Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nicole groaned when she woke up to the shrill ring of her phone. She checked the time and the caller ID and huffed.

“Earp, it’s 7am on my first day off in weeks. You better have a damn good reason for calling.” She grunted into the phone and heard her partner laughing.

“I just finished a very long night listening to Nedley gripe. Come meet me for coffee!” Wynonna jokingly whined down the phone.

“I’m going to hang up now. I’ll meet you in Shorty’s later for lunch.” She tossed the phone back onto the bedside table and buried her face in the pillow. She was just about to drift back to sleep when the door bell started incessantly ringing.

“I’m going to kill her,” she turned and said to her rescue cat Calamity Jane, whose ears were twitching in annoyance. She threw the covers off and padded down the stairs. She went to the kitchen and filled up a glass with water and took a sip as the bell kept ringing. The redheaded Alpha sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before heading to open the front door.

As soon as she did she chucked the water at her best friend who screeched as she got soaked.

“Not cool, Haught pocket.”

“Wynonna, what’s not cool is waking me up at the ass crack of dawn on my day off,” she said, as the beta followed her back to the kitchen, and she tossed a dish towel at her.

“Yeah, but last night was so boring without you to annoy.”

“Then why did you agree to cover Lonnie’s night shift?”

Wynonna shrugged.

“Me and Wave are planning to fix up the old home place, need to save up.”

“Wait. You’re seriously planning on moving back there? Wy, you told me what happened there.” The brunette shrugged.

“Well Waverly’s coming back to town and we had talked about getting a place together. Might as well fix up the Homestead and fill it with some new memories.” Nicole nodded and smiled at her friend as she turned on the coffee maker.

“Are you excited to see your sister? How long has it been again?”

“Five years since I saw her at her medical school graduation. Don’t know where she got her brains from, but really happy Bobo offered her the job at Ghost River General. She’s flying in tonight.” The friends fell into easy conversation about Wynonna’s night shift.

Nicole knew there was no chance of getting back to her bed, so she went to shower and dressed after her coffee and then drove to town in Wynonna’s beat up old truck.

Wynonna accompanied her to the post office, bank and supermarket and groused about how boring and grown up the Alpha was.

“It’s your day off, lets do something fun!”

“My idea of fun was catching up on all the sleep I’ve missed lately. Thanks to you, I didn’t get to do that, so now your going to get me some toilet cleaner while I grab veg for my meal prep.” The beta rolled her eyes and walked off. A couple of locals stopped to chat to the redhead. Since she had moved to Purgatory after her divorce about 8 months ago, she had really been accepted by the community.

Nicole was a hard worker, a courteous and polite young woman that had a good head on her shoulders. It helped that the Sheriff, her boss, sang her praises to everyone and people saw what a good influence the woman was on wild and untamed Wynonna Earp. The beta had met the alpha in the police academy a few years previously and they had gotten on well, but even back then Wynonna had a reputation for being a difficult person to get on with.

They had stayed in touch while Wynonna came back to work at her dad’s old station under his old deputy - the new Sheriff - and Nicole had gotten a job in a precinct in the big city, but when Nicole had mentioned she needed a change of scenery after her divorce, Wynonna had talked her into coming to work in the small Canadian town.

The redhead loved living in Purgatory; it was the change she needed after her divorce had left her financially and emotionally drained. She and Shae hadn’t been working for a long time and wanted different things in life. Nicole held no ill will towards the beta, but she was devastated it hadn’t worked. She had never wanted to be a divorcee at 32.

When she finished shopping, she and Wynonna popped into Shorty’s to say hi to the Beta’s aunt Gus before Nicole went home to try get some house work done.

A couple of hours later, just after she finished putting away her laundry, the doorbell rang.

“If that’s Wynonna, I’m going to kill her, CJ.” The cat chirped in response as Nicole walked out of the room and made for the front door. She really wasn’t expecting to see her ex-wife standing on her front porch looking around unimpressed.

“Shae? What are you doing here?” she asked in surprise, as she looked at the dark skinned, attractive woman she had been married to for a couple of years.

“You and I need to talk, you gonna let me in?” The Alpha nodded and stepped aside so the other woman could walk in; Shae moved past her and sat on the sofa. Calamity jumped on the sofa and sniffed the stranger who made a face and pushed the cat away. Nicole scowled and scooped the cat into her arms, sitting down on her favourite chair and placing the giant orange fluff ball on her lap.

“Can I get you water or coffee?” The beta shook her head.

“No, I’m not staying. I just needed to talk to you, and it couldn’t be a conversation we had over the phone.” Nicole waited for Shae to continue. The woman took a deep breath. “It turns out that the last time you and I were ‘together’ before our divorce, I got pregnant.” Nicole’s jaw dropped.

“Shae, that was months ago! What are you saying?”

“I had the baby. Five days ago.”

“What? We divorced because YOU decided you didn’t want kids at all. You told me you did and then 3 years later said nope no kids. And now you show up here and tell me I have a pup? What?” Nicole stood up, CJ sliding down onto the floor and trotting off with a huff. The Alpha was angry!

“Yes. Look. I should have called you, but I didn’t know how and I felt bad for lying for years. I knew I didn’t want kids, but you did. I genuinely thought that I would change my mind, or if we got pregnant, I would be happy. But when I gave birth... Nic... I feel nothing for them.” Nicole rubbed her face and paced around.

“Where... where’s my pup, Shae?”

“My sister has her in the car.” Nicole blew out her breath.

“It’s a girl? What’s her name? Is she OK? Are you ok?”

“I didn’t name her. She’s an Alpha, too. We are both fine, but I can’t raise her,Nicole. I don’t want her. I’m here to see if you do. I’ll pay you child support if you do, if not, I’ll put her up for adoption.”

“No! Of course I want her. You should have told me before now.”

“I know, but I knew how hurt you were and I didn’t know if you would hate me. I needed to see how I felt about the whole thing, but I just... Nicole, I feel nothing but dread when I look at her.” Nicole sighed and sat down beside her ex-wife who had just turned her world upside down. She put a gentle hand on Shae’s arm.

“Shae, it’s not your fault. You can’t help how you feel, but I do appreciate you coming here. I wont ask you for child support or to be in her life if you don’t want that. But I will do my best for her.” Shae smiled and nodded.

“You always have been too nice, Nic. I was worried you would hate me for just showing up. I know you will be an amazing Mom. I always felt bad because you have a lot of love to give and I just didn’t. I brought paperwork for you. I’ve signed over my parental rights to you. I don’t want to be in her life, but when she’s older, 18 or so, if she wants to meet me or has questions, then I will.” They smiled at each other and shared a friendly hug.

“Can I meet my daughter now?” They went outside where Shannon, Shae’s sister was leaning on the car.

“Nicole! It’s so good to see you!” the beta said, and hugged her sister’s ex-wife who she always liked. “I tried to get her to call you before hand, I’m so sorry.”

“Shan, don’t worry. It’s great to see you, but there’s someone I want to see more.” The beta laughed and nodded.

“She’s a little cutie!” Nicole opened the back door and saw the sleeping pup with a shock of dark auburn hair and caramel skin. The Alpha was instantly in love with the little creature wrapped in a purple blanket. She unclipped the car seat and gently lifted it out. She gave her ex a watery smile and carried her baby into the house.

Shae and Shannon took some items out of the truck and followed Nicole into her small blue cottage.

The pup began to mew, and Nicole lifted her out and released calming pheromones as the pup nuzzled against her chest. She pointed to the large box and two bags the Pressman sisters put on the floor.

“What’s all that?”

“Everything I bought for her. That’s a crib. Then there’s loads of clothes, some formula, diapers, a couple of other things to keep you going for a couple of days. Nicole, are you sure I can’t give you some money to tide you over if you need to take some time off work?” The Alpha shook her head and smiled.

“I have some savings, Shae, we are good. I’m sure Nedley will give me some time off. He definitely will when he sees you, little lady!” She cooed down at the pup who had fallen back into a peaceful sleep.

“We won’t keep you. If you do need anything over the next couple of days, please call.”

The sisters left after sorting out the paperwork. Shannon asked if she could keep in touch, the Alpha nodded. Nicole always liked the 20 year old who she had met when the girl was a young teen, and if Shan wanted to be in her niece’s life, then Nicole wasn’t going to say no.

When Nicole and her pup were alone, she blew out a breath and let out a quiet chuckle as the enormity of the situation hit her.

“You’re going to have to go easy on me kiddo because your Mommy doesn’t have a fucking clue what she’s doing.”

Chapter Text

“I said nothing when you went out and got a cat, Haught, but if you took someone’s baby, I think we need an intervention,” Wynonna said from the end of Nicole’s bed early the next morning, looking in the crib.

“I didn’t steal her! And you bitched about CJ the whole way to the animal shelter! Did you get my voice mail?” Nicole mumbled sleepily, sitting up and wiping her eyes.

“I did... but it’s pretty unbelievable. I didn’t believe you, but seeing that hair, who else’s could she be. She’s sorta cute, too. Musta gotten that from your ex though.” Nicole gave Wynonna the finger before walking to the crib and smiling down.

“She’s perfect. I cant believe I’m a Mom, dude.”

“Yeah, I was going to invite you to come meet Waves tonight at Shorty’s, but it’s a bit early to introduce the kid to whiskey. What’s her name?” Nicole sat heavily on the bed and blew out a hard sigh.

“Shae didn’t give her one, and I was up all night trying to come up with something. No joy. I mean, it’s a lot of pressure to name a baby, and what if I name her something stupid or something that will make her the target of bullies. Kids are mean!”

“Plus the kids gonna have the surname Haught, and you know how much fun I have with that. And she’s Ginger. Honestly Red, you should have worn a condom.”

“I hate you.”

“Nedley give you time off?”

“Yeah, he’s given me a weeks holiday and then 2 months paid maternity leave. He just needs to process it. He said he will call by later. Thank god he’s a lot nicer than my old sergeant in the City.”

“In his mind, Nedley has already adopted you, so you just gave him a grand child. He’s probably out right now getting her a mini sheriffs uniform.” They chuckled good naturedly about the man who was like a father to them both.

“Go shower, I’ll keep an eye on the kid.”

“Thanks, Wy.”

“Don’t thank me, make breakfast. Pancakes preferably.”

They spent breakfast talking baby names; Nicole’s were all very boring and Wynonna’s were all ridiculous.

“Give me one good reason Mary-Juana is a bad name.”

“You’re a dickhead.”

“Haught! Watch your fucking language around the kid!” Wynonna said seriously, making Nicole laugh.

“I’m going to have to look for somewhere else to live.”

“What’s wrong with this place? You love it here.”

“There’s only one bedroom, Wynonna, in a converted attic. I’m pretty sure the landlord built the stairs himself. Not exactly toddler friendly.”

“Well she won’t be walking any time soon, Idiot. You have time. Don’t try and do everything all at once.” Nicole nodded and got up from the table when she heard the pup cry from her bassinet resting on the counter.

“Well hello there, cutie! You hungry?” The little redhead scrunched up her face and grunted before sighing. Nicole caught a whiff. “Ah, my mistake. Right let’s get you changed.” Wynonna watched her best friend with a soft smile. Nicole will be a great mom. When the alpha had changed the pup’s diaper and warmed up a bottle, she sat back down and smiled at her friend.

“Shouldn’t you be with your sister? Did she get in ok?”

“She has a meeting at the hospital. She said she will call me when she’s done. She probably found some super amazing case and has fallen into it. But she got in fine and is staying in Gus’s until the Homestead is fixed up. It’s so weird seeing her as this super successful doctor and not the scrawny little nerd that ended up with a Vitamin D deficiency because she spent all summer in the library when she was 14.” Nicole laughed and shook her head .

“Gods, I can’t wait to meet your polar opposite!”

“We will organize something when this one has settled in.”

Once Wynonna left and the baby was asleep, Nicole went back online to continued looking up names but quickly dozed off only to be woken to knocking on the door.

She smiled when she saw Randy Nedley at the door.

“How ya doing, Haught?” Just as she was about to answer, the pup started crying and she smiled and showed him and scooped the pup out of her bassinet. Nedley smiled and held up a bag.

“Chrissy sent over some of Coopers newborn things. She said to call if you need a hand with anything.”

“Tell her thank you but she might regret offering; I haven’t a notion of what I’m doing.”

“No one does when they have a newborn, even when they have had 9 months to prepare. You’ll get the hang of it soon. Can I?” She handed over the little girl to the Alpha man who beamed at her.

“She’s a fine child. Gonna be tall like you.” They chatted for a while before the man got a call and had to leave. Nicole looked in the bag Nedley brought from his daughter and found a smaller gift in it. It was from her boss and she laughed when she pulled out the little police uniform he had bought her daughter and sent a photo to Wynonna.

She turned and saw her cat looking down at the child in her basket, obviously unsure what exactly she was seeing. Nicole watched as the feline stretched out a paw and tentatively touched the pups forehead before pulling the paw back and sniffing it before she started to purr and curled up beside the basket and fell asleep. She smiled and thought things would be ok.

The following day made her regret thinking that.

The new born wouldn’t settle and cried so much. Nicole rocked her, fed her, changed her, held her, sang to her, pumped out pheromones to try to calm her, wrapped her up in case she was chilly. Nothing she did seemed to placate the screaming child who was red in the face.

Eventually the pup vomited as Nicole rocked her, and now officially panicked, Nicole loaded her into the car seat and took off for the hospital. It was about 10.30 at night when she arrived and she rushed to the front desk where a nurse she recognized smiled at her.

“Deputy! Good to see you. Who’s this little one.?”

“My daughter. Something’s wrong with her.” The nurse nodded seriously and showed her to an exam room before leaving to find a doctor. The child continued to wail in Nicole’s arms as the Alpha paced and pumped out her calming motherly pheromones, whispering loving words. She didn’t notice the young woman enter and pause at the strong scent of vanilla and worry that filled the space.

“Deputy Haught?”

The long, worrying, exhausting day had drained Nicole emotionally to the point she was utterly unprepared for the effect the young woman instantly had on her. The short brunette was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Her jaw dropped and the pup stopped crying for the first time since 5:25 that morning. Nicole looked at the woman then to the pup, wide eyed.

“That’s the first time she’s stopped all day!” she said in a hushed tone. The woman laughed lightly and Nicole thought she might be in some sort of fever dream.

“Typical! I’m doctor Earp, want to tell me what’s been going on?” If Nicole wasn’t so worried about her pup, she would gave dropped dead with shock right there.

“Yo...your Wynonna’s sister?” The woman smiled and nodded before reaching for the pup who Nicole handed gently over.

“Yes, and you’re Nicole? She hasn’t stopped talking about you since I got back home! She told me about this little one too. Have you named her?” Nicole told her no, and then answered all the questions the omega woman had and then said nothing as the woman finished her exam.

“Well this little girl is perfect. Nothing is wrong with her.” She beamed at the Alpha.

“Bu...but the crying? The vomit? There was so much vomit!” Waverly shook her head.

“I think she woke up in a bit of a mood today, and who could blame her, she doesn’t have a name. Also she had some trapped wind and it was very uncomfortable, but right now there isn’t a thing wrong with her.”

“You’re sure?” Something flashed across Waverly’s face as the woman smiled and folded her arms.

“As the new Pediatric specialist, I would be pretty bad at the job if I missed something that basic.... Also she farted when I was examining her.” Nicole groaned.

“I’m sorry, it’s not that I don’t believe you, I do, but she was just so distressed all day and then you’re telling me I rushed her here for a fart? I’m such an idiot.” Waverly softened as the red headed woman rubbed her face tiredly .

Waverly rested a hand on the woman’s shoulder and shook her head.

“You aren’t the first new parent to get worried over trapped wind, and you won’t be the last. And it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.” She gave Nicole an understanding smile.

“Christ... I have no idea what I’m doing!”

“I don’t think you’re giving yourself enough credit. No one knows how to be a parent when they first become a parent. You’ll learn as you go. Next time you’re worried about something, Wynonna will put you in touch with me directly. Hopefully, by then she will have a name.” Waverly arched a brow and Nicole let out a tired chuckle.

“I can’t think of any I like, and your sister’s suggestions haven’t helped. Like I want something nice and different but not so different that she will be picked on. Something like your name which is unusual but really pretty.”

“Want to hear something funny? Wynonna actually picked my name. My parents had actually wanted to name me Welcome.” Nicole laughed and shook her head before looking back down at her pup.

“I just want to do right by her. She’s my little Golden Girl, aren’t you, sweetheart.” The pup gurgled and kicked out.

“Aurelia,” Waverly said suddenly before blushing lightly.

“Huh?”

“um Aurelia. It means Golden in Latin. Sorry, it just popped into my head and out my mouth!” Nicole blinked dumbly at the omega before she nodded.

“I really like that... actually I kind of love that.” She beamed at Waverly who blushed slightly darker under the woman’s dimpled smile. “Can you write that down though, because I have no idea how to spell that.”

Waverly did and handed the slip of paper to Nicole with a smile. The Alpha thanked her again before she left with her newly named daughter. Waverly took a deep breath as she closed the door. She had managed to keep her composure until the woman left, but Waverly’s body thrummed with energy all through the exam. The Alpha woman’s scent had had a very odd effect on her.

She needed a cup of coffee.

Chapter Text

Nicole walked around the supermarket with 3 week old Aurelia strapped to her chest in a baby carrier as she wheeled the trolley down the aisles, absentmindedly scanning the shelves.

“Disgusting.” She heard a scoff from behind her and turned around to see the last person she wanted to see any day, scowling at her.

“What was that, Ms Lowblaw?” she asked in a tired voice. The town homophobe-in-chief sniffed and pursed her lips.

“It’s disgusting. That poor child with a lesbian for a mother. A single, Alpha, mother.” Nicole didn’t even have the energy to argue and merely turned the cart around and walked away.

“Bunny, so good to see you. Looking sexy as always.” She heard as she walked away and stopped, that voice was familiar. She turned back around and saw Waverly Earp smiling mischievously as she openly looked the older omega up and down and licked her lips. “Very sexy.” Bunny let out an outraged squeak and hurried away, abandoning her trolley in the middle of the aisle.

Waverly looked up and saw Nicole starring at her with awe. She waved and Nicole started laughing.

“That... that was fantastic. I really couldn’t find a family resemblance between you and Wy until right then!”

“Sorry, I couldn’t help it, she’s still such a bitch!” Nicole nodded.

“Don’t be, she really is. I actually didn’t have the energy to pull her up on her bullshit today, so thank you!”

Waverly looked at the sleeping pup and smiled. “How is she? Any more trapped wind?” The omega asked jokingly and Nicole groaned.

“No, it’s like she broke some seal and now never stops farting. So yeah. I’m sorry I made a tit out if myself that night.”

“Honestly, you really didn’t. But I’m glad you haven’t had any more issues. How are you doing? I don’t mean to sound rude, but you look exhausted.”

“I’m ok, she mostly sleeps through the night, but I keep waking up to check on her. Is it normal that she sleeps six hours straight at night.”

“No... you are just one of those lucky fuckers other parents of newborns envy.” They shared a chuckle but stopped when the pup let out a grumble of protest at the jostling. “Did Wynonna invite you to dinner at Gus’s Friday?” Nicole groaned.

“Shit, I saw the text and completely forgot to reply. Someone was having a moment.” She pointed to Aurelia and smiled. “Could you tell her that yes I would love to, but are you sure wont mind me bringing Elia?”

“Of course not! You know she’s itching to spend more time with her. She pretends to be some tough old biddy, but she loves babies.” Waverly’s phone started ringing and she excused herself, apologizing to Nicole and saying goodbye.

“Hello?” She said as she watched Nicole walk away.

“I saw that!”

“Chrissy? What? What do you mean?” Her friend laughed.

“I was in the next aisle and saw you practically drooling. I decided to call you before someone had to whip out a ‘caution: wet floor’ sign.”

“Unbelievable. You free for coffee?”

“Yes, Mama Olive’s in 10?” They hung up and met shortly after across the road at the only diner in town.

“How are you settling in at the hospital, Waves?” the taller omega asked after they had ordered.

“Good, it’s busy but that’s nothing new. How’s Perry and Cooper?”

“Great. Cooper is into soccer now which Perry is overjoyed about. What about you? Anyone special?” Waverly shook her head and sighed.

“Nope and I don’t fancy my chances in Purgatory. The dating options are as limited as ever.” Chrissy smirked.

“Well from what I saw in the supermarket-" Waverly cut off her friend with a little growl.

“Oh don’t even!”

“Waves. come on, you totally think Haught is a Haught Mama!”

“Remind me again why I stay friends with you? That was TERRIBLE! And as for Nicole... I was just talking to her, I met her at the hospital 2 weeks ago. She looks exhausted.” Chrissy nodded and sighed.

“Yeah. She really got dropped in it.”

“So her ex just showed up with the baby and handed her over? Nicole had no idea?”

“None. In fact, that was the biggest reason for their divorce. Nicole wanted kids and Shae suddenly said no one day. I mean I think it was a little more than that. I think there was a bit of a personality clash too, but yeah, Shae just showed up when Aurelia was 5 days old and handed her to Nicole. Didn’t have any maternal feelings, which is fine I guess not everyone does, but Nicole should have been told about the pregnancy and given time to prepare.”

“Yeah, but Nicole seems like a natural Mom, she’s so good with her.”

“Yeah, she’s the sweetest. And since she moved to town, Wynonna has been keeping out of trouble too. They are so close.” Waverly smiled sadly. She and Wynonna loved each other to death but they had seen so little of each other in so many years there was a distance between them.

“I’m glad Wynonna has someone. She always keeps people at arms length.”

They moved on to other topics before making plans for coffee again later in the week. Waverly had missed her best friend in her years away. They had kept in touch but nothing could beat chatting over coffee face to face.

When Friday rolled around, Waverly and Gus were prepping food in the kitchen while they watched Wynonna and Doc, her on again/off again boyfriend, arguing about something in the field beside the house.

“What’s up with them?” Gus asked, as she watched Wynonna waving a bottle of whiskey around while she had a heated exchange with the man.

“Nonna said Docs been dropping some pretty big hints about them getting more serious. I’m pretty sure that she’s telling him to back off a little.” Gus shook her head sadly as Curtis, her husband, walked in to the kitchen and looked over their shoulders at the arguing couple.

“One of these days, Doc is gonna get sick of her shit!” The man chuckled making Gus slap his arm.

“They will figure it out. He’s good for her and she knows it, even if she spends all her time finding ways to pick fights with him. Actually I think it’s one of the things he likes about her.” They chuckled and finished preparing the food before Waverly went to shower before Nicole and their other guests arrived.

Gus tried to have a big meal once a month where the McCreadys invited those closest to them. Everyone in town knew Gus was the best cook in Purgatory. Curtis joked it was the only reason he married her, but they were so perfect together. True mates in a world where it was almost impossible to meet the one.

Curtis and Gus had taken Wynonna and Waverly in after their Daddy had killed their Mama and older sister in a drunken rage one night before turning his service weapon on himself. Wynonna had been 12 and deeply effected by the carnage she had seen as she shielded her 6 year old sister’s eyes when they left the Homestead.

Waverly had had nightmares for years about that night but threw everything into study. Wynonna had gone off the rails and almost ended up in prison for her actions as a teen until Randy Nedley got hold of her and set her on the straight and narrow. They butted heads constantly but anyone could tell they cared about each other.

Waverly came back down the stairs just as a police cruiser pulled up outside the house, and Waverly smiled when she saw the Redhead she hadn’t stopped thinking about get out and move to the back seat.

She needed to rein herself in. She had never been with a woman beyond kissing before, although she was aware she was bi sexual and very attracted to her sister’s friend who, even though she looked exhausted and a little worse for wear like so many new mothers, was insanely attractive with her rich brown eyes and beautiful smile. And those god damn dimples. She shook her head.

Waverly would have to forget it. The Alpha woman had enough on her plate.

She opened the front door as the woman walked up the porch steps carrying the sleeping pup in her car seat. Nicole smiled when she saw Waverly who took the nappy bag off her shoulder and walked her into the house.

Gus and Curtis rushed out to hug Nicole and coo over Aurelia who they had only seen once before.

“How ya doing darlin’?” Gus asked as she stroked the pups cheek.

“I’m ok, Gus, just tired.”

“Well if you ever need a break for a night, just call me and we will be more than happy to take this little madam so you can get some sleep.” Nicole smiled gratefully just as Wynonna stomped in and slammed the door behind her, wincing when the baby woke up with a cry and Nicole growled a little.

“Shit... sorry, Haught.”

“Christ, Wy, I only just got her to sleep!” Gus quickly unbuckled the pup and scooped her up, rocking her and talking to her soothingly as she walked back to the kitchen.

“Sorry, Nic, didn’t know you were here.” Nicole eyed her friend.

“What’s wrong?” Wynonna sighed and offered the bottle of whiskey she was holding to her friend who shook her head.

“Docs talking about wanting us to live together.” Waverly tilted her head.

“At the Homestead?”

“He said he didn’t care where, but he wants us to move in with each other. He’s been bugging me for a while about it. Saying he doesn’t want to wait any more blah blah blah.”

“How long have you two been seeing each other, 6-7 years?” Wynonna scowled at Nicole.

“Don’t take his side, Haught. I mean it.” Nicole yawned and put up her hands in a placating manner.

“I’m not, but I cant blame the guy either for wanting a bit more than a booty call.”

“Are you saying you want a booty call, Haught? Because I gotta tell you, ginger pubes are a real turn off for me.” Nicole choked on air as Waverly watched her go red in the face with a chuckle.

“Nonna, stop it.” She admonished just as the sheriff walked in the door with Helen, the lady he had been seeing who owned the bakery. They all greeted each other before Shorty, the man who owned the Saloon with the McCreadys, came in and everyone took turns holding and fussing over the little redhead who gurgled happily with all the attention she was getting.

They all sat around the table and Gus began dishing up the food. Waverly noticed an extra place setting and looked at her uncle?

“Who else is joining us?”

“Champ Hardy. Remember him? He’s doing some work round here and staying in one of the cabins for the next few days.” Waverly swallowed down the taste of bile that rose in the back of her throat. She hadn’t thought about him in years. She had had such a crush on him in high-school even though he was a complete jerk and didn’t even know she existed, too busy tangling tonsils with cheerleaders.

She shrugged, and just as Gus put the last plate down, the Alpha man sauntered into the house with his thumb in his jeans pocket. He looked around the table and smiled wide when he saw Waverly. The omega would say one thing for him.. he looked good.

He was an attractive man, nice hair, nice smile, muscular. And given the way he was looking at her, he liked what he saw. But soon his impressed gazed turned into a leer and he was very obviously checking her out. She got a little uncomfortable and cleared her throat awkwardly as he grinned at her, obviously thinking her discomfort was caused by her Attraction to him. Nicole who was sitting beside Waverly turned and gave the woman a look that silently asked ‘you ok?’

“Well, Waverly... you turned out HOT!” Any chatter around the table instantly stopped as everyone turned and looked at the man who apparently thought he was still 20 and could be forgiven for saying such a dumb thing. He grinned even wider at the Omega’s awestruck expression and Nicole caught Wynonna’s eye and both of them released a snort of laughter they desperately had tried to bite back and the man turned to scowl at Nicole.

“Haught. Heard you got landed with a kid. Tough break dude. Always wear a rubber.” Nicole tilted her head a little as she looked at the man she really didn’t like. She had had to haul his ass out of Shorty’s or break up more than one drunken fight involving him in her short time in town.

“Champ if you followed your own advice maybe you wouldn’t have 6 kids with 5 different women... none of which are older than the length of your marriage.” The man scoffed as Wynonna laughed.

“Hey, I cant help it if all the omegas want me. It’s what happens when you look this good.” Waverly looked from Champ to Nicole. Yeah Champ looked good, but as tired as the female Alpha looked, she was breathtakingly beautiful. “Besides, isn’t your ex some big doctor or something? I bet she’s paying you tons in Child support. I guess that’s the upside?” Everyone’s jaws had dropped at the man’s rudeness and Nicole cleared her throat.

“Champ. I am only going to say this once. Mind your own business. I don’t need anyone else’s cash to take care of my daughter,” she said calmly as she stared at the man.

“And her ex is a lawyer.” Wynonna popped up. Nicole rolled her eyes. Champ scowled and turned to Waverly.

“Ah yeah, you’re the doctor. How can someone so smart be so beautiful huh? And you were such a nerd in high school, if I’d known you would turn out like this I’d have definitely asked you out. I know you were totally interested in me back then!”

The men all groaned and Shorty muttered, “for gods sake boy, shut up.” And every woman gave the young man a filthy look. Nicole opened her mouth to put champ in his place, but she felt a hand lie gentle on her leg and squeeze and looked up to see Waverly subtly shake her head a hint of a smile on her lips.

“Yeah, for a genius kid who skipped two grades, I sure had my idiotic moments. Luckily for me I was too much of a nerd and you didn’t ask me out. It’s terrifying to know my dumb ass might have actually said yes. That is a truly revolting thought.” The mans eyebrows scrunched up as he tried to decode the insult he knew was there but couldn’t quite pick out. Everyone around the table laughed and from the next room the baby started to cry.

Waverly stood and placed a gentle arm on Nicole’s shoulder. “Relax, I got her.” She smiled down at the upset looking little girl and cooed. “Yeah I know, men suck.” The pup let out a little huff, almost as if she was agreeing with the woman holding her.

Once Waverly made sure the little auburn child was dry, she brought her back out to the table and sat down. The pup fell back asleep in Waverly’s arms and Nicole gave the woman a soft smile.

“She’s such a good baby, Nicole, and she’s so cute!” Waverly finished with a baby voice as she stroked the child’s chubby cheek.

“Thanks, but I mean, she’s three weeks old... can there really be such a thing as a bad baby?” Waverly laughed.

“I just mean she’s not fussy or wailing all the time, and honestly she’s one of the most adorable babies I’ve ever seen.” Nicole laughed.

“I mean I think she is the cutest baby on the planet but I’m a little biased, and besides, don’t you say that to all your patient’s parents?” Waverly made a face and nodded.

“Yes, but I only mean it about ten percent of the time. Most newborns look like an old man/potato hybrid. But I’m not being paid right now so why would I lie?” Waverly gave the Alpha a playful wink as the other woman laughed.

