"Who the hell are you?" Daddy demanded, standing up and looking at Nicole.
Well... I wouldn't call it looking. It was more of a glare.
"Um- I- I'm-" Nicole stammered.
It was clear that she was at a loss for words. But I mean, honestly, so was I.
"That's Nicole," Wynonna said. She walked over and handed Daddy a beer. "Waverly's friend."
"Friend? Well, why is she here? This is a family holiday," Daddy spat. He took the beer from Wynonna and took an angry swig.
"Uh- My grandmother is in the hospital... Gus said it was okay if I joined you guys for dinner," Nicole spoke sheepishly.
"That's right," Gus interjected. "And she's just as much welcome as you and Willa so sit your ass down, Ward."
She gave him a hard look from the kitchen and he sighed before sitting down and grumbling something none of us could make out. I rolled my eyes and walked over to Wynonna.
"Can I talk to you, please?" I asked her, my voice just above a whisper.
Wynonna nodded. "Yeah, of course."
I pulled her to the stairs, leading her up to my bedroom. I made sure to grab Nicole and pull her along with us because I did not want to leave her alone with Willa and Daddy. Once we were all in my room, I closed the door and looked at Wynonna, my arms crossed.
"Why are they here?" I demanded as Nicole took a seat on my bed.
"Gus made me invite them," Wynonna said. She glanced at Nicole before looking back at me.
"Why?" I asked, making a face. Since when did Gus like Daddy?
Wynonna shrugged. "I dunno. To be nice, I guess? I mean, their definition of "Thanksgiving" is a bottle of whiskey and some stuffing."
I nodded a bit, shrugging. "True," I muttered. "Hey, thanks for not telling Daddy about... you know."
Wynonna scoffed. "Obviously. Like I'd tell him that you're gay when he's already pissed about us moving out. Which doesn't even make sense."
I rolled my eyes. "Of course he is."
Wynonna looked at Nicole, her expression sympathetic. "Sorry about your grandma, Haught."
Nicole gave a small smile. "Thanks, Earp."
I smiled. Nicole and Wynonna hadn't spent a lot of time together, but they were okay with each other so far. I mean, Wyn doesn't have any problems with her like she did with Champ. I just wish they would be kinda like friends, I guess?
Wynonna gave a short nod before clearing her throat. "Uhhh. Well, I should get back down there. Ya know, help Gus... And keep Daddy and Willa away from the liquor cabinet. You guys can, ya know, stay up here for a bit." She opened the door and started to back out of the room. "Just- Try to keep it down," she whispered with a wink.
I rolled my eyes, stepping forward to push the door closed. "Just get out, please. Thank you!" I said, smiling. When the door was shut, I turned around and looked at Nicole, who was blushing.
"Is she always like that?" Nicole asked, chuckling.
I nodded. "Yeah, pretty much." I walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. "Take your jacket off, silly." I told her, giggling.
Nicole chuckled and took her jacket off. She stood up and hung it up before walking back over to the bed and sat back down next to me. She sighed and I frowned. I knew that she was sad.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked quietly, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Nicole shrugged. "I- I just... I wish I could be with my grandma, you know? I mean, not that I'm not glad to be here with you and your family..."
"No, it's okay. I understand. Hey, we can bring her a plate of food later. If you want?" I suggested, rubbing her back.
Nicole nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."
I smiled at her. "Good. Then we'll go after dinner," I promised.
"Thank you. You're sweet, you know that?" Nicole said, smiling at me.
I smiled, blushing. Nicole had a thing for making me blush. I leaned forward and kissed her cheek. She leaned against me before turning her head and kissing my lips. I cupped her face with my hands, deepening the kiss. Nicole's hands moved down to my waist. I parted my lips and pulled her closer. I felt Nicole's tongue slip into my mouth just barely and I opened my mouth a bit more. Pretty soon, we were making out pretty heavily. I straddled her waist and continued to kiss her. I felt her hands slide down lower, to my butt. She grabbed me, pulling my hips against her and I couldn't help but moan into the kiss.
