Chapter Nine
Alex looked at Mandy in a panic. "You go on in there and prepare Piper, I'll head down to the circle oh..Security is checking them now...go." She waved Alex towards the bedroom as she headed to the front door. She could see Larry taking Finn from Polly's arms as she spoke to the Marshals. She clenched her jaw and half hoped they'd toss him off the property. He was an ass for coming!
She started to walk in but remembered she was supposed to be giving Piper space. For a moment she was stuck, wondering what to do, then she remembered that Piper loved her. She opened the door and walked in to find Piper curled up in a ball on the bed. Her hurt leg jutted out behind her like a broken tree branch. She lifted her head and Alex saw she had been crying profusely. Her mouth when completely dry and the words died on her lips.
"Really Alex, I need some time...please just let me fall apart right now and Leave Me Alone!" Piper bit out from her position on the bed. She turned to bury her face in her in the comforter. She noticed that Piper was clutching Alex's own pillow to her chest as she cried.
Ah kid, I did that for weeks after you left the prison.
"I wish I could kid, but Molly and Asswipe are here...oh and the kid too," Alex said with a nonchalant attitude that she hoped told Piper she wasn't upset by how much she was crying. She wanted hold Piper in her arms until the crying turned to hiccups, turned to kisses and then to desperate sex. She wanted to make Piper feel better but she knew that she just couldn't do it. She was the cause of the pain and now Polly would know.
Alex didn't like that Larry would know as well. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that she fucked up with Piper again. "The marshals are checking them out before they let them come inside. Is there any hope at all that Larry's name is not on the visitation list?"
Piper sat up and looked out the French doors but there was no way she could see the front circle from that part of the deck. "No, Mom put him on it. She said that Polly might need him to help with Finn if she visited. I didn't care too much at the time because I didn't imagine ever accepting any visitors." Alex nodded and then frowned some remembering that Piper was worried to the point of sickness over her. "And her name is Polly...which you very well know and the cute kid is Finn." Piper did smile at that part.
Alex then remembered that he was born during her incarceration and Piper had never seen him before. Alex went to the bathroom and got some concealer, a hair brush and tissues. She walked over to Piper and sat beside her on the bed. She handed her some tissues and waited for her to blow her nose and toss it in the bin. Alex then added some makeup to the dark circles and red splotches on her face. She told Piper she was the most beautiful girl in the room and it got a small smile. "I know that we are still talking through what you learned this morning. I only ask that we keep it between us...I'll sleep on the couch in here if you want, but as far as their concerned, we're okay...okay?" She held her breath to see what Piper said.
"Polly will know something is off right away but I'll not speak to her about it just yet. As far as Asswipe goes- I could care less if he knows, I don't want to talk to him about anything personal. He will spend most of his time with Cal and-"
There was a knock at the door and Piper pulled back suddenly scared. Alex knew she still felt raw and emotional. She knew immediately that she wasn't ready to see them yet. "How about I answer and tell them you just slipped off to sleep. That will buy us some time and you can collect yourself," Alex suggested. She was hopeful that Piper would take her up on it. She brushed her hair out carefully as she decided.
The knock came again, this time it was accompanied by a voice that Alex remembered as Polly's voice, " Piper?"
"Please, yeah...tell her I'm sleeping for right now. Maybe in an hour, like before dinner I'll be more put together," Piper admitted apologetically. Alex nodded and gave her a kind smile as she rose. She walked to the door and opened it just a bit.
"Hey, Mo..um Polly, Pipes just fell to sleep and she didn't sleep well last night so-" Alex whispered to her. Polly seemed genuinely surprised to see her.
"I...I knew but Fuck Alex, it is really odd to see you...especially wearing Piper's shirt," Polly stammered. Alex looked down and saw she was wearing one of Piper's SMITH Tees.
"Oh yeah my clothing hasn't arrived yet because of the weather, so we're sharing closet. She'll be out for dinner. Cal is at the store but will be back soon," Alex explained in what she hoped was an even voice.
Polly backed up to let Alex out of the room and her stomach twisted with the dread of spending that time alone with them. "Ah, she sleeps better in my arms. We'll see you in a bit," Alex said and then she closed the door on the face of a startled Polly. It gave her a wee bit of satisfaction.
"I do sleep better in your arms but at the present time-" Piper began as she turned.
