"Mmmm…" Rayna said as she took a bite of her burger, raising her hand to wipe at her chin. "This is amazing."
"How you eat like that and look like you do," Deacon started. "I've never been able to figure that one out."
"It's part of my energetic personality," Rayna replied. "What I can't figure out is how you can eat the exact same thing again and again and again."
"I am not eating the same thing as always," Deacon replied. "I did not get fries." He took a bite of his burger.
"That is very true and very odd," Rayna responded. "Do you want some of mine? I know you love fries."
"Nah," Deacon said, shaking his head. "I'm...I'm supposed to watch my salt, eat more protein."
"Oh," Rayna replied as she laid her burger down on the plate and looked out the window. She turned back to him and smiled. "How did things go this morning?"
"Fine," Deacon said as he took another bite of his burger.
Rayna reached across the table and took his hand in hers. "I know you don't want to talk about this, babe, but I need more than fine. Okay?"
Deacon nodded. He took a sip of his water. "Actually, I just went in for the test this morning. They don't tell you anything there. I'm goin' back to see the doctor this afternoon at three."
"Will you let me go with you?" Rayna asked.
Deacon nodded. "Yeah, Scarlett's been goin' with me, but yeah, I'd like that."
"Okay," Rayna replied. She tightened her hand around his. "Thank you, babe."
Deacon leaned across the table and kissed her, then leaned back. "Okay, but now I need my hand back so I can finish this burger and you can eat your fries."
Deacon held the door to Dr. Rand's office as Rayna walked in and took a seat across from his desk.
"Dr. Rand, this is my friend, Rayna. I've been trying to get her up to speed about what's happening and thought it might be easier to have her come with me and ask any questions she might have," Deacon explained as he sat down.
"Good to meet you, Rayna. I'm happy to talk about any aspect of Deacon's illness and treatment with his approval," the doctor replied.
"Tell her anything she asks about," Deacon responded. "Me and Ray...we don't have any secrets. Not anymore."
The doctor put up the scans from Deacon's MRI on a screen in his office and started explaining the results. The tumor had grown, as they thought it would. But it was still within the guidelines for a transplant.
"Does this impact," Rayna started, looking down at some notes she had on a sheet, "on the MELD score?"
"It does," Dr. Rand replied. "This growth will move Deacon higher on the list and I'm hopeful that we'll have a donor liver soon for him.
"How are you feeling otherwise?" the doctor asked. "Any more issues?"
"Nope, everything's been fine," Deacon replied.
"Well then, we'll see you next week," the doctor answered. "And in the meantime, call me if anything comes up."
Deacon and Rayna said their goodbyes and walked out into the hall.
"What did he mean by more issues?" Rayna asked as they walked down the hall.
Deacon paused and looked down at his boots. "Nothin'. It was just…"
Rayna put her arm on his. "You said in there no more secrets. What was it?"
"It was when Beverly was here. I missed a dose of my medication and there was some stress with her showin' up and me not knowin' about it."
"What happened, Deacon," Rayna asked again.
"I had this seizure thing. I couldn't...I wasn't makin' any sense and Scarlett was there and she got me through it," Deacon explained.
"Has it happened again?" Rayna asked, her face covered with concern.
Deacon shook his head. "Nope, just that one time. And I've been real religious about taking the pills and trying to keep things less stressful."
Rayna moved closer to him. "Is that why you kept it to yourself? Didn't tell me or Maddie?"
Deacon leaned into her. "No...I didn't tell you because it made it too real and that...I just couldn't handle doin' that."
Rayna slid her arms around him and pulled him close, holding him in her embrace as people walked past them down the hallway.
Rayna's phone beeped and she looked down. "Maddie's going to a friend's for dinner and Daphne has a meeting for her field trip." She looked up at Deacon and smiled. "Maybe we should grab this time and go get rid of some of our stress."
A smile crossed Deacon's face. "Sounds perfect to me."
Rayna led Deacon by the hand into her kitchen. "It's hard to believe this house is ever this quiet."
They crossed to the island and she leaned against it. Deacon pressed up against her and kissed her deeply. His hands slipped up along her side, his right hand cupping her breast.
"God, Ray, I've missed this," he said as he continued kissing her, exploring her body.
"How about we take this upstairs?" she offered.
Deacon paused for a moment, then smiled at her. "How about you show me your music room, instead?"
"Oh, you want to see my music room?" she teased.
"I know I want to make some music with you," he replied, a smile crossing his face.
Rayna stopped. "Are you mocking me, Deacon Claybourne?"
Deacon stood up straight, removed the smile from his face and shook his head. "Not at all, Rayna Jaymes. I would very much like to see your music room and then, I'd like to return to your bedroom and have some personal time there. Serious enough for you?"
She lightly swatted him and led him down the hall. "I hope it doesn't seem too bougie for you."
She pushed open the door and led him into a room that clearly had been designed to honor her career and to allow her to create music.
"Oh, Ray," he said as he walked over to the wall with her gold records hanging on it. "These are some 's not...what did you say...bougie?"
"Some good years there," Rayna answered.
"And some bad," Deacon replied. "But so much good, no, really great music."
Rayna sat down on the couch. "It's been a good escape for me, a place to write, listen to music. But I've always had this one dream.'
Deacon sat down next to her and took her hand. "What's that, babe?"
She pointed at the wall in front of them. "Teddy's office is back there. I haven't done anything with it since the divorce, but I have to be honest...ever since I heard Juliette put a little studio in her house, I've wanted one. I mean, not for doing an album, but a place to make scratch tracks, when something comes up to get it on tape."
Deacon got up and moved to the wall. "I can see it...a mixing board, glass wall so you can see the booth. You should do it, Ray."
"We could make some great music here," she replied.
Deacon crossed back to the couch. "I think I'm ready to do that right now."
"I should probably go make us some dinner," Rayna said as she rolled away from Deacon, their clothes scattered on the floor around them.
"I'm thinking I'd rather go measure the dimensions of that shower again," Deacon replied. "I'm still full from that burger at lunch. Care to join me?"
Rayna slid her hand up along the edge of Deacon's face. "Of course. That's an invitation I'll always be happy to accept."
Deacon got up from the couch and headed for the door. As he walked away, Rayna let out a low whistle.
He opened the door and walked out into the hall, then just as quickly stepped back into the room.
"Back so soon for more?" Rayna asked, her voice low and her arm outstretched to him.
Deacon shook his head.
"Are you blushing?" she asked him."What in the world, Deacon Claybourne?"
Deacon headed toward the corner, quickly pulling his jeans on.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked as she pulled the blanket from the couch up around her.
"Daphne," was his only response.
TBC