Night Changes
Chapter 14 – Night changes
Driving too fast
Moon is breaking through her hair
She said it was something that she won't forget
Having no regrets is all that she really wants
Chasing it tonight
Doubts are running 'round her head
He's waiting, hides behind a cigarette
Heart is beating loud and she doesn't want it to stop
No one could say that Nicole was nervous. Of course not. Yes, her hands were unsteady and cold. And yes, her legs were shaking and she could hear her heart beating loud in her chest. But that was normal, right? She didn’t have anything to worry about. She was only going on a date with the most amazing woman to ever walk on Earth. Not a big deal.
She groaned loudly and checked herself on the rearview mirror one last time. Nicole grabbed the flowers that were on the passenger seat and went out of the car. She took a deep breath one more time trying to put together all her courage and knocked on the door.
“Well, well, well,” Wynonna said. “You cleaned up nice, Haught.”
“Hello, Wynonna.”
“Oh, you brought me flowers, thanks.”
“They are not for you,” Nicole frowned. “Obviously.”
“Come in,” Wynonna moved away. “I think it’s finally time for me to give you the shovel talk.”
“Alright,” Nicole braced herself for what was about to come.
“You look nervous. Why is that?”
“Wynonna, give her a break,” Dolls said from the living room.
“Oh, come on. I’m just messing with her,” Wynonna dismissed her. “You’re fine, Nicole, don’t worry. Unless you hurt my baby girl. We’ll have a different talk if that happens.”
“I won’t. I promise,” Nicole said.
“Wynonna…” Dolls tried again.
“Alright, alright. You win, you narc. I’ll go get Waverly.”
“Would you like to sit, Nicole?” Dolls asked once Wynonna was not in the room anymore.
“Thanks,” the redhead found a spot on the couch. “Free Sunday?”
“Yeah, finally. Purgatory can be messy,” he said.
“I can imagine. And I’m sure that for a while I only add shit to the pile. I am sorry,” Nicole said, and when the man didn’t reply she continued. “I know that made it hard for you and that you probably put your job at risk just by helping me. I guess what I’m trying to say, besides apologizing, is that I am thankful for everything you did and that I will never forget it.”
“Wynonna cares about you, so I can’t say that the things I did were entirely for you. Most of them were for her,” Dolls said and Nicole noticed that he wasn’t being harsh, just honest.
“I still appreciate the help and apologize for the trouble I caused. You are a good man, Dolls. Thank you for making my friend happy,” the redhead said. Before the man could say anything else, they heard noises coming from the hallway. Nicole looked up and saw Waverly smiling at her. The brunette looked stunning, with tight jeans and a cozy sweater.
“Hi,” Waverly said barely above a whisper. She waited for Nicole to say something, but the redhead didn’t seem to remember how to use words. The brunette noticed the flowers and her smile spread even wider. “Are those for me?”
“Oh, yes, yes,” Nicole stuttered. “They are for you.”
“Thank you, they are beautiful. I’ll put them in the water and I’ll be back in a second,” Waverly headed to the kitchen.
“You look like a teenager in love for the first time,” Wynonna mocked. “Close your mouth, Haught. You are drooling.”
“Shut up, Wynonna,” Nicole straighten up.
“I’m ready,” Waverly came back to the living room.
“Ok, Haught. Curfew before midnight and don’t forget the things I told you before. I know how to hide a body,” Wynonna tried to look serious.
“Oh my goodness, Wynonna. Stop it,” Waverly blushed. “I'm old enough to take care of myself so don’t start it. No shovel talk and don’t embarrass me.”
“You guys are no fun,” Wynonna complained.
“Let’s go,” Waverly pulled the redhead by her arm. They walked toward the car and Nicole opened the door for the brunette. “Thank you.” She watched the redhead jog to the other side of the car. When she got in, she couldn’t take her eyes from Waverly.
“You look beautiful, Waves. Breathtaking,” she huffed.
“You are pretty, too,” Waverly felt her mouth dry. “Are you ok?”
“Yeah. I’m just really nervous,” Nicole admitted.
“I’m not sure if it helps, but I’m nervous, too.”
“Why? Are you afraid that I’m going to screw this up, too?”
“What? No. Are you afraid of that?”
“Well, yes,” Nicole said. “What if you don’t like what I prepared for us today?”
“Hey, don’t worry about that. I know that whatever it is, I’ll like it.”
“What is making you nervous?” Nicole asked.
“I… I’ve been thinking about this day for as long as I can remember, and I feel like after today you’ll realize that you don’t actually want me and I’ll end up losing you,” Waverly opened up.
“That won’t happen,” Nicole reassured the woman. “I know the feelings I have for you are real and they will still be here when I bring you back home later today, pretty girl. Part of what makes me nervous is that I desperately want you to like me.”
