Finally Home: Wayhaught

“Jeez Waves, if you were aiming for the bin then I’m really glad you stuck to cheer at school because even Jeremy has better aim than that.” Wynonna raised her brows and downed half her coffee with the end of her sentence. On the floor, her sister to rested her hands on her knees from where she was crouched in front of the filing cabinets and scowled at her.

“I was aiming for your head.” Waverly growled and pushed up to standing as her knees clicked. “Put your legs down you’ll fall!” She scolded her older sister as she folded her arms across her chest, scanning the situation: Wynonna leaning back in her chair with a coffee Nicole had made her in one hand and her phone in the other, her legs dangling slightly between the chair legs.

“Yes Miss.” Wynonna teased, rolling her eyes, but letting the chair drop back down anyway. “We haven’t done anything all morning. I don’t see why I couldn’t have gone with Doc, you don’t even need me here!”

Waverly squinted her eyes and grabbed some files from the floor and slapped them on the desk. “Because every time I’m not here you insist on doing zero paperwork so now we have to spend today catching up.” She grabbed her own soy latte and sipped it, sighing in relief when the warm liquid warmed her skin.

“Doc and I had a lot more fun when you weren’t here.” Wynonna muttered, sliding the paperwork towards herself on the desk.

“Ew.” The small girl squinted her eyes and turned back to face the filing cabinet, pulling out folders. “You made this so much harder than it needed to be. You know if you weren’t going to sort them, you could have at least left them on the desk instead of shoving them in here and messing up my order. Now we have to re-file EVERYTHING.” She dropped onto her bum and shuffled along the hardwood floor, crossing her legs in front of the cabinet.

When Waverly wasn’t looking, Wynonna reached forward and grabbed her coffee, taking a huge sip now her own was gone. Her subtlety didn’t last very long though as she instantly spat it out when she tasted the soy milk and coughed a little, causing Waverly’s head to shoot round from where she’d been bent over the drawer.

The small girls eyes widened and then her brow furrowed a little in rage. “Did you just spit that back into my cup?!” She half yelled, looking over her shoulder and Wynonna gave her a ‘duh’ expression.

“It’s soy milk!” She said as if that was the most valid explanation anyone had ever given.

“It’s always soy milk, I’m vegan!” Waverly shook her head as she turned back and ignored her sister. “You can have it now it’s got your spit all in it.”

“I don’t want that shit, it’s grody - it tastes like sand and soap.” Wynonna snorted and Waverly ignored her, continuing to remove and rearrange the files to find the new ones which Wynonna hadn’t filed properly. “I’ll give it to Haught.”

“You spat in it.” Waverly protested.

“Exactly.” Wynonna grinned triumphantly and Waverly stood up again, finding another couple of files and putting them on the desk. “How’s Rosita?” Wynonna asked, taking Waverly’s coffee again, clearly deciding soy milk was better than no coffee.

“She’s great actually! Chrissy is spending the day with her and then I think she’s coming home tomorrow. Nicole and I are going by to see her tonight after work.” She smiled and her older sister actually smiled back, Wynonna had always gotten on with Rosita so it was a relief to hear her recovery was going well.

“Speaking of Haught, I’m gonna text her to make me another coffee.” Wynonna smirked, grabbing her phone from the desk. “Because I might die if I have to keep drinking that poison.”

Waverly snatched her phone away. “She got you the last one, get your own!” 

“Fine, Doc is almost back, I’ll get him to bring me one.” Wynonna shrugged and Waverly sighed in tandem.

“Me too, since you ruined mine.” She handed her older sisters phone back and Wynonna instantly texted Doc, demanding coffee. 

Half an hour later - after Waverly had managed to actually get Wynonna to tick a few boxes and sign some papers, Doc strolled into the office holding the coffees in a tray, followed by Jeremy and Robin.

“For my two favourite sisters.” He lulled, handing Waverly a soy latte and Wynonna a triple shot Americano.

“My hero.” Wynonna teased, exhaling in relief as she sipped the coffee.

“What exactly did I rescue you from my love?” Doc smiled and Waverly watched him lean against the desk, his eyes sparkling as he looked down at Wynonna draped over the office chair. Ever since high school, Waverly had watched Doc look at Wynonna as if she was the only person in the room. For a long time she hadn’t understood it, she hadn't ever been able to imagine herself looking at anyone that way, or having anyone look at her that way. The second Nicole had turned around in that convention centre she’d seen that look, this time directed at her, and she’d not been able to stop thinking about it since. Finally she understood the look, how it was a subconscious love, she didn’t even realise the way she looked at Nicole until Nicole did it back and her entire body tingled with electricity just from one look. Wynonna right now though, was entirely unaware of the look.

