#onceuponaheda

[onceuponahedafics]

Title: 365 Ways Author: OnceUponAHeda Pairing: Waverly/Nicole Rating: T Disclaimer: All copyrighted material in this story belongs to their respectful owners.

Summary: Au! Newly engaged Waverly Earp meets Nicole Haught and sparks fly instantly between the two. Now with Waverly's wedding exactly one year away it gives Nicole 365 days to proof to Waverly that she is making a mistake by marrying Champ. WayHaught

A/N- Hey guys, so I have been working on this story for about a year but I never found an OTP that worked for me in this story and then I discovered the wonder that is WayHaught. All of the important people will be making an appearance and also a lot of OC characters. So hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 1 - Just Another Day

Black boots are resting carelessly on top the wooden desk when a white square box lands next to them.

"Happy birthday Earp." Xavier smiles down at his partner as she grabs the box pulling out a doughnut.

"Powdered sugar hells yes." Taking a bit she lets out a loud moan. "Damn that's good. Thanks Dolls."

"Anything for my partner." He says ruffling her hair making Wynonna punch him in the side. He just chuckles before taking a seat at his desk across from her. "How are you going to celebrate turning the big two seven?" He mockingly says making Wynonna flip him off with her powdered sugar covered finger.

"Your older them me dimwit. But to answer your question - alcohol and lots of it."

"So just another Tuesday then." He smirks at her.

"Pretty much." She shrugs. "Wave has been bugging me about going to that hot shot club Purgatory but that place is harder to get into then a nun's panties."

"Purgatory yeah I know it, pretty cool place." He starts flipping through the files on his desk but stops to look back up at her. "Hey, if I could get us in would you want to go?"

"And how exactly are you going to get us in, flash the bouncer?"

"No, I know the owner I helped him out a while back and he owes me."

"Okay then, I'll let the gang know the party has been relocated." She watches as he looks down at his phone before smiling and shaking his head. "What up?"

"My sister recently moved back and she is getting reacquainted with the wonderful Atlanta traffic."

Wynonna sits up abruptly dropping her feet to the ground.

"Hold up, you're telling me this allusive sister of yours is here in Atlanta and you haven't introduced us yet?"

"I didn't know that you wanted to meet her." He says confused.

"Hell yes I want to meet her!" She slams her hand down on the desk making her pencil holder fall over. "You're always talking about Nicky is so awesome, Nicky is so cool, Nicky this Nicky that blah blah blah. So yes I want to meet her and see if she lives up to all the hype."

"Fine, whatever." He rubs his hands over his face exasperated. "How about I bring her along tonight?"

"Okay." Happy about her victory she leans back in her chair grabbing another doughnut.

"Great, can we get to work now?" He throws a folder at her.

"If we must." She flips open the folder, looking at the latest idiot who thought it was a good idea to skip bail. "These scumbags are not going to catch themselves."

-x-x-

After pulling on her blazer and adjusting the sleeves she starts running her fingers through her red hair trying to tame the wild curls.

"What's got you all freaked out?" Her brother asks leaning against the doorframe.

"I'm not."

"I haven't seen you fiddle with your hair this much since you woke up with that nasty piece of gum in it."

She drops her arms looking herself over once more in the full length mirror.

"I just want them to like me."

"Who, Xavier's friends?" He asks and Nicole nods. "Why would you care what they think?"

"They are his best friends I just need them to like me."

"And you think if they don't like you he will choose them over you?" He pushes off the doorframe and walks closer to her.

"Well, yes."

"Nicky-"

"Keogan I'm serious." She spins around to face him. "I have been MIA since graduation, they have been here with him while I was on the other side of the world. I don't want to lose my big brother because I was an idiot."

Keogan wraps her up his strong arms and she rests her head on his chest. He knows Xavier and Nicole have always had a special bond growing up. Pulling back so he can look her in her tear-filled eyes.

"Okay first off Xavier loves you and there is no way you can lose him even if you tried. He would fight the world for you. Sure, you haven't been around but he understands that you needed to get away and do your own thing to become this amazing person that you are. He is so proud of you Nicky, we all are. And secondly these new friends of his are going to adore you plus your sexy..." He wiggles his eyebrows at her making her laugh. "...and you do remember who the hell you are right? They would be idiots not to like you."

"Thank you." She lays her head back down on his chest. "I missed you Keo."

"I missed you to little sis." He drops a kiss on her head before stepping back. "Now you need to get out of here so we can start our guys night without you looking over our shoulders the whole time."

"Are you sure you are going to be okay alone?"

"Yes!" He turns her around starting to move her towards the door. "Besides Zadin is here, so you know there is at least responsible person here even if he is just 14. Now go have fun!"

-x-x-

Wynonna drops down on the stool next to Xavier and Doc taking shot from Xavier's hand and throwing it back.

"Hey that… was mine." He just sighs and signals the bartender to bring him another.

The club is packed full and the music pumping. Everyone is having fun celebrating Wynonna's birthday.

Waverly comes skipping over dropping down in her sister's lap with the others following her to the bar.

"Having fun baby girl?"

"Yes! Dolls your amazeballs for getting us in here." She pinches his cheek and he swats her hand away.

"Yeah, who knew old Dolls here had actual useful connections?" Eliza says taking a seat next to the man.

"I'll remember that next time you come to me with that big old puppy dog eyes needing a favour."

"So, where is this sister of yours?" Doc asks sipping on his drink.

"Yes, I want to meet her." Jeremy says way to excited, clearly the alcohol already starting to affect him.

