This half of the story is set in the future, two years after both women have been released from Lichfield.
"Hey Pipes?!" Alex called from where she lay on the bed, propped up by pillows and surrounded by books.
"Hmm?" The blonde sauntered lazily from the adjacent en suite bathroom, toothbrush in mouth.
Grinning, Alex lowered the book that she was holding into her lap and pushed her glasses on top of her forehead.
"Whaddayasmilinat?" Piper mumbled through a mouthful of toothpaste, continuing to brush as she stood, half naked, in the doorframe.
"I'm smiling at you, you idiot. I can't believe how sexy you look standing there like that."
Rolling her eyes in disbelief, Piper shook her head of tousled hair and gestured to the oversized hoodie that she was wearing like a nightie.
"You forgot your pyjama bottoms though. Thought I should point that out before you embarrass yourself in front of someone important...like me. " Alex raised one perfectly arched eyebrow and cocked her head playfully.
With the hand that was free from brushing, Piper gave Alex the finger, before strolling back to the sink to spit and rinse.
"What did you really want me for?" Piper questioned, re-entering the room. Pulling the worn, fading hoodie off and letting it fall to the floor, she slid under the covers and huddled closer. Piling her books on the bedside table, Alex set her glasses aside and switched off the lamp. "I just…" She snuggled down next to Piper, placing one hand gently on the small swell of her stomach. "I thought of a name."
"Wow" Alex breathed, stretching her arms out towards the midwife, who was offering forward her newly born daughter. In awe, she drew the blinking baby in towards her body, cuddling her closer. "You were such a small bump. And now you're here and you're a little person!" She dragged a finger lightly over her baby's button nose, marveling at her rosebud lips and head of dark chestnut hair. Reacting to her touch, the baby turned her head and wiggled her tiny feet, little fingers tensing and relaxing as she discovered the shape of her own fists. Taking one of those hands in hers, Alex inspected each digit, rubbing the fleshy pad of her thumb over the fingernails, which were the size of half grains of rice. Instinctively, she increased the tightness of her grip, her heart swelling with love. "You have no idea how much your mama wanted you," Alex whispered, bringing her cradled arms up higher to face Piper, who lay sleeping soundly in the hospital bed behind them. "She waited so long for you to get here. She believed in you right from when you were just a crazy idea that I couldn't agree with. She pretty much loved you into life." As if to prove the reality of her presence, the baby curled her fingers around Alex's thumb, holding on earnestly as she tried to focus her big blue eyes and look towards her.
"You have her eyes, beautiful." Overwhelmed, Alex placed a kiss lightly on the baby's forehead, inhaling the scent of her smooth skin. "You're lucky, because she's smart and you've probably got that too. I'll put up with the stubbornness and the headstrong determination. You're welcome in advance." Slipping one hand behind the baby's head to support her neck, she raised her closer to her own face and nosed her way into the white toweling material of the baby gro on the little girl's chest.
The first thing Piper saw as she lazily opened her eyes was Alex, spellbound and watery eyed, kissing the mirror image of herself tenderly on the forehead.