Chapter 1
Welcome to my first ever Wayhaught story. This story will hold some drama because conflict is good entertainment. Please enjoy this story and I hope I do these amazing characters some justice. I have a couple pages in the works so if you enjoy it please let me know.
"I can't believe it's over." Waverly said from her spot laid out on the roof of the homestead.
"Yea I know babe. It feels like we were freshmen yesterday." Answered Nicole who lay next to her. Her hand intertwined with her girlfriend's. She continued to draw little circles on the smaller girls hand as they laid in silence staring up at the stars.
"Tomorrow we graduate, then in two months we start college. It's insane." Waverly says breaking the silence again. Nicole can sense that these are Waverly's nerves making her anxious for the upcoming change. She turns on her side to stare into Wave's eyes.
"Hey we are going to the same college. You'll be working on your sociology and I'll be working on criminal justice plus, we'll be coming in every weekend from the big city so we can still see everyone." Nicole said, trying to ease the small girl's nerves.
"You're right I am just scared of change you know, but I know I will be ok with you by my side." Waves says, her tone more relaxed as she cuddles into her girlfriend.
"Baby before we know it we will be done with college. Then I'll be a deputy and you'll be changing the community for all the younger generations." the redhead says smiling as she embraced the girl.
"Yea, we will help make this little shit town better. Together" Waverly says.
"Together." Nicole answers.
Flashforward Present Time
"Come on babe we have like five more boxes and we will be done." Nicole says as sweat drips off her forehead.
"Baby I am all for female strength but we need a break. That mattress was heavy." Shae says, as she sits on the front steps of the small home. Nicole approaches her, box in hand as she leans down to plant a kiss on Shaes cheek.
"Fine you rest. I will finish all on my lonely lonesome self." Nicole pouts as she takes the box into the house.
"Ughhh! You're lucky your little pout is adorable." Shae says, getting up from her seat to retrieve another box.
After a few more back and forwards the two women sprawled out on the couch, Shae's head on Nicole's lap.
"Are you nervous?" Shae asked looking up at Nicole.
"Nervous?"
"You know, your new job, being back in your hometown, seeing old friends." Shae elaborates, saying the last part cautiously.
Nicole knew her girlfriend was beating around the bush. To be completely honest Nicole was nervous. Nervous about her new position, but most of all nervous about seeing the one person who she both wanted to stay away from, but also that same person she has missed for years. Waverly Earp. The girl who she had loved with all her heart. Her first love, the same person who was her best friend for most of her young life.
"I've been training for years for this job, so I hope that with some common sense is enough to protect Purgatory. As for old people. I am excited to see old friends some more than others." That was as honest as I can be right now. When I myself am not sure what seeing Waverly is going to be like. I can't hide from her. It is practically inevitable in this small town that I will bump into her. Nicole thought to herself.
"Well you know I'll be by your side for anything you need babe." Shae says lovingly. Nicole simply smiles and leans down to place a chaste kiss on her lips.
Nicole really did love Shae. She was the one person who was able to understand her duties to her career. Maybe it was because she was a doctor so her demanding job made her understand the difficult balance between life and work. Shae was also there at some of Nicole's lowest points where she felt like giving up on everything. Nicole understood that people like Shae were hard to find so she made sure to keep her in her life. When she told Shae she was assigned to become sheriff and chief of BBD Ghost River Triangle jurisdiction, Shae was willing to transfer over to Purgatory Memorial Hospital all for Nicole to finally become the boss she was meant to be. Luckily, Shae had a friend at Purgatory Memorial so the transfer would be easy and she wouldn't be alone there.
"Babe it is getting late. Maybe we should get ready for bed." Nicole advised.
"Maybe we can go to bed but not sleep?" Shae proposed with a cheeky smile.
"I would love to, but we both have very busy days tomorrow. Remember you have to go to the hospital and I have to go settle things out at the station." Nicole said as she pulled Shae onto her lap.
"Fine. You are no fun!" Shae said as she jumped off the redhead's lap and marched upstairs.
Nicole sat for a moment staring out the window. She felt nerves all over her body. Tomorrow would be the first day she would show her face out in Purgatory after years of not stepping foot in the city. She thought about everything that must have changed while she was gone. She had kept in touch with two people from the city Mercedes her cousin and Wynonna, her childhood best friend and soon to be co-worker. She would have loved to stay in contact with more people but it was too much. This town she loved reminded her of a lot of pain.
Mercedes loved gossip so Nicole was never completely in the dark when it came to Purgatory. That is how she knew that the Martin brothers burned their cabin down after a drunken bush party, or how a new swanky club opened in town, or the most surprising news that the girl that she once thought was the love of her life was engaged. Engaged and planning her wedding to a man named Jon. She remembers that call with the other redhead.
"Nic I don't know if I should tell you this." Mercedes said in a more serious tone.
"Go for it Cedes. What? Did Purgatory get a hot yoga studio?" Nicole had laughed through the phone.
"I am only telling you this because I love you and because I don't want you to be blind sided. It's baby Earp." Mercedes rambled. Nicole silently waited for her to continue. Any humor she had now gone at the mention of Waverly. Mercedes rarely spoke about Waverly, mostly to save the girl some pain.
"Well she is no longer going to be Earp. She just got engaged to Jon Richards." Mercedes said almost in a whisper.
"I have to go, my lunch break is over." Nicole had said, not wanting to hear anymore details about Waverly and her new partner.
"Nic please don't hang up. You know she will never love anyone like she loved you." Mercedes said.
"Exactly, loved. That's why she broke up with me, remember." Nicole scoffed, hurt evident in her tone. She hung up the phone and tried to continue the rest of her day normally but she felt sick.
Nicole was taken out of her thoughts by the sound of the shower turning on up stairs. The shower being turned on by her girlfriend, the one that didn't leave her when things weren't perfect. She thought trying to shake off the memory of the phone call. Nicole turned off the living room lights and made her way upstairs to get ready for bed.