FYI the song that Deacon sings is a Tim McGraw song called "It's Your Love."
##
Deacon sat up in bed reading an article in one of his guitar magazines while Rayna snuggled into him.
"So what do you think?" she asked.
Deacon took his reading glasses off and placed them on the bedside table. "Think about what?
"Getting married. This weekend."
"Oh, that." Deacon sunk down into the bed so that he was face to face with Rayna. "Are you sure you want to do that? Wouldn't you rather a big fancy wedding befitting a country queen later on?"
"You think I care about a big fancy wedding? If I wanted a big fancy wedding Deacon I could have married Luke in front of the 500 people who I didn't know. I don't care about the wedding. All I care about is the groom. I'd love to have the girls and Tandy there, but you're all I need."
Deacon sighed and kissed Rayna's nose. "If that's really what you want baby. You know I'd marry you right now if it were up to me."
"Great!" Rayna flashed a brilliant smile. "You don't have to do anything except invite who you want to come. I'll take care of everything."
"What if I want to do something?"
"Like what?"
"Oh, you'll see."
Rayna laughed and raised an eyebrow. "Just as long as you don't try to take care of the food, or else our wedding dinner with be Spaghetti-O's."
"You love Spaghetti-O's. You lived on that for years when we were living out of that one room apartment."
"And I was ecstatic when we were actually making enough money that I didn't have to eat 'em anymore."
"Fine, insult the cooking of a dying man."
Rayna playfully hit Deacon. "Are you going to use that for the rest of your life."
Deacon laughed. "Well it's a short one so you won't have to hear it for long."
The smile quickly faded from Rayna's face. "That's not funny Deacon. Don't even joke about that." Rayna snuggled in closer to Deacon.
"I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to upset you."
Rayna reached for Deacon's face slowly sucking on his lips and tongue. Then she pulled back an inch or two and spoke in a whisper. "You're going to outlive me Deacon Claybourne. I'm going to see to it."
Deacon responded by kissing Rayna in return. Soon their sweet kisses became more passionate, and Deacon rolled Rayna onto her back so his body was covering hers. If he wasn't going to have much longer, he was sure as hell going to make the most of the time he did have left.
##
When Deacon woke up on Saturday Rayna was already up and buzzing around. He looked at the clock and it read 12:06. Rayna had just stepped out of the shower and her hair was freshly washed sending the scent of lilac through the room. I can't believe you slept until noon."
"Well you kept me up until 2:00am.
Deacon stood up and walked over to the vanity where Rayna was brushing her hair. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and stared at her in the mirror. "Mmm babe. I love when you hold me like this, but we are on a strict schedule."
"Are we doing something today?"
Rayna turned around giving him a stern look. "Oh right, weren't we supposed to get married or something?"
"Or something." Rayna replied. "Now go down to the guest room and get dressed there so I can get ready.
"Ray, there's like 6 people coming to this thing, and that includes the JP. What's with all the prep? Who are you dressing for?"
"It's our wedding Deacon, and just because it's small doesn't mean I don't want to look nice. Maybe I want to look beautiful for you, have you thought of that?"
"You know I think you'd look beautiful wearing a paper bag with your hair in curlers Ray."
"I know, and that's why I love you." Rayna walked over and gave Deacon a quick kiss. "But get out of here, I'm serious." Rayna said as she pushed Deacon out the door.
He walked down to the guest room and jumped in the shower. He was washing the soap out of his hair when he felt faint and had to sit down. He slowly slid down the shower wall and curled up on the floor as the water pelted him from above. He took a couple of deep breaths. "God, just let me get through today," he said to no one in particular. "Please let me give this to Ray. She deserves this one perfect day."
Deacon sat there for another ten minutes or so until he finally had the strength to stand up. He shut off the water and carefully walked out toweling himself off before climbing into the clothing that Rayna had laid out for him on the bed. Standing in front of the mirror tying his tie he had to admit he didn't look like a man who was dying. His broad shoulders filled out the pressed white shirt nicely, and his Italian black suit jacket was perfectly cut for someone who was a little more wirey than his normal muscular frame.
