Finally Home: Wayhaught

Nicole sang with a rough and quiet voice, skipping over strings as she plucked a gentle riff. Her grandfather’s old Yamaha fg450sa sparkled in the mid-day sunlight as the visible grains of wood scattered the light across the wooden flooring of their living room. The frets had lost their colouring in some areas and just below the pick guard was a huge raw patch of wood where the varnish had been scraped away; the back of the headstock had NH carved carefully with a pocket knife. Norman Haught.

“PATIENCEEEEE!!" Wynonna bellowed from behind, causing her to hit a stray bass note as the guitar slipped in her hand.

“Shit.” She breathed out, whipping her head round to face her friend.  “Jesus Wynonna, I was just trying to have a relaxed afternoon for once in my life and- wait... how did you even get in?" 

"Waverly gave me a key.” Gracefully, she flipped the keyring round her finger with a smirk.

"She did WHAT?!” The guitar slipped in Nicole's hands and she only managed to catch it by the vintage leather strap before it could smash against the ground.

"Relax, I'm kidding, I know where you keep your spare." Wynonna shrugged, still smirking. 

"Well we don't keep it there anymore.” Nicole promised.

Folding her arms across her vintage leather jacket, Wynonna raised a brow. "Since when?” 

"Since now.” The redhead sighed. "Where is Waverly anyway? I thought she went to see you?"

“She did, but now she's meeting her friend for coffee. Hence why I'm here. I'm bored.” 

"What? She didn't tell me that?” Stretching forward, Nicole rested the guitar against the arm of the couch.

"She doesn't need to tell you everything Haught." Wynonna slumped next to her on the couch and grabbed her fresh coffee before she could stop her.

Ignoring her, Nicole continued, “thats not what I meant, just she usually-"

“You're too easy.” Wynonna laughed, coffee breath blasting Nicole in the face. "Relax Haught, she's probably nervous about it, she hasn't seen Rosie in years.” With a satisfied breath, Wynonna finished the coffee and slammed her favourite Garfield mug down a little too hard on their natural plywood IKEA coffee table. Nicole winced, but immediately stiffened when she recalled the name.

"Rosie as in Rosita? As in her best high school friend who is now gay?” At the last suggestion, her brow raised and she tilted her head, mirroring her puppy’s expression who had lifted his head up from the rug at the sound of the mug on the table. 

"She's bi, but yes. Why are you jealous?” The grin on the brunette’s face was enough to convince her Wynonna was winding her up again and this time, she caught on. “Because if you play that crap all the time I’d be worried she actually was gonna leave.” Wynonna finished with a smirk.

Nicole’s cheeks flushed, but she shook her head as casually as possible through her embarrassment. “Waverly likes when I-“ she caught herself and sighs. "No I'm not jealous. It's just weird she didn't tell me is all.” She paused, looking back at the door, wanting to change the subject, before Wynonna could find something else to tease her about. "Where's Doc? I thought you'd be with him."

"Why don't you like my company?” Wynonna shot back.

"It's not-" Wynonna gave her an all too familiar look which suggested she was teasing again and Nicole groaned, rolling her eyes. "Well?"

"He's out of town following a lead.” Leaning back, Wynonna dropped her heavy buckled boots onto the coffee table and Nicole instantly shot up, shoving them off so they slammed down next to Whiskey who yelped and ran into the kitchen. 

Nicole scowled and gave Wynonna a warning glare, daring her to put her boots back on the table. The brunette decided not to, so she continues. "And you didn't go with him because?..."

"We had a fight."

"Again." Nicole mumbled and gets a, slightly too hard, punch in the arm from her friend. “Alright fine, what was the fight about?” She added in a mocking voice.

“He shot a hole through the back wall of the kitchen.” Wynonna mumbled, picking at the cream tassels on Waverly’s favourite bohemian cushion. 

“He shot a hole in the kitchen wall?” Nicole repeated, raising a brow.

“Yes.”

“Since when do you care about the kitchen wall?” The redhead smirked, yanking the pillow away from her friend before she put a hole in it. She had spent weeks looking on ETSY for that exact throw pillow after Waverly had mentioned it. 

“I just painted it!” Wynonna growled and Nicole pulled the cushion up to her face, hiding behind it in defence.

“Wynonna.” She tilted her head, lowering the cushion slightly to give a raised brow.

“He wants to get married Nicole.” The brunette's head snapped towards her and Nicole didn’t even notice the cushion drop to the floor in shock, Whiskey bolting back through from the kitchen and pouncing on it immediately. With a loud groan she grabbed the cushion away and scanned it intently, her expression shifting from shock, to panic to frustration in a matter of seconds. Suddenly though she realised what Wynonna had just said and pulled the cushion against her stomach as her eyes widen at the glaring brunette. 

“Doc? John Henry Holliday? Doc Holliday wants to… he said that?!” Nicole’s mouth opened and closed as she gaped at Wynonna.

Rolling her her eyes, Wynonna shoves Nicole’s mouth shut with her hand. “You’re gonna catch flies.” She mumbled, ripping the cushion out of Nicole’s arms and resuming fiddling with it. This time Nicole let it slide, already seeing teeth marks in it and frankly too shocked to reach out and grab it back anyway.

“I- I just, are you sure? He said that?” 

