A year later…
"Can't we just stay in bed all day?" Rayna whined as Deacon woke her with neck nibbles
The sun was bright, gleaming off the Cumberland outside their bedroom window at the cabin.
"I'd love nothing more, but it's a beautiful day. The kids and grandkids will all be here soon. We've got a house full of people comin for the party." He smirked and continued to nibble her earlobe
"Well, we do have a few hours of peace and quiet, right?" she quipped rolling on top of him
"At least, and the door is locked." He smirked as he lifted her over himself gently
"One last quickie before everyone gets here?" he laughed as she began gentle strokes, driving him crazy
"Not too quick. After 4 months of that bus tour I just want you all to myself for just a little while before the kids get here."
"You've got me."
"Did you tell Belcourt we're not extending the tour?" Rayna asked as she laid in Deacon's arms in the morning sun after an hour of gentle lovemaking
"Yeah, I told em. I'm done. Officially semi-retired and Highway 65's new talent scout. I left the door open for a possible comeback album, but no touring."
"…and you're sure this is what you want?"
"Yeah, I'm gettin too old for this shit, Ray. I'm ready to come off the road and relax with you and the kids, grandkids. I been thinkin a lot about Maddie and Colt, and what they asked us about takin the twins while they tour."
"…and?" she asked cautiously. Deacon had been against taking the two toddlers for more than a few days at a time
"Between us and the Wheelers and maybe a full time nanny, I think we can help em out. I remember how hard havin just one baby on tour was with Maddie. Damn near ended our marriage, and I don't wanna see that for them. It has to be hell with two 18 month olds on a tour bus, and Little Deke still has so many problems. Maybe we can set up a schedule between us and the Wheelers?"
"Do you know how sweet you are?" Rayna asked her eyes filling with tears
"Don't get all mushy just yet. I know you love gettin your hands on those babies, but there's a lot to work out and consider before we do this."
"I know, but just the idea that you want to now is so sweet, Deacon. I know you want a peaceful carefree retirement and having two little ones is a lot of work. We're not exactly young anymore, babe. Are you absolutely sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. We'll all talk about it when they get here." He gently kissed her forehead before getting up for the day
Scarlett, Gunnar and Clay were first to arrive at the cabin for the big 4th of July party. Clay ran right to Deacon sitting in his rocking chair on the porch.
"He's been babbling about papa for the entire hour ride here." Scarlett smiled as she bent to kiss Deacon's cheek
"How's my big guy? Oh my gosh. You are so big. Look how much he's grown in 4 months, and talkin." Deacon was beaming as he nuzzled a squirming Clay
"Papa, papa, papa….boat?" the little boy jabbered and pointed at Deacon's boat in the water
"He's infatuated with anything motorized now too." Scarlett laughed
"OK, boat. Papa will take you for a ride. Tell Ray I'll be right back." Deacon was off with a babbling Clay in his arms before Scarlett could stop him
"Don't forget his life vest!" Scarlett yelled after them
"I know. I know. This aint my first rodeo. You lived through your childhood. I got him."
Deacon slipped Clays little vest on and let him drive the boat around in front of the cabin for 45 minutes before he noticed Maddie and Colt's car. Clay laughed and jabbered the whole time. The fit began when the fun was over.
"Are you still sure about takin the twins?" Rayna whispered in Deacons ear as she took a squirming, screaming Clay from him
"Yeah, we'll figure it out." He gently wiped a few tears from Clays little face as Rayna tried to pacify him with food
"Where the hell are Scarlett and Gunnar?" Deacon asked as Clay screamed louder
"They went for a walk. They'll be back anytime." Rayna replied as she continued showing Clay snacks to try to calm him
Finally gummy bears worked and he happily toddled off with the baggie.
"Hey, there's my girl! How was the drive?" Deacon asked as Maddie sat two car seats with sleeping babies down. He immediately noticed Maddie was alone.
"Where's Colt?" he asked as Rayna nodded "No" from the kitchen, indicating he needed to shut up
"Let me get your bags, sweetie. Sit down. You look exhausted." Deacon said after a quick hug with Maddie and look at the sleeping babies
"What the hell's goin on?" Deacon asked as Rayna followed him to Maddie's car
"She called from a rest stop a little while ago. They had a big fight. Colt's not comin. He went to his parent's house as soon as they got off the tour bus last night."
"…and just left her with two toddlers? One with special needs?" Deacon was pissed
"Calm down, Deacon! We can't interfere. They'll figure it out. We did. I'm sure they just need some space. It always seemed to work for us. Leave it alone unless Maddie wants to talk about it."
"She's my little girl, Ray. I just want her to be happy, and she isn't. She hasn't been for a while. I can tell in her voice every time she calls." He sighed and hugged Rayna
"I know, babe. I'm sure it's hard on both of them, tryin to tour with two little ones, and Little Deke has so many problems still. They'll figure it out. We just need to offer help with the kids, but let them figure out the rest, OK?" Rayna said, unsure of what Deacon would do. He'd always been leery of Colt.
"Your bags are all in your old room, sweetie. How are the babies doin?" Deacon asked as he came downstairs after taking Maddie's bags to her room.