Deacon wandered downstairs to the living room where Maddie and Daphne were all dressed up and putting final touches on the formal table for the dinner they were having after the wedding. "That looks beautiful ladies."
"Thanks Dad." Maddie ran over wrapping her arms around him.
"What's that for?"
"Nothing, I just can't believe today's the day we're going to become a real family."
"Sweetheart we're already a real family. You're mama and I are your parents, we don't need to be married to be a family."
"I know, but there's something nice about making legal."
Deacon laughed. "Sure is."
Deacon sat down on the couch. "Now why are we all ready this early? The wedding isn't until sundown."
"Mom's people still have to come."
"Her people?"
"You know, the people who do her hair and make-up and all that."
"She's having all that done? You'd think she was performing in front of 50,000 fans, not getting married in front of you two, Scarlett, Tandy, and Bucky."
Just at that moment Tandy walked in the door with the bouquet. "Sorry it took me so long. When I got there the flowers were all wrong. He used lilies instead of gardenias. Rayna would have been furious."
Deacon just shook his head and mumbled to himself. "Always a diva."
Tandy walked over placing the flowers in the fridge then sat down next to Deacon. "How are you feeling?"
"Not bad considering one of my organs doesn't work so well. Surprised to see you here Tandy. I thought you'd be boycotting this wedding."
"Come on Deacon. We've had our troubles in the past, but I know Rayna loves you, and I know you love my sister more than anyone could love another human being. I'm just happy she's happy."
"Well, I'm glad you're here. It wouldn't be the same without you."
"Probably a good thing daddy died last year though."
Deacon laughed. "You're right. He would have showed up trying to drag Rayna away before I legally became his son-in-law. Good ole Lamar is probably rolling over in his grave today."
Just then the doorbell rang and Daphne let in a team of hair and make-up people that were directed upstairs.
"If anyone needs me I'll be out by the pool," Deacon said as he slipped out the back door.
Deacon walked outside and was surprised to see a bunch of flowers and tea lights covering the pool area. The sun was still shining so he wasn't getting the full effect, but he could see that Rayna went a little further than just hiring a justice of the piece for this event. He pulled out his guitar and started to strum the song that he'd secretly written over the past two days while the girls were busy with other things.
##
A few hours later the sun was setting, the glamour squad had gone home and Bucky and Scarlett showed up with the justice of the peace. Scarlett walked over taking Deacon's arm. "It's lovely out here. It looks like a scene from a fairytale."
"That's all Ray. I couldn't have done this. She just lifts her little finger and absolute beauty comes out."
Scarlett smiled up at her lovesick uncle. There'd never been a day that she knew him that he wasn't madly in love with Rayna Jaymes, and today it was showing all over his face. "You better take your place under the tree. I think the girls are ready."
Deacon stood by the justice of the peace with Scarlett next to him. The music started and the girls walked down the make shift aisle. Deacon couldn't get over how grown up Maddie and Daphne looked in their yellow spaghetti strap dresses and high heels. Looking at Maddie it hit him how many years ago they should have done this. How many years they'd wasted apart. He just hoped that they still had some years left ahead of them.
As he was lost in thought he realized that Tandy had taken her place across from him and all of a sudden there she was on Bucky's arm standing at the back door to the house looking more beautiful than he'd ever seen her. She was wearing a simple chiffon gown that had a series of crystal beads in strategic places that caught the light from the candles when she walked. His heart started to race. Maybe it was because of the lack of anticipation, or the fact that there wasn't really any guests, but Deacon hadn't really been taking the wedding that seriously. As a result, he was caught completely off-guard when he saw her and the tears started to stream down his face.
By the time Rayna reached him she was crying as well and each reached out to wipe the other's tears from their faces. "Look at us, we're a mess." Rayna said between sniffles. Deacon just beamed at her in response. Rayna handed her bouquet to Tandy and took Deacon's hands in her own as she stared into his eyes. As she looked at him she thought that even fifteen pounds underweight he was still the sexiest man she'd ever set eyes on.