“No Nicole I just imagined it.” The glare which ensued was enough to make Nicole grab for the next nearest cushion to protect herself with.

“And you don’t want to?” She questioned with a slight nervousness to her voice.

“I don’t know.” Wynonna mumbled, before looking up. “It’s not that though, I mean I was as shocked as you. It’s just the way he said it.” She winced a little. 

“How?” Nicole breathed out, her eyes still wide, unable to believe what her friend was saying.

“He made it seem like it was a fucking business deal.” She snarled and before Nicole could open her mouth to reply, Wynonna slammed the cushion down on the couch between them and turned to face her properly, pulling her legs up so she was cross legged. “He said it was a good idea because we practically live together anyway and our jobs are dangerous and it means if anything happens to one of us we would get the other person’s things.”

Removing the cushion from her own chest and dropping it gently on top of the other one, Nicole sighed. “Look Wynonna, maybe he was scared you didn’t want that and he was covering his own back? He’s really not famous for his excellent communication skills.” She rolled her eyes softly.

“Well he was an asshat about it and I’m not talking to him until he buys me a whiskey and apologises.” Nicole snorted lightly and Whiskey pops his head up from the floor at the mention of his name. “I can’t believe you called your damn dog Whiskey.” Wynonna rolled her eyes, bending down to pet the dog.

“It began with ‘w’.” Nicole shrugged. “Whiskey Haught - half Earp half Haught.” She winked. “Speaking of Earps, I can’t believe you’re telling me this before Waverly.” With a grin she leant back against the couch.

“Yeah well Waverly is otherwise occupied with Sexy Rosie, and I needed to vent.” 

“Sexy Rosie?!” Nicole shot back upright, eyes wide.

Wynonna perked up, slapping Nicole on the stomach with the back of her hand. "We should go and spy on her!” Her eyes sparkled in excitement, laced with an heir of mischief. 

"Absolutely not!” Nicole grumbled, rubbing at her stomach softly. 

“Why? Come on, she won't mind.” Wynonna hopped off the couch, almost dancing in excitement. Sometimes Nicole really couldn't believe how the Earp girls could go from one extreme to the other in a matter of seconds, they really were sisters. 

"She obviously didn't want me to know she was there - you shouldn't even have told me!" Nicole poked the brunette's rib, standing up.

"I can't believe you're so calm about her not telling you! If it was Doc I'd have set up camp outside hours ago!” 

Nicole straightened, folding her arms across her chest. "Yeah but I'm not you, and I trust Waverly. She'll tell me if it's important."

“Whipppeddddd.” Wynonna sounded out the word, popping each of the syllables as she poked Nicole in the nose before skipping away. 

"Shut up."

"Well I'm going anyway. I've always liked Rosie, she's hot." Wynonna shrugged and Nicole turned to face the brunette already halfway out the door.

"This is a really bad idea." Nicole replied, but reaching for her jacket anyway.

“ROSIEEE!!” Only slightly tripping over the door mat, Waverly launched herself at the taller brunette grinning like a child.

“Waverly Earp.” Rosita grinned back, wrapping her arms around her friend’s torso, holding her tight. 

“Oh my god, you look amazing.” Stepping back, Waverly took in her friend’s maroon lace, spaghetti strap top and cut-off denim skirt revealing her toned legs and tall red heels. 

“You look exactly the same.” Rosie teased. “Which is gorgeous as always.” She winked, dropping her golden shoulder bag onto the red booth.

“I’ll buy first - what are you having?” Waverly slipped her phone out of her bag. 

“Double shot cold brew, thanks babe.” Slipping into the booth, Rosita flicked on her phone and began scrolling social media as Waverly walked to the counter, some things never change, she smiled ordering the coffee.

The queue was non-existent and the diner pretty empty at 4pm on a Saturday afternoon, so Waverly returned in a few minutes with two fresh coffees and a smile as she’s slid down with her back to the window, the afternoon sun warming her back through her wrap around polka-dot crop top. 

“I can’t believe you’re back!” Waverly shook her head in awe. “I really thought you were a city girl Rosie.” She teased, pursing her lips and blowing on her coffee to cool it.

“Oh I absolutely am.” Rosie laughed. “But the only thing which is better than the city is Purgatory. PLUS I heard through the grapevine they’ve opened a new bar round the corner - Pussy Willows - and they’re looking for mixologists.” She shrugged and Waverly nodded slowly.

“Yeah, Shorty is worried he’ll have to close.” She mumbled. The idea was her absolute worst nightmare, she had so many memories in that bar that she would do everything in her power to keep it open. Growing up she would spend hours out the back organising the new bottles into colour order and then messing it up and trying alphabetical instead whilst mamma and shorty argued about how many to take upstairs. Mamma would give her any of her tips and let her choose songs on the jukebox or waste them all in the slot machines which she didn’t understand, but enjoyed watching the colours flash anyway. Her and Wynonna would spend hours playing pool and only when she got older did she realise her sister would move the balls around when she looked away to check who had come through the front door. Doc and Nicole had taught Waverly, Jeremy and Robin how to play poker, sat in the corner of the third booth on the left and Jeremy had ended up too drunk to read the numbers. 

Rosita must have noticed the distant look in Waverly’s eyes as she reached out a hand to close around the small girl’s fist resting on the table. “Waves, Shorty’s will never close.” Waverly forced a smile and nods. “Everyone loves Shorty’s and besides Pussy Willow’s is such a different demographic.” 

