Chapter 11

A/N: I do not own anything. I just made the story. :)

"You have what, three months left?" Caputo asks while looking in his computer. Piper nods oblivious to what is going to happen. "Okay. So, there are more inmates coming in Litchfield and I don't want it to be very crowded like it was before the riot and it is very costly having more inmates. I know that you know what that feels like. Because of that I am giving early releases." Caputo informs Piper. "It seems like you've been doing good for the past six months and I bet you would want to be home with your wife." Caputo says with a smile on his face teasing Piper slightly about her wife. Piper's eyes were wide in anticipation with her mouth agape waiting for Caputo to finish. "I'll move your release date to next month, Chapman." Caputo says assuring Piper.

Piper cannot believe it. She mentally counted. It was November 10th and she would be out by December 10th. 'It's Alex's birthday on the 11th, a day after I go out' She thought to herself.

"Is this for real Mr. Caputo?" Piper asks questioningly with a tiny hint of tears pooling in her eyes showing joy.

"Do you want me to change my mind?" Caputo asks teasingly. Piper shakes her head frantically.

"No! No! I'll take it. Thank you so much!" Piper exclaims. She attacked Mr. Caputo with a hug without thinking about it. It was slightly awkward, but she didn't really care because she was very thankful. "Alex is right, you're a good man. Thanks for trying to make this prison a better place for the inmates." Piper says sincerely. "Oh, and it's not Chapman anymore. It's Vause now." Piper proudly says exiting the room smiling as if proud to showcase her shiner and bruised lips.

After all that happened to her lately, Alex leaving, her having a flu, Sylvie arriving in Litchfield and Sylvie punching her, it's as if she didn't feel any pain any more. She was excited because she was getting out before Alex's birthday and before her most favorite time of the year, Christmas.

"I am going to surprise her!" Piper muttered to herself excitedly walking while walking towards the suburb dorm. "I am going to surprise her! Oh my gosh!" Piper repeats herself now happy and laughing at herself. "I am going to fucking surprise her on her birthday!" Piper repeats for the third time a little bit louder.

"Surprise who?" Nicky suddenly appearing from behind her causing Piper to jolt in surprise. Piper looked at Nicky smiling. "What are you smiling at, blondie?" Nicky asks with wide eyes finding Piper weird. "Are you going to tell me what's going on? Do you like being punched in the face? Is that why you're all giddy?" Nicky asks sarcastically while laughing. Piper was about to answer when Caputo's voice calls out for Nicky.

"Nichols! See me in my office, now!" Caputo shouts from his office door. "Tell me later, blondie! What does he want from me anyway?" Nicky was muttering things while walking towards Caputo's office.

She can't believe it. She was going out in a month. She went back to her bunk. She found two letters delivered to her. She was excited because she knows that Alex will be writing her a letter. She was confused on who was the other letter from. She looked at the letters and saw that one was from Alex and the other one was from Polly. She smiled seeing Alex's hand writing. Apparently, Alex sent her mail in the morning and Polly sent it in the afternoon after Alex went to her house which is why the letters arrived together.

She chose to open Alex's letter first. Alex's letter is in a green envelope and Piper noticed that her address was still the one in Queens which made her worry that she might not be comfortable in it. She opened the envelop and unfolded the paper. She started reading the familiar hand writing.

My Pipes,

Hi, sweetie. I really really miss you. I can't believe that I am out. I wish that you are here with me but, it's just three months left, right? And then we will see each other again for good. Don't get yourself in trouble, Vause! (I like saying that. You're now a Vause anyways.)

So, today is my first actual day of freedom. Yesterday when Cal fetched me from Litchfield, we got along together easily. I love how he is like you with your foot-in-mouth disease! But, really, I love him already. I wonder how it is when the both of you are around. I smell a lot of banter and I like that!

Anyways, I bought a phone, a laptop and some groceries. My number is 646-067-0310. Please call me whenever you can because I miss your voice. I bought a laptop too. I created a profile in Facebook in the name of 'AV'. I didn't want people to find out my real name so that's just what I put as my name. I messaged Polly and we are going to see each other tomorrow. I want to make amends for you, Pipes. She is your best friend anyway and, so I will try to clear things up and make friends with her.