God, I just want her to touch me.
I pulled away from the kiss. "Nicole..." I whined.
Nicole's face was flushed as she looked up at me. "Yes, baby?"
My fingers were all tangled up in her hair. "I want you so bad right now," I whispered.
I pulled her into a desperate, lustful kiss. She moaned against my mouth and I swear it was probably the most amazing thing I have ever heard. She pulled away before pulling me against her again. I whimpered this time, the friction driving me insane.
"Oh, my god," I breathed.
I kissed Nicole hard and she laid back on the bed, not breaking the kiss. She rolled us over so that she was on top and I wrapped my legs around her waist. Nicole's ran her hands up my sides and I squirmed under her touch. Nicole pulled away and kissed my cheek. I turned my head to the side and she trailed kisses from my cheek to my neck. My breathing picked up and my heart was pounding. I felt Nicole start to push my shirt up and I bit my lip. I looked at her and watched as she moved down lower and kissed my stomach.
I leaned my head back, closing my eyes. Her lips were so soft and I had been dying to feel her kiss my body. Now I just hope we don't get caught...
"What the-"
Nicole got off of me and I sat up, pulling my shirt back down, looking towards the door. Willa stood there, staring at us. I swallowed nervously, scared of what she'd do.
"Willa-" I started.
"Gus wants you downstairs," Willa said flatly. She turned around, leaving the room. She closed the door behind her and I covered my mouth.
"Oh, my god..." I muttered.
"You don't think she's gonna tell your dad, do you?" Nicole asked.
I looked at her. "I don't know. I didn't even hear the door open... Did you?"
"No."
I sighed, covering my face. I closed my eyes, trying to keep myself from crying. "Oh, god, what if she tells him?"
Nicole hugged me. "I'm sorry..."
I sighed and uncovered my face, looking at her. "Don't apologize. It's not your fault, okay?"
Nicole nodded. "Okay," she said quietly.
"I should go down there now."
"Yeah, okay."
I got up and Nicole followed me. We headed downstairs, walking into the living room area. I caught a glimpse of Willa staring at me, but I chose to ignore it. I walked into the kitchen, where Gus and Wynonna were still cooking.
"Finally. Get over here, Waverly. Here. Cut these potatoes up for me, would ya?" Gus asked, putting some washed and peeled potatoes on a cutting board. She set a knife down and waved me over.
I nodded, walking to the sink to wash my hands. "Yeah," I told her.
I picked up the knife and started slicing the potatoes. I kept the pieces not big but not small. As I was cutting, Wynonna walked over and stood next to me.
"So?" Wynonna asked me, quietly.
"What?" I asked in response, though I knew full well what she was asking.
"Did you have some fun?" She asked with a smirk and a wink, her voice a whisper.
I rolled my eyes. "We tried," I told her, muttering under my breath.
"Tried?" Wynonna asked, making a face. "You don't try, Waverly. You do. And I do mean do."
"Yeah, okay, well, someone walked in on us." I told her, still whispering. I didn't want to talk too loudly, because I didn't want Willa or Daddy to hear us.
"What? Who?" Wynonna asked before taking a sip of her beer.
"Willa," I answered.
Wynonna started coughing, the beer she'd been trying to swallow coming out with it.
"Jesus, Wynonna!" Gus exclaimed.
"Sorry-" Wynonna apologized between coughs. She coughed a final time and then cleared her throat, looking at me. "She caught you?" She whispered.
I nodded. "Yeah. I'm scared that she's gonna tell Daddy," I whispered back.
Wynonna sighed. "Knowing her, she might."
Gus walked over to grab the cutting board from me. "What are you girls talking about?"
"Nothing," Wynonna and I told her in unison.