Everyone noticed the two women chatting quietly together as Waverly rocked the baby, saw them making each other laugh. Gus, Curtis, Nedley, Shorty and Helena all shared knowing looks and smiles, all of them sensing a connection between the Alpha woman and omega. Wynonna arched a brow, not entirely sure how she felt about what ever the hell was happening. And Champ watched in disbelief, the super sexy omega in front of him seemed more interested in the Ginger sap beside her than she did of him and that was blowing his tiny mind.

When dinner was over, after the three younger women had helped Gus wash up, Nicole said her goodbyes. There was a storm warning for later that night and she wanted to get Aurelia home before it hit.

The Earp sisters walked her out, Waverly still holding the pup, not wanting to let her go just yet. She really was the cutest thing! Eventually though she had to give the pup back to her mother and said goodbye, leaving her sister and Nicole to say goodbye.

She went upstairs to her room wanting to get some work done before her clinic tomorrow, but she found her thoughts drifting to Nicole. Waverly was so drawn to the woman’s gentle demeanor. Most Alphas were intentionally intimidating, loud and brash, but Nicole seemed so careful in her movements and not just around her baby. It made Waverly smile.

It didn’t hurt that on top of her sweet nature and super model looks, she also appeared to have a keen intellect. And that scent of Vanilla. How could someone smell that good! Aurelia hadn’t developed her own scent yet and just carried her mother’s which led Waverly to think that was probably what made the pup even cuter! Who doesn’t love something that smells like vanilla dipped donuts.

She groaned and dropped her head on to her desk. The last thing she needed was to develop a crush on her sister’s best friend who had no interest in her.

Chapter Text

The following week, Nicole sat in the paediatric clinic at Ghost River General and waited to be called in for Aurelia's 4 week check up. She knew it was unlikely she would be seen by Waverly and would probably be seen by one of the busy woman’s junior doctors or one of the paeds nurses, she didn’t know, but she couldn’t help feel a little disappointed she wouldn’t be seeing the omega that day.

Not long after, her name was called and she carried the sleeping infant down the hall to where the smiling male omega was waiting for her. He shook her hand.

“Hi, I’m Jeremy Chetri. I’ll be your doctor today.” Nicole introduced herself and Aurelia to the Indian man who cooed at the little redhead as he took her into his arms. “Whoa, she’s a big one! She’s got your hair and height!” he said good naturedly, and Nicole found herself liking the young man.

He carefully examined the pup and asked Nicole a litany of questions regarding the pup and her history. He laughed and reassured her that the trapped wind incident was indeed common.

“Well this not so little lady is perfect. We will send you her vaccine schedule in the post, and you know where we are for any other issues!” She thanked him and walked straight into someone as she left the room.

“Oof!” Nicole reached out and caught the person as they tipped back from the collision. When she grabbed their hand, she felt a little shock at the contact. She was relieved she had put her daughter in her carrier before she had left the room.

“I’m so sorry I did- Waverly?” The smaller omega was in a pair of pink scrubs and was chuckling.

“Every time we meet in the wild, it’s never normal is it?”

“I’m so, so sorry! Are you ok?” Nicole was looking at Waverly with the most apologetic expression the omega had ever seen and she gave the redhead a soft smile.

“I’m fine I promise! That was probably my fault anyway; I was looking at my file. Are you here for Aurelia’s 4 week?” Nicole smiled.

“Yeah, she passed with flying colours.” Waverly looked down at the carrier and beamed at the little pup.

“Of course she did!” They smiled at each other softly and both came to the sudden realisation that they were still holding hands, blushing and letting go. Both instantly missing the contact.

“eh.. I better get back to... work.” Waverly stammered out, going an even darker shade of red, and Nicole nodded and pointed down to the baby .

“Yep! We better get going. See you later,” Nicole said a little awkwardly, and they both turned and walked in opposite directions. Both dying just a little inside.

Waverly rushed down the hallway but stopped when she heard someone call her. She turned and saw Jeremy hurrying towards her.

“Wave... what the hell was that?” He asked with a grin. Waverly huffed.

“I have absolutely no idea what you mean, Dr Chetri.”

“Waves, I’ve know you since our first day of Med school. That was actually one of the most pathetic things I have ever seen! Wow.” Waverly started walking again.

“Shut up!” she moaned to her friend as he walked beside her .

“I actually thought I would never meet anyone with worse game than me, but then I see you two! She seems really nice though.” Waverly arched a brow.

“Doesn’t matter, she isn’t interested, and even if she was, she’s my sister’s best friend and trying to adjust to being the single mother of a newborn.”

“Um I know I’m no expert, but she definitely has a thing for you. It was as adorable as it was awkward to watch.”

“Thank you, Jeremy! We are never going to talk about this again. I’ll see you later.” Waverly went to her office to catch her breath.

Nicole couldn’t be a little interested in her, could she? Waverly never really was able to pick up on the small, subtle signals people put out when they were attracted to someone. Pig Alphas, like Champ Hardy, were easy to decipher. Waverly had dated a few people, but she hadn’t had any significant relationship.

Waverly was a late bloomer. Always a very pretty girl, but she was a shy little thing who had preferred to hide away reading books to being with friends and hadn’t really experienced being flirted with until after her career had started. She always thought someone was just friendly when they were flirting, and it wasn’t until she had been sat down by her house mates and told that she was hot and people were definitely flirting with her.

The woman had gone from a tiny skinny thing with braces and glasses that were much to big for her face, to a (still tiny) beauty with a devastating smile, Hazel eyes that crinkled at the edges, the figure of a tiny amazon warrior, on top of being a genuinely nice person. The omega had a radiance about her that drew people to her and she had no idea.

Waverly knew she was attracted to Nicole on even a primal level. From the moment she had scented her, her wolf had been keen on the alpha too. Waverly hadn’t ever met anyone her wolf had shown any real interest in before until she met the very exhausted and worried redhead a few weeks before. She blew out a breath.

Later that evening, when she was on her way home from the hospital, Wynonna called and asked Waverly to meet her at the homestead, so she drove out the old country road until she got to the secluded Cabin where she found her sister talking with.. Nicole?”

She smiled shyly at the woman as she climbed out if her Jeep.

“Hey Guys, whats going on?” she asked.

“Got a surprise for you, baby girl! Haught here helped me put together all the new furniture we got last week and set it up.” Nicole scoffed.

“Excuse me? I helped you? Wynonna, you spent the entire three days sitting on your ass yelling orders at me!” Waverly gasped.

“Nicole, no wonder you’re so tired! You didn’t need to do that, you should have been resting.” Waverly scowled at her sister who was grinning.

“Waverly, I may not know much, but I do know that when you buy flat packed furniture, the best way to ensure it gets put together right is to beg your favourite flannel wearing fanny fucker, in this case: Haught, to do it for you. I love you, baby girl, and I know you do put people back together, but I honestly wouldn’t trust you to put together a book case.” Waverly rolled her eyes and Nicole snorted out a laugh.

“Awh I’m your favourite? I knew you loved me, Wyn.”

“Fuck off, there’s like three lesbians in town, and neither Beth or Rosita would do this for fear of breaking a nail.” Waverly rolled her eyes and smiled at Nicole.

“Well thank you, Nicole. Where’s Aurelia?”

“Inside asleep. Wanna go check out where we put everything? We can move anything you don’t like.” Waverly followed them up the porch steps and beamed when she saw the renovation complete. She hadn’t been too involved in the project other than writing cheques and hadn’t been inside this place since her late teens.

The old wooden walls had been insulated and plastered, painted warm tones, the old warped flooring had been ripped up and replaced, and the new furniture placed around the rooms tastefully.

“This is incredible! Wynonna, did you rope Nicole into helping with more than just the furniture?” She hugged her sister who nodded.

“In my defense, the woman has her own tool belt. Any sane person would have done the same.” Waverly reached out and squeezed Nicole’s hand in thanks before she looked through the rest of the house and came back.

“So what else needs to be done before we can move in, Wy?” Herr older sister grinned.

“Nothing, Baby Girl! Haught Dog can help us move this weekend, cant you?” Waverly slapped her sister.

“Maybe wrangle someone who doesn’t have a baby to take care of! Like your boyfriend.” They chatted quietly in the living room until the pup awoke and groused at the adults as she rubbed her face. Nicole’s expression softened an impossible amount as she lifted the pup and nuzzled her cheek with her nose.

“What’s the matter, kiddo?” she whispered lovingly, and the pup relaxed, looking up at her sire before smiling and gurgling making Nicole beam. “Oh that’s a big smile for mom!”

The sisters watched the Alpha coo over her happy daughter and Waverly melted a little.

“Ok guys, I think I better get home. I’ll help you move your stuff over the weekend if I can!” They thanked her again and watched her drive away. Wynonna turned to move back into the house but stopped when she realised Waverly was staring off into the distance the Alpha had driven into.

“Gods you are obviously so into her! I thought you were going to go into heat just watching her!” Waverly started slightly and looked at her sister who was smirking.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Wynonna.”

“Sure, Waves. Now let’s get you back to Gus’s so you can start packing up your shit!”

That weekend came and Nicole did help them move, transporting some of their things to the Homestead while Gus watched the baby.

Later, on that Saturday night, Nicole had just gotten Aurelia down for the night and was about to shower when the door knocked announcing the arrival of the sisters.

“Hey guys is everything ok?”

“Yeah, we wanted to thank you for all the help with the house, so I am taking you out and Waverly is going to baby sit while you and I get drunk, so go change out of your baby puke covered sweats. Gus finally got the mechanical bull fixed!” Nicole smiled.

“Thanks, Wy, but can I take a rain check.” Waverly saw how tired the woman looked and was going to agree, but her sister had another idea.

“Haught, you’ve been cooped up here with Captain poopy pants for a month. You need you time too. Just for an hour. Waves is a very over qualified baby sister and Haught puppy will be just fine.” Nicole looked at the omega.

“Are you sure you don’t mind? I feel kinda bad you are being left out.” The smaller woman smiled and lifted up her briefcase.

“I have a ton of work to do so don’t worry about that! Go change.” The redhead did as she was told, grabbing a quick shower and coming out dressed in sinfully tight skinny jeans and tank top. Waverly tried really freaking hard not to stare at the woman’s toned arms.

“OK, shes down for the night, usually she doesn’t wake up, but if she does, there’s a bottle in the fridge. Everything you need to change her is upstairs in my room at the changing table. There’s a monitor in the living room, but CJ will tell you if she wakes up.”

“Who’s CJ?”

“The cat, you’ll hear her meowing before you hear anything on the monitor. She just sits outside on the landing. Call me if you need me,” Nicole said, looking up the stairs and chewing her lip nervously.

“She will be fine, Cole. Go and enjoy yourself.”

“We won’t be late.”

“I don’t want to see you before midnight.” Nicole grinned and nodded.

“Yes doctor!” Wynonna tried not to gag at the pathetic expressions on the smiling girls’ faces. Ugh.

The beta finally got the redhead out of the house, and Waverly set up shop at the kitchen table after grabbing the monitor and got to work, trying and failing to not let her mind drift to Nicole.

Chapter Text

Waverly heard the cat meowing and stood up from the table before heading upstairs and into Nicole’s room.

“Well hello you!” She cooed as she looked down at the infant who gave a toothless smile and the omega melted when she spotted the pup’s dimples. “Oh you are gonna be a heartbreaker aren’t you!” The pup grunted and farted making Waverly giggle. “You need to get that under control first!” She picked Aurelia up and smiled when the pup nuzzled into her neck.

She was dry and didn’t want the bottle when Waverly brought her downstairs, she just wanted cuddles and Waverly was more than happy to give them to her.

She sat on the sofa and talked quietly to the little girl as she looked around. Much like Nicole, the cottage was warm and inviting and everything had that sweet vanilla scent. CJ joined them and curled up beside them after she had thoroughly sniffed Waverly and the baby. The omega smiled and scratched the long haired cat’s head as Aurelia babbled up at the brunette.

At about 10pm, a knock came from the front door and Waverly lifted the pup as she got up to answer the door.

She found a woman in her 50s, short with long grey hair and a smile that seemed familiar. She beamed at Waverly.

“Hey, can I help you?” the omega asked the other omega politely.

“Gimme my grand baby, Girl!” the strange woman yelled jovially and reached for the pup. Waverly yelled and slapped her hand away as she held the pup tighter to her. The smile slipped from the woman’s face and she gave Waverly a hard look.

“Who the hell are you?!” Waverly took a step back, arms wrapped tightly around the infant who had begun to fuss, feeling Waverly’s tension.

“Nicole’s mother, now give me the pup.”

“Lady, I don’t know who you are. And I’m not letting anyone in, come back tomorrow.” She went to close the door but the woman put a hand out to stop it. Waverly suddenly grew very nervous.

“Now you listen here, girl, I don’t know who you think you are, but ain’t no one going to stop me from being around my grandpup. You ain’t that pup’s mother.”

“Nicole left her with me. If you take one more step I will break your nose. I’m not kidding!” The woman took another step forward and Waverly kicked out, forcing the woman to jump back and Waverly slammed the door and slid the dead bolt.

Aurelia began to wail as Waverly rushed to the kitchen where she had left her phone and called her sister.

Nicole and Wynonna were playing a game of pool with the York brothers when the betas phone rang. She answered it, “Hey Waves... what? Wait- Waverly?” Nicole heard the worry in her friend’s voice and was instantly concerned. “Ok, we are on the way!” The alpha rushed over.

“What’s wrong? Is Elia ok? Is Waverly?” Wynonna turned to her friend and cleared her throat awkwardly as she knew what she was about to say would not be taken well.

“Eh... Haught your mother is at the house...” Nicole paled and threw her pool cue onto the table before rushing out the door with Wynonna hot on heels.

Nicole drove Wynonna’s truck quickly to her cottage where she found someone she hadn’t seen in many years and hoped not to see again. The woman was knocking loudly on the door, not letting up.

She didn’t acknowledge the woman as she pushed passed her and called out to Waverly at the door, the omega opened it looking a little shaken.

“Nicole!” the woman growled angrily when her daughter didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, Nicole was taking the pup from the omega and shushing the whinging child, rocking her gently and pushing out her calming pheromones that also helped Waverly, though unbeknownst to the Alpha.

“Are you ok?” Nicole asked the small brunette, looking at her with concerned eyes.

“Yeah I am, we are.” Nicole smiled and handed her soothed daughter back to Waverly before turning and looking at Wynonna standing on the porch, eyeing the seething stranger.

“Wy, take Waverly and Aurelia inside.” The beta nodded and did as she was asked and when the door closed behind the sisters, Nicole finally looked at the woman.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” she asked with a venom that was uncharacteristic. The older woman scoffed.

“I have to find out from your bitch of an aunt that I’m a grandmother? It was bad enough I wasn’t invited to your wedding, but that takes the cake.” Then it was Nicole who scoffed.

“You are not her grandmother. If I had wanted you to know, you would have.” The woman groaned and rolled her eyes.

“oh stop being SO dramatic!”

“How did you even find me?” The woman shrugged.

“Ran into an old buddy of yours. Christ you went on and on about wanting to be a big time cop just like your sire, and now you work in a sheriffs office in a small Podunk town that stinks of stale beer and cow shit.”

“Caroline!” Nicole snarled, surprising the woman, “what do you Want?!”

“I want to be in that kids life!” Nicole let out a snort of disbelief. “Well you need family around you when you’re a single mom!”

“I have a family around me, you just aren’t part of it,” Nicole said with a hard look.

“Oh? Who is? The little omega you have there? She’s no good.” Nicole bristled at her dame’s words, she wouldn’t let her talk about Waverly like that.

“Why? Because she wouldn’t hand over my baby to a stranger? How dare you show up here and act like you have some right to be around us. Get out of here.”

“I’ll be back, Nicky... don’t think this is over.”

“If you show up here again, I’ll have the sheriff of this Podunk little town throw you into our Podunk little jail for trespassing. Do not test me.” The blue eyed woman looked at Nicole for a minute before nodding.

“This isn’t over.” Nicole let out a deep breath and watched the woman pick up a large bag and walked away. When she was out of sight, the Alpha relaxed slightly and went into the cottage where the Earps were waiting and looking at her.

“You alright, Haught?” Wynonna asked, as Waverly handed the little girl back to her mother with a soft smile.

“Fine. Waverly, I’m so sorry you had to deal with that.” Waverly grimaced.

“I’m the one who should apologise. I didn’t mean to start a fight between you and your mom.” Nicole smiled at her as she kissed the pups forehead.

“Oh trust me, you did nothing wrong. She isn’t welcome around here. Thank you for not letting her near Elia." Waverly knew there was something deeper going on, but the Alpha looked utterly exhausted so she didn’t try to question anything.

“Go get ready for bed, I’ll sort out Elia.” Nicole yawned and nodded.

“Thank you.” She went upstairs to grab her sleep clothes and came back down to change in the bathroom. Waverly warmed up a bottle and fed the now hungry infant.

“Are you sure you’re ok, Baby Girl?” Wynonna asked, as she watched Waverly with the redheaded pup, noting how at ease the omega was with her.

“Yeah I’m fine. I was really nervous; there’s something about that woman that freaks me out.” Wynonna snorted.

“Understatement, Waves. If you see her again call me or Nicole.” Waverly looked at her sister and tilted her head.

“What’s the story with her?” Wynonna looked down the hall and saw the bathroom door was still closed.

“I’m not going to tell you because it’s Haught’s story to tell, but trust me, don’t engage with her.” Waverly could see how serious and upset her sister was and decided to not question it further for now. She winded the child and brought her upstairs to put on a fresh diaper before she placed the happy little girl in her crib just as Nicole walked in to the bedroom.

“Other than the unexpected intruder, how was she? Did you get some work done?” Nicole asked as she sat on the bed. Waverly nodded.

“I got some work done, but she woke up and talked me into giving her cuddles and how could I say no?” Nicole gave the brunette a soft smile.

“I’m sorry again.” Waverly shrugged.

“Don’t be, just next time you need me to babysit I’m bringing my shot gun!” They chuckled and Waverly told Nicole to get to bed.

The alpha opened her bedside drawer and pulled out a business card, handing it to Waverly.

“That’s my number if you ever need it.” Waverly smiled and pulled out her phone, entered the number and hit dial. They heard Nicole’s phone ring from downstairs and Waverly hung up.

“Ditto.” Nicole grinned and the omega who told her to get into the bed, and she would let herself and Wynonna out, placing a gentle hand on the woman’s arm before she walked out of the room.

Nicole stood and stared into the crib for a long while, lost in thoughts of dark times. The pup grunted up at her mother who smiled and lifted her up. She rested her cheek on the little girls head. She breathed in and smelled her own scent mixed with the light floral and honey scent of the Doctor.

It was a soothing scent that the Alpha had smelled every time Waverly had held the pup. Nicole had noticed that the pup always seemed a little more alert when the omega was around. She didn’t know why, but she was aware that her wolf had been drawn to the woman from the first moment they met even if Nicole was too busy trying not to have panic over her gassy daughter.

She couldn’t think too much about it though. Her whole world was Aurelia and she doubted the beautiful, accomplished woman was interested in the single mom, especially after tonight. Plus it wasn’t like she had time to pursue anything with anyone at the moment.

Nicole put her pup back down into her crib and climbed into bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The next morning she woke up feeling antsy and out of sorts so she fed, changed and dressed Aurelia before she placed her in the stroller she had bought the week before. It was designed to be used by active mothers that still wanted to get runs and hikes in and bring baby with them.

Nicole had gotten a little soft in the last 5 weeks, having not been able to work out 1-2 hours every day like she was used to, but she had to go back to work in a month and couldn’t allow herself to slip any further in her fitness. Bad guys could run fast.

She opened the door to a bright early autumn day, the sun shining. She put the stroller on the driveway and stretched before taking off in a jog while pushing the stroller ahead of her.

She found herself feeling the strain much sooner than she normally would have, but it wasn’t too bad. She just needed to get back into the swing of things.

After about 15 minutes, as she ran laps around the large park near her house, she spotted Chrissy sitting on a bench up ahead, watching her son Cooper as he ran around the small playground with another pup.

“Hey, Chris!” she called as she slowed down to catch her breath. The omega jumped up and waved.

“Hey you! How are the town’s favourite redheads today?” They hugged and sat on the bench together, Chrissy reaching over to grab the pups socked food and wiggled it, making the baby let out a gurgled laugh.

“IC!” Cooper called from the jungle gym and waved.

“Hey Buddy!” she called to the 3 year old, waving back. He had always had a little issue with Ns but even though it was better the redhead was still ‘Ic’ to him.

“How are you finding motherhood?”

“Tiring!”

“Pfft oh please, Waverly told me Aurelia already sleeps through the night and barely ever cries.” They shared a laugh and Nicole nodded.

“Yeah she’s actually really easy and I’m lucky. But oh my Gods, Chrissy, I am always worrying about her and checking on her. I keep waking up every half hour to look into the crib. Christ, what am I going to be like when I gotta go back to work?”

“Hate to tell you that you will never stop worrying about her, Nic. What are you going to do for childcare?” Nicole groaned.

“I have no idea. I was thinking if taking unpaid leave for another month, but I don’t want to do that to your dad.” Chrissy waved her hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry, he will be fine. But I do have an idea! You know Gloria Valdez?”

“The assistant at the preschool?”

“Yeah! Well all the teachers assistants got let go last week, budget cut backs. She’s a single mom and she is so good with kids, Cooper loves her. Want me to call her and see if she would be interested in child care?”

“Hell yeah! That’s such a good idea, but make sure she knows I’ll have to do night shifts and everything so she could have her overnight at least twice a week.”

“I’ll call her later and see. I know she’s been really worried about money, especially with Rachel off to college next year.”

They continued to catch up as they sat on the bench watching Cooper play. Chrissy had quickly become a good friend of the Alpha’s after she had moved to purgatory and the omega understood why her father had such a soft spot for the woman. She was a kind, caring woman who wanted to help and was fantastic at her job as well as being a pretty great person over all.

Chrissy stopped mid-sentence and frowned.

“Don’t look now, but there’s a woman standing about 20 yards behind you staring at us. She hasn’t moved in about 10 minutes.” Nicole growled.

“Long grey hair? Dressed like some Woodstock inspired nightmare?” Chrissy nodded.

“Who is she?” Nicole sighed.

“No one you want to get to know. Do me a favour, if she bothers you, call your dad. Tell him my mother is in town. He will know exactly what to do.” Chrissy’s jaw dropped as Nicole stood, and without looking behind her, said goodbye to her friend and jogged off with Aurelia

Chrissy looked back at the woman who was quickly walking towards her looking determined.

“Cooper!” she called. “Time to go!” She grabbed her pup and belongings and made for the car park before the woman could catch up with her.

Chapter Text

Nicole was strolling along main street with Aurelia strapped to her chest. Anyone who saw her stopped and had to admire the most adorable baby most of them had ever seen.

The pups caramel skin, the deep dimples so like her mothers, her hair beginning to curl, the blue eyes that were beginning change into hazel, a deeper red than her sires, the sunny disposition of the infant made even the most dreary purgatorian crack a smile.

Nicole was proud the be the mother of such an amazing little girl but spent most nights wondering if she was doing right by her daughter. Would she always be able to? Raising a child to survive in a world that could be cruel was scary.

The urge to protect her baby was always forefront on her mind. Now more that ever. It was better to be safe than sorry when it came to Caroline Bradford.

Speaking of the Devil always makes him appear.

“Nicky.” The Alpha was speaking to someone when the door of the coffee shop she was standing outside of opened and she heard her voice. Nicole bit back a groan. She was a sheriffs deputy and needed to keep her composure in public all the time. She bid the women she was talking to a good day before walking away from the woman standing behind her.

Sadly Caroline followed the red head across the street, trying to catch up with her daughter’s long legs.

“Christ! Will you slow down?” Nicole ignored her and went into a pharmacy to get some supplies for Aurelia. The woman followed her down the aisles.

“She’s my grandpup, Nicole! You can’t keep me out of her life!” the omega wailed theatrically, catching a few peoples attention as Nicole blushed and set her jaw to stop herself from saying anything even though her wolf was chomping at the bit to put that woman firmly back in her box.

Ignoring her Dame, she picked up the items she needed and headed to the check out with the grey haired woman following her.

“It’s so cruel! You have such a nasty streak!” the woman yelled. “Everyone thinks your so nice but you are such a bitch! That pup needs her Grandma!” Nicole shot the cashier an apologetic look, paid for her items and turned to leave, but Caroline was behind her and refused to move.

Nicole sighed and gave the woman a bored look before taking her phone out and texting Wynonna, telling her her mother was following her and she needed back up. She pushed past the woman and walked out of the store, Caroline following her.

“You are a disgrace! How could you deny your own mother access to her only grandchild?!” She continued to shout things at Nicole as she followed the mortified taller woman down the street. Just as she was passing Shorty’s, the door opened and out walked Waverly and the doctor she had seen at Aurelia’s check up, Jeremy, exit after having lunch.

That was the last thing Nicole needed, for Waverly to see her insane mother shouting at her. But see her the omega did.

When Waverly heard shouting, she turned away from Jeremy and narrowed her eyes when she saw a nervous Nicole being harassed by the woman who had shown up a few days ago.

Nicole had on arm tight around the pup that was in the baby sling and her stride seemed quicker than normal. Waverly growled a little. Nuh-uh. She wasn’t having anyone bother Nicole or Aurelia when she was around.

“Hey, Cole!” She had let that nickname slip once before and she liked it, so when Nicole hadn’t reacted, she decided to use it again. The Alpha looked at her, embarrassment written all over her face. “What’s going on?” she asked gently as the Alpha paused in front of her.

“I can’t stop.” She gave the omega a pointed look as the woman continued to shout at Nicole and about her. Just then two police cruisers pulled up in front of the bar.

Wynonna and Nedley both climbed out of the cars and approached.

“What’s going on here?” Nedley asked sternly, concerned for his deputy. He knew the story. Nicole turned back to Waverly and spoke softly, close to the omegas ear. Waverly shivered .

“I’m sorry, Waves, could you take Aurelia into Shorty’s? I don’t know if she will turn nasty, and I don’t want Elia exposed to that.” The omega reached up and pulled the infant out of the sling without a word but smiled when the pup made a happy little squeal when she scented Waverly. The two doctors turned and went back inside without another word.

“She won’t let me see my grand baby!” Caroline shouted, but Wynonna and Randy kept their cool. The beta walked over to her best friend while Nedley stepped towards the angry omega.

“Ain’t no one in this town gonna disrespect my deputy, shout at her as she goes about her business, especially when she’s with her little girl.” The woman scoffed and pointed to Nicole.

“What about how she is disrespecting me?! I’m here dame and I have a right to see that pup!” Nedley shook his head, the white cowboy hat moving.

“If officer Haught doesn’t want you near Aurelia, you won’t be.” The short woman snorted in anger.

“I’ll get a lawyer! I won’t let this stand!” The man shrugged and then sniffed the air.

“Do what you want, but right now I’m arresting you for public intoxication. Earp.” Wynonna, who was being uncharacteristically quiet and serious, stepped forward, unhooking her cuffs. Caroline growled and began to struggle as the beta clipped on the cuffs and read her her rights.

“How dare you! I’ll have all of your badges for this!”

“Alright, Karen,” Wynonna muttered.

“My name is Caroline!” Nicole’s mother snapped back.

“I know.”

“Earp, throw her in the tank to sober up but breathalyze her first.”

“Nicole! Stop them!” The woman snarled at her daughter as she was lead to Wynonna’s cruiser. The two friends eyes met and Wynonna nodded, a silent promise to check in later.

When Wynonna drove away, Nedley stepped forward.

“You ok, Nicole?” The alpha sighed, shaking slightly, childhood memories rushing back.

“I will be, but I cant have her around my daughter, Sheriff. You know why.” The man nodded.

“She won’t be in long. If she shows up, call me straight away and I’ll talk to Dolls about a restraining order.” Nicole smiled and thanked the man before walking into Shorty’s where she found Waverly and Jeremy sitting in a booth with Aurelia snuggled up on Waverly’s chest with her face buried in the omegas neck. Nicole was momentarily envious of daughter, chuckling to herself.

She smiled and slid in beside the brunette who smiled at her softly.

“Hey, everything ok?”

“Yeah or at least it will be. Sorry you got caught up again in that bullshit. You too, Dr Chetri.” The pup reached out for her mother, Nicole held up a hand and the little redhead gripped her finger and she tucked herself under Waverly’s chin.

“Don’t worry about it, Ms Haught, and please call me Jeremy.” Waverly reached out and put a comforting hand on Nicole’s knee making Nicole smile at her. Jeremy watched the two women with a light smirk. Waverly was his best friend and he could tell she was nuts about the Alpha from the way she was looking at her so softly.

“Have you eaten?” the omega asked Nicole, who smiled.

“I picked some stuff up for lunch before all that. I’ll make something when I get home. Are you rushing back to work?”

“No, we actually have today off so decided to have a long lunch and a proper catch up. Jeremy here was my roommate in college.” They continued to make small talk until the pup began to fuss. Nicole tucked her into the baby sling after Waverly gave her a little kiss on the forehead.

“I’ll talk to you soon, Waves. It was nice to see you again, Jeremy.” She walked out and Waverly watched her go, her heart fluttering. Nicole calling her Waves did things to her, and her omega whining at the lose of Nicole’s company. The man began to chuckle.

“Oh you have it bad!” Waverly whipped her head around and scowled at the man who held up his hands.

“Jeremy, shut up. Don’t you think she has enough going on?”

“I don’t think she would mind getting it on with you!” he said, giggling and making waverly roll her eyes. “Seriously though, you would make an adorable couple. She really likes you! And OMG that pup is so cute.” Waverly said nothing and later that evening as she sat in her room thinking, she decided to leave and drive to Nicoles.

As she stood on the porch, she began to feel a little nervous. The door opened and Nicole beamed at her.

“Hey, Waves, what are you doing here? Is everything ok?” she asked, as she stepped aside to allow Waverly entry.

“Sorry to call by unannounced, I just wanted to make sure you were alright after what happened today.” Nicole blew out a breath as they moved to the living room. The pup was strapped into her little bouncer chair and beamed and giggled when she saw the omega. Waverly pointed to the pup and looked at Nicole for permission. The Alpha nodded and smiled as Waverly scooped the pup up.