“How do you know that?” Waverly finally perked up a little.

“I went for a trial shift last night. It’s all neon and hyfy music.” She laughed heartily. “Definitely not the old cowboy rodeo vibe of shorty’s.”

“They opened that in Purgatory?” Waverly’s mouth dropped open, before she caught herself and took a hasty sip of coffee, burning her tongue slightly.

“Yeah, I mean it's well on the outskirts so it’s kinda like a rave spot.” Rosita laughed. “I’m not at all surprised you haven’t been there.” She shook her head. “How about your sister, she always seemed like she’d be up for a night out at Pussy’s?” 

Waverly rolled her eyes, blushing a little at the brazen name. Her mind flashed back to Rosita and Wynonna riling each other up from the stands at her cheer performances. “How the hell did I not know you were gay.” She giggled finally.

Shrugging, Rosita grinned. “And how did I always think Wynonna was they gay Earps.” She smirked. “Speaking of, how are you on the girl front.” Wiggling her eyebrows, she wrapped her lips around the straw of her cold brew - which Waverly had not approved of.

“You know I’m bi right? What makes you think I’m seeing a girl.” Waverly questioned, although she can already feel her cheeks flushing as she thought back to Nicole’s sleep tousled hair and baggy purgatory PD joggers sitting low on her hips this morning when she’d woken up.

“Well I honestly thought you’d never come out, so I figured you must have been seeing a girl to finally do it.” Rosie smirked and winked, but there was a softness in her eyes which showed she cared and was proud of her high school best friend for finally finding that confidence in herself.

“Actually, I wasn’t seeing anyone when I came out to you.” Waverly shrugged her off, thinking back to that trip to the city where she’d felt like the walls of Rosita’s cluttered, vibrant apartment were about to fall down and crush her to death as the words escaped her lips.

Rosita interrupted her thoughts. “But you are now?” She raised a brow, putting her coffee down, excitedly.

Waverly nodded as the sides of her mouth twitched up slightly. “Yeah, her name is Nicole.” She beamed now, forever proud to be able to call Nicole her girlfriend aloud. 

“And” Rosita prompted, “what’s she like? Is she hot?” She tilted her head, grinning like a mad woman

Laughing, Waverly nodded. “Yes she is.” She grinned back. “Super hot.” She winked. “She’s a cop. She was a Sheriff, but she moved here to be with me and took a demotion. She’s going to be Sheriff again soon though, I know it. Nedley has been talking about retiring for weeks.” With a blush, she hid behind her ceramic cup, watching her friend over the top. 

Rosita’s eyes sparkled as she watched Waverly gush about her girlfriend, unable to believe that they were finally having this discussion. 

“Hold up, she moved here?! For you?!” The taller girl’s eyes widened.

“Jeez don’t sound so surprised.” Waverly huffed, but there was still the same smile on her face.

“Sorry I just... that’s a big commitment Waves. To give up your job?” Rosita slumped back into the booth with an impressed eyebrow raise.

“I know.” Waverly’s heart fluttered as she looked down at the steaming mug, smiling and remembering when Nicole had told her in the hospital and how she always felt like Nicole was able to put everything back together with a few words, to make her feel like everything was going to be okay no matter what happened. After a moment she realised she had zoned out and Rosita hadn’t said anything, just watched her smiling down at her coffee. “Sorry.” She righted herself. “It’s just been a crazy couple of years.” Understatement of the century, she thought as she shook her head.

“Yeah?” Leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table, Rosita questioned. “How long have you been with her? How am I only just finding this out now?!” Her eyes widened.

“A year and 8 months.” Waverly watched her friend’s jaw drop as she clumsily placed her condensation clad plastic cup on the table. “And we’ve barely spoken in two years Rosie.” She mumbled the last part, her eyes apologetic.

“And that’s my fault.” Rosie clarified, smiling softly. “So you better tell me everything about Officer... Nicole?” She questioned, not knowing the redhead’s surname. Waverly grinned, knowing exactly what Rosie’s reaction would be at the revelation.

“Haught.” She clarified. “Officer Haught.”

“Yeah I’m sure you think so, but I can’t call her that, so what can I call her when we meet?” Rosita grinned hopefully and Waverly laughed.

“No that’s her name. H-a-u-g-h-t.” She spelled out, eyes glimmering with laughter as her friend’s jaw dropped for the second time in five minutes.

“Shut up.” Breathily, Rosita laughed. “Officer Haught?” A hearty laugh escaped as she tried out the name.

“Yeah that’s exactly what I said.” Waverly giggled. She knew Rosita was delaying talking about the reason she screened Waverly’s calls for weeks, only dropping the occasional text until the small brunette had given up trying, but for now she was content to talk about literally anything else. 

“Woah, okay, well tell me more - how did you meet? Why was this year so crazy? Has Wynonna tried to kill her yet?” Rosita grinned and Waverly shuddered a little at the last comment, Wynonna hasn’t, she thought silently, someone else has though, because of her.

“We met online, I was playing a game and kinda blew up all of her things because I was awful at it.” She giggled shaking her head. “Then we just kinda kept playing and eventually met at a convention.”