"She actually just texted me she's outside, ah there she is." He points over to the door with the glass in his hand.

Everyone whips their head around to catch the first glimpse of the big man's sister.

"Holy shit." Wynonna whispers.

Waverly can hear the clank her jaw makes when it hits the floor. This is nothing like the shy nerdy girl Dolls described to them. This woman screamed confidence and drop dead gorgeous.

Wearing grey Vans, tight black jeans, a white tanktop under a black blazer with the faux leather sleeves pushed up to her elbows to reveal her strong tattooed arms and her short red hair framing her face perfectly. Waverly shivers as she watches the woman walk closer to them smiling her dimpled smile at her brother making her brown eyes sparkle in the flashing neon lights.

"Nicky." Xavier walks closer her pulling her into a big hug and lifting her off of the floor.

"Wow, easy there tiger." Placing her back on the ground her moves her over to his friends.

"Everyone this is my sister Nicole Haught, and these are my friends Eliza, Jeremy, Wynonna, Waverly, Rosita and John but we just call him Doc."

Nicole smiles politely at everyone, her eyes lingering a little longer on Waverly, making the young Earp blush.

"Its nice to meet you all. Oh and happy birthday Wynonna."

"I have to admit it with the way Dolls talks about you I expected a lot more Doogie Howser and a lot less tattoos." Wynonna says waving at the redhead's appearance.

Nicole laughs.

"Yeah I was kind of a nerd in school, but a lot changed after graduation."

"I'll drink to that!" Wynonna downs another shot. "Now that everyone is here let's get this party started." She makes her way back out onto the dance floor dragging everyone with her to the dance floor.

Xavier just shrugs throwing his arm around his sister's shoulders before joining the others on the dance floor.

-x-x-

Everyone is having a great time dancing, drinking and grinding… a lot of grinding going on. Waverly makes her way through the moving bodies until she finally reaching the bar. She flags down the bartender getting her a bottle of water, the alcohol has been flowing all night, by the birthday girl's insistence, Waverly thankfully wasn't drunk yet but had just a nice buzz going. After drinking half of the bottle she feels a presence next to her, turning her head she finds Nicole leaning against the bar next to her.

"Waverly Earp, sister of the birthday girl."

"That's me."

"Your sister is..." Nicole trails off.

"Crazy?" Waverly provides.

"Interesting." Nicole instead says making them both laugh.

"Yeah she is something all right. I always think someone needs to give Dolls a prize for not murdering her."

"He's a saint alright, hey can I ask you why do call Xavier Dolls?" Nicole has been burning to ask the question all night.

Waverly giggles.

"Oh that one is all Wynonna. They just started to worked together when Wynonna found out about Xavier's action figure collection and so Dolls was born."

"What I wouldn't give to have known that nickname when we were growing up." Nicole says wishfully taking a sip of her drink.

"You guys fight a lot?"

"All the time. I was adopted by our parents when I was 12 so being a hormonal teenage girl with 3 brothers made for some wild fights, but trust me I could stand my own between all that testosterone." She says proudly grinning at Waverly.

"You have 3 brothers?"

"Yes, Xavier is the oldest. Then there is Keogan, he is 2 years older than me and his is musician, his band is actually pretty good. Zadin id the baby he is 14 and a real little computer nerd." Nicole says fondly, Waverly can clearly see the love she has for her brothers shining in her eyes. "How about you, is it just you and Wynonna?"

"Uh, no we have an older sister Willa but we haven't seen her in some time." Waverly looks at the water bottle in her hand not making eye contact.

"Oh," Is all Nicole can say, somehow she has stumbled upon a taboo subject.

"So, Dolls says you're a chef?" Waverly says after a moment.

"Yes." Nicole quickly jumps at the change of subject. "Yes, I am a chef."

"Is that why you moved back to Atlanta?" Nicole nods.

"I had a great opportunity come up and I couldn't say no."

"That's great. Does this mean I will get to taste your culinary genius anytime soon?"

"That depends."

"Depends on what?"

Nicole leans closer like she is about reveal a big secret.

"Depends if you'll be staying for dessert."

Nicole can see the instant her words registers in the young Earp's mind by the bright pink colour that covers her cheeks. Nicole internally smirks but decides to take mercy on the girl.

"What about you, you a bounty hunter like your sister and Xavier?"

"Oh no, to much ruff housing for me. I'm a student, history major."

"Wow, so I take it you're the brains in the family then?" Waverly giggles and Nicole swoons at the sound.

Before they know it they have moved to a table in the far corner of the club where both of them are laughing as they talk, getting to learn more about each other and just enjoying the other woman's company.

"My boyfriend Champ travels a lot. His dad owns this big international company and with Champ in line to succeed him he is constantly sending him on business trips all over the world."

"That must suck him being away so often."

Waverly just shrugs playing whit her water bottle.

"Excuse me." They both look over to see a tall blonde woman standing next to there table. "I don't mean to interrupt but I just wanted to know if you maybe want to dance?" She asks holding her hand out to Nicole.

Nicole looks to Waverly and she quickly waves it off telling her she should go dance.

"Sure, I would love to." She takes the blonde's hand letting herself be let away. Glancing over her shoulder she sees Waverly watching her with a frown before giving her a small smile when she locks onto brown eyes.

-x-x-

By the end of the night Dolls is helping Eliza into the back of the taxi, Jeremy is already passed out against the other side's window with Rosita snuggled up against him. When Eliza is finally safely inside Doc walks up to them.

"I'll get these two home if you can take care if those two?" He motions to where Wynonna is clinging onto Waverly to stay up right.