“I’m fine, just don’t need her bullshit right now.” Waverly nodded as they sat down on the sofa. The pup babbled happily up at Waverly who smiled and talked back. Nicole just watched them interact with a soft smile. “She really loves you. She gets so excited then you’re around.” She said quietly. Waverly turned and gave her a beaming smile that made her eyes crinkled. The Alpha melted a little.

“Well I love her, too. She’s the best little girl in the world, aren’t you, Aurelia!” She tickled the pups pudgy belly, making the child laugh. “And she only likes me because I named her. If I hadn’t stepped in, you would still be sitting here trying to think of something!” Nicole laughed loudly and the omega wanted to hear that sound again and again.

“You’re probably right! I just wanted to do right by her.” Waverly moved to face Nicole better.

“Jesus Cole, you are! She’s such a loved, happy child, what more could you want?” Nicole gave her a wan smile.

“I just worry I’ll fuck up. You saw what mine is like and it scares the shit out of me.” Waverly reached over and took Nicole’s hand.

“Cole.” Nicole liked waverly calling her that and no one else had ever called her that before. “You are nothing like that woman. Obviously she’s deranged and you are so not. You’re kind and sweet and you adore your little girl.”

“Thanks, Waves.”

“Can I ask what happened? What went on?” Waverly saw Nicole’s shoulders tense. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“No, I’ll tell you but it’s kind of a shitty and long story.” Waverly gave Nicole’s hand another squeeze.

“I have all night.”

Chapter Text

When Nicole Haught was born, neither of her parents were quite ready to step into the role.

Her mothers had only been together a short time when Caroline conceived. The omega and her girlfriend were polar opposites, chalk and cheese.

Caroline was a lazy, self centered woman who had managed to hide her less attractive quality’s from Audrey Haught long enough to get pregnant.

Audrey was a police officer, hard working and kind. She was tall and had red hair just like her daughter, who she did love very much.

She would do most of the caring for little Nicole. Half way through her girlfriends pregnancy, Audrey had begun to notice Caroline’s true personality come out, and it frightened her to see what she was really like but then she thought hormones were playing a part. The omega didn’t seem to have much interest in the pup and had begun to go out every night, leaving Nicole with her sire.

When Nicole was three, Audrey came home to find her daughter unsupervised in a full bath of water and Caroline passed out from Vodka on the sofa.

Without a word, Audrey packed up her and Nicole’s things and left for her mothers.

It was two days before Caroline contacted Audrey at work and told her Nicole was missing. The omega raged when the Alpha told her that she had filed paperwork the day she left to sue for custody and they would not be back.

A bitter custody battle was fought, but eventually the judge granted full custody to Audrey and visitation to Caroline. Most of the time the omega would show up late if she bothered to show up at all.

Audrey and Nicole stayed living with her mother Betty and Audrey’s sister Breda until, one tragic day, Audrey was shot and killed on the job during a robbery she responded to. Nicole was 10.

As soon as Caroline found out, she applied for custody of the pup even though Audrey had taken steps to ensure Nicole would stay with her grandmother should anything happen to her. After weeks of deliberations the judge eventually decided to send Nicole back to live with Caroline.

The omega forbid Nicole to see or talk to any of her family on her Sire’s side.

Nicole had to move to a new school where she was teased mercilessly for her tall stature and red hair. She had lost all her friends from her old school and struggled to adjust. Her mom wouldn’t let her join any teams or clubs, stating she didn’t have the money to indulge her daughter’s hobbies.

Caroline drank heavily and often forgot or just didn’t bother to feed her daughter or even buy groceries. Nicole regularly went to bed with an empty stomach after having had nothing to eat all day.

Nicole’s aunt and Grandmother fought for visitation but Caroline had a good lawyer. She didn’t want Nicole, she just wanted to hurt the child who looked so much like her sire and the people who loved her. She retained custody and they weren’t even granted visitation.

Naturally the little girl’s Grandmother and aunt were worried for her and called social services multiple times, but no one ever went to the rundown 2 bed apartment in the heart of the city’s slum.

The older Nicole got, the more her mother drank and raged, often throwing things at or hitting her daughter. The daughter who was too scared to fight back, too quiet to tell anyone.

Nicole was withdrawn and lonely, the happy little girl who had been so loved by her sire was gone.

When Nicole was 15, Caroline beat her so badly around the head with a wine bottle over some imagined slight. She had collapsed on the floor, bleeding profusely onto the exposed concrete from a missing tile.

That blood stain on the concrete never came off.

She had stayed on the ground all night, eventually coming too. She was dizzy, sore, her movements sluggish. She had grabbed her bag and left for school but as she got outside she collapsed on the side walk and concerned passers by called 911.

When she finally came round in the hospital days later, she was alone and broken. Her mother hadn’t even gone looking for her. The cops arrived and by some miraculous coincidence, her Mom’s old partner Eliza was one of them.

The woman sat in shock as Nicole had told her what happened, not just about the beating but about how terrible the last 5 years had been. The Alpha woman had almost broken down in tears as she listened.

Out of love and respect to her late partner, Eliza vowed to make this right. Emergency custody had been granted to Betty and Breda when Caroline was sentence to 3 years in prison for assault and battery and ordered to not contact her daughter.

It took a long time, but Nicole eventually recovered physically and mentally. Her grandmother got her into therapy, she eventually healed, gained the weight she was desperately lacking, got the love and support she needed. Her old friends from her old school welcomed her back with open arms. Things got so much better.

When she was 20, Betty passed away after a short illness. Her granddaughter had been heart broken. Caroline appeared at the graveyard during the burial and raged about the deceased woman and her late daughter. She was drunk and angry, she screamed at Nicole as four men dragged her away.

Any time she saw Nicole somewhere in the small city she hurled abuse at her. Nicole had begun to suspect she had been stalking her.

Caroline spent the next few years in and out of prison, mostly for drunk and disorderly charges or DUIs, always appearing somewhere around Nicole when she got out. She had been locked up again when Nicole had moved to purgatory.

“I don’t know how she found out I was here,” Nicole said as she finished her tale. Waverly was gripping her hand tightly and had moved closer to her during the story. She had tears in her eyes.

“Oh... oh Cole, I am so sorry you had to go through that! You poor thing!” she said thickly and sniffled. Even the pup had appeared to have listened intently and had stilled with a pout on her cute little face.

“It’s ok, Waverly. The therapy really helped, but it’s hard to see her and now I have Aurelia to protect and I really don’t want her around my pup.”

“That’s more than understandable, Sweetie. If I beat her to a bloody mess will you arrest me?” Nicole laughed, breaking the tension. Waverly reached up and brushed hair away from Nicole’s face and behind her ear as she hummed. “I know your Dame was terrible, but it sounds like you took after your sire. You are the best mom, it’s pretty amazing to see. You’re amazing.”

Nicole gave her a soft smile. Their eyes connected and a different sort of tension filled the room. Both women glanced at the others lips and both of them leaned forward at the same time, lips connecting in a sweet kiss, gentle at first before Waverly deepened it, running her tongue along Nicole’s lip and the Alpha granted her access, both women letting out a little moan as they felt each other’s tongue.

Nicole put a gentle hand on Waverly’s hip as Waverly tangled her free hand in the other woman’s red locks.

They were intoxicated on the taste of each other’s mouths until Aurelia let out an unhappy little grumble from between them as she rested in the crook of Waverly’s arm. They separated and looked down at the pup who hadn’t approved of the women not paying her any attention, and Nicole smiled at her before blushing and looking at Waverly as there foreheads pressed together.

“I... I’m sorry, Waves, I shouldn’t have done that.” Waverly shook her head.

“No it’s ok, it was both of us.”

“I’m really sorry but... I cant get into anything at the moment.” Waverly gave her a tight smile, her throat constricting and her stomach twisting.

“I get it, it’s ok. I know,” she said as she squeezed Nicole’s arm.

“It’s not that I don’t want to-.” Waverly shook her head.

“Cole, I understand. This little one is your priority. I better get going, I’ll talk to you soon yeah?” Nicole nodded as the omega handed her pup to her and got up.

“Of course. Bye, Waves.”

“Bye, Cole. And good bye, Elia. Be good for your mommy.”

When she left, Nicole sat back against the sofa and sighed. She may have told Waverly she couldn’t, but dammit if she didn’t want to. Kissing Waverly had been incredible, her soft lips and gentle tongue, she tasted as good as she smelled. Nicole hadn’t had any idea the omega was into women, but she really hoped that at some point in the future she could ask the woman out when she got a handle on her life.

She didn’t expect Waverly to be single for long though.

She got up and got Aurelia squared away for the night as she thought of the Omega. She really hoped she hadn’t fucked anything up between them because she valued the brunettes friendship above everything else.

But, Whoa, that kiss.

When Waverly parked outside the Homestead, she rested her head on the steering wheel and let out a groan.

She shouldn’t have kissed Nicole. One earth shattering kiss told Waverly all she needed to know how she really felt about the redhead. Waverly hoped Nicole liked her and there might be a chance in the future, but right now she needed to go upstairs and take a cold shower.

Chapter Text

Waverly Earp was a lot of things. She was funny, a little cheeky at times, really caring, sweet and kind, beautiful and Vastly intelligent. She had a wonderful way with her patients and their parents, and she was fantastic at her job.

The omega worked so hard and such long hours. She loved her job and she loved the pups she cared for. The parents trusted her.

She sat behind her desk in her office, working on patient files when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.” She called, not looking up from her desk as she scribbled away. When the door opened she glanced up “Hello, can I help you?”

“Hi, yes, I’m Rosita Bustillos.” Waverly stood and approached for Latina woman, shaking her hand.

“Dr Bustillos, Welcome to Ghost River General, I’m Waverly Earp, we are excited to have you on the team!” she said, smiling. Rosita subtly looked her up and down before shaking her hand and smiling at her.

“Very excited to be here!” Waverly took the new Doctor on a tour of her department, introducing her to her fellow team members, the other doctors and nurses she would be working with.

She hadn’t noticed the Beta woman looking at her often or the flirty smiles the woman kept throwing her way.

Waverly Earp could be a little oblivious.

When she was finally able to leave for the evening she replied to her sisters texts, agreeing to meet her in Shorty’s for a drink on her way home.

She parked outside the saloon and got out of her Jeep, walked through the swinging doors and smiled when she saw her sister at the bar with Doc. She made her way over to the couple, who had since worked things out after the dinner in Gus’s.

“Hey, Waves!” Wynonna hugged her and asked the barman for a couple of shots and more beer.

“Wy, I’m not getting plastered tonight, I just want a beer.” Wynonna scoffed.

“I know for a fact you’re on a late shift tomorrow so will you loosen up? Haught is on her way, we are celebrating her first day back at work!” Waverly tensed a little, she hadn’t really spoken to Nicole since The Kiss.

Other than a few texts here, they hadn’t spoken and she was a little embarrassed about throwing herself at the woman a few weeks ago. She so wasn’t ready to see her tonight. Waverly was just about to make up an excuse to leave when the doors opened behind her and in walked the Alpha.

The sight in front of her made her have to bite back a whimper. Nicole was in her uniform, shirt tight, stetson, boots and wearing khaki pants. That Alpha looked good. Waverly’s mouth went dry.

The redhead gave her a shy smile, blushing prettily. Waverly couldn’t help smile back. She had missed that woman.

“Hey, Waves,” Nicole said as she joined them, looking at Waverly with something in her expression that the omega couldn’t Identify. She beamed up at her from her stool as she reached behind her and grabbed a beer from the bar top to hand to the woman.

“Hey Cole, good to see you. How was your first day back?” Nicole gave her a big smile and Waverly thanked the Gods she was sitting down because her knees would have buckled. Fuck she missed that smile.

“Great! I didn’t realise how much I missed it. How’s things been with you?” The omega shrugged.

“Awh, the usual, busy! How’s my favourite little redhead?” Nicole gave her a soft smile before it turned into a grin.

“CJ is fine. I’ll let her know you were asking for her.” Waverly laughed and playfully smacked Nicole’s arm.

“No, she’s my 2nd favourite! Aurelia’s my favourite!” Nicole pouted.

“I’m beaten by the cat?” Waverly giggled and nodded. “Elia is good, growing like a weed. She growled at me the other day!” Waverly gasped.

“Oh my Gods! Her first growl! Please tell me you recorded it!” The Alpha nodded and pulled out her phone, she couldn’t take her eyes off the omega who was cooing as she watched the video and heard the little growling sounds. “Cole! She’s getting so big! Oh I miss that little cutie.”

“I think she misses you too, Waves.” Waverly wished Nicole had missed her and said it, but little did she know she was never far from the alpha’s mind. “Maybe you would want to hang out with us some day we are both off?”

“I would love to! Are you off Sunday?”

“I am! Wanna go to the park?”

“Perfect.” They spent over an hour talking, not noticing anyone else. Everyone who saw them talking could tell they were head over heels for each other, most assumed they were on a date. Wynonna and Doc shared more than one look as they watched them laughing. Wynonna had to admit, she hadn’t ever seen her sister smile like how she smiled at Nicole. She was glowing.

Eventually Nicole had to leave to pick up her daughter from Gloria. They gave each other one last smile before Nicole placed her hat on her head and tipping it. Nicole then left without seemingly remembering Wynonna was there. Normally the beta would have shouted after Nicole, but she saw how her sister seemed to be in a happy little daze and didn’t want to be the one to snap her out of it.

“Well, Dr Earp, I do believe you two are quite smitten with each other!” Doc chucked and snapped Waverly out of her trance making Wynonna want to smack him on the back of the head.

The omega blushed and swallowed the last of her drink before telling them she would see them later before leaving for home.

“Did I say something wrong?” Doc said as Gus joined them.

“You shouldn’t have said anything, Doc!”

“About what?” Wynonna’s aunt asked.

“He told her they looked so smitten with each other!” Gus chuckled and nodded.

“Yes they do, if I didn’t know better, I would say they were already dating. They look rather moony eyed for each other, lots of people asked me when did they get together.”

“Maybe the two young ladies need a little push in each other’s direction,” Doc said with a twinkle in his eyes as he turned to his girlfriend who scoffed.

“Don’t look at me, I’m fine with them dating, but I’m not going to hook my little sister up with my best friend. I ain’t getting involved!” she said, throwing back a shot of whiskey.

“I think they would make a lovely couple,” Gus said with a smile. “They seem to have a lot in common, I can’t ever remember seeing Waverly smiling like that around anyone else.” Wynonna agreed.

“Let’s just leave them to it. Nicole has enough to be dealing with. The kid, she’s back at work, and I know she’s stressed and tired. A relationship probably isn’t what she is thinking about.”

“I know. Dinner is next Friday, make sure they both come,” Gus said, before walking off to serve someone.

Wynonna was wrong. Nicole had been thinking about a relationship. Specifically one with Waverly Earp.

The Alpha hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss weeks ago. The feeling of Waverly’s fingers gripping her hair and her soft plump lips against Nicole’s was amazing. She felt so drawn the omega, and it had been difficult not to see or talk to her since that night, but she didn’t know if Waverly was upset with her.

Nicole’s wolf paced in her mind as she packed up Aurelia’s things, the beast was anxious to get to the park that day and spend time with the omega, be close to her.

She smiled down at the rapidly growing pup who squealed happily as she looked up at her Mom.

“Oh, are you excited to see Waverly today?” Again the pup squealed as Nicole scooped her up and brought her to the changing table to change her and dress her in a cute little pair of dungarees and a jumper to protect her from the very slight nip in the early September air.

She brought the pup downstairs and put her in her stroller before opening the drawer of her desk and grabbing something she put in the diaper bag.

She pushed her happily babbling pup down the sidewalk to the park and towards the large Oak tree in the centre of it.

When she arrived, Waverly was already there, leaning against the trunk as she sat on the ground reading but looked up, smiled and waved when she saw them approaching. The omega stood and trotted towards them.

“Hey! There’s my favourite little girl!” she cooed, as she smiled down at the pup who started excitedly babbling as soon as she caught Waverly’s scent. Waverly picked her up with an Ooof “Oh my Gods you are getting so big!” she said with a smile up at Nicole who grinned back.

“Yeah she’s really taken a stretch.” They walked back to the tree and Waverly sat down with the pup on her lap as Nicole grabbed her bag and pulled out a small blanket to place on the ground for the pup to lie on.

“I brought a little picnic for lunch,” Waverly said shyly, but Nicole just beamed at her.

“That sounds really great, Waves, thank you.” They spent the next hour talking and laughing as the pup cuddled into Waverly’s front and eventually fell into a peaceful slumber.

Waverly asked Nicole to set out the food as she didn’t want to wake up Aurelia by moving her, and the alpha happily set out the food Waverly had prepared. There was different types of sandwiches and salad, fruit and some brownies.

They looked, for all the world, like a happy little family as they ignored everything but each other and the pup in Waverly’s arms. They didn’t notice the time passing, and much too soon, it was getting late.

“I really have to get going, I’m on the ER tonight.”

“Yeah I better get her home, there’s a mountain of laundry I need to deal with!” Nicole sighed and Waverly laughed, the omega handed the pup to her mother and kissed her forehead goodbye. The pup grumbled unhappily at being taken away from the brunette which made Nicole smile softly. She really couldn’t blame Aurelia.

“Before I forget, Aurelia wanted me to give you something.” She reached into the diaper bag and pulled out the little bag she had placed in there earlier which she handed to the surprised omega.

“What’s this?”

“It’s for your birthday. I probably won’t see you again before then so...” Waverly was shocked, most people forgot her birthday and she was touched.

“Thank you, Cole, that’s really sweet.” She kissed the alpha’s cheek which which went crimson as she blushed.

“It was really Elia’s idea, it’s only something small.” Waverly giggled and opened the bag. It was a silver watch. “em Wynonna told me your one broke.” Waverly gave her a beaming smile and pulled her and the pup into a hug.

“I love it, Cole, thank you! And thank you too, cutie!” she said, gently stroking the pups cheek. When Nicole put her daughter into the stroller, she walked Waverly towards her car and there they shared a hug goodbye but neither wanted to let go.

Neither of them saw Caroline watching them through narrowed eyes.

Chapter Text

Waverly stood in front of the full length mirror in her bedroom, looking over her outfit for that evening. She, Jeremy and a few of the other medical staff from the hospital were going out tonight for a few drinks to celebrate Waverly’s birthday.

She was wearing a skin tight burgundy dress that stopped mid thigh and silver heels, her hair was styled in waves that flowed over her shoulder. She had a silver clutch bag and was wearing the watch Nicole had gotten for her. It made her smile every time she looked at it.

She headed downstairs where Jeremy and Rosita were in the living room. Waverly had found she liked the latina beta woman and they got along well.

“Whoa!” Jeremy said, his eyes popping out of his head when he looked at his best friend. He had never seem her dressed like that before. “Damn waves, you have all sorts of curves!”

The omega woman blushed and waved her hand dismissively. Rosita said nothing as she looked the woman up and down, her mouth salivating.

“Who are you dressed up for?” she said with a flirtatious wink which Waverly missed. Rosita found the woman’s obliviousness to her advances adorable. Waverly blushed.

“No one!” she said a little too quickly and at too high a register.

Rosita grinned to herself as she thought the very friendly woman was interested in her but it slid off her face when Jeremy giggled and said teasingly, “Is that for a certain red headed no one? The one you reeeeaallly like? Are you wearing that just in case we happen to run into her tonight?” Waverly went an even darker shade if red.

“Shut up!” she hissed.

Rosita’s wolf growled, but the beta smiled and said cheerfully, “What’s this?” Jeremy grinned gleefully.

“Waverly’s totally into the super good looking, really nice Alpha Cop whose daughter is one of my patients.” Rosita nodded.

“Is she single?”

“Yeah, but her pup is only two and half months old so she has her hands full.”

“Has nothing happened between you two yet?” Waverly bit her lip and looked away from her friends to stare at the wall. Jeremy squealed.

“Oh my gods! Something did happen!”

Waverly shook her head, refusing to look at them while Rosita wondered how she could turn the omega’s head.

“Come on, Waves! Tell us!” After much coercion, the omega sighed and sat on the couch beside Rosita.

“A few weeks ago we kissed, but Aurelia is her world. She’s a single, working mom of an infant. She told me she can’t get into anything right now.”

“That’s a real pity!” Jeremy said sadly as he hugged his friend.

“You’re not planning on waiting round for her are you?” Rosita asked with an arched brow.

“Eh... I don’t know, I’m just going with the flow, see what happens, but gods the kiss was amazing and I feel such a connection with her.”

“Well let’s get you drunk enough tonight to forget about her and have some fun!” Rosita said, standing and pulling Waverly up onto her feet before they headed out to Shorty’s.

Nicole was playing pool with Wynonna after she talked her into going out for the night properly. Nicole asked Rachel, the 16 year old daughter of her child minder Gloria, to baby sit for a few hours to give both Nicole and Gloria a break and Rachel a few dollars. The Alpha made the omega girl promise to call if she was unsure of anything and keep the doors locked. She ordered that Rachel open the doors to no one except her or her mother.

The teenager smiled and promised to do as she was told, happy the Alpha she looked up to trusted her with her pup.

Nicole was about to shoot when Waverly and her friends walked into the bar. She completely misfired and potted one of Wynonna’s balls as her jaw hit the floor.

“Haught Potato, what the hell was that?” Wynonna asked as she looked at Nicole, her mouth slightly open and her eyes black as coal. She looked behind her to see what had made Nicole look like that only to see her little sister in a very grown up dress.

She rolled her eyes and turned back to her friend who’s eyes were still glued to the omega who was beaming as she walked over to them and hugged her sister.

“Hey Baby Girl, where you going dressed like that?”

“Well I wanted to try something different, Wy. Plus we might decide to go the city later if nothing is happening here,” Waverly said, as she looked at Nicole out if the corner of her eye.

“Well you look killer, Waves. Hey, Haught Pants! Don’t you think Waverly looks awesome?” The Alpha swallowed.

When Nicole saw Waverly, her deceptively long legs, those heels, that dress... the Alpha was pretty sure her heart stopped for a moment.

“You’re a vision...” she sighed out, making Waverly blush and look down shyly, biting her lip.

“You don’t look too bad yourself...” Waverly said, looking the Redhead up and down. Nicole was dressed in those sinfully tight skinny jeans and a flannel shirt that was open, exposing the tank top underneath, her long hair had been cut and curled gently around her chin. Waverly spotted the bulge in Nicole’s jeans, it seemed bigger than normal, certainly more noticeable. She wondered if she was the cause.

They smiled at each other shyly until Wynonna rolled her eyes and pushed her sister in the direction of the bar.

“Go hang out with your friends, Waves. We will join you for a drink later.” The smaller brunette smiled at her sister then at Nicole and walked back to her friends, including the ones who had arrived at Shorty’s before she, Jeremy and Rosita had. They were all watching from the bar at the way Nicole and Waverly were looking at each other.

When Waverly joined them, they all gave her knowing looks as she blushed.

Once the omega was at the bar, Wynonna turned and found Nicole watching her sister with a love struck expression. Ugh! She threw up in her mouth just a little.

She reached across the table with her pool cue and poked the Alpha in the stomach, hard. When Nicole yelped and snapped out of her Waverly induced daze, she gave Wynonna a sheepish look.

“Dude... seriously, that’s my sister!” Nicole cleared her throat awkwardly and looked down. She figured Wynonna would not be happy if she realised the Alpha had feelings for the tiny Doctor. Wynonna watched a range of emotions fly across the redhead’s face and rolled her eyes. “I know you’re into her, Haught, and if you were anyone else, I’d gave you the shovel talk, but you know what I’m capable of so I don’t need to tell you what I will do to you if you hurt her!” Nicole paled a little.

Wynonna leaned over the pool table and took a shot before looking back at her dumbstruck looking friend. She rolled her eyes again.

“I knew she was into chick’s and its pretty obvious she’s into you so you better not mess her around.” Nicole looked down and sighed.

“Wy... I really like her but I can’t start anything with anyone at the moment. Aurelia’s still too young and Waverly deserves someone who can make her the priority, which I couldn’t,” Nicole said honestly as Wynonna nodded in understanding.

“Dude, Waverly deserves the best, and I hate to say it and I’ll kill you if you tell anyone, but you are the best. You two idiots would totally make it work. Give it a bit more time but don’t wait too long,” Wynonna said pointedly as she glanced over at the bar.

Waverly was laughing with her friends, leaning in to hear the Latina woman who was speaking to her. Wynonna (and Nicole) watched as Rosita, someone she had met here in the bar a couple of times, smiled at Waverly seductively and placed a hand on Waverly’s bare leg as she leaned in closer to the omega.

Nicole growled a little as Wynonna smirked at her. The Alpha’s wolf raged as it saw a weak beta put her hand on HER omega. In both anger and shock, she broke the pool cue she was holding in half with a loud snap.

She looked down in shock at her hands, each holding half a cue as Wynonna laughed. Nicole, mortified, put the cue halves down on a table.

“Gus is going to kill me!” she squeaked, trying to stop herself from looking at Rosita and Waverly who was laughing. She missed the smug look the beta shot her.

“Just order her a new one and tell her it was an accident.” Nicole nodded and went to a nearby seat, ordering a set of 4 cues to be sent directly to the bar.

She got up and grabbed her coat.

“I better get going, dude, it’s getting late.”

“Yeah, I’m horny so I was going to abandon you for a booty call with Doc anyway.” Nicole laughed and shook her head. They said goodbye and Nicole headed to the bar to tell Gus about the cue, apologise, and tell her to expect a delivery.

As she approached the bar, she stood a little taller and decided to come up behind Waverly who instantly turned away from Rosita when she scented the alpha.

“Cole!” she squealed happily and hugged the redhead tight. The taller woman chuckled and hugged her back. The omega was more than a little tipsy.

“You having fun, Waves?” The omega gave her a beaming smile that made her eyes crinkle and she giggled, still hanging on to the woman’s waist.

“Imma little drunk...” she slurred and Nicole laughed.

She called Gus over as Waverly stayed hugging her waist and told her what happened, the woman waving off the broken cue.

“We have tons of spares in the back, they get broken in the bar fights here all the time.”

“You’re gonna have to let me go now, Waves,” she said gently. The omega looked up at here with big wide eyes.

“You’re leaving?” the Hazel eyed woman asked, pouting. As Nicole looked down at the sad little face she realised she was a goner.

“How about I stay for one more drink with you before I head home? I don’t want to have a hangover tomorrow trying to deal with Aurelia.” Waverly, still holding onto Nicole’s waist, yipped happily and cooed.

“Awh Aurelia... I love her; she’s so amazing.” She sighed.

“And she loves you too, Waves. She’s always so happy when you’re around.” The two women were looking at each other so softly, so much unsaid hanging between them.

“Looks like you’re shit out of luck there,” Jeremy said to Rosita, who scowled and nodded. She saw two women in love.

“Ah, I’ll live. Know any other queer women at the hospital?”

Jeremy shrugged. “Hey let’s go to a gay bar in the city. I don’t think the birthday girl is up for the trip though.”

“Hey, Red!” Rosita said, gaining Nicole’s attention. The redhead looked away from the omega still wrapped around her. “You ok to get Waves home safe?” Nicoles wolf bristled.

“Of course!” Rosita and Jeremy, along with the remaining hospital staff who came, all said goodbye to Waverly before leaving. The omega let out a yawn.

“Come on, Drunky, lets get you home.”

“You always smell so goooood. Like vanilla dipped donuts,” Waverly said quietly. Nicole blushed. She help the woman outside, Waverly immediately started shivering in the cold breeze outside the bar.

Nicole detached herself from the smaller woman’s hold and pulled off her jacket, wrapping it around Waverly’s bare shoulders. The omega purred a little and buried her nose in the collar of the jacket as Nicole helped her into the passenger seat of the cruiser. She closed the door after she got Waverly belted in and shut the door. When she went to walk around the front of the cruiser, she looked up and saw a figure on the side walk.

It was Caroline, sneering at her.

“Oh you have got to be kidding me...” she muttered. She knew Caroline hadn’t stayed in the jail for more than a few days before she got bailed out. Nicole hadn’t seen her much, but she was under the distinct impression the horrid woman was up to something.

The woman said nothing, didn’t move, just continued to give her daughter a hard look. Nicole shook her head and got into the cruiser where she found Waverly fast asleep, curled up on the seat. Nicole sighed and started the car. She didn’t want to wake the omega and she was anxious to get home to her daughter, so she decided to just bring Waverly to her place.

When she got there, she scooped Waverly out of the front seat and carried her bridal style in through the front door, the woman’s arms wrapped tightly round her neck.

She put Waverly on the sofa, paid Rachel, and walked her to her mother’s car, watching her drive away. She went back to the living room, lifting the sleeping woman and carrying her up the stairs.

She placed the woman on her bed, taking off the silver heels before tucking Waverly in. She checked on her daughter who was fast asleep before heading downstairs to grab painkillers and a glass of water for the omega and placed them on the night stand.

Waverly nuzzled into Nicole’s pillow and sleepily muttered her name. In that moment Nicole realised she was head over heels in love with Waverly Earp.

She looked down at the sleeping woman, admiring her beauty. Nicole went to her chest of drawers and removed a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt, leaving them on the bed for Waverly to change into when she woke up. She went downstairs and made a bed for herself on the sofa she was much too long for.

Her wolf ordered her to get into her own bed, hold the omega close to her and let their scents mix in the room, but Nicole refused. She didn’t want to invade the woman’s space uninvited.

She eventually dozed off, dreaming of the softest pair of lips she had ever felt and wild flowers.

Chapter Text

Waverly woke up the following morning, groaning quietly as her head throbbed and she spotted the glass of water and pain killers. She swallowed them quickly and looked around the room.

She was in Nicole’s room? What the hell, she thought, happened last night? She quickly looked down at herself and realised she was still in her dress and that the other side of the bed hadn’t been slept on.

She smiled when she saw the sweats and t-shirt and quickly changed before standing and looking into the crib which contained a happy little pup giving her a dimpled smile as she made grabby hands and kicked out.

“Well I appreciate you respecting my hangover enough to not wake me by crying, my little love. Let’s get you up and see where your mommy is!” Waverly lifted the pup with a grunt. “You are growing like a weed young lady, soon I wont be able to carry you at all.” She brought the child over to the changing table, putting her in a fresh diaper, making her giggle by tickling her. Waverly dressed her before placing Aurelia on her hip and walking down the stairs.

