she noticed an odd look on her sister's face. Tandy stepped inside and then was followed by their father. Rayna's smile vanished and she frowned.

"Don't be mad, Rayna," Tandy said, looking apologetic. Rayna merely picked up her mug from earlier and walked into the kitchen, without saying a word.

Lamar walked up to the kitchen counter. "Rayna, I want you to come home," he said. "It's time to put aside this foolishness."

She stood across from him, her hands flat on the counter. "And just what foolishness is that, Daddy?" she asked, trying to be cool while she was shaking inside. She could see Tandy standing off behind him, twisting her hands together.

"You can't stay here forever," he said. "And you're not going to be able to live on your own with whatever meager earnings you're getting right now."

"You don't know that."

He smiled, one of those smiles that didn't reach his eyes. "I do know that, young lady. I make it my business to know things like that." The smile faded a bit. "That Watty White might have promised you the moon, but just know he's not going to be able to deliver that."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "How can you know that? He thinks I'm very talented. And I'm getting more paid performances all the time." She huffed. "I'm not coming home, Daddy. I'd rather live on the street than do that." She walked quickly around the counter and grabbed her purse and keys. She looked pointedly at Tandy. "You should never have brought him here." She went to the door, pulled it open and walked out, letting it slam behind her. She ran down the steps and across the parking lot to her car, breathing in and out to calm herself.

She sat in the car for a moment, then started it and drove out of the parking lot. She was still shaking a little bit with anger, and that caused her to press down a little too hard on the accelerator, but once she got on the highway, she breathed out slowly and felt herself begin to calm down. By the time she got off the highway in East Nashville, she was feeling better. She felt relieved, when she turned into the parking lot at Deacon's apartment, to see his truck there. She parked and made her way across the parking lot and up the stairs to his apartment. She knocked on the door and waited.

When he opened the door and she saw his face, she felt the tears bubble up and she struggled to keep them at bay. "Can I…can I come in?" she asked.

He had a frown of concern on his face. "'Course you can," he said and stepped aside to let her in. When he closed the door, he turned to her. "What's going on?"

She considered what to say, then finally decided to just tell the truth. "I need a new place to live," she said. "Tandy brought my father over and so I need to get out of there." She clasped her hands together tightly, hoping he wouldn't turn her away.

####

She looked like she did every time she showed up on his doorstep – scared and fragile. So opposite from all the other times he saw her. She was the strongest person he knew, but she was still young enough that having the rug pulled out from under her was hard. He pulled her into his arms. "You can stay here, baby," he whispered against her hair. "Long as you like." He led her over to the couch and they sat. He took her hands in his and looked at her, waiting.

She took a deep breath and looked at him. "I'm sorry I keep running here, but I don't really know where else to go," she said.

He shook his head. "It's okay. I don't mind."

She looked around the tiny studio. "But you don't have enough room really. I know that." She looked back at him. "So maybe just until I can find something else."

He smiled at her encouragingly. "I don't mind you being here. Truth be told, I kinda like it."

She smiled then, the first smile since she'd showed up. "Really?"

He put his hands on her face and rubbed her cheeks with his thumbs. "I love you, baby. I'd do anything for you."

She smiled a little wider. "Even sleep on this awful couch?" she asked.

He chuckled. "Even sleep on this awful couch."

She sighed then. "I'm gonna have to go back and get my stuff."

He frowned. "Do you gotta do it today?"

She smiled. "Well, let's see. I don't have a toothbrush or shampoo or pajamas or a change of clothes or…."

He laughed. "Well, I do got shampoo, but we can go get the rest." He took her hands. "Or go back to your sister's and get your stuff."

She breathed in, then let it out. "I don't know. I do need to get it though."

He smiled. "Tell you what. Let's go hang out at the park for a bit, then I'll drive you over if you want. How 'bout that?"

She leaned in towards him and kissed him. "I love you." She sat back. "And thank you."

When they arrived at Tandy's, she looked around the parking lot. "No one here," she said to him. "I'll go up and get my things." She started to get out of the truck and he grabbed her arm. She looked back at him.

"I'll help you," he said. She smiled her thanks.

They both got out of the truck and walked up to Tandy's apartment. Rayna let them in. Deacon looked around. It was almost as small as his apartment, but it looked more inviting. Rayna headed for the bathroom. He stood in the middle of the living room space and watched as she hurried out with her arms full of things. He heard her open a suitcase and dump what she had into it. He could hear activity in the room and he assumed she was getting her clothes together. A few minutes later she came out with a suitcase, setting it just outside the bedroom door. She went back into the bedroom and brought out the other.

He had walked over and picked up the first suitcase and held his hand out for the other. "I can do it," she said.

"I'm sure you can," he said. "But let me have it." He smiled at her and she shrugged, letting him take the second suitcase from her. He then followed her out the door and down the steps. He put both suitcases in the bed of his truck, as she got in. He let himself into the driver's side and then reached for her hand. She looked back at him and he could see the strain in her eyes. "It's gonna be okay, baby. I promise." She just nodded.

