The Pirate & The Porcelain Doll (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 9

Nicole's legs could not carry her fast enough down the hill. Her eldest brother reached Waverly first, gently turning her over, lifting her in his arms. She whimpered at the movement, her eyes remaining closed as he began the journey back to the house. Her free arm hung limply, her head resting against his body, a cut above her right eye. Nicole reached them. "Is she? Is she..."

"We need to get her inside. Run and tell mama Waverly's been hurt."

"No, I'm staying with her."

Wynonna rushed to join them. "Waverly, it's Wynonna. Can you hear me?"

She nodded, opening her eyes, raising her hand to her head, bursting into tears at the sight of blood. Her head throbbed, her ankle hurt too, confused as to how she came to be in someone's arms with her own blood on her fingers when moments earlier she had been speeding down the hill. "I want Red. I want Red," she repeated.

"I'm here. Let me take her. She wants me."

Nicole's brother handed over the injured child, ordering Edward to run ahead to inform their parents, Wynonna walking beside. "Don't touch your eye," she instructed. "We'll wash it when you're inside."

"It hurts," she sobbed.

"It's alright Wiggle. Don't be scared. Pirates are never scared."

"You were scared. It hurts."

"For you," her voice sterner than she intended, fear and concern taking over in the moment. "I told you not to go too fast. Didn't I say not to go too fast?"

Waverly's crying became louder, trying once more to touch her head. "I want Wyn."

"Sorry, sorry. Wiggle, I'm sorry. It wasn't your fault. It was that silly sled. Naughty sled hurt my Wiggle."

"I want Wyn," she persisted, trying to get free of Nicole's arms.

"Let me carry her," Wynonna offered, Nicole reluctant at first, sensing her continuing to carry Waverly would only upset her more.

Reaching the house, both mothers were by the garden door, along with Willa and the housekeeper holding a bowl of warm salty water and a clean cloth in her hands in readiness. Waverly was brought into the sitting room and placed on a couch, several cushions arranged under her head for support. Nicole and Waverly remained with their mothers watching as the housekeeper bathed the cut, removing most of the blood. "Not too deep," she advised, "soon be mended. I'll get a bandage for it. Now, how about a nice warm milk with a little brandy."

Nicole knelt down by Waverly, taking her hand. "I'm so sorry I told you off for going too fast. It wasn't your fault. Forgive me."

Waverly gave the smallest of nods, the cut throbbing as she moved her head, her eyes betraying her heart. Nicole saw it, saw how Waverly now looked at her, leaving the room, running to her bedroom, throwing herself on the bed, her heart breaking. The shock of something bad happening to Waverly, despite all her efforts to protect her, was painful enough and now she had lost her love. It had to come out, all of it, all the pain she held inside, if she was to ever move beyond blaming herself for what happened in Cornwall. A knock on the door told her she had company. "Go away," she shouted. "Leave me alone."

The handle of the door turned, Wynonna appearing, waiting to be invited in. "Hey, it's me. It's alright. She's alright. Nicole can we speak."

"No. Leave me alone."

Wynonna remained at the door. "I'm not going anywhere."

Nicole sat up, wiping her eyes on her sleeve, bringing her knees up to her chest, her head lowered, embarrassed at having been caught crying. Wynonna approached the bed, sitting on the edge facing her. "Waverly's frightened herself. She knows she should have been going slower. You were right not to let her have a go on her own. I should have listened to you. And, she should have listened to you. I'm sorry."