She held back a giggle when she saw Nicole stretched out on the couch on her stomach, one leg and arm hanging off the side and one leg hanging off the end. The Alpha had her other arm under the pillow she had her face buried in. Nicole looked adorable.

She carried the pup into the kitchen, holding her tight as she made coffee and a bottle for the babbling baby in her arms. The omega would occasionally answer her back like they were having a conversation.

They didn’t notice Nicole, who had woken up to her child giggling and the smell of coffee. She got up from the couch and stretched, feeling all her joints crack. That couch is terrible to sleep on.

She had watched from the doorway as Waverly pulled out bacon, sausage and eggs from the fridge and put on the frying pan all while expertly keeping her grip firmly on the child she was having the ‘conversation’ with.

Nicole watched as her daughter babbled away, smiling widely up at the omega with wide eyes full of love, and she saw how Waverly lit up as she talked with the little girl.

Nicole couldn’t help but feel this was all sorts of right. Waverly and Aurelia had such an amazing bond and as Nicole watched, her heart clenched, wishing this was a sight she could see more often.

Nicole knocked on the wall to gain the woman’s attention and her pup squealed happily when she saw her Mom. Nicole approached her with her arms outstretched and scooped her out of Waverly arms, showering Aurelia’s face with kisses before smiling at Waverly who handed her a mug of coffee.

“Good morning. What’s all this?”

“Breakfast! It’s a thank you for taking care of me last night. I’m sorry if Drunk Waverly did anything regrettable, she doesn’t get out much,” The omega said and Nicole laughed.

“No, you were really well behaved, except I was going to drive you home, but you fell asleep in the car. Thought it was better to bring you back here.” Waverly reached up and kissed Nicole on the cheek making her blush.

“You’re the best, Cole,” she said softly, before turning her attention back to the food. Once everything was cooked they sat down and ate.

“Are you working today?” Nicole asked the omega as she placed the pup in her bouncy chair.

“No, I have a rare Saturday off. What about you?”

“I’m off too... Aurelia’s day is also totally free, so we were thinking maybe you wanna hang out with us? Watch some movies, maybe go to the park?”

“I would love to spend the day with 2 of my 3 favourite gingers!” Nicole grinned at her. “Where is CJ?”

“Oh she’s not a morning kitty; she won’t appear before noon usually.”

After breakfast, Waverly showered and dressed in Nicole’s sweats and a hoodie before heading back out to the living room.

She grabbed her bag and pulled out her phone, there were some texts from Wynonna asking where she was, so Waverly told her she was staying with Nicole and Aurelia for the day and would talk to her later.

After Nicole had showered and changed too, they sat on the couch with Elia in Waverly’s arms and after a long debate over which movie to watch, they settled on the Lion King.

“Just cover her eyes when Mufasa dies,” Nicole said, making Waverly giggle.

Half way through the movie, Waverly curled her legs up and leaned into Nicole slightly, the Alpha smiling a little at the action. She put her arm on the back of the sofa so the omega could really lean against her and Waverly took full advantage, letting out a little purr as she reached back and pulled the Alpha’s arm around her and then covered their legs with the blanket Nicole had used the night before.

The Alpha’s wolf scratched at her mind to kiss the woman whose scent enveloped them as she buried deeper into her side. Instead, Nicole just tightened her arm a little around Waverly. She didn’t see the omega smile contentedly.

They spent the entire day eating junk food, watching movies, playing with Aurelia and talking, and before either women knew it, it was after 10pm.

“Shit, I may call a taxi.” Waverly sighed sadly as she looked at her watch. Nicole really didn’t want her to leave.

“Em... if you want, you could stay here tonight? I can drive you to the homestead before I go to work tomorrow..” Waverly smiled and nodded.

“I better take the sofa tonight though, you don’t fit on it.” Nicole laughed and shook her head.

“It’s really uncomfortable, Waves. I’m not letting you sleep on it. I’ll take it.” Waverly smiled coyly and placed a hand on Nicole’s arm.

“We could both sleep in the bed...” she suggested, not looking at the alpha, blushing slightly. The red heads wolf wagged its tail excitedly and nipped at her mind, begging her to agree.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, of course! Unless you snore, then you can take the couch.” Nicole chuckled and shook her head. Together they tidied up the living room and headed up the stairs, Nicole carrying her daughter.

They both kissed the sleeping pups forehead before putting her down into her crib. They both went to the bathroom, Nicole handing Waverly a spare toothbrush.

Once they had finished, they climbed into the bed and lay down. Nicole lay on her back as far from Waverly as she could on the mattress, wanting to keep a respectful distance from the omega as to not be too much in her personal space.

Waverly lay on her side, her back to the Alpha, expecting to feel Nicole close to her, but she looked over her shoulder when she didn’t.

“Nicole? What are you doing?”

“Uh... I didn’t want to crowd you.” Waverly rolled her eyes and smiled good naturedly. She turned to face the taller woman and reached across the bed to grab Nicole’s t-shirt and gave it a tug.

“What if I want you to crowd me?” she asked shyly, going crimson, although Nicole couldn’t see that in the dark. Just like Waverly couldn’t see the look on Nicole face.

The redheads brain might have just exploded. She was silent for a moment, frozen and Waverly worried she had really overstepped, and just as she was about to apologise and call that taxi, Nicole moved closer to the centre of the bed and pulled Waverly against her.

The omega purred as Nicole wrapped her arms around the woman who pressed herself into Nicole’s side, head resting in the crook of her shoulder, arm thrown over the Alpha’s taut stomach.

They lay in silence, listening to the other’s breathing until Nicole couldn’t take it anymore.

“Waves?”

“Yeah, Cole?”

“Do... em... when... would you... fuck” Waverly giggled as Nicole blew out a breath.

“What are you trying to ask me?”

“Would you wanna go on a date with me?” Nicole said, her eyes screwed shut. Waverly sat up and turned on the lamp before looking down at the visibly nervous Alpha.

“What happened to not being able to start anything?” Nicole opened her eyes and looked the Waverly whose expression was unreadable and she swallowed hard.

“I fucking hated myself for saying that as soon as it left my mouth. I mean, I really have to keep Aurelia my main priority and you deserve someone who can make you their only priority, but I really can’t stop thinking about you. I want to be around you all the time and I’m pretty sure Elia feels the same about that. And I love how you are with her, and to be honest, when I saw that Rosita woman flirting with you, I got scared I would be missing my chance to be with you and that scared the shit out of me. But I’m also scared I’ll mess things up and lose our friendship and I do-"

Nicoles ramble was cut off by those soft lips she had been dreaming of for weeks. She sank into the feeling of Waverly’s kiss, moaning when she deepened it and pulling the woman to lie on top of her. The kiss grew heated before Waverly pulled back.

“I don’t want to be your friend, Nicole, I haven’t since I first met you. I’ve wanted to be with you. I know Elia has to be your number one and I’m OK with that, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I really, really want to go on a date with you!” Nicole beamed at her, her dimples cutting deep and Waverly reconnected their lips in a softer kiss.

They said nothing else before they finally fell asleep after they had shared soft kisses, purrs and caressed.

Chapter Text

Waverly woke that Sunday morning wrapped in Nicole’s arms as the Alpha spooned her. She sighed contentedly, pushing back slightly against the redheads front, making the woman grumble sleepily and pull her tighter against her.

“Noooo don’t move!” The redhead muttered as she nuzzled the omega’s neck as Waverly giggled.

“I need to pee!” The woman released her with a sigh.

“Ugh fine...” Nicole pouted playfully, her eyes still closed and released her hold on the omega who kissed her nose before rushing down stairs, eager to hurry back.

When she had done what she needed to do, she passed the kitchen and decided to grab Aurelia’s bottle before heading back upstairs, congratulating herself when she found the little pup smiling up at her from the crib. The pups arms and legs moved excitedly as she reached in and lifted her up with a groan before making for the bed. Nicole, eyes still closed, lifted up the blanket for them and chuckled lightly.

“You won’t be able to lift her at all soon!” Waverly scoffed, sitting up and feeding the child. Nicole pressed her face into the woman’s hips and threw an arm over her hips. “Have I told you how much I love the way you are with her?” The brunette smiled down at the redhead.

“She’s special, just like her Mommy,” Waverly said sweetly, before Aurelia finished her bottle and the omega winded her. Then she and the pup snuggled down into the Alpha’s arms and Waverly purred happily.

“Are you sure it’s ok that most of the time it’s going to be both of us you’re seeing and not just me?” Waverly opened her eyes and looked into the deep brown pools she liked so much and smiled, reaching up to stroke the Alpha’s cheek.

“I am 100% fine with that, but just promise me every once in a while we can have a couple of hours to ourselves?” The alpha went to kiss her lips but the omega pulled away.

“Morning breath!” she muttered, blushing but Nicole just grinned.

“I don’t care if you don’t!” Waverly giggled and reached forward, kissing the alpha sweetly. “I promise that when I can, I will definitely be able to swing the occasional date night where it will be just the two of us. Like maybe this Friday, if you’re free?” Waverly groaned.

“Gus’s dinner is on Friday and we can not blow her off to sneak off for a date! She would skin us both alive!” Nicole pouted.

“Very, very true. Ok how about this? The next evening we are both off, I’ll take you out for a date, just the two of us, somewhere other than Purgatory!” Waverly beamed at her.

“I would love that, but in the mean time we do have to get up soon because we both have work and you have to drive me home.” The Alpha groaned.

“I really don’t want to get out of this bed and I don’t want you to get out either!” Waverly made a noise of agreement before kissing her... Nicole again.

“Come on, Lazy bones.” Waverly climbed out of bed and got the pup changed and dressed while Nicole dragged herself out of bed and headed downstairs to shower.

Once Waverly had changed into another of Nicole’s t-shirts and tidied up her hair a little, she carried the pup down the stairs and into the kitchen where CJ immediately begged her for food.

“Yes, yes, calm down you little monster, I’ll feed you in a minute!”

“Having fun with your two favourite red heads?” Nicole joked from the doorway, making Waverly laugh and walk towards her.

“Well maybe after this date you will tie for 2nd place with CJ, especially in that uniform, but I’m sorry, you will never surpass Elia. She’s always gonna be number one.” Nicole smiled at her softly and bent down to kiss her.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She hummed against Waverly’s lips before the omega handed her the pup and turned around.

“Pancakes ok for breakfast?”

“Waves, you don’t have to cook breakfast for me! In fact I should be the one making you breakfast.” Waverly smiled at her and shook her head.

“I like cooking, Sweetie.” Nicole grinned like a jackass at the pet name and nodded before getting Aurelia’s bag packed with everything she would need for her stay with Gloria.

They moved around each other easily, like they had been doing this for years, a soft word here, a gentle touch there. Both of them enjoying the domestic feeling that warmed their hearts.

After breakfast they got Aurelia loaded up in the cruiser and headed to the Valdez home to drop the pup off.

Waverly helped bring in Aurelia’s things and say hello to the Beta woman, who she hadn’t seen in a few years. Gloria gave them a knowing smile. She could smell Waverly all over the pup, almost as strongly as she could smell Nicole. It was obvious the little brunette was spending more than a little time with Nicole and her daughter. When it was time to say goodbye, they both kissed the pups cheek and smiled when the pup squealed happily.

Gloria watched them walk away and smiled to herself. She looked down at the pouting pup who was also watching the couple disappear.

“Don’t worry, Little One, your Moms will be back soon.”

Nicole and Waverly laughed and talked all the way to the Homestead, there was never an awkward silence. Half way through the journey, Waverly had gotten brave enough to reach across and place her hand on Nicole’s thigh. The Alphas facial expression didn’t change at all as she reached her hand down. Waverly was worried for a moment that Nicole was going to pull her hand off, but the Alpha placed her soft hand on top of her own and interlocked their fingers before lifting her hand up, kissing Waverly’s palm and placing it back down on her thigh.

She never took her eyes off the road so she missed Waverly swoon a little.

All too soon they arrived at the Homestead and both of them sighed.

“Text me later?” Waverly asked shyly before Nicole leaned over and kissed her.

“Count on it. Have a good day, Waves.”

“Bye, Cole, stay safe.” She kissed the Alpha one more time before getting out if the car. Nicole waited until Waverly was safely inside before turning and heading back to town. She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face even if she had wanted too! Waverly wanted her! She was everything Nicole could ever want and more, the Alpha couldn’t quite believe it.

She pulled up outside the Civic building after spending the entire drive to town, lost in thoughts of the omega.

She got out of the car and headed into the sheriffs offices where she found Wynonna leaning on her desk, arms crossed and glaring at her. The smile fell from Nicole’s lips and she looked at her friend.

“Uh... what’s going on?

“You tell me, Red! First, my sister doesn’t come home for like two nights and you come in here smiling like a moron! Did you do my sister, Haught?” Nicole spluttered and shook her head.

“Christ, Wynonna! No! But... I did ask her out. And she said yes...” Wynonna sighed.

“What did we talk about?”

“I wouldn’t mess her around, Wy, you know that. I really like her, I mean really and I want to make it work with her. We had a talk about it. But I cant wait around and risk missing my chance with her.” Wynonna scrutinized her friend for a moment and arched a brow.

“Ok fine. Just don’t hurt her, I don’t want to have to hurt you!” They shared a laugh before their radios buzzed with a dispatch.

“Unit needed at Johnson Ranch on the old North Road to the Mines. Reports of a heavily drunk woman causing a disturbance.” Nicole responded saying she was on her way but looked at Wynonna.

“Think that’s my mother?” Wynonna shrugged and smiled.

“Possibly. Haven’t seen her around much though, since she bailed out.”

“Yeah thats what worries me. She’s up to something. Did you get an address for her?” Wynonna walked over to a filing cabinet and pulled out a file, reading it for a moment.

“Yep, she’s renting a room at Johnson ranch.”

“Great... you take point on this one.” Wynonna nodded as they made their way out of the building and into the cruiser, Nicole driving.

They put on the sirens and sped along, after a couple of minutes pulling down an old windy country lane that ran uphill towards the Ranch when suddenly a car came careening towards them from behind a sharp turn.

It happened in slow motion, the women both gasped. Nicole turned the car sharply as the oncoming car smashed into the drivers side and flipped the cruiser over. Pain, smoke and a crunching noise was all Nicole was aware of before she passed out.

Chapter Text

Waverly was in her office when her phone rang. She pulled it out of her handbag that hung on the back of her chair and frowned when she saw it was Nedley.

“Hey Sheriff... everything ok?”

“uh... Waverly...” The omega’s blood turned to ice when she heard the tone of Nedley’s voice. “There was a road accident, Nicole and Wynonna were responding to a call and the perp crashed into them. They’re on the way to the hospital now.”

“Are they...?”

“Nicole had to be resuscitated on site but they got her back, she’s in the worst shape of the three casualties. Wynonna was up and grousing.”

“Thanks, Randy, I’m heading to the ER now.”

“I’ll see you there.” She hung up and grabbed her coat and bag, rushing out of her office and to the nurses station to make them aware of the situation and that she wouldn’t be available for the rest of the day.

She rushed downstairs and into the ER just in time to witness utter chaos. She could hear shouting, instantly recognising it as Wynonna’s before she turned and saw Nicole being rushed in. An EMT straddled her while doing chest compressions as two more EMTs wheeled the Alpha in quickly as nurses prepared the defibrillator and intubation for the Doctors.

The omega’s legs felt weak as she let out an anguished sob.

Suddenly she was pulled into a hug, realising it was her sister. She returned the hug with vigor and sobbed onto Wynonna’s leather clad shoulder.

“She’s gonna be ok, Baby Girl. She’s gonna be ok!” the beta said softly.

“Are you ok?” Waverly asked quietly, pulling out of the hug to see her sister properly. The blue eyed woman was covered in cuts and scratches, she stank of smoke and was filthy, her clothes all beat up. The woman shrugged.

“Thanks to Haught.” Waverly’s eyebrows knitted together.

“What do you mean?”

“When that crazy bitch was coming straight for us, Nicole turned the Cruiser so her side took the brunt of the impact. It all happened so fucking quickly...” Waverly let out a sob. Of course Nicole saved Wynonna.

“Who... who was it?” Her sister sighed and rested her head in her hands.

“Her fucking Mother, Waves. She was drunk and causing a major uproar at her B&B so they called us. We responded and as we are almost there when that old cunt is speeding towards us with this deranged look in her face.” Waverly let out a strange sound, a whimper and a growl combined.

“Tell me she’s dead!” Wynonna sighed.

“No, shes banged up like me, but she will be fine”

“Officer Earp?” A nurse came up Wynonna. “Lets get you seen to and cleaned up.” Together the sisters walked into another part of the ER away from the chaos happening around Nicole who seemed to have stabilized.

The nurse cleaned up Wynonna’s face before the Doctor came in and stitched the worst of the cuts before examining her.

“OK, you have a slight concussion, nothing I’d be too worried about. Just rest and let those bruises and cuts heal. Dr Earp, any changes...”

“Of course, thank you, Dr Bolger.” They rushed back out to the waiting room where they met Nedley who pulled Wynonna into a hug.

“Now’s not the time to be trying to cop a feel, Nedley.” The man released her with a grunt. He was smiling though, Wynonna was obviously fine.

“Sheriff, have they told you anything about Nicole?” Waverly asked pleadingly, holding her breath when the man blew out a shaking breath.

“She’s stable but they rushed her into surgery, she’s got internal bleeding.” Waverly nodded, tears in her eyes. She excused herself to go speak to her boss Robert.

She explained that due to a family emergency she needed at least a week off and he granted it. She went back down to the ER and hugged her sister as they waited for word on Nicole.

Waverly called Gloria to tell her what had happened and promised to keep her updated, but Waverly would by to pick up the pup as soon as she could. She would mind the little girl while her mother couldn’t.

After several hours, a tired looking man came out and called for Sheriff Nedley, the Earp sisters joining him.

“Your Deputy is out of surgery. We managed to stop the bleeding but she had broken ribs, a really bad concussion, a broken leg and wrist, as well as severely deep wounds. She’s lucky to be Alive, but she’s not out of the woods yet. We are placing her in a medically induced coma to allow her body to heal.” They let out a collective sigh of relief.

“Can we see her?” Wynonna asked, the Doctor nodded and the beta and male alpha followed him until they realised Waverly wasn’t with them.

“Baby Girl?” The omega swallowed hard and shook her head.

“You go. I’m not ready to see her like that. Sheriff, do you have a copy of Nicole’s house keys? I’m going to get Aurelia and I think it would be better if I looked after her in her home.” The man nodded and took the key off his keyring, handing it to the omega, who thanked him and walked away.

“Is she OK?” he asked Wynonna, who sighed sadly.

“Seems her and Nicole finally got their heads out of their asses when it came to how they felt about each other.” The man groaned sadly.

“Come on, lets go see her.”

Waverly drove to Gloria’s and knocked on the door. The older woman pulled her into a hug as soon as the door was opened. After Waverly gave her an update, she told the beta she had taken the next week off to look after Aurelia but would Gloria mind the pup when the omega went to the hospital and the other woman agreed.

“What ever you need.” She led Waverly into the living room where the pup was already in her car seat carrier asleep. However when she sensed Waverly come into the room she woke up and gurgled happily.

“Hello my, Little Love, lets get you home.” She took the pup and all her things to the Jeep and got the carrier secured before she said goodbye to the beta and drove to Nicole’s.

She pottered around the house after she put Aurelia to bed. She sat on the couch with CJ as the images of Nicole being resuscitated replayed in her mind. She couldn’t lose her, not now. After a few hours, she got up and made a start on folding the pile of laundry on the drier, it was mostly the pups clothes. She then made a grocery list after going through the fridge and cabinets.

Anything to keep herself busy until she got tired enough to sleep. She changed into the sweat pants she had worn that morning and put on the vest Nicole had worn to bed last night. Getting into the bed and sighing, she buried her head in her pillow before hugging the Alpha’s close to her, pushing her nose into it and inhaling deeply until she fell asleep, soothed by Nicole’s scent.

The following morning, after Waverly got Aurelia ready for her day, she dropped the pup off at Gloria’s before she drove to the hospital. She called Wynonna on the way.

“S’up, Baby Girl?”

“Hey, Nonna. How are you feeling?”

“I’m ok, bit of a headache but nothing a couple of shots of a whiskey can’t sort out. Are you ok? You sped off last night.”

“I’m fine, are you at the hospital?”

“Yeah, I’m in Haught’s room. You on the way?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there soon.” She hung up without another word. When she parked at the hospital, she took a deep breath before getting out and making her way inside.

She walked slowly up to the floor Nicole was on and looked at the wall to search for her room number. When she found it, she took another deep breath and opened the door, gasping when she saw the redhead on the bed hooked up to machines and a breathing tube. Nicole’s face was battered and bruised and Waverly dropped her bag before rushing to the bed.

Wynonna watched her sister’s face go through a range of emotions as she looked down at the Alpha.

“oh Cole...” she whispered as she gently pushed the Alpha’s red hair away from her face.

“The doctors were in here a few minutes ago. They were happy with her. Hopefully they will be able to wake her up in a few days. Where is the baby?”

“Gloria’s, I didn’t want to bring her here yet. She might be unsettled if Nicole stayed asleep and didn’t engage with her.”

“Baby Girl, why are you minding Aurelia, can’t you leave her with Gloria?” Waverly smiled at Nicole and looked at her sister.

“No. Gloria is great but Aurelia needs to be with family in her own home, especially at night. And Nicole wouldn’t want her to be at Gloria’s all day and night.”

“OK, Waves.”

Over the next 5 days, every morning and evening Waverly would spend visiting hours with Nicole in the hospital, dropping the pup off and picking her up before and after seeing the Alpha.

The pup was becoming a little cranky the longer she went without Nicole around. Waverly was the only one she wanted to be with if she couldn’t have her mom, and Waverly really hoped the Alpha would wake up soon.

Nicole’s medical team began to wean her off the medication that day and were hopeful the Alpha would wake within the next 48 hours. Only then did Waverly stay at the hospital longer hours, hoping to see Nicole come round.

On the 7th day, Waverly sat beside Nicole’s bed, holding her hand and watching her face for any sign the Alpha was regaining consciousness.

Nicole’s bruises and cuts were nearly completely healed, not surprising as strong Alphas healed quicker than most. Her strength was probably what saved her life. She still had a couple of months recovery ahead of her though.

“Ugh, Waves, you need to change her.” Wynonna groaned as she carried a crying Aurelia into Nicole’s hospital room and thrust the pup at her sister.

“Wynonna, when I asked you to mind her for a couple of hours, that included diaper changes!” Waverly rolled her eyes and held the pup who started scenting her mother and wriggling in Waverly’s arms. “Whoa, Little Love, you need a fresh diaper and then you can see your Mom.” Waverly took the bag from her sister and laid a towel down on the floor, and quickly changed the little Alpha.

When she was done, she scooped up the pup and brought her to the bed on Nicole’s less injured right side before laying Aurelia down in the crook of Nicole’s arm.

The pup began to nuzzle against Nicole’s side and soon fell asleep. Waverly watched the pup with tears in her eyes to see her so content, but wished Nicole was awake to see it too.

“Hey, Waves...”

“Yeah, Nonna?” She turned to look at her sister who was pointing at the bed. She turned quickly and saw Nicole, awake, looking down at the pup smiling before she turned those brown eyes on Waverly.

“Hey you...”

Chapter Text

Waverly let out a happy sob when Nicole spoke and bent down, kissing her.

“Cole... you’re awake!” the Alpha grinned up at her and nodded before Waverly kissed her again. “I missed you!”

“I missed you, too...” Nicole said, her voice hoarse from lack of use. Waverly pressed their foreheads together as she stroked Nicole’s lightly bruised cheek. Wynonna watched on feeling like an Intruder in what seemed like a private moment between the two women.

Waverly got Nicole a drink as the Alpha pulled Aurelia closer to her and smiled at the pup who let out a little sigh. Then Nicole noticed Wynonna. She gave her best friend a smile.

“Hey, Earp,” she said cheerfully.

“Dude, don’t ever nearly die on me again,” Wynonna said thickly as she glared at the redhead.

“I’ll try my best!”

“NO! Haught seriously you turned the car, don’t do that again! And you saved my life. You kept trying to die and they kept bringing you back! And now like I owe you!” Nicole groaned in discomfort as she tried to move slightly.

“Fuck off, Earp. You owe me nothing!” Waverly cleared her throat.

“I’m going to get the doctors.” She walked out of the room quickly, leaving the two friends together.

Inside the room, Nicole looked at the door Waverly had just exited through and frowned.

“She’s been worried sick, Nic.”

“How long was I out?”

“A week.”

“What? Who’s been looking after Elia?”

“Waves, she took a week off work, moved in to your house. Insert U-haul lesbian joke here, and you haven’t even gone on a date yet. She’s been here every day, Haught.” Nicole couldn’t believe Waverly had done that for her. She looked down at her pup and sighed.

“Where is Caroline?”

“County jail, she was denied bail so she’s going no where until trial. She escaped with a broken arm and our dash cam showed the whole thing. She tried to kill you, Nicole. A search of her room found documents indicating she was speaking to a lawyer about suing for custody of the kid.” Nicole growled just as Waverly returned with the Doctor and a nurse.

The omega picked the pup up and walked over to sit on the chair and watched as the Doctor checked Nicole out and asked her all sorts of questions.

After about 15 minutes, the Doctor stood back and nodded. “You are a very, VERY lucky woman, Deputy Haught. You were in a terrible way when you were first brought in.” The doctor went on to tell Nicole all about her injuries and what they had to do to keep her alive. Waverly bit back whimpers as she listened and tightened her hold around the sleeping infant.

When the Doctor left, Nicole held her hand out to Waverly who she could see was upset. The omega stood and approached the bed, taking Nicole’s hand but the Alpha tugged her down to sit on the side of the bed. Waverly lowered the pup down to Nicole’s side again.

“Are you ok, Waves?” The omega wiped a tear from her eye.

“I thought I’d lost you,” she said softly, but Nicole smiled.

“Baby, you couldn’t get rid of me that easily. See I promised the most beautiful, incredible, intelligent woman I have ever met that I would bring her on a date, and I fully intend on keeping that promise.” Waverly let out a wet chuckle and Wynonna excused herself to make some calls.

“Waves, thank you so much for looking after Aurelia, it means so much to me that she has you.” Waverly smiled and leaned over, kissing the woman softly.

“I’d do anything to you!” She whispered against Nicole’s lips.

“Uh... don’t you mean for me?” Nicole asked.

“Hmmm that too!” the brunette said with a wink, making Nicole laugh, but the Alpha winced, her broken ribs protesting.

“I can’t thank you enough-"

“Don’t thank me, Cole, just get better and come home.” Nicoles heart warmed when she thought of how some day home could be with Waverly.

“I will, baby.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve been staying in your house while you’ve been in hospital; I thought it was better for Elia.”

“Of course I don’t mind, Waves. I kinda like the idea of your scent being all over my place.” Waverly blushed and kissed the Alpha again. “How has Elia been?” The omega sighed.

“She has been missing you. She got pretty fussy, but I didn’t want to bring her here until you were awake. I asked Wy to mind her today, Gloria couldn’t, and of course Wynonna drove her here because she didn’t want to change a shitty diaper.” The redhead chuckled lightly and smiled down at her daughter.

They said nothing else, enjoying the comfortable silence as they held hands and watched the sleeping pup until the room door opened and Nedley rushed in.

“Haught! You’re awake!” the man said as he hurried to the bed.

“Hey Sheriff, sorry about the Cruiser.”

The man scoffed and waved a hand.

“Screw the cruiser, I’m just so relieved you’re gonna be ok,” he said, giving her a fatherly smile and then grinning down at the pup.

“Cole, are you hungry?” The Alpha opened her mouth to answer when her stomach grumbled loudly, making the woman smile sheepishly and Nedley and Waverly laugh. “OK, I’ll get you something.”

“Thanks, Waves,” Nicole said with a dimpled smile, and the omega left the room to head to the cafeteria.

She picked out a BLT sandwich, a can of Nicole’s favourite soda, some chips, and a packet of cookies before getting in line to pay.

“Waves?” She turned and saw Jeremy and Rosita walking towards her.

“Hey you two.”

“What’s happened? You just disappeared for a week and haven’t been answering!” Jeremy asked, his face showing concern.

“I’m sorry, I should have called you back, but Nicole was in a car accident so I’m minding Aurelia. Between that and being with Nicole, I have just been too busy. I’ll be back to work tomorrow.”

“Is Nicole ok?” Waverly nodded.

“She wasn’t, we nearly lost her, but she woke up today.” Her two friends blew out breaths of relief. “Anyway, I got to get back. I’ll see you both tomorrow.” When she got back to the room she found, Nicole and Aurelia alone.

She gave them a smile before she laid Nicole’s food out on the wheeled table, scooping up the pup and pushing the table over Nicole’s hips before she helped the Alpha sit up carefully.

“Hey, Waves?”

“Yeah, Cole?”

“I know we haven’t gone on that date yet, but how would you feel about being my girlfriend?” the Alpha asked a little nervously. Waverly smiled.

“Oh I’m already your girlfriend!” she said with a laugh.

“Huh?” Nicole said, worried she had already asked the omega and forgotten.

“If you think I didn’t use the ‘my girlfriends in a coma' line to get out of all sorts of shit in the past week, you are very much mistaken!” she said jokingly, and gave the Alpha a wink before she kissed the woman. “Of course I want to be your girlfriend, Cole.”

Nicole gave her a huge dimpled grin and pulled her down for another, deeper kiss and they stayed like that, kissing until Wynonna came in and gagged.

“ok, I did not need to see that!” Waverly stepped back and smiled down at Nicole, pointing at Aurelia.

“I better get this little one home in time for her next bottle. I’ll come back later on with dinner, Sweetie.” She gathered up her things and left with one more smile in Nicole’s direction.

When she got back to the Alpha’s place, the pup woke up and began to demand her bottle. Waverly carried her around on her hip as she got everything prepared and was just about to sit down to feed Aurelia when the doorbell rang. Waverly sighed and carried the pup to the door. Opening it to see two dark skinned women she had never seen before.

“Hey, can I help you?”