“From Waverly’s dishwater coffee.” Wynonna shuddered theatrically at the mention of the soy latte.

Jeremy picked up the discarded coffee. “Isn’t it just a soy latte?”

“Don’t drink that!” Waverly grabbed it from him. “Wynonna spat in it.” She smiled apologetically and the younger boy’s eyes widened as he pulled his hands back quickly as if he’d been stung.

Robin sipped his almond latte, his hand rest gently on Jeremy’s lower back as they stood opposite Wynonna the other side of Waverly. “It didn’t actually take that long, we just had to remove the item and the tie was cut.” Robin began to explain what the three guys had spent the morning doing. “The book was the talisman or something, but it’s -“ 

A knock at the door cut them off and they all turned towards it as Nicole opened it and stepped in. Her eye found Waverly quickly and she smiled at her girlfriend who was sat on the desk, with her legs dangling over the edge, before she found Wynonna’s eye and swallowed. “Hey, can I speak to you for a sec Wyn?”

Wynonna squinted at her, but rose from her chair anyway and strolled towards the door, but not before making a sarcastic comment to her sister. “See Waverly, she’s finally realised she’s dating the wrong sister.” She winked and Waverly stuck her tongue out, laughing a little as Nicole slapped Wynonna’s shoulder before the door closed on the two friends.

Nicole guided a young girl in her early-twenties into her office after finishing the tour. She could easily offload introductory tours and information to a less ranking officer, but she remembered too clearly what it felt like to be new and wanted to make sure everyone felt welcome the way she did.

Finally they sat down at opposite sides of her desk and she pulled open the drawer below the one which she knew held her engagement ring. Smiling slightly, she placed the papers onto the desk, turning them towards Millie the new girl. 

“So Jamie Gilbrand is your mentor, they’re really nice and they know this place better than anyone else. You’ll be good with them and any issues you have, talk to them about them okay? If you need to speak to me, my office is here, but your first point of call is Officer Gilbrand is that-“ a sharp, crisp knocking cut her off.

“Come in.” She called out, not moving from her chair as Mikey entered her office.

“Sheriff Haught, we have new information on the Earp case, you said you wanted anything to do with that brought directly to you.”

Nicole swallowed and nodded, maintaining her professional stance. “Right, thank you Deputy Falcone.” She turned back to Millie in front of her. “Okay, I’m going to give you these papers and deal with this. You know where your desk is right?” 

The small dark haired girl nodded. “Yes ma’am.” 

“Great, speak to Officer Gilbrand if you need help filling them out.” Nicole nodded as Millie stood up and exited the room with a brief thank you.

“Hit me with it.” Nicole forced a smile as soon as the door closed behind the new rookie.

Mikey dropped into the chair which the rookie had just vacated. “So uh you’re not going to be happy.” He smiled apologetically and Nicole bit her lip.

After a moment pause, she nodded. “Okay go ahead.”

Mikey leant forward, resting his elbows on the edges of the chair. “We had Wynonna plant a decoy motorbike outside Shorty’s last night. We’ve been trying different locations for a few weeks and finally one took. The bike was brutalised, tires slashed, paint scratched, engine torn out, handlebars bent.” He paused and watched as Nicole’s eyes widened at the facts.

“So whoever it was, was at Shorty’s last night.” She could feel a smile growing. This is good, this is a lead - the first they’ve had in weeks. Shorty’s had witnesses, people’s houses which have been broken into didn’t. 

“We know who it was.” Mikey said softly.

Nicole remembered him saying she wouldn’t be happy and her face dropped slightly. “How?”

“We had cameras pointed. They had on a cap and neck scarf, but there’s a tiny tattoo on their right hand.” He paused and held his breath. “Racing stripes.”

“No way.” Nicole shook her head.

“Pete the mechanic.” Mikey confirmed with a nod and she felt her entire skin crawl as her blood bubbled with rage.

