Work Text:
📷
📷
Present Day
As the early morning sun rose, light filtered through the window gradually waking her from her slumber. She relished the warmth it brought to her drawn, pale face. Nicole took a few more moments to enjoy the feeling before opening her eyes to greet the day. A day that she knew in her heart would be her last.
After drawing in a raspy breath, she cracked open her eyes and peered toward the door. She smiled, not at all surprised at who she found there.
“Come here, baby girl,” her voice was soft but clear.
The other woman pushed off the doorframe, placed her now cold coffee on the dresser, lay down on the bed, and cuddled up close.
“You haven’t called me that in decades, Mama.”
“That’s because you threatened to kill anyone who called you that again. I was respecting your request.”
“I was only 21,” Billie said.
“And thought you knew everything about the world. I can’t blame you for that, though. I blame your Aunt Wynonna.”
“You’ve blamed every bad thing Wil and I have ever done on Aunt Wynonna.”
“Well, it’s not my or your mom’s fault,” Nicole shrugged.
They chuckled together until the older woman began coughing.
Grabbing the water glass on the nightstand, the younger woman helped her mother drink.
“Thank you,” Nicole said after she drank her fill.
“Mama, are you sure about this? It’s not too late. I’ll pull the car around, and we can go back to the hospital.”
“Billie. We’ve talked about this, all of us, including the doctors. I don’t want to leave this world in a hospital with tubes in me. I want to be here, in my home. In the bed I shared with your mom.” Nicole looked over at the wall that held an abundance of picture frames. She smiled as her eyes drifted over the precious moments of her life captured in each frame.
Following her Mama’s gaze, Billie said, “Maggie spent hours making sure it was perfect.”
“It is perfect. Is she here?”
“Everyone’s here. They’re all asleep,” Billie chuckled. “It’s a big cuddle puddle in the living room. Wil and Uncle Benny made a pillow and blanket fort for the little ones. Uncle Benny told us stories about how you used to build forts for him when you two were young.”
Nicole smiled at the memories it brought back.
“Wow. That was a long time ago. I’m surprised he even remembers. He was really young.”
“Mama, I think he made a point of remembering every minute he had with you, before…”
Nicole’s eyes moved to one of the pictures. The only photo she had from her childhood. A picture of her holding her little brother the day he was born.
“Before…” Nicole repeated quietly.
📷
📷
1967
“You heard me. Get out!” His booming voice echoed throughout the house.
“You can’t just kick out your fifteen-year-old daughter,” a dumbfounded Nicole said quietly.
“You are no daughter of mine. You are evil, and I will not permit you to corrupt your brothers. I don’t ever want to hear your voice again. Never contact us. Ever! You will rot in hell for what you did,” her father shouted as his face grew redder with every second.
“But-“ her voice cracked and her eyes watered. Her father was serious. He was kicking her out not only from the house, but from the whole family.
“You have 10 minutes. Get your stuff and go. Appreciate the fact that I’m even permitting you to take anything that my hard-earned money bought for you. I’m burning anything left behind.”
She trotted up the stairs to her room, emptied her school bag, and shoved some clothes in. She looked at the framed photos on her shelf, grabbed the only one that truly mattered to her, and stuck it in her bag along with all the money she had been saving from babysitting jobs.
Looking around her room, probably for the last time, her eyes landed on her guitar in its case.
As if reading her mind, her mother shouted, “Don’t even think of taking that guitar! Your grandfather may have willed it to you, but it was meant to be played in church. You will burn if you even try to walk into a church now.“
She grabbed her bag and headed down the stairs. Her older brothers stood behind their mother, arms crossed and faces not hiding their disgust. There was no sign of her younger brother, Benny.
“Where’s Benny?” she asked.
“Locked in his room,” her mother said angrily.
“I’m calling Pastor Maxwell to do a full exorcism on this house, and that guitar, before your disease infects us all.”
“I’m not diseased! Why would-“ she finally gave in and let the tears roll down her cheeks when her father cut off her words.
“There are sins that I will never forgive. My daughter kissing another girl is one of them. Give me your key and go.”
She fished her keys out of her jacket pocket and placed them on the coffee table. Her oldest brother dramatically opened the door. She looked all four of them in the eye as her vision blurred from her tears. After walking out of the house, her brother slammed the door behind her.
She began walking but had absolutely no idea where to go.
“Nikki, wait!”
She turned to see Benny running to her, lugging her guitar in its case.
She squatted down, and he crashed into her. She wrapped him up tightly, hoping this wouldn’t be their last hug.
Benny sobbed as he spoke, “I want to come, too. I’ll say I like boys.”
“No! Even if it’s true, never say that to them. Stay and go to school. You’re smart, Benny. Get a good education, then you can do whatever you want when you're 18. It’s only eight more years.”
“That’s a long time. I want to be with you. They don’t love me like you do,” his high-pitched voice revealed his fear.
Her heart cracked a bit. Secretly, she agreed. They never gave him the affection they gave their oldest two sons. She noticed this even as a five-year-old. Over the last ten years, she had made it her mission to give him the love and attention he deserved.
