Dinner was a lively affair, with both girls taking turns filling Deacon in with what they had been up to while he was away. Deacon in turn regaled stories from the road. Seeing her family so lovingly enjoying the time they were spending together, made Rayna contemplate the difference between meal times with Luke. Luke's kids weren't around that often, and when they were they were so detached from each other. Rayna could already sense a distance developing between her and her girls. When they asked if they could attend boarding school it added to her panic over the wedding. Having spent the majority of her life estranged from her own father, combined with losing her mom at such a young age, she had always declared that she would always make sure her kids and herself would be close. Even when Teddy had suggested a nanny for those times when she was out on tour, she had protested, she was adamant that her girls would never be raise by strangers. Seeing how close Maddie and Daphne were to each other, how they lent on each other during tough times made her so proud. Watching them laughing and joking with Deacon, and seeing how he doted on them filled her with warm feelings.

Deacon strummed the strings of the guitar while they waited for Maddie to return with her guitar. Daphne was tapping a tune on the table top while humming along under her breath. He could hear Rayna in the kitchen talking to Bucky. She was trying to get Layla into the studio to lay down some tracks before she went out on the road. Maddie crashing into the music room diverted his attention back into the room.

Seeing all three of them playing music together was a delight for Rayna as she entered carrying hot chocolates. Sitting down on the couch next to Deacon, she hugged her mug as she listened to them playing. The drama surrounding Jeff trying to get Maddie signed to his label highlighted just how talented her girls were, and she knew that the day was fast approaching where she would have to officially sign them to Highway 65, if only to stop other labels from trying to do it. Rayna sighed as she burrowed her feet under Deacon's thighs. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he continued playing.

Tipping his head in her direction, his eyes wandered over her face. Rayna shivered as his voice caressed her like silk. She wiggled her toes against him and was rewarded with another smile. Smiling into her mug, her eyes danced with delight as she watched Deacon playing. Once they had finished the song, both girls pounced on the drinks and excitedly talked over each other before reaching for their phones. Deacon turned slightly towards her, his large hand spreading warmth through her as he cupped and rubbed her leg. Leaning over he kissed her. Pulling back slightly he mouthed "Thank you" before kissing her again. His tongue tasted the sweetness left by the hot chocolate. Taking both their mugs, he placed them on the table before returning his attention to the girls. Rayna rested her head against the couch as she watch them playing.

Deacon turned to look at Rayna and smiled to himself at the sight of her sleeping next to him. Turning back to the girls, he nodded in Rayna's direction. Both girls smothered their giggles at the sight of their mom sleeping peacefully. A sharp click made Deacon whip his head around towards Maddie. She was holding her phone up so that both Daphne and she could look at the photo.

"Hey now, that's not fair", he whispered at the girls. Maddie flipped the phone around to show him the photo of them. The look of love on his face was evident in the photo as he looked at Rayna sleeping with a soft smile on her face. Screwing his face up, he tried to not smile at the image presented to him.

"Hmmm ummm can you send that to my phone?"

Maddie bit down on her lip, trying to control her smile as she nodded.

"Why do you girls go on up and get ready for bed, you have school tomorrow. I'll wake your mother."

Tracing his finger gently over her ear, he tucked her hair behind it.

"Ray"

A murmur from her was the only acknowledgment he got. Speaking louder he gently shook her awake. Blinking against the glare of the light, Rayna sheepishly smiled at him. He lent against her bent legs with his elbows resting on her knees and smiled at her.

"Go to bed Ray. I'll finish up down here and be up shortly." Cupping her hand against his jawline, she smiled and nodded.

Deacon quickly finished up downstairs and ran out to his truck to get his overnight bag. Turning the lights off, he made his way up to Rayna's bedroom, noting on the way that the girls' rooms were in darkness.

Rayna was already in bed as he entered, her eyes heavy with tiredness as she watched him undress. Turning the lights off, the room was bathed in moonlight as he climbed into bed. Rayna wiggled across to him. Rubbing her cheek against his shoulder, her hand snaked its way under his t-shirt and settled on his bare skin. Her fingers traced over his skin while she threw her leg over his. Sighing deeply she settled further against him, wrapping herself around him. He smoothed his hand over her hair and kissed her forehead. Her breathing evened out as sleep overtook her.

Deacon smiled against her hair. She had been working so hard lately, he was pleased that she finally had taken some time for herself today. Considering how quickly she had fallen asleep it was clear to him that she needed it. He felt his own eyes getting heavier. Snuggling further under the covers, he inhaled the familiar scent of Rayna as he tightened his grip on her and allowed sleep to wash over him.