Sea Glass (WAYHAUGHT)

Swim With Fishes

"Yep, Joe's that alright," Waverly replied. "This isn't his fault, or Wynonna's, or anyone else. It's mine."

Nicole still had her hand. "Did you say your sister isn't okay with us?"

"Yep."

"She actually said that?"

"She's as big a liar as I am."

"Come again."

"Living here is kinda like being on a TV show, where everyone's pretending to be someone they're not."

"That's pretty much every show," Nicole quipped. "Well, apart from reality TV, although most on those look like they're acting."

Waverly rubbed her thumb over the back of Nicole's hand, lost for a moment in thought. When she looked up Nicole was studying her face intently. "Wyn's been pretending her marriage is rock solid, mum and dad pretend Willa's death is just part of life here." She paused again, Perry flashing in her mind. "I've pretended I wanted to be with someone other than you."

"I don't get why your sister is against us." Nicole's gaze remained on her. "She seemed okay about it."

"It's no longer important. No, actually it is important, but not for the reason I thought it would be important."

"Okay, why isn't it important?"

"It's not important she's against Sally's."

"Sally's?"

"Long story. It's important, because this is what I've been afraid of my whole life. Well, a big part of my life."

"Right...it's important because of coming out to your whole family. I get it. I only had my mum."

"It's a kind of death."

"How come?"

"I know this will sound weird." Waverly inhaled, holding it before pushing out the air through pursed lips. "I was scared Wyn might die too, and I'd be all alone."

Nicole pulled her into those long arms. "You're not alone."

The now familiar orchid scent on Nicole's uniform entered her nostrils, mixed with an ever-so subtle hint of smoked salmon. In her mind, it had always been Wynonna who would be the most supportive if she ever came out, and the easiest to tell. That's what sisters were for. The sad truth was, living sisters were two-faced bitches.

She was done with running, done with hiding, done with lying her pretty little ass off in order to remain an accepted part of the community. If her sister, or her parents, or the other villagers couldn't accept her, it wouldn't change who she was. If she wasn't accepted for what she was, what she wanted to be, then that was down to them, not her. And, if it meant no longer being a part of the community, then so be it. No more running from the truth, however bitter the aftertaste.

She tightened her grip around Nicole's waist. "I know that now. I just was looking at the wrong person. I'm sorry for putting you through hell while I pulled my head out of my ass."

"Do you want me to speak to Wynonna?" Nicole offered.

"Nope. She can go swim with the fishes."

Nicole chuckled. "Yay, I've got myself a mafia moll."

Robin found them laughing, wrapped in each other's arms. He busied himself without making a comment, neither Nicole nor Waverly bothering to hide what they had found in the other.

The atmosphere during that evening's service remained bubbly. Robin departed shortly after ten, leaving them to finish off a nice white Nicole had opened as a treat. Sat at one of the tables, the main lights off, the soft amber glow from the wall lights made the restaurant all the more romantic.