Chapter Text
It was the day every athlete was waiting for. National signing day and all eyes were on the nation’s top softball prospect. A tall redhead who had been waiting for months to announce the college she would be attending. And boy, did she have the offers rolling in. Not only was she an All-American catcher, she also had academic offers rolling in as well. The pressure was on from six of the nation’s top softball programs. UCLA, LSU, Oklahoma, Washington, Texas, Arizona but the one she really wanted, Northwestern wasn’t at the top of the list for strong softball programs anymore but Nicole knew wherever she signed, other top prospects would be going with her. She knew of three who would be following her, at least.
Nicole sat at the table, all eyes and even more cameras were on her. She leaned over the stack of papers and numerous baseball caps sitting in front of her. She reached out and grabbed the purple Northwestern hat and pulled it snug on top of her head as she smiled wide. Sounds of disbelief filled the room as Nicole leaned down and signed her letter of intent. She glanced at the other 3 girls next to her and nodded. Within seconds, each were wearing Northwestern hats and all 4 had signed their Letters of Intent.
The four stood arms around each other, taking promotional photos afterwards, big smiles filling the room. The representative from Northwestern walked up, handing each girl a black and purple home jersey. They had informed Northwestern a few days prior to the signing that all 4 would be attending their college in the Spring with full ride scholarships. As the girls slipped on their jerseys, reporters surrounded them, wanting answers for their decision.
“Nicole! Why would you pick Northwestern? Why not UCLA or Arizona?” One reported yelled from the back corner.
“While UCLA and Arizona are both exceptional schools, Northwestern has an amazing softball program that is currently in a rebuild year and the 4 of us are ready to help rebuild that program into not only one of the top in the nation but THE top in the nation.” Nicole answered respectfully.
“Rosita, why would the three of you follow Nicole to Northwestern?”
“We are a team. The 4 of us have been together since we were kids. We make each other better. We each play a different position and we each bring something to the table when it comes to being on that field. If you had the chance to play with your three best friends for 4 more years, wouldn’t you take it?” The reported nodded in agreement.
“Kate, how does it feel to know you’ll be on an uphill battle to get the Northwestern program back to the top?”
“We’ve always been up for the challenge. We are ready to fight for our spots at the school and for the top spot in the nation. UCLA, we’re coming for you!”
“Eliza, how do you feel about all of this?”
“The fact is, the 4 of us have a chemistry that takes years for coaches to build on the field and Northwestern is getting that chemistry already intact.”
“Nicole, what advice do you have for young girls looking to be as good as the 4 of you?”
“Never think that you can’t get better. There is always someone better than you. Someone who can take your place in a heartbeat. And parents, don’t let your kids be uncoachable. If they can’t continue to grow then they will never reach their full potential.”
“Thank you girls, and congratulations to you all.” The girls headed out of the conference room as the reported turned back to the camera. “As you all just witnessed Northwestern just signed the #1 overall recruit in Nicole Haught, the #5 overall recruit in shortstop Rosita Bustillos, the #8 overall recruit in Mary Katherine Horony-Cummings, and the #20 overall recruit in Eliza Shapiro. Four of the top twenty recruits in the country just made the most surprising signing in the last 20 years.”
The girls could overhear the reports and sighed. “God I hate when they call me Mary Katherine. It’s Kate, my damn name is Kate!” Kate fumed as the girls took a seat next to each other on the ground.
“Do you guys think we made a mistake in signing to Northwestern?” Rosita asked the group.
Nicole sat back and looked at her phone and then smiled, holding it up. “Nope! Two more top prospects just signed. That pitcher out of Canada just signed and that girl Mercedes out of New York just signed.”
“Holy shit! This is huge!” Eliza shouted. “Dude! The nation’s top catcher with the nation’s top pitcher? Can you imagine?”
“Let’s be honest, she only signed with Northwestern because her sister is the starting center fielder.” Kate added as she bit into an apple.
“Doesn’t matter. These two signings are huge for us. We’re going to be one of the top teams in the country by the time we’re done.” Nicole smiled.
“Sorry to interrupt girls, we have your full uniforms ready, are you ready for your introduction photos and to meet our star center fielder?”
“Definitely. Let’s go guys.” All of the girls jumped to their feet and ran to get dressed.
After their photos were done, they headed to the locker room where they were met by an average height brunette. She had her Northwestern jersey on but a leather jacket over the top of it.
