Chapter Text
The ride into Miracles, Montana was a rather quiet one. Not that it was easy to talk and hear one another over the roar of the Harley’s engine. Most days they rode in comfortable silence, taking in the passing scenery and thinking of what lay ahead. Today, however, held a tension they both could feel.
They were nervous, maybe even a little scared. Okay, a lot scared. Of a two year old. Well, almost three year old. The fastest gunslinger there ever was and Wynonna Goddamn Earp, scared of meeting a toddler.
Granted, this wasn’t just any toddler; this was their daughter. Forced to part with her on the day of her birth, both had only agonizingly brief moments with the child before she was whisked away to safety. Now, with the curse broken, BBD no longer their enemy and the Ghost River Triangle left under the protection of an angel and her shield, the two were finally free to see their daughter once more.
Gus at least was expecting them. Wynonna had planned on just showing up, but during their last phone call Waverly had reminded her that that might make things... rather more intense than it already was.
Wanting to look their best for their reunion with their little one, the couple had splurged on a motel the night before. Freshly showered and shaved, in clean clothes and hair only minorly road swept, they arrived.
Wynonna carefully rolled the bike into the dirt drive of the old ranch home. It was simple, much like the Homestead, though much better cared for. Sturdy pine beams supported a sky blue roof and a wide front porch. The honeyed wood of the walls was highlighted by colourful posies in the windows. A welcome mat lay in front of the door, a tiny pair of rubber boots strewn haphazardly next to it.
The whinnying of horses drew their gaze to the barn, placed further back on the property. A pretty palomino and a dappled appaloosa grazed happily among the prairie flowers, ears flickering and tails swishing.
Placing their helmets on the bike, the couple turned toward one another, searching for strength. They smiled, joining hands and made their way up the drive.
As the toe of Wynonna’s boot brushed the mat and her fist rose to knock on the door, the most joyous, high-pitched laugh rang out.
Turning toward the sound, they watched as a little girl with brown, wavy hair and eyes as blue as the sky ran around the corner, giggles erupting from her mouth with ease. A smiling Gus chased after her, arms outstretched.
“Come here you little monster! Grandma’s going to get you!”
Alice screeched in delight as Gus’ fingers brushed along her sides, tickling the youngster. Wriggling and squirming, she evaded capture and headed right for the front door, clearly not expecting to find two strangers standing there.
Wynonna and Doc just stood there, spellbound by the sight of their little girl.
Alice, on the other hand, never stopped moving. Undeterred by their presence, she only paused for a moment in surprise before continuing her advances, though at a walking pace this time. Watching them with curious eyes, she made her way on strong legs towards them, stopping briefly on the stairs. She glanced back once at Gus, who gave her a reassuring smile, before ascending the stairs to look up at the woman and man who looked so much like herself.
“Hello.” she said. “I’m Alice. Who are you?”
Wynonna, who had been fighting back tears, laughed. She had been expecting some shy little girl, hiding behind her great aunt’s knees. She should have known better. She was the daughter of an Earp and a Holiday, of course she would be bold.
Doc, forever the charmer, removed his hat and knelt in front of the girl. “Pleased to meet you, little lady.” Alice beamed. “I’m your…” he paused, unsure what to say.
Wynonna and Doc had discussed what their intentions with Alice were to be, but they had failed to clarify with Gus. They didn’t know how much Alice knew about the situation and he didn’t want to start off by upsetting the girl.
Gus however, seemed unphased. “That there is your Daddy, Alice. And there next to him is your Mama.”
Wynonna dropped down next to Doc. “Hi.”
Alice regarded them for a moment, seeming to take stock. She had her father’s eyes; the way they seem to see directly into you, the intensity of her gaze was undeniable. The way she held herself was all Wynonna though. Hand on hip, nose scrunched in concentration. Though she was young, she stood with the confidence of an older child; seemingly sure in herself.
“Come. I want you to meet Daisy.” was all she replied.
Startled, Wynonna looked to Doc, who merely shrugged. Gus just smiled. Alice didn’t give the couple much time to think about the interaction before she turned and started striding off towards the barn.
Entirely unsure who this Daisy was, but determined to make a good impression, Wynonna and Doc hurried after her, nervously glancing between each other, Gus and Alice. They followed her through the grass and across the yard, watching as the girl clambered halfway up the wooden fence. Reaching out, she whistled.
“Two year olds can do that?” thought Wynonna.
The palomino they had spotted earlier trotted over to the girl, nudging its nose into her outstretched hand. She murmured something to the horse before turning towards her parents. She gave them an expectant look.
Doc strode up first, letting the horse sniff his hand before rubbing it up and down its glossy neck. “Daisy, I take it?” The horse snuffed in response.
