I don't own any Earptastic things, or syfy or any of that wonderfulness. I wish. Thanks to the follows, favorites and the couple comments! I appreciate it.
I'm baaaaaack lol.
I hope you guys like the new chapter and let me know whatcha think!
Chapter 5: Letters and Letting Go
Annoyingly persistent alarm sounding breaks through the ever popular nightmare/flashback as Nicole wakes with a start, gasping and reaching for her chest. Reaching to shut off the alarm on her phone, she wipes the sweat from her brow, swinging her legs off the couch.
As she stretches, she quickly jumps up, rolling to her pistol and pulling it out of its holster in one smooth motion when there's an abrupt click of the fridge turning on, the light above the table flickers to life and the microwave display starts to blink. Her heart in her throat, she laughs to herself, setting down her sidearm and rubs her face in her hands, "Just the power getting turned on you spaz."
Walking into the bathroom, she starts her day with a short cold shower, with the hot water heater still needing time she doesn't have. All the while she is attempting to mentally prepare herself for the move and more importantly, her sister. Sarah may be smaller than her but damn is she a force to be reckoned with. Knowing she will be dropping subtle, and not so subtle, hints on her coming back to the city, she smiles, "Gonna be a long day for sure."
She looks over at the stairs and sighs, "I guess I need to go through their room a little before I leave."
Making her way up the stairs, she takes a deep breath and opens the first door, tears forming in her eyes when she sees their bedroom is exactly as she remembered. Noticing a small envelope on the bed, she picks it up, running her hands over her aunt's handwriting, her name the only writing, followed by a small heart.
Opening it gingerly, she sits on the bed and holds the letter shakily,
'Hey there little red! Well if you're reading this I'm betting you're not so little anymore. Your uncle Jim and I love you so very much exactly as you are and don't you ever change. Let yourself be happy. Let yourself live. Find the family you've always wanted and don't shut yourself in. Little one we will always be with you and we will always be watching over you. We hope our cabin will be to your liking and that it will serve you well. There's good people in this town and if you need help with anything, Nedley will be there, no matter how much he grumbles, along with so many others. Now go enjoy the day and don't be sad for us. Live for us as much as for yourself. Love you to the moon! Auntie Cathy'
She wipes the tears off her cheeks and laughs when she sees the bottom of the paper has more writing.
P.S. For god sake throw out all the tacky nonsense and everything in our room because all this is for old people, not for a woman like yourself. Don't worry, we won't need it anymore dear. I'm sure they need donations in town. Oh and I've heard bonfires can be quite the cleanse.
She folds the letter back up and slides it back into the envelope, taking another deep breath before looking around the room, "Well I guess I'll be showering again later."
After she works on cleaning out the bedroom, making donate and bonfire piles as well as a keep pile that has mostly pictures and a few little knick-knacks she can't seem to part with, she looks at the empty room, "Well, this room is bigger than I thought."
She wipes the sweat off her brow and makes her way over to the second bedroom, opening the door to see it only has her old twin bed, some of her old drawings, stuffed animals and a small desk.
She makes quick work cleaning it out and leaving it bare, "This will work for a nice little office."
Setting the last box of donate on the front lawn, she turns to the sound of an engine coming up the driveway. Noticing Nedley in the cruiser, she waves as he pulls up and gets out.
"Good morning sir. How's the day going so far?"
He walks up to the pile of donate sitting on the lawn and smiles, "Oh it's not too bad today. Looks like there's quite a bit of donations you've got for the local drive huh?"
Smiling, she motions to him, "I sure do! Come on in, I'd like to show you something."
Once they're inside, she wipes her hands clean and picks the letter up off the counter, handing it to him, "They left me a letter. I'd like if you read it too."
Smiling, he takes the letter, reading it and laughing at the part about him grumbling. He hands it back and nods, "I can't believe she knew that day that she would need to leave this for you."
Nicole looks up at him, "What do you mean?"
Nedley sighs, "Well it wasn't long after Jim's car accident. He passed, then the next week, she drove herself to the hospital and told them she was having a heart attack but knew she would join him that day." He clears his throat, "And damn it she knew. Wasn't six hours later that I got the call. Broke her heart when he passed. No way she could carry on without him I guess."
She sighs, "I guess she knew me more than I know myself. I figured I'd be in the city the rest of my life. She just always seemed to know what was best for me and what I needed. Both of them."
Putting the letter in the drawer for safe keeping, she turns to him, "If I would've known about either of them sooner, I would've been here for the services. My parents never told me. I had to find out from the packet in the mail with all the legal paperwork for their estate. I figured they forgot about me. Apparently my parents had been tossing their letters to me for years and even changed our number so they couldn't call me. I guess just loving me for being me was out of the question."
Nedley sighs, "Well, past is past. Time to get on to that future of yours. You up for some breakfast before you head out? My treat."
She smiles, "Sure. Let me get a little cleaned up and I'll meet you at Shorty's."
