"Hey…Look who's here? Give me that baby!" Deacon smiled and reached for Ginny as Rayna and Maddie arrived to take him home after more than 3 long weeks in the hospital.
"In a hurry, babe?" Rayna smiled seeing Deacon already dressed in his favorite denim shirt and back in his boots.
"You're awfully handsome, but I'm kinda gonna miss the hospital gown and your rear hangin out." Rayna whispered in his ear before kissing his cheek.
"You look great, Dad!" Maddie wrapped her arms around him as he sat on the edge of the bed, dressed and ready to go, free of the oxygen and IV finally.
"Thanks, baby. I couldn't have made it through everything without all of you. Thanks for never giving up on me. I love you so much!" he squeezed Maddie tighter and stole Ginny from her as she pulled away
"Love you too, Dad. I think there's someone else that might want to see his grandpa before we leave."
"How's little Deacon doin?" he asked cautiously, fearing bad news
"It's still day to day. He has good days and bad days." Maddie tried to smile, but Deacon knew inside she wanted to cry
"C'mere…he's gonna be fine. It's just gonna take a little bit. I promised you I'd be here to hold him. I'm gonna do that as soon as they let the poor kid outta that isolate." Deacon pulled Maddie back for another hug
"It's OK, sweetie. I know this sucks, but he's made it this far. He's gettin better everyday. He's part Claybourne. He's a tough little guy. C'mon…you gotta be strong for him now."
"I know. It's just hard seeing him so small and weak. He's almost 4 weeks old and I haven't even been able to hold him." She sobbed against Deacon's chest
"How's Colt?" Deacon asked trying to change the subject. Rayna was nodding "No" from the corner signaling him to drop the Colt subject too, but it was too late. Deacon had asked.
"I dunno. He's gone back to work on his solo album. He hasn't been here to see Deacon for 3 days." Maddie sobbed harder
"Shhh…it's all gonna be OK. I'm sure he's just dealin with everything in his own way. It's alright sweetie. Let's go see little Deacon and then go out for some lunch, OK? What sounds good?"
Deacon had only seen little Deacon a couple times. It was still hard to see his tiny body struggling for life. After almost 4 weeks he was still on a ventilator, feeding tube, and all sorts of other monitors and gadgets. He was looking more like a baby now. His skin was pink, and dark hair covered his little head. His eyes were open more now, and he seemed more alert and aware of his surroundings.
"Good morning, Mrs. Wheeler." Little Deacon's nurse greeted Maddie
"Not sure I'll ever get used to that Mrs. Wheeler thing." Deacon smirked and rubbed Maddie's back as they approached the isolate
"He seems a little better every time I see him." Deacon commented peering into the isolate
"Actually, his oxygen levels are almost normal today. The doctor's looking at his latest test results now. He may try to take him off the ventilator for a little while today." The nurse explained
"Really? Does that mean I could hold him for a few minutes?" Maddie asked with such hope
"Yes, if he is able to breathe on his own, we can remove him from the isolate for a little while."
"If he does well off the ventilator, will he need to go back on it?" Maddie asked
"Most likely. We need to ween him off slowly a couple hours at a time, and once he's breathing better on his own, we'll try to get him to take a bottle and get him off the feeding tube as well. He's gained a few ounces. He's almost 3 pounds now." The nurse explained
"So…if he does well off the ventilator and then with feeding, how soon can he maybe go home?" Maddie asked more hopeful than ever
"He's still got a little ways to go there. At best maybe another month, but it's hard to say. We'll have a better idea once we remove the ventilator to see how he does."
30 minutes later the pediatric NICU doctor came in
"Mrs. Wheeler…How are you today?"
"I'll be better if I can hold my son." Maddie smiled
"We're gonna try for that. Can I get some help here to remove the tube?" the doctor asked as Rayna, Deacon and Maddie moved back to watch from the corner
"OK, there we go. Can I get some suction here for excess mucus?" The doctor asked with baby Deacon in his hands
For the first time ever little Deacon cried. Maddie clung to Rayna with tears in her eyes as they watched him take his first breaths without the ventilator.
"Alright. He's breathing. Watch his oxygen levels closely. When they start to fall we'll need to re-intubate. Maybe 30 minutes today. We'll increase his time off the vent a little each day. I'm gonna check on some other patients nearby. I'll be back shortly to see how he's doing. If you wanna have a seat here Mrs. Wheeler, I'll set him on your lap. Careful of the oxygen and feeding tubes. There you go." Maddie sat in a rocking chair near the isolate and the doctor placed baby Deacon in her arms for the first time ever
Deacon and Rayna stood back with baby Ginny, letting Maddie share the first real moments with her son. He seemed happy to be in his mama's arms. He was looking at Maddie intently as she held him.