"Thanks Doc." He pats him on the back before making his way over to them.

"How did you guys get here?" Nicole asks.

"I'll just call us another taxi." Xavier says already pulling out his phone.

"Don't do that, my car is just down the street I'll just take everyone home."

"But-" Waverly wants to protest but Nicole quickly sooths her worries.

"Its okay, I didn't drink anything only sodas."

"Okay." Waverly agrees.

They follow Nicole down the street to where her car is parked, Dolls practically having to carry Wynonna.

"Holy cheese balls that's your car?!" Wynonna freaks out. "No wonder you got all those girls grinding all up on you."

"That's not..." She looks at Waverly who just raises an eyebrow at her. "There's no girls."

"So I take it being chef pays well?" Waverly asks buckling into the passenger seat, Dolls having taken the back with Wynonna.

"I do okay."

Dolls open the back window thinking maybe some fresh air will help sober up the older Earp a little.

"Yoh ginger ninja put some music on." Wynonna all but yells in Nicole's ear as she dives in between the redhead and her sister making the two in front of the car jump as Wynonna starts to fiddle with the music controls.

Flipping from one song to the next until she comes across Nickelback's Must Be Nice.

"I love this song!" Wynonna squeals as she tries to turn up the volume but Dolls pulls her back to the back of the car.

"Of course you do." An amused Nicole turns the volume up for the over excited birthday girl.

Wynonna starts to sing along really loud and off tune with her over exaggerated hand gestures and impromptu air guitars making the others in the car laugh.

"Oh no you don't." Dolls quickly grabs her around the waist as she sticks her head out of the window singing at the top of her lungs.

Nicole looked at Waverly who is smiling at her, she looks up making eye contact with Xavier in the mirror before looking back at Waverly a large smile breaking out on her face. When the chorus starts again she and Waverly joins Wynonna in her crazy singing. Xavier just rolls his eyes at the girls, maybe he should have traded with Doc.

Pulling up to the apartment building Waverly navigated her to Nicole turns off the engine.

"Okay Earp time to get you into bed." Xavier tries to manoeuvre the semi conscious woman.

"Damn Dolls, at least buy a girl dinner first." She slurs.

"You'd be so lucky Earp." They hear him say as he finally gets her out of the car. They watch Wynonna fight against Dolls helping her stay up right until he finally had enough and just throws her over his shoulder carrying her towards the building.

"Thank you for the ride Nicole."

"You are very welcome." Waverly smiles that adorable smile at Nicole making swoon at the sight.

"It was really nice to meet you. Hopefully I will get to see you again soon."

"Yeah, me too." She takes a hold of the door handle. "Good night Nicole."

"Good night Waverly Earp." With that Waverly exits the car, turning around to wave at the chef before going into the building.

Inside the apartment she makes sure Wynonna is okay on the couch where Dolls placed her. She pulls a blanket over her sister and moves a bucket next to her head, and a bottle of water and pain killers on the table next to her.

She finally makes her way into her bedroom kicking off her shoes freeing her aching feet. After going to the bathroom and changing into her sleepwear she climbs into bed. A strong arm wraps around her waist and rough lips kiss her shoulder.

"Have fun with your friends?" Champ's sleepy voice asks.

"Yes, it was awesome. We got to meet Dolls sister." Waverly smiles at the memory of the redhead.

"Great." He mumbles already half asleep.

Yes tonight was great, Waverly thinks to herself before she drifts off.

-x-x-

Nicole opens the door to her apartment with Xavier close behind her. When she steps inside she can't help but smile at the sight in front of her. Angelo and Zuko are sprawled out on the couch fast asleep, Amos is on the floor leaning against the couch sleeping with the game controller still his hand. Zadin being the only one still awake sitting in front of the large TV engrossed in the game he is playing. Keogan is passed out in the love seat with a sleeping Luca snuggled up to his chest.

"Keogan." Nicole whispers kneeling down next to her brother.

"Hey sis." He says his blinking open.

"Looks like you guys had fun." She looks around at the mess they created of her apartment.

"Yes, some serious male bonding."

"I'm sure. But it's time for this little male to go to bed." She says lifting the sleeping 11 month old out of Keogan's arms. "Thanks again for watching him."

"No problem, I love spending time with my little nephew." He gets up from the chair looking at the rest of his band members all in different stages of awake. "Okay you hobos time to head out."

"You guys can stay at my place if you want?" Dolls offers standing at the door with Zadin next to him ready to go.

They all quickly agree and head across the hall to Xavier's apartment.

"Xavier." Nicole calls before he can close the door, when his head pops back in she continues. "Thanks for tonight, I needed that."

He just winks at her, before closing the door with one last goodnight.

Looking around at the now quiet apartment, she starts to make her way down the hall. Walking into the room guided by the soft light of the nightlight she carefully manoeuvres the sleeping boy onto the changing table to quickly change his diaper before she places him in his crib. She pulls his little blanket over his body and places his stuffed giraffe, that is almost bigger than him, next to him where he can easily find it. She watches as his tiny belly moves with every breath and his eyelashes flutter. Moving little strands of brown hair out of the way she bends down placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Sleep tight little man." She whispers.

Turning on the baby monitor she leaves the room. Knowing that she still riding the adrenaline from her night out and sleep was not going to be possible right now she instead heads to the kitchen. The fancy top of the line kitchen equipment shining brightly when she flips on the light. She starts pulling out ingredients she will need to create her midnight snack.