“I’ll find a way to keep in touch. But don’t give them a reason to do this to you. Keep hanging out with your friend Marty. His parents are good people. Maybe I can send you letters through them or something. I love you so much, Benny. Always remember that, alright? You’d better go back before they notice.”
Benny nodded and sniffled as he backed away. “I love you too, Nikki.” He picked up the guitar from where he had dropped it. “Here, this is yours. Grandpa wanted you to have it.”
Nicole smiled. She loved playing that guitar, plus she might need it to support herself.
“Thank you, Benny.”
She kissed him on the top of his head before he ran back to their house. He stopped only once to turn back and wave.
📷
📷
Present Day
Nicole and Billie looked over to the bedroom door when they heard the soft footsteps. Seeing Maggie’s son, Adam, slowly approaching, Billie started to sit up.
“Adam, honey, let’s get you back to sleep. It’s too early for you to be awake,” Billie said.
“I want to cuddle with Gigi. She’s the best cuddler, Auntie Billie.”
Nicole grinned and patted the bed next to her, inviting the three-year-old onto the bed.
“It’s okay, Billie. When my great-grandson wants to cuddle, we’re going to cuddle.”
Nicole’s grin widened as Adam happily climbed onto the bed. She kissed the crown of the boy’s head as he settled into her side opposite Billie.
“Well, Adam, I have to agree with you. Gigi has always been a great cuddler. Your Mama would say the same thing, I believe.”
Adam grinned at the thought of his Mama.
“Gigi? When I get bigger, will you teach me to play your guitar, too? Just like you did with my Mama?” Adam asked, followed by a yawn.
“Well, Bubba, I don’t think these old fingers are up to it anymore, but I’m positive your Mama will teach you.”
“Okay, I can’t wait to play for you.”
“You're going to be great at it.”
Nicole’s gaze flicked over to Billie and noticed her watery eyes. They both knew that Adam’s parents had spoken to him about Nicole’s health, but he was too young to understand that she wouldn’t be there to hear him play.
Glancing back at the photos, Nicole spotted the one she was searching for.
📷
📷
2006
The family had gathered for Waverly’s birthday. The chaos of the full house was muffled as Maggie and Nicole sat in Nicole’s bedroom. Maggie’s nerves were getting the better of her, even though this was her own idea.
“Mags, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Nicole explained, “but I have a question for you first. What do you think would be the worst thing to happen?”
“I forget every chord and everyone laughs at me.”
“Okay. Valid fears. I’ve had those same fears myself.”
“Really? But-“
“No buts. It’s called stage fright. It happens to a lot of people.”
“Oh.”
“That’s why it's important to practice. The more you practice, the more your body learns to play without your brain being in charge. It’s called muscle memory. So even if your brain goes blank, your hands and arms will remember.”
Maggie contemplated this information before nodding and saying, “I do practice a lot.”
“Yes, you do. So, next question. Do you think everyone out there, your family, would laugh at you?”
“Well, not everyone. Maybe some of the younger cousins,” Maggie shrugged as she spoke. Nicole noticed the tension easing in the girl’s body.
“Maybe,” Nicole agreed. “How do you think you would feel if that happened?”
Maggie looked down and said, “Bad.”
“When it happened to me, I felt a little embarrassed, a little upset, a little sad.”
“It’s happened to you?” Maggie’s body tensed up again.
“Only once, when I was young. You want to know what I did?”
Maggie nodded.
“I laughed, too. Everyone makes mistakes, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I felt that if I accept it happened, I can laugh a bit, and it relaxes me enough to get back on track. Now, I’m not saying that you must do the same, I’m just telling you what I do.”
Maggie took a deep breath and said, “I get what you're saying. I think I’m ready.”
“Should I go introduce you?”
Maggie grinned and nodded.
Nicole walked out of the room and clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Maggie has a special gift for Mimi. If everyone could please take a seat. Baby, you get the seat of honor here.” Nicole guided Waverly to her special seat. Everyone exchanged looks of confusion. By Maggie’s request, no one knew about this surprise gift, not even her parents.
“I’d like to introduce Maggie Earp.”
Nicole started clapping, and the rest of the group followed her lead.
Maggie entered the room carrying Nicole’s guitar. Maggie didn’t know it yet, but that evening, Nicole would gift the guitar to the child.
“This is for Mimi.”
The young musician began playing the song she had been practicing for months. At the end, she looked up at Waverly and said, “Happy Birthday.”
Waverly didn’t bother to wipe the tears rolling down her cheeks as she clapped more loudly than everyone else. She wrapped Maggie in a tight hug and thanked her for the gift.
“Why are you crying? Was it that bad?” Maggie’s eyes widened in fear.
“Babygirl, these are happy tears. Very happy tears.”
In the back of the room, Billie was snapping pictures of Waverly and Maggie’s interactions.
📷
📷
Present Day
“Gigi? Can you make pancakes?” Adam’s sleepy voice asked.