Wynonna approached next, cupping the horse’s head in her hand and looking it in the eye. Carefully, she stroked its nose. “Hi Daisy. I’m Wynonna.”
As the two made acquaintance with the horse, little Alice stood back and watched. Grandma Gus had told her the night before that they would be coming. She always knew her mommy and daddy were out there, Grandma made sure of that. She didn’t talk about them often, but every once in a while, Grandma would get a letter from Auntie Waverly, telling magical stories about ferocious beasts and the hero and the cowboy who slew them.
Too young to truly understand the full depth of the situation and not knowing how long Alice would be with her, Gus had kept the details fuzzy. Alice knew that her Mommy and Daddy loved her and that they wanted to be with her, but where they lived just wasn’t safe.
Recently, Alice had asked why her mommy and daddy couldn’t come live here on the ranch with them. Gus wasn’t quite sure how to respond to such a question but had assured the girl that one day, they would come. She just had to be patient and thankful for the life she had now.
When Wynonna had called, Gus had been wary. Given the state of Purgatory when she left it, and the need for them to get Alice out as fast as they did, didn’t exactly instill confidence in the older woman. Wynonna hadn’t mentioned taking the girl with them, merely asked to come to visit, but Gus knew. Neither of them would be showing up if they didn’t have the intention of reconnecting with their daughter. Of taking her home.
She watched from a distance as Wynonna and Doc followed little Alice around. Seeming to have passed Alice’s Daisy test, she bounced and skipped along, always so full of life, showing them the parts of her home that meant something to her. Her favourite spot to lay in the sun, the best hill to roll down, her favourite prairie flower - blue, like her eyes. She pulled her little collection of trinkets out of her pockets, her tiny hands dwarfed by her treasures. Wynonna and Doc just smiled, nodding their heads along, already so taken with her.
“Alice.”
“Yes, Grandma?”
“Go wash up for lunch.”
“But I’m showing Mommy and Daddy home. I wanna go to pond and catch froggies.”
Gus smiled. “I’m sure you do sweets, but your Mama and Daddy have driven a long way to see you and I am sure they are tired and hungry. You will have plenty of time to show them around later. Go wash up.”
Alice pouted but did as she was told, clambering up the back stairs and through the screen door.
“Good girl.” praised Gus.
She waited until she was out of earshot before turning to the couple.
“How long are you planning on staying?”
Wynonna smiled. “How long are you willing to have us?”
Gus sighed good-naturedly. “Well... if memory serves, you were a royal pain in my backside. Always getting into trouble one way or another.” Wynonna laughed. She wasn’t wrong. “Given the look of your companion here, something tells me he’s seen his fair share of trouble too.”
“Now ma’am…” protested Doc.
“Gus is fine, Holliday. No need for fancy talk.”
“While I may have fought many battles and wrangled many demons, know that I would never, ever, come near either of you if any of that was still a threat.” Gus eyed him warily.
“What you have done for us, for our daughter; such a debt can never be repaid. I bring only my utmost respect and admiration for you and the girl you are raising our Alice to be. It is clear she is happy and safe and that is all I ever wanted. Thank you.”
Gus wasn’t one who much trusted pretty words, but she could tell the cowboy meant it. Judging by the look in Wynonna’s eye, there was genuine love and affection between the two of them and a calm about the woman that Gus had not seen in her before. It would seem her years in Purgatory were good for her.
“Yes, well, you’re welcome. I’d say it was a pleasure, but that little girl is a firecracker. She grows like a weed and is always knee-deep in mud or hair full of grass. She barely sits still and is forever finding some creature to dote upon. She’ll be a real handful for you two when you get her home.”
“About that…”
Gus held up a hand to silence her. “Not now Wynonna.” The Earp sister nodded. “Come inside, wash up. I have leftover spiral ham and some potato salad that should do us. You are welcome to stay for the night. We can discuss particulars after dinner. ”
The pair nodded, following suit. “Wait, y'all ain't Vegan like your sister are yah?”
“We eat whatever bounty is supplied.” replied Doc.
Gus rolled her eyes. “A simple no would have sufficed.” she mumbled as she marched up the back steps and into the kitchen.
Wynonna smiled teasingly, nudging Doc with her elbow. “Gus is a real no-nonsense kinda lady.”
Doc huffed. “I’d gathered.”
“Aww, don’t be like that.” she swooped in and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Alice seemed pretty smitten with the Holliday charm. That’s what counts, right?”
Doc’s eyes crinkled and his moustache twitched in a smile. “She is perfect Wynonna. I cannot wait to get to know her more.”
“Then get a move on cowboy! She’s probably already driving Gus nuts waiting for us to join her for lunch.”
“After you darlin’. You know how I like to enjoy the view.”