I am also going to look at a potential house, two potential apartments, and a commercial space for that café I was telling you. I will have it all set up by the time you get out. I was also thinking of getting a car, but I don't know which one you would like so let's talk about it this Saturday.

I hate how I'll be spending my birthday without you, but I guess I'll visit that day even for just an hour. I wish you'd come out sooner.

Enough about me. How are you holding up there? I hope you're eating right and doing fine. Just smack the shit out of Nicky on the head whenever she gives you a tough time. I'll make sure to smack her when she gets out.

I hope to hear from you soon, Pipes. I will wait for your call, for your letters and I am looking forward to this Saturday where I get to see you, hug, you, and kiss you even just for a while.

I love you so much and I miss you, PV.

Your Alex

Piper's eyes were filled with tears at this point. She misses Alex even though she just got out one day ago. She was crying and smiling at the thought that Alex is wrong about not seeing her during her birthday. Piper got excited about the thought of surprising Alex. She is so happy that she will be out in a month already. She memorized Alex's number and made a mental note to call her when the phone lines are available. She feels good on how Alex is setting up their lives outside of prison legally. No more illegal bullshit and what nots. She folded Alex's letter and brought it close to her nose smelling the faint scent that was Alex.

Piper now looked at Polly's letter. She was thinking twice about opening it because she was still hurt by her best friend, but she really misses her. She appreciates the fact that Alex is reaching out to Polly for her which is why she decided to read Polly's letter. She pulled the folded letter out of the envelope and felt that it has something inside.

She opened the letter revealing two pictures of Alex and Finn together. Piper's eyes immediately teared up when she saw the pictures. She was sitting at her bed admiring it. The first picture was Alex smiling at the camera while holding Finn who is looking at Alex adoringly. Finn's mouth was opened while smiling with his toothless smile and looking at Alex. The other photo was Alex smelling Finn's head with her eyes closed as if it was the sweetest smell whilst smiling. She was still holding Finn but this time, Finn is looking directly into the camera showcasing the biggest smile he can. He has two baby teeth in his lower gums that can be seen in the picture.

Piper looks at the pictures adoringly. 'She's going to be a great mom.' She thought. She kissed the pictures. She teared up because for the first time, she saw her godson even if it was only in a picture. She was happy that her wife gets to see Finn already. She thought that Finn looked like a mix of Polly and Pete but more of Pete. He is adorable either way. She placed the photos on her bed and opened Polly's letter.

Dear Piper,

I hope you are reading this now and not throwing it out. If you opened this letter you will see two pictures of Alex and Finn. I thought it will make you hold up in there. Alex just left half an hour ago. We talked and fixed things. She wanted to clear out things and be friends for you Pipe. I really appreciate your wife's gesture.

I'm writing to you to say it again. I am so sorry Pipe. I'm stupid and I was a bitch, but I don't want to lose my best friend because of one stupid mistake. I hope you forgive me.

Anyway, I never thought I would say this but, Alex and I got along really well. She wasn't so bad compared to the Alex ten years ago. I can see how much she loves you, Piper and you are very lucky to have her as your wife. Alex and Finn got along so fast too which was unusual because he doesn't really warm up to people that fast.

Alex told me some things about the riot and I hope that you are okay in there. Three months isn't that long Piper and I hope to see you soon. Finn will be waiting for you. I will be waiting for you and so as your wife.

I feel bad on how Alex told me that she feels sad that you won't be here for her birthday, but she said that when her birthday comes, it marks your last two months in prison.

I miss you Piper! I hope you write back or call me if you can. I know that my number is still in your list. I will be waiting.

I love and miss you, Pipe! I want my best friend back.

Polly

Piper was now sobbing thinking how much She misses her best friend and her wife, and she couldn't see her godson in person yet. She thought of writing back to Alex and Polly, but she wanted to call Alex first. Piper made her way to CO Berdie's office asking if she can add Alex's number to her call list. CO Berdie approved right away.

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Alex was exhausted when she got home. She read a book while eating her Italian take out. She keeps on looking at her phone checking every minute if someone is calling her. She wants to hear the blonde's voice so bad. She decided that she will just read a book and watch TV until she gets tired and her body decides to go to sleep. She gave herself until 10pm to say up and if Piper doesn't call, she'll call it an early night.