“How about you and I go make some for everyone, Adam?” Billie suggested.
“Okay, Auntie Billie.”
“I’ll bring you some, Mama,” Billie said, noting Nicole’s sad face, and knowing it was because Nicole’s deteriorating health kept her from joining them.
As the two left Nicole’s room, someone else entered.
“Hey, Aunt Nic.”
“Alice,” Nicole brightened when she saw her niece. “Come in and hide from the circus out there. I can hear everyone waking up. I know how crazy things can get with this lot.”
Alice laughed. “That is very true.”
Taking a seat in the chair next to her aunt, Alice kicked off her boots and propped her long legs up on the bed.
“I hate this.”
Nicole sighed, “I do, too.”
“You don’t find this a bit gruesome? We are all just waiting around until… sorry,” Alice stopped herself from finishing the sentence.
“It’s okay, Sweetie. You're right, though. It's weird. Death Watch 2026.”
Alice snort-laughed. “We should have made hats or matching shirts or something,” Alice added, making Nicole’s smile widen.
“That sounds like something Wynonna would have done.”
Alice nodded. “Yeah, she and Pop would have had this place rockin’.”
Nicole looked over at the photos and zoomed in on the one of her and Wynonna before a night out.
📷
📷
1989
Doc had just loaded film into his new camera, an anniversary gift from Wynonna.
“Hey, you two, get together so I can take a couple of pictures, then I’ll drive you to Shorty’s.”
Wynonna grabbed Nicole around her shoulders and placed bunny ears over her best friend’s head just as Doc snapped a picture.
Six shots and two beers in, Wynonna and Nicole were shooting pool on their monthly best friends night out.
Hearing Wynonna’s chortle, Nicole asked, “What’s so funny?”
“I’ve held a secret for almost sixteen years, and I think it’s time to share it.” Wynonna grinned from ear to ear, “But first…” she marched off to the bar for another round.
Nicole shook her head as she watched her friend’s antics. As usual, Wynonna was trying to get free drinks from the bartender. It never worked, but Nicole always gave her an A for effort.
Wynonna strutted back with two shots of tequila for each of them, complete with limes and salt.
“He gave me free limes.”
“There’s no charge for the limes, goofball.” Nicole rolled her eyes as she licked the salt from her wrist and downed a shot, following it quickly with the lime
“So what’s this big secret?” Nicole asked.
“Did Waverly ever tell you how she came up with the kids’ names?”
“She said they were family names,” Nicole shrugged.
Wynonna shook her head and grinned, “When Waves was preggers, we made a bet. Well, I guess it was more of a dare.”
“What did you dare her to do?”
“Do you remember when it seemed like there were streakers everywhere?”
“You dared her to streak while she was pregnant with twins?” Nicole’s voice rose in pitch as she spoke.
“No! I’m not that nuts. She dared me.” Nicole’s eyebrow raised in curiosity. “Doc gave us tickets to a basketball game. I’ve never watched basketball before, and I was bored. Although those tight little shorts the guys wore… yum!”
“Wait!“ Nicole’s eyes grew wide with realization. She took Wynonna by the shoulders and spun her around, stepped back, and looked her backside up and down. After spinning a laughing Wynonna back around, Nicole shouted, “You’re the NBA Streaker with the Top-Shelf Ass!”
In 1974, every sports page in the country printed a blurry picture of a woman streaking across a basketball court with a T-shirt wrapped around her head to block her face, While she was evading security, someone in the crowd yelled out ’leave her alone, that ass is top shelf.’ Ever since, basketball fans had referred to her as the NBA Streaker with the Top-Shelf Ass. Since she wasn’t caught, no one knew who that ass belonged to.
“The one and only,” Wynonna said, taking a bow.
Looking around and seeing dozens of eyes on them, Wynonna shuffled them to an empty booth in the corner.
“Waverly dared you? Rule follower, Waverly? You’re making this up.”
“Nope. I was bored, and we were bickering. I wanted to leave, but she didn’t. She just blurted out that we can leave, but only if I streaked across the court.”
“Oh, no.” Nicole lowered her head until her forehead rested on the table. “Never dare an Earp.”
“That’s right.”
When a realization hit her, Nicole raised her head and asked, “What does this have to do with the kids’ names?”
“I said I would do it, but in return, I got to name her kid.” Wynonna grinned like a Cheshire Cat. “We agreed, and the rest is history.”
“So, Willamina and Wilbur aren’t family names?” Nicole asked.
“No. I searched for the goofiest W names I could find. One boy name, one girl name. I had no clue she was cookin’ one of each in there. I also had no idea she would actually love the names.“ Wynonna shrugged. “You can’t ever tell her those names were my joke names.”
Nicole’s face fell, “You know I can’t lie to her.”
When Doc brought the drunken duo home that night, they hadn’t taken ten steps in the door when Waverly realized Nicole was hiding something. Nicole wouldn’t make eye contact and had nearly bitten through her lower lip.
Waverly simply said, “Spill.”
Nicole told her everything. Wynonna covered her face with her hands and groaned.