"No, I know...I'll just read over here while you nap. Everything will be alright Piper. I'll make it up to you somehow, baby...we'll get help or something," Alex suggested as she went to retrieve the book she was reading or rereading. She picked up The Hotel New Hampshire in the study the other day and couldn't help reading it again.
"You'd go to therapy with me...because I think I need it...but I'm scared after Healy. You were right that it did help us but the other stuff...his bullying and the restraints- I used to dream you were in that dryer and I coudln't get to you. Then it switched to you being in cuffs and Kubra is coming to kill you. This fear and my anger is just draining me of any energy I feel I might gain," Piper shared.
"Yes I'd go with you; I'm not so tough that I can't see when I've been traumatized," Alex admitted. She didn't relish the idea of therapy but if it helped Piper with her anger issues then that was fine with her. Piper's temper was always part of her but the violence was something that Litchfield and losing everything brought out in her. It was a new part of her that Alex didn't mind because it had saved her life at least once. She knew Piper had put another prisoner in medical but to Alex, Piper was just taking care of business. She thought back to what Mandy said about how she was raised and frowned. She didn't like thinking of Mandy's words when it came to her girl. The more she let herself focus on it the more she realized that Piper's violence was just another side effect of Alex turning her in to the police.
She walked over to sit by the gas log fireplace that kept their room very warm on cold nights. "Thank you, " Piper whispered and Alex pushed her glasses up on her nose and looked at Piper.
"Anytime, kid. I love you and I'm not going anywhere," Alex assured her.
Piper smiled at that and then curled back into tight ball. Alex read quietly for about twenty minutes until her eyelids got so heavy she could not hold them up anymore. Alex didn't really dream but she woke to the soft whimpers of her love. She sat up and adjusted her glasses before looking to the clock. She had dozed for almost an hour. Piper was tossing on the bed and her leg was all askew hanging under the covers. Alex was up so fast she nearly dropped her book on the rug.
It was so natural to slip in beside her and press her body close. She pushed Piper's hair out of her face and snuggled in to body. She lowered her head to whisper in her ear, "I got you, kid. It's okay...I'm here." Piper got quiet and turned over. Alex guided her leg to the pillow and helped her on to her side. She was so sweet and let her move her however she wanted. Piper was due some pain meds because Alex saw her wince. She knew it would be after dinner and she pondered asking Brian to give them to her earlier. She had slept all askew and had a really big day. She enjoyed Piper's warmth for awhile then she heard someone speaking outside the door. She knew dinner would be soon.
Alex shook her gently and whispered to her, " Piper...wake up. Dinner is going to be soon and Polly is probably going to come through that door soon." Piper opened her baby blues and blinked a few times. She moved her leg and moaned.
"Al, could you call Brian in here? He's still here right," Piper mumbled. Alex nodded and reminded Piper he was leaving tomorrow afternoon. She knew Piper was a bit worried about not having him there, even thought it meant she didn't have to be under 'medical care'. She knew he talked to Piper about her PTSD when they did her physical therapy and massage.
"Sure, I'm...um sorry I'm in bed with you, but you were whimpering and I didn't want you to..." Alex stopped speaking and pressed the intercom button.
Cal answered, "Hey Al, dinner is ready in about ten minutes. Whatcha need?"
"Brian and her meds a bit early," Alex answered.
"I'll send a muffin too, she didn't really eat much earlier," he said then he signed off with his signature 'over and out' that was old the first time but quirky just like Cal. Piper sat up and moved her leg off the bed. She looked down at her wrinkled clothes and over to the closet across the room. Alex looked down at her shirt and jeans sighing.
"You want some jeans and a Tee? I can just put them on the bed and Brian can help you if you want-"
Piper waved her hand. "Please...and thank you...I'm sorry that I'm waking up all..." she let her voice trail and Alex laughed softly.
"You are always a little grumpy after a nap, especially if you're emotional. Um, I think maybe you're period is getting back in sync," Alex offered. Piper frowned at her and then blushed when she realized Alex was right.
"I always hated that you pointed that out. You're PMS consisted of grumpy overworking and popping pills for the cramps. I would breeze through or have a temper tantrum...totally depending on my sleep schedule. You managed me after three months," Piper said with some amusement in her voice.