"He's so tiny compared to Ginny." Maddie commented as she held him close
"He's perfect. He's gonna be fine, sweetie. He's so content in your arms." Deacon gently stroked the dark hair on his little head
"Colt should be here." Maddie teared up a little
"He'll be here next time. I'm sure this is all a lot for him. I was terrified when you were born and you were healthy. I can't imagine bein 22 and dealin with all of this. Cut Colt a little slack, OK?" Deacon tried to reassure Maddie a little, but inside he was furious Colt wasn't with Maddie at a time like this.
"I'm trying, Dad. He's just so distant since Ginny came home. He's more focused on work than anything."
"Hang in there, Maddie. You've been through a lot in only the first six months of marriage. It's hard under the best circumstances. It'll all work out in time. Try to be patient and focus on your new little family. Colt will adjust to things. Give him time." Deacon was doing his best to make her feel better. He hated seeing the worry and hurt on his little girls face. He was happy he was no longer a big part of that worry for Maddie.
"Do you want to hold him, Dad?" Maddie asked as Deacon stood next to her
"You sure, sweetie? I don't wanna take any of this precious time away from you. You've waited over 3 weeks for this."
"You promised you'd be here to hold him, and you are. So, yeah I want him to know his grandpa."
"I'd love to." Deacon gently reached for the baby and held him close careful of the monitors and wires
"You're gonna be just fine, Deacon. You just had a rough start. In a few years you'll be my little fishin buddy." Deacon softly cooed and spoke to the baby as he held him
"I need to take a picture. This is the moment that's kept me going. I knew both of our Deacon's would be OK." Rayna tearfully snapped a few pictures of Deacon with the baby boy
"Looks like he's doing well, but I don't wanna overdo it today. I hate to break up a beautiful family moment, but we really should put him back on the ventilator. We'll take him off for an hour or two tomorrow, if you'd like to have your husband here?" the doctor softly said as he took the baby from Deacon and gently placed him back in the isolate
"uummm…yeah, I'll ask Colt to come with me tomorrow. Thank you for taking such good care of him. He seems so much stronger everyday. I can't wait to take him home." Maddie tried to smile as she gently touched the little boys soft head
"How about some lunch? I could go for some real food. Been on hospital crap since they started lettin me eat again." Deacon tried to lighten the mood and get Maddie's mind elsewhere
Once everyone was situated and Ginny was buckled into her car seat they argued over where to go for lunch. Rayna scowled over Deacon's restaurant choices as she maneuvered her Escalade out of the hospital parking deck. Maddie was quiet in the backseat.
"DEACON! I really don't think a greasy triple decker cheeseburger is the best choice for you right now. You need to eat healthier."
"I'm fine, Ray. I'm a little sore, but I feel better than I have in over a year. One meal that's not healthy isn't gonna kill me. We have a lot to celebrate today."
"What do ya say, Maddie? Sam's for burgers?" Deacon asked looking back at Maddie
"Anything's fine, Dad. It's your day. Whatever you want." She absently answered
"Sam's it is!" Deacon declared
"Oh alright, but how about just a single burger and a salad?"
"OK, baby. You're right. I won't overdo it too much today. Where's Mason anyway? He loves Sam's."
"He's at school. I asked if he wanted to stay home and be here today, but he didn't want to come. We'll talk about it later."
"Why? What's goin on with him? He barely visited me." Deacon asked pointedly and a little hurt
"I know…he just…it's all been really hard for him. We'll talk about it later." Rayna said pulling into Sam's parking lot for lunch
"So what's goin on with Mason?" Deacon asked after they had ordered
"He's just a little bummed. I think he's feelin a little neglected, and Sage is kinda putting the brakes on things. She told him she needs a little space. He's been mopey."
"They broke up?" Maddie asked
"No, she just wanted a little time apart, but Mason doesn't really understand why. They'd been so close since your wedding. He practically lived at the Wheeler ranch while Dad was sick. I think she just needs some space for a little while. She's a little older. She did call and take him out for his birthday a couple weeks ago. So, I think she really does care…"
"Oh…DAMMIT! His birthday…His 16th, Ray. I completely forgot." Deacon sighed feeing horrible
"It's OK, Deacon. You were fighting for your life with that kidney infection after surgery. He understands."
"I know, but everybody got screwed outta Christmas and Mason's birthday because of me. Did you even put up a tree or do anything at home?" Deacon asked
"No, with you and Maddie and the babies, Christmas was kinda cancelled for the Claybourne's. It's OK. We have so much to celebrate this year. We'll make it up with an even bigger Christmas. We'll have 3 little ones around the tree." Rayna reached for Deacon's hand across the table
A few hours later at home after Rayna had dropped Maddie and Ginny off at their apartment, she finally had Deacon home to heal and recover.