“Hi,” said the shorter, younger beta, “I’m Shannon, we heard about Nicole’s accident; we wanted to see if we could do anything to help!” Waverly noticed the taller woman looking at the pup with an odd expression on her face. “This is my sister Shae,” the woman said a little awkwardly.

“As in...?” Waverly asked carefully. Shae gave her a tight smile.

“Yeah, that Shae.” Waverly felt a wave of worry over take her. Was Shae here to try to take the pup or get back together with Nicole?

“Oh...” the Shannon girl smiled awkwardly.

“Sorry, we didn’t mean to show up unannounced, we got worried when I couldn’t get through to Nicole. She usually sends me some texts during the week, pictures of Aurelia. When she didn’t, we called the Sheriffs Station and her boss told me what happened. What’s your name?”

“Waverly, I’m Nicole’s girlfriend.”

“Oh I didn’t know she had one!”

“Yeah, it’s pretty new. Anyway, shes awake now, if you want to go to the hospital.” Waverly didn’t really know what to make of the entire situation, but the sisters seemed to sense they weren’t getting invited in, which they couldn’t blame the omega for. They stepped back from the door, Shae still staring at the pup that she hadn’t seen in four months. She hadn’t even let her sister show her the photos she had received.

Waverly shut the door and went back to feeding the pup who suckled from the bottle contentedly.

When the sisters got to the hospital, they were directed to Nicole’s room, finding the Alpha sleeping lightly. Nicole’s nose scrunched up and she opened her eyes.

“Shae? Shan? The hell you two doing here?” She smiled at them.

“We heard about what happened. We came to see if we could do anything to help, but we see you have more than enough help! Waverly huh? She’s pretty,” Shannon said with a wink. Nicole blushed and smiled.

“Aurelia’s certainly comfortable with her.” There was something weird in Shae’s tone that made Nicole’s eyebrow arch.

“Yes, she is. They love each other.”

“It must be pretty new though, this thing between you?”

“So?” Nicole snapped, a warning in her voice as Shannon cleared her throat awkwardly, unsure what her sister’s problem was.

“Well how much do you know about her? She’s minding our pup! How do we know she knows what she’s doing?” Nicole growled.

“MY pup, Shae!” The woman scoffed.

“You know what I mean!”

“Waverly is a pediatric specialist, the Head of her department right here in this hospital. She knows what she’s doing and Aurelia adores her. So be careful, Shae, because if you try to cause any trouble...” The woman sighed and held up her hands in surrender.

“Sorry, I’m sorry, Nic. It was just so weird to see a pup I know I gave birth to looking so comfortable in the arms of some strange omega. I had this weird urge to protect her, but yet I still don’t feel anything when I look at her.”

Nicole lay back and sighed.

“I appreciate you two coming, but I think it’s best you just head back to the City. Waves will probably be back soon and I know she’s going to be a little freaked out by you guys just showing up.” The sisters hugged her gently and said their goodbyes, and shortly after, Waverly and the pup arrived.

The omega opened the door tentatively and peeked her head in carefully, surprised to find it lacking visitors. Nicole beamed at her.

“Sorry, I thought they would be here.” Nicole held up a hand and beckoned Waverly to her side. The omega bent and kissed Nicole who hummed happily.

“No, they are gone back to the City. I’m sorry they just showed up. They were worried about me.” Waverly swallowed nervously.

“And Aurelia?”

“Shae still doesn’t want her baby, don’t worry. Shannon will occasionally come to visit her but that’s because she’s her aunt, but this little girl is ours.” Nicole blushed crimson mortified by what she just said, as waverly started a little. “Sorry... sorry, Waves.”

“Don’t be. But that’s a conversation for a later date.” Nicole nodded, relieved that she hadn’t scared off the omega. The rest of the evening, the little family all sat on the bed, happy in each other’s company.

Chapter Text

“Wynonna, no!” the omega called, as she watched her sister speed across the carpark wheeling Nicole towards Waverly’s Jeep. She was swerving the Alpha’s wheelchair left and right while Waverly hurried behind them, carrying the pup.

Nicole was gripping onto the arms of the wheelchair.

“Earp!” she shouted, but the beta just cackled.

“Wynonna, if you don’t slow down this second I will break a couple of your ribs!” Waverly yelled as Aurelia giggled in her arms, bouncing up and down as she ran after the idiot in leather.

Wynonna sensed the seriousness of her sister’s threat so she slowed to a walk and grumbled. Waverly thrust the baby at her before she took the beta’s place and pushed Nicole ahead while mumbling about the childishness of her older sister.

“Oooooh, I think Mama Waves might just have a stick up her butt!” Wynonna said to the pup in a sing song voice, but held the pup out like a shield when she heard her sister shout that she could hear her.

“Thanks, Waves,” Nicole said, as waverly pulled up to the Jeep and opened the door. The omega gave her a sweet smile and gently helped her stand before kissing her under her jaw. She gave her a hand getting into the Jeep before turning and lifting the pup out of Wynonna’s hands and putting her in her car seat, giving the pup a little tickle to make her giggle before shutting the door and turning to her sister.

“You gonna lay into me now?” Wynonna said with a pout.

“No. Just a warning. If you do that again and she gets hurt, you’ll need the wheelchair. Her ribs are still broken; do you have any idea how painful it would be if she fell on them? Be smart or you aren’t allowed to come over and play with her!” Wynonna gasped and turned to look at Nicole who was watching them with an arched brow.

“Haught, your girlfriend is threatening to ban me from your house! Not cool right? Bros before Hos, Wave.”

“Are you calling me a Ho, Wynonna?”

“Yeah, Earp, that’s your sister and my girlfriend; don’t call her a Ho. Plus sorry, Wy, but when it comes to fights between you two, I am not taking sides.” Waverly turned around to give Nicole a look that quickly made the Alpha swallow a lump. “I mean, I’ll be taking Waverly’s side...” Wynonna gave a mock gasp of indignation and gave the alpha the finger until Waverly slapped her hand down.

“Call me tomorrow, Nonna,” Waverly said, hugging her sister before climbing in behind the wheel. The Alpha and beta said goodbye before Waverly drove Nicole home.

It had been another week since the Alpha had woken up, and Waverly was delighted to be bringing her home finally. The doctors were happy with her progress and the Alpha had been getting restless sitting in bed all day.

Waverly had been having breakfast, lunch and dinner with the Alpha every day unless she had an emergency in her wing of the hospital. Nicole loved every minute she had gotten to spend with the omega and it had been one of the few things that had stopped her dying of boredom. Plenty of their friends had visited, but it wasn’t the same as when she was with Waverly.

“Waves, are you sure you don’t mind staying and continuing to help me with Elia? I know it’s a lot to ask.” Waverly reached over and placed her hand on Nicole’s.

“You didn’t ask; I told you this was happening whether you liked it or not. You’re the best Mom ever, Cole, but you can’t look after her alone at the moment. When you can lift her up and change her without help I will go back to the Homestead.” Nicole pouted but managed to refrain from telling the woman she never wanted her to leave.

“Well I’d be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to seeing you every day!” Waverly smiled and rolled her eyes.

“You’re such a charmer!” She saw Nicole grin at her. “Put those dimples away.”

Before long, they pulled up to the cottage and Waverly got Nicole into the wheelchair, giving her the sleeping pup to hold as she wheeled them up the ramp Nedley and Doc had installed over the porch steps.

Inside, she settled Aurelia in her crib before moving the Alpha onto the couch where she was greeted with CJ, who sniffed her and huffed.

“Missed you, too,” Nicole mumbled, as the cat walked away. The Alpha relaxed a little, happy to be home and inhaling the strong scent of Waverly that filled her home, her wolf loving having the omega around.

Waverly made them lunch and they spent the rest of the day talking and spending time together, the omega pressed into the Alpha’s good side until it was time for bed.

It was a little awkward getting Nicole up the stairs, but they eventually managed it, and Nicole hummed happily when they entered her bedroom. It smelled so strongly of Waverly it made Nicole’s heart race.

The brunette helped her change and get into bed before she went back downstairs to grab the pup and her bottle. She carried Aurelia back upstairs and sat on the bed feeding her as Nicole watched them. When the pup had drunk her fill, Waverly changed her diaper and put on her little pajamas before putting her down for the night.

“OK, sweetie, I’ll be downstairs if you need me.” Nicole pouted.

“Why are you going downstairs, Waves?” The omega sat on the edge of the bed and smiled.

“Because, as much as I don’t want to sleep on the sofa, I don’t want to accidentally hurt you during the night by hitting off your ribs or something.” She kissed the Alpha’s pout, giggling when Nicole pulled her onto the bed and growled softly.

“What if I ask you really, really nicely to sleep here with me?” Waverly grinned and nodded, she really didn’t want to sleep on the sofa but she didn’t want to hurt Nicole.

“OK, I’ll stay up here, but if I hurt you or you can’t sleep, I’ll be moving to the living room. Deal?” Nicole hummed and nodded before Waverly got into bed properly and Nicole pulled her into her good side.

“What time are you in work tomorrow?” she asked, as Waverly tucked her head under Nicole’s chin.

“12, we will drop Aurelia off at Gloria’s before I bring you to see Nedley. He’s going to bring you home after you meet with the District Attorney, but if you need me, you just have to call and I’ll come home.” Nicole hummed and kissed the omega’s crown.

“OK, baby.” They all fell asleep quickly and there were no incidents throughout the night of Waverly accidentally hurting her girlfriend who had her good arm wrapped around the omega’s shoulders.

The following morning, Nicole woke up to Aurelia poking her face with a tiny finger and giggling as Waverly watched on, smiling. The Alpha’s eyes snapped open and she playfully growled at the pup making the little girl giggle even harder and look up at Waverly, pointing to her mother.

“Oh, is mommy being silly?” the omega asked, smiling down at the 4 and a half month old pup who had turned back to Nicole and was laughing hysterically at the Alpha pretending to bite her finger.

“I’m going to make my two favourite girls breakfast. Any requests?” Waverly asked. Nicole shook her head.

“Baby, you don’t need to wait on me, I can manage to make my own breakfast.” Waverly kissed the baby’s head and smiled at her girlfriend.

“I’m making food for me and my Little Love anyway. Want me to make extra or not?” Nicole grinned and nodded. “OK, want me to take her down or leave her?”

“I’ll keep her up here, Baby. Go do what ever you need to do.” They kissed and Waverly gathered her things, saying she would grab a quick shower too.

After breakfast Waverly helped Nicole wash and dress. At first Nicole felt a little embarrassed about having the Omega have to do that for her, but Waverly kissed the top of her head and gently reassured her there was nothing to be embarrassed about, not sneaking any peeks.

Later on, after Waverly dropped the pup off at Gloria’s before driving to the sheriffs station and wheeled Nicole into the building. Wynonna, and some of the other cops walked out to greet the Alpha. They had all visited her in the hospital and were delighted to see her out and about.

Waverly left her girlfriend in her sister’s less than capable hands with a reminder of their conversation the previous day. She bent and kissed Nicole’s cheek before leaving, and Wynonna wheeled the alpha to Nedley’s office after she and the officers had all caught up.

The older man opened the door when he saw them coming towards his office and grinned wide at his deputy.

“Haught! Good to see you. You sure your ready for this?” The redhead nodded and Nedley wheeled her into his office where the District attorney, Xavier Dolls was waiting.

The Alpha man stood and smiled at the officer.

“Nicole, I’m so glad to see you out of the hospital.”

“Thanks, Dolls, me too! So... what’s happening?”

“After we looked into everything, reviewed the dash cam footage, your statement and your history with your mother, your mother’s statements make no sense. We have been able to contradict everything she said with evidence.”

“So what is she saying?”

“That you have always hated her and it’s so like you to blame her for something she wasn’t involved with all because she filed for custody of your daughter. Her own Lawyer has been trying to make her see sense and agree to a plea deal. We offered her 20 years, but she is insisting she will be found not guilty.” Nedley scoffed in disbelief, but Nicole just sighed.

“Yeah, that sounds about right.”

“Well the first day of the trial is in three weeks. I’ll see you and Wynonna there and come see you before hand to go over your statement.” They said their goodbyes leaving the two officers alone.

“Young Waverly picking you up?”

“No she’s gone to work; Earp is bringing me home.”

“She’s a very nice girl, Haught. I hope you have honourable intentions? Waverly practically grew up in my house.”

“Sir, I can assure you that I would never do anything to hurt her. I...I really love her.” The man winked and nodded.

“I know, I have eyes. And you better treat her right, or Gus McCready will have your guts for garters.”

“10-4, Sir.”

“Good, now get outta here and rest up. If you need anything when Waverly isn’t around, call me or Chrissy.”

“Will do, Sheriff.” He signaled for Wynonna to come in and wheel Nicole out.

“How was talking time with Papa Nedley?”

“Fuck off, Earp, you know you’re just jealous he likes me more than you!”

“Shut up or I’ll push you under a truck you over grown ginger string bean!”

“Love you, Wynonna.”

“Yeah love you too, Haught wheels.”

Chapter Text

Waverly woke up, a week after Nicole had gotten out of hospital, to the alpha lying on her good side, spooning her and kissing her on her bare shoulder, exposed by her tank top.

She hummed happily as she lay her hand over Nicole’s, still in its cast and entwined their fingers as the Alpha hugged her a little tighter.

Waverly purred as Nicole began to kiss across the omega’s shoulder and up her neck, stopping just under her ear with a little nip.

“Have I told you how much I love your scent, Waves?” Nicole’s voice was gravelly as she whispered into Waverly’s ear, making the brunette whimper. She turned her head and kissed Nicole deeply.

‘I love you...rs too!” Nicole caught the slip Waverly tried to cover and all she could do was smile that dimpled smile as she reconnected their lips.

“Hey, I wanted to ask for your help with something?” Waverly laughed and tapped Nicole’s nose.

“Awh, so that’s the reason for that lovely wake up! What do you need baby?” Nicole grinned.

“No, but if it makes you more willing to hang around me, I’ll do it every morning!” Waverly rolled her eyes playfully. “Actually I was hoping you might help me look for a new place?” Waverly looked at her carefully.

“Why? I thought you loved this place?” Nicole nodded but sighed.

“I really do, but I need a bigger place. Elia is going to need her own room soon. But I need a second opinion on places so I don’t make a mistake and get something totally unsuitable. And I trust your opinion more than anyones, Wave. So will you help me look and be brutally honest?” The omega thought about it for a moment, feigning contemplating what the woman had asked her. She already knew her answer.

“Yes, of course I will.” Nicole kissed her, grateful the omega agreed to help. They spoke about what ideas Nicole had, what she had thought about until a disgruntled huff rose up from the crib. Waverly smiled, getting the pup and bringing her back to bed, placing her in between them, lavishing her with attention.

Their eyes met as they tickled the giggling pup, and they both were happier in that moment than they had ever been before.

“I really wish we could just stay like this all day. I’m dreading going to work and leaving you both.” Waverly sighed.

“Me too, baby. I’m so bored here when you’re both gone. CJ is a terrible conversationalist! I should have gotten a dog!” Waverly laughed and playfully slapped Nicole shoulder.

“Ssshhh she will hear you! And maybe we- ugh... maybe you could get a dog when you get a new place?” Waverly blushed and Nicole beamed, her wolf standing proudly in her mind, chest pumped out and head held high. She loved the fact Waverly seemed to think if them as long term, her wolf happy that this would be her omega.

Nicole’s eyes widened. Her omega. That’s why everything was so easy with Waverly. Why the omega felt like home. Her wolf had chosen Waverly as Mate.

Waverly looked at the Alpha softly as the woman continued to tickle her daughter who was flailing her legs and arms as she laughed hysterically. The omega reached up and pushed the curtain of red hair that fell over the woman’s face and tucked it behind Nicole’s ear.

“Your hair is getting long.”

“yeah, I need to get it cut as soon as possible.”

“I’m going to get Elia’s bottle. You want anything, love?” Nicole shook her head, smiling her thanks at Waverly. She climbed off the bed and headed downstairs, grabbing Elia a bottle and filling up 2 glasses of water for her and Nicole.

When she got back upstairs, she found Nicole deep in thought staring at the pup. Waverly didn’t know it yet but it had suddenly hit Nicole that she had nothing in place to protect Aurelia if she had died.

“Baby? Whats wrong?” Waverly asked as she climbed back in to bed. She still had an hour until she absolutely had to get dressed, but she sensed a shift in Nicole’s mood.

“What would have happened if I’d died... what would have happened to Aurelia. She would have ended up in foster care or something.” Waverly’s heart constricted and she whimpered.

“But you didn’t die and you won’t, but why don’t you speak to a lawyer and name a guardian if something happens?” Nicole nodded and took a deep breath before looking at Waverly, wondering how she could ask what she was thinking but she didn’t have to. Waverly just smiled and kissed her with a sweet peck on the lips. “Yes, I’ll be her guardian if anything happens - which it won’t - so lets stop talking about it.”

“Are... are you sure, Waves? I mean I was going to ask, and I trust you more than anyone with her, but it’s a lot of responsibility.” Waverly smiled and then looked down at the grinning pup and kissed her chubby cheek.

“I’m sure! I love her so much.” Waverly sighed and Nicole reached across to kiss the omega’s temple.

“Thank you, Waverly,” she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. The omega smiled and kissed the pup’s forehead.

After Waverly and Aurelia had left for the day, Nicole was on the sofa reading with Calamity curled up beside her when the doorbell went. She yelled to let the person know she was coming and after a couple of minutes she opened the door.

“Chrissy? Hey?” The omega beamed ay her.

“Come on! I’m taking you to lunch.” The Alpha smiled and grabbed her things. She grabbed a crutch from beside the door and Chrissy frowned.

“Where’s the wheelchair?”

“I can manage short distances with the crutch now; makes things a little easier.” They drove to Shorty’s and Chrissy parked right outside the door. Once they got inside, Gus rushed over and gently hugged the Alpha.

“It’s so good to see you out and about. Where’s the baby?” the older beta asked, as she helped Nicole into a seat.

“At Gloria’s, Waverly dropped her off on her way to work.” Gus arched a brow.

“So, I hear you and Waverly are dating!” Nicole flushed a little and Chrissy laughed.

“Well we will be as soon as I can actually take her one a date. But we are together.” Gus nodded.

“Do I need to give you a warning?” the older woman said seriously, but Nicole shook her head.

“I’d never hurt her, Gus.”

“I know that, Haught. You’re a good one. Won’t stop me killing you if you do hurt her though.”

“Duly noted.” Nicole and Gus smiled at each other before Waverly’s aunt took their orders and left them alone.

“So you and Waverly? Officially girlfriends?” Chrissy grinned, delighted for her two friends, watching as Nicole blushed prettily.

“Yeah. Gods, Chrissy, I have never met anyone like her.”

“Yeah, she’s one in a billion.”

“She’s incredible. And so amazing with Aurelia; I’m pretty sure that pup loves her more than me. And I’m ok with that. You should see them together!” Chrissy smiled and nodded.

“I have, it’s incredible to watch. So are you two living together?” Nicole smiled.

“Temporarily, I can’t look after or lift Aurelia up properly at the moment. So she’s staying until I can.”

“But...”

“If she wants to stay longer, I’m OK with that. I really like being with her. I... christ, Chrissy, I think she’s it.” The omega gasped and let out a squeal.

“Really?! That’s so exciting.”

“Yeah, just don’t say anything. It’s still early days and I don’t want to scare her off.” The omega nodded but waved a hand.

“I don’t think you could.” Their food arrived and they talked about everything going on in their lives, Nicole’s recovery, the upcoming trial, Perry and Cooper, and passed a pleasant couple of hours. It was good for the Alpha to have gotten out of the house.

Later that night, when her pup and girlfriend got home, Waverly found Nicole cooking dinner.

“Hey, you!” Waverly purred and hugged the Alpha gently from behind. “What’s all this.”

“I thought I would make myself useful and make dinner. It’s nothing fancy though, so I’m sorry.” Waverly rose up on her toes and kissed the Alpha’s neck.

“It’s perfect, Love. I’m starving.”

“How was work?” The omega groaned and sighed.

“Busy, it’s hard seeing sick babies, but I have tomorrow off. How about we do something?” Nicole smiled and nodded.

“What do you have in mind?”

“How about we go to the City? I need to get some new clothes and go to a few different places.” Nicole kissed her and smiled.

“What ever you want to do, Waves. I could probably do with getting some new stuff for me and Aurelia, she’s growing like a weed.” The omega laughed and nodded.

“She is! She’s asleep in her carrier so I’ll put her up to bed while you finish that up.” Nicole grinned and watched the omega walk away, everything felt so right in that moment.

They ate the pasta Nicole had made, and after Aurelia had woken from her nap, they all watched a movie together before they decided to have an early night.

When they got into bed, Waverly cuddled into Nicole’s side. There was silence as they held each other until Waverly took a deep breath.

“Cole?”

“Yeah baby?” Nicole mumbled sleepily.

“I love you.” Nicole’s eyes snapped open and she turned to look at the omega who was nervously biting her lip. The Alpha tilted her head up and kissed Waverly passionately.

“I love you too, Waves! So much!” The omega let out a happy hum and tightened her arm, lying across the alpha’s waist.

“I’ve never said that to anyone I was dating before....” Nicole kissed her temple.

“Well I’m sure as hell glad you said it to me, Waves. I was too nervous to say it to you yet, but dammit I was so close.” The omega giggled before kissing Nicole again.

They fell asleep soon after, both purring happily.

After Waverly had made them breakfast the following morning, they got Aurelia and Nicole’s wheelchair loaded into Waverly’s Jeep.

The couple playfully argued over what music to play, Nicole doing a scarily accurate impression of Nedley demanding to listen to Willie Nelson that made Waverly cry with laughter.

“Wynonna hates when I impersonate Nedley!”

“Probably because it is really good!”

Once they got to the City, they went so some of their favourite spots to shop, both of them picking out new outfits for the pup who was sitting on her Sire’s lap as Waverly wheeled them around each store. Anyone who looked at them thought they looked like a very happy little family, and no one who Aurelia smiled at could resist smiling back at the dimpled pup.

They grabbed lunch at a Mexican restaurant Waverly loved before they went to a huge bookstore. Waverly was in paradise as she pushed Nicole around, collecting books and medical texts before bringing Nicole to a section she asked to go to. They had fun picking out baby books for Aurelia before leaving to go to a toy store where they bought more toys and things for the pup.

Before either woman knew it, it was time to get the pup home, and they drove in comfortable silence until they were back in Purgatory.

Chapter Text

Waverly had been in a sour humour all day and Nicole was unsure why. When she asked her girlfriend about it, the omega only grunted in response. Even Aurelia seemed to pick up on the fact her favourite person was in a mood.

They were on the way to the McCready’s for Dinner and Waverly hadn’t said a word as she drove and Nicole’s good leg bounced nervously. She was unsure what to say or do.

When the omega pulled up in front of the house, she pulled the handbrake up hard and opened her door.

“Waves, wait,” Nicole said before Waverly could slip out of the Jeep.

“What?!” Waverly snapped, making Nicole pull back and her eyes widen. The omega sighed. “Gods I’m sorry, Cole,” she said quietly, looking down at her knees.

“Baby... what’s going on? Have I done something to upset you?” Nicole asked gently. “I know it’s been exhausting for you to look after us. If you need a break, I understand.” The omega shook her head and wiped her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Cole, it’s definitely not you two. Gods, you two are the best thing in my life. It’s work. I had a really sick patient, only two months old. She passed away this morning and I’m really upset about it. Her mom and dad were beyond devastated. They knew this little pup would never survive, but it’s still heartbreaking, and then I look at Aurelia and realise we are so lucky to have such a healthy little girl.” Nicole wrapped the omega in a tight embrace. “Sorry, it’s just a lot of emotions!” she said, muffled against Nicole’s shirt.

“Oh baby, it’s okay. I’m so sorry about that little girl, but I’m sure you did everything you could to make her as comfortable as possible.” The brunette nodded, her face still buried into Nicole’s shoulder. “You know I think you are the most incredible woman in the world, Waves. You’re so kind and sweet, you’re the most intelligent woman in the world and I love you.”

Waverly pulled away a little to look up at her girlfriend.

“I love you too, Cole. I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch all day!” The Alpha chuckled.

“No, you haven’t been. But I knew you were upset with me.” Waverly rested her head on the Alpha’s shoulder and kissed her under her jaw.

“Never, Sweetie, and I do not need a break from either of you!” Nicole sighed.

“Baby, it must be exhausting to take care of both me and a 5 month old while you are working. If you need a night in your bed at the Homestead, I understand. I’ll be ok and Aurelia can stay in Gloria’s.” Waverly let out a little warning growl as she pulled back.

“There is only one bed I want to be in and it’s yours.” Nicole gave her a huge dimpled grin, her wolf’s tail wagging. Her omega only wanted to be in her bed even when she was this injured and weak. That really was love. Omegas wanted strong Alphas, and Nicole didn’t meet that criteria at the moment.

“Will you do me a favour, Waves?”

“What baby?”

“Tell me when you are feeling down or something is upsetting you. I’m no good at guessing.” Waverly hung her head a little ashamedly and nodded.

“I’m sorry, love.”

“Don’t be. I’m always here for you, Sweetheart, especially when you are having a bad day.” Waverly gave her the first genuine smile she had gotten all day and Nicole reached forward and tilted her head up by hooking her finger under the omega’s chin, connecting their lips in a soft kiss. “Are you ready to go in?”

The brunette nodded and got out of the Jeep. She helped Nicole out and gave her the crutch to support herself while Waverly took the huge pup out of her car seat and put her on her hip as she walked beside Nicole, her hand gently resting on the Alpha’s back, not supporting her but there if the redhead needed her.

They slowly made their way up the porch steps, pausing after every step so Nicole could catch her breath. Waverly smiled and kissed the woman’s cheek

“You’re doing so well, Baby. You couldn’t have done that two weeks ago!” The Alpha smiled and nodded just as Gus rushed out and hugged her niece, kissed the pups head, now with a mop of dark Auburn curls, and stroked Nicole on the cheek affectionately before grabbing the smiling pup off the omega and cuddling her. Once she had fussed enough she gave Nicole a hard glare.

“Where’s your wheelchair, Woman! I told you we installed the ramp!” she said, pointing to said ramp at the side of the steps.

“I appreciate it, Gus, but I gotta build up my strength and stop relying on the chair.” Gus scoffed and looked at Waverly pointedly. The omega rolled her eyes and shrugged.

“Don’t! We’ve gone over and over this. I’ll only allow it for short distances though.” Nicole took the last step and together, she and Waverly walked into the house behind the woman.

Curtis rushed over, enveloping his niece in a bear hug before he very gently hugged Nicole who smiled deeply. They greeted the usual crowd, Wynonna and Doc were the only ones not there yet and they had a new guest, Dolls.

Just as everyone sat down to eat, Aurelia firmly planted on Waverly’s lap after she threw a little tantrum. The pup lay back against the omega, making happy little yips to herself as she played with a spoon. Waverly rested her hand atop Nicole’s injured one on top of the table and entwined their fingers.

“So,” Gus said, pointing at Dolls. “How do you think things are going to go with this trial?” Everyone knew what trial she meant.

Caroline’s.

The woman’s trial would be starting Monday.

“She is pleading Not Guilty. I can’t see any reasonable person on the jury agreeing with her. All the evidence against her, her history. I don’t know what her strategy is, but Cryderman is trying to make her see sense, so there is still hope that he might get through to her, but I would not hold my breath.”

“What exactly is your strategy, Xavier?” Curtis asked. Waverly was watching Nicole closely, she knew the trial was playing on the Alpha’s mind, bringing up bad memories. Nicole felt eyes watching her and squeezed Waverly’s fingers with her own, giving her a reassuring smile.

Just then, Wynonna and Doc came through the door, Wynonna with a face like thunder and Doc looking sheepish but happy. She stomped towards the table and sighed.

“Yeah... so I’m Pregnant and this idiot is the dad before Haught makes some smart assed comment.” Everyone around the table sat in stunned silence for a moment before they all rushed to congratulate the two betas. Waverly hugging her sister tight as Wynonna rolled her eyes but hugged her back.

“Congrats, Wyn.” Nicole smiled at her friend.

“You guys are going to help me out, right? Because I’m fucking terrified.” Nicole nodded and smiled while Waverly hugged her sister again.

“Yes, of course we will,” she said as she took Nicole’s hand. Everyone sat back down and finished eating, asking Wynonna lots of questions, but waverly and Nicole could see the woman becoming overwhelmed and Waverly steered the conversation away to Curtis’s tomato plants. Wynonna blew out a relieved breath.

After dinner, the Earp sisters, Waverly carrying Aurelia, and Nicole walked to the Jeep slowly after saying goodbye to everyone. The land was covered in a deep layer if snow, as was normal for late November and night had fallen.

“Hey, Earp, don’t go buying anything for the baby yet, we will look through Elia’s things and see what she will be grown out of by the time your little one arrives,” Nicole said, a little breathlessly. She was in a bit of pain and needed to get home for her painkillers. Waverly nodded in agreement.

“So, Haught, is my sister ever going to come home, or have you chained her to your bed at night so she doesn’t escape?” Wynonna asked with a smirked as Waverly rolled her eyes and Nicole grinned.

“Your sister can go back to the Homestead when ever she likes. Not my fault she prefers my place!” Wynonna huffed.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with your place, Haught. More to do with hot invalid sex and playing house,” Wynonna said, arching a brow. Waverly went red and Nicole spluttered a little. The beta scrutinized them for a moment.

“Oh my gods, are you two fuckers not fucking? The way you two are with each other I would have definitely thought you were at it like rabbits.” Waverly squeaked and covered Aurelia’s ears while Nicole cleared her throat.

“Shut up, Earp!” the Alpha growled, while waverly put the baby into the Jeep. Wynonna grinned.

“I’ll meet at the courthouse on Monday morning Haught. Don’t stress. We got this in the bag.” The blue eyed beta gently rested a hand on Nicole’s shoulder and gave her a genuinely reassuring smile.

“Thanks, Wyn. For always having my back.” The beta scoffed.

“Yeah and I’m certain pretty soon Waverly will have your front covered.” Nicole groaned.

“You’re such a fucking child!” she growled, making the beta laugh before the Alpha carefully pulled herself into the passenger seat. Nicole began to struggled to get the seat belt on so Wynonna stepped forward and helped. No quips or jokes.

