Too Haught to Handle (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 11

Waverly sat at the breakfast bar in her dressing gown, nursing a hangover from the night before. The party had been a success, a great way to start the wind down to Christmas. She had booked some time off work and was looking forward to spending it with Nicole. Their first Christmas together.

"What do you want to do for Christmas?" she asked, as Nicole busied herself collecting glasses and plates from around the living room.

There was silence. Waverly wasn't sure if Nicole had heard her, or whether she was considering her work schedule over the next few days. She continued to tidy the flat for several more minutes, then stopped. She looked at Waverly for a moment, before shifting her gaze to the glasses in her hand.

"I've told Paul I'll help him at the ski lodge. He's on his own and it's getting too busy for him to run by himself."

Waverly's head suddenly hurt more. Had Nicole just said she wasn't going to be around for Christmas? It was her turn to be silent, processing what she had heard. No discussion, no inclusion, no consideration. Looking directly at Nicole, anger breaking in her voice.

"What?"

"It's my job, Waves. I can't let this slip, or I'll lose clients."

"And, when did you make this decision to 'go' help Paul?"

"Last week. He called and I agreed I would fly out Christmas Eve."

Waverly was silent, once more. Barely able to control her anger, body shaking, head pounding, about to explode.

"And, you never thought to discuss this with me."

"Why would I?"

"Of course. Why would you?"

Waverly got up from the breakfast bar and stormed out of the living room, leaving Nicole holding empty glasses and plates watching her leave. Nicole realised she had royally screwed up.

Waverly emerged from the bedroom a few minutes later, fully dressed, her overnight bag in her hand, her coat over her arm. Nicole heard the front door slam as she left to get a taxi back to her flat. Realising what was happening, she ran outside to see if she could stop her. She was gone.

"Fuck," was all Nicole could say, as a couple walked past.

"Merry Christmas to you too," the guy replied, laughing, wearing a red Santa hat.

Waverly slammed the door of her flat, too angry to care about disturbing Sam downstairs, her head still pounding. She poured herself a glass of water, grabbing headache tablets from one of the cupboards. Sitting on the sofa, waiting for the tablets to start working, tears welled in her eyes. Great, she thought, I'm having to deal with this with a raging hangover. Merry 'fucking' Christmas to me, she muttered, feeling very sorry for herself.

She decided to lay down and let the world carry on for a few hours without her. She drifted off to sleep, the pounding in her head gradually subsiding. She was woken by the sound of her phone ringing, which she had left in the living room. She lay there, not wanting to answer it. It went silent. It rang again. I'm not answering it, she said to herself. It went silent. It rang again. Seriously, I'm not answering it. I know it's you Nicole. She closed her eyes in an attempt to go back to sleep. This was not one of her better days.

She had just drifted off, when the doorbell rang, startling her. Hauling herself out of bed, she went to the window to see who it was. Nicole was standing outside, a huge bouquet of flowers in one hand and what looked like a Christmas card in the other.

Unbelievable, Waverly thought, as she seriously considered leaving her standing outside, without answering the door. The doorbell rang again.

Waverly had a choice to make. Ignore it, or answer it.

She opened the door.

Nicole stood looking at her not knowing what to say. Waverly could tell she had been crying. It was the way she was standing that melted Waverly's heart. Vulnerable, apologetic. She knew what she had done had been thoughtless.

"OK, come in," Waverly said, after a few moments of neither knowing what to do next. "I'm still really mad at you."

"I know," Nicole replied, as she made her way upstairs.

"Waves, I'm sorry. I should have talked it over with you. I'm used to making decisions on my own. It was wrong of me."

"So, are you still going?" Waverly asked, as she sat next to Nicole on the sofa.

"I have to," Nicole replied, recognising that was no excuse for what she had done. Her eyes lowered. "I hope this helps," handing Waverly a large pink envelope. "Open it."

Waverly opened the envelope. The card was lovely. The words on the front read:

To my darling at Christmas.

Inside was an air ticket.

"It's an open ticket," Nicole advised, as Waverly held it in her hand. "Look, I know I've screwed up. I'm hoping you can come out for a few days. See the lodge, go skiing, stay with me. I'll understand if you don't want to. The offer's there..."

Waverly leant over and kissed Nicole. "I'm still mad at you," she said smiling.

Standing, she took the bouquet of flowers out of Nicole's hand and placed them in the sink with some water.

"I'll deal with those later."

Nicole was at the airport to meet Waverly, as her flight arrived. There had been a delay, due to bad weather, but she had landed safely and was looking forward to spending a few days skiing before she returned to work. Nicole looked tired when she saw her. She hugged Waverly for ages and it felt good to be together again. They had spoken on the phone a few times, but it was always short conversations, not enough time to fully update each other on what was going on in their lives.

The ski lodge was charming, rustic. It was close enough to the village and the main ski runs, but set back so there was some privacy. Waverly entered as guests were having lunch. She greeted Paul, who was busy serving everyone soup.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, as she took her ski jacket off.

"Starving," she replied.

"Sit, I'll get you two some bowls."

The atmosphere in the lodge was warm and friendly. Guests chatting with each other, Nicole helping Paul serve the main course. It felt homely.

As the guests left to continue an afternoon of skiing, Nicole showed Waverly the room they would be staying in. It was basic. A futon in one corner, a chest of drawers in another. No wardrobe. Nicole pulled Waverly down onto the futon and began kissing her.

"I've missed you so much," she said, between kisses. She pulled her back up to a sitting position, removing Waverly's top and unfastening her bra. Removing her own top and bra, she laid them both down again and began caressing Waverly's face. "And, I've missed this body too."