📷
📷
Present Day
Alice’s stomach growled loudly, so she excused herself in search of pancakes.
Nicole’s family has been in and out of her room all morning. She couldn’t blame them for not staying with her for too long, especially the younger ones. Being around her must be disconcerting at best and downright terrifying at worst.
Billie returned a while later with pancakes for Nicole.
“They’re not as good as mom’s, but I think Adam and I did alright,” Billie laughed.
“They must be good, it’s quiet out there, so I assume they're all eating,” Nicole said as Billie helped her sit up. Unfortunately, Nicole’s cough got the better of her as she did so.
After a few sips of water, the cough receded again. Nicole thanked her daughter but didn’t mention the pain that had been steadily worsening.
Trying to keep things as normal as possible, Billie continued the conversation. “Well, everyone was hungry. I don’t think they’ll be too picky.”
“Oh, please.” Nicole noticed her voice was growing more gravelly as the day continued. “This family takes pancakes very seriously.”
She took a small bite of her own, not that she had an appetite, but she couldn’t pass on the taste of Waverly’s pancake recipe.
“That’s a good point. The whole family are pancake connoisseurs. Handed down through the generations.”
Nicole glanced at the photos again, seeing the smiling faces of her nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her eyes landed on one in particular, her and Waverly’s first grandchild.
📷
📷
1998
“Mom, Mama. Come on in. There’s someone who wants to meet you both,” Wilbur said. His voice was barely above a whisper.
Kimberly, Wil’s wife, gave birth to their first child the day before. She lay sleeping in her hospital bed. Wil looked tired, but overjoyed, as he held a tiny gurgling bundle in his arms.
“Are you sure you’re both okay with us being here? We don’t want to intrude,” a concerned Waverly asked, remembering the days after her children were born and how she just wanted to be alone with her twins.
“I promise it’s okay, Mom. Go wash your hands, please.”
“We won’t stay long,” Nicole said over her shoulder. She joined Waverly at the sink before continuing, “We just left your place. Murphy is fed and happy, and your freezer is full of casseroles with directions to heat up.”
“And your house may have been cleaned from top to bottom, so you dont need to deal with it,” Waverly added.
“May have?” Wil asked.
“It depends on whether it upsets you. We didn’t want to overstep. I remember how difficult it was to keep up with that stuff when you were born,” Waverly said quietly, looking over to Kimberly, whose eyes began to flutter open.
“Mom, I’m sure Kimberly will agree with me on this. Anytime you want to stop by and scrub the toilets, you are more than welcome,” Wilbur smirked. Behind him, Kimberly nodded. “If you will both sit down, please?” Wil requested.
The couple sat close together on a small couch, ready to meet their first grandchild. Wilbur looked at them both as he introduced his daughter.
“Mimi, Gigi,” both women had opted for less traditional grandmother names, “I’d like you to meet Margaret Rayliegh Earp,” and placed the little bundle in Waverly’s waiting arms. “We’re going to call her Maggie.”
“What?” Nicole gasped. Rayliegh was her own middle name. Her watery eyes jumped between the baby, Wilbur, and Kimberly, who was now sitting up and smiling brightly. Nicole’s mouth opened and closed; she couldn’t find the words.
“Well, you were right, Wilbur. Your Mama is actually speechless,” Waverly joked.
“You knew?” Nicole asked.
“Wilbur and I discussed it.” Waverly grinned down at Maggie, hiding her own watery eyes.
Nicole stood and wrapped Wilbur in her arms. “Thank you, Wil. I’m honored.”
She then moved to Kimberly, leaning down and giving her the same mama-bear hug.
“Are you both sure? You didn’t lose a bet with Wynonna, did you?” Nicole raised an eyebrow.
Chuckling, Wilbur replied, “Aunt Wy was not involved, Mama, and her name is already on her birth certificate, so we’re sure. Now, go fawn over your granddaughter, Gigi.”
Nicole sat back down next to Waverly, pulled her close, and kissed her temple.
“Your turn, Nic.” Nicole immediately became nervous. “I don’t know, I’ve never held anything so small, not even a puppy.”
Suddenly, Kimberly burst into laughter. “Those are the exact words Wil used before he held her for the first time.”
Waverly rolled her eyes and muttered, “Two peas in a pod”.
Nicole and Wilbur exchanged grins. It wasn’t the first time Waverly had said that to them. Privately, Waverly had told Nicole that Wilbur was so much like her that Waverly wondered if any of her own DNA was actually in Wilbur.
He was tall and lanky like Nicole. They had similar personalities, and they shared the same tastes in food, music, and sports.
Holding her granddaughter, Nicole’s voice shook in awe as she said, “She’s so precious. She has your button nose, Kimberly.”
Kimberly laughed again, “Wil said those exact words, too.”
Waverly chuckled as she shook her head and rolled her eyes again.
Kimberly looked at her husband and pointed at the camera on the table next to her. “Get some pictures of them, Wil.”