“Why though?” She didn’t even wait for an answer as she jumped out of her seat. “That fucking asshole!” She snapped her eyes towards Mikey. “We’ve been paying him to fix that jeep when he’s the one who smashed it! $6000 so far! SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS!” Nicole yelled, slamming her hands down on the desk in anger. “Oh my god. That’s why he’s targeting cars. So he can not only mess with the original families, but also get their money.” She shook her head in disbelief. “He is unbelievable.” 

Mikey stood up opposite her. “Maybe you should tell Waverly before someone else does.” He offered, pulling the door open. 

“I’ve gotta tell Wynonna first.” Nicole stated, storming through the bullpen and down the corridor to the offices at the other end, knocking quickly and not waiting for a response before walking in. 

The entire room turned to look at her and she smiled at Waverly briefly. She found a calmness in the crinkles by Waverly’s eyes as she smiled back, the adorable way her legs were too short to reach the floor from the desk, and the way her thumbs traced up and down the side of her coffee cup, exploring the warmth. 

“Hey, can I speak to you for a sec Wyn?” She stated professionally and ignored the way Waverly narrowed her eyes at her, instead focusing on Wynonna as the brunette padded towards her with heavy footsteps and a snarky comment.

Once outside and the door closed, Nicole dragged Wynonna round the corner towards where the bathroom was so they wouldn’t be seen by anyone from the bull pen or nosey visitors. “Ooo you’re taking me into the bathroom like teenagers - is this where we’re finally going to kiss?” Wynonna teased, until Nicole stopped them just outside the bathroom.

“Shut up.” She rolled her eyes and Wynonna raised her brow at her. “We know who stole Waverly’s car, I’m going to arrest him ASAP, but I wanted to tell you so we can both tell her together. It was Pete.” Nicole rambled everything out in one sentence, giving Wynonna a moment to catch up.

“So you’re not gonna kiss me?” Wynonna smirked.

Nicole grabbed her arm and shook her a little. “I’m not messing around here.” She snapped her grip firm on her friends shoulders.

Wynonna brushed her hands away nonchalantly. “Alright, okay fine. I never liked that asshole.” She scowled.

“Speaking of, any idea why he would target Waverly.” Nicole paused and tilted her head. “I mean you I understand, but Waverly? Everyone loves her.”

“Okay okay I get it, my sister is a tiny, sweet, perfect cinnamon roll, angel face.” Wynonna put on a mocking voice, waving her arms around theatrically. “But no, I have no idea why that greasy, great in bed asshole would target Waves.”

Nicole scrunched up her face and pressed her fingers into her temples. “Well do you think Waverly would know?”

Shrugging her shoulders Wynonna fiddled with the belt of her leather jacket. “I dunno, probably, that little nerd knows everything about this town.” 

“Okay well let’s tell her then.” Nicole stormed back towards the office, trying to recall any signs she’d missed that Pete was manipulating them. Her mind trailed back to the bar, Nedley’s retirement and Rosita questioning why they hadn’t been given a discount. Then back to Pete’s assessment of the vehicle and how she’d thought she was being dramatic and over protective in her disliking of him. She thought about how the truck had been conveniently left so it was fixable but at the maximum expense possible. Everything added up, except the key thing necessary for a crime: a motive. 

This time she didn’t bother knocking, she pushed the door open and stuck her head in. “Waves we need your help.” She gestured with her head to follow her and watched as Waverly instantly slipped off the table and padded over toward them with her coffee enclosed between her hands. Outside the room, she leant against the wall, looking up with a confused expression as the two older girls looked down at her.

“We know who stole the jeep.”

“Pete stole the jeep.”

Nicole and Wynonna said in tandem and Waverly’s eyes widened, an exhale of disbelief escaped her lips as she stared at them for a second.

“Pete? Pete the mechanic Pete?” She breathed out and Nicole nodded softly.

“That Shithead!” Waverly squeaked and Nicole reached out to take one of her hands gently.

“We’re going to need you to help us out baby, why would Pete target you? We have evidence he broke the bike, but we’ve gotta be able to tie it all together for it to go to trial.”

Waverly shook her head. “I don’t know. I never did anything to him! I used to hang out with his group of friends, I thought he liked me!” She shrugged. 

“You think everyone likes you.” Wynonna rolled her eyes.

“Well they usually do!” Waverly waved her arms around.

“Okay, okay well maybe it’s not you.” Nicole rubbed her hand down her girlfriends arms. “You’re right, everyone likes you, but what about your father? Wasn’t he a lawman?” She tilted her head to the side, gently willing Waverly on.