“I take back what I said earlier, you have changed Waverly Earp.” Rosita paused, smiling. “That is the gayest thing I’ve ever heard.” Waverly gaped, pretending to be offended and reaching out to push her friend’s shoulder playfully. “So when can I meet her? Officer Haught.” Rosita wiggled her eyebrows.

“Soon!” Waverly promised, grinning as she sipped her coffee. Momentarily her mind wondered how keen Nicole would be to meet Waverly’s childhood best friend who she was pretty sure she had a crush on at one point. She’d tell her as soon as she was home, she’d already decided. The only reason she hadn’t already was because she wasn’t sure what Rosita actually wanted, but it seemed like the girl was sticking around, so suddenly she couldn’t wait for them to meet.

With a groan, Nicole twisted uncomfortably, trying to remove a stray branch digging into her back. 

“Ssshhhh!” Wynonna slapped her shoulder and she tumbled to the left, landing on a small rock, sending a jolt through her back. Her eyes narrow at the brunette who is glaring at her, and she stays lying uncomfortably as she takes in the ridiculousness of their current predicament. 

This was a terrible idea, she thought. She leant back on her palms and pushed herself up to crouch next to Wynonna, their shoulder’s brushing as she leant her elbows on the low branch in front of her. Stray leaves tickled her cheeks and arms as she puffed noisily trying to keep them out of her face. But she could see perfectly from this position, so Wynonna has been right about one thing. 

This was a terrible idea, she thought as she watches a tanned, toned brunette sit down opposite her girlfriend and slide a coffee across to her with a smile. Her own coffee, which Wynonna had demanded they stopped and bought on the way over, caught suddenly in her throat and she choked, removing her head from the gap and spluttering all over the floor. 

“Sshhhhhh!” Wynonna snapped again and Nicole steeled herself before the brunette could shove her over again. As it turns out, crouching is a decidedly unbalanced position and a gentle nudge from the older Earp was enough to send her crashing through the underbrush.

“This is ridiculous Wynonna.” She growled when she finally caught her breath from her coughing. Her eyes narrow as the new brunette reaches out and playfully rubs Waverly’s arm, laughing heartily as Waverly shakes her head, Nicole spotting a blush on her cheek as she turned. 

“We’re on a stakeout - don’t you feel right at home?” Wynonna snatched the coffee from her hand, raising a brow.

“This isn’t what -“

“Oh my god, I’m on a stakeout with ‘Officer Haught’.” Wynonna teased. “Wait until I tell Waverly, she’s gonna think I’m so cool.” She grinned into the takeaway cup, only sipping slowly for a change so she could see Nicole’s frustration. 

“This isn’t a stakeout.” Finally Nicole grumbled and grabbed the cup back. “And I bought you your own coffee dickweed.” She rubbed at the rim of the cup, scowling at the older Earp. 

“I finished it.” Wynonna shrugged, pulling out her binoculars and looking back at the Diner. 

“Are you blind?” Nicole snorted out. “She’s right there, I can see her without them!”

“It’s the rules of stakeout Haught.” With a genuine seriousness on her face, Wynonna handed her the binoculars.

“This isn’t a stakeout.” She grabbed the binoculars and looked through them for a second, simply to satisfy the older Earp, before handing them back. “Firstly stakeouts happen in cars or secure locations, not from a bush outside Mamma Olive’s diner.” She huffs, sitting back, disinterested in watching her girlfriend having coffee with someone else. Everything she said earlier still stands, she trusted Waverly more than anyone and she knows nothing is going on with her and Rosita. She knows the girl will come home later and explain everything, so she didn't want to be a part of this a second longer. 

“Rosita left.” Wynonna handed her the binoculars again ands she batted it away with the back of her hand, peeking through the hole. 

“She’s just gone to the toilet.” Nicole rolled her eyes, leaning back against the branches behind her. 

“Plus we couldn’t use the cars, she will recognise them!” Wynonna shook her head, indicating it was the most obvious thing in the world and Nicole rolled her eyes.

“She wouldn’t have known it was me, it would just have been a squad car.” She replied, pulling a leaf off the branch by her head and ripping it apart slowly. Before moving to Purgatory she never used to fiddle with things, but it was a habit she’d picked up - much to her frustration - the more she spends time with Wynonna.

“She knows your numberplate stupid.” When Nicole looked at her confused, Wynonna sighed. “So she can always check the carpark if you’re at the office, or so she can wave when you drive past.”

Nicole ducked her head, feeling her cheeks flush as she bit her lip to hide a smile. She twisted the sapphire ring on her finger self-consciously, feeling Waverly’s soft, shaking hands when they slid it onto her hand thousands of feet up in the air. She feels her stomach flutter and her breath catch at the memory, knowing one day Waverly will be wearing her ring too. 

“This is stupid, I’m leaving.” She dug her heels into the dirt and pushed forwards, to grab Wynonna, when she catches a glimpse of Rosita walking back towards the table. Her heart dropped and she inhaled sharply at the sight, unaware of Wynonna glaring at her. 

Suddenly it’s two April’s ago and she’s rubbing her sweaty palms down her jeans as she sits outside the Donut stall waiting for the woman she’s been dreaming about for weeks, praying Waverly was everything she imagined, praying she was everything Waverly imagined. She’s standing up suddenly and losing her balance at the sight of sparkling hazel eyes and the grin which still takes her breath away. She’s praying internally that this girl is the one she's pretty sure she’s already in love with from the time they’d spent online together. She’s admiring Waverly’s adorable nose and her outfit which somehow carries off both sweet and sexy at the same time and she’s falling in love at first sight, something she never knew was possible until she met Waverly Earp.