📷
📷
Present Day
With all of the pancakes consumed, the family began their day, though no one strayed far from the house. The adults who volunteered to take the children to a nearby playground were given assurances that they would be immediately updated if anything at the house changed.
With the bluster that is their family quieting a bit, Maggie entered the bedroom, climbed into the bed, and snuggled up to Nicole.
After a few moments of quiet, Maggie said, “Thank you, Gigi.”
“For what?” Nicole’s asked, her voice low and raspy. One raised eyebrow revealed her confusion.
“Just being you. I don’t think you understand the impact you’ve had on this family,” Maggie moved her head to be able to see Nicole better.
Nicole rolled her eyes, “I believe it's the opposite. I feel so lucky to be part of this family.”
“Mimi was the heart of this family, but Gigi, you’re the rock. You keep us all on the right paths and taught us the importance of family. I mean, sure, we all have our moments, but there is no doubt in my mind that everyone in this house has my back,” Maggie explained.
Nicole smiled at the legacy she will be leaving behind.
“You and Mimi were always the perfect couple. How did you know she was the one? How long did it take you to know, I guess, is my real question.“
“I was smitten immediately. If I could have, I would have asked her to marry me by the end of the first week.” Nicole’s dopey grin appeared, like it always does when Waverly’s name is mentioned. She appeared lost in thought, her eyes focused on a spot near the window.
Nicole’s eyes then moved to one of her favorite photos, and her memories once again took flight.
📷
📷
2015
It had been legalized. They were free to marry. Not a civil union, an actual marriage. No more being told that she is not family and forced to remain in the public waiting room while the others were able to be with Waverly when she had an emergency appendectomy in the middle of the night.
Nicole and Billie had shopped for a ring together a while ago. She planned to propose immediately upon legalization and suspected there would be many proposals that same night.
Billie stopped by to visit her mothers to bring champagne to celebrate a bit on this momentous day. Before departing, Billie slipped Nicole the ring box that had been hidden at her home for months.
Waverly started some soft music, and the two danced in their living room. While holding each other closely, Waverly placed a light kiss on Nicole’s neck, followed by another on the underside of her jaw. Stepping back, the couple gazed into each other’s eyes and exchanged a soft kiss.
“Nicole, I had a different plan, but I cannot wait another moment.” Clearing her throat, she continued, “You are the best thing that’s happened to me. I thank the universe every morning that Wilbur got himself so muddy he slipped my grip. I thought you were going to be so angry when I saw you on the ground with him bouncing on you. Then I saw the absolute glee on your face, and I knew. I just… knew.”
Nicole smiled at the memory.
Dropping to one knee, Waverly opened a ring box and looked up at Nicole.
“Nicole, will you marry me?”
Nicole nodded, “Yes.” Waverly popped to her feet and jumped into her fiancée’s arms, pressing loud, wet kisses all over Nicole’s face.
Nicole laughed as she placed Waverly back onto her feet.
“I love you, Baby,” Waverly said lovingly.
“I think I knew then, too. The flower crown you were wearing, the sunflower painted on your cheek,” she placed a soft kiss in the same spot on her cheek, “were immediately seared into my brain. You were so obviously frustrated and overwhelmed that day, yet still so kind. Being with you and the kids for the rest of the festival felt so easy, so natural, like we’d done it thousands of times before that day. Every day with you has been better than the one before. Even on our worst days, when we’re bickering or angry, I know that all will work out as long as I’m with you. I love you so very much.”
Nicole pulled the ring box from her pocket and went down on one knee. “Waverly, will you do me the great honor of being my wife?”
“Yes,” Waverly whispered and tackled Nicole onto the floor, where they celebrated their engagement.
Later that evening, Waverly pulled out her camera and took photos of their overlapping hands, showing off their new rings.
“I’m so glad Billie stopped by earlier,” Nicole said with a grin, “she brought the ring. She’s been holding onto it for months. She even helped me shop for it.”
Waverly suddenly broke out in giggles, confusing Nicole. When she was finally able to speak clearly, Waverly explained that Billie had also helped her choose a ring and had been holding onto it for months. She had apparently brought both rings to them that day.
📷
📷
Present Day
Nicole was drawn from her memories when Maggie stood and momentarily left the room, returning with the guitar.
“Is it okay if I play for you, Gigi?”
“I’d love that, Mags,” Nicole grinned.
Maggie played a couple of songs that she knew Nicole loved, then went on to play the ones that she had played at Waverly and Nicole’s wedding. Nicole snuggled down into her pillow, her eyes getting heavy, but still glued to an empty area in the room near the window.
Eventually, Nicole turned her attention back to the photos, trying to stay awake and enjoy Maggie’s impromptu individual concert.
📷
📷
2015
Waverly and Nicole sat on the back steps of their little home. The last of their friends and family had departed. The wedding had been everything they had hoped for.
Waverly leaned into Nicole’s arms, wiping a tear from her eye.
“What’s wrong, Baby?”
“I’m afraid I’ll wake up, and all of this would have been a dream.” Waverly shrugged and hung her head a bit, “I know I’m being silly.”
