Chapter 15: Welcome Home

A/N: Howdy! I apologize this chapter probably is not my top writing as I've been sick but wanted to finish this chapter! I hope y'all can enjoy it!

Waverly's POV:

Gus made Nicole stay home throughout the night, telling her she needed to sleep in her own bed and not scrunched up on a chair. Reluctantly my tired girlfriend stayed at home, but texted me multiple times telling me that she would be here bright and early for Wynonna and I to be discharged. The night felt like it dragged on forever as the hospital bed was becoming uncomfortable, and the tubes they kept connected to my right arm started to itch. And the sling. The sling was wrapped so tight to my body that I could barely breathe, let alone move. Morning could not come soon enough.

Without the pain medicine making me sleepy I drifted in and out of nightmare filled sleep. Most of them starring Willa and the awful gleam in her eyes when she shot my sister at point blank range. Realistically Wynonna and I are lucky to be alive, as Willa could have finished us off before she fled the scene. I'm grateful that whatever sick and twisted thought she had at that time happened because I don't think either of us would still be here.

The morning came and Wynonna was still snoring in the other half of the room when a soft knock came at the door. I got excited thinking it was Nicole with my muffin I had requested last night.

To my dismay it was not Nicole, rather it was Officer Nedley who pushed the door open softly. My previous softball coach was also on the police force, picking up shifts whenever he could to keep himself busy after his daughter Chrissy started college. His eyes met mine and I could see there was a look of empathy mixed with fear or sadness, I'm not sure which. Growing up in the small town of Purgatory it was hard to not know everyone, especially with Aunt Gus owning the only bar in town. Nedley became like a father to me once mine was gone, as Chrissy was my best friend growing up. The relationship only continued to strengthen as he became my coach in high school. I can only imagine he is giving me this look because he feels like he should have been able to prevent it.

Nedley cleared his throat bringing me from my thoughts, "I'm so sorry Waverly," he started saying while placing his hand on my head. The voice that came from the man was more like a choked back sob than his normal gruff voice. "I should have-"

"No," I cut him off before he could continue, "this is not anyone's fault but Willa's. She is the one who did this and you had no idea."

The tears built up in his eyes like a dam holding back the flood, "I should have taken Wynonna seriously," he sobbed as he backed away from my bed. "Your sister has always looked out for you first and she came to me sayin' that Willa was dangerous and we needed to find her and lock her up. I didn't believe Wynonna because I thought she had started with her crazy imagination again. I'm so sorry Waverly," he said closing his eyes and wiping them with the back of his sleeve.

"It's okay Randy. Like I said it is nobody's fault but Willa's," I gave him a reassuring smile as he looked back at me again.

"I have the whole force looking for her and I put a bolo out on your sister's truck. If Willa has gone anywhere from here to Big City there are men and women looking for her ready for the arrest," Nedley said switching back into cop mode. "The next reason I am here this morning is to get statements from you and Wynonna. Do you feel up for that yet?"

I nodded my head and started to tell the man who practically helped raise us both about the terrible night that occurred.

Nicole's POV:

"It has been an hour; can I go in to see her now?" I asked Gus while pacing back and forth across the lobby. I have been wearing a hole in the ground from all of this pacing, but I am too anxious to stay still. After about ten minutes I set down Waverly's vegan muffin and herbal tea because I needed to use my hands while I was pacing.

"Girl, sit down you're making me tired just watchin' ya!" Gus barked at me from her seat on the other side of the lobby. "Randy'll be done here in just a minute. Wynonna is probably givin' him hell," she slightly chuckled.

I chuckled along with her trying to lighten my mood before I went to see Waverly. "Do you think there is a microwave somewhere so I can heat up Waverly's tea and muffin? I know she doesn't like either one of them cold," I started to ramble.

"Honey, she will just be tickled to see you. But I'm sure you could go ask that nurse over there," the gray haired woman pointed to the nurses station I had been pacing in front of for the past hour.