"I did that with a fat joint..something you nor I can have right now, the best chocolate money could buy and great massages," Alex said with a grin as her voice got all nostalgic. Piper smiled at the memories as well.
"It took me a year to figure that out. I figured it out in Paris when you specifically asked me for those artisan chocolates and then didn't eat a one," Piper responded. Alex nodded and walked over with her clothing. "You were still trying to manage me, but Alex that isn't being a partner. I need you to let me feel my own emotions without managing me. I'm not a hormonal, hung over twenty-three year old or in immediate danger of being sent to a hell hole for months. I need to know you will not manage me...will not give me meds and have me sign a document that means I wake up," Piper said to her in a soft voice that was laced with pain.
She sat beside her as Brian came in and went right to work. Piper took a few bites of the muffin as he changed out her brace. Alex took a moment to get ready. She changed into some new yoga pants and some warm wooly socks. She really wanted her clothing. She had hoped it would arrive today since the roads were opened somewhat. She came out of the dressing room to hear Piper ask Brian to leave and let Alex get her ready.
"Do you want me to bring in the chair?" Brian asked gently. Piper looked over at him then at Alex. She shook her head and said she'd use her crutches. Alex wasn't surprised. She didn't want to seem an invalid after already napping the entire time they'd been there. Alex wasn't too enthusiastic about seeing Larry. It was nothing like seeing him while she was in Litchfield but this time he was Piper's Ex. This time he had moved on with her best friend and Piper admitted she missed him. She sighed a bit too loud and Piper looked over as Brian went out.
"Hey, you don't have to help me, I can do it-"
"No baby, no...I'm just worried about dinner and well...you. I heard what you said Piper, I did. I don't want to fuck this up and there is this pressure," Alex said as she suddenly felt a headache behind her eyes that she recognized as stress. She walked over and helped Piper change. She was buttoning her pants when Piper reached out to stroke her cheek softly. Alex looked at her and smiled what she hoped was a confident smirk.
"I fucking love you Alex Vause and our problems are serious ones...serious and private. I mean, what is a holiday without pretending for the family," Piper said in a cheerful voice. Alex laughed and kissed her nose.
"That may be your family traditions, but I want ours to be more genuine. I fucking love you too Piper Chapman. I told you I'm a fuck up Pipes," Alex replied. Piper laughed agreeing with her. There was a knock on the door and Piper looked at her mouthing the word, 'Polly'. Alex turned and sure enough Polly walked into the room carrying the thirteen month old Finn. He was scrambling in her arms to get down.
"Oh my God he is huge...I missed his birthday didn't I?" Piper said. Alex winced because she knew it was in a coma when he turned a year old. Polly walked him over and Alex moved back out of the way. She nodded her hello to Alex without really making eye contact.
"Here is your Aunt Piper, she is your Godmother Finn," Polly said with tears in her eyes. Alex realized how very much Polly wanted to show her son to Piper in person. She moved over to give them some space. She looked through the open door into the living room and saw Larry staring at them.
"Hey Finn," Piper said to him with a bright smile. He wasn't in the least bit afraid of her. He reached out and babbled on saying words like 'mama' and 'car'. Piper sat on the bed and he crawled into her lap. She listened to him like he was telling her a story. Polly sat beside her and watched. Alex leaned against the armchair and watched the scene unfold.
"Really was there a lot of snow?" Piper asked as if she understood all that he said to her. He nodded at her and made a hand gesture that made her laugh.
"Um, that was all Pete right there," Piper whispered to Polly. He seemed to know his father's name and said 'dada dee'. Polly explained that he went to see his folks for a month or two. He was still pretty much an absentee father still from what Alex had heard. Larry was probably more a father to Finn that Pete. He had Polly's eyes and hair but his face shape was not familiar to Alex.
"Yes, Daddy...you look like a perfect cross between your mom and your Daddy. He is amazing Polly," Piper said to her. He wiggled on her lap and reached down to feel of Piper's knee. He turned and wanted to touch the brace. Alex shot over quickly and helped Piper catch him before he toppled over. She saw Piper wince as she turned herself and put pressure on her leg. Alex gently set him upright and he touched the brace, looking up at Piper.
"Thank you, Alex. Easy Finn, remember Aunt Piper has a hurt leg," Polly said as if she was reminding him of things she told him before they came in the room.