“I already do,” Waverly touched the other woman’s face. “I like you so much.”
Nicole touched the hand on her face and got closer to Waverly. She closed her eyes and allowed her lips to brush on the ones in front of her on a light kiss. Nicole leaned back a little just to go back and spread a few noisy kisses all over Waverly's face, making the brunette giggle happily.
“I think we should go now,” Nicole couldn’t take her eyes from the other woman.
“Where to?” Waverly asked.
“You’ll have to wait a little. It’s a surprise.”
“Go on then. I can’t wait to see what you prepared for us,” Waverly moved to fasten her seatbelt, and then she positioned one hand on Nicole's tight, without any intention to move it from there.
Waverly wanted to ask Nicole at least three times during their journey where their destination was, but she contained herself. She knew the woman wanted to make a surprise and she didn’t want to start their date by ruining it.
Once Nicole parked, she ran to the other side to open the door for Waverly.
“Is this going to be a thing with you?” The brunette asked. “Opening the door for me every time we go out.”
“Only as long as you want it. I won't do it anymore if you prefer,” Nicole said.
“I like it,” Waverly stood at the tip of her toes and kissed the redhead on the cheek.
“Wait for a second,” Nicole opened the trunk of the car and pulled out a backpack and big basket.
“What is this place?” Waverly looked around to what seemed to be many small cabins. “I’ve never been here before.”
“These cabins belong to Mercedes. I think she opened them a year ago. She knows people can’t hang out a lot when it starts to get cold, so she projected them for people to use during the day. There is no bed inside, so people don’t usually stay for the night,” Nicole told her. “I wanted us to have a picnic, but I didn’t want you to freeze. I know you don’t really like winter, so I rented a cabin for us for the day.”
“This is lovely,” Waverly smiled.
“Come on, ours is number 04,” Nicole offered one hand for the brunette to take it. When they got inside, Waverly was astonished at how cozy it was. There was even a fireplace with some log, ready to set the fire.
“This place is so clean,” the brunette voiced her surprise.
“Waverly Earp, did you think I would take you to a filthy place for our first date?”
“What? No, no, no. That’s not what I wanted to say,” Waverly replied nervously.
“I’m messing with you,” Nicole giggled. She put the basket over the table in the middle of the room and pulled a tablecloth from the backpack. She arranged everything and started to get worried because Waverly was just looking at her, without saying anything. “What do you think?”
“It looks very nice. What do you have in the basket?”
“Food. Would you like me to set the fire first?”
“Yes, please,” Waverly couldn’t stop staring. Nicole moved easily around the room, but the brunette noticed she was anxious. Once she believed the fire was good enough, Waverly put a hand on Nicole's shoulder. “It is perfect, sweetie. Come sit with me.”
They sat in front of the fire and Waverly wasted no time sitting with her back pressed against Nicole's chest. The redhead threw her arms around the woman to hold her tight and she closed her eyes pleased.
“Your heart is beating loud,” Waverly rubbed her nose up and down Nicole's neck, trying to take in as much vanilla scent as she could.
“I’m still nervous,” Nicole tried to sound casual but she wasn’t successful.
“Let me try something to see if it helps,” Waverly said and before Nicole understood what was happening, the brunette was kissing her. It was a soft but firm kiss. Waverly didn’t waste any time to press her tongue against the redhead’s lips. Nicole opened her mouth even more, eager to give Waverly everything she desired. Waverly moved her lips slowly and grabbed a lock of red hair pulling Nicole even closer. They were both giving, and taking, and trying to put all the feelings they had for each other in the kiss. Nicole didn’t want to break the kiss, but her lungs were stronger than her. Their lips were not touching anymore, but the redhead didn’t have it in her to move away from Waverly. They both felt breathless and Nicole heard a giggle coming from the woman in front of her.
“Did it help?” Waverly asked.
“I’m sure you are an angel because your lips can operate miracles,” Nicole whispered.
“Oh, no. You did not say that,” Waverly chuckled. “That was so cheesy.”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. But it made you laugh, so I think it was worth it,” Nicole gave a quick peck on the brunette on the lips. “Are you hungry?”
“I am, but we can have some food first if you prefer,” Waverly smiled playfully.
“Well, who is being cheesy now?”
“Come on, let’s see what you prepared for us,” Waverly opened the basket and started the take out the food. She couldn’t believe her eyes. There were at least three different kinds of sandwiches, tacos, toasts, bruschetta, jelly, cake, pie, cookies, and fresh fruit. “How many people did you invite for this date?”
“What? No one else, of course. Why?” Nicole replied alarmed.
“There is so much food.”