“It’s not silly,” Nicole said and kissed her wife’s temple. “We’ve both wanted this for so long-” her voice cracked slightly, so she stopped speaking and hugged Waverly even tighter. “How about we go inside, and I’ll help you realize you are wide awake… all night long.”
Waverly grinned and nodded. “Wait,” she held up her phone. “One more picture.”
📷
📷
Present Day
Nicole continued to listen to her granddaughter play the guitar. Her eyes continued to grow heavier, she knew she was losing her battle to stay awake. Her eyes moved back to the area near the window.
She noticed that the song Maggie was now playing was the one she had played for Waverly on her birthday so many years ago.
Grinning, she finally allowed her eyes to remain closed, and she drifted off.
📷
📷
Present Day
Nicole was awakened from her nap by a hacking cough. Wilbur rushed into the room to find his mama bent forward over her knees. Nicole had been through this many times, and she worked to calm the cough. This episode was the worst yet, taking almost 10 minutes to get her breathing under control again.
Finally getting a deep breath into her lungs, she sat back against the headboard and saw Wilbur’s anxious face staring at her.
“I’m okay, Baby Boy,” Nicole whispered, causing Wilbur to smile at the familiar moniker.
Benny’s wife, Susan, entered the room with a cup of hot tea with honey.
“Here, Nikki, this should help settle things down for a bit,” Susan said. “That gross liquid med you take is in there. There should be enough honey to cover the taste. I can add more if you’d like.”
“Thank you, Sue,” Nicole whispered and sipped the tea. “I’m still so glad you and Benny moved close. I don’t know what Waves and I would have done without you two nearby.”
“I’m glad, too. Raising our kids together was amazing. Having you so close made a big difference in our lives. I don’t know what we would have done without you, either.”
Smiling, Nicole glanced back at the photos, her eyes paused on one taken in a kitchen.
📷
📷
1981
Benny grunted as he lifted the last box off the rented truck and carried it into his new home. Nicole locked up the truck and followed him inside.
“I’ll meet you in the kitchen,” Benny said, as Nicole closed the front door behind them.
“Everything is in the house,” Nicole said and kissed the top of Waverly’s head.
“Wonderful. Now, if the boxes would magically unpack themselves, we’ll be all set,” Sue said, bringing a grin from Benny as he walked into the room.
“Isn’t that why we had kids, to do the tedious stuff?” he joked.
“No, you dork,” Sue glared at him before grinning.
Benny leaned against the counter and watched Sue and Waverly unpack some of the kitchenware. The two women quickly became close friends upon meeting last year.
“Where are they anyway? It’s awfully quiet in here, that’s never a good thing.”
“We sent them outside to burn some energy,” Sue said as she pointed to the window. Benny peeked out and saw his two children, along with their three cousins, Wil, Billie, and Alice, playing on the swingset Doc and Wynonna put together that morning.
Waverly glanced at the siblings and said, “Maybe you two should go burn some energy, too? You both have been acting Ike overexcited puppies.”
Looking over at Waverly, Sue said, “He’s been so excited for this move. He has a list of things for all of us to do together, and he blocked out all the weekends he wants to have a family barbecue. Which is basically every weekend.”
“Hey, in my defense,” Benny laughed, “it would be rude not to get the most out of that amazing new grill Nikki and Waves got us.”
Wynonna came in the back door holding a camera.
“Okay, everyone. The kids are tired of posing for pictures, so it’s your turn. Get together so I can snap the last of the roll and get these developed.”
📷
📷
Present Day
Susan followed Nicole’s gaze and chuckled. “Oh, those barbecues. They started as barbecues at least, and then ended as pizza parties.”
“Hey! Benny, Doc, and I got better at not burning everything.”
“Eventually,” Susan laughed, and bumped her shoulder against Nicole’s.
“I need to check on how dinner is coming along. I left Alice in charge. If she cooks anything like Wynonna did-”
“She does. You’d better go before we need the fire department,” Nicole grinned.
Nicole sipped her tea and watched Wilbur. He was lost in thought. His face giving away the sorrow he felt. Nicole’s dopey grin returned when her eyes landed on the space near the window.
Wilbur studied the photos his daughter had set up in the room, his eyes landing on one in particular.
“Mama, do you remember our first day of kindergarten?”
Nicole returned her attention to her son and chuckled. “You and Billie ran right in the door without looking back. Your mom was the one who cried all morning.”
📷
📷
1979
Wilbur happily plucked leaves from the trees as he sat upon Nicole’s shoulders. As the family walked home from the school, Willamina gave her parents a play by play of their first day of kindergarten.
“Mrs. Johnson said we would have show-and-tell once a week. Mama, can I bring your guitar?”
“Hmmm… we’ll need to talk about that first, but I think we can work it out, Billie.”
“And we weren’t the only ones to take first day of school pictures. I asked everyone, and they all said their parents took pictures this morning, too.”
Nicole chuckled as she pictured Billie interviewing each classmate about picture taking.