The beta knew her friend was more frustrated than she was letting on. Nicole was always fiercely independent and after her traumatic childhood, found it hard when people fussed over her. Waverly was the one person, Wynonna believed, that Nicole would tolerate fussing over her because that dopey Alpha was in love with her sister.

They said a quiet goodbye and Waverly drove the Jeep back towards town.

“Can you believe Wynonna is going to be a mom?” Waverly said with glee.

“As weird a mom as she will be, she will be a good one.” Nicole laughed and placed her good hand on Waverly’s thigh.

“Wave...?” she said tentatively.

“Yeah, babe?”

“I’m sorry.” The omega took her eyes off the road for a moment to look at the Alpha who was chewing on her lower lip.

“What for?” The Alpha sighed and threw her head back against the head rest.

“Not being able to treat you like you deserve. Our whole romantic relationship has been while I’ve been injured like this and I hate that.” Waverly arched a questioning brow. “Our entire relationship has been you taking care of me and Aurelia, and thats not fair on you. I just want to take you out somewhere nice and share stupid first date questions like what’s your favourite colour (I know it’s yellow.) Instead you’ve just had to deal with me barely being able to dress myself and looking after my pup.” Waverly pulled the Jeep over quickly and turned to Nicole, studying her face before taking a deep breath.

“Cole, I love you, but you are an idiot. No one forced me to look after you both. I did it because I’m in love you and I love Aurelia. OK so we haven’t had a conventional start, but I really don’t care because you’re my girlfriend. We will have our first date when you are well enough, but until then don’t worry about what you think I deserve because all I want is you and our little girl.” Nicole grinned, loving that Waverly said Aurelia was theirs.

“I’m sorry, baby, I have just been so in my head lately and feeling useless and more than a little guilty you have had to do so much. I promise when I’m able, you and I will go somewhere special.” Waverly smiled a megawatt smile and leaned forward to kiss her. “So... em...” the alpha looked behind her to make sure the pup had fallen asleep like she usually did in the car. “Eh...have... have you thought about..” she trailed off as Waverly began to drive again.

“What?”

“Well... sex?” Waverly’s face coloured immediately.

“In general or... with you?” Nicole went redder than waverly had ever seen and the omega couldn’t help but smirk. “with you? All the time.”

Nicoles eyes widened. “Really?” Waverly giggled and shot her a coy look.

“Of course I do, Cole. All the time! Especially when I wake up to something poking me.” She said with a wink. “Do you?” Nicole grinned and nodded quickly.

“I spend a lot of time alone in the house these days, Wave... It gives me a LOT of time to think,” she said in a husky voice that did things to the omega who let out a growl of warning.

“You better shut up, Cole. You are a few weeks away from being able to do anything of the sort of things you thought about so don’t try and get me warmed up!” Nicole chuckled and nodded.

“OK baby, I’m sorry.” She gave her girlfriend a cheeky grin and Waverly huffed.

“You will be the death of me, Nicole Haught.”

Chapter Text

Nicole sat in her wheelchair outside the court house, her good leg bouncing as she played with her fingers.

The Alpha had asked Waverly for a minute alone to gather her thoughts before the trial began. Waverly had nodded, kissed the top of her head and walked off to talk to Wynonna who had just shown up.

My mother is on trial for trying to kill me, she thought to herself suddenly. What an absurd thing to be going through, she chuckled to herself. That bitch tried to kill me!

It was like a bomb went off inside her head and she began laughing harder. Caroline, for most of her life, seemed like an abstract being, in the background, a bit misshapen, and it had always felt like the abuse she had subjected Nicole to had happened to someone else.

But sitting outside the courthouse, in a wheelchair her Dame put her in, it hit her. This woman, who was supposed to love her, protect her, care for her, had done this horrible thing. So many horrible things to her. Every time she got close.

And she wanted to try take Aurelia too?

No. This trial would end it. Nicole was sure of it and she would do her best to be free of Caroline for good.

Waverly arched a worried brow and looked at her girlfriend, 15 feet away, seeing all the emotions cross her face. The laughing had worried her for a moment until the Alpha put on a determined face, set her jaw, nodded to herself and wheeled her way, slow and awkwardly, over to the sister.

“You all set, Big Red?” Wynonna asked, punching Nicole’s good arm lightly.

“Yep. I hope the judge throws the book at her. I want this to be the last time I have any dealings with her.” Nicole reached for Waverly’s hand and squeezed it to ground herself.

They waited until Dolls came out to get them and brought them to a hallway lined with benches.

“You’ll have to wait here until you’ve testified. The bailiff will call you when it’s your turn. Hopefully you and Wynonna will both be able to testify today.” The three women wished Dolls and his team luck and settled in for a long wait.

Shortly after, Gus and Curtis showed up with a flask of coffee and some mugs. Nedley was already in the courtroom.

“How you feeling, Nicole?” Curtis asked gently.

“It’s weird. It feels so weird having to sit up and testify against your own mother, when you’re in your 30s, because she genuinely tried to kill you... to try and take your baby. It’s a fucked up situation,” she said, in a tone that was almost wistful. The man nodded sadly and patted her on the back.

“You’ll get through it, kid. Big, strong Alpha like you has nothing to worry about going in there!” The man winked and Nicole gave him a smile. Waverly knelt in front of the wheelchair and took Nicole’s hands in her own. She smiled up at the redhead lovingly.

“You’ll do great baby and I’ll be right there so just look at me if it all gets too much. OK?” The alpha gave her girlfriend a dimpled smile and leaned down, kissing her gently.

After about another hour, the Courtroom door opened, a man stepped out.

“Nicole Haught?” Waverly went behind the wheelchair and pushed the Alpha into the room. Waverly swallowed a little Nervously as everyone turned to look at the Alpha, and both she and Nicole saw Caroline glaring at her daughter.

Nicole looked and saw Nedley, Chrissy, Perry, Shorty and some other familiar faces smiling at her or nodding in support.

She took a deep breath as she was wheeled towards the witness stand which was actually wheelchair accessible. Waverly gave her shoulder a squeeze before walking away to sit beside Chrissy. The Alpha cleared her throat and adjusted her blazer. The bailiff stood in front of the stand and told Nicole to raise her hand.

“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” he asked.

“I do.” She answered. Dolls stood and approached.

“Deputy Haught, how are you feeling?”

“Fine, thank you, Mr Dolls,” she answered pleasantly.

“Can you tell the court in your own words, what happened on the 12th of October?”

Nicole closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“My partner and I responded to a call about a drunk woman causing a disturbance at Jones ranch. I suspected it might be Caroline, given the nature of the call and asked my partner, officer Wynonna Earp, to take point if it was her.

As we drove up the lone way to the ranch, a car suddenly swerved around the corner at full speed and barreled right towards us. It all happened so quickly, but it was like it was happening in slow motion. I saw Caroline behind the wheel and knew she wouldn’t turn, she wanted to hit us. I swerved the squad car just in time to take the impact on my side. One week later I woke up in the hospital.”

“How is it you know the Defendant?” Nicole sighed.

“She’s my Dame.” There was some gasps from the jury and people in the seats as Dolls went back to his table and picked up a file.

“Are you saying you think your own mother tried to kill you, Deputy Haught ?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Objection!” the omegas lawyer stood up and shouted. Mr Cryderman was a criminal defense lawyer who was as shady as his clients.

“Your Honour,” Dolls said to Judge Mercedes Gardner who turned to look at him. “The Defendant has a conviction for Assault and Battery against her daughter when Deputy Haught was 15. She has long history of drunk and Disorderly conduct as well as driving under the influence, all of her convictions have been a matter of public record.” The Judge considered Dolls for a moment before nodding.

“Overruled. You may continue with your questioning of the witness Mr Dolls.” The man thanked her.

“Now, Nicole, you’ve had three restraining orders filed against this woman in the past, haven’t you?” She answered that she had.

“The last time she got out of prison, she went looking for you and found you here. Why do you think that is?”

“Speculation, your honour! She can’t know what my clients reasons for anything were!” Cryderman shouted again, but again the Judge dismissed him after Dolls argued.

“Overruled, but be careful not to over reach too much, Mr Dolls. You can answer the question, Deputy Haught.”

Nicole looked into the crowd and saw Waverly giving her an encouraging smile.

“She told me my aunt told her where I was and that I had recently become a mother, a single parent, and she showed up, insisting that as my daughters biological grandmother she had a right to be in Aurelia’s life. Naturally, with our history, I wasn’t inclined to allow that. On another occasion she said she would get a lawyer to get custody of Aurelia.”

“And you believe shes been stalking you?” again Nicole nodded.

“Yes there were several occasions where I would be out and about somewhere and turned to find her watching me. I reported them all to the sheriff to keep a record and there was a day where she began an altercation with me on the street when she was intoxicated, leading to her arrest.”

“Are you surprised your mother attempted vehicular murder? Attempted to take your life? Almost successfully according to your medical reports. They had to resuscitate you multiple times at the scene, in the ambulance, at the hospital” Nicole scoffed and shook her head. She looked back at her now distressed looking girlfriend and gave her a reassuring soft smile.

“No. The only thing that surprised me was the way she tried. But I guess she wanted me to go out with a bang.” Some people chuckled and Dolls turned to the Judge.

“I have no more questions for this witness.”

“Your witness, Mr Cryderman,” the judge said, pointing at Nicole with her gavel. The man stood and gave Nicole a disingenuous smile as he strutted towards the Alpha. Her wolf growled in her mind, not liking this other Alpha one bit.

“Deputy Haught, your mother was concerned for the well being of your pup. You left your little girl with a relative stranger while you went on a night out when she was only a few weeks old. You can’t honestly say your mother hadn’t a right to be concerned.”

“Objection, your honour. Deputy Haught’s parenting abilities aren’t on trial here.”

“Your Honour, this goes towards my clients reasoning as to her actions. Why she was so concerned and filed for custody.”

“I’ll allow it, but tread carefully.”

Nicole took a deep breath, trying to calm her wolf down before she answered as the beast wanted to rip the man apart for implying she was a bad parent.

“The night Caroline showed up on my door step, I was gone out with my best friend for a drink. I wasn’t prepared for a pup, my ex-wife showed up with her when she was 5 days old. It’s a loooong story, but I was exhausted and Wynonna insisted she take me out to have some me time. Aurelia was left in the care of Dr Waverly Earp, who happens to be a paediatric specialist. Honestly, my pup couldn’t have been left in better hands. And my pup is never left with strangers, they are all family, more so than Caroline ever was. She tried to force Waverly to hand over Elia to her, but Waverly didn’t. It was distressing for both of them to have her banging and shouting at the door after she managed to shut it.”

“But even now, you’re injured. You can’t look after a 5 month old pup in this condition surely?”

“No, but again, Waverly, who I’m in a relationship with, has moved in to help me with her until I’m better. When she’s working, Aurelia is with her sitter, but that’s all a temporary arrangement until I’m recovered. But I don’t understand how this has anything to do with the fact my mother is on trial for stealing a car and trying to kill me?”

“Well it goes to your mothers state of mind. Because you shut her out, she didn’t know the people her grand baby was being handed to and she panicked, in her addled mind she snapped and thought, by doing what she did, she was rescuing her.” Nicole and most of the crowd scoffed, knowing that was pure bullshit.

Even the judge rolled her eyes.

“She knew what she was doing. You’ve seen the Dash cam footage. Regardless of her reasons, measures were put in place to see that Aurelia is taken care of if anything happens to me, and Caroline will never get near her. It’s frankly a stupid argument you really should be ashamed of for even voicing.” Caroline stood up and let out a frustrated snarl, pointing at Nicole.

“You’re nothing but a little shit! You fucking bitch! That’s my Grandchild!” Mercedes banged her gavel and called for order as everyone gasped or started muttering to whoever was sitting beside them. Cryderman rushed to get Caroline to sit down but the omega continued to shout obscenities until two guards came in and removed her.

“Court is in recess, we will reconvene here first thing tomorrow morning. Mr Cryderman, control your client from now on. Deputy, you may step down, or roll down as the case may be.” Waverly rushed to help Nicole out of the dock.

“Baby you did great. Are you ok?” The Alpha nodded and gave the omega a smile.

“Let’s just pick Aurelia up from Gloria’s and get home. I’m so done with today.”

Once everyone had filed out of the court room, the couple found Wynonna, Gus and Curtis, now joined by Nedley and his family in the hallway. The sheriff smiled at Nicole.

“Ya did great, kid.” The sheriff said proudly. Nicole scowled a little.

“I’m not liking Cryderman trying to make me out to be a bad mother to justify what Caroline did.” The man shook his head as Wynonna growled and the McCreadys scoffed.

“Don’t worry, he has to play dirty because there is really no defense for Caroline so he has to take shots when he can. And his client’s little show in there probably was the final nail in their coffin so to speak. You two go home and get a good night’s rest, I’ll see you all back here in the morning.”

As they left the courthouse, they saw a woman rushing up the steps outside. Not looking where she was going, she nearly ran into the group.

“Oh sorry, folks! Do you know what- Nic?” The Alpha looked up and saw a redheaded older woman, in her late 40s with brown eyes and a dimpled smile.

“Aunt Breda?” The woman beamed at her and went to hug her niece, but Nicole held out a hand. “Sorry only gentle hugs, ribs still healing. What are you doing here?”

“Came to show support to my favourite niece,” the woman said, giving Nicole’s cheek a little stroke. “It’s good to see you Nic, it’s been way too long.”

“It has. Everyone, this is my Aunt, Breda Haught. Breda, this is everyone. Sheriff Nedley, my boss,” Breda shook hands with him and everyone else Nicole introduced her to along the way until, “and this is Waverly.” She finished with a huge smile and Breda beamed.

“Oh, it is so nice to meet you finally: Nicole has told me so much about you. Little Red, shes stunning!” Waverly blushed at the compliment, making Nicole’s wolf growl a little.

“I’ve heard a lot about you too, Breda”

“Why are you all outside, is it over? Did she change her plea?” the Older red haired beta asked.

“No, Caroline caused a scene so we are adjourned until tomorrow.” The new arrival rolled her eyes.

“Of course she did. Again, Nic, I’m so sorry I mentioned you had become a mother. I didn’t know it would lead to all of this.”

“It’s fine. How about you follow me and Waves home and we can catch up? We just gotta swing by the sitters to collect Elia.” Breda agreed and Nicole and Waverly said goodbye to their family and promised to see them again tomorrow before they drove away.

“Did you know she was coming?” Waverly asked, as she turned down main street towards the Valdez home.

“No, baby, she didn’t mention anything when we spoke last night.”

After Waverly collected the pup from her sitter and got her into the car, they headed home, followed by Nicole’s aunt. In minutes they were pulling into the drive way. Waverly placed Aurelia onto Nicole’s lap when she got the Alpha into her wheelchair and brought them inside, followed by their visitor.

Once they were all settled inside, Breda asked to hold the pup.

“Oh, Nic, she’s gorgeous, very like you as a pup. Except darker and you never had those gorgeous curls! It’s like a mop!” Waverly and Nicole chuckled and Aurelia let out a loud fart on her great aunt’s lap who laughed loudly.

“Yeah, sorry about that, she’s a windy baby!” Nicole said, laughing.

“Isn’t that how you two met? Trapped wind?” The couple smiled at each other and nodded.

“Not the most romantic meeting, but it was adorable to see her panicking over a fart,” Waverly said affectionately, as she gently stroked Nicole’s cheek.

“Hey, in my defense I had no idea what I was doing.”

They chatted for a while until Elia started to get sleepy. Waverly scooped her up.

“I’ll just put her down for a nap and make us something to eat,” she said before walking up the stairs.

“Wow, got yourself a keeper there, Nicole.” The Alpha gave her a dopey grin and nodded.

“Don’t I know it.”

“You want Mom’s ring?” Nicole arched a brow. Her grandmother’s engagement ring had been left to Breda.

“What? You never offered me that when I was dating Shae...” the older redhead scoffed and waved her hand dismissively.

“Yeah, well, I never liked Shae; knew it wouldn’t last. That little omega though... you two are it.” Nicole grinned and nodded.

“Yeah... yeah I want that ring.”

“I’ll have it sent when I get back. I’ll stay here for the rest of the trial, just so you have someone else in your corner but you seem to have a lot of people who care about you. I’m glad you’ve found a home, Kid.”

“Thanks, Bree. I’m sorry I can’t put you up here, but it’s only a one bedroom.”

“Don’t worry, already booked in at the motel.” When Waverly later announced she had dinner on the table, they all sat to enjoy the meal.

Breda told embarrassing stories from the Alpha’s childhood that Waverly eagerly took in and asked for more. Nicole begged her girlfriend not to tell Wynonna some of the most cringe-worthy.

After they had eaten their fill, Breda took her leave, hugging Waverly tightly and Nicole gently before promising to see them the next morning.

“She’s lovely, Sweetheart,” Waverly said as she helped the Alpha get up the stairs.

“Yeah, she’s pretty great. She really likes you too, Waves. Which isn’t surprising. Everyone likes you because you’re so amazing. I know I wouldn’t be getting through any of this without you. Thank you for always being here for me and Elia.”

“Don’t thank me, Baby. I love you both so much; I’ll always be here for you.”

Chapter Text

“Baby, you need to get up now or we are going to be late for court!” Waverly said, exasperated as she pulled the duvet off her girlfriend who tried unsuccessfully to grab the cover as it was torn from her body.

The Alpha grunted and sat up, giving the brunette a filthy look before groaning. Waverly chuckled and went over to the bed, wrapping her arms around the alpha’s shoulders and kissing her forehead.

“Did you not sleep well?” she asked softly, as Nicole wrapped her good arm around the omega’s hips and pulled her closer.

“No baby, sorry, I kept having flashbacks to my years with her; I just couldn’t sleep.”

“How about when this is over, we find you a counselor to talk to about everything?”

“I’ve been thinking of contacting my old therapist in the City. She might do a couple of phone sessions.” Waverly nodded encouragingly and smiled.

“Great idea. Now can you please move your top shelf ass and get ready while I give Elia a bottle?” Nicole gave her a lopsided grin and nodded.

They made it to the courthouse just in time to see Dolls look for them. He gave them a smile and a wave.

“I was worried you would be late,” the man said, relief in his voice.

“Sorry, someone is a little cranky in the mornings.”

“Ah babies am I right?!” the man said with a chuckle, but Waverly scoffed and pointed to her girlfriend.

Nicole playfully glared at Waverly while the District attorney laughed and ushered them inside.

“Nicole, I need you ready in case Cryderman calls you back to the stands. I’m really hoping he’s managed to talk sense into his client, but on the probable chance he hasn’t, he could call you back up and if he does, you need to be prepared for him to play dirty. If he does, don’t lose your cool please.” The man said down to the Alpha as they walked along, as Nicole gave testimony the day before she could sit in the court room for the remainder of the trial. They gave wynonna a quick greeting as they went by in the hallway and took their places, Nicole parked at the end of the bench Waverly sat in beside Chrissy. Nicole looked around and saw Breda and Gus sitting together and they waved at her.

They talked quietly until Caroline and her Attorney were led in. The omega spotted her daughter straight away and released a little snarl which got Cryderman’s attention and the Alpha quickly silenced his client.

Nicole felt Waverly take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze.

Soon the bailiff appeared. “All rise for the Honourable Judge Mercedes Gardner.” Everyone but Nicole stood and watched as the redhead omega took her place and scowled.

“Now, before this shit show continues, Cryderman, do you have control of your client?” The man nodded.

“Yes, Your Honour.”

“Good, because no way in hell will I tolerate that again. K?” The man nodded again and everyone sat.

“Mr Cryderman, do you wish to continue with your cross examination of Deputy Haught?”

“Not at this time, your honour, but we reserve the right to recall her at a later date.”

“Noted. Mr Dolls, call your next witness.” The Alpha stood and cleared his throat.

“The People call Wynonna Earp to the stand.” A moment later the beta swaggered in, dressed in leather and a band t-shirt, hair wild as ever and winked at Dolls before taking her place and being sworn in.

“Wynonna, you are a Sheriffs officer in Purgatory, yes?”

“Yep.”

“And you also responded to the call that came in about a disturbance at Jones Ranch?”

“Yeah.”

“And your Deputy Haught’s partner?”

“yeah... Well not partner, like sex partner, but work partner, my sister has the other bit... covered...” Chrissy, along with almost everyone in the room laughed, giggled or at least huffed out a laugh at that, even the judge cracked a smile. But Waverly and Nicole both groaned a little.

“...OK, well can you tell us in your own words what happened that day? From the time you responded.”

“When the call came in, we suspected it was the Defendant, crazy bitch had been up to all sorts of devilment since she showed up!-"

“Objection, your Honour! Witness cannot call my client such things!”

“Sustained. Officer Earp, please be respectful in my court room.” Wynonna winked at the judge.

“No problem, anyway as I was saying, we figured it was her and because Haught is all by the book, she asked me to take the lead if it was her mother. We were on our way out there, actually we were almost there when this car came speeding around the corner and was coming right for us, I honestly thought my ass was toast. But then Haught turned the car, she took the blow and the car flips. Fuck man, it felt like hours but it only took seconds, glass was flying everywhere, then I passed out for a few minutes, I don’t know how long exactly, but I woke up to a fireman cutting me out of the seat.

They had those huge jaws of life things and they were cutting Haught out of the squad car, but I could see paramedics and Nedley trying to restrain Caroline. She was screaming, screaming about how much Nicole deserved that, deserved to die. Hoping she did. It was terrible.” Wynonna blew out a breath and shook her head.

“What happened then?”

“Haught kept having to be resuscitated, she had cuts and wounds all over and was bleeding so much. I only had minor cuts and bruises. Compared to Red, I was fine.”

“Do you think the Defendant planned to kill Deputy Haught?”

“Speculation, your Honour!” Cryderman shouted and Dolls shook his head.

“Withdrawn. Your witness.” Dolls went back and sat at his desk and Cryderman approached the witness stand.

“Ms Earp, you are more than just work partners with Nicole Haught aren’t you? You two have been best friends since you both attended the Academy.”

“Yeah? So?”

“Well wouldn’t it stand to reason you would lie to support her in a court case.”

“Dude, come off it. You saw the video footage, which your expert backed up was real, she was coming straight for us. What other reason could she possibly have for ramming us with a speeding car? I don’t need to lie, I saw my best friend keep dying and coming back at the scene and in the ambulance.”

“You said she came around the corner at speed, how do you know the crash wasn’t just some terrible accident?” Wynonna scoffed.

“If it was an accident, why was your client so goddamn happy about hurting her pup? And no car crash is an accident when one of the drivers was three times over the legal blood alcohol limit. Her drunk ass came straight for us. I would have just been collateral damage for her.”

“Isn’t it possible, if she was three times over the limit, that she didn’t know who was in the cruiser?”

“I doubt it. She seemed happy to see Nicole suffering. Even if she didn’t know who was in the cruiser, I think she would have hit it anyway in the hopes she got Nicole. Man, she was so happy when they started to resuscitate her. She was shouting awful things about how she deserved this, that she didn’t deserve to live. I’ve known Nicole for 8 years and I know the scars she has, physical and mental, left by her mother.

Haught is a good cop, a better person, a great friend and an awesome mother despite everything she’s been true. Your client ain’t worth a shit.”

“You know what it’s like to be a drunk don’t you, Ms. Earp? You have quite a number of drunk an disorderly charges as a teen didn’t you?” Dolls stood and Nicole growled a little.

“Objection, your Honour! Ms Earp isn’t on trial here!”

“No it’s fine, I’ll answer. Yeah I did, yeah I was going through some stuff and I drank way too much, way too often. I got my shit together, but the difference between me and your client is that I never took my shit out on a pup when I was blasted. I never was stupid enough to get behind the wheel of a car. You can’t justify your client’s actions that day, Cryderman. I know you have to try, but dammit, give it a rest.” The man scowled at her and turned to the judge.

“No further questions, your honour.”

“You may step down now, Officer.” The older Earp sister stood and made her way to the benches, sitting behind Waverly. As she passed, she and Nicole shared a tight hug.

“Your Honour, may I request a short recess?” The stout man asked and the judge granted a 20 minute recess. Nicole, Waverly and their family all went down to the little cafe in the lobby of the court house and grabbed some coffee.

“How you feeling, baby?” Waverly asked softly, while everyone else was talking amongst themselves.

“I’m ok, Waves, I just wish it was over.” The omega nodded and kissed Nicole’s cheek.

“I know, Love.” When court was back in session they all took their seats as Cryderman stood, the man looked exhausted.

“The Defense calls Caroline Bradford to the stand,” he said in a tired voice. Everyone was surprised he was putting her on the stand, she would definitely not do herself any favours.

The omega stood and went to the stand, swearing in. She wore a smug smile like she knew something the rest of them didn’t.

“Ms Bradford, can you tell us in your own words what happened on the 12th of October?”

“I had gotten into a heated argument with Mr Jones, who I was renting a room off. He claimed I owed him money, but I didn’t and he called the police. Oh, I was so worried, I knew all the cops in this town wouldn’t treat me fairly because of all the lies my daughter told. You have no idea what that feels like. I know I shouldn’t have stolen the car, but I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“Did you mean to crash into the Cruiser?” The woman feigned being horrified by the suggestion.

“Of course I didn’t! That was a terrible accident.”

“Did you mean to hurt Deputy Haught?” The woman gasped and placed a hand on her chest. Nicole rolled her eyes.

“Oh heavens no! I love my daughter dearly, despite all the lies she’s told about me. Despite how she has turned others against me!”

“Thank you.Your witness, Dolls.” The darker man stood and approached the omega.

“You claim to love your daughter, but when she was 15 you almost killed her in an assault with a wine bottle. You barely fed her. When she was a pup, you left her alone in a bath while you passed out drunk. You then stalked her. Showed up uninvited to her home, tried to take the Deputy’s daughter out of the arms of Dr Earp. Refused to leave when you were asked. These aren’t the actions of a loving parent.”

“She’s a liar, I never did those things. The cops only listened to her because her good for nothing Sire was a cop too.”

“Independent forensic analysis proved otherwise. Just like forensic analysis proved you would have had enough space to avoid hitting Deputy Haught’s cruiser. You intentionally ran into them, didn’t you?”

“No!”

“Yes, the dash-cam got a good view of the look on your face. You knew exactly what you were doing.”

“She’s not so great you know, she’s always been a lying shit.”

“Funnily enough you are the only one who has that opinion of her. I mean everyone else thinks Nicole is a stand up citizen, a great friend, a great mom. No one seems to even like you.”

“That’s because of all Nicole’s lies!”

“And you tried to get custody of her child? Why?”

“Because I know her! She’s just like her sire, everyone thinks they are great moms but really they just poison the pups against me! I’d raise that pup right! Unlike that crippled fuck.” Dolls raised an eyebrow as a murmur passed through the crowd. Waverly growled and was about to stand, but Nicole put a hand on her arm and gave her a dimpled smile, shaking her head.

“ A ‘crippled Fuck’? That’s how you describe the woman you put in a wheelchair? Wow. Have you no remorse? Even if you didn’t hit the cruiser intentionally, you don’t seem to have any remorse what so ever.”

“Yeah well, it was an accident, but it was karma. I didn’t do shit wrong.”

“Drunk driving, caused a crash, nearly killed your own daughter, stalking, drunken conduct since you showed up in town. Yeah lady, you did nothing wrong. No further questions, your honour. The prosecution rests.” Dolls took his seat as Cryderman rested his face in his hands.

“Cryderman?” Judge Gardner said.

“The defense rests too, your honour.”

“The jury will now deliberate, court is adjourned until they have their verdict.”

Everyone left to go about their lives until the Jurors came back.

Chapter Text

Nicole and Wynonna were having lunch in Shorty’s a couple of days after the jury had gone to deliberate. It had been a rough time for the Alpha who hadn’t been sleeping too well. Wynonna eyed her from across the table.

“You look like a bag of warmed up shit, Haught, you ok?” The redhead sighed and shook her head.

“I’m exhausted, Dude. This whole thing has been messing with my head.”

“You talk to anyone?”

“Yeah, I called my therapist. Hopefully it’ll be better when she’s behind bars. I just keep having nightmares about her coming towards us. They always end differently, but in every one of them, instead of me getting hurt it’s you, Waverly or Aurelia,” Nicole said quietly, looking down at the table. Wynonna reached across and put her hand on the woman’s arm.

“Remember, Haught, we are all here and we are all safe. There’s no way they won’t convict. She’s going away.”

“Until I hear the word “Guilty” I wont be able to breath easy.”

“Have you talked to Waves about it?” Nicole shook her head vigorously.

“No, I’ve told her I’m just worried about it all, but I don’t want to tell her about the nightmares. Gods, the entirety of our relationship has just been me injured and her looking after me and Elia. I don’t deserve her and I don’t want to add anything else onto the pile.” Wynonna frowned.

“Haught, you are one of the only people who deserves my sister, and she would not be happy if she knew you were keeping something from her. She loves you and she loves that pup. You two are practically married at this stage.” Nicole blushed and saw the beta give her a shit eating grin. “Tell me Haught Dog, are you planning on living in sin with my sister for much longer, or do you plan to make an honest woman out of her?” Nicole chucked a fry at her friend’s face.

“There is no sinning happening! And we haven’t even had our first date so don’t marry us off just yet.”

“Yet?” Nicole gave her friend a grin and shrugged.

“I love her, Wy, and I know she’s it for me, but I don’t want to scare her off by saying anything yet. It’s still really early.” Wynonna laughed.

“Scare Waverly off? Red, cop on, you couldn’t scare her off if you tried. You and I both know she’s never coming back to the Homestead and you don’t want her to. You’re even going house shopping together later! You’re raising a pup together, Waves is that kid’s mom too now.” Nicole had a dopey grin on her face and nodded.

“Yeah she is. It just feels so right when I’m with her, Wy. It’s easy, it’s like there’s no one else I’m supposed to be with. She’s it. And I’m looking for a new place to rent!” The older woman nodded and smirked.

“Somewhere with more than one bedroom?” Nicole blushed again but then grinned.

“Oh hell yeah! Casts are coming off next week!” she winked and Wynonna scowled.

“Asshole!” the Alpha chuckled.

“Seriously though, I want to take Waverly out on a date as soon as I’m able. Any ideas?”