“This was a really bad idea, let’s go. Now.” This time she reached down and wrapped her hand around Wynonna’s elbow dragging her back out the bushes and causing the older girl to spill half the coffee. 

“Jeez Haught, rest your breasts, you’re spilling my coffee!” She growled.

“It’s my coffee.” Nicole huffed, yanking open the drivers side door and slamming it behind her as she pulled into reverse and powers out of the parking lot which was hidden behind the bushes. 

Whiskey's head darted up out of Nicole's lap as they simultaneously heard keys jingling in the lock.

"Mamma's home buddy, go on." She encouraged the excited puppy to leave the couch and greet Waverly, whilst she pushed herself up after him. After forcing Wynonna to go home an hour ago, she'd spent the entire time rehearsing how to explain today to Waverly in a way which wouldn't upset her. She hadn't managed to find one.

"Hey baby." She pushed past the German Shepherd to wrap her arms around Waverly, "you look cute." She mused, looking down Waverly's outfit. 

Waverly nuzzled her head into Nicole's chest, inhaling the familiar vanilla scent. "It's the same outfit I had on when I left." She mumbled into Nicole's chest, before pulling away. "You look... cosy." She teased, smiling. It was the same outfit Nicole had pulled on when getting up this morning and, despite Waverly's teasing, she knew the brunette loved her casual attire. 

"Waves I've gotta tell you something." Nicole held her breath as she watched the brunette hang up her leopardprint fuzzy coat by the door. 

"Is everything alright? Sorry I was late home, I was meeting a friend." Waverly smiled, turning back to rub her hands down Nicole's exposed forearms.

Momentarily, Nicole felt her heart leap, Waverly had told her, she knew she would. The relief and love was quickly replaced with guilt ad she remembered what she had to tell Waverly about. She had considered not telling her, but she knew it was the right thing to do, god damn her honour complex. 

"Nicole?" Waverly noticed her space out, looking over her shoulder.

"Yeah, I know." Nicole looked down.

"You know?" 

"I know you met with Rosita." The redhead clarified, looking back up to see Waverly's reaction, which was confused more than anything.

"I didn't say it was Rosita." She frowned. "Yet." She quickly added, indicating she had intended to tell Nicole anyway.  "How do you know?" 

"Wynonna." Nicole mumbled. 

"So?" Waverly removed her hands to dip her head and catch Nicole's eye again. "Why do you look like you're about to tell me you killed a kitten?" She smiled softly, but Nicole could see the worry.

"I would never!" Her head shot up in panic and Waverly snorted slightly, the way Wynonna did when she'd been teasing. 

"I know baby, I was kidding, but what is going on? You're being really weird." She clarified.

"We went to Mamma Olive’s." Nicole blurted out, her eyes watery.

"You did? I didn't see you?" Waverly wondered aloud, still unsure of what exactly was the point of this conversation. At their feet, Whiskey scratched at the new entryway mat and Waverly nudged him gently with her socked foot, scowling down at him until he decided he wasn't getting enough attention for this to be worth his while and sulking back into the living room. 

"Because we didn't want you to." Nicole clarified.

"What do you mean?"

"We hid." Swallowing hard, Nicole looked up seeing the realisation spread across Waverly's face.

"You did what?" Her voice raised at the end and Nicole winced, this was not the way she had planned for this conversation to go in her head.

"We hid. In a bush." Nicole added, her cheeks reddening at how ridiculous it sounded when you said it aloud. 

Usually Waverly would laugh at the idea of her sister and her girlfriend hiding in a bush and the chaos which would have inevitably ensued. Not today though.

"You spied on me." She spat the words out in shock, her voice high and breathy.

"No wait, Waves." Nicole pleaded, swallowing at the way Waverly's face was screwed up in hurt and anger. "That isn't it." She scrambled to find the words to explain why it happened, but there was no excuse. She had spied on her, like a teenager.

"Well what is it then? Because that's what it sounds like to me." Waverly growled at her.

"Okay, yes, we spied on you. I was jealous, because I know Rosita was your first girl crush and you didn't tell me you were meeting her. I wasn't going to go, but Wynonna kept calling her sexy Rosie and I was curious. It was curiosity Waverly, that's all." She sighed, knowing it was an awful answer.

Waverly laughed, coldly. "So it's my fault now?" She threw her hands up.

"No Waverly that's not what I meant." Nicole sighed, panicking about how to fix this, wondering if she maybe shouldn't have said anything after all.

"I would have told you." Waverly cut in, her voice angry and cold. "I just wasn't sure what she was doing here, but now I know she's staying I was going to tell you." She sighed, shaking her head.

"She... she's staying?" Nicole tried to hide the jealousy from her voice.

"Yes. She is. And clearly you don't trust me." Waverly threw her arms up again, angrily. 

"I do. Of course I do." Nicole scrambled. "I knew you would have told me, which is why I needed to tell you this too, I'm sorry." Her eyes softened and she tried to show Waverly with her expression how sorry she was. 

"No. You're telling me this so you don't have to feel guilty about it anymore." Nicole started to shake her head. "You're unbelievable." Waverly added, turning her back to grab her coat.