“Wil? How about you? Did you enjoy your first day?” Waverly asked.
“It was cool. I punched Johnny Martin in the nose.”
“What? Why would you do that?”
After plucking off another leaf, he looked down at his mom. “He said I was lying about having two moms. Then he pushed me and called Billie a bad word cuz she was asking a lot of questions. So” he shrugged, “I punched him and told him to keep his big mouth shut.”
Nicole snorted as she tried not to laugh.
“Do not encourage him, Nicole,” Waverly grumbled.
“He defended the honor of all three of us.” Nicole raised her hand, and Wil slapped it.
“Good lord. You are two peas in a pod,” Waverly said.
As they came around the last corner before reaching the house that the four shared with Wynonna’s family, Nicole and Waverly slowed simultaneously. A man was sitting on their front steps. Nicole reached up and removed Wil from her shoulders.
“Hang back. I’ll see what he wants,” Nicole said quietly.
“Be careful.”
Really wanting to reassure her girlfriend with a kiss, they both understood that doing so in public could be dangerous. Instead, Nicole gave Waverly’s hand a reassuring squeeze and walked on ahead to speak with the stranger.
Although most people in the neighborhood were friendly enough, a handful openly harassed them. The police refused to take reports, even when their home was vandalized when they first moved in with Wynonna and Doc. Therefore, seeing a strange man in front of their home immediately made them nervous.
Nicole put on her friendliest fake smile as she approached the man.
“Hi. Can I help you? I live here,” she greeted.
Startled, the man jumped to his feet, losing his balance, but Nicole caught him before he fell. Back to being steady on his feet, he smiled brightly when they locked eyes.
Nicole felt a familiarity with the man, but couldn’t place where she knew him.
“Hi, Nikki.”
Nicole’s eyes widened. “Benny?”
He nodded and immediately scooped his sister into his arms and spun her around, causing her to let out a startled yelp.
Misinterpreting the interaction, Waverly sprinted to defend her girlfriend.
“Unhand her!” Waverly yelled, picking up a baseball bat Wil had left lying in the yard before school that day.
Back on her own two feet, Nicole put out her hands and tried to explain. Before she could speak, Benny let out a shocked yowl after the children kicked him simultaneously in each shin.
📷
📷
Present Day
“Hey, sis. You up for coffee? I made a special trip to get the good stuff.”
Grinning, Benny held up a cup from Nicole’s favorite hole-in-the-wall coffee shop. She noticed Benny’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“Ohhhh, you are such a great brother. Thank you,” she said, reaching for the to-go cup. Benny sat in the chair until Nicole patted the bed beside her.
“Mmmm,” she moaned after her first sip. “I think the biggest disagreement Waves and I ever had was this coffee shop. She insisted the health department should shut it down.”
“I don’t think she was wrong about that. That place looks…” she felt him shudder a bit.
“Just because the building is old and probably haunted doesn’t mean it’s not up to code. Besides, I see you enjoying their coffee.”
“Back up a second. Haunted?” Benny asked, his brow furrowed.
“It’s rumors, but I believe them now,” Nicole nodded.
“Why now?”
Nicole looked at Benny, then across the room where her eyes had been drawn since she woke that morning, and smiled broadly.
“Because Waverly has been here with me all morning. She’s standing right there.” She pointed to an area near the window.
Benny sat frozen, staring at his sister.
“Don’t look at me like that, Benny. I know how it sounds. I can’t hear her, but I can definitely see her.”
“I should call your doctor. Maybe your meds are too strong, or not strong enough?” She reached out and wrapped her hand around his elbow as he tried to stand. “Ben, stop, seriously. Stop. I know how it sounds, but I know what I see. My body is failing, not my mind.”
Benny looked at her, then across the room, where he saw nothing but a window and a dresser.
“Okay,” he responded, settling back down next to her.
“Do me a favor, though,” she continued after he nodded, “don’t tell the others? Billie will panic, Wilbur will laugh and tease Billie, then they’ll bicker about my health, and the younger ones may be frightened. I want to enjoy her presence. I’ll be with her soon.”
Benny nodded, but still looked uneasy.
“She looks exactly like the day I met her. It was right after I played at the festival in ‘75,” Nicole said. She glanced at the framed Polaroid of her on stage, singing a song she wrote for the festival.
📷
📷
1975
“Hey, that last song was great. I got a couple of Polaroids of you. I didn’t know you were going to sing a new one.”
“Hey, Jer, when did you get here?” Nicole hugged her friend tightly.
“A couple of hours ago. It’s a big crowd this year. I hope there’s no trouble.”
The festival was an annual event, held out in the ‘middle of nowhere’ as Jeremy often referred to it. The festival goers themselves provide entertainment. Anyone can sign up to take the stage and show off their talents, big or small, good or bad.
There’s no advertising for the event. The dates and locations change every year and are spread only by word of mouth. Although it has no official name, it is often referred to as The Friends of Dorothy Festival. Attendees camp out and enjoy being themselves for the long weekend.