Rayna and Deacon were so lost in each other that the JP had to clear his throat to get their attention. Rayna blushed and Deacon laughed with embarrassment as he started.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Miss Rayna Jaymes Wyatt and Mr. Deacon Claybourne in holy matrimony. If anyone can see any reason why these two people shouldn't be joined let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
Good. Now that we've got that out of the way. Deacon, do you take Rayna to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to honor and cherish her? To stand by her in sickness and in health forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Rayna, do you take Deacon to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to honor and cherish him? To stand by him in sickness and in health forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
Rayna started to cry again when the he mentioned sickness and health. She knew she would stand by Deacon to his dying day, even if that wasn't so far off, but she still pictured the two of them sitting on their porch in their eighties playing songs for their grandchildren. In fact she wanted that so much the thought had consumed her lately.
"Rayna and Deacon have written their own vows. Rayna, Deacon said he'd like you to start."
"Oh, okay. Rayna took Deacon's hands again. Deacon, my sweet love. I have loved you since the first day that I met you when you sat at The Bluebird in your ripped jeans with your baby face and your deep voice that I could listen to all day and all through the night. You are my best friend, my soul mate, and I know I don't say it enough, but there's so much I never would have been able to make it through without you by my side. If there's anything I've realized over the last 27 years it's that we can get through anything as long as we're together. I love you babe, and I can't wait to call you my husband for years and years to come."
Rayna slid the ring she'd picked out onto Deacon's finger as he smiled back at her.
"Deacon, your turn now," the JP said.
"Bare with me a moment." Rayna wasn't sure what was going on until she saw him grab a guitar from Scarlett. "You know me Ray, I'm not that great with words unless they're lyrics, so I decided to write you a song to show you how much I love you." Deacon started strumming and launched into the song…
"Dancin' in the dark, Middle of the night, Takin' your heart, And holdin' it tight
Emotional touch, Touchin' my skin, And askin' you to do What you've been doin' all over again.
Oh, it's a beautiful thing, Don't think I can keep it all in, I just gotta let you know, What it is that won't let me go
It's your love, It just does somethin' to me, It sends a shock right through me, I can't get enough, And if you wonder, About the spell I'm under, It's your love
Better than I was, More than I am, And all of this happened, By takin' your hand
And who I am now, Is who I wanted to be, And now that we're together, I'm stronger than ever, I'm happy and free…
As Deacon launched into the chorus again Rayna was full on crying despite the fact that she knew her make-up was probably running down her face. When he finished he handed the guitar back to Scarlett and took Rayna's hand in his. "I love you baby, and I promise you, I will fight as hard as I can to stick around for you and the girls. You're everything to me. Even if I die tomorrow, today, I am the luckiest man in the world." Deacon slipped the silver eternity band on Rayna's hand as she looked down at it.
"See," she said. "I told you I always thought we'd need this thing."
The JP once again cleared his throat to get the attention of Deacon and Rayna who were lost in each other's eyes. "By the power invested in me by the state of Tennessee I now pronounce you husband and wife."
They were already kissing before he even had a chance to tell them to. Everyone cheered and the girls threw confetti on them before heading into the house to eat the wonderful dinner that the caterer had prepared.
##
Later on Bucky, Tandy, and Scarlett had gone home, the girls had gone to sleep filled with cake, and Deacon and Rayna were out by the pool under the string of lights slow dancing in each other's arms as Rayna ran her fingers through Deacon's hair and he held her tight. "You know the music stopped ten minutes ago Ray."
"Really? I didn't even notice. In fact, I think I still hear it." Rayna began to hum a sweet tune as she played with Deacon's undone tie, and the two of them continued to sway, their bodies pressed together. "This was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better wedding."
"Not even if all of Nashville had been there."
"God no. Just the six of us. Just the people who matter most, that's all I wanted. I'm so happy to be your wife. Thanks for doing this for me Deacon. I know you were unsure about doing it this way, but I just didn't want either of us to leave this earth without me being your wife."
"How does it feel?"
Rayna smiled and kissed Deacon's lips. "Amazing, like everything I've ever dreamed of came true tonight."
Deacon kissed her back softly. "Yeah, me too. I love you Mrs. Claybourne."
"Mrs. Claybourne. I like the sound of that."
"You'd better, cause it's your name now."
Rayna laughed and gave Deacon another kiss before resting her head on his shoulder as they continued to dance under the moonlight. The perfect ending to their perfect day.