“Well, I panicked. I didn’t know what you would like, so instead of choosing just one thing, I cooked a bit of everything I thought you might enjoy,” and that earned another smile from the brunette.
“Nicole…” Waverly felt her lips twist in a weird face and a knot inside her chest. She grabbed the bottle with both of her hands as if it would break with just one touch. It was red wine. “What is this?”
“It’s for you, not for me. I promise,” Nicole said, never taking her eyes from the brunette.
“Why would you bring alcohol for our date?” Waverly was surprised that her voice didn’t fail her.
“Just because I can’t control myself it doesn’t mean you can’t have it,” Nicole answered. “I know you like wine. I just wanted to give you the best.”
“Is this the only bottle you bought?”
“Yes, the only one. I didn’t drink anything, Waves. I swear. Please, believe me.”
“I do, Nicole. I trust you,” Waverly felt relief flooding her. She caressed Nicole on her cheek and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “What are you having then?”
“Orange juice or ice tea,” Nicole showed the drinks inside of the basket.
“Well,” Waverly walked to the other side of the table and left the bottle of wine there. “I’m not drinking wine either. Can I have some of your ice tea?”
“Yes, but I hope you know you don’t have to do that. I’m the one who is an addict and the one who can’t drink, not you, baby.”
“I know that. I also know that I don’t want to add any worries to you,” Waverly hugged the redhead. “I don’t want to be that person who doesn’t care, and I don’t need wine to have fun with you. I just need you.”
“If you say so… I don’t want to cut your wings, though.”
“I’m positive,” Waverly smirked. “Did you notice what you did?”
“What?”
“You called me baby,” Waverly pinched Nicole on her belly.
“Oh… is that alright?”
“Definitely. I longed for moments like these with you,” Waverly confessed.
“How is this going to work, Waves? When we go back to our daily routines.”
“I suppose we have to keep it low and professional when we are at work, but I don’t think it will be a problem,” Waverly frowned. “We can talk with HR if you prefer.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Nicole sighed. “Tomorrow I’ll be the janitor and you’ll be a professor, a researcher.”
“We talked about this before. I don’t care about how different our jobs are. As long as we don’t hurt other people and remain honest to each other, it's alright,” Waverly held her gaze. “If you want me, I need you to know that I want you so very much.”
“I do,” Nicole joined their foreheads. “I want you, Waves, but I don’t want you to get burned.”
“I know I won’t, baby. I know it.”
“I think I like it when you say baby, too,” Nicole smiled.
“I really like to say it. Now let’s eat all of this food. And I’m taking the leftovers home, it all looks delicious,” Waverly pulled the redhead by the hand.
They spent hours there, just enjoying each other’s company, stealing kisses, hugging, and laughing. Waverly couldn’t remember the last time she felt so free. She wished that date would never end. At the end of the day, they drove back to the Homestead and the brunette suspected that Nicole didn’t want it to be over either because she was going slower than ever.
“Today was perfect,” Waverly said once Nicole stopped the car.
“That’s because every day with you is perfect,” the redhead replied.
“Smooth talker.”
“I’m only like that when I am with you.”
“When I woke up this morning,” Waverly whispered, “I was almost passing out of nervousness. I thought that I was about to jump off of a cliff, but now it’s alright ‘cause you were holding my hand the whole time.”
“I’ll always do my best to catch you and help you fly,” Nicole kissed Waverly's knuckles.
“I’d like to do this again.”
“I’d love that, too. As soon as you want it.”
“Good, but I’ll organize everything this time,” Waverly said. “It’s only fair.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Would you like to come in?”
“No, I don’t think it’s the best idea,” Nicole smirked. “Wynonna won’t give us a break.”
“You’re probably right. Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“And the day after?”
“Every single moment that you want,” Nicole giggled. “I’ll be here for you as long as you’ll have me.”
“Is forever too much for a first date?” Waverly asked nervously.
“Not with us, no. Forever seems almost good enough. Maybe forever and a few more days.”
“You…” Waverly was not able to say anything else. She had to kiss Nicole at least one more time that day. When they broke apart, Waverly sighed pleased. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, baby. Have a good night.”
“Call me when you get home?”
“Not tired of me yet?” Nicole teased.
“Never.”
“I’ll call you, don’t worry.”
Nicole drove away, back to town, and Waverly felt like the redhead was taking her heart with her. It was not the first time she felt like that, but at least this time she knew she had a piece of Nicole with herself as well.
We're only getting older, baby
And I've been thinking about it lately
Does it ever drive you crazy
Just how fast the night changes?
Everything that you've ever dreamed of
Disappearing when you wake up
But there's nothing to be afraid of
Even when the night changes
It will never change me and you