She also thought about the commercial space for the café she was thinking of opening. She decided that she wanted it and she was excited of building it into something new. Alex also thought of the possible cars that Piper might like and made a mental note to talk about it on Saturday.

She buried herself behind a novel that she read about a hundred times now.

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Piper looked for Nicky and Lorna in the cafeteria. They were about to eat dinner. She spotted the shorter women on the table nearest the food line. She grabbed her food made especially by Red with hot soup in it. She eyes Red mouthing her thanks. She sat down on the table with Nicky, Lorna, Yoga Jones, and Big Boo.

She was facing the food line while Nicky and Lorna are facing her.

"Hey blondie." Nicky says. "Guess what happened to me and Lorna." Nicky says playfully. Lorna kicked Nicky under the table.

"Ooohhhh. I like guessing games! Hmmmm. Did you fuck poor Lorna until she can't cum anymore?" Piper says sarcastically to Nicky. Nicky bursts out laughing while Lorna turns crimson in embarrassment. "I was kidding, honey." Piper says squeezing Lorna's hand while smiling. "What is it?" Piper asks inquiringly.

Before Nicky could answer, Piper saw Sylvie at the food line. She watched Sylvie get her food like a predator stalking its prey. She saw Blanca look at Sylvie furrowing her eyebrows or unibrow for that matter.

"Are you Sylvia?" Blanca asks Sylvie.

"Y… Yes. Is there something wrong?" Sylvie asked.

"Iho de puta! Red she's here." Blanca informs Red. Red walks towards the food line facing Sylvie from the inside. "Ty Isportil ne togo cheloveka." Red says with gritted teeth. It means 'You messed with the wrong person' in Russian. "You hurt my family, I don't give you my food. I can starve you to death, you know." Red tells Sylvie angrily. "You mess with my family, I mess with your food. You are going to leave Piper alone you understand? Not just her. My whole family." Red tells Sylvie in her thick Russian accent while looking deep into the redhead's eyes. "Now, go!" Red says hardly while pointing at the exit.

Sylvie was scared shitless. She walked out of the cafeteria angrily. She didn't know who she's messing with but, she was annoyed that she couldn't eat.

Piper, Nicky, and Lorna's eyes were wide in what just transpired. "I can't believe I was that girl when I came in. The girl who didn't eat anything for a week." Piper says still not believing her eyes.

"She fucking deserves it!" Nicky says annoyed.

"So, what happened to you two?" Piper asks while trying to eat her still shitty yet highly improved prison dinner. She looked at Nicky and Lorna curiously. Lorna is now at 7 months sporting her baby bump. Lorna wanted to get a divorce from Vinny but, Nicky told her to do it after she gives birth to avoid the stress of what is divorce.

"We're getting early releases!" Lorna says excitedly. Piper's eyes widen in excitement while eyeing the women in front of her.

"Oh my gosh!" Piper says excitedly. Nicky looks at Piper apologetically.

"Sorry blondie. At least you still get out first before us, right?" Nicky tells Piper assuming that Piper's release date was still the same.

"Who says I didn't get an early release too?" Piper says excitedly. The girls' mouths open in shock and happiness.

"Are you fucking serious?" Nicky asks Piper. Piper nods her head repeatedly to show that she is serious whilst smiling wide.

"I am getting out on December 10th. I haven't told Alex yet so please don't tell her. I am planning to surprise her because it's her birthday on the 11th." Piper explains joyfully.

"So that was what earlier is about. When you said that you were going to surprise her." Nicky concludes smiling. "Good for you, blondie!" Nicky says genuinely. All she wants is for her friends to be reunited already. She believes that the two are soulmates. "I get out in three months from my six months left and Lorna here will get out when she goes to labor which is roughly in two months." Nicky says informing Piper.

"That is awesome you guys!" Piper whisper shouts to them. They ate their dinner and returned to their bunks. "We should have double dates when we get out!" Piper says excitedly. Both women agreed. They finished their dinner after talking about anything and everything especially stuff they would do together when they get out.

They went back to their bunks and slept right away that night knowing that they were getting out sooner or later.