“Yeah, it’s amazing no one died last year when those assholes showed up. I thought it was going to be a small crowd because of that,” Nicole said, falling into stride with Jeremy to return her guitar to her tent.
“Here, let me carry that,” he said, taking the guitar from her hand.
“You don’t need to do that, Jer, but thank you.”
“WILBUR! Get back here.”
Jeremy’s and Nicole’s heads twisted, looking for the source of the shouts. Seeing no one, Jeremy shrugged, and they continued. That was when a giggling toddler came sprinting around the corner and slammed his muddy self into Nicole’s legs, causing her to fall flat on her back.
Jeremy’s eyes grew wide as he watched the scene play out in front of him. The youngster giggled loudly and dropped onto Nicole’s chest, forcing an ‘oomph’ to escape her.
“Wilbur, I assume?” Nicole said, laughing while the small human happily bounced on her stomach.
Young Wilbur, wearing only his diaper, was covered head to toe in mud. His face nearly split in two with a big grin that showed off his four teeth.
“Wilbur!” A woman flew around the same corner Wilbur had appeared from only moments before.
“Oh no! Wilbur, what did you do this time? I am so sorry. Are you hurt?” The woman scooped Wilbur up and off Nicole.
Standing, Nicole noticed that not only was the woman trying to hold onto a squirming Wilbur, she was also holding another, much calmer, child on her hip.
“I’m fine. He’s a wild one, eh?” Nicole finally looked more closely at the struggling woman before her, feeling like the world had slowed around her.
The most beautiful woman she had ever seen stood before her. She wore a crown of flowers, and a sunflower was painted on her upper cheek.
“I’m-“ stopping to clear her throat after her voice cracked, Nicole continued. “I’m Nicole.”
“Waverly,” she whispered, as mesmerized as Nicole.
“I’m Jeremy!” Jeremy shouted, rolling his eyes when he received no response. “Nic, I’m gonna go put this in your tent.” Correctly assuming that he wouldn’t get a response, and wanting to escape the muddy child, he left.
The two women’s trance was broken when Wilbur let out a loud grunt.
“Oh, here, let me help you.” Wilbur nearly jumped into Nicole’s outstretched arms. His muddy arms immediately wrapped around her neck, bringing another hearty laugh from Nicole.
“Wow. He’s usually shy around new people. I’ve never seen him hug someone like that. You must be special,” Waverly said.
Nicole desperately needed to know, so she not-so-subtly asked, “Umm... where’s his father?”
Waverly’s smile fell. “They dont have one. He skipped town the second he found out I was pregnant. It’s just me, Wilbur, and Willamina. I’ve given up on men.”
Disappointed, Nicole mumbled, “I’m sure you’ll find a guy to make you, and them, happy someday.”
“I said I gave up on men, not love. Can I buy you a coffee, and we can talk about that last song of yours? It was cool.”
“I’d like that,” Nicole said, happily accepting the invitation.
📷
📷
Present day
The house was quiet.
Nicole remained awake, watching her children sleep in the makeshift bed in her room. They had both tried valiantly to stay awake and keep her company, but they had drifted off to sleep almost an hour ago.
She watched as Waverly sat next to their children, smiling down at them as she stroked their hair. After placing a kiss on each of their foreheads, Waverly walked over to Nicole and took her hand.
Nicole could feel their fingers interlock.
“Hello, my Love. It’s time,” Waverly said.
Flicking her eyes to their children before returning to Waverly’s, Nicole felt conflicted. She was torn between leaving them and going with Waverly. Although she was pretty sure she didn’t have a choice in the matter. A single tear trailed down Nicole’s cheek.
“I promise they will be alright. You will, too. Your pain is already gone, right?” Nicole nodded her agreement. The joy of hearing Waverly’s voice again left her speechless.
Tightening her grip on their linked hands as she stood, Nicole happily noted how easy it was to move. Looking back down at the bed, she saw herself lying still.
“I know it’s frightening. That’s why I’m here. You’re not alone, Baby.”
“I’ve missed you, Waverly.” Nicole leaned down and kissed her wife for the first time in years.
“I’ve missed you, too,” Waverly said.
Wrapping her arm around Nicole’s waist, she guided them into the living room. Their entire family was sleeping in the same room. They squatted down and peered into the fort, smiling at the little ones as they slept in a pile like a litter of puppies.
They then moved to the center of the room and gazed at their family.
“Look at what we did. Our family. I can feel all of the love in this room,” Waverly spoke reverently.
Nicole hugged Waverly tightly to her chest.
“They’ll be okay?” As always, their family was Nicole’s first concern..
Waverly placed a light kiss on her wife’s jaw.
“Just like for everyone, there will be ups and downs, good times and bad. But they have each other. That’s what matters. That’s what will get them through any trials life throws at them.”
Nicole nodded and turned, trying to sear this sight into her memory. Her eyes landed on Adam. He had left the fort and was staring directly at her.
“It’s time to go, Baby,” Waverly said quietly.
Adam’s eyes grew wide as the couple slowly faded from the room.
“Bye, Gigi.”