“Yeah, but I was so young when he died, I have no idea about any of his cases.” Waverly shook her head. “But I think I have the records back at the homestead in my old room. I just never looked at them.”

Wynonna gave Nicole a hard slap on the back and clicked her finger at her sister. “Let’s go get some boring antiquated papers gang!” She threw her hand up for a high five and Nicole batted it away.

“That’s a big word.” Waverly teased, already walking towards the entrance.

“I read Waverly.” Wynonna bit back and Nicole gave her a side eye. “Okay I had to google what it meant because a bottle of whiskey had it on the label.” She rolled her eyes at the redhead’s snort as they all slipped into the squad car.

At the homestead they all piled into Waverly’s old room. Wynonna threw herself down on the bed, dangling her legs over the edge whilst the couple rifled through the files organised neatly at the back of Waverly’s closet. Waverly climbed in to reach the ones at the far right hand corner and slid them out to Nicole who checked the name's quickly. 

“Waves I think this is it. This one just says WE, all of the others just had a date from the past on them.” Nicole sat down on the floor, crossing her legs and slipping the file into her lap. Carefully, Waverly climbed out of the closet, pushing her way through old clothes which she never wore anymore, but couldn’t bring herself to get rid of. She dropped down next to Nicole and urged the redhead to open the file. 

Together they flicked through the files, looking for any mention of Pete or the York family name.

“Jesus he worked a lot.” Waverly muttered, frustrated, flipping through the files. Nicole laughed softly next to her, rubbing her hand up and down Waverly’s back as they scanned the fires.

“Here. Paul York.” Nicole tilted her head and pulled out the page from the file; she trailed her finger along the typewriter text, squinting her eyes to read it. “20 years, he went away for twenty years for…” Nicole scanned down the page and rest her finger on the verdict. “Fraud. And the judge on the case…” she looked up to Waverly, tilting the page slightly. “Ward Earp.”

“Crap.” Waverly took the paper from her, looking down at it in her own lap. She tilted her head up looking at Nicole with wide eyes. “All through high school, everyone told me I couldn’t trust him, that he was a liar or a thief and I should stay away. I didn’t believe any of them, I swear Nicole I was always super nice to him; I wouldn’t treat someone badly because of what people told me about them. I didn’t know about his dad, but he was always left out.” Waverly shook her head, dropping the paper to the ground. “I didn’t put two and two together, I knew he hated the original families, but I didn’t think I was included because we got on well enough.” She sighed. “But it wasn’t about me, there was nothing I could have done, it’s about my father putting his father away for the rest of his life.”

Waverly slumped into the ground and Nicole closed the folder, putting it atop the others and turning to face her girlfriend. “Hey, I don’t give a flying fuck what your dad did, and from the looks of that case, Paul York deserved to be in prison. None of that makes what Pete did okay.” Nicole stroked Waverly’s hair gently. “You are the sweetest person I’ve ever met Waverly Earp, you were the only person who didn’t ignore him growing up. He needed someone to blame for his dad going to jail and he couldn’t blame him, or your father anymore so he’s moved onto you and your sister.” Nicole leant forward and pressed her lips softly to the corner of the small girl’s mouth. 

“Okay.” Wynonna had hopped off the bed and clapped Nicole in the back of the head gently. “Enough of that, but yeah Haught’s right. Pete’s crossed a line, a huge fluorescent don’t hurt my baby sister kind of line and he’s going to jail for a long time.” She clapped Nicole on the back again. “Up you get horny Haught.”

Nicole opened and closed her mouth, scowling at Wynonna. “I’m not even, I just- you know what never mind.” She huffed, pushing herself up to standing and holding out her hand for Waverly who just smiled apologetically at her, pulling herself up to standing.

“Yeah you’re right, that was a waste of that nickname, I get another chance with that one.” Wynonna smirked, exiting the bedroom and leaving Nicole standing there frowning and staring at the door. Waverly giggled a little and leant up to peck her cheek.

“Ignore her, she’s trying to get a rise. Besides think of what we’re about to do - because of you, we found who destroyed my jeep.” She walked her hands up and down Nicole’s arm, smiling and her eyes sparkling a little with love. “You are the best Sheriff this town has ever had and  I’m so lucky to have you.” She grinned and pulled Nicole into a quick but passionate kiss, letting her lips linger for a second and reconnecting them before finally dropping off her tiptoes and grinning.

