but oh what a year

[patrols]

Comments

[cosmiccon]

Wynonna is a little more of a wild card.

[And he means that in a very fond way.]

But you're not wrong, on either count.

[Wynonna certainly brightens his world, though he can't help but feel that whatever opportunity they may have had is in the past. Wynonna probably won't forgive him enough to give him that kind of trust.

Or at least he assumes. He and Wynonna haven't actually had a conversation about it.]

[lengthened]

I know there's history there. Any of it recent enough?

( Feelings? Excavations are sometimes necessary, especially to move forward. )

[cosmiccon]

It's ...

[He swallows as he slides his hands into his pockets, trying to consider how best to phrase it.]

It's a lot of what could have been. And I'm pretty sure I missed my shot almost twenty years ago.

[lengthened]

And yet, here you are, invited to the family holiday. From what I've gathered, ( read: listened closely to everything Waverly says ) Wynonna's happily ever after didn't last. And she hasn't been with anyone since. Though, it did sound complicated between the three of you.

[cosmiccon]

There wasn't much complicated about it. He got her pregnant.

[At least from Dolls perspective. He was cut out before he even had the chance to try.]

And technically I was responsible for her. She was my CI.

[lengthened]

For Black Badge.

( But, fine. By the book soldiers stay by the book. )

Now, she has a daughter in college and a happily remarried ex, that anachronistic cowboy.

[cosmiccon]

[Dolls nods, but also shakes his head.]

Still. Pushing things with Wynonna is a for sure way for them to never happen.

[You have to let her come to you. Though he can't say that if they were caught under the mistletoe, he wouldn't be tempted.]

[lengthened]

Did I say anything about pushing?

( She holds the door open to their building and nods to the door man who knows her now, taking a liking to her coat. In the elevator, he leans against him, just shoulder to shoulder, she is there if he needs her.

Leading the way to the door, she knocks. )

[eredite]

[Despite the expensive sound proofing Elijah no doubt pays for to contend with his and Bela's vampire hearing, Adal and Dolls both can in fact hear:]

I GOT IT.

[And then the door flies open and Alice is there in her Christmas onesie, looking over both of them. Dolls almost feels as though the air has been knocked out of him looking at her, knowing her for who she is in an instant. The last time he'd seen her, she had been a baby. Now she was a whole person.

It only drives home how much time he's missed.

Alice moves to the side to let Adal in, before raising an eyebrow at Dolls.]

Wimp.

[He manages to pull himself out of his thoughts and snorts. "This is as festive as I get, kid."

Alice shakes her head.]

I stand by what I said.

[She then completely moves out of the way as she turns back into the apartment.]

Dolls and Adal are here.

[lengthened]

Hello, again, Alice.

( She and her fur coat make their way inside. Familiar with her surroundings, already, she takes off her gloves next, looking back at what's sure to be an awkward exchange - like he needs an invitation. )

Let him through. He's my plus-one.

( Wynonna's plus-something. )

Cut him some slack, okay?

( But don't cut Adal some slack, because she came prepared and she is in a beautiful, velour, Christmas onesie. )

[eredite]

[The look on her face says she is very much not going to cut him slack. But she will sigh, and step to the side to let him in.]

Aunt Waverly says the dress code isn't mandatory.

["Thank you." He steps inside, before glancing back to her. "Nice to finally meet you, Alice."

That catches her a little off-guard.]

Yeah. Nice to meet you too.

[lengthened]

Well, shall we awkwardly move from the foyer to the main salon?

( Because, this is painful. She makes a note to pull Alice away at some point. Feelings must be unpacked. )

[stupetballs]

Yes, you should.

[Waverly appears in the main room in her holiday-appropriate onesie, gesturing for them both to come further inside. Dolls follows and once they can both see the room, Waverly gestures to indicate.]

Merry Christmas! Food and drink is in the kitchen, any presents should be deposited by the tree, and I will take any coats.

[She holds her hands out, and Dolls obediently passes it over. "Thanks, Waves."]

[lengthened]

( She hands over her fur as she takes in the festive scene. )

Your family outdoes the Underground.

[stupetballs]

We are big on Christmas cheer here.

[She tucks the coat over her arm and collects Dolls' as she heads towards the closet.]

And Wynonna did the decorating so there is probably mistletoe about. But we're also expecting Doc and his wife and son so we should have a good number.

[lengthened]

That's a very nice number.

( She lets Dolls head further into the living room and joins Waverly by the closet. )

That won't be strange, John Henry. Wynonna, his new wife, Alice?

( "Babygirl," Wynonna calls out, but, to Alice. "Help momma with the tampon angel!" )

[stupetballs]

Oh, no, Rebekah and Wynonna actually get along well.

[Shockingly.]

And she and Alice have been bonding.

[Alice does as she's told, making her way over and looking up at the tree. "I thought we were doing the star this year."]

[lengthened]

We may get away with this holiday drama free.

( "Do not blaspheme the tampon angel," she says, holding up to her daughter's face. You bathe in its' holy light.

She hedges for a second. "I may have broken the star last night." )

[stupetballs]

That's the goal! A holly jolly Christmas where everyone goes home happy.

[Even if it will end in her having to take an unexpected trip to Boston.

Alice's face falls. "Oh no. Can we fix it?" It isn't that she doesn't appreciate the tampon angel. She understands the family history. But she likes the star too.]

[dollywood]

( "It is the best time of the year," she says. "Thank you. For all your help. I know we still have miles to go before we sleep, but, everything you've done, I can't thank you enough."

In the other room, Wynonna winces. )

Well, your mother may have been practicing with throwing stars and that star was not for throwing. And now it's not for Jesus worship, either. But, Tampon Angel is forever!

[eredite]

["I was happy to help," Waverly smiles, before tugging on her hand. "C'mon. Let's get you a drink."

Alice sighs, but nods her understanding.]

I know, Mom. I am not impugning the honor of Tampon Angel. Promise.

[She glances back over her shoulder to make sure the person she wants to talk about is not listening distance before opening with:]

So. This Dolls guy.

[dollywood]

( Wine, please, Waverly.

You better not impugne! )

What about "this Dolls guy?"

[eredite]

Should I get used to the stick up his butt or does he actually believe in the word fun?

[Alice raises an eyebrow.]

[dollywood]

He... lukewarms up.

( That she can remember. )

He's ex-military, ex-prisoner, ex-smiling... ( And simply: ex... ) I promise, he knows where to find the fun when he wants to. He just plays by the book and you were taught to throw the book out.

[eredite]

Mmm.

[She will try not to judge her because she does want her mom to have friends and she seems? Happier? But this guy?

This guy?????]

Okay. We'll see if he gets to room temperature.