“Girls, I would like you to meet our star center fielder, Wynonna Earp. Wynonna, this is Nicole Haught, Kate Cummings, Rosita Bustillos and Eliza Shapiro.”
Wynonna stepped up to Nicole, sizing her up. Nicole was at least a 8 inches taller than Wynonna. “That was a ballsy move signing with us over UCLA, Haughtstuff.”
“It may have been but we went to the school that wanted all 4 of us, not just 3 of less. We’re a team and we want to remain a team. We have each other’s backs and we have yours now too.”
“You better. My baby sister is going to be our starting pitcher and I’ll kill you if you don’t have her back.”
“Wynonna, stop threatening the newbies.” Gus stepped from behind the fiesty woman.
“Coach McCready, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Nicole reached out her hand.
Gus shook her hand firmly. “It’s a pleasure to have all 4 of you as part of our team. We have a lot of work to do, I really hope you 4 are ready for it.”
“Hardwork is what got us here, Ma’am. We’re ready.” Eliza spoke from behind Nicole and Rosita.
“Better be. We have a lot of work to do to get the four of you ready for this season. Though, Nicole, I heard you four have an internship that you must attend this summer, this won’t get you injured, will it? Can’t have my potential starting players hurt prior to the season.”
“No ma’am. No risk. We will all be fine.”
“Very well. I’ll leave you to get to know each other more.” Gus left the locker room and Wynonna eyed the taller woman again.
“What’s the internship for, Haughtsauce?”
“The four of us are volunteer firefighters.”
“Do the four of you do anything separately?”
“We date separately.” Kate laughed.
“Well, one of you has to be gay. Which one is it?” Wynonna nudged Nicole.
“Who said it’s just one of us?” Eliza smirked. “What about you, Wynonna?”
“Definitely not on that gay side over here, but never say never. Well, I will see you girls at practice in a few weeks?”
“Yup. Nice to meet you.”
----------------------------------------------------------
It was an oddly cool summer morning in Redding, California. The morning air was crisp, chilled with the breeze that was being pushed from the north. Fresh cut grass and wet dirt filled the senses, overtaking anything else that might have been trying to push their way in. The air was filled with a light mist that clung to the skin, leaving a damp residue. Fire red hair blew with the breeze as the girl pulled her beanie tightly down over her ears to fight back the chill. Her leatherman’s jacket pulled tightly around her body while she sat on her skateboard, overlooking a very well kept softball field.
It was the morning after graduation. The sunrise was just peaking over the softball field that Nicole had played her last game on. Her grandma stood next to her, handing her a sprinkle donut and a cup of coffee.
“How do you feel, sweetie?” The older woman asked her granddaughter. Her hand softly resting on the girl’s shoulders.
“I’m going to miss this place.” She looked up at her grandmother with a tear in her eye and a shake in her voice. “I’m going to miss you and pops. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me these last 6 years.”
“You deserved a chance to be amazing. Your parents weren’t going to give you that so we decided too.”
Nicole sighed. “I wish they would have at least come to my graduation. Why do they hate me so much they refused to come?”
“I do not know, dear. I never raised my daughter to hate her own child for who she is but that is who they are. That is their decision. They will miss out on these great accomplishments. Your grandfather and I love you no matter what, Cole. I hope you know that.”
“I do know that and honestly, you and pops are all I need. You two have been the best parents I could have ever asked for.” Nicole stood up and wrapped her arms around her grandma and kissed her cheek. “Thank you for accepting your lesbian granddaughter.”
“Nicole, I do not care if your gay, straight, bi or a god damn unicorn. You will always be our granddaughter and we will never stop loving you. When your father kicked you out of his house at 12 years old because you started to ‘show signs of being gay’. That was their choice because the second they did that, they disowned us as well. You were a child, Nicole and I’d be damned if I was going to let anything happen to you. You were better off with us anyways, weren’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am, I was. Damn lucky, if you ask me.” Nicole grinned at her grandma.
“Are you still excited to start your training as a fire fighter this summer?”
Excitement filled Nicole’s eyes as she tried to contain herself. “More than you know! I can’t wait to follow in Pops’ footsteps! I’m thankful for those college classes I was able the take the last 3 years.”
“Not to mention all that time you have been volunteering at the fire house your grandfather is chief of...” Her grandma teased her. Nicole just smiled.