"They both fell asleep as soon as we left Nashville. It's their normal nap time. I hope they're out for another hour or two." Maddie replied looking and sounding exhausted
"You look so tired, baby. Let me help you take the kids to your room. You guys can take a long nap upstairs where it's quiet. Mason has Clay outside keeping him entertained, but as soon as he comes in he'll wake the twins. That kids a little firecracker!"
"Could you just take the twins up, dad? I need to talk to you and mom."
"Sure, sweetheart. Be right back." Deacon gently took both car seats up the stairs and placed the sleeping twins in the pack and play Rayna had set up for them, careful not to wake them.
"Shhhh…it's gonna be OK. Dad and I are here for you no matter what happens. We actually just had a conversation earlier today about helping you out with the twins. Whatever you need us to do sweetheart. We're here. Don't cry. Maybe it's not as bad as it seems. Some time apart helps puts a lot of things into perspective." Rayna was trying to console a sobbing Maddie as Deacon came back downstairs
"What's wrong, Maddie?" Deacon asked as she fell into his arms bawling, incoherently sobbing something
"Baby, calm down. I can't understand a word you're sayin. C'mon now. It's gonna be OK." Deacon pulled away to wipe tears from Maddie's cheeks
"Colt wants a divorce." Maddie fell back against Deacon sobbing again
"I'm sorry, baby. Did something happen? Why…?"
"He said he never wanted to get married, or have kids. All he ever wanted to do was music and touring. We fight all the time. All he wants to do is party after shows. He barely helps with the twins. If I ask him to help he gets mad. If I ask him to come back to the bus or hotel after a show he says I'm ruining his fun. He just left last night when we got to Nashville. Never even said goodbye to the kids."
"OK, alright. I'm right here. You got me, and mom. Scarlett, Gunnar, Mason, and John. We all love you and those babies very very much. No matter what happens, were all here for you, OK? C'mon…forget Colt Wheeler just for the weekend. Take some time to think about YOU, and what you need. It sure as hell aint that shit!" Deacon was trying to control his anger as he tried to reassure Maddie
"Thanks, dad. I think I will go take a nap while the twins are sleeping. I love you." Maddie's voice cracked as she went up the stairs
"DAMMIT! I knew she never should have married that kid! I had a bad feelin, right for the get go, Ray. He's just like his damn father. Doesn't give a damn about anything other than tourin, fame, and makin money!"
"DEACON! We haven't heard his side of things. Maddie's really upset right now. Tomorrow she'll be sayin she loves him and can't live without him. Just stay out of it!" Rayna warmed as Deacon fumed
"HE'S A GODDAMN LUKE WHEELER IN THE MAKIN, RAYNA!"
"DEACON, YOU REALLY NEED TO CALM DOWN! THIS ISN'T OUR BATTLE. IT'S BETWEEN MADDIE AND COLT!"
"YOU CAN'T TELL ME YOU DON'T SEE IT. STEPHANIE DIVORCED LUKE ALL THOSE YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME CRAP! ALL LUKE CARED ABOUT WAS THE TOURIN, PARTYIN, MONEY, FAME. HE DIDN'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT HIS WIFE OR KIDS. COLT'S DOIN THE SAME DAMN THING, ONLY NOW IT'S OUR LITTLE GIRL AND GRANDKIDS SUFFERIN FOR IT!"
"Deacon, please…stop yelling. Maddie and the twins are sleeping. It's not the same. Luke and Stephanie are back together and very happy now. Everything that happened with Luke all those years ago is in the past, and has nothing to do with Maddie and Colt now."
"The hell is doesn't! The only reason Luke and Stephanie are together today is because he had that ridin accident, and can't perform, and party anymore. You know damn well if that accident hadn't happened he and Stephanie wouldn't be together and he'd still be partyin. He needed her to take care of his crippled ass, or he never would have taken her back." Deacon had stopped yelling, but was clearly still pissed
"Alright, fine, Deacon…maybe you're right, but this isn't Luke. It's Colt, and we don't know his side of the story. Regardless of either side, or who's right or wrong…this isn't our fight. It's between Maddie and Colt. All we can do is be there for her no matter what she decides next. She'll probably sleep on it and be in love with him again by morning."
"She needs to just divorce his ass and be done with it." Deacon snapped and stomped out the door to his chair on the deck, passing Scarlett without a word as he did
"Who's gettin divorced?" Scarlett asked confused
"Your sister and Colt are havin problems. It's too soon to jump to conclusions. They're both really upset right now. Things might be totally different in the morning. You know how your father is about anything to do with the Wheelers."
"Yeah…so is Maddie, OK? I noticed she was alone with the babies. Where are they by the way?"
"Upstairs, takin a nap. She's pretty exhausted and upset. Hopefully she'll be better after a nap."
"I doubt she's sleepin. I could hear dad down on the dock." Scarlett quipped as she headed for the stairs and Maddie
"Hey, Scar…just let her be…" Rayna said, but Scarlett continued her path to Maddie's room
"Fine, great…mom knows nothing. Let's just everyone ignore me and do whatever the hell ya'll please." Rayna quipped to herself out loud, alone in the kitchen