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Chapter 8

Waverly's POV

The next two days passed by in a whirlwind. Waverly enjoyed the time with her family, forgetting for a moment that she ever left. It was all so normal. And fun. They celebrated Christmas with all their old traditions...and some new ones courtesy of Doc. Waverly really enjoyed watching their interactions and quietly thanked the universe for giving Wynonna someone who could match her energy, her drinking skills, and her passion. They really were perfect together. Which also made Waverly feel a little bit sad because she knew there was also someone equally perfect for her that the universe happened to drop in her lap. The only difference was, she was too scared to acknowledge it.

It was the day after Christmas and Waverly knew she had to fly back to Cali the next day. She thought she'd give the universe one more chance and head back to Shorty's in the hopes Nicole would be there. She didn't even get to complete her sentence to Wynonna before she grabbed her hand and had her out the door. If there was one thing Wynonna loved more than family time, it was Shorty's time.

Waverly anxiously entered the bar, catching Gus' attention in the process. She gave Gus a little wave and a hopeful expression, which Gus immediately dashed when she gave a sad expression in return and a subtle headshake indicating Nicole wasn't there. Waverly begrudgingly walked to their booth in the back and took a seat as Wynonna got their drinks.

"Here. You looked like you could use a double," Wynonna said as she slid the shot glass across the table to Waverly. "Now do you want to tell me what's got you so down right now? I mean, come on. It's our last night together. I really don't want to spend it staring at those sad puppy eyes because they are really going to kill the festive mood."

Waverly eagerly grabbed the shot Wynonna offered and threw it back. She grimaced as the liquid burned a trail down her throat before meeting Wynonna's inquisitive gaze. "Fine," she relented. "I was just hoping to catch up with Nicole but it seems like that's not in the cards this time."

Wynonna snorted, "Old Hot pants? I haven't heard you mention her in years. Why are you all sad about that now? She's small time, baby girl. You've got such a big life now to let someone from your past drag you down. Now bottoms up on that second shot so you'll turn that frown upside down."

Waverly couldn't help but laugh, especially since she was already feeling the effects of the shots Wynonna gave her. After several hours of laughing and one round on the mechanical bull, Waverly decided it was now or never. She whispered in Wyn's ear that she was heading out. Wyn gave her a quick wave bye, clearly not ready to leave the bar, which was fine by Waverly. The last thing she wanted was Wynonna tagging along with her to her next destination. Waverly figured she had one last chance before flying out tomorrow and she was going to take, consequences be damned.

At the same time- Nicole's POV

Nicole paced back and forth feverishly after reading Gus' text.

G: Waverly is here again. She looks pretty sad and Wynonna is trying to cure it with copious amounts of alcohol...

G: I'm not sure how much longer she'll be here. Looks like she might be heading out soon. If you want to see her, I'd get over here sooner rather than later. But again, your call.

Nicole read the messages over and over. She knew how these nights could end up if Wynonna tried to get Waverly to match her drink for drink. "Fuck it," Nicole exhaled as she grabbed her coat and pulled out her phone.

N: I'm on my way

Nicole shoved her phone in her pocket and headed to Shorty's.

Nicole entered Shorty's and looked around, hoping to catch sight of the raven-haired beauty she missed more than she cared to admit. She immediately caught sight of Wynonna, but Waverly was nowhere to be found. Rather than take her chances with a drunk Wynona, not knowing what, if anything, she knows about what's going on she decided to track down Aunt Gus, who also was nowhere to be found. "Where is everyone," Nicole muttered under her breath as she made her way to the kitchen.

She was about to give up when she noticed Gus struggling to carry boxes in through the back door. Nicole rushed over to give her a hand, cursing herself for being so selfish and not being here to help Gus throughout the night.
An appreciative Gus rubbed her back as she followed Nicole to the bar, who started restocking the items that were running low and getting a head start on the glasses that needed to be washed. Elbow deep in suds, she could feel Gus staring at her.
"Can I help you?" Nicole asked without picking her head up from the sink.

"So, you finally decided to show yourself, huh?"

"Well, I figured I held out as long as I could...but once you said Wyn was in control of the alcohol servings I figured I better come see if anyone needed any help."

"Anyone? Or a certain someone?" Gus asked, already knowing the answer. "And I hate to break it to you, love, but she's already departed."

Nicole let a glass slip out of her hands, thankfully landing back in the sudsy water and no worse for the wear. "Didn't you see my text? I said I was coming. How could you let her leave?"

"If you hadn't noticed, I was a little busy and had my hands full so, no, I did not see your text. And besides, what was I supposed to do? Tie her to a post in the basement to keep her from leaving? She's a grown woman, Nicole."

Nicole got a glint in her eye at the imagery Gus painted...Waverly...tied up...waiting for her to arrive and rescue her- "Ouch!" Nicole cried out at the contact to the back of her head.

"Get your mind out of the gutter! And if I were you, I'd go find that girl before she's back on her plane to California tomorrow."

"Wha- What?" Nicole stammered. She knew Waverly wouldn't stay forever, but she was hoping for a little more time. But now that she was faced with the prospect of Waverly walking out of her life, again, likely for good this time, Nicole was in a full on panic.

Gus gently grabbed the glass from Nicole's hand, kissed her on the cheek, and shoved her out from behind the bar. "I say this with love, my dear. Get the hell out of my bar. Go find what you are looking for and say whatever it is you need to say to close that chapter of your life. You can't hold onto past regrets forever."

"You're right. You're always right, Gus. Thanks and wish me luck," Nicole yelled over her shoulder as she raced out of the bar. She wasn't quite sure where she was going, but she knew she would probably need her car if Waverly decided to go straight home because she'd freeze to death before she made it to the Homestead on foot.