“Well now I am horny Haught.” Nicole muttered with wide eyes as Waverly pushed her softly. 

“Come on let’s go arrest this asshole.” She smiled, leaning down and kissing Nicole again.

“You two are taking too long, don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing up there!” Wynonna yelled upstairs and Nicole groaned.

With a serious expression, Nicole tilted her head, looking down at Waverly. “I’m disowning her.”

Letting out a small giggle, Waverly took her hand and grabbed the file with her other one. “Mmhmm, sure baby.” She hummed, pulling Nicole downstairs with her.

Nicole cut the engine and looked over to her girlfriend. “Just stay in the car, I’ve got to do this. I know you want to and you deserve to, but this is my job okay?” Waverly nodded and rested her hands in her lap. 

Slowly, Nicole exited the car and straightened her back, resting her hands on her belt as she walked into the garage at the end of the gravel driveway.

“Sheriff, come to check on the progress?” Pete slid out from under another car and stood up quickly, making his way over to her.

Nicole tilted her head to the side, smiling and squinting her eyes, keeping her calm because she knew she had the upper hand. “Not quite.” She smiled, shifting her hand slightly in preparation. “Peter York, you’re under arrest for vandalism, theft and fraud.” She paused, realising how ironic it was he was under arrest for the same thing as his father. “You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

“What the hell! Vandalism?! What the hell for?!” Pete protested, but Nicole had already unclipped her handcuffs and reached for his arm which he pulled away quickly.

“Pete. Don't make this difficult.” She growled under her breath stepping forward. He backed away and she lunged, grabbing his hands and spinning him around, cuffing him quickly and almost effortlessly.

“What the fuck Nicole.” She man wrestled with her as she kicked him forward with her hip, pushing him towards the car.

“Sheriff Haught.” She snapped as she pulled open the back door of the car and pushed his head down, ducking him into the car. Once the door was shut she moved round and got into the car next to Waverly, giving her a little wink across the car and switching into drive.

“Waverly are you serious?” Pete leant forward and Waverly shifted in her chair, thankful to have the metal grate up between them. She didn’t say anything, instead she just leant forward, crossing one of her legs up under her other one.

“Waves, why are you letting her do this? I’m fixing your damn jeep for you!” 

Nicole visibly winced at him using Waverly’s nickname and clenched the steering wheel hard.

“I don’t let her do anything.” Waverly snapped, turning to face him. “She’s Sheriff and it’s her job to arrest criminals, like you.” She snarled, watching Pete squint at her.

“I haven’t done anything! You’ve got the wrong guy, I was trying to help-“

“We know you did it Pete so cut the shit!” Waverly snapped, shifting in her seat. “We-“

“Waverly.” Nicole reached across and squeezed her thigh gently, getting her attention. She didn’t need to say anything else, she just tilted her head, indicating Waverly shouldn’t encourage him to talk, it could damage the case. The brunette understood and nodded, turning back to face the front of the car again and watching the road flying by. 

Nicole dragged the man through the station and into a holding cell, before storming back into the bull pen and over to Mikey’s desk. “He’s in custody. I’m taking an early lunch, you’re in charge of that until I get back.” She raised a brow and Mikey nodded before looking back to his paperwork.

Back in her office, Nicole saw Waverly lying on the couch, scrolling through her phone. She closed the door behind her and walked over to her girlfriend, sitting down next to her and rubbing circles on her stomach as Waverly put down her phone. “Hey, how are you feeling?” Nicole asked softly.

Waverly let out a small giggle. “I don’t even know. We paid him so much money Nic, like so much! All of our savings! And I didn’t even do anything to him. God I’m just so tired.” She shook her head, leaning back. “So much has already happened and it’s barely even lunchtime.” Waverly sighed, reaching her hand up to entwine her fingers with Nicole’s.

“Well then, why don’t we take a break for a couple of hours?” Nicole suggested, stroking Waverly’s hand with her own. 

“Like a lunch break?” Waverly squinted. “I don’t know if I can be bothered to go to Shorty’s today.” She sighed and Nicole smiled.

“Okay, well I have a different idea. Something that might cheer you up?” 

“Sure thing!” Waverly beamed. "I love you.” She smiled and strolled out of the room a little more cheery than when Nicole had entered the office.

Leaning back against her desk and crossing her legs at the ankles, Nicole pulled out her cell phone and dialled up Chrissy Nedley’s number.

