Chapter Ten

Piper blinked. They just stared at each other for a long moment. "Hello Piper, uh...I stopped by to see the baby...Neri is napping and your brother is changing Micah. I was showing him the cu trick," Larry said showing a small cup in his hand he turned, leaving Piper to come into the apartment. She followed him inside and back to the spare bedroom. She observed Larry showing him how to place a cup over Micah's junk so he doesn't pee in his face. She was transfixed watching her brother handle it like a pro already. He put Micah down and she peered into the basenet. He made this smiley face and she thought he might be pooping his diaper again. She didn't say anything and let the warmth flow over her.

"He just stopped by to say hi...a few minutes before you popped up. I was on the phone with mom when he got here. You okay?" Cal asked her in a soft voice. Larry took a hint and walked out of the doorway and towards the living room. Piper didn't answer she just watched her nephew fall back to sleep. Cal just stood there beside her until she could nod and tell him she was alright.

"I needed to see something full of hope. Micah just hit the right spot," she smiled at him and he seemed to glow with pride. He adjusted the blanket that Micah had already wiggled out of completely.

"When Neri swaddles him, he stays in it...when I do it he wiggles until his arms are free. She says I don't do it right but I wrap him like a baby burrito," Cal whispered. Piper smiled at him and put her hand on his shoulder. He was worried he wasn't doing everything right. It was so unlike Cal to care about doing something just right...it warmed her heart.

"You swaddle him your way and she can swaddle him her way….with you he gets to feel like he accomplished something. He sleeps no matter right?" she asked. Cal nodded and they both turned to leave the nursery as if they planned it. Cal put his arm around his sister's waist and stopped at the door.

"I can get rid of him if you want. I know gettin' with Polly was a gut punch to you. He swears they did something to fix it with you but I've not seen Polly visit you once, " Cal observed. Piper nodded and then sighed dramatically.

"They did do something and I technically forgave them. However, that doesn't mean I want either of them in my life now," Piper admitted. "I don't think I can ever trust them again and I don't care to listen to either of their opinions about Alex." Cal nodded as if he understood and walked out into the living room. He spoke with Larry while Piper went to the kitchen and made herself some tea. They always had the best selection of teas. She added some organic honey and stirred slowly as she heard Cal usher Larry towards the door.

'Um bye Pipes. We heard your article was coming out and Polly wanted to call you. Is it okay if she calls you?" Larry practically shouted from the door. Cal shushed him, not wanting his bellowing to wake up Micah. She sipped her tea and looked at Larry. She had really loved him once. It wasn't the same kind of love she had to Alex but it had been real.

Piper carefully swallowed her hot tea and then nodded at him. "Sure she can call Mom and get my information. I don't guarantee I'll pick up though. I'm up and down about things Larry….I'm still adjusting and very busy writing my memoir," she admitted.

"Memoir?" He inquired and took a step into the room. Cal literally stepped in front of him. Larry gave him a look and Cal met his with a stone face. It wasn't often that Larry witnessed her brother being protective. Usually that was Piper's job, taking care of her little brother, but he had stepped up in many ways, not just as a father.

"Yes, my lawyer will be in touch. I plan on changing your name and vaguely admitting we didn't make it through the first three months of my incarceration…. and I'll be honest that it was because I found Alex again," she was blunt. He seemed to pale at the notion and started to argue.

"Her lawyer will be in touch. You're part of the story but if she has to, she will write you out," Cal offered then opened the door for him. " Thanks for coming by and showing me the cup trick. Text ya later." His tone was clearly as dismissal and Larry finally took the hint. Cal turned towards Piper and gave her a half shrug. "He doesn't know who you are now. He writes for an online magazine to pay the bills because Polly will not let him live off his parents."

"He never knew me. No one did. I didn't mention Alex's name to anyone until I was arrested. That part isn't his fault, " Piper admitted. She offered to make Cal some tea and he accepted. After freshening up her own, she sat sipping her tea in the living room with him. He told her about all the amazing things Micah had done that day. She told him about how much she missed Alex. He listened and told her a random story about missing his favorite dog when he had a truck driver's job. She laughed at his jokes but it didn't really reach her eyes. After awhile, she left and went back to her parent's place. She was raiding the refrigerator when her mother entered.

"There is leftover pot roast on the second shelf, " she said as she started to make herself some tea. Piper declined some as she heated up a plate.

"I'm moving tomorrow. I think it is time I get set up in the city. The article comes out on Monday..I'll pack up the car, drive to see Alex on Saturday then move all my stuff in..thank you for letting me stay here," Piper said quietly.

Her mother sighed some and then answered, "Are you sure Piper? Your dreams are still bad and I worry about you being alone in that big brownstone." Piper worried about it too but she knew she had to strike out on her own or she'd just stay there in the safety they created. She walked over with her plate and bottle of water in her hands. She bent slightly to kiss her mother's forehead as she sat at the kitchen counter.

