Wayhaught: Ten years later

Chapter 11: Happy Birthday My Angel

-The Home in bloom: Tuesday, 9.10 am-

Nicole opened her eyes at the sound of the raindrops hitting the windowpane. A thin ray of sunshine hidden behind the clouds barely lighting up the rest of the room, she rubbed her eyes trying to wake herself up. She smiled at the sight of the three folded blankets at her right and she reminded herself of their magical last night. As she let her thoughts wandering freely in her memory, the smile on her face faded behind a concerned look. She sat on the bed and took her phone standing next to her favourite (gay)chapstick that she put on while checking her last texts and missed calls. 7 of them, all from her brother Nathan, and one from a number she wished so many times would have appeared on the screen.

7.30 am -Mother: Hello Nicole. We have arrived in Purgatory your father and I. We are staying at your brother's hotel downtown. I heard it was your daughter's birthday today. Your father and I would love to meet her and your partner too. Tell me what's best for you and we will respect your choices. I'm sincerely sorry for all the pain that we caused. And I hope someday we'll be able to talk this through. I love you, always. MUM.

Nicole rubbed her eyes again and pinched her arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming. It was real, all these years went by as she slowly stopped waiting or hoping anything. And in one second, with one message, all of her hopes, all of her wishes and love, were cracked open and tumbling out again. But, she had grown up since then and she knew that she needed to clear her mind before answering anything. Nicole put her phone aside, stood up and started to make her side of the bed. When she realized she didn't know why the heck nobody woke her up before, and why she didn't even hear Julia cry. She was about to get out of the bedroom when she figured out that all she needed, first, was a shower. Nicole turned around, took her tank top off, released her hair, let her shorts slide down and fall at her feet as she walked to their private bathroom. As she opened the door, naked, a delicious perfume of Vanilla dipped doughnuts filling the air surprised her. She looked down and discovered a rose petal path leading to the bathtub filled with soapsuds and a few Lotus flowers. A large smile appeared on her face as she picked out a little note sitting next to a cup of her favourite tea and a slice of homemade red fruit pie.

~Good Morning to the most incredible woman in the universe. You have always been an extraordinary Superhero to my eyes. But five years ago you became one to our daughter when you gave her birth with so much strength and grace. I will always be infinitely thankful for this family you offered me and are protecting with your life every day. In memory of the hours of labour you spent, begging me to eat your favourite pie and tea, I hope you'll like these ones. I'll be out shopping birthday's decoration with Julia when you wake up. Enjoy your alone time! Always yours, Waverly.G.HAUGHT.

PS: Turn on the CD player, It's better when we're together...X~

Nicole couldn't stop smiling as she dived into the hot tub. The first notes of "Better Together" perfectly captured the moment. She was in no pain, in peace and It felt so good. She held the pie to her lips and the sweet and sour taste of the fruits made her shudder with pleasure.

-30 minutes later: 10.02 am-

Nicole opened the bathroom's door with a towel on. She heard noises downstairs and figured that Waverly and Julia were finally back. She took out a few chill clothes from the drawer when her phone rang. She walked a few steps towards her bed and picked it up.

10.03 am-Nathan: Hey, are you okay? I've been texting you all night and morning. I just wanna know if you made up your mind about the parents.

10.04 am-Nicole: Hey Nate, I got all of your messages. Thank you but I need to handle this alone okay? Take care, love you, see you this afternoon.