"Hwt foot," he said and then he was off and heading for the dresser with a few steps that ended up on all fours. He was in that state of almost walking everywhere but giving in to crawling because he was faster. Piper wanted to go after him and Alex headed her off as she stood up. She put her hands on Piper's waist as Polly hopped up to walk behind her son. She didn't crowd him or herd him out of the room. She just walked close enough so she could get to him if he started to topple anything over.
Cal called for everyone to come to dinner and Polly snatched him up with a grunt and a, "Time for dinner, bub." He said something that sounded like dinner. Polly walked over to them as Alex handed Piper her crutches.
"I really want to hug you and talk but I'm willing to wait. I tried to get him to let us come alone but he got really stubborn," Polly apologized. Piper laughed and nodded.
"Did he sit on his computer typing fast as if he was writing on an overnight deadline? He would do that for hours until his hands ached just so he could ignore my arguments," Piper said as she headed towards the door.
"Yeah, it drives me crazy. What did you do when he did that?" Polly asked in a cheerful voice. Alex frowned as they all walked towards the door.
"Oh, I went for a run and didn't come back for about five hours. He yelled at me for worrying him and then we talked," Piper answered. Polly snorted but Alex could see the wheels moving in her mind. She laughed out loud and both women stopped to look at her.
"He is going to regret this...Karma sucks," Alex remarked. Piper laughed with her and then motioned for Polly to go on out. She looked up at Alex and stared until Alex pushed up her glasses to return Piper's gaze.
"Thank you for helping me get ready, watching over me and loving me. You ready for dinner? We can consider this a trial run for Thursday," Piper whispered to her. Alex smiled and leaned in to kiss her softly. Piper's mouth was soft and inviting. Alex stayed in their intimate moment for as long as she could. She pressed her forehead to Piper's and felt some of her headache slip away.
"You're welcome and yes I am. I am also, starving. Your brother is actually making real, inch thick Pork chops. Does Larry eat pork?" Alex asked suddenly. Piper laughed and told her he loved pork. She snorted and decided she wasn't very surprised.
"You have a whole grill box? I want one but Neri said we can do the same thing in a ground pit. Spoken like the person that doesn't have to dig it!" Cal said with a snort as they made their way into the dining room. They hadn't eaten there as of yet and it was rather plush. Alex liked it because of the light from the windows. Larry took Finn and put him in a chair that Alex could only assume they brought with them. Mandy was sitting on one side and from the way they were being moved around, she could see Larry was going to be at one end of the table. The Chapman siblings sat in the traditional end chairs. She was happy to sit beside Piper and helped her get in her seat before she put her crutches up against the hutch near the door.
"Hi Pipes, it is good to see you moving about," Larry said with a sincere tone. Alex looked over at him and she could see he was visibly relieved to actually see Piper was alright.
"Hi Larry, thanks. I'm glad you could be here, but I think it would have been a bit easier if you'd let Polly come on her own," Piper said right off the top. She didn't make her voice too harsh or hard because she looked at Finn making a face.
"Lar, bread", Finn said pointing to the rolls on the table. Larry was making him a small plate of different bits and he halfed the roll-putting one part on Finn's small plate.
"If you think I'd let them drive alone you're as insane as your choices have proven," Larry shot back. Alex shot him a look that he missed as he put a lid on a juicy cup that Polly brought from the kitchen.
"No, stop it both of you. We will not act like children in front of the child. Can't we just be happy that we're all here?" Polly asked. Mandy agreed and asked Polly to pass her the mashed potatoes.
"Hello Alex," Larry said in reply to Polly's comment. Alex nodded to him and reached for some food.
"Baby, you want water?"
Piper nodded and then leaned in to whisper, "You probably need some water too, but I don't blame you if you have some wine. Um, I think there is some tylenol in the cabinet by the pantry." She looked at her love and smiled at her thoughtful observation. Sometimes, Piper was very self centered but sometimes she was really focused on others but you would never know.
Brian told her water would be better and she nodded. She didn't want him going into detail about her fainting earlier. He seemed to get the gist of her glare and shut up. She hoped Larry was too occupied with the situation to say much. Cal started telling the tale of his adventure to the store that day and Alex got them some water from the Fridge. She took a deep breath and reached for the cabinet door. Yes, maybe some medicine would be the best thing. She needed all the help she could get to get through this meal.
***Please Review, Fae***