"No-"

"I'm going to see Wynonna." She stated, sliding the coat on, hand already on the door.

"Are you coming back?" Nicole asked hopefully.

"Yeah but don't wait up." The door clattered at the final sentence and Nicole rested her head against the door, sighing as Whiskey was back at her feet, shocked by the noise.

She knew she would absolutely wait up.

"Woaah, who gave you all the gatorade babygirl?" Wynonna climbed down from the step ladder she had been using to re-plaster the kitchen wall.

It took Waverly's brain a second to fathom the scene in front of her, before she shook it away, focusing back on her anger.

"I can't believe you forced Nicole to spy on me!" She snarled, almost shaking with rage.

"Woah Waves I didn’t force her to do anything. She's the one who drove us there!" Wynonna threw her hands up in surrender, now back on ground level.

"I know it was your idea." Waverly stepped closer and Wynonna swallowed.

"Well yeah, but like I said, she came willingly - we even got coffee!" She smirked a little, but Waverly instantly deflated, her eyes getting watery. 

"Why would she do that?" The small brunette sighed, close enough to her sister for Wynonna to feel her breath against her neck.

"What? Get coffee?" Wynonna furrowed her brow in confusion.

"She doesn’t trust me." Waverly breathed out, her eyes welling now and Wynonna started to panic.

"Wait Waves she does. She does!" The older Earp blurted out. When her sister didn't reply and looked away, Wynonna sighed. "Waves can you uh, back up a little, you're kinda scary when you're angry." She laughed lightly, realising her tiny, baby sister had her pressed up against the wall of their family home in anger.

Without saying anything Waverly stepped back, defeated as a tear fell. Letting out a deep breath, Wynonna stepped forward to reach out and rub her arms gently.

"What makes you think she doesn't trust you?" Wynonna questioned softly, running her hands up and down Waverly's biceps and craning her head to look into her watery eyes.

"She spied on me Wynonna." The small girl spoke the word as though it was cursed. "Because she thought I would cheat on her with Rosie." Waverly's eyes were wide at the admission and a couple of tears fell.

"Hey, no, that's not what happened." Wynonna shook her head, silently vowing to never wind up Nicole about Waverly cheating ever again, she had not imagined how upset Waverly would be about it. Honestly, she'd imagined the small girl laughing at them for being idiots or being happy they were 'bonding' as she called it. She had not pictured her younger sister crying in her arms thinking her girlfriend thought she was a cheater.

“Why did she do it then?” Waverly shook gently in her sisters arms, gentle tears falling from her eyes.

“Okay, I’m not taking all the blame, because she did get in that bush with me - not a euphemism.” Wynonna clarified, then rolled her eyes when Waverly didn’t laugh. “But I did convince her that you wouldn’t mind.” She paused, sighing. “I didn’t think it was that big a deal honestly.” 

“Of course it’s a big deal.” Finally, Waverly removed her face from Wynonna’s shoulder, her cheeks stained with tears. “She wouldn’t have gone if she trusted me.” 

Wynonna swallowed. There was nothing she hated more in the world than seeing Waverly cry. She felt like she was 10 again, when she’d accidentally made Waverly cry because she had shoved snow in her pants and trying to make her stop before their dad found out and made it worse. “No Waves. She does trust you. If it makes you feel any better, we were only there for five minutes until she kicked off and practically dragged me home.” Wynonna shuddered at the memory of Nicole’s death grip on her elbow.

“Really?” Waverly raised a brow.

“Yeah, she didn’t even watch most of the time, she just leant against the bush like a real wet wipe, winging about how she didn’t need to keep an eye on you because she trusted you.” When Waverly didn’t flinch, Wynonna rolled her eyes again. “Waves she trusts you.” The girl promised. “Honestly I think she only said yes out of curiosity - she wanted to see if Rosie was as hot as I said she was and as soon as she realised the answer was a definite ‘hell fucking yeah’ she was over it.” She shook her head. There was another moment of silence.

“I maybe overreacted.” Waverly blushed, looking at the floor.

“She told you as soon as you got in didn’t she?” Wynonna smirked and Waverly nodded. “I knew she would, what a pussy.” She mumbled with a grin. “What did you say to her?”

“I told her not to wait up.” Finally pulling away and wiping her eyes, Waverly kicked her heeled boots against the wooden floor. 

In front of her, Wynonna snorted. “She’s definitely waiting up.”

“Yeah.” Waverly felt her lips twitch into something close to a smile at the thought. She knew Nicole was probably waiting in the living room for her to get home. When she’d stormed out she hadn't known that of course, she was too locked in her own rage to care, but with a slightly clearer mind, she knew that Nicole trusted her deep down. She also knew that the redhead was probably either slumped on the couch crying or taking things apart and putting them back together angrily. She also knew that angry Nicole renovating was never a good thing and that if she wanted their new smoothie maker to remain in its original condition she should probably get home soon. But another part of her also knew she hated having to resolve a fight, especially when she felt like she had overreacted.

“In fact I think I can hear Haught re-flooring the bedroom as we speak.” Wynonna teased, cupping her hand over her ear and receiving a slap on her arm from her little sister.

"You’re an ass.” Waverly moaned, but her lips were still slightly upturned.

