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The day was one of celebration. Waverly and Nicole’s eldest son, Nate, was due to leave for his first year at university in just a few days. They were hosting a family dinner as a sendoff. In true Waverly fashion, the Homestead had been decorated from top to bottom with balloons and streamers. Wynonna and Doc were back in town, and Alice was with them. Nedley had cooked his famous chili. Jeremy and Damon were in a heated debate with the youngest Earp-Haught son, Walker, about a comic book story. Even Rachel and Billy were there with their daughter, Gloria.
Their found family reveled in one another’s company throughout the meal, talking and eating and laughing. As the afternoon wore on, the extended Earp-Haught family began to go their separate ways, and soon, it was just Waverly, Nicole and their two boys once again.
Waverly and Walker were in the kitchen doing dishes, and Nicole was taking the trash out. Stepping out onto the porch, she looked over to see Nate, curled up asleep on the hammock they had suspended from the porch overhang, clearly exhausted from the day’s events. Being tall and lanky, just like Nicole, he barely fit, one leg hanging off the side.
As she observed her teenage son, all Nicole could see was her little boy. She remembered the day he was born like it was yesterday. The look of pure love and joy on Waverly’s face when she got to hold Nate for the first time. The shock of red hair on his tiny head. She could close her eyes and picture the moment vividly, and recall the emotions she experienced.
Neither Nicole, nor Waverly had had outstanding examples of parenting in their childhood. Both spent most of their formative years wishing for love and attention that was never there. Waverly eventually found parental figures in her aunt Gus and uncle Curtis, but not until she’d already endured the emotional scars of an alcoholic father and a runaway mother. Nicole spent most of her life as an afterthought to her parents’ impulsive and often irresponsible life choices. The second she laid eyes on Nate, there was no question in her mind that his childhood would be nothing like that of his mothers’. She would do everything in her power to make sure that there wasn’t a single day that went by that Nate didn’t know he was loved.
When Walker came along, Nate became the best big brother. He was always looking out for Walker, defending him and teaching him. They had such a strong bond from the beginning, something Waverly had heavily encouraged, knowing herself the power of an unbreakable sibling bond. Nicole knew Walker was struggling with Nate leaving for college. She and Waverly were doing what they could to help him with that transition. Nate had also assured his brother that they would text and Facetime all the time.
As they grew up, both boys were involved with every sport they could try. Competition ran strong through the Earp-Haught household. Hockey was Nate’s favorite sport. During his senior year, he was selected as captain for the Purgatory Blue Devils varsity hockey team. The team won the Championship for the first time since the ‘07s. Nate scored the overtime winner to seal their fate and this time, no demons were involved in the team’s success, much to the relief of Waverly and Nicole.
Nate’s skill on the ice had earned him a scholarship to play hockey at a university in the Big City. Nicole and Waverly had never pressured either of their sons to choose any particular career or life path, wanting them both to decide for themselves what would make them happiest. One night after dinner, Nate told his moms that he was planning to study Criminal Justice and become a cop, following in Nicole’s footsteps. Nicole had been unable to hold back her emotions and pride at the news. And now, here they were, just a few days away from driving Nate to the Big City for his first year of college.
Back in the present, a cool breeze had settled over the Homestead. Nicole stepped inside to grab a blanket off the couch, returning to where Nate was still sleeping in the hammock. She covered him with the blanket, tucking it in around him. He stirred slightly, mumbling a sleepy ‘Thanks, mom.’ before returning to his slumber. As Nicole stepped back, eyes wet with emotion from her reminiscing, Waverly approached from behind, sliding her arm around Nicole’s waist.
‘I can’t believe he’s leaving in just a few days.’ Waverly said, looking at her son before focusing her attention on her wife. She reached up to wipe the tears from Nicole’s eyes. ‘You know, he’s going to be an amazing cop. Just like his mom.’
‘Yeah. I know.’ Nicole smiled softly, returning the brunette’s gaze. ‘Wherever he goes, I just hope he always knows that he has a home, here, with us. No matter what.’
Waverly smiles and looks back at Nate. ‘It says so right out there on the mailbox.’