"It's so good to be home. Thank you for puttin up with my crabby ass this past few weeks at the hospital. I'm sorry for bein so difficult a few times." Deacon pulled Rayna close as soon as they walked into the house
"You were not the best patient! You're lucky you're so damn good lookin, and I love you." She smirked and let Deacon plant kisses along her neck line
"How about you let me make it up to you?" he playfully undid her top few blouse buttons
"Honestly, Deacon! I don't think you're quite ready for that." She buttoned her blouse again
"C'mon…it's been months. We'll take it slow. I've missed you so damn much." He whispered breathlessly against her neck
"mmmmmmmmm…..alright, but slow…you need to relax and recover. The doctor said take it easy for a while." She smiled giving in as he led her to their bedroom
They spent the next couple hours slowly making love. Deacon hadn't felt well enough since last fall for anything physical. He slowly kissed every inch of her body making up for so much time apart. She had ached for him for what felt like forever. His touch and scent overwhelmed her as he held her close. She never thought she'd feel his gentle touch again in this way. It felt like the first time all over again. She wanted him with everything she had and couldn't get enough of him. He felt the same. Almost 23 years of marriage hadn't changed a thing. He loved her more now than when they met. He was so grateful to the unknown stranger that saved his life. He had another chance with the love of his life.
"Did Dr. Rand ever say anything about the donor?" Deacon asked with Rayna's head on his chest as the afternoon sun cast shadows in their bedroom
"No, other than he wanted to remain anonymous." She hadn't told Deacon about the chance encounter at the hospital entrance a week ago
"He? It was a man? How do you know that?" Deacon asked shifting to look Rayna in the eyes questioningly
"I don't. I mean…I just picture a man…I guess…" she fumbled for words
"Ray..what aren't you tellin me?" he asked his tone serious now
"It's nothing. I don't know for sure. Well…I kinda do, but …he wants to remain anonymous. We owe him his privacy if that's what he wants." She stammered
"So, you do know for sure it's a "he" and he wants to remain anonymous? How? Did the doctor say something?" he asked getting a little angry to be kept in the dark
"Deacon. It's nothing. I don't know anything for sure."
"…but you DO know something, Rayna! I can see it all over your face. TELL ME?" he demanded getting angrier at her odd behavior
They heard the front door open and close. Deacon glanced at the clock 4:02pm. Mason was home from school. Rayna quickly got up, both to greet him and end the awkward conversation with Deacon. She wasn't sure what else to say. So many scenarios about the stranger had played out in her mind since meeting the man, or not really meeting, more of an odd encounter really.
"This conversation isn't over, Ray!" Deacon snapped as she closed the bedroom door leaving him alone in bed
He stayed in bed fuming for several minutes before getting up. He winced a little at a pain in his side as he sat up.
"Maybe Rayna had been right? He wasn't ready to jump back into life." He thought as he ran his hand over the fresh scar where the stitches had just been removed a couple days ago
Deacon slowly made his way to the kitchen after getting dressed. Rayna was in the pantry trying to decide what to do for dinner later.
"Where's Mason?" he asked wincing in pain again as he sat at the island on a bar stool
"He's upstairs. Are you in pain?" Rayna asked
"You were right. I overdid it. Happy?" he sniped still irritated at her secrecy over the donor
"Take this, and go lay down!" she handed him one of his pain pills and a glass of water
"I've been in a damn hospital bed for weeks! I'm fine, alright? I just overdid it a little." He sniped and grudgingly took the pill and water
"I'm gonna give Mason my truck." Deacon suddenly decided as Rayna continued her quest for dinner ideas in the pantry
"Do you really think a 16 year old needs a practically brand new truck?" she asked
"I feel bad about his birthday, alright? We bought Maddie and Scarlett cars when they were 16."
"We could buy him something?" she suggested
"He likes the truck. Besides…if I'm not haulin the equipment anymore, what do I need it for? I'll get somethin different. Maybe a sports car since we don't have the vette anymore." He suggested
"We don't have the vette because of Mason! …and you'll still need to haul guitars and amps, Deacon! I never said I wanted you to give up performing. I just said I don't think going back on tour is a good idea for now. Are we really gonna have this argument again?"
"He's been good for 6 months, Rayna! I'll never hear the end of it if I go back on tour and somethin happens, so I might as well get used to bein at home." He sighed feeing like his career was over
"So…what…you're gonna buy a sports car and have a mid-life crisis now? I thought you wanted to retire?" she asked laughing
"I did, before this whole cancer thing. I just…I dunno….feeling restless now I guess after so much down time." He finally seemed a little less edgy and calmer. She hoped his sudden argumentative attitude was just the pain talking and he'd lighten up now.
