The alarm screamed through the bedroom, wakening Alex with a jolt and a grunt.
'Fuck', she breathed out, rolling over to slap the alarm and turn it off. She squinted at the screen with eyes still heavy from sleep and sighed. 7.30 am. Time to get up and visit Piper's parents back in NYC. Fabulous. She rolled her eyes and slumped back down into her pillow.
Her heavier-sleeping wife stirred beside her, rubbing her eyes like a child and snuggling into Alex's side. 'Mmm', she moaned lightly, 'what time is it? Please tell me it's not time to get up.'
Alex let out a soft, deep chuckle at Piper's childish morning demeanour. It was both adorable and frustrating. It made her want to sink down into the bed and rest there forever with the sleepy blonde. She pulled her into a loose embrace, linking her long legs through Piper's and stroking the side of her ribs. In bed with her was her safe place. It was complete content. The smell of Piper's skin, the lingering touches, the complete unity of their bodies. It was not something Alex wanted to leave for a day of discomfort and awkward looks.
'Unfortunately, it is time to get up. Come on baby we need to go if we're going to beat traffic. I don't need to add being late to the list of things your mother hates about me', Alex reluctantly murmured.
Piper smirked and cuddled even closer to Alex, always wanting to feel closer to her. 'She doesn't hate you because of you, she just hates you because you have a vagina.'
Alex laughed in her deep, raspy voice that sent Piper stirring, even at this time. 'And the drug-dealing probably doesn't help.'
'Well yes, that probably doesn't help the situation.'
Alex continued to smirk as she rolled over and draped her legs over the edge of the bed, groggy and highly reluctant to move. It was cold and she would much rather spend the week leading up to Christmas spoiling Piper with her homemade cookies, fighting over what colour of tinsel looked better on the tree, and watching the black and white films they both loved under the duvet.
Piper too rose and shuffled over to the same edge of the bed Alex was perched upon. She draped one loving arm around her wife's neck and kissed her softly on her collarbone, she immediately felt Alex's frame relax underneath her. Alex was tense and she knew she had to be extra caring of her today, these little kisses were going to have to be frequent. Despite being a super tough, super-hot, super independent ex drug dealer, Alex was affected by the little jibes Piper's parents made about their relationship, and the fact that Alex couldn't visit her own mother on Christmas, made things particularly hard for her. But Piper could soften that hard exterior, she was the only one who could, and that was her job today.
'Come on Al, maybe a little shower with me will help get you going this morning', she breathed into her shoulder, leaving delicate kisses down her arm. Alex raised her eyebrows in the exact arch that told Piper what she wanted as she dragged Piper onto her lap, wrapped her legs around her waist and lifted her up, carrying her towards the bathroom. Piper smiled deeply, running her hand across Alex's face and pulled her into a strong kiss, continually reminding her how much this trip meant to her.
'Someone's suddenly awake', Alex grinned and closed the bathroom door eagerly behind them.