She fell asleep in his arms that night and every night after that. She wouldn't let him sleep on the couch and they both got used to sleeping close together. He wanted her so badly. Touching her skin drove him crazy, but he wasn't going to do anything she wasn't okay with.

One morning, he woke up with his arm around her waist, as usual. He could smell her shampoo from the day before and he could feel her soft skin. He slid his hand under the waistband of the little shorts she was wearing. She made a soft noise and he stopped. She rolled over then, to face him, her eyes still puffy from sleep, a dreamy little smile on her lips. She ran her hand down his arm and then looked up at him. "Make love to me," she whispered.

He caught his breath. "I…."

"Please," she said. "I'm ready." He kissed her gently, at first, then a little more insistently, and she responded. Finally he rolled her onto her back underneath him. He looked at her again, a question in his eyes. She smiled. "I'm ready," she repeated.

####

In the end, it did hurt, just like Tandy said. But he'd been so gentle, taking things so slowly, that she'd hardly noticed. When she had winced at the momentary sharp pain as he entered her, he'd stopped and looked at her with fear in his eyes. Did I hurt you, baby? She had smiled up at him, feeling a little teary, not so much from pain, but from how much he cared about her. She had shaken her head. I'm fine.

The second time was better than the first and she knew every successive time would be even better. She was in the arms of the man she loved, a man who loved her. She had known it, deep in her soul, back in the very beginning. They had been meant to be together and she knew, with a certainty she'd never had about anything else, that he would be the one constant in her life, for the rest of her life. She had no choice but to choose him, no matter what else happened.

He was holding her in his arms, in the tiny bed in his tiny studio apartment, looking down at her. It might not have been a lot, but it was exactly where she wanted to be. She smiled. "I love you, Deacon," she said.

He leaned down and kissed her. "I love you, Rayna."

He sat up in the bed, pulling the sheet up around his waist. She slid up next to him, pulling the other side of the sheet up to cover her chest. At this point, there was no reason to be modest, but somehow she still felt that way, a little. Deacon Claybourne was the first – and only – man to ever see her naked, to see her this intimately, and for a moment that completely overwhelmed her. She felt a little sore between her legs and her breasts still felt tingly from when he'd put his mouth on them. She could feel herself blush and, when she looked up, he was smiling.

"You okay, Ray?" he asked, stroking her cheek lightly with his fingers.

She was so captivated by him that at first all she could do was smile and nod. Then she took a deep breath. "I…I didn't know it would be…like that," she said finally.

He looked a little concerned. "Was it not okay?" he asked, sounding worried.

She shook her head. "No, no, it was actually wonderful. I mean, my sister told me it might not be that great the first time." She smiled at him then. "But it was great. It felt amazing." She knew she had nothing to compare it to, but somehow she knew, even if she ever did this with anyone else, it wouldn't be the same. She could feel herself blush again. "Tandy said it would all be different when it's someone you loved." She looked at him anxiously.

He let his fingers trail over her cheek again, then leaned in to kiss her gently. When he sat back, he smiled. "She's right," he said. "This was the first time I done it with someone I loved and she's right. It's way better." She felt breathless as she watched him. His eyes got a little damp and he bit down on his lip, as though he were trying to hold tight to his emotions. He finally breathed in deeply. "I see us doing this for the rest of our lives."

She really did feel overcome then, wanting to laugh and cry at the same time. She held the sheet up with one hand and leaned forward, brushing her lips against his, then sitting back and smiling. "I do too," she said.

He smiled then, a big, happy smile. "Sing something for me, Rayna," he said.

####

He was afraid to move. One reason was that the bed was not really big enough for two people. Even though Rayna was a slender thing, there was barely enough room for both of them. She was facing him and he had his arm draped over her waist. She looked at him, with dreamy eyes and a lazy smile. He had one leg between hers and he was propped up on his elbow, looking down at her. She was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen in his whole life. That she was also sweet and talented and strong was a bonus. He'd never known anyone quite like her and he was sure he never would.

He moved his hand to smooth her tousled hair. Her eyes were a clear and sparkling blue. The freckles across her nose and cheeks almost seemed to dance. He leaned in then and kissed her. She kissed him back, resting her palm against his chest. After a moment, he pulled his lips from hers and looked into her eyes. He could see her need and desire. He had wanted to give her time to adjust to what had just happened, time to take it all in and process it, but his own need was too great.

He pulled her underneath him and she lifted her arms, wrapping them around his neck, telling him with her eyes that she was ready for him again. Then she opened her legs and he sank into her with a satisfied groan.

He thought he could probably get used to this. The thought of building a life with her, filled with love and music, seemed like the most perfect thing he could imagine. She leaned over and brushed her lips against his and he couldn't help but smile, feeling like his whole life had just changed for the better.

"Sing something for me, Rayna," he said. She thought for a moment, then started with one of the songs she'd told him was a favorite.

There's something you got that really gets me going
It's hard to believe the way the feeling's growing
So, let me say before my heart starts showing
I'm only in it for the love….

THE END

A/N: This was where I'd always planned to end this, when everything was still shiny and new for Deacon and Rayna, before the rest of their lives happened. I do have an idea for something else a little later in their history, but we'll see what happens with that. Thanks for reading!