"Is the pain pill helping?" she asked running her fingers through his hair as she passed carrying a package of rice to the stove
"Yeah…gonna take Mason the burger from Sam's and give him the truck. Do we have any candles?" he asked
"For what?" she smirked as Deacon retrieved a box of birthday candles from the junk drawer
"Birthday burger!" He smiled as he heated the Styrofoam box in the microwave and carefully placed a single candle into the center of the bun
"How about wrapping paper? Do we have some?"
"Yeah…give me the truck keys." Rayna smiled leaving the room. She came back 10 minutes later with a small wrapped box.
Deacon had the Sam's Styrofoam box and his Martin guitar out and ready, as she came back to the kitchen with the wrapped truck keys.
"Can you ask Mason to come down, please?" he asked as he lit the candle on the burger
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Mason
Happy Birthday to You.
Deacon played and sang a rock n roll version of happy birthday as Mason came into the kitchen.
"Thanks, Dad! You didn't have to do this." Mason hugged Deacon after blowing out his candle.
"Sorry I missed your 16th. That's a special one. Wish I could've been here." Deacon sweetly kissed the top of Mason's head before letting him out of the embrace to tackle his burger
"I'm sorry I didn't come see you more at the hospital. It was just…"
"Too hard? I know. It's OK. I'm back now and better than ever. Don't worry about it…alright?" the last thing Deacon wanted was for Mason to feel guilty about anything
"So…you're really OK?" Mason asked
"Yeah, nothin a daily anti rejection pill and a little rest can't fix, but I'll be good as new in a month or so."
"I'm glad. I missed you and I don't wanna lose you, Dad. I love you." Mason grabbed Deacon for another hug
"Love you too! There's one more belated birthday surprise." Deacon handed Mason the wrapped box
"Your truck?" Mason asked surprised as he pulled the keys from the box
"Yeah…it's yours. We'll go down to the DMV tomorrow after school and get your license."
"Thanks Dad and Mom! This is the best belated birthday ever. Mostly because you're OK, Dad. I'm glad you're home."
"Me too."
"That was really sweet of you to make Mason's belated birthday special. He hasn't smiled like that in weeks." Rayna said as she slipped into bed next to Deacon a few hours later
"He's a good kid. Things have been rough on him. He deserved it." Deacon smiled and pulled her close, happy to be back in his own bed
"I don't wanna argue. I'm happy as hell to be home and have another chance at life. I couldn't imagine leavin you and the kids so soon, but it looked pretty bleak for a while there. I wanna know about the donor, Ray? What do you know that you're not tellin me?" he asked softly
"Deacon…really…it's nothing. I don't know much. I accidentally ran into him at the hospital last week."
"Judging from your reaction earlier, somethin is botherin you about him. What is it Ray?" he asked with more concern now than anger
'Rayna…what?"
"He looks just like you. Like…eerily like you. He has to be related somehow."
"What are you sayin? Related how? As far as I know, Beverly is my only living relative besides you and the kids.
"You used to drink A LOT, Deacon! Is it possible…." She trailed off not wanting to say it
"What are you accusin me of here, Rayna?"
"I…I don't know. Let's just drop it, OK? He wants to remain anonymous. Why don't we just leave it that way?"
"What did he say to you?" Deacon asked anger building at the accusation he felt coming
"Nothing! He ran off as soon as I tried to talk to him."
"You talked to him and didn't tell me?"
"No…not really. He held the door open for me. I recognized him, or thought I did because he looked so much like you. I asked him if he was the donor. He just said he had to go, and took off. That was it."
"So you don't even know for sure it was the donor?"
"Yes, it was him. I'm sure. I wrote him a letter while you were in surgery on my floral stationary. The man I ran into had the letter sticking out of his bag."
"How old is he?" Deacon asked
"I DON'T KNOW, DEACON! I SAW HIM FOR LIKE 30 SECONDS."
"You obviously suspect somethin here, so just say it!"
"FINE! Is it possible you have a son?"
"NO!" he was adamant
"How can you be so sure? You used to drink and have black outs that lasted days. You have no idea where you were or what you were doing during those times."
"…or who I was doin? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE GETTIN AT?" Deacon was losing his temper
"It was a long time ago. Even if you did…I'm not saying …It doesn't matter now, I guess is what I'm saying if you did…." She trailed off as his face got redder
"I DIDN'T RAYNA! I KNOW 100% BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT. I NEVER CHEATED ON YOU!"
"…you can't be sure, DEACON! You were a mess back then. I'm just saying I think it's possible…"
"Well this is a hell of a welcome home. You accuse me of cheatin on you, with no real proof that anything ever happened! Let's just go to sleep. I'm done arguin about it! YOU'RE WRONG!" he rolled to his side facing the wall away from Rayna to brood
"OK…you're right. I'm sorry. I'm glad you're home. I love you." She gently kissed the back of his neck and rolled back to her side of the bed. She knew he was pissed. He refused to face her, or discuss anything further.