"Tell me that after the makeup sex.” The older girl smirked, making inappropriate hand gestures and causing Waverly to blush as she reached out and grabbed her hands to stop her. 

Quickly she headed back towards the door. “Love you!” She called over her shoulder as Wynonna followed her through the house. 

“Love you too stupid idiot.” Wynonna responded quietly. 

“Tell me if Haught cries!” Wynonna called after her as she bolted towards the jeep. Waverly flips her sister off, who was leaning against the open front door with a grin as she climbed into the drivers seat.

Inside, Nicole was gently playing guitar, not singing this time though, she wasn’t in the mood for that, but guitar was keeping her awake. It was way past midnight now, and she was beginning to wonder if Waverly had decided to stay at Wynonna’s.

“Nicole?” A small, musical voice drifted from behind her and Nicole’s heart dropped. She hadn’t heart the girl come back, but her heart dropped not in fright this time like it had with Wynonna earlier, but in concern that Waverly was still mad at her.

“Waves.” She quickly span around to try and scope out the situation, but the look on the small girl's face was entirely unreadable. 

“What are you playing?” She nodded at the guitar in Nicole’s hands.

Nicole felt her cheeks flush and her entire body felt on fire under the shy look on her girlfriend’s face. They didn’t fight often, but Waverly always looked so shy and gentle afterwards and the look broke Nicole’s heart. “Oh, more than words.” She mumbled, putting the guitar down to avoid seeing the look any longer.

“I love that song.” Waverly moved around the couch to sit next to her.

“I know.” The redhead breathed out, blushing at the fact she had been playing such a sappy song.

They sat in silence for what felt like a lifetime before Nicole let out a huge breath.

“I’m sorry.” Nicole started. “I really wish I could go back and not go with her, I wish I could have said no and stayed here waiting fro you to go home. The more I think about it the more I realise how stupid it was. I promise I didn’t even go because I didn’t trust you, I just -“

“It’s okay.” Waverly reaches out to grab her hand and calm her.

“What?” The redhead looked up with shocked and watery eyes.

“I said it’s okay. I’m not mad.” Waverly gave a little smile.

“You- you’re not?” Nicole’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open.

“I might have overreacted a little and-“

“You didn’t overreact at all. It was a huge invasion of your privacy and I’m really sorry. I trust you Waverly, more than I’ve ever trusted anyone in my life. I never want you to think that I don’t and I’m really really sorry.” Nicole rambled.

“I know baby.” Slowly, Waverly leant forward and kissed her cheek. “Next time I’ll tell you when I’m meeting sexy Rosie.” She winked, rubbing Nicole’s knee gently.

The redhead groaned, before her face turned serious and she took Waverly’s hands in her own. “You don’t have to do that. I meant what I said, I trust you, you don’t have to tell me what you’re doing, that’s not why I -"

“I know.” Waverly cut her off again. “I want to.” She added. “I like coming home and telling you about my day, it’s my favourite thing to do.” She blushed, yawning slightly and leaning down to put her head in Nicole’s lap, looking up at her.

“Yeah?” Carefully, Nicole ran her hand through Waverly’s hair, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Well how was your meet-up then?” She smiled gently and Waverly squinted her eyes. “I’m being serious! Tell me about it, I love listening to you talk.”

“Really?” Waverly’s face softened and she blushed softly. 

“Of course.” Nicole brushed her cheek with her thumb. “It’s my favourite part of the day.” She winked gently.

“We spoke about you.” Waverly grinned a little.

“You did?” Biting her lip, Nicole tilted her head softly. “Why didn’t you say that earlier?” 

“Funny.” Waverly squinted with a smile. “She was asking about you, about us.” She ran her hands over Nicole’s t-shirt, smiling at the touch.

“What about us?”

“How we met, what you were like, what your surname was.” She winked and Nicole rolled her eyes. “I told her the name was fitting.” Waverly grinned, poking Nicole’s shoulder.

“You know what I would tell her about you?” Nicole grinned, twisting some of Waverly’s hair around her finger. 

“Hmmm?” Waverly smiled, knowingly up at her.

“I would tell her that my girlfriend is adorable, she’s gorgeous and funny and sweet and super smart.” Nicole nodded along with the words. “And that she always puts herself above everyone else.” She pressed her lips to Waverly’s, smiling into the kiss. Once she pulled back she rested her forehead on Waverly’s and closed her eyes. “And she always reminds me to focus on the positive in every situation, in every person. And she- she makes me a better person.” Nicole sighed and kissed Waverly’s nose without opening her eyes.

A small hand reached up and wrapped around her neck, pulling her down until their lips connected hard. 

“I love you Nicole.” She breathed against the redhead’s lips.

“I love you too Waverly.” Nicole smiled back.

“Can you play me the song?” Waverly pouted, her eyelids fluttering slightly as Nicole resumed stroking her hair.

“Sure thing cutie.” Nicole kissed her cheek. “But only if we can watch back to the future afterwards?” 

“Deal.” Triumphantly, Waverly grinned, sitting up so Nicole could lean over to pick up the guitar. 

Once Nicole had settled it in her lap, Waverly was already sitting cross legged with her hands in her lap, smiling excitedly waiting for the show. 

Nicole shook her head, laughing lightly, before settling her hands on an open G chord and plucking a few notes before shifting to a G/B. 