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Alex woke up on a Thursday morning. She was looking forward to seeing Piper on Saturday. She agreed to buy the commercial lot for the café already and so the turnover of the title will happen the next week. She decided to walk on her way home from the commercial lot. On her way home, she passed by a pet store. She peeped through the glass window and saw various pets. There were fishes, cats, dogs, hamsters, and guinea pigs. She decided to go inside just to look and see how cute the pets were. 'Keep it together, Vause. Try not to buy anything.'

After an hour inside the shop, Alex was going out with a small French Bulldog puppy. It's a white Frenchie puppy with its ears shot up revealing a pinkish color inside it. It's very adorable which is why Alex decided to buy her. She remembered Piper wanting to buy a French Bulldog when they were travelling around the world. 'I want one, Alex.' Alex still remembers the way Piper said it with her Bambi eyes. 'As much as I want to buy it for us, we don't really stay in one place, babe.' Was her reply to Piper that time.

Alex bought all the necessities needed for taking care of a puppy. She bought food trays, training pads, body leash, bed shaped like a paw, dog fence, water tray, dog food, dog treats, and even a light blue dog bow. She decided to name the puppy after what Piper wanted to name it.

'If we get that puppy, what would you name her?' Alex asked. 'Uhm, I don't know. Tank?' Piper says and the couple started laughing.

She started walking home with Tank in her tiny dog carrier. She was choosing between a brown puppy and Tank, she ended up choosing Tank as it was more playful than the other puppy who seemed to not mind Alex whilst petting it.

"Piper is going to love you!" Alex started talking to Tank. As if on cue her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was an unknown number and thought that it might be Piper calling. She answered the phone right away and she was right.

'An inmate from Litchfield Federal Prison is attempting to contact you, to accept the charges for this call, please press one.'

Alex pressed 1.

"Hello? Pipes?" Alex answered smiling.

"Hi, Al! It is so nice to hear your voice." Piper says her voice slightly shaking because of joy.

"It's so nice to hear your voice too. How have you been doing?" Alex asks joyfully. "I miss you so much, Pipes." Alex adds sadly.

"I miss you too. I can't wait for you to visit this weekend! You wouldn't believe who just entered Litchfield!" Piper says annoyed.

"I can't wait too. I'm currently walking home right now. I assume you received my letter already. Who came in Litchfield?" Alex says almost rambling knowing that their conversation will be cut short in a while.

"Yes, I actually did. Polly also sent me a letter with you and Finn's picture in it. I stuck it on my bunk wall, you look so adorable!" Piper says giddy.

"Oh, really? I guess she took my advice then." Alex says chuckling. "I can't wait to see you on Saturday, Pipes." Alex says sincerely.

"I can't wait to see you too. Can you bring change so that we can buy from the snack machine and pretend like it's a short date?" Piper says laughing. "Have you been sleeping okay, Al? I saw that you're still in your old apartment" Piper asks.

"Sure, sweetie, we'll have a small date in prison, how exciting!" Alex says sarcastically while chuckling. "Yeah I've been sleeping fine. It would be much better with you though." Alex says with sadness evident in her voice. "Have you been sleeping okay?" Alex asks.

"I know it is much better with me, babe. I've been sleeping well because I am looking forward to this Saturday." Piper says smiling thinking about her surprise for Alex. She made a mental note to call Cal or Polly to plan her surprise.

"I am looking forward to it too, babe. Wait, you haven't answered my question yet, who arrived in Litchfield?" Alex asks curiously.

"Oh, just your ex, Sylvie." Piper says annoyed.

'Inmate! Wrap it up!' Alex heard a CO from the background warn Piper.

"Alex, I need to go. The line is building up. I'll see you on Saturday, honey." Piper says rushing to say goodbye because of the CO.

"Okay, Pipes. I'll see you on Saturday. Don't get into trouble. I love you." Alex says smiling to the thought of seeing Piper on the weekend.

"I love you too, Al. Bye!" Piper concludes the call.

