Author's Note: This is another case of me trying to make something shorter and it just not working. It's set at least a few years ago, when the girls were younger. I know on the show Rayna mentioned the deal she and Teddy made in regards to never telling Deacon Maddie was his, but I can't help thinking there were times she thought about telling him anyway, so this is my rendition of what one of those times might have been.
Also, there is still plenty of time to participate in the fanfic challenge for this month. If you haven't signed up already but would like to, please feel free to PM KarenES, Shiny Jewel, or myself (MoonlightGardenias), and we'd be glad to let you in on all the details.
So, I guess that's it. Thanks for reading!
She'd only been gone for five minutes, a quick phone call on the way to the coffee cart, but when Rayna cracks open the door to her dressing room and sees Deacon and Maddie sitting close together on the sofa, her breath hitches in her chest and she feels time stand still.
He gladly accepted when she asked him to keep an eye on the girls for a moment, so she probably should have seen this coming. She watches as a pig-tailed Maddie stares down at Deacon's guitar, it's size practically the same as her, and listens intently as he speaks.
"You just wanna put your hand right…there," Deacon says, showing Maddie where to place her fingers correctly on the strings. "There, that's good. Now try it."
Rayna watches as Maddie does what he says, and within seconds a slow and sweet melody fills the air. Across the room, she sees Daphne look up from her position in her playpen, giggling with glee.
"I did it!" Maddie exclaims, kicking her feet out in excitement. "Was that good?"
Deacon grins, nodding enthusiastically. Rayna knows he's not even pretending, and it's that fact that somehow makes witnessing them playing music hurt that much more. "Sure was. C'mon, keep going. I'll help you if you get lost."
The joy that fills his face upon seeing her play, stumbling only a few times, makes something deep within her clench, and she has to blink to keep the tears at bay. It's Maddie that sees her first, halting her playing as she calls out her name.
"Did you hear? Uncle Deacon's teaching me a new song. It's so cool!"
No longer able to observe quietly, Rayna walks into the room, handing Deacon his coffee when he stands to greet her. "You were wonderful, sweetheart. Why don't you say thank you? Aunt Tandy should be here soon to pick you and Daphne up, okay?"
"Anytime, hon. I'm glad to help," Deacon says when Maddie wraps her arms around him as much as she can. His eyes meet Rayna's and he hesitates for a moment before speaking. "She was great. I mean it, Ray, if she wants to play I'd be more than happy to—"
"Thank you," Rayna says, wincing at the brief look of alarm that flashes across his face. She hates hurting him, and not just in the sense of interrupting him so she can finish getting ready before the show, but for so many ways she's not even sure where to begin when listing them. And yet she finds the words sitting on her tongue, ready so be spoken. "Deacon, I need to—"
It would be so easy to just say it, to just open her mouth and say the little words that carry so much weight she has no idea what they'd do. But when she spoke with Tandy she said she'd be there in five minutes and the show starts in less than thirty, not to mention how she wants to run a last minute song change by the rest of the band. She feels her old friend guilt pricking at her conscience again. As easy as the words would be to say, she's not yet ready for what would surely come afterward.
He's staring and she realizes it's probably been a few moments since she's spoken, so she takes a healthy sip from her coffee before offering a smile. "I have to get these girls to see their aunt. And thank you," she says. "Really."
"Of course," Deacon says, nodding his head slowly as if he doesn't believe her. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Rayna says as she picks Daphne up out of her playpen. She grabs her bag and ushers Maddie to her side, turning only as she reaches the door. Maybe she'll tell him soon, or maybe she won't. Either way she finds herself hoping it won't mean he'll end up leaving her life, or their life really, she thinks, because she knows that even though they're so young the girls have already grown attached. She wonders what he'd think of that, but also realizes there's no more time for meandering through "what ifs". Instead, Rayna offers a nod, raising her coffee in his direction. "I'll see you on stage."