“Hi Haught, everything okay?” Chrissy answered, sounding a little tired and stressed.

“Hey, uh yeah, everything’s okay. Are you alright?” Nicole squinted, re-assessing her plan as they spoke.

“Yeah, sorry, Rosie came home yesterday in a lot of pain. I couldn’t really sleep and I’m just trying to make sure she’s okay. I’m sure you get it.”

Nicole smiled knowingly. “Yeah, it’s not easy, but trust me, you being there for her is the best thing you can do, that’s all I wanted when I came out of hospital. You’re doing the best thing you can do Chrissy.” She promised.

“Thanks Nicole. Did you need something by the way? Not that I’m not always up for a catchup.” Chrissy laughed a little.

“Right, yeah, there’s no pressure, but Waverly is having a rough day and it sounds like you are too. I was wondering if maybe we could come over for a couple of hours, bring some lunch and have a little gay lunch.” She let out a short laugh. “If Rosita isn’t up for it though then just say, we can get lunch elsewhere.”

“Actually, that would be really nice.” The brunette sang down the line. “Rosie’s painkillers have just kicked in so perfect timing.” 

“Amazing, we’ll be at yours in 20 mins? We’ll pick something up on the way.” Nicole grinned. 

“See you in 20 Sheriff.” Came the flirty reply and Nicole rolled her eyes, hanging up and grabbing her coat on the way out.

"It's not fair, she prefers Nicole!" Waverly complained to Chrissy, her head in Nicole's lap, sitting on the floor, recovering from her food coma after all the takeout they had just eaten.

"Well Whiskey prefers you, so it's only fair CJ likes me better." Nicole shrugged, getting a pout from Waverly.

"You know that's not true." Waverly shook her head.

"I still can't believe you called your cat Calamity Jane." Rosita snorted from her position lying on the couch, her head in Chrissy's lap.

"I can't believe you got a ginger cat!" Robin snorted from where he was pressed against the TV cabinet, Jeremy leaning on his side.

"What is this, attack the Earp-Haught day!" Waverly complained, shifting in Nicole's lap.

"That's gay." Chrissy replied, sipping her coffee slowly.

The radio crackled a gentle pop station around them and the smell of fast food swirled with the vanilla scented candle Chrissy had lit as they all lay scattered around the living room in their couples.

"Speaking of gay." Waverly raised her brow at her friends snuggled up on the couch. "Any updates." Chrissy rolled her eyes, but Rosita grinned.

"Yeah Chris asked me to be her girlfriend." She smirked, winking up at Chrissy.

"You owe me $10!" Nicole pointed her finger at Robin who groaned.

"I was soooo convinced Rosie would be the one to ask!" Robin complained, shaking his head.

"I need you both to know I was not in on this bet!" Waverly raised her brow.

"Yeah me either!" Jeremy agreed, raising his hands in surrender. "But if I was my money would have been on Rosita too." He shrugged and Waverly snorted.

Nicole's phone buzzed and she pulled it out her pocket, her face lighting up as she read the text from Mikey. She lowered the phone so Waverly could see the message, who's eyes sparkled as she grinned up at Nicole, leaning up to kiss her softly.

"Um excuse me, when you're in my house you share texts that make you look at your girlfriend like that." Rosita complained.

"This is my house babe." Chrissy reminded her.

“BABE! OH MY GOD!" Waverly and Jeremy squealed in unison.

"You can tell them Waves." Nicole nodded, letting her know it was okay.

"Pete confessed to stealing and destroying my jeep, because he would get a lesser sentence." She beamed.

"Which means we can avoid trial." Nicole added, "it can be settled much more easily." 

"I can't believe Pete the loner was the one who did that to your jeep!" Rosita shook her head. "Didn't think he had the balls."

"Well it doesn't matter, we can get the money back and get it fixed elsewhere for way cheaper now he's done half the work!" Waverly grinned up at Nicole who nodded in confirmation.

The redhead's phone buzzed again and she looked at Waverly with a soft smile. "I do have to get back now, but you can stay here? I'll collect you on my way home?"

"What about Wynonna?" Waverly asked.

"She'll be fine, I think she probably had a bigger role than I'd like to imagine in Pete's sudden confession." Nicole shook her head. "And Jer and Robin will be there." She looked at the boys who nodded and stood up.

"Girls day!" Rosita wiggled her brows without moving from Chrissy's lap.

