Chapter Text
As the pounding beats of her heart slowed a sense of euphoria built in the redhead's chest. The glistening ring that adorned her fiance's hand lay gently on her stomach, glinting as the stone caught in the sunlight that filtered through the window. She never thought it would be possible to feel this happy, how wrong could she be.
Waverly had drifted off into a light sleep with her head buried in the crook of her now fiance's neck, still feeling the effects of the late night and early morning. Warm breath slid down behind Nicole's ear as she lay there on the sofa in a state of utter contentment.
The sun was waning in the late afternoon sky and the chill in the air had now made way for a cold breeze. Goose bumps rose on the officer's arms as the draft emanating from the chimney made its way across the room. Nicole didn't want to move, she had missed the touch of her girlfriend, her smell, her warmth. Leaving Waverly alone in their warm bed earlier that morning was torture but she knew that it had to be done, a means to an end and what an amazing end it was.
She had been planning the hunt for months, after picking up a very tipsy Waverly and an incredibly wasted Wynonna from Shorty's one night. That was the night the brunette had confessed her plans for the future, for their future and the seed was sown.
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Pulling up outside Shorty's after her third late shift in a row the Officer could hear the hubbub from inside the bar through the open window of the cruiser. Exiting the vehicle, she placed the white stetson on her head covering the braid that was threatening to come undone after a long night and headed into the fray.
Pushing the door open she caught sight of Wynonna, Pool cue in one hand, Champ Hardy's throat in the other pinning him up against the wall behind the table. The bar was pretty much empty other than the Earps, Gus, Champ and his friends.
Waverly was pulling at her elbow whilst mumbling to her sister.
"Wynonna, Leave it"
"Say it again 9 seconds, I fuckin' dare you" the anger in Wynonna voice was clear to hear. Pool cue poised to strike.
"It was 8 seconds, loser. And get your hand off me or I'll.." Champ squirmed as the elder Earp tightened her grip.
Although her shift had finished the Officer was never really off duty and she made her way over to the ruckus in seconds. Waverly had dropped her grip on Wynonna's arm and drifted over to the bar.
"Wynonna, I think he has had enough," Nicole said calmly but forcefully. The heir released her grip slowly pushing the cowboy as she let go, here eyes never leaving his.
"What's all this about?" Nicole questioned.
"She's a fuckin psychopath that's what." he spat as he fixed his shirt and began rubbing his neck.
"It's a good job Office Haught arrived when she did or I would have shoved this cue so far up your ass you would have looked like a fuckin' popsicle."
Placing herself between the pair she glanced over at Waverly who was stood with her back flush against the wood, tears forming in her eyes. Wanting to be at her girlfriend's side she quickly diffused the argument.
"Champ, you're drunk. Go home or I will arrest you for breach of the peace."
"WHAT? She's the mental patient, she's the one who should be arrested, She attacked me."
"The only thing you have is a bruised Ego. Now leave."
With that, he turned on his heels, grabbed his coat and left with his group of buddies muttering something under his breath as he went.
Wynonna flipped him the bird as he left and he returned the gesture before escaping out the door.
"Wynonna put the cue down and go grab your coat it's time to go."
Wynonna dropped the would be weapon on the table and hopped up onto the green felt scattering balls in her wake as the redhead made her way over to the bar where the younger Earp still stood, the tears that filled her eyes earlier had now begun to fall. Without hesitation the Officer grabbed the smaller woman and pulled her close in a tight embrace, peppering her head with light kisses.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just wanna go home."
Waverly wobbled in her arms and Nicole could see that she was more than a little buzzed. Moving her arms down to the brunette's hips she gently lifted the smaller woman up to sit one one of the high stools and pushed the chair toward the bar ensuring that she would not fall off.
"Okay, Baby," pulling back she wiped the tears from her girlfriend's cheeks with the pads of her thumbs, "I'm just going to grab your stuff and Wynonna then we'll head out."
Placing a kiss on the end of Waverly's nose as she left she headed to the pool table rounded up the heir, bags and coats and headed to the cruiser, depositing the lot on the back seat. The Officer headed back inside to collect Waverly who was still sat on the stool, her legs just long enough to reach the metal pole that skirted the bar.
Nicole held the door open to the cruiser, helped the brunette into the vehicle and buckled her in. Wynonna was passed out on the back seat, loud snores filled the car. This was the last thing Nicole needed so she slipped into the back and flipped the elder Earp so she was on her side.
She could see that Waverly was upset. She was quiet and that was never a good sign. Turning the radio on low she put the cruiser into gear and headed out towards home.
"Waves? Are you okay?"
She got no reply. Not wanting the push the subject she placed a reassuring hand on top of her girlfriends and gave it a squeeze as Waverly stared out of the window into the darkness.
They stayed like that for a while until a quiet voice broke the silence between them.
"He said we would never be truly happy, said I was wasting my time, that I would never have a family, said I was just another fucked up Earp."
Nicole's grip tightened on the wheel, her knuckles turned white on one hand but the other remained softly upon the youngest Earps. The tears began to flow for the second time that night.
"Waverly Earp, you are not a fuck up, you hear me? Champ is a jealous ass who can't get what he wants so acts like the spoilt child he is and he lashes out."
The brunette's body shook as she sobbed. "I want kids, I want to have the big wedding, to have a home and a dog." she trailed off and the sobs took control of her body. "I want that for us."
"Waves, there is nothing stopping us from having all of that and more. I love you, you know that right?"
Waverly silently nodded.
"Good, then don't let that jumped up rodeo clown make you feel anything but."
The rest of the drive back to the Homestead hadn't taken long and at some point, Waverly had drifted off. As the car pulled up Wynonna suddenly woke up and sat bolt upright trying to find her bearings. She didn't waste any time and as Nicole opened the door she leapt out and marched to the front door and opened it with a bang.
Not wanting to wake her girlfriend she gently released the buckle of the belt, placed Waverly's arms around her neck and scooped her up. As quietly as she could she pushed the car door closed with her butt and locked it with the remote she held in her hand.
The front door was wide open from where Wynonna had burst through it moments before, soft light from the living room illuminated the steps up to the porch and Nicole could see the elder Earp was passed out on the sofa, minus her pants. It was a mystery how she managed to strip so quickly.
As she walked over the threshold into the home she glanced down at the sleeping woman in her arms. A huge grin broke on her face.
"Next time we do this will be our wedding night, but hopefully you'll be awake." she whispered before planting a gentle kiss on Waverly's head.
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The clock chimed and Nicole was pulled from her daydream. Glancing over she could see that it was 6 o'clock, they needed to get ready as the meal was booked for 8pm.
"Waves, Baby. We need to get up." the brunette had somehow managed to crawl on top of the Officer and was starfished across her chest. Nicole placed her hands across the sleeping woman's back and shifted into a sitting position. Waverly's head never leaving the crook of her neck.
"Waves, come on. We have less that an hour before we need to head out..."
"Do we have to?"
"Yep, we do I am afraid."
"But I want to stay right here."
"Okay, but if we do nobody will get to see your surprise"
With that, the brunette's eyes shot open and she was wide awake.
Glancing down at her hand the ring sparkled in the final rays of sunshine and a giant smile spread across her face. She let out a little giggle as she wiggled her fingers.
"I can't wait to show everyone. Thank you for the best birthday gift ever. I don't know how I am gonna beat this when your birthday comes."
"Oh, I am pretty sure you will think of something. You are a planner after all."