“Yeah, that helped a lot.”
“Are you excited to head to Northwestern for that early orientation in a couple weeks? Get to meet some of your teammates?”
“I am.. I can’t believe I got a full ride, grandma.”
“You worked your butt off for that scholarship, Nicole. Don’t sell yourself short but you must remember that it can be taken away just as easy as it was earned. You keep working hard, do you understand me?” Her grandmother was being stern but Nicole understood why.
“Yes, ma’am. I won’t stop my training and I will make sure to never fall below a B.” Nicole turned her attention back to the sun that was now shining brightly at them. “I’ll never forget where I am came from though, grandma.”
“I surely hope you don’t, child. Come. Let’s get to breakfast with your grandpa. You know how cranky he gets when we’re late.”
“Do you mind if I skate to the diner?”
“No. Go right ahead. We will be waiting for you.” She gave her granddaughter one final hug before getting in the car and driving off.
Nicole pushed her board to the ground and got a running start before stepping casually onto it and pushing herself along the street. She spotted a nice curb, ollie-ing over it. She smiled as the wind hit her face. Her skinny jeans gave just enough stretch for her to hit 360 flip, landing as smoothly as she had ever. She closed her eyes and held her arms out wide, smiling from ear to ear. In that moment, nothing could take away her happiness.
------------------------------------------------------
Over the next couple of weeks, Nicole and her grandparents had shopped around, getting Nicole anything and everything that she needed for class. They didn’t feel comfortable with her staying on campus, so being the amazing grandparents that they were, they got her an apartment that sat just outside of the north wing of campus, right next to the softball fields and gym.
As they arrived at the campus, Nicole stepped out of the car and looked around at her new apartment. They had agreed that Nicole would move down early during the summer and get settled in, enjoy a small break between high school, college and her brief time volunteering at the fire station. All three thought it was best that Nicole get a fresh start plus it would allow her to get use to where things were on campus.
“Alright, sport, here ya go. Let’s go take a look at this new apartment of yours.” Her grandfather patted her on the back and gave her shoulder a small squeeze.
“Thanks pops! I can’t express how grateful I am that both you and grandma would do this for me.”
“We would do anything for you, kiddo! Now, come on. Let’s go check out your new pad...”
“Oh god, no disrespect pops, please don’t ever say that again.” Nicole cringed at her grandfather’s words which just caused the old man to laugh.
“I mean it with all the disrespect honey, don’t ever say that again.” Her grandmother requested of her husband.
They walked into the apartment building. Nicole’s apartment was on the ground floor with 2 bedrooms, as that was all that they had left. As they stepped into the apartment, Nicole beamed with pride. Even though it was empty, she could just imagine how it would be set up. The 2nd room would be a guest room/office where she would go to do her homework. The living room with have all her gaming systems and a rack for her numerous skateboards. And the bedroom would be just that. Her bedroom.
“Well, what do you think, child?”
“Absolutely perfect, ma’am. Thank you so much.” Nicole pulled both of her grandparents into a gentle hug.
“Enough of this hugging, let’s get this apartment set up. Your grandma and I have a long flight home.”
“What about the truck? Aren’t you driving?”
He handed her the keys. “Not my truck anymore.” Nicole stood in shock as her grandfather had just giving her the keys to his 2016 Nissan Titan. Nicole covered her mouth with her hand, tears streaming down her face.
“Oh, Henry, it would appear you have broke your granddaughter.” Her grandmother nudged her husband towards the crying girl.
“Ester, I have done no such th...”Upon seeing his granddaughter’s tears, Henry bear hugged the young woman. “Why are you crying, sport?”
“I...I don’t understand why you and grandma would do these things for me.” Nicole sobbed into her grandfather’s shoulder as he gently rubbed her back.
“We do it because we love you, dear and we will always want to be here for you.”
“Your grandfather and I love you so much, Nicole. Please stop thinking you aren’t worthy of our love or anyone else’s.” Ester hugged both her husband and Nicole. Nicole sniffled and pushed them away.
“Ok, ok. Enough of this. It’s just some dust in my eyes. Let’s unload the truck, grandpa.”
Henry wiped a small tear from his own eye and the three went about bringing in all of the things they had purchased for Nicole. The day had gone better than Nicole had expected and the closer they got to the school year, the more excited Nicole was with their decision of joining Northwestern.