"Thanks Gus! I'll be right back," I said snatching the paper bag and cup off the table they had been sitting on. I stalked over to the nurse's station hoping it wasn't another nurse who didn't enjoy my presence.

"How can I help you?" The young nurse asked without looking up from her computer she was tapping away on.

"Howdy ma'am," I said with my best drawl I could, "I was just wondering if there was somewhere I could warm up this muffin and tea?" I asked with a dimpled smile. The nurse looked up at me and made eye contact, a blush rushing to her cheeks.

"Uh. Um. Y-yeah there is a microwave back here if you want to step back here," the young nurse was cut off by the older nurse who was not very welcoming the first day the girls were admitted into the hospital.

"Poppy. what are you doing?" The older woman asked with a gruff voice.

"I was just going to uh help this gorgeous, I mean nice lady out with letting her warm up her food," the young nurse replied while her blush started to creep up her neck as well.

Before the older nurse could continue reaming the young nurse I stepped in, "If I'm not allowed to come back there would it be okay for you to just pop it in the microwave for a minute?"

The older nurse turned with a huff and walked down the hallway holding a pile of charts while the younger nurse locked eyes with me again as she grabbed the muffin and tea from me. "I'll be right back," she said softly with a subtle wink.

I chuckled to myself as she walked away because I knew if Waverly saw this, sling or not that nurse would be down for the count. Waverly is the sweetest girl around, she was even voted "Nicest Person in Purgatory," but she has a jealous streak that could scare anyone off.

The nurse came back with the muffin and tea with a big smile on her face. She handed the food and drink back to me and slipped a small piece of paper into my hand. "Call me sometime?"

I gave her a polite smile, "I'm not sure if my girlfriend Waverly Earp would really be too fond of that idea," the girl's face went slack quickly at the mention of the smaller Earp. I'm guessing this nurse had grown up in Purgatory with the Earp's as she reached back and grabbed the paper hastily ripping it and throwing it away.

"Sorry for the confusion, enjoy your muffin," she said quickly as she wasn't looking at me anymore.

"Thanks, I'm sure Waverly will love it," I smiled and walked back to see Gus. On my way back to the waiting room the officer that had told Gus and I to wait was walking through the double doors that led to the girls' room.

"Hi uh officer would it be alright for me to go deliver this to Waverly?" I asked holding up the bag and the cup of tea.

"Yep go on ahead, those girls probably need you more than they'll admit right now," he said with a sad look in his eyes as he headed toward the waiting room where Gus was still sitting reading her book.

I nodded my thanks and started towards the room that held my two favorite people in this world. The sight as I opened the door both made my heart melt and shatter at the same time. Waverly had unhooked her tubes from her right arm and was sitting in the same bed as Wynonna, stroking her hair as they were both crying. My girlfriend kept placing kisses to Wynonna's hair, trying her best to stay strong. I had walked in quietly but the door slammed behind me startling both of the girls.

Waverly's eyes met mine and the unshed tears that were pooling in her eyes made the green in her eyes an unreal emerald color. The dam broke and she was sobbing as hard as her older sister was. I set the tea and muffin on the table by the door and rushed to their sides. Because of the smallness of the bed and the injuries they both had it was hard to be there to comfort them, but I stood by Waverly with one hand on her lower back and the other holding Wynonna's hand that had gripped into her baby sister's hospital gown.

Waverly's POV:

Nicole opened the door and I could barely make out that it was her other than the bright red hair that I saw on top of the blob of the person standing in the doorway. I was trying so hard to stay strong for Wynonna as she struggled to relive the night as she was telling Nedley everything she could remember.

We laid there for a long time, but time just seemed to stop. I was holding Wynonna and Nicole was doing the best she could to comfort us while we both continued to sob, the crying slowly starting to cease. Nicole knew better than to say anything, she just stood there comforting us in silence.