Alex was smiling because she finally heard Piper's voice again and she really is looking forward to seeing the blonde this Saturday. She remembered that Piper said that Sylvie was in Litchfield and it got her worried. Sylvie and she didn't close out on good terms. She dumped Sylvie for Piper and there is no regret in that. She just knows that Sylvie is a bitch and will be a total bitch to Piper. She is now wondering if Piper and Sylvie have seen each other in Litchfield.

She arrived home setting up training pads and Tank's trays. She released Tank from her dog carrier. When Tank got out, she ran puppy steps towards Alex's feet and bumping her toes as if playing with it. Alex stepped backward, and Tank followed her feet and smelled it.

"Is it stinky, girl?" Alex says chuckling. Tank looked up at her and opened his mouth with his tongue hanging out. Alex cannot resist and lifted Tank up, smelling the puppy on its head. Tank licked Alex on the cheek several times. "Tank! All right, enough, Piper will get jealous if you pull that stunt in front of her." Alex says laughing at how adorable Tank is being. "I'd have a dozen of you rather than having Amelia von Barlow as mine and Piper's 'pet human'." Alex says laughing to the memory of how annoying Linda was during the riot.

She laid down on the couch burying herself in a book. Tank was lying down on her stomach. Alex felt something warm build up on top of her until it was soaking her shirt. "Oh my gosh! Tank! I am not your toilet. I'm going to have to give you a timeout." Alex says as if scolding a child.

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Piper just finished talking to Alex and she has a wide smile on her face. She went back to her bunk before going to work. She found Lorna reading baby magazines on her bed. Lorna was looking at about a dozen of magazines.

"You look extra perky today." Lorna says in her Brooklyn accent. Piper laughs at the memory when Alex said the exact same thing during the riot.

"I just talked to Alex." Piper says smiling widely.

"I am so excited to see her this Saturday, Lorna. Have you seen her and Finn's picture?" Piper grabs the picture from her wall and shows it to Lorna.

"Yeah, hun, they look so adorable!" Lorna says almost squealing. "She looks like she's going to be a great mom." Lorna says smiling. "You're going to be a great mom too, Lorna." Piper assures the short brunette.

Piper sat on her bunk relaxing a bit. "So, what are your plans when you get out?" Piper asks curiously. Lorna's eyebrows shot up. "I mean if you don't want to talk about it it's okay." Piper says hesitating.

"No, it's okay." Lorna says smiling. "It's just that no one really asked me that question yet." Lorna says vulnerably. "Well, I love Nicky so much and I want to be with her. I'm worried on settling my divorce with Vinny." Lorna says worried.

"Well, Lorna, just do what makes you happy. You know, I thought choosing Larry will make me happy that time and, so I chose him over Alex. But, what I didn't know is that Larry didn't complete me. He didn't make me happy. I wasn't really in love with him." Piper says nonchalantly.

"How did you know that?" Lorna asks Piper questioningly. "I mean how did you know that you loved Alex and not Larry?" Lorna asks seriously wanting to know.

"I never stopped loving her even when I was with Larry. I was just scared when I first saw her again here in Litchfield because all the feelings grew clearer. I knew that I love her. That's when I felt that I'm scared. I'm scared because I am my real self in here and sometimes I do not like what I feel because it is not what people want me to feel. People keep on dictating what I should feel but in reality, I should be the one deciding on what to really feel." Piper says almost rambling. "But, I've learned a very important lesson. It is okay to be scared too because that's when you know how you truly feel." Piper assures Lorna. She knows how Lorna feels though there is a comparison of complexity between her and Alex's relationship versus Lorna and Nicky's because Lorna is now pregnant, which made everything much more complicated.

"Maybe I am scared." Lorna concludes. "Maybe I WAS scared especially when Nicky went to max. I thought she was never coming back. I blamed her but, it wasn't really her fault." Lorna says sadly. "I want a life with her, Piper." Lorna said sad smiling.

"You know Lorna, you just have to accept what's real and what's not. And now, Nicky is real." Piper says smiling at Lorna. "Hey. Remember what you said before the riot when we were eating lunch?" Piper asks Lorna. Lorna looked at Piper in the eyes and they instantly thought of the same thing.

"Love will find a way." Both women said together whilst smiling then chuckling. Piper went to Lorna's bed and gave the shorter woman a hug.

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Saturday came and both Alex and