As Gus took the cutting board to the stove to put the potatoes in the pot of water, Wynonna and I left the kitchen. We went to sit down in the living room. Wynonna sat down next to Nicole and I sat down next to Wynonna. We sat silently, watching TV. I couldn't help but glance over in Willa and Daddy's direction. Willa was staring right at Nicole. I couldn't tell if it was angry or not. I swallowed and cleared my throat. I turned away and looked at the TV.
After a couple more hours, Gus was finished cooking and had me set the dining room table. While I was setting the plates in their spots, Willa walked into the dining room. She stood in the doorway, leaning against the door frame. I tried to hide the fact that I was nervous, continuing to set the table silently.
"Waverly," Willa said.
I glanced up at her before continuing to set the table.
"What did I walk in on when I went in your room?" Willa asked.
"What did it look like?" I asked in response, not looking at her.
"Don't be a smart ass," Willa snapped.
I sighed, setting the last set of silverware down and looking up at her. "What do you want, Willa?"
"Nothing."
"So why are you here? Talking to me about this?"
"Why were you in your room, getting hot and heavy with a girl?"
"It's called knocking, you should try it sometime."
Willa walked closer, cornering me. "What did I tell you about being a smart ass?"
"I don't have to listen to you."
Willa grabbed my arm roughly. "The hell you don't."
"Get off," I told her.
"Apologize for being a little shit." Willa snapped, pulling on my arm.
"Willa-"
Willa's grip tightened and I whimpered at the pain and tried to get her away. I flinched as Willa raised her hand, about to hit me, when suddenly, she stopped. Willa grunted and then was pulled away from me. I opened my eyes and saw her face-to-face with Nicole, and they were glaring at each other.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Willa asked.
"I think you already know," Nicole responded. She leaned towards Willa, glaring at her. "Touch her again and I'll break your hand," she threatened quietly.
Willa pulled her arm out of Nicole's grip and stepped forward. Before she could actually do anything, Wynonna rushed in and slipped in between her and Nicole. "Come on, guys. It's Thanksgiving. Let's not do this," she said firmly.
Nicole stepped back and waited for me to follow her away from Willa. Gus and Curtis walked in with the food, setting it down in the center of the table.
"Hey, why are y'all just standin' around? Wynonna, Willa, go get the rest of the food," Gus commanded.
"On it," Wynonna said. She looked at Willa. "Come on." She said, glaring at Willa hardcore.
Willa followed Wynonna out of the room as Curtis told Nicole and me to sit down. Daddy came in with the drinks and set them down on the table. When Willa and Wyn came in with the rest of the food, we all sat down. Now, the Earps aren't exactly religious, but we still pray on Thanksgiving.
When it actually came time to eat, of course, we all made small talk with each other. It was actually a pretty nice dinner. Until Willa spoke.
"So, Aunt Gus, did you and Uncle Curtis know that Waverly is gay?" Willa asked.
As soon as the words came out of her mouth, I froze. Gus and Curtis looked at Willa, Wynonna looked at Nicole, and Daddy looked right at me. Nicole coughed, almost choking on her food.
"Waverly Earp, what is she talking about?" Daddy asked, still looking at me.
I shrugged. "I don't know." I answered, looking down at my plate.
"Oh, sure you do. I saw you upstairs with your "friend" right there," Willa said, gesturing to Nicole.
"Willa-" Gus started.
Willa looked at her. "What? I'm just making conversation," she said with a shrug.
"But do we have to talk about this?" I asked, looking up at her.
"So you are," Daddy said. "A gay."
I looked at him. "I didn't say that."
"Can we just please have a nice dinner?" Wynonna asked.
"I'd like to know more about what your sister was talking about," Daddy said.
"Daddy-" Wynonna started.
"Shut up, Wynonna." Daddy snapped, looking at her.
Wynonna looked at me and gave me an apologetic look. I sighed and shook my head.
"I'm not talking about this." I said firmly, looking at both Willa and Daddy. "Now, can we please finish our Thanksgiving on a positive note?"