“Anything you do, she will love. Honestly, Haught, I don’t think you can do anything wrong in Waverly’s eyes. It’s gag worthy really. Now are you ready to go?” The redhead nodded and slid out of the booth to sit in her wheelchair and they left so Wynonna could drop Nicole at the hospital to meet Waverly.

Once Wynonna had gotten her there and left her in the carpark, Nicole wheeled herself into the building and up to the elevators to bring her to Waverly’s floor. Once there, she told the woman at the reception that she was here to see Dr Earp and waited.

A moment later she got a text from her girlfriend.

‘Come to my office, I’m just finishing up.’ She did as she was told and once outside the omega’s door, she knocked.

“Come in, Baby!” Waverly called and beamed when the door opened. She got up from her desk and leaned down to pull the Alpha into a deep kiss the woman eagerly returned. As she pulled away she stroked the redheads cheek.

“Hey you!” Nicole beamed and pulled her back down to reconnect their lips, moaning into Waverly’s mouth when the Omega wrapped her fingers in red hair and ran her nails along Nicole’s scalp. She pulled the omega down to sit on her lap and wrapped her arms around the woman’s waist when she did.

“hmmm I missed you today.” Waverly hummed as Nicole nuzzled her neck.

“I missed you too, Waves... I always miss you,” she said in a gravelly voice against the omega’s neck that sent a jolt right to the Doctor’s core making her whimper slightly. Her fingers tightened in Nicole’s hair making the Alpha growl and her eyes go dark.

“How long until the casts come off?” Waverly’s whispered against Nicole’s lips.

“Not soon enough!” They chuckled. “Come on, lets find a place with a bedroom we like.” Nicole said with a cheeky wink, and playfully pushed the omega who laughed and stood to gather her things before they left the hospital to meet the realtor.

They pulled up at the address the man had sent them and were greeted by a young man named Robin, an Alpha Waverly had gone to school with. They hugged each other tight when they saw each other before Waverly introduced him to Nicole.

“He used to date Chrissy in high-school!” The man laughed.

“Before I came out!”

“Are you seeing anyone?” Nicole arched her brow and looked at her girlfriend, seeing the wheels turning.

“Baby, I’m right here!” she joked, but Waverly shushed her, waiting for Robin to answer.

“Nope, not a lot of options in Purgatory!”

“Ooooh, can I set you up? I have the perfect guy for you!” the man laughed.

“Waves?” Nicole gave the omega a questioning look.

“Jeremy!”

“Oh... yeah actually I could totally see that!”

“I’ll think about it! Now are you ready to look at some houses? I didn’t realise you were in a wheelchair, Deputy, but if you give me a moment I can adjust the list to the ones more accessible to you.”

“Please just call me Nicole, and no need, the chair is just temporary. I can manage.” The man nodded and led them up the garden path to a bungalow.

It was pretty.

The house was in the middle of an acre of land, that was bordered by flowerbeds, barren at the moment because of winter and covered in snow, but Robin showed them a picture of it in summer and it was gorgeous, flowers of every colour and description bloomed to life. Waverly gasped.

“It’s so beautiful.” Nicole agreed, not taking her eyes off the omega, whose eyes were lit up as she looked at the photo.

In the center of the garden was a stone path that led to the front door which was painted blue. The house was painted white. There was only one step so Waverly easily maneuvered the chair over it and they went inside.

The front door opened into a hallway. They followed it into a living room that was homey and warm, there was a fireplace with a huge mahogany mantlepiece the looked divine.

Nicole looked around and smiled at the thought of cuddling up on the large sofa with her two favourite girls in front of the fire.

They moved to the kitchen which had recently been renovated and the cabinets were walnut, the counter tops were marble and there was an island in the middle of the room. All the appliances were brand new.

“Wow this place is amazing... why aren’t the owners living here?” Waverly asked.

“Apparently the husband got a really amazing job in the City so they moved there." He showed them to the master bedroom which had a King sized bed with a decorative headboard and an en suite that had a spacious shower.

After that he showed them the smallest room which was still sizable. It was bright and airy, the walls painted lavender.

“Ooooh this would be the perfect room for Aurelia!” Waverly said excitedly, grinning down at her girlfriend who smiled adoringly up at the omega.

“Who’s Aurelia?” Robin asked.

“Our daughter.” The women said in unison before blushing at each other.

“Awh Waves, I had no idea you became a Mom! Congrats! How old is she?”

“It’s a recent development, Robin and she is 5 and a half months old now.”

“Awh, cute! How long have you two been together?”

“Umm... about 7 weeks.” The brunette replied and giggled when she could see Robin trying hard to compute what she had said. “It was sort of love at first sight, but we spent alot of time pussy footing around each other. Aurelia is Nicole’s from a previous relationship.”

“awh! Let me guess, the little one is your patient and you happened to see this burning hunk of Alpha swan in and just swooned? Ah! Too cute!” The couple laughed loudly and Waverly shook her head.

“Oh no, I saw this very over whelmed and panicky Alpha, pacing around a room in the ER with a screaming baby who’s only problem was she needed to fart. But I thought she was incredible and sweet. It was adorable really.”

“I’m pretty sure I had throw up on my shirt that day?” Nicole said with a blush. Waverly laughed and kissed the top of her head.

“Yeah, you did! But only you could make that work!”

“Waves, honestly you are as weird as ever!” the man said affectionately before showing them to the next room, an office.

“Oooh you’ll appreciate this, Waves, being the big Doctor and all, won’t this room be perfect for you?” Waverly grinned as she looked around the room but stopped when she remembered she wouldn’t be living here. Nicole noticed her tense a little. All through the tour, Nicole had watched the omega closely to see if she liked what she saw and saw the light never dimmed in her girlfriends eyes before this moment.

“Hey Robin, can you give us a minute?” The man nodded and left, closing the door behind him. “Hey, Waves?” The omega turned and Nicole took her hand, leading her gently to sit on her lap. She wrapped her arms around her girlfriend’s waist and smiled as Waverly tucked herself in under the Alpha’s chin. “What do you think of this place, Waves?”

“It’s really great, Cole! I love it. What do you think?”

“Do you like it enough to move in with me?” Waverly sat up and pulled back, looking at Nicole, but before she could say anything, the redhead continued. “I know this is so quick and I really hope I don’t scare you off, but, Waverly Earp, I love you and I know we haven’t even had our first date yet ,but I don’t want to go back to waking up or falling asleep without you beside me.” Waverly squealed happily and threw her arms around Nicole’s neck and kissed her.

“I know it’s crazy fast but I feel the same. Yes.”

“Yes?” Nicole asked breathlessly.

“Fuck yes!” The omega giggled and Nicole pulled her in for another kiss. Her wolf howled in her mind, knowing it had found its mate.

“So? Do you like this place or will we keep looking?” Waverly thought for a moment and called out to Robin, who quickly entered the room.

“Does this place allow pets?” The man nodded. “Excellent, we will take it!”

Chapter Text

Waverly and Nicole made there way to the orthopaedic department of Ghost River General so Nicole could get her casts off. As they stopped in the waiting room Waverly sat and smiled at her girlfriend.

“What are you looking forward to most about finally getting rid of them baby?”

“Oh so, so, so many things,” she said with A wink that made Waverly blush but she then looked down and laughed. “But high up on that list is being able to wear something other than sweatpants or basketball shorts.” Waverly giggled.

“yeah, I’ve missed seeing you in a pair of skinny jeans!” they chatted until a nurse called Nicole back and in a few moments her Arm was free. The Alpha rolled her wrist and smiled when she felt no pain. The leg cast was cut open next and when it was off Waverly snorted with laughter, making Nicole and the nurse look at her. The omega pulled out her phone and took a picture which really confused her girlfriend.

“I’m sorry but your leg hair is so, so red!” Nicole frowned and looked down at her newly exposed leg and snorted.

“wow It really is! Why did you take a picture though?”

“To punish you with if you ever get out of line! Ill send it to Wynonna to teach you a lesson!” Nicole gasped.

“You wouldn’t!” Waverly arched a brow.

“Are you will to take that chance?” the Alpha shook her head vigorously.

“No dear. Ill behave dear.” She said meekly before the nurse and Waverly both laughed. The nurse reminded Nicole about her physiotherapy appointment the following day and Nicole eagerly walked out of the room while Waverly smiled fondly as she followed the woman.

They had just gotten to Nicoles when the redheads phone rang. It was Dolls. The couple looked at one another before Nicole Answered.

“Jury reached a verdict. Be here in an hour.” With that he hung up.

“we have to be in the court house in an hour. Jury’s back.” Waverly stepped into Nicole and wrapped her Arms around her girlfriends waist and tucked her head under her chin

“No matter what happens Love, you will be ok.” Nicole smiled at the omegas words and kissed her crown.

“I know Waves, thank you. I am going to go take my first proper shower in months before we go.” Waverly squeezed her tight before letting ok.

“ok Baby, the Weed Wacker is in the shed out back.” She smirked at her girlfriend who rolled her eyes

“you know, I almost always forget you are Wynonna’s sister until you say something like that.” Nicole huffed and walked away from her Cackling omega.

Waverly called Gloria to see if she could mind Aurelia for a few more hours before going to change into something less casual, the bedroom a mess of boxes and packing stuff. They were moving into the new house in a few days and they couldn’t wait.

Just as she finished dressing, Nicole appeared wrapped tightly in A towel and Wavery’s mouth went dry. The alpha noticed the appreciative look Waverly gave her before winking and quickly slipping into a pair of skinny jeans.

Without saying much the alpha finished dressing and they quickly made their way outside to the Jeep.

it wasn't long before they were at the courthouse and and met dolls. He smiled at them and checked in to see if Nicole was okay, he understood the alpha was obviously going to be experiencing an awful lot of different emotions and he was right.

Nicole hadn’t said it to Waverly but she didn't really know how to feel she just knew she wanted it to end. Caroline had Tried to ruin her life, given her a nightmare of a childhood. She just wanted the woman to go away. Nicole herself was a mother now and she could never ever treat aurelia like Caroline had treated Her. She wanted that dark cloud that has hung over her head for years to be gone.

“ how are feeling, Nic?”

“I’m OK, I just hope they finds her guilty. what do you think?”

“It’s hard to say, they deliberated for a few days and that means it can go either way. I guess we’ll have our answer shortly but don’t worry Haught if on the off chance she isn't sent away I’ll still be able to get a restraining order and we will retry her if we can. “

“Thank you dolls, I appreciate that.” the man told them he would see them in the courtroom and said goodbye. Waverly reached out and took Nicole’s hand before giving her a smile.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this Cole?” this has to be so hard for you.

“ I got to admit waves I am feeling a lot of things right now and I don’t really know what to think. on one hand she's my mother on the other is the fact she’s a terrible mother. it's so weird to know the woman that brought me into the world has been pretty intent on taking me out of it. it's just such a fucked up Situation.” The Omega leaned into Nicole side and wrapped an arm around her waist, hugging her

“You’re stronger than she ever was, you are a better person, your kind, sweet, funny, intelligent so loving and you were the best mom ever. You are like that despite her and I couldn’t be prouder to call you mine. You’re amazing Cole and I love you.”

“ I love you too waves, I really don’t think I could have gone through this without you, any of this without you, the last couple of months have been a nightmare and I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to still have you by my side.”

“I’m not going anywhere baby. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

A couple of minutes later Wynonna pulled up outside the courthouse and swaggered towards them.

“Morning love birds, red it’s nice to see you without your casts. how are you feeling?”

“ Yeah dude pretty good there isn’t any pain or anything, and I have my first PT session tomorrow. it's just nice to be able to walk unaided.”

“Yeah I sort of forgot how tall you were, jolly red giant.”

“That’s so weak dude.” Nicole laughed and Wynonna scoffed

“dude screw You! Pregnancy is really messing with my ability to come up with good puns, I can’t drink whiskey and now I can’t make fun of you, motherhood sucks!”

“ Obviously that kid loves their auntie Nicole”. the alpha said laughing as Waverly looked at her girlfriend and her sister, smiling, they had a really special friendship.

“ Traitor!” Winona grumbles looking down at her stomach. they began to walk in to the courthouse when they heard someone call the redhead and turned around to see Nicole’s aunt Breda hurrying towards them. Nicole had text her on the way to the courthouse.

“Waverly dear, Gus said she is on her way. Nick sweetheart how are you feeling?”

“ Nervous, worried, unsure, maybe a little hopeful that this will go our way.”

“Haught don’t worry bout it, this is open and shut, I wouldn’t be surprised if the jury pretended to deliberate for a few days to get a break from the drudgery of this backward ass town.”

“yeah maybe." The beta clapped a hand onto Nicole shoulder and squeezed.

“We got this dude. your momma is gonna end up someone’s bitch in jail, hopefully to a beast of a woman named big Bertha who likes it’s rough.”

“Nicole laughed and shook her head, I don’t need that mental image Wy but yeah here's hoping.”

they hurried inside and took their seats in the courtroom seeing Nedley was already there, sitting with his hat in his hands fiddling with the brim. it was obvious he was nervous about the outcome of this trial. after all it was his deputy and officer that got hurt that day and he wanted to ensure they had gotten justice. Nicole took Waverly’s hand and squeezed it Gently.

“Baby I’m just going to go and talk to Randy for a second.” The Omega nodded and gave her a soft smile before the older woman walked across to her boss.

“Hey Sir, you doing alright?”

the man startled before looking up at her and smiling at her from beneath his moustache,

“Good to see you got the casts off deputy, hopefully soon you’ll be cleared to come back for desk duty.”

“Oh yeah can’t wait,” Nicole said jokingly, “I really can’t wait to get back to work though, I’m sure you need me to rein Wynonna in.”

“Yeah she’s going a little bit crazy, I have been tempted to just her in a cell and forget about her overnight but then I’d have to listen to her whinging so yeah I’m looking forward to you coming back.” Nicole laughed and sat down beside Him. “I always hate this part, no matter how much work you put into a case, how obvious it looks to us, it really depends on the individuals in that jury whether or not the bad guy gets put away. if even one person thanks not guilty we end hope with a hung jury and no Real result”

“yeah it's pretty nerve wrecking, but I know you did everything right and if we don't get the right result today it won't be because of your investigation so thank you for looking after me and Wynonna Sir.”

“You’re a good kid heart now get back to your missus.”

“Yes Sir, I speak to you after the verdict.” Nicole went back to her girlfriend and took her hand, lifting it up to her lips and kissing her knuckles.

“how are you doing baby?” She asked the Omega, who leaned into the alpha side.

“I’m fine, I’m just more so worried about you, and I want her gone away for a long time, I never want her to come near either you or Aurelia ever again.”

“she won't baby no matter what happens, she won’t get near us.” She kissed Waverly’s cheek making the woman purr happily.

Soon The jury walked in, then Caroline and her lawyer and then the bailiff stood, telling everyone to rise for Mercedes.

The red headed Omega took her seat at the bench and told them all to sit.

“Mr foreman, have you all reached a unanimous verdict?” a stout man stood from his seat and nodded.

“Yes your honour we have.” The judge nodded and told Caroline to stand, which the Omega did, reluctantly.

“On count 1 of driving under the influence, how does the jury find?”

Guilty.

“on count 2, dangerous or reckless driving how does the jury find?”

“ Guilty.”

“on count 3, attempted murder. what say you?”

“Guilty.” a collective sigh rose up from tthe on lookers. that was the result everyone wanted to hear

“on count 4, assault and battery, how does the jury find?”

“ Guilty your honour.”

“The court thanks you for your time. you may now leave.” The 12 people filed out and the judge turned her attention to Caroline, who had a face like Thunder.

“Miss Bradford, you have Been found guilty by a jury of your peers. you will serve 26 years in prison for all the damage you have done. You deserve ever second of it Bailiffs, take her back to her cell.” Immediately Caroline began to scream profanities at the judge who just sighed. “woman this wouldn't be happening if you weren't such an asshole.” The Omega said with a sigh.

Nicole sat in shock while Waverly let out a happy little squeal and through her arms around her girlfriends neck pulling her into a tight hug and kissing her cheek. The alpha beamed and return the kiss.

“court is adjourned.” Mercedes rose from the bench muttering something about needing a very large glass of wine. Nicole and her found family all gathered in a big hug including Nedley and Breda before they all agreed to meet at shorty’s for a celebratory drink it was still relatively early in the day. after the last couple of months it would be nice to have a night out with all her friends where the spectre of her mother hanging over her head.

Chapter Text

On the way to Shorty’s, the couple stopped to collect their pup from Gloria. Nicole scooped up her daughter, ignoring the twinge in her ribs, for the first time in weeks.

The pup squealed with delight when her Mom hugged her and nuzzled her cheek.

“Hey Big Girl, you have gotten so heavy!” she cooed, while Waverly invited Gloria to the celebration. The woman declined, she had a date she would fill Waverly in on the following day.

Nicole asked if she could drive, now that she was finally mobile again and the omega smiled, tossing her the keys once the baby was strapped in.

Nicole started the ignition and beamed, dimples deep, at her girlfriend before pulling out. It was a very short drive to the saloon and they entered to a rousing cheer from their friends and family. Even Rosita and Jeremy had come once they heard the news.

Everyone cooed over Aurelia and the pup loved the attention, happily being passed around so everyone could get a cuddle.

Much to everyone’s joy, Gus and Breda appeared from the kitchen carrying trays of sandwiches, fries, cocktail sausages and chicken wings while Curtis filled up champagne flutes and Doc passed them around.

Once everyone had a glass in hand (Wynonna had a glass of Soda) they all toasted to the Guilty Verdict and those who had made it possible.

“I miss booze so much...” the older Earp said from beside her best friend who chuckled.

“It’ll be worth it when they get here.”

“Easy for you to say, you never had to be pregnant!”

“We have to listen to you complain for the next 7 months. That’s gonna be painful.” Wynonna punched her arm playfully and looked over at her sister, cuddling Aurelia as she talked to Jeremy, Rosita and Chrissy. The smile on Waverly’s face was blinding and the omega’s body seemed to radiate joy.

“You really make her happy, Haught. Look at her! She’s fucking glowing, Dude, and that’s because of you and the kid, but mostly you.” Nicole smiled as she watched the omega and her daughter, her whole world.

“I love her, Wy... I... I think she might be...” Nicole, trailed off and bit her lip, shaking her head.

“She might be what?” Wynonna asked, intrigued.

“My...my Mate.” Nicole gave her best friend and her girlfriend’s sister a nervous look as she whispered. The surprised Alpha’s eyes widened when Wynonna scoffed.

“No shit, Sherlock.” Nicole tilted her head, looking like a confused Red setter.

“Huh?”

“It’s pretty obvious. You’ve been together two months and have lived together the entire time. I mean you are moving in together officially next week, it’s like you two have been married for years. She basically adopted your pup from the second she met you both. You can almost see your tail wag anytime she walks into a room. Why do you think you’re mates?”

“My Wolf. It wants to claim her as Mate.” Wynonna snorted.

“Yeah, Haught. She’s your Mate. That is if she wants to be. I think you have to have a talk with her.” Nicole nodded.

“You’re surprisingly ok with the speed of our relationship. I thought you would have beaten the crap outta me.”

“Oh believe me, Haught, if you hadn’t been all fucked up from the crash, if you had been anyone else, I would have, but as I said, all I want in this world is for that woman to be happy and you make that happen so we are cool... Unless you fuck up, in which case, I will fuck you up.” Nicole chuckled and went to sit down, her newly mended leg getting a little tired.

She found a stool beside her Aunt and smiled at the woman. Breda threw her arms around her niece and pulled her into a hug.

“How does it feel to finally be free of that woman?”

“Great. I’m just happy she won’t be a threat to Waves or Aurelia.” The older woman snapped her fingers.

“Before I forget, I got this when I went back to the City.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a small box, handing it to the Alpha.

“Is this...?” Nicole asked, smiling when Breda nodded.

The Alpha opened the box and saw a beautiful silver engagement ring that had belonged to her grandmother’s mother. It was simple and elegant, a princess cut diamond in the middle, two pink stones, one on each side of the diamond. It had been passed down to the eldest daughter and one day with would be Aurelia’s.

“Thanks, Bree.”

“Any idea when you are going to ask? How you are going to ask?” her aunt asked teasingly, making Nicole laugh.

“I don’t know yet. I’m struggling to come up with an idea for my first date with the woman! Eight weeks I’ve been thinking about it and nothing seems perfect enough.” The Omega shook her head.

“Nic, sweetie, she doesn’t want perfect, she wants you so anything you plan will be amazing because you’ll be together. Just relax.”

Waverly went to find her girlfriend who she hadn’t seen for about a half hour, finding the woman playing a game of pool with Dolls.

“Who’s winning?” she asked with a grin. Nicole kissed her temple as she wrapped her arm around her loves shoulders.

“Dolls is on a winning streak today, Baby!” The man laughed and pumped his fist making the women chuckle. “Where’s our little terror?”

“Gus and Breda are cuddling her.”

“It’s crazy how those two seem to have become really good friends.” The omega nodded and kissed her Alpha under the jaw.

“It’s really nice though.” She hummed leaning into the taller woman. “It’s nice our families get on so well.” Suddenly she pulled away and yipped happily as she saw Robin walk in.

“Is that our Realtor?” Nicole asked and Waverly nodded, clapping excitedly.

“I texted him and asked him to come down! I’m going to introduce them to each other, come on!” She interlaced her fingers with Nicole’s and pulled her over to the tall Alpha.

“Hey, Robin!” she gave him a one armed hug and he turned to Nicole, smiling.

“Great to see your casts are off! All excited to move into your new place next week?”

“Totally! Come with me, there is someone I want to introduce you to!” The man paled a little and groaned.

“Oh gods you didn’t drag me down here to set me up did you?” Waverly grinned and nodded, while Nicole laughed.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” Nicole asked good naturedly, and Robin grimaced but followed the couple over to a group made up of Perry, Chrissy, Rosita and Jeremy.

“Chris, Perry, you know Robin. And these are my colleagues, Rosita and Jeremy...” She said the male omega’s name with a lilt in her Voice that made both Robin and Jeremy blush. The brunette had had a few drinks.

“It’s nice to meet you!” Jeremy said awkwardly, which made the male Alpha smile.

“Nice to meet you, too.” They smiled at each other, a spark of something between them, and Nicole laughed softly and whispered into her omega’s ear.

“Let’s leave them to it, baby.” Waverly whined a little and pouted.

“But I wanna watch them be adorable! I made this happen!” she whispered back and Nicole snorted.

“You’re adorable. Now let’s go find our kid!” They turned around and saw the pup trying to grab Nedley’s mustache as he bounced her on his knee. The pup laughing hysterically while Breda and Nedley chatted and watched her. Waverly grinned and looked at Nicole.

“Looks like we have 2 love connections tonight!” She giggled, pointing at the Sheriff and the redhead’s aunt. Nicole rolled her eyes.

“OK Drunky, I’m cutting you off!” Waverly giggled and nodded.

“Yeah, you’re right.” She leaned into Nicoles side. “Hey, Cole...”

“Yeah, Baby?”

“Do you want more kids?” Nicole was surprised by the question which had come out of nowhere.

“If they are with you? Yes. That is if you want kids?” The omega nodded, her eyes half closed, being tipsy and a little drowsy and she hummed.

“Yeah, I want more little redhead pups with dimples,” she said softly. Nicole smiled softly and kissed the top of her girlfriend’s head.

“I think it’s time to get you and Aurelia home. It’s way past our bedtime.” The omega Nodded sleepily against her shoulder and the Alpha led her outside to the Jeep. She bundled her in, buckled the seat belt around her and kissed her forehead.

“I’m just going to grab Elia and her stuff. Be back in two minutes.” Waverly hummed in response.

“Come on, Chunky Monkey! It’s bedtime!” she said as she approached her boss, aunt and daughter. The pup giggled as her mother reached out to take her.

“Awh, sweetie, are you leaving already?” her aunt asked.

“Yeah, Waves is exhausted, I’m exhausted and I think we both need a good night’s sleep. It’s been a long time since we had one. I’ll call you in a few days though. Thank you again. And Sir, I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know whether the Physiotherapist will clear me to come back yet or not.” The gruff man nodded and Nicole hugged Breda goodbye before saying goodbye to everyone and thanking Gus, Curtis and Shorty for the impromptu party.

After she got Aurelia settled in her seat, she got behind the wheel and smiled at her sleeping girlfriend. Nicole hadn’t had anything to drink after the champagne hours earlier, and she had only had half a glass, happy to be the designated driver so her sweetheart could cut loose.

Once she pulled into the driveway, she quietly got her pup out and brought her inside and put her in her playpen in the living room before going back outside and lifting her tiny girlfriend out of the Jeep. The omega mumbled something and wrapped her arms around the Alpha’s neck sleepily as Nicole carried her upstairs to the bedroom.

Once she put Waverly onto the bed gently, she helped the omega take off her shirt and skirt, replacing them with pyjamas before tucking her in. She kissed the woman on the forehead and went to leave.

“Nooooo don’t go!” Waverly pouted.

“I gotta get Elia, Love, I’ll be right back.”

“hmmm ok, baby.” Waverly mumbled and nuzzled into her pillow. Nicole smiled softly as she went downstairs and into the kitchen to make a bottle before scooping her drowsy pup up and carrying her upstairs.

Waverly held her arms out for the baby who cuddled into Waverly and purred as Nicole held the bottle as she drank.

“You know, I am always so happy when it’s quiet like this and the three of us are just together. It’s the best!” Waverly yawned and reached out for Nicole’s free hand.

“Me too, baby, this is my idea of heaven.” The pup finished her bottle and burped. Nicole changed her and put her into her crib before she changed herself and crawled into bed, wrapping herself around the purring omega who took a handful of the old band t-shirt her girlfriend was wearing and twisted it in her fists as she got as close to Nicole as possible.

“My Alpha...” she whispered sleepily before her eyes closed and her breathing evened out. Nicole held the smaller woman tighter and kissed her crown.

“My Mate.”

Chapter Text

Waverly was unpacking all of Aurelia’s things in her new bedroom as Nicole was unloading all the boxes out of the truck she had borrowed from Wynonna.

She smiled when she looked around and saw the room coming together nicely. Waverly and her girlfriend had gone shopping in the city a few days previously and bought furniture for their daughter’s room and Nicole had put it together for Waverly that morning.

She began unpacking Aurelia’s clothes and putting them in the dresser as she hummed away to herself, turning to smile at the pup who was on a play mat on the floor. Her smile slipped off her face from shock when the pup began to crawl.

“Cole!” she yelled, “Cole come here now!” She didn’t take her eyes of the little redhead as her larger redhead ran in.

“What’s Wro- oh!” Nicole had been so worried when she had heard Waverly yelling, but she beamed when she saw her daughter crawling towards them. The couple bent down and held their arms out .

“Come on, Big Girl, you can do it!” she said to her daughter as the pup made her way closer to them. Waverly encouraged her the final foot before the pup collapsed into her Mothers arms and squealed happily when they cuddled her and peppered her face with kisses.

The women grinned at each other, and Nicole pulled Waverly into a hug with the pup sandwiched between them. They both had happy tears filling their eyes.

“Oh my little love, you are growing up way too fast!” Waverly sighed as she took the pup into her arms.

“We won’t be able to let her out of our sight now that she’s mobile, Waves; poor CJ is going to be terrorized.” Nicole chuckled.

“CJ is clever enough to keep out of reach!” Waverly said, before kissing Nicole under her jaw and leaning into her as the Alpha looked around.

“It looks great in here, baby.” The omega’s wolf preened under her Alpha’s praise. “Hopefully she will be ok sleeping alone from now on.” Nicole frowned.

“She will be fine, baby. She’s the best little girl.”

“Yeah she is. Sorry, Waves, I just worry.” Waverly chuckled and nodded.

“I know, baby, but if you can’t stop worrying I’ll have to come up with some way to distract you!” She purred and pulled the Alpha down to kiss those soft lips and winked when she pulled away, rolling her eyes when she saw her girlfriend’s goofy smile.

“Wanna go out with me tomorrow night? Just you and me?” Nicole asked quietly before kissing Waverly again, laughing and pulling back when the pup grunted unhappily.

“Ooooh are you finally taking me on this mysterious Date sweetie?” Nicole grinned and nodded.

“Yep! I think it’s about time,” she said playfully, as Waverly placed the pup back down on her mat. “So, what do you say I pick you up at 7?” Nicole said with a dimpled grin.

“Pick me up? We live together!” Nicole waved her hand dismissively.

“Pfft not the point. First date, I pick you up!” She walked out of the room and thanked her lucky stars that Gloria had already agreed to take Aurelia for the night.

Once Waverly was done unpacking and setting up the pup’s bedroom, she carried her daughter to her and Nicole’s room and placed her on the rug before beginning to unpack the boxes Nicole had brought up.

She unpacked their clothes, hanging them in the wardrobe or stacking them in the dresser. She put Nicole’s small gun safe into the wardrobe too. Obviously when it came to guns in a house with a child, safety was paramount.

After about an hour, when everything was almost done in the master bedroom, Nicole reappeared.

“ok, Love, the truck is unloaded and the kitchen has been done. I’m going to bring the truck back to the Homestead. You wanna come?”

“No, sweetie, I’ll stay here and get dinner started Don’t forget the box of Aurelia’s old things for Nonna’s pup. It’s in the trunk of your cruiser.” Nicole kissed the brunettes temple and smiled before getting on her knees and kissing the pups forehead.

“You be good for Mama, ok?” Waverly, jaw dropping, started a little. Yes, she and Nicole were raising the pup together and she called Aurelia hers, but to hear Nicole, the pup’s sire, call her Mama made her heart swell. She was Aurelia’s Mama. Nicole stood and pecked her lips. “Be back soon, baby.” She dashed out of the house and Waverly carried Aurelia into the kitchen where they had placed the pup’s playpen.

Leaving the pup to entertain herself with the toys in the pen, she set about making something from the groceries she had bought on the way to their home.

She decided to make pizza, something she hadn’t done in a while but she loved to do, she also had a craving for some sweet potato fries so she chopped them up while her dough was resting.

Nicole came home just as she was putting the pizza in the oven and Nicole grinned.

“Gods, it smells good in here,” she said, wrapping her arms around the omega from behind and buried her face in Waverly’s neck, inhaling deeply, making the omega giggle.

“So what have you in mind for tomorrow night?” the shorter woman asked.

“I’m not telling, but dress warm.”

