Thanks for reading, I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to deal with Deacon's illness but until then I thought I would let our favourite couple have a bit of fun.

Deacon browsed the Tennessee News as he sipped his green juice with bee pollen, grimacing as he swallowed it. Scarlett was convinced that this concoction was going to strengthen his immune system he was convinced that all it was doing was making his taste buds rebel. Turning to the entertainment section he settled in as he caught up on the latest news from around the area. Front and centre was a write up on Rayna's Opry anniversary, with a photo of them gazing deeply into each others eyes. Snorting to himself he thought that if Rayna wanted to keep their relationship out of the media, they need to stop looking at each other like that….which he knew from experience was never going to happen. It was a great review, considering that it was a fantastic performance by all that night, especially the girls, it was no surprise at what was being said. Thinking back over that night, Deacon was immensely proud of Daphne and Maddie. Their performance that night certainly got the attention of everyone and he suspected that those in the know would be talking about the Conrad Sisters for a long time.

Getting up, he made his way over to the coffee machine, grabbing a glass of water on the way. Fishing in his pocket, he pulled out the small pill container with his morning dose of medication and quickly took them before anyone entered the kitchen. Standing there staring off into the distance while waiting for his coffee, he was startled out of his daydreaming by someone coming down the stairs. "DEACON" a perky and very much awake Daphne screamed at him, before rushing over to him and hugging him tightly.

"Hey sweet girl, where is everyone else?"

"Um, Maddie just woke up and Mom…well she will be asleep for a bit."

Deacon laughed as he watched her roll her eyes at her mother still being asleep. "Ye I seem to recall your mother not being a very good morning person. So what do you say we get some breakfast going? Maybe that might raise sleeping beauty from her slumber."

Beaming a large smile up at him, Daphne nodded as she grabbed the orange juice out of the fridge. "How do pancakes sound to you? Have you ever had a Deacon special?"

Shaking her head, Daphne sided up next to him jigging in place as she pleaded "Can you make them for me, please"

"For you darlin'? Sure. Wanna help me make them? Can you grab me the flour from the pantry?"

Deacon had his head deep in the fridge trying to locate the eggs, as Maddie shuffled into the kitchen, announcing her presence with a loud yawn. Emerging triumphant, he held the eggs up like a winner's trophy as he cheerfully greeted his daughter "Good morning sunshine. You ready for a Deacon special pancake?"

A grunted response was the only acknowledgment he got, reminding him so much of Rayna. "I will take that as a yes." Maddie made her way over the table, where she slumped into the chair. Resting her head on her folded arms she closed her eyes, shutting out the noises coming from the kitchen.

Daphne was perched on the bar stool at the end of the bench watching Deacon preparing his secret recipe. "Deacon, what's so special about these pancakes? From what I can tell they look like any other pancakes."

Leaning closer to her, and whispering confidently to her "the chocolate chips are what make them so special" standing back up and pointing the wooden spoon at her "but if you tell anyone my secret I will have to kill you." Winking at her, he turned his attention back to the mixture in front of him. Humming to himself, he poured the chocolate chips in.

Daphne smiled as she saw how happy Deacon was making breakfast for them. "Deacon?"

"Yeah"

"I'm really glad you and Mom are together. You make her happy."

Looking over at her, tears welling in his eyes he smiles at her. Making his way over to where she was sitting, he smoothed his hand over her hair and kissed the top of her head. Returning his attention to the pancake mixture, he attempted to get his emotions back under control, "Daph, can you grab the maple syrup these will be ready soon."

Both girls were enjoying the pancakes as Rayna sleepily walked in to kitchen. Rayna rubbed her eyes as she stumbled in the direction of the coffee machine. She pulled up suddenly when a coffee mug out of no where was thrust under her nose. Blinking slowly she looked up and took in the smug look covering Deacon's face. With a Cheshire cat grin he quipped "Good morning", giving her a quick kiss he sauntered over to join the girls at the table. Rayna gripped her coffee with two hands, her mind struggling to catch up with the domestic situation she was witnessing. Shaking her head slightly she sipped her coffee, noting that Deacon had made it just the way she liked it.

This time last year, if asked she honestly would never have guessed that this was the way things would have turned out. She had convinced herself so completely that she was in love with Luke, that she had put Deacon behind her and moved on with a clean slate. Looking back now she realises that she had convinced everyone except her own sub conscious. By all outward appearances she was happy, she thought she was happy but any time she was near Deacon her senses would twitter and she would get those tell tale flutters in her stomach. She had dismissed those feelings. Had forced them so far down that it wasn't until the night before the wedding, when she was thinking about Luke and how he had swept her off her feet, that all her feelings about Deacon came rushing to the surface and slapped her with the truth.

From the moment she had married Teddy, Rayna had been denying just how much she needed and loved that man. She didn't want to be one of those women who needed a man in her life, but it was true. Having Deacon in her life made her feel complete. She could exist without him but having him in her life, in any form, made her feel invincible and now that they had sorted out their emotional roadblocks she was damn sure that the cancer was not going to take him away from her. She embraced the fluttering of infatuation coursing through her as she watched Deacon joke with Daphne. Walking over to the table to stand next to him she crocked a greeting out to the girls "Morning y'all". Deacon put an arm around her hips and pulled her closer to him, brushing his hair back off his forehead she kissed him and sat down.

"So ladies, what are your plans for the day?" Deacon asked the girls as he watched Rayna digging into her pancakes. It always amused him watching the process of her waking up. He should have known that nothing would have changed over the years. It was always denial, acceptance and then a sudden rush. That was the Rayna morning ritual. She was currently in the rush stage and any minute now she would jump up from the table and frantically try to get ready for the coming day.

Hearing the girls excitedly telling him their plans for the day interrupted his thoughts. He reluctantly tore his eyes off Rayna and focused on the girls. Maddie stated she was heading to Talia's to 'hang out' and Daphne was brimming with excitement as she explained that she was going horse riding with Casey. Raising his eyebrows, he caught Rayna's eyes as he mouthed "horse riding." He knew that Rayna wasn't a lover of horses so he was puzzled about where Daphne's sudden interest in horses came from.

Clearing her throat Rayna explained "um, Luke has horses and I guess one thing lead to another. Before I could stop her, she um, she was…." she mouthed "a horse person." She gave an exaggerated shudder as she picked up her coffee. Sniggering at her theatrics, Deacon returned his attention back to the girls.

"Well how about I drop you both off and give your mother time to become the great Rayna James." Nodding in agreement the girls leapt up and bolted up the stairs.

Twinning his fingers with Rayna's, he lifts her hand to his lips and asks, "What are your plans for the day? You heading to the office?"

"Hmm ye I've got a meeting with Buck later this morning and then I have a lunch date with this really handsome guitar player, after that I don't know what my plans are."

"Funny you should mention a lunch date. I have one with this snotty big shot country diva."

"Hey who are you calling a snotty!" Rayna playfully slaps his arm.

Grabbing the breakfast dishes Deacon laughing responds back at her, "Well if the rhinestone boots fit."

"Shuddup"