-x-x-

The next morning Waverly finds Wynonna sprawled out the couch still recovering from the previous night. Waverly nudges her feet off the couch so she can sit down.

"How are we feeling this fine sunshine morning?"

"Ugh, like death threw up on me." Wynonna mumbles throwing her arm over her eyes to shield out the bright light.

"I'm glad you at least enjoyed your party."

"Hey, sorry about ditching you."

"It was your party you weren't suppose to be worrying about me. Besides I wasn't alone all night I ended up talking to Nicole."

"Dolls sister?" Wynonna drops her arms so she can look at her sister.

"Yeah, turns out she is pretty great."

"You just spent the night drinking with a woman you just met?"

"No, we didn't even drink we just talked and got to know each other." Waverly says sipping from her cup of overly sweet coffee.

"Hold on, what?" Wynonna asks sitting up, still looking completely confuse. Waverly takes her sister by her shoulder looking her in the eye.

"While you drunk yourself stupid I made a friend." She explains.

"So, this Nicole is interesting enough to keep you talking into the morning hours?" Wynonna asks taking the water bottle and pain killers from the table.

"She is not what I expected." Waverly says with a shrug hiding her smile behind her cup.

-x-x-

At noon Nicole makes her way over to the apartment across the hall. She is balancing Luca on her hip and a death grip on the takeout bag in her free hand. After knocking she hears a thump before Xavier opens the door drenched in sweat as he was clearly busy working out. He whips his hands and face on the towel before motioning for his sister to come in, as she walks past him he takes the little boy from her arms. Luca sequels as Xavier blow a raspberry on his tummy.

"Luca my main man, did you have fun with uncle Keogan and Zadin last night?" He asks walking further into the apartment.

"I brought food." Nicole places the brown paper bag on the kitchen counter.

Xavier walks into the living room placing Luca down next to his toy box that has found permanent residency in the living room. He instantly starts pulling toys out to play with, well mostly chew on.

"What did you get?" He asks as he opens the bag.

"Greasy cheese burger and fries."

"Ah, you spoil me." He says taking out a couple of fries and popping them in his mouth.

Nicole grabs an apple before hopping onto the counter opposite her brother.

"You not hungry?"

"Unlike you my dear brother I rather not flood my system with grease." She emphasises her point by taking a bite out of the apple, Xavier just sticks out his tongue at her showing her his half chewed up bite of burger. "Nice, now I see where my son learned that."

"I'm his uncle I'm suppose to teach him valuable life skills right Luca?"

The boy just lets out a string of garbled noises in conformation making the two adults laugh.

"So, looks like you and Waverly Earp hit it off last night." He says waving a fry in the air, Nicole just looks down at her half eaten apple trying to hide her blush.

"Yeah she is pretty great."

"Great enough to get you to let loose a little."

"You say that like I never do anything fun."

"Oh your bucket of fun when your with little man over there. But ever since you got pregnant it's like you're afraid to do anything remotely fun."

"I have responsibilities now Xavier I can't just go out partying every night I need to think of Luca first."

"I know that and you're an amazing mom, but I think you need to have some time where you are not mommy Nicole or chef Nicole but just Nicole."

"It's just hard you know." She says in a small voice not being able to stop from looking over where her son is happily playing.

Xavier walks over to the chef wanting to pull her into a hug but she stops him before he can get to close.

"No way, your all sweaty and gross."

Xavier just laughs before walking back to his meal.

"What did you and Waverly get up to last night?"

"Nothing much, we just talke... a lot. I can't explain it, I just never felt such a strong connection with someone before. It was like we have known each other for years and not just a few hours. I could spend hours talking to her and never get bored. She is just so smart and funny and-"

"In a relationship." Xavier cuts in.

"I know." Nicole looks down at her apple suddenly not hungry anymore.

"But you wish she wasn't." Nicole slowly lifts her eyes to look at her brother and nods. "Hey I get it, Waverly is really great and she is hot, really hot."

"Your point?" She asks throwing the apple in the trash.

"I can see why you would be drawn to her, but she can't offer you anything more than friendship."

"I'm not an idiot Xavier I know that." She says starting to get annoyed.

"I just don't want to watch you fall for the girl you can't have and have your heart broken." He says sincerely.

"Like you said she is hot so of course I'm attracted to her but it doesn't mean I will ever act on it. Maybe your right, I just need to get out more."

"You need to get laid."

"Hey!" She punches him on his arm. "Kid in the room."

"It's not like he knows what I'm talking about."

"Still, his mind is like a little sponge I rather him not hear things he shouldn't be repeating."

Xavier snort.

"Oh can you just imagine mom's face if she hears her precious little angel say that." Nicole joins in laughing as well. "But it still doesn't mean it's not true."

"Yeah yeah."

-x-x

It's Friday night and Waverly is in her best dress. Champ had decided they were going to go out with their families tonight to some fancy restaurant that just opened up recently called Polo. Wynonna almost jumped through the roof when she found out where they were going, apparently the head chef is some big shot who have worked in all of the best restaurants across the world and Wynonna being the self proclaimed food guru was basically vibrating in excitement about being able to eat there.

Gus and Curtis were already waiting at the restaurant with Champ's parents when they arrived.

"You ready babe?" Champ asks taking of his seatbelt, Wynonna being the first out of the car.

Waverly just gives him a fake smile and nods.

Waverly looks around amazed at the fancy décor of the restaurant it was all dark wood and chandeliers.

"Good evening and welcome to Polo." The hostess greats them.

"We have reservations under Hardy."

"Ah yes the rest of your party have already arrived, if you would follow me I will show you to your table."