Nicole stood up, letting Waverly slump back against the couch and leant down to kiss her cheek. "Stay, I'll see you later. You deserve a girls day." She nodded at her girlfriend who stopped fighting her smile.

"No fair." Robin pouted.

"Hey you and Haught won't let us into your weird little sports club!" Chrissy reminded them and Nicole shrugged.

"Bros only." She winked at Robin who fist bumped her as Jeremy grinned knowing he was allowed into both situations.

The three friends left the girls giggling and singing along to a song which, unsurprisingly, Nicole didn't recognise.

As the day finally began to draw to a close and the darkness settled outside, Nicole leant back in her chair and let out a deep breath, pulling her drawer open again. She fiddled with Waverly's ring, letting her mind wander for a while.

It felt like a hundred years ago she would sit in a colder, less cosy office, back aching and head pounding, counting down the hours until she could go home and call the mysterious girl she loved to talk to. She could remember so vividly how her heart would leap when she pulled open the front door. She remembered how no matter how bad her day was, Waverly had always been her escape, before she'd even mey her in person. Waverly was the one safe space she had, the one person who could distract her from everything whilst also being the only person who consistently noticed when something was wrong and checked. She put the ring back in the box and closed the drawer slowly, shutting her eyes for a moment. She had never been more sure of anything in her entire life, it had to be soon, she couldn't wait much longer. 

Her phone buzzed with a text from the very person she'd been lost in thought about.

My Angel: heyyyy are you almost done?! I miss you, I'm excited to see you and to go home :( xxxx

My Angel: oh also I'm third wheeling so bad and now I finally understand Wynonna's pain!

Nicole grinned, she had a feeling they might have been drinking, especially if Rosita and Chrissy were being all flirty in front of Waverly, they weren't that big on PDA.

Nic: on my way now baby <3

She flipped her blinds shut and grabbed her keys, driving quickly to the outskirts of town where Chrissy's place was. 

"She's here!" She grinned turning back to her friends on the couch. "I'll drop off the magazines I was telling you about tomorrow morning?" 

Rosita nodded and Chrissy got up to walk Waverly out.

Waverly couldn't even hide her excitement, especially after a few drinks. She knew it was ridiculous, but everyday when she got to go home to Nicole she felt the same childish excitement which would keep her up into the small hours of the morning, dreaming of calling her the next day on the xbox. Whenever Nicole bought a new t-shirt or collected her from anywhere she felt like a teenager again, overwhelmed by the biggest crush she'd ever had. She would never ever take for granted what she had, or the way which Nicole still made her feel after everything.

Which was why when Chrissy opened the front door and Nicole was getting out of the drivers seat, Waverly bolted towards her, yelling a goodbye over her shoulder to her friend. She threw her arms around Nicole's neck and kissed her hard, knocking her against the car.

"Well hello to you too." Nicole laughed against Waverly's lips after a moment, kissing her again more softly this time.

"You look so sexy." Waverly grinned, pulling at Nicole's collar and getting a laugh from the redhead.

"I look the same as I look everyday." Nicole opened Waverly's car door for her.

"Which is very sexy." Waverly grinned, slipping into the car.

Getting into the drivers side, Nicole pulled away, smiling quickly at Waverly who wasn't as drunk as she had expected, maybe just a little tipsy.

"Did you have fun?" Nicole asked, resting her hand on Waverly's knee which Waverly instantly covered with her own hand. 

"Yeah! I'm going to lend Rosie my mindfulness magazines, so she doesn't get bored." Waverly grinned proudly and Nicole felt her heart flutter a little at the sweet gesture.

"Really? You wouldn't even let me read them." She teased, winking across quickly, before looking back at the road.

"Do you want them? I would have let you read them! I just didn't know!" Waverly protested and Nicole shook her head laughing softly.

"No no, I'm just teasing, its not really my kind of thing." She smiled and Waverly sat back in the chair.

"Can we cook dinner together tonight? We haven't done that in a while." Waverly asked softly, her eyes focused on the way Nicole's hair was glowing in the soft light of golden hour.

"Sounds perfect." Nicole squeezed her knee, grinning to herself as they pulled into their front drive.

As they exited the car, Waverly noticed her sister sitting on the front steps as she jumped up and hurried towards them.

"Waves, I really need to speak to you babygirl." Wynonna pleaded almost desperately as Waverly stared at her with wide eyes.