He nods and heads out the door, pulling away in his cruiser as she showers quickly, tossing on some jeans, tank top, and an unbuttoned blue plaid shirt. She throws her coat, hat and mittens on before she runs out to the Subaru.
Pulling up to Shorty's, she doesn't see Waverly's jeep and sighs, "I guess she has the day off."
She walks in and sits with Nedley, "Sorry if I kept you waiting. I didn't want to look like a total bum when I see my sister in a little bit."
He waves his hand, "Nonsense. Let's eat."
After ordering their breakfast, they're sipping on their coffee when she notices Waverly come in the front door with leggings, a thin jacket, gloves, earmuffs and a pair of headphones poking out underneath. She tries, without succeeding, to not stare at her perfectly shaped ass.
Doc smiles behind the bar and hands her a glass of water as she pulls off her earmuffs and headphones, "How's your run today Miss Waverly?"
She drinks half the glass and smiles, "Good. So cold, but good."
He smiles at her, "You want anything to eat?"
She shakes her head, taking another drink before stretching, "I'm good Doc. Maybe later."
Smirking as he peers at the other side of the room, he clears his throat, "Well, well, well. Looks like you may have quite the admirer Miss Waverly."
Turning to look over her shoulder, she sees Nicole sitting with Nedley, but looking straight at her. Nicole looks back at Nedley and Waverly blushes, "That's Nicole. She's Nedley's new deputy. I've run into her a few times. She seems super nice. Like we could definitely be friends you know."
He laughs at her and shakes his head, "Ok sweetheart, if you say so. Them are some awfully friendly looks she is giving you."
The blush travels to her ears and she slaps him on the arm, "Oh stop. You know I have a boyfriend."
Rolling his eyes, he scoffs, "Oh yeah, almost forgot about Chump."
Ignoring his obvious disdain for her boyfriend, she turns again, noticing Nicole laugh at something Nedley had said. She feels a flutter in her chest at the laugh and turns back to Doc, seeing him pull a couple breakfast plates from the kitchen, "Are those for them?"
He smiles and sets them on the counter, "I'm guessing you'd like to go drop them off for me?"
She clears her throat and sets her gloves on the counter, picking up the plates, "I mean, since I'm here I might as well give you a hand."
As he shakes his head, she takes them over their plates and sets them down, "I hope y'all are hungry!"
Nedley smiles, "Hello Waverly. I didn't know you were on today."
She smiles as she puts syrup on the table, "Well technically I'm not. Just figured I'd drop these for Doc while I was here. What are you two up to today?"
Nedley smiles, "Well I'm working but my deputy has had quite the busy day already and has a lot more work ahead of her."
Nicole waves her hand, "It's alright. I've been cleaning out my aunt and uncle's cabin so I can move my things in. Gotta pick up a uhaul quick after breakfast and head to the city for my stuff."
Waverly smiles, "Sounds like a busy day for sure. Lots of work!"
Nedley notices how they are looking at eachother and clears his throat, cutting into his pancakes, "I'm sure she could use an extra set of hands if you're not too busy today."
They both look at him as he puts a large bite of pancake in his mouth, Nicole pushing her hair behind her ear, "That's ok. I'm sure she's busy and doesn't want to have to-"
Waverly waves her hand at her, "Oh I'm not busy at all! If you're up for the help I'd be happy to give you a hand."
Nicole remembers the letter about accepting help and smiles, "Yeah, ok. Sounds great. I can pick you up in like an hour here if you'd like? I have to go pick up the uhaul."
The younger girl finger-guns at her, "Sounds like a plan Stan. I'll run home and change. See you in a bit!"
She waves to Nedley and walks over to the counter where Doc has a grin on his face, chewing on a toothpick, "Well now, don't you look tickled pink."
She pulls on her earmuffs and gloves, "I am going to ride out to the city with her and help her move all her things to her place."
Leaning over the bar at her, he smirks, "Now Miss Waverly, I do believe you had mentioned a date with your boyfriend later this afternoon? But I myself would much prefer words with more than one syllable used in conversation and scenery of both the landscape and a certain lovely lady."
She sighs, "Doc I'm not- I mean I don't swing. I don't freaking know ok. Don't say anything to Nonna please. Ugh! I'll just text him. I had to ask him to take me out anyway. He won't care."
As she turns on her headphones and heads out the door, Doc laughs, "Oh you poor oblivious little dove."
Nicole smiles at Nedley as he eats his breakfast and when he looks up, he takes a sip of his coffee, "What? Somethin' on my face?"
She shakes her head, "You're just a tad sneaky and perceptive I think."
He puts his hand to his heart, "Miss Haught I don't know what ya could mean by that. Now eat up young lady, you got yourself a long day."
Well, I know it's been a lonnnnngggg time since I updated. Sorry! All the covid nonsense had us busier then I got promoted and it's just been hectic. Going to try to crank out some chapters and keep it going!
I hope you liked it! Drop a comment, follow or favorite and lmk whatcha think!