There was a knock on the door that brought our attention away from the small huddle we had going on in the hospital bed. Gus peeked her head in seeing the tears on our faces, and she gave us a small smile. "Are you gals ready to get outta this place?" our aunt asked as the discharge nurse came walking in the room behind her.

I smiled and kissed my sister's head one more time before Nicole helped me off the bed. The nurse took the IV needle out of my hand and took my blood pressure one last time before she moved on to tending to Wynonna. I had practically untangled myself from the mess of cords and tubes to go to Wynonna's side when she was talking to Nedley. But Wynonna was still connected to all of her tubes and monitors making sure her vitals were doing alright. The nurse checked her over and started to remove everything so Wynonna could sit up. The pain was evident in her eyes and the facial expression she made, but I don't think the nurse was expecting the growl that came out of her when she was finally sitting completely up with her legs dangling over the side.

The nurse backed up and I couldn't help but laugh at the scared look that was on her face trying to make sure she didn't get swung at by my sister. While we were waiting for Wynonna to get disconnected and discharged I was able to eat the muffin Nicole had brought for me. She told me about the nurse at the front station trying to flirt with her, I really hope it wasn't this girl right now because I might have to give her a piece of my mind. The muffin was amazing though so I can't be too upset after my girlfriend was so thoughtful.

Changing out of that hospital gown may have been the hardest thing I've ever had to do. The sling they have me in is holding my arm very firmly against my torso. They told me that I needed to keep my arm like this most all of the time if I want the bone to heal correctly. The only time I can really move my arm is when I am trying to change my clothes. My shoulder is so tender, and spending a couple days in the hospital where I haven't had to worry about trying to get a t-shirt on has made this seem easy. Lucky for me Nicole has been a huge help, and she was able to help me get my clothes changed without any real issues.

Wynonna was reluctant to get out of her hospital gown as she wanted to continue to sleep, saying she felt so free in the gown. The nurse finally got so fed up with her and her antics that she agreed to give the gown to Wynonna. My sister smiled in victory as Nicole handed her the leather jacket she had requested from her apartment. Gus was helping make sure the back of her gown was secured shut and that her butt wouldn't be on display when we got outside. Once the ties were secure she slipped the leather jacket over the gown, beaming at her new fashion statement.

"I don't think I'll ever go back to real clothes again," Wynonna laughed as she gingerly sat down on the wheel chair the older nurse had brought into the room. As much as we both wanted to leave under our own power to prove nothing could keep us down, it was hospital policy to be wheeled through the front doors. Nicole helped me into my wheelchair as I wasn't able to use my left arm to lower myself down. Once we were both situated the nurses started wheeling us toward the exit. Nicole grabbed our bags and was following close behind.

As we passed the nurse's station I noticed a girl I used to go to school with, she averted her eyes as we got closer. I could only guess that this was the nurse that flirted with Nicole, not being able to help myself I shouted to her, "Thanks for warming up my muffin! But don't you dare flirt with my girlfriend again!"

Her eyes practically bulged out of her head at this statement, and her face turned beet red. I can't blame her for flirting with Nicole, but I wanted her to know Nicole is mine.

Once we reached the exit the nurses helped us get out of the chairs as Nicole had went to get her car and pick us up at the front. Nicole pulled up and got out of the driver's side to help us get in. Wynonna stopped, "Maybe I should just go with Gus," she said a little hesitantly. This car we were getting into was the same car that took us from that awful night to the emergency room, I think flashbacks were happening in Wynonna by the tortured look in her eyes, as I know that is exactly what was happening to me.

"Wy, I promise it will be okay," I reached out to grab her hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze. Her eyes locked on mine and she gave me a small nod agreeing to go with us.

Nicole opened the back door for Wynonna to climb in, and I started to follow. "Waves?" Nicole said in a questioning tone.