The follow the woman in her expensive black dress, Waverly is still a little taken back by the beautiful place but then she sees her uncle Curtis waving at them and instantly feels more relaxed at his warm smile. Champ is immediately pulled into a business conversation with his father while the Earp girls get settled.

"How cool is this place?" Wynonna asks sitting down next to Gus as she looks around like a kid in a candy store. Gus looks at Waverly with a raised eyebrow.

"She has been like this the whole way over here, apparently the head chef is like her spirit animal or something." Waverly explains.

"Hello everyone I'm Katherine and I will be your server tonight."

Dale, Champ's father, orders a bottle of wine for the table and Katherine quickly runs off to get it.

"This menu looks amazing, Champ I hope you are ready to swipe that credit card until the plastic burns." Wynonna says as her eyes dart across the menu items.

"I'm not going to believe I'm saying this but I agree with Wynonna everything looks delicious." Gus says.

"Yes, we have been here before and I have to say their food is rather exquisite." Mary Hardy comments as her husband and son are still talking amongst themselves.

Katherine comes back with the wine poring everyone a glass.

"Is everyone ready to order?"

Everyone places their order and Katherine leaves again.

Dale nods at Champ and he clears his throat getting everyone's attention.

"Um, now that everyone is here there is something I would like to say." He turns in his chair to face his girlfriend. "Waverly, these last two years with you have been awesome and I think it's time we take this relationship to the next level." Kneeling down next to her chair he pulls out a little blue box. "Waverly Earp, will you marry me?"

Waverly stares wide eyed at the big diamond ring, looking up at everyone at the table seeing their faces in a range of different emotions. Looking back down at Champ's goofy smile she swallows before answering.

"Yes."

The people at the table cheer as he slips the ring onto her finger, getting up he pulls her into a heated kiss. Sitting back down Dale pats him on the back in congratulations. Waverly is still looking in shock down at the ring on her finger when she is suddenly pulled into frenzy of hugs.

Katherine congratulates them as well when she comes over with their starters. The rest of the meal consists mostly out of wedding talk, while Waverly is still processing what just happened. By the time dessert is ordered Gus and Mary have already pulled out a notebook to start making wedding arrangement, those two working together that should get interesting Waverly thinks to herself.

"Gotta pee." Wynonna suddenly says before running off.

As desert is being served the head chef comes out to great some of the guests, making her way around the room until she gets to their table.

"I hear congratulations are in order." Waverly's head snaps up at the familiar voice.

"Chef Haught the meal was fantastic as expected." Dale says shaking the woman's hand.

"Thank you sir but please call me-"

"Nicole." The chef's eyes snaps up to her and Waverly can see the surprise in her eyes.

"Waverly." She breaths out making the young Earp smile even bigger. Waverly feels Champ place his arm on the back of her chair and clearly Nicole sees it as well, she shakes her head clearing her thoughts. "You're the couple who got engaged?"

Waverly holds up her left hand with an unsure smile.

"Congratulations." She almost forces out. "Please enjoy a bottle of champagne on us."

"That's very kind of you." Curtis says, and Nicole just gives him a polite smile.

"Body art, what are you doing here?" Nicole spins around to see a confused Wynonna, her eyes look lock on the redhead's black chef jacket. "Holy Gordon Ramsey you're the head chef here."

"That I am."

"I'm totally going to kick Dolls ass tomorrow for keeping this from me."

"Wait you guys know each other?" Gus asks pointing between the three girls.

"Nicole is Dolls little sister." Waverly explains and Gus nods.

"I hope you have a pleasant evening, but I must get back to the kitchen." With one last smile Nicole is gone.

"Can you believe Dolls didn't tell us she is the head chef here?" Wynonna asks sitting back down and taking a bite of her dessert. "Oh wow, that woman is a food wizard if I was him I'd be the size of a house."

Waverly just nods still looking in the direction the chef just fled. When Champ kisses her cheek she snaps back and smiles at him before rejoining the table conversation.

On their way out of the restaurant Waverly stops when she hears someone calling her name. Turning around she sees Nicole walking up to her.

"Hey." The chef says when she stops in front of her with a smile.

"The food was absolutely amazing."

"Great I'm glad you enjoyed it." She pulls a small silver box from behind her back. "I just wanted to give you this."

Waverly takes it carefully like it might break at any second.

"What is it?"

"Just a little 'congratulations on getting engaged' gift." Nicole says like its no big deal.

"Thanks." Nicole gives her a smile before pointing over her shoulder

"I better get back."

"Okay, thanks for this." She motions to the box.

"You're very welcome Waverly Earp." With that she rushes off back to the kitchen.

Waverly cradles the box against her as she walks out to where Champ is waiting for her.