"Sure, whatever you say, Waverly." Willa said, still looking at me.
I looked at her but then looked away, returning to eat my food. A few silent moments went by before Willa spoke again.
"So are you two dating?" Willa asked. "Is Nicole your girlfriend?"
"Willa-" Wynonna started to snap.
I shook my head. "No, it's okay, Wynonna," I interrupted her. I looked up at Willa. "Yes. Nicole is my girlfriend." I ignored the look on Daddy's face as he stood up and stormed out.
Willa was smirking. "You made Daddy mad," she said.
"Why don't you mind your own business?" Nicole snapped.
Willa opened her mouth to speak, but Gus slammed her hand on the table. We all froze and looked at her. "Goddamn it, I just wanted to have a nice family Thanksgiving for once." She said, clearly done with all of us. "Willa, if you don't leave your sister alone, you can follow your father's lead and get the hell out of my house."
Willa looked at her and blinked. "I think I will." She stood up. "Thank you for having us."
And with that, she left. I sighed when I heard the front door slam shut. Outside, the faint sound of Daddy yelling could be heard. I tried my best to block it out and went to finish my dinner.
"Waverly," Gus sighed.
I looked up. "Yeah?"
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay-"
"No, it's not. I had Wynonna extend an invitation to them because I knew they would just be sittin' at that damn house drinkin' whiskey. I wanted to try to be civil with them, ya know?"
"I get it, Gus. It's okay really. You had no idea Willa would do that," I told her.
Wynonna scoffed. "None of us knew she'd do that."
The rest of dinner was quiet, but nice. Nicer than when Daddy and Willa were here. When we were all finished, Wynonna left and Gus made a plate for Nicole and me to take to her grandma. We got into Nicole's car and headed to the hospital. I sat in the passenger seat with the covered plate in my lap. I looked over at Nicole, who was very focused on the road.
"I'm sorry about Willa," I said. I felt like I needed to apologize for what had happened.
Nicole glanced at me, before looking back at the road. "Waverly, really, it's fine."
"Promise?"
"Yes. I promise."
"It's just that- I mean- we were having, like, a moment, ya know? And I just feel bad that she interrupted us..."
"That was pretty irritating..."
"Oh, believe me, I know."
"Did you really want to?"
I looked at Nicole, surprised that she was even asking that. "Of course I did," I told her. "Actually to be completely honest with you, Nicole, I'm really sick of waiting."
Nicole looked at me for a second. "You are?"
I nodded. "Yes."
Nicole didn't respond because we pulled up to the hospital and parked. We silently got out of the car and headed inside. We walked through the hospital until we got to Georgia's room. I handed the plate to Nicole and followed her inside the room.
Georgia smiled at Nicole. "What's that you got there?" She asked.
"Food from Waverly's aunt Gus." Nicole answered, sitting next to the bed.
"Oh, thank you, girls!" Georgia said, smiling as she looked over at me.
"You're very welcome," I told her.
The rest of our night was spent with Georgia, helping her eat her dinner and talking to her about how she was feeling. At around midnight, the nurses told us that we needed to leave for the night so that Georgia could rest. We listened and Nicole and I went back to my house. When we were in my bedroom, we laid down in the bed, too tired to stay up any longer. I cuddled up into Nicole's side and just hugged her as tightly as I could without squeezing her too hard.
"Are you okay?" I asked her quietly.
"Yeah, baby. I'm fine," Nicole replied.
"You sure?" I asked, moving to look at her.
Nicole looked at me and smiled softly. "I'm sure," she told.
I smiled back at her. "Okay." I leaned forward, closing my eyes and kissing her gently.
Nicole kissed back and for a second we just laid there, kissing. Not moving, but just holding that soft kiss. We pulled away and looked into each other's eyes. Looking into her eyes, it seemed like everything around stopped. Like we were the only ones in the whole world.
I am absolutely and undeniably in love with this girl.