"I want to sit in the back with her if that's okay," I said giving my girlfriend a small smile. She smiled back and nodded walking me around to the other side to let me in. Nicole got us both buckled into our seats and then started heading towards her apartment. The short drive from the hospital to her apartment was spent in silence while I drew soothing patterns on my sister's leg. Wynonna was just staring out the window, probably reliving the last time she was in this car.

We pulled up to Nicole's apartment complex and she put the car in park, taking a deep breath she turned around to face us. "Okay I want to warn you before we go inside, it might look a little different than the last time y'all were here," she stated looking nervous as she looked between Wynonna and me.

"Okayyy," Wynonna said, "Haught I know the last time we really were close to even having a conversation I was dying, but please don't say you've gone all soft on me."

This made Nicole chuckle and roll her eyes, "Wouldn't think of it, Earp."

We all got out of the car and headed up to Nicole's apartment with our hospital totes being hauled by my amazing girlfriend. As we reached the top of the stairs she flashed us a nervous smile and knocked three times with her elbow. I looked at her confused ready to ask what she was expecting to happen when all of us were on the outside, but before I could the door came swinging open with a smiling Gus on the other side.

"About time y'all showed up!" Gus greeted, "Now get inside!" We rushed inside still confused but the look on Gus' face told us there was some sort of plan going on right now.

"Gus, what's going on?" I asked hoping someone would give an answer.

"Follow me darlin' and you'll find out. Wynonna too," Gus said walking farther into the apartment. We followed her down the hallway to the bedrooms and Calamity Jane came and rubbed up against my leg.

"Hi girl," I bent down and scratched behind the orange cat's ears. But before we could have a mini reunion I heard my name being called. I stood back up and followed to the door at the end of the hall. "So what are we looking at? Isn't this just a closet?" I asked curiously.

"Actually this is a two-bedroom apartment and with everything that has happened lately Gus and I got to talking," Nicole started.

Gus continued, "We figured that this would feel like more of a safe space than all of you being in different locations, and with Willa still out there I just want you girls to be safe." Gus wiped a tear away from her eyes as she put the smile back on her face. She grabbed the handle of the door and swung it open, revealing a room that had a twin bed, dark blue walls, and it looked like a closet full of Wynonna's clothes.

Wynonna took a step in, seeing that the room was made for her, pictures of her and Nicole, and pictures of the three of us lined the walls. "What about my apartment?"

"I talked to your landlord and he said that he would sublet the space since we have a unique situation on our hands, the apartment is there for you whenever you feel ready to go back," Nicole said with a small smile on her face. Wynonna just smiled back and gave her a nod of appreciation as my sister isn't really one for words.

"I'm sorry to interrupt this touching moment, but Wynonna gets her own room in my girlfriend's apartment and I stay in my dorm where Willa originally found us in the first place?" I asked a little too harshly, but I felt a little jealous.

"Patience baby," Nicole said sliding a loose strand of hair behind my ear, "Follow me."

I did as she said and followed her down the hall. Gus and Wynonna left us alone and continued to talk in Wynonna's new room. We stopped outside Nicole's bedroom door and she stopped to hold my hand. "I love you Waverly Earp. I was so scared the night of everything that happened, all I could focus on was making sure I kept you and Wynonna alive. I hope you don't mind this little arrangement," as she finished her speech Nicole opened the door and her room was redecorated. There was a new bed set with blue and pink flowers, blue sheer curtains were now hanging over the windows, and pictures of Nicole and I were hung throughout the room. My eyes started to water as I pulled Nicole in with my good arm.

"This is perfect," I mumbled into her chest, "Thank you for always taking care of me." I felt Nicole's index finger hook under my chin to make me look up at her.

"I would do anything for you," Nicole said and leaned down placing a soft kiss on my lips.

"You're the best girlfriend ever," I said pushing up on my toes to kiss her again.

"Welcome home baby," Nicole smiled and we walked into our new room together so I could inspect the changes.