[wayhaughtao3feed]

365 Ways

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2uOdYMu

by OnceUponAHeda

Au! Newly engaged Waverly Earp meets Nicole Haught and sparks fly instantly between the two. Now with Waverly’s wedding exactly one year away it gives Nicole 365 days to proof to Waverly that she is making a mistake by marrying Champ. WayHaught

Words: 5453, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Wynonna Earp (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/F

Characters: Waverly Earp, Nicole Haught, Wynonna Earp, Xavier Dolls, Doc Holliday (Wynonna Earp)

Relationships: Waverly Earp/Nicole Haught

Additional Tags: Wayhaught - Freeform, Alternate Universe, chef nicole, student waverly

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2uOdYMu

[ao3-feedwayhaught]

365 Ways

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2uOdYMu

by OnceUponAHeda

Au! Newly engaged Waverly Earp meets Nicole Haught and sparks fly instantly between the two. Now with Waverly’s wedding exactly one year away it gives Nicole 365 days to proof to Waverly that she is making a mistake by marrying Champ. WayHaught

Words: 5453, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Wynonna Earp (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/F

Characters: Waverly Earp, Nicole Haught, Wynonna Earp, Xavier Dolls, Doc Holliday (Wynonna Earp)

Relationships: Waverly Earp/Nicole Haught

Additional Tags: Wayhaught - Freeform, Alternate Universe, chef nicole, student waverly

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2uOdYMu

[ao3feed-swanqueen]

Real To Me

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2v7bHcO

by OnceUponAHeda

Being alone most of her life Emma Swan has been bumped from one foster home to another and the only constant in her life being her imaginary friend a Princess from a far away kingdom named Regina. But one day everything changes and Emma has to face the fact that either Regina is just figment of her imagination or something more magical is at work.

Words: 3222, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Once Upon a Time (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/F

Characters: Emma Swan, Evil Queen | Regina Mills, Queen of Hearts | Cora, Regina's Father | Henry Mills Sr.

Relationships: Evil Queen | Regina Mills/Emma Swan

Additional Tags: Best Friends, Imaginary Friends, Friends to Lovers, Adventure, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Swan Queen - Freeform

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2v7bHcO

[onceuponahedafics]

Title: Real To Me Author: OnceUponAHeda Pairing: Emma/Regina Rating: T Disclaimer: All copyrighted material in this story belongs to their respectful owners.

Summary: Being alone most of her life Emma Swan has been bumped from one foster home to another and the only constant in her life being her imaginary friend a Princess from a far away kingdom named Regina. But one day everything changes and Emma has to face the fact that either Regina is just figment of her imagination or something more magical is at work.

AN - Hey guys! So I have had this idea about imaginary friends actually being people from a different realm for a really long time and I finally decided to write it. I have absolutely no knowledge of the USA foster system and all the events in this story are fictional and scripted to aid in the narrative of the stories and in no way reflects on the foster system or people living within the system. This is a Swan Queen story but it will be a long journey getting there.

Chapter 1 - Worlds Apart

Green eyes watches as dirty pink sneakers swing back and forth over the polished white floor, the untied laces making a swishing sound as they swing. Shifting slightly when the hard plastic chair starts to dig into her tiny frame while her teeth bite nervously into her thumbnail to the point of almost drawing blood.

Angry footsteps echo down the hall growing louder and louder until a pair of ugly loafers appear in front of her. Slowly lifting up her head to gaze at brown eyes glaring down at her. Before the woman can open her mouth the wooden door opens revealing an older lady with large frame glasses stepping over to them.

"You're Emma Swan's legal guardian?" The secretary asks the angry woman.

"What did she do this time?"

The secretary looks down at the six year old from behind her large glasses not answering the woman's question and making the blonde squirm under her gaze.

"Principal Keenan will see you both now."

Emma just keeps looking at her hands trying to rub off the dirt and grass stains on them, she is sure her blonde hair and hand-me-down clothes are looking even worse. Rubbing harder at a particular dirt mark only to realise that it wasn't dirt but a small drop of blood.

"She got in a fight." The angry words snap her out of her trance.

"Yes, a teacher had to pull her off of the other girl during recess." The principal explains in his overly calm practised voice. Turning his beady little eyes to the young girl she does her best to hide behind a few loose strands of blonde hair. "Emma can you tell us what happened out there, why did you hit Chloe?"

"Emma answer him."

Chewing at her lip she looks up at her foster mother, probably ex-foster mother now, before turning to the principal, taking a deep breath she starts to explain.

"She-she was showing all of the other kids this tiara she got for her birthday. She said that she is a princess now 'cause she has a tiara. But that's not how it works, you can't just be a princess 'cause you have a stupid pink tiara." She lets out an annoyed huff before continuing more quietly. "Then she said I was just a jealous stinky foster kid."

"So you hit her." The principal asks with a frown.

"Y-yes. But she lied! A tiara doesn't make you a princess. You can only be a princess if you parents are the king and queen or if you marry roy-royls."

"Royalty."

"Yes. That's what Regina said you need to marry royalty before you can be a princess."

"Who is this Regina?" The principle asks her foster mom, looking up from the notes he has been taking while Emma talked.

"Oh it's just this imaginary friend she created." She says dismissively.

"She is not imaginary she is real!" Emma jumps up kneeling on the chair staring daggers at her foster mother. "She just lives in a other place." Emma huffs out crossing her arms as she falls back into her chair.

"Regardless," The principal cuts in. "Emma you could have seriously hurt Chloe today. Do you understand that?"

Emma bows her head in shame giving a slight nod.

"I'm sorry but Emma is suspended-"

After that Emma zones out focusing instead on her untied shoes again. Maybe she should have paid a little more attention when Jamie tried to teach her how to tie her shoelaces, all she can remember is something about bunny ears. As the principal and her foster mother continued to drown on in the background Emma just tried to figure out what bunnies had to do with tying your shoes.

On the car ride back Emma just keeps looking out of the window, she is not going to miss this stupid town. The people are way too talkative and Mr Patterson's dog always chased her down the street. During the day when she looked out the room window she could see the neighbour's kids playing in their pool, while she was stuck in her room that smelled like mothballs and old bread.