“ugh fine!” The omega pouted and told Nicole to set the table while she prepared some baby food for Aurelia who had recently started eating. The pup had a voracious appetite.

When it was time to eat, family gathered around the table, Aurelia in her highchair, and ate. Nicole fed the pup, laughing at her messy pup and promised Waverly she would give her a bath after dinner.

By the time they got into bed that night, the couple were exhausted. Nicole was a little fidgety however as she listened closely to the baby monitor. Waverly groaned sleepily and pressed into Nicole.

“Stop worrying! She’s fine, baby.”

“I know.” Nicole sighed and wrapped her arms around the omega. “Good night, sweetheart.”

“Night, Cole, love you.”

“Love you too.”

They fell asleep quickly.

The following morning, Nicole dressed for work before leaving the room. It was her first day back and she would be on desk duty for the next few weeks, but she was eager to get back to the bullpen.

The Alpha entered the pups room and smiled when she saw her little girl babbling happily to herself and trying to bite her foot.

“Lets get you dressed, Little Miss!” She changed and dressed the pup before heading to the kitchen where Waverly kissed her good morning, handed her a cup of coffee and took the pup out of the redheads arms to put her in her chair and feed her.

They worked together like a well oiled machine as they got ready for the day. It was like they had lived together for years.

“I’ll see you at 7, baby.” Nicole grinned as she kissed her omega and pup goodbye.

“See you then, Cole. I cant wait.”

Nicole drove to the Sheriffs Station, eager to get back to work. She walked into the station and was greeted with a hug from Wynonna.

“Thank god you’re back! Nedley has been on my case so much lately!” the beta whined.

“Wynonna, you’re the one who broke his mug!”

“Haught!” The sheriff came out of his office and smiled at his deputy before pointing to her desk and the huge pile of case files. “Get you work!” he said with a wink, and she happily did as she was bid.

Later that evening, Waverly was getting ready to leave so she could get ready for her date when a call came from the nurses station.

“Dr Earp, there’s something here that needs your signature.” She told them to give her a moment and grabbed her jacket and bag. She made her way to the nurse’s station and saw a delivery man holding a bouquet of white roses.

“You, Dr Earp?” the man asked and waverly nodded dumbly. He handed her a hand set and asked her for a signature before handing her the dozen roses.

“ooooh who are they from?” the two nurses asked, eager for gossip.

“My girlfriend. We just moved in together.” The women cooed and Waverly excused herself. As she walked to her Jeep she spotted the card that was tucked into the roses.

The card wasn’t written in Nicole’s handwriting, but Waverly would cherish it forever.

‘Waves, I love you so much, Always and Forever. Your Alpha, Nicole.’ It was simple and it was perfect. She got into the Jeep and pulled out her phone.

‘You are the sweetest Alpha ever xxx' she sent to her girlfriend, getting a wink emoji in response. She made her way home and put the roses in the center of the kitchen island before rushing to get a shower.

After she dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans, a maroon turtleneck sweater and ankle boots, she left her hair to fall down around her shoulders in waves and put on some makeup.

At 7 on the dot, the door bell rang. She rolled her eyes to herself but smiled as she opened the door and found Nicole dressed in a black bomber jacket, a blue shirt, black skinny jeans and her red vans.

“Hey, Beautiful...” the Alpha purred as Waverly wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her.

“Hey yourself. You look gorgeous, Cole.” They held each other for a moment, breathing in each other. “Thank you for the roses,” she whispered against Nicole’s lips and made the alpha smile into the kiss that followed.

“Lets get going, we have dinner reservations at 8.” They got into Waverly’s Jeep and Nicole drove them to the City. The whole way they talked about their day or sat in comfortable silence, Waverly’s hand on Nicole’s thigh.

Before long, they pulled up outside an Italian restaurant and gave the keys to the valet before opening the car door and offering a hand to her girlfriend.

“Wow, baby, this place is so nice.” Waverly whispered as they followed the host to their table and sat down. Nicole smiled at her and kissed her temple. Her wolf was strutting in her mind, proud to have the most incredible omega on Nicole’s arm.

They held hands on top of the table as they perused the menu until the waiter came and took their orders. Nicole ordered a linguini dish while Waverly ordered a carbonara along with a glass of wine each.

“So. Waverly, tell me about yourself.” The omega frowned at her girlfriend.

“Huh?”

“I’m doing the whole first date experience thing. Even the awkward getting to know you questions.” Waverly laughed and shook her head.

“Nicole, baby, this is not a typical first date. It’s our first date and we don’t seem to do anything typically do we?” The Alpha grinned and shook her head. “I love that there is no awkwardness with you.”

“Me too, Waves.” Once they finished eating, Nicole called for the cheque. She smiled at the omega.

“We are going somewhere else for desert, Love.” She winked and after paying she held out her hand, and with fingers interlaced, they walked out into the chilly night.

Chapter Text

“Cole, where are we going?” The omega asked as Nicole led her along the side walk and gave her a soft smile.

“There is a German Christmas Market not too far from here, I thought we could get some mulled wine, some gingerbread, maybe do some ice skating... if you want to?” Nicole finished shyly, suddenly unsure of herself but that passed quickly when Waverly let out a little yip and her face lit up.

“Oh my Gods! Best Date ever!” the smaller woman said excitedly and together they hurried towards the market was teeming with people. The decorated wooden Huts the Crafters were sitting in looked like something out of a fairy tail and the entire market was lit by huge lights hanging over head.

They walked hand in hand from stall to stall, looking at all the items and even buying some. Waverly found some adorable Christmas decorations and Nicole bought a huge fleece throw for their bed. They sat down to enjoy the gingerbread and mulled drinks. Nicole had opted for cider instead of wine.

Afterwards they made their way to the ice rink in the middle of the market, a large Christmas tree in the centre of it that people were skating round.

“How did you know I love to ice skate love?” the omega whispered as they waited for the man behind the counter to give them there skates.

“Just a feeling baby. I thought it might be kinda romantic to go ice skating on our first date.” The omega giggled and kissed the redhead.

“you thought right baby. Now as much as I love this im not very good at it so you can’t let go of me!” Waverly said pleadingly and Nicole chuckled.

“I’m awful at this too Waves but ill never let you go.”

“Are you sure you’re up for this? Your not long out of your casts.”

“im fine love. Let’s do this.” They carefully stepped out onto the ice and Nicoles skates went out from beneath her, causing her to land on her ass and pull her girlfriend down with her. Nicole was so worried as she turned her girlfriend over but sighed in relief when she saw Waverly crying with Laughter.

‘We didn’t even stay upright for more than 2 seconds!” she said breathlessly and Nicole began to chuckle before they pulled themselves back up to their feet.

They gripped each others hand and carefully and very, VERY slowly began to make their way around the rink, falling multiple times, being out skated by children. They never stopped smiling, laughing constantly as they held onto each other.

Eventually they went back to the bench and Nicole helped the omega get her skates off before bringing the 2 pairs back to the desk. When she returned she had a paper cup of coffee for herself and tea for Waverly.

They sat on the bench and watched the skaters in a comfortable silence, Waverly leaning into the Alpha before sighing happily.

“This was the best date baby!” she said softly, kissing Nicoles cheek. The Alpha gave her a shy smile.

“I’m really glad you enjoyed yourself Waves. I just want you to be happy.” Waverly nuzzled in under the Alphas chin and wrapped her arm around Nicoles waist.

“Nicole, I have never been happier. No one has ever treated me with so much love and respect and I really am so, so in love with you. I... Cole?”

“Yeah baby?”

“I think you’re my Mate...” Waverly said nervously, unsure how Nicole would take her statement but the Alpha smiled impossibly wide, almost blinding and pulled Waverly in, kissing her deeply before pulling back when they ran out of breath.

“I know your my Mate Waverly, I’ve suspected it for a while.” She whispered as she stroked the brunettes cheek with her thumb.

“Really?”

“Really... in fact... Waves, will you marry me?” Waverly’s jaw dropped and she clutched Nicole’s hand tighter.

“What?” she asked, shocked

“I know! Its crazy soon, its literally our first date but if this past 6 months have shown me one thing, its that you are IT for me. I love waking up with you draped on top of me. I love hearing you laugh, I love making you laugh. I am at my absolute happiest when I’m with you and Aurelia. And I adore you for loving my pup like your own. For being her Mama. You are the most incredible person I’ve ever met Waverly Earp, my kind, beautiful, feisty and ridiculously intelligent omega. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, if you will have me?” Waverly had tears in her eyes as Nicole reached into rhe inner pocket of her bomber jacket and pulled out the little black ring box and opening it before presenting it to the speechless woman.

Waverly didn’t even look at the ring before she pulled the redhead into a searing kiss, she tried to convey her answer with that kiss, spilling all the emotions she felt for this amazing woman onto it. When they finally pulled back, Waverly looked at Nicole and smiled.

“Uh....is... is that a yes?” Nicole asked, swallowing Nervously but Waverly grinned.

“of course it is Cole. Of course I will marry you!” Nicole pulled her back in for another kiss before she took Waverly’s glove off and slipped on her grandmothers ring. It fit the omega perfectly. The younger woman admired it as she cuddled into her fiancées side. “its beautiful baby.” She sighed happily, resting her head on Nicoles shoulder

“I’m glad you like it. It was my grandmothers mothers ring. I was worried it wouldn’t fit right.”

“it fits perfectly baby.”

“I think that’s a sign it was meant to be.” They kissed again before waverly hummed against Nicole’s lips.

“Take me home Alpha...” her eyes were darker than usual and her voice was a little husky, Nicole’s wolf perked up and growled a little, the Alpha could scent the omegas arousal.

“are you sure Waves?” she asked, her own voice getting a little gravelly as she leaned in closer to whisper in Waverly’s ear. The omega shivered.

“God yes. I want you... my alpha!” she purred and then let out a little yelp as Nicole nipped the skin on her neck gentle. She stood and pulled the omega with her .

“let’s go so!”

The drive home was torturous. More than once the Alpha had been tempted to just pull over and make love to Waverly in the back of the Jeep. She thought this even ever Waverly ran her hand up her thigh as she drove but then she always remembered that this was going to be here first time with Waverly, her future Wife and Mate, the mother of her daughter. She had no intention of hurrying.

When they finally pulled into the driveway, they quickly made their way into the house and as soon as the front door closed behind them, Waverly pushed Nicole back against it and pulled her into hard and desperate kiss which she returned with fever. The omega began to push the bomber jacket off the taller womans shoulders until it slid off her arms and landed in a heap of the floor, never breaking the kiss.

Nicole quickly returned the favour and Waverly’s outerwear fell beside her own. They made their way down the hall, kissing passionately, taking turns pressing the other against the walls.

Nicole pinned waverly, one hand holding her wrists above her head and kissed down her jaw and Neck, nipping and licking at the skin, inhaling the delicate scent of her Love with an undercurrent of arousal. It made her mouth water. She kissed down more but growled when her path was stopped but the omegas maroon jumper.

“this needs to go!” she snarled quietly and released the omegas arms so she could grip the collar if Waverly’s sweater with both hands and ripped it straight down the middle in a move so primal and possessive the omega felt a jolt go straight to her core as she whimpered with longing before sighing as Nicole kissed down her chest.

Waverly panted as she put her head back to rest against the wall. She ran her fingers through the redheads locks and tangled her fingers in it, tugging a little and hearing Nicole groan as she continued to kiss the womans abdomen, wrapping her arms around the omegas hips.

Waverly tugged on Nicoles hair again, signalling her to come up so she could kiss her again. She moaned into the Alphas mouth when she felt her tongue press against her own and they wrestled for dominance.

“Bedroom?” Nicole asked, her voice deep and husky, her eyes black as coal.

Waverly nodded and squealed when the redhead picked her up. Waverly wrapped her Arms and legs around the taller woman who was gripping the omegas thighs as she brought her to bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. Nicole stood back and waverly sat up before reaching out for Nicole and pulling at her shirt.

“Off.” She ordered, not something an omega would do to an alpha as powerful as Nicole but this was her Mate, her equal. She was worried for a moment how Nicole might react but the Alpha grinned and pulled her shirt off over her head.

“I’ve lost a lot of muscle tone since the accident Waves, ill be back in shape soon.” Waverly shook her head, and reached out to run her hands up Nicoles sides and stoop to kiss her, sighing as she felt their fronts pressed together with nothing between them but their bras.

“you are so perfect Cole.” She whispered before pulling back and looking at her fiancée again.

Nicole may have lost some condition but she was still a wonderful mixture of hard and soft. Her arms were still well muscled, her stomach flat. Her breasts were perky, hidden under a sports bra. Her figure was beautifully feminine, curvy in all the right places, her jeans handing low on her hips.

Just looking at her was causing a visceral reaction in the Omega. This was her Alpha and she couldn’t be more grateful to what ever God put them in each others path. “so beautiful..” she purred softly as she ran her hands up the alphas sides and then down her arms, entwining there fingers and giving the Alpha a gentle kiss.

Nicole nuzzled the womans temple before kissing down her throat, nipping at the skin over Waverly’s scent gland, where she would bite when the omega was next in heat, binding them together forever, if that is what Waverly wanted.

The omega whimpered as Nicole laid her back down on the bed and began to kiss her all over her chest, the omega was beautiful, luscious breasts heaving as she panted, her desire driving her mad.

“Please Cole, I need you!” Nicole hummed against the top of the omegas right breast, nipping it before looking up at her Fiancée.

“what do you need baby?” she growled as she ran her hands up Waverly’s tanned stomach.

“You! I need you Alpha.” Waverly moaned as she moved her hands down and began to unbutton her jeans, stopping when Nicole let out a warning growl.

“ill undress you omega.” She growled out and Waverly whimpered again, laying her head back and groaning in frustration. She wanted to feel Nicole so badly.

The Alpha pulled off the omegas boots, socks and then slid her tight jeans down her legs, kissing the newly exposed skin as she pulled away the material. She threw the jeans into a corner when she had freed Waverly’s legs before she stopped to admire the woman before her.

“You are a vision...” she breathed out, in awe as she looked down at the brunette making the smaller woman blush.

“come here!” Waverly said as she held her hand out to the redhead. “I want you.” The Alpha climbed up onto the bed and lay on top of the omega carefully, Waverly kissing her as soon as she was in reach. The kiss was sfull of love and desire, passion and heat but when Nicole open her eyes she saw tears falling from Waverly’s.

“Baby? Hey are you ok?” she asked, panicked she had pushed the omega too far. “I’m sor-"

“No! No love, nothing is wrong, these are just happy tears. Its just I have never very been lucky in relationships and I was kinda miserable moving back here, and then I met you. And I love you and I promise I’m fine!” Nicole kissed her forehead and nodded.

“We can stop Waves.” She said gently

“no! I want this, I want you! Please just make love to me Nicole. I’m yours.” Nicole felt herself hardening in response to the omegas words and kissed her again before reaching a hand behind the smaller woman and after the omega nodded her consent, Nicole snapped open Waverly bra and pulled it away from her body, allowing her access Waverly’s full breasts. She groaned before moving down, lips kissing and tongue licking skin that smelled like wildflowers.

She moved down to kiss around Waverlys dusky, straining nipples, running her finger in circles around the nipple she wasn’t currently kissing.

She suddenly sucked the erect bud into her mouth and lashed at it with her tongue as she gently pinched the other one. She listened to Waverly’s moans of pleasure, carefully trying to figure out what caused her the most enjoyment. She flicked her tongue over the hard bud and gently bit down on the nipple causing Waverly moaned again, more guttural this time. Nicole smirked against the soft flesh and moved over to give the other nipple the same attention with her mouth.

She could smell the heady aroma of her Omegas want and it was intoxicating. Her wolf scratched at her mind and demanded she take what the smaller woman was offering, take her hard and show her who she belonged to but Nicole ignored it as she kissed down Waverlys stomach and stopped just under her bellybutton, above the hem of her underwear.

She ran her hands up the outside of Waverly’s thighs as she pulled back to look down at her omega, her cock twitching against the fabric of her jeans when she saw the womans flushed cheeks and chest, rising and falling rapidly as she panted with desire.

She moved her fingers under the fabric of Waverly’s underwear and with one last glance to see Waverly nod her consent and moan, she pulled the ruined fabric down her loves legs.

Nicole groaned as she took in the sight of Waverly bare and wanting before her. The omegas glistening cunt was swollen and dripping, begging for her and she was not going to make it wait any longer. Without another word or any warning she ran her tongue from up Waverly folds, grinning to herself when waverly let out a strange mix of yelp and moan before letting her legs collapse onto the bed, as wide apart as she could get them.

The taste of her omega was incredible, she wanted to keep teasing the omega but she couldn’t. Once she had tasted Waverly she couldn’t stop so she quickly ran her tongue up through Waverly’s folds, running it around the clit when she got there, in tighter and tighter circles as Waverly carded her fingers through the redheads hair.

As Nicole wrapped her lips around the hard bud of nerves and began to suck waverly had started to move her hips to grind herself against the redheads face as she ravished her with her mouth.

Nicoles eyes rolled back into her head as she groaned against Waverly’s centre. The smell, the taste, the sounds, the feel of the omega above her was a heady experience and Nicole never wanted to stop. She began to circle Waverlys entrance, watching little rivets of arousal dripping out of it before she gently began to push to fingers in.

Waverlys body seized up when Nicole was in as deep as she could go, the omega moaned loudly as she came, so desperately had she wanted to feel Nicole inside her. The Alpha gently fucked her through her orgasm, not breaking the rhythm of her mouth or fingers as Waverly came crashing down from her high to the incredible feeling of Nicoles mouth.

Waverly had never felt like this, felt pleasure like this. Hell, Nicole made her feel things she had never felt before, she made her feel truly loved, safe, like she was seen, happy and now she was making her feel whole new worlds of pleasure and the omega was hooked.

Nicole swirled her tongue around the clit as she gently curled her fingers against the soft front wall over and over, taking her time, savouring every second she was on her knees, worshipping the goddess before her. She keep up this slow teasing pace until Waverly came again, moaning the Alphas name.

When Waverlys walls stopped clenching on her fingers she removed the digits slowly before putting them in her mouth and sucking them clean, growling at the heavily taste. Waverly watched, her jaw slack as Nicole then crawled her way up the omegas body to connect their lips in a sloppy kiss that was all teeth, tongue and groans as Waverly tasted herself in Nicoles mouth.

The omega reached behind Nicole and began to pull nicoles sports bra, desperately trying to get the material away from her lover.

The Alpha chuckled and pulled back do she could pull the bra over her head and toss it away, waverly groaned and quickly sat up, taking one of Nicole’s nipples in her mouth and lashing at it with fervour as she moved her hands down and unbuttoned Nicole’s jeans quickly. She wanted the Alpha naked against her as soon as possible.

Nicole put her thumbs in the waistband of her jeans and stood back to let them fall to the floor, stepping out of them and Waverlys eyes darker when she saw the bulge in womans boyshorts.

She had caught Glimpses of the Alpha when flaccid and couldn’t help but notice, even soft she a sizeable member.

When Nicole pulled down her underwear and released her cock from its prison Waverly started with the sight of Nicole fully erect under a neatly trimmed Bush of red curls.

The Alpha was large but not big enough to where Waverly was worried. She was thick though and Waverly keened, needing her Mate inside her now. She lay back as Nicole climbed on top of her, between her legs and grabbed herself.

“waves?” she whispered but the omega kissed her hard.

“Yes Cole, please, take me...” the woman begged against the Alphas lips, reaching down between their bodies to replace Nicoles hand, wasting no time in lining her up with her entrance. The Alphas hips stuttered as her pink head felt the warmth and wet of Waverly. Nicole began to worry if she would blow her load in seconds.

“Wait baby... do you want me to wear a condom.” Waverly snarled.

“No I fucking don’t Alpha. I want you to knot me and fill me.” Nicole growled and pushed herself slowly into the omega who head fell back and jaw slackened when she felt the Alpha fill her.

After a few moments, Nicole was buried to the hilt, filling waverly perfectly and panting with the effort to keep her hips still while Waverly adjusted to her sizeable girth. All she wanted was to begin to rut into her omega but she restrained her self until Waverly pulled her earlobe between her teeth, biting it before whispering.

“Fuck me Alpha.” What ever restraint Nicole had had left snapped and she began to pump into Waverly hard and fast at the perfect angle to hit the omegas spot over and over again. The smaller woman almost came again instantly as she was pounded into at a punishing pace.

She dug her nails into the flesh of the Alphas back, burying her face in the crook of Nicoles neck to muffle her screams of ecstasy. Nicole growled into her ear.

“Don’t try to be quiet baby, I wanna hear you!” Waverly instantly stopped silencing herself and the cries of pleasure left her throat spurring Nicole on but it wasn’t long before Waverly came again with a scream. Nicole felt her knot begin to form as she continued to pound into the omega as the womans walls fluttered around her cock. When Nicole felt her knot snap into place inside the omega her thrusts became shallow until Waverly begged for her to fill her and she came, finally, thick ropes filling the omegas womb as the woman came again at the feeling of her Alpha spurting inside her.

Nicole grunted as her hips stuttered to a stop, buried inside her fiancée whose walls were still milking her of ever last drop of cum

“That... was... incredible...” Waverly panted out as Nicole chuckled, her face buried in Waverly’s shoulder before she wrapped her arms around the woman and turned them over so Waverly could rest on top of her.

“we are definitely doing that again!” she said jokingly as she kissed the omega who hummed.

“as often as possible!” she said against the Alphas lips, the woman smiling wide.

“every day for the rest of our lives Love.” The shared a sweet kiss before Waverly tucked herself under Nicole’s chin and sighed contentedly as Nicole embraced her tighter.

“Forever, Baby...”

Chapter Text

“Sweetie, you have to!” Waverly said to the pouting four year old who was refusing to get dressed.

“No, Mama! I don’t want go to school! Why can’t I stay home with Aunty Gloria and Alice?” The heavily pregnant brunette sighed and sat down on the bed beside the little Redhead who was her Sire’s double except darker and with Hazel eyes that were eerily similar to Waverly’s own.

“Oh, my little love, we have been over this... you’re 4 now and that means you’re a big girl and big girls go to school. Next year it will be Alice’s turn and some day it will be your little brother’s turn. And you will still see Alice and Gloria all the time because you will go there after school when your mom and I are at work.” The pup let out a dramatic groan and rolled her eyes, a habit she had picked up from her Aunty Nonna.

“Who's moaning?” The redhead appeared in the doorway of their daughters room and smiled at her Mate and pup.

“The school issue again.” Waverly whispered as she stood up to lean against her Alpha. Nicole nodded and kissed the omega’s temple before kneeling down in front of Aurelia.

“Do I really have to go to school?” the smaller alpha asked her Mom. The redhead chuckled and nodded.

“Yeah, kid. You do. It’s your first day, school is really fun and you get to make new friends and learn how to play new games. Me and Mama are so jealous we can’t go back to school. Plus you said you wanted to be a Doctor just like Mama? You need loads of school for that,” Nicole said, as she gave her child a dimpled smile. Elia just thought for a moment.

“Are you really jealous?” she asked quietly. Nicole nodded with a serious expression.

“Gods yeah! And because I’m so jealous maybe I won’t let you go to school today! Maybe I’ll keep you home with me aaaalllll day so you can watch me do boring paperwork instead of having fun!” she said in a playfully growl, reaching out to tickle the little girl who shrieked out a laugh and jumped away.

“Nooooo!” She giggled as she hid behind her Mama’s legs, the omega smiling down at the pup. “I go to school!” Nicole stood up and winked at her wife.

“Ya heard the pup, Waves, she wants to go to school!” Nicole said, a smirk on her face and Waverly scoffed.

“Show off!” she muttered, but melted into the soft kiss her wife planted on her lips. “You can dress her so!” She hit the Alpha’s chest with the pup’s uniform before she walked out of the room. Nicole chuckled and shrugged down at her grinning pup.

Aurelia was a very happy, well behaved child who her Mothers considered themselves blessed to be raising. She was intelligent and inquisitive which Nicole and Waverly encouraged. She had Nicole’s calm and sweet disposition, but sometimes she got a little overwhelmed as she was shy. Like her Mom, she was exceptionally tall and the couple thought she might actually pass her sire in height one day.

The pup was raised in a very happy home, surrounded by love and affection from both of her Mothers in equal parts. The couple may have had an disagreement or two over the years, but they were never serious and always resolved quickly and never where the pup could overhear them. They had married a year to the day they met, only a month after Mating, and the last 3 years had truly been wedded bliss.

They had put off having another child until they knew Aurelia would be starting school and to give Waverly more time to establish herself in her Medical field. They were a week away from her due date, and all the Alpha could say was her omega was a trooper. Her pregnancy had been difficult at the start with the brunette suffering terribly with morning sickness and it was obvious their son was going to be a bruiser.

Jeremy estimated the Alpha pup would be at least 8 pounds and that had landed Nicole a banishment to the couch until an emotion omega asked her to come to bed, but Waverly hadn’t let her touch her in any way other than platonic for about 2 weeks. The omega’s bump was huge and she had been forced to waddle everywhere because of her sore back. Wynonna mentioned the waddle once and Waverly gave her a black eye. Nicole thought the waddle was adorable but she wouldn’t risk mentioning it after that.

Every night she would rub the omega’s back and shoulders, massage her feet, and run her a bath as the omega thanked the gods for a caring alpha, even if the woman made ridiculously large children. She was definitely having a C-section.

Waverly was waiting in the hall with her daughter’s little backpack and smiled at the pair of redheads.

“Oh Baby Girl, you look adorable! Let’s take some photos!” The pup happily posed with her Mothers before they brought her out and put her in her car seat in the Omega’s SUV that she could no longer drive; her feet couldn’t reach the pedals because her seat had to be pushed way back to accommodate the the baby bump. That had earned Nicole another short lived banishment to the couch.

When they arrived at the preschool they saw Wynonna and Nedley standing by the school gate, smiling at them when they approached.

“Hey you two, what are you doing here?” Nicole asked, as Waverly hugged her sister and father figure. The man was Papa Randy to Aurelia and Alice, both girls’ adopted grandfather. Nicole beamed at them.

“I can’t speak for Earp there, but I came to see my favourite little deputy off to her first day of school,” the man said under his thick mustache, smiling down at his adoring granddaughter. The little girl gave him a big hug as they all smiled.

“Well I came to see my niece off to school. Promise to tell me all about it tonight at grandma Gus's?” Again the pup nodded and the couple led their pup up to the teacher standing at the gate giving them a gentle smile.

Nicole picked up her daughter so she could give her Mama a hug over the bump before she hugged her mom.

“You behave and listen to your teacher, ok?” the pup gave her sire a nod.

“OK, Mommy.”

“We love you, Kiddo.” They each gave the pup a kiss on the cheek and set her down, waving her off. Another child ran up to her suddenly and shouted “Hi!” at her, startling the redheaded pup, making her growl a little at the beta boy. The boy stopped and mumbled an apology while Nicole’s wolf puffed its chest out and wagged its tail which was held high. Her little girl would be a strong Alpha too.

Nicole wrapped her arms around Waverly and smiled proudly as the little girl continued on her way and got into line with the rest of her classmates. They saw her begin to natter with the girl in front of her before Nicole put her hands on Waverly’s bump.

“Before we know it, it’ll be Colton’s turn, baby.” Waverly whined.

“Don’t you just wish they stayed small forever, Cole.” The Alpha nodded and hummed before kissing the smaller woman’s forehead.

“If only.” They stood and watched with the other parents of the new students until the last pup disappeared into the building without fanfare.

They and Wynonna went to lunch but Nedley declined to join them as he was needed back at the station.

They decided on Shorty’s and sat at a table, ordering their usual lunches before Wynonna sighed.

“So I have something to tell you...” the couple looked at each other before turning back to the beta.

“Are you pregnant?” Waverly asked excitedly, but Wynonna gagged.

“Ew! No! Gods I’m never doing that again! No, me and Dolls are getting hitched.” They knew Wynonna had been seeing the Beta for months, since he joined PSD, they had never seen her happier and she deserved happiness since Doc ran off with Rosita. But it was still a surprise and very fast. Not that they could say anything about that. Waverly did though.

“Wow, that’s crazy quick!”

“Hey! Pot, Kettle, bitch!” the blue eyed woman said indignantly. Waverly laughed and nodded.

“No, I know but we are mates, Wy!”

“I... I’m pretty sure that idiot is my Mate !” The couple both gasped and Nicole dropped her fork which landed with a clatter.

“Dude, seriously? Thats so awesome!” Nicole said excitedly as Waverly squealed. Wynonna made a face and held up her hand.

“Alright fuckers, calm down, it’s no big deal. Anyway we are gonna get the job done at the court house in a couple of weeks. Be there, ok!” They grinned and agreed to be there before they passed the next few hours playing pool and talking before it was time to pick up the little Alpha.

They waited anxiously until a sea of tiny children ran out of the building towards their parents and spotted Aurelia, waving to get her attention. The pup was so excited she jumped into her Sire’s open arms.

“Well, Little Love, how was your first day?”

“I painted you a picture, Mama.” The pup said as she proudly handed the page to Waverly.

It was a picture of her family. The really tall figure with bright orange hair held hands with a smaller figure with orange hair. That figure held hands with another figure, also smaller than the first one with brown hair and huge circle for midsection and in the middle of it was a little blue ball.

“What’s that, Baby girl?” Waverly asked pointing to her drawn belly. The pup grinned.

“It’s Colton!” The couple smiled proudly at the little girl.

“You are going to be the best big sister and I love my painting so much. I think we will stick it on the fridge when we get home so we will see it all the time. Thank you sweetie.” She kissed the pup’s cheek before they went to the car and got Elia squared away in her seat before Nicole drove them home.

The first thing they did was indeed put the painting on the fridge with some tape. Waverly took a picture for her social media to show off her sweet little girl’s art.

Afterwards, Waverly went for a nap while Nicole played with pup in the living room. That night, after dinner in Gus’s and before the pups bed time, they gathered together on the sofa to watch a movie as Waverly tucked herself against the Alpha and the pup sat on her mom’s lap. Nicole rubbed the baby bump and smiled when her son kicked inside her Mama.

She kissed Waverly’s temple making the omega turn away from the television to look at her.

“You ok, baby?” she whispered, then smiled when Nicole kissed her.

“Never better, baby.”

She had never said a truer sentence.