She dragged out the intro as long as possible, watching Waverly’s smile and shifting excitement for the singing to start. Eventually she smirked and started to sing, her voice low and rough. 

“Saying I love you, is not the words I want to hear from you. It's not that I want you not to say, but if you only knew how easy, it would be to show me how you feel.”

Waverly felt her heart flutter and she rolled her lips breathlessly as she listened in awe.

Noticing the pause as Nicole shifted her fingers again, Waverly smiled softly and joined in for her favourite part.

“More than words is all you have to do, to make it real. Then you wouldn’t have to say that you love me ‘cos I’d already know.” 

Their eyes lock as Nicole dragged out the G chord, her eyelids fluttering as she admire’s Waverly’s shy smile in the soft glow of their - at Waverly’s demand - new, living room lamp. She felt her hands miss a string as Waverly reached her small hand out to stroke her thigh, softly squeezing. Her entire body feeling electric under the touch, the small shadows and warm sparkle in Waverly’s eyes causing her heart to roar inside her. Waverly’s brow shifted as her eyes softened into a tender look which makes Nicole fall in love all over again every time she sees it. 

The small girl reached out to stop the chords with her hand and leant in, pressing the guitar against Nicole’s body, connecting their lips before the second verse could begin. Her stomach dancing and her skin warming as she slid the guitar gently out of the way with her other hand, finally she draped her arms around Nicole’s neck and pulling herself up to sit in her lap. More than words. That’s what they had, forever, since Nicole had come here. That’s a big commitment. Rosita had said. I already knew you would tell me. Nicole had said. Trust. Wynonna had promised her. More than words. She promised Nicole with the kiss, everything she felt, the love, the admiration, the butterflies and the goosebumps and the thankfulness at everything she had sacrificed for her translated in a touch and a kiss which she had never thought would be possible two years ago.

Neither of them spoke as Waverly slid down and curled up against Nicole’s shoulder. The redhead draped her arms around her girlfriend, holding her close as she flicked the TV to a random channel for background noise.

Half an hour later, they were both beginning to drift off to sleep as Golden Girls chattered away in the background, the light of the TV sparkling against their cloudy eyes as they lay in silence and cuddled. 

“Bed?” Nicole cooed, brushing her hand against Waverly’s cheek gently. The brunette nodded, pushing herself up.

“We always end up watching this.” She rolled her eyes, but her lips pressed up into a smile and Nicole shrugged, taking her hand. 

“You didn’t complain.” The redhead mumbled, her voice thick and heavy with tiredness. 

Lazily they both pulled off their clothes and slid under the covers, Nicole wrapping her arms around Waverly and nuzzling against her neck. Whiskey had hopped up onto the end of the bed, his head rested where Nicole’s feet were under the blanket.

After Waiting until she saw Waverly’s eyelids twitch a little, Nicole smiled and breathed out a sleepy question. "Waves can we get a cat?" She stroked the girls hair, not looking down.

"Mhmm what?” Waverly mumbled back, half asleep. Waverly knew exactly why Nicole was asking this now, when they were in bed about to sleep, because she was always more easily persuaded when tired, but she wasn't going to give in that easily. 

"Can we get a cat?" The redhead repeated, leaning around with a goofy smile.

"Uh uh, don't do that.” Waverly rolled over, wiping her eyes, annoyed that she hadn't fallen asleep and had been interrupted.

"What?" Nicole flashed her dimples from beneath her innocent looking puppy dog eyes.

“That." Waverly removed her hand from under the duvet and waved it around. "That sad puppy dog look.” She huffed, trying to look away, but Nicole’s dimples keeping her fixated.

“Don’t you want a cat?” Pushing her lips out into a pout, Nicole pulled Waverly closer, her hands rubbing up and down her bare back.

“Nicoleeeeee.” Waverly whined, reaching up to run her hands through the soft curls at the nape of the redhead’s neck.

“What?” Nicole tilted her head, maintaining the pout. 

With a huff, Waverly pushed her face into Nicole’s shoulder and mumbled something.

“Huh?” Nicole smiled now, knowing Waverly was caving.

“I said ask me again when I’m awake.” She said slightly louder.

“You are awake.” Nicole smirked, kissing Waverly’s bare shoulder which was beneath her chin now. 

The small girl pulled back and squinted at her, the stern Waverly Earp face returning and Nicole caved instantly.

“Okay fine.” She dipped her head. “I just think it would be really cute - and then Whiskey would have a buddy! Like we have each other.” Her face twisted into a lazy smile and Waverly felt herself melting more and more each second.

“I’ll think about it.” She mumbled, rolling back over. 

Once her back was turned, Nicole smiled victoriously. 

“I’m gonna make a presentation. I’ll weigh up the pros and cons. I’ll even put in transitions.” She pushed up to kiss Waverly’s cheek and saw her girlfriend grinning as she looked at the closet. 

“Do you even know how to do that grandma?” Waverly teased, curling up as Nicole wrapped back around her. 

“I had to do lot’s of presentations at the academy I’ll have you know.” The redhead breathed out, pretending to be offended as she pressed her face into Waverly’s hair inhaling softly.

“Mhmmm.” Was all Waverly replied and Nicole already felt her breathing evening out and her body loosening slightly as she started to drift away. 

“We’re so getting a cat.” She mumbled into Waverly’s hair, smiling as she let her eyes close and herself fall into a contented sleep.