The car hasn't even been put into park when Emma is already out of the car and running into the house, her short legs caring her quickly up the stairs and slamming the door to her shared room closed. Dragging the desk chair across the room and moving it under the doorknob before climbing into the closet, sitting down she pulls her knees up to her chest hiding her face in them as tears start to roll down her dirt stained cheeks.

"Emma?"

Green eyes snap up to see concerned brown eyes looking back at her.

"Emma are you okay, what happened?" Emma quickly wipes her face with her hand trying to hide the evidence, Emma Swan is not a cry baby.

"I got suspended." She mumbles with a sniff.

"I don't understand."

Letting out a huff as she scuffs her shoe against the closet floor.

"Stupid Chloe." Emma puts her head down on her knees. "She thinks she is so smart, but she is not. I know the truth. But she…she." Emma can't help but the lone rolling down her cheek. "I hit her."

"Oh Emma."

"I'm sorry I was bad."

"I know." Regina says with a small reassuring smile moving a little closer to the blonde.

Turning her head Emma wipes her nose on her pants before looking back up at her friend.

Emma can't remember a time her friend wasn't there by her side, good and bad her princess was there. So what if she was the only one who can see Regina, that just makes her more special to the blonde knowing she is just hers.

"Cant I just come live with you." Emma asks playing with the little threads on her sleeve.

"I would like that." Regina says with a soft smile. "I would really like that."Even if they both at the age of six already know that's not possible it is still a nice dream. After a moment Regina finally asks the big question they both have been avoiding. "What are you going to do now?"

Emma lets out a long sigh as she stands up.

"Now I'm going to pack my bag and wait for my social worker to come get me."

"I'm sorry Emma."

Emma looks at the girl, her best friend, her only friend before holding out her pinky finger.

Emma watches as Regina hooks her pinky with hers not really touching but as close as one can be to touching someone in a different realm.

"It's going to be alright Emma." Regina tries to reassure her, and Emma just gives her a weak smile.

Emma opens the closet door and stepping out, turning around she casts one last glance at the now empty closet before closing the door.

There wasn't a lot to pack, only a few pieces of clothes and a ratty old teddy bear with a hole in his foot Emma uses to hide her things in and then of course her baby blanket.

The thud of the backpack hitting the floor next to the stairs makes the woman's head snap to the direction, seeing the girl standing there backpack on the floor and blanket under her arm.

"When will Julie be here?"

"In about 15 minutes."

The little girl nods picking up her bag and walking out the house, sitting alone on the porch steps is how Julie found her. Walking up the steps she takes a seat next to the girl.

"Where are you taking me this time?" Emma asks in a emotionless voice.

"There is a group home in Boston, nice family and the kids-" Before she can continue Emma stands up pulling her backpack on and makes her way to the car and climbing into the back of the black car.

"Okay then." Julie says standing up from the porch steps glancing back at the house before she makes her way over to the car where the little blonde is waiting for her.

-x-x-

Regina is strolling through the castle library trailing her fingers along the spines of the old books. Ever since she learned to read she has spent many hours emerged in the books of the castle library learning new things and going fantastic adventures across their pages. This was her escape, where she could do and be anything she want and not have to worry about being the perfect young lady her mother commands of her.

Currently the book of choice is one of such a faraway land full of magic and mystery.

"When are you going to stop reading?" Complains a voice from the floor next to her.

"I rather enjoy reading unlike some people."

Emma just lets out an annoyed huff.

"You know if you keep reading like this your head is just going to get fuller and fuller and soon there is going to be no space left and everything important is just going to pop out of your head and you wouldn't even remember your name any more. Is that what you want, not to remember your own name?"

Regina chuckles.

"I'm not going to forget my name Emma." Emma just grumbles from her spot on the floor. "So, do you want to tell me about the new family you are staying with?"

"No."

"Emma."

"Ugh fine, they are okay. The mom smells like earwax but the dad has a pretty cool moustache."

"Are they nice people?" Emma knows what she is really asking, are you safe.

"I guess."

"That's good."

All of the sudden Emma jumps up standing in front of Regina.

"Oh I know what we should do!" Emma says excited making Regina look up from her book clearly they are now moving onto a new topic. Regina looks at the big smile Emma is giving her, closing her book she knows she is apparently done reading for the day.

"I can't believe you talked me into doing this." Regina says looking up and down the hallway finding it empty.

The halls in this part of the castle is mostly deserted, except for the occasional guard and maid going about their usual rounds not paying the princess much attention. She likes to think it's because they respect her privacy but she knows it's just because they are afraid she would tell on them to her mother and they would have to face the wrath of Queen Cora.

"Oh come on Gina it's an adventure." The excited blonde bounces next to the princess pretending to fight off imaginary enemies.

"Mother would not approve of this."

"Well, your mom got a stick up her butt."

"Emma!" Regina's eyes almost budges out of her head at her friend's statement.

"What it's not like she can hear me."

Emma did have a point there.

"Still." Regina comes to a stop in front of a large portrait hanging against the wall of her great grandfather. "Alright I found a painting."

"Awesome, now you just have to move it out of the way and then there should be a big button behind it that will open a hidden door."

Reaching up as high as she can on her tiptoes her fingertips just barely brushes the underside of the painting's frame. If only she was a little taller.

"I see my little princess has developed a love for art."

Regina spins around at the sudden voice to see a smiling face looking back at her.

"Daddy!" The princess runs across the hall into the waiting arms of the king.

"Are we exploring the castle again?"

"I want to see what is behind the painting."

"Well let's have a look then shall we."

The king moves over to the painting with his daughter's hand in his large one. Taking a hold of the frame he pushes it to the side to reveal a empty stone wall. Henry watches as Regina frowns as the painting slides back into place.

"There is nothing."

"Not what you expected?"

"No." Spinning her head around she looks up and down the hallway. "Maybe it's behind a different painting." Regina says to the blonde on the other side of her father looking beyond disappointed.

"Alright little one, what are we looking for?" King Henry asks as he starts to walk down the hall looking for the next painting.

"Emma said it would be behind a painting."

"Ah I should have known Miss Emma was behind this little adventure." He smiles affectionately down at Regina, he has known that his daughter's imaginary friend had the tendency to get Regina's mischievous side out. "So what did Emma say was behind the paintings?"

"She said that sometimes in moving pictures there are secret passages in castles hidden behind paintings." Regina explains.

"Movies, it's called movies." Emma mumbles annoyed at the lack of her friend's knowledge of modern technology.

"A hidden passage how mysterious." Henry moves another painting to the side to find another stone wall.

"It could lead anywhere. Maybe even to hidden treasure!" She says excited and Henry lets out a chuckle looking at the diamond hair pin in the princess hair, yes hidden treasure is what they need.

"Gallivanting around the halls again I see." They both freeze when they see Queen Cora standing at the end of the hall with her hands on her hips with an angry glare.

"Cora we are only-"

"Regina you're late for you for your ridding lesson." Cora says ignoring her husband.

"Yes, mother."

The king releases the small hand in his and she quickly scurries down the hallway happy to get away from her upset mother.

"Seriously Henry I expected more from you." Cora says stepping closer to the king.

"She is just a child what is wrong with playing-"

"She is the future Queen, and she needs to start acting as such."

The king flenses when the painting next to him shifts in warning but he continues anyway.

"And playing with Emma is beneath her?"

"Not this Emma thing again, I will not have you encouraging this crazy fantasy of hers. What will the people think if they see their princess talking to herself?"

"Maybe if she was allowed to actually go out and make some real friend she wouldn't need to make up one."

"Friends are only an obstacle she can't afford."

"Cora do you honestly-"

The king is flung against the stone wall being pinned to it by a magical force.

"Enough, I will not have you tell me how to raise my daughter."

"She is my daughter to, that you seem all too happy to forget." He gets ready to yell but Cora waves her hand and his voice disappears.

"I am her mother." She steps closer to him stroking his cheek. "And mother always knows best." With that Cora spins around her dress floating behind her as she quickly walks away.

Later that afternoon Regina skips down the hall, smiling down at the beautiful bouquet of flowers in her hands. During her riding lesson she came across a patch of wildflowers in a clearing near the river. After admiring the flowers she decided to pick a few as a surprise for mother hoping to apologise for her bad behaviour earlier.

Now making her way to her mother's office feeling giddy about her gift.

Pushing open the large wooden door to the office.

"Mother look wha-" Stopping in her tracks when she spots a strange man standing in the middle of the room his skin glittered in the candle light.

"Well who do we have here?"

Regina just stands frozen looking at the creepy little man as he stalks closer to her.

"What's your name dearie?"

"I'm princess Regina."

She says flinching as her runs his disgusting nail across her cheek, his lizard eyes feels like it is staring right into her soul.

"My my, you have no idea of the power you hold do you?"

"Regina!" The girl jumps around to see her mother standing at the door with her hands on her hips. "Regina what are you doing here, you know you are not allowed in here."

"Mother I-" Regina starts holding up the flowers but is silenced by Cora lifting up her hand.

"Regina go to your room we will talk about your disobedience later."

"Now Cora we were only getting... acquainted." He says plucking a flower from the bouquet the little girl is holding.

"Regina now."

"Yes mother." She lowers her head and dropping the flowers on the cold floor as she leaves the room knowing her mother will be giving her her punishment later as she hears the little man talking to her mother.

"Cora you have been hiding that little gem from me, all that untapped power. Maybe I have been investing my time in the wrong Mills woman."

"Regina is weak, we both know it's me you want Rumple. Now are we done wasting time can we begin?"

-x-x-

Emma is lying in her new bed, the new home has taken some time to get use to. The family is a lot nicer than most families even if they are rather strict. Each one of the kids have a list of chores they need to finish each day and posters with rules printed in bold all caps plastered around the house. Following rules have always been a struggle for Emma, having had to fight for herself since no one else bothered to ever do, she has come to be a strong willed and bad behaved labelled kid.

The sound of quiet sniffles makes her snap her eyes open. Looking around the dark room she sees the other girls already fast asleep. As quiet as possible she carefully slips down from her mattress before she crawls under the bed.

"Gina?" She whispers, her only answer being a little whimper.

Regina is possibly the most perfect little girl Emma has ever met, always on her best manners, always smiling and willing to help, in fact Regina is basically the exact opposite of the young blonde. Not much can get her down, that is except for one person - Queen Cora aka mother dearest. Emma can never understand how Cora can be so awful to her daughter especially someone as sweet as Regina. Knowing that no matter how many times she asks Regina will not want to talk about what happened unless she wants to, Emma does what she can and starts telling her silly little stories to take her mind off of whatever it is that are making her friend cry.

"Today at school Michael brought a frog he found, and during lunch it jumped out of his hand and onto a table where all these girls were sitting, the screamed so loudly and that scared the frog so it started to jump all over their plates sending food flying all over them."

As Emma continue to tell her story with great enthusiasm Regina's sniffles dies down and soon she has a small smile on her lips. Emma keeps talking until the princess is fast asleep, and not for the first time and far from the last time Emma wishes she could reach out and touch her friend.