"I'm sure Mom. It's about time I strike out on my own….it may force me to write more as well. My agent has three radio shows lined up for me to do in the city. It will be more convenient for me to be in the city. I've only lived in Brooklyn so this should be good for me. Oh, speaking of Brooklyn, I saw Larry tonight. He asked if Polly could call. If she calls you, give her my new number but not new address, okay? I'll answer the call if I'm in the mood," she finished. Her mother raised an eyebrow but just nodded her consent. Piper smiled and took her food up to her room.

"Don't forget the dishes up there if you get to writing," to her mom called after her. Piper just smiled and said she wouldn't as she started to climb the stairs. She got some writing done and spent time coordinating packing. She ordered things she thought she'd need for a first class office. She knew her gran had one of the first floor with a window that looked out over the garden. AFter her grandfather passed away she stayed in the city more and more. Piper visited her there after she got back from Europe. She had fond memories of her there.

It was a whirlwind of writing and prep but Piper felt like she had accomplished many things as she waited on Alex to come to the visiting a area. She was determined to be positive and tell her the good news. Her new car was packed with her personal items and the house was all set up for her. The first radio show would be later that evening and then she expected there to be more press about Alex. She looked good when she came in and her smile was so bright Piper felt her heart skip.

"Hey kid. You look good enough to eat," Alex said in her sexy deep voice. Piper bite her lip and let the desire show in her eyes.

"Right back at ya, Al. My eyes have missed the vision of you," she said in a low tone. They both just smiled at each other for awhile.

"Okay, fill me in on all the stuff. That lawyer called and it seems they have all kinds of ideas. What's up with you?" Alex inquired. Piper told her about seeing Larry, Polly not calling and moving out. She told her and had her repeat her new address. It was important to her that Alex know where she slept each night. She told her about the radio shows and her concerns now that she was going to be speaking out. She was going to play on the fact she was in the video of the officer breaking her arm….she was going to play it all up to advertise her book and get a focus on the practices of the corporation that owns the prison.

"I'm worried you'll get the brunt of it. They could decide to cut off your visitation or mail. I fuckin' hate being helpless. I can hold off if you wish-"

"No! They are bringing in migrants and holding them. Women cry night and day for their children that were snatched from them. The government is just putting these innocent people in detention with federal prisoners. It is all legal but so damn shady. How are they supposed to contact lawyers or aide this far from the border? It is insane and just a away for the corporation to make more money off bodies in beds," Alex whispered. Piper asked her some questions and was already forming a new blog in her mind.

"I'm going to call you Nora in the interviews but let everyone know that isn't your real name. I'm going to say I'm afraid of what they prison will do to you directly if they realize I'm out here fighting for you….and everyone," she explained. They talked more and Alex told her that Nicky heard from Morello's baby daddy. They baby came early and is in a neonatal unit in a New York Hospital. She said Lorna would be returned soon and separated from her child. He told Nicky that they had her cuffed through the procedure and only took them off when they put her under to take the child. Piper felt her anger fuming. The government kept making sounds to pass some basic reforms...she'd hoped incidents like this would be a thing of the past.

"I miss you. I ache for you," Alex said out of nowhere. She smiled and put her hand against the glass. Piper brought her hand up and touched the cool glass.

"I ache for you as well, my love. I'm scared I'm going to get you hurt or transfered to the SHU," she whispered her fears coming forth as she felt the glass between them.

Alex just shook her head and smiled. "I'm no hero Pipes but things are bad here and have been for awhile. You do your thing...I think that lawyer you got me may keep my name in their minds. They are filing a motion that I be released on my prior agreement, stating I wasn't informed about the firearms rules for New York. I actually had a prior permit to carry in New York. That gun was the same but the serial number wasn't readable. Convicts can own guns in Illinois, where I was released and the information given to my attorney was negligent for including codes for my home state of New York. It seems even my probation officer didn't file the right paperwork or show that I was informed. I'm still liable but they are saying I only had the gun because of a threat to my life. Seems Kubra has been extradited for tampering in foreign elections and threatening witnesses. They seem confident that I can get released, especially if they sue the federal system for my arm...so do your thing, kid." Alex assured her. Piper smiled and felt her pulse speed as the guard told them time was almost up.

She felt her throat tighten and Alex smiled at her. "It's okay baby. I can't wait to read your letters. I sent one yesterday….we're going to be fine. I love you," Alex said in a hurry.

"I love you too. Listen to WKRX news Sunday….and the new letters will have my new address," Piper said. The phone cut off and Alex stood up. She touched the window again and Piper met her hand. She walked away and back into the line. Piper watched the door shut then got up herself to leave. She felt like she was in a tunnel as she headed out. She cried most of the way back to the city. It took her over an hour to find the parking deck by the brownstone. Once she was all set up, it was a short walk to the house. She fumbled with the keys but made her way into the foyer. Piper shut the door and leaned against the door. It was as she remembered it but it made her miss her grandmother immediately.

"Thanks Grandmother. I miss you…..here's hoping Alex and I will be happy here for a long time," she said in a tone that sounded much like a prayer.

***Happy Holidays. Happy New Year. RL has me very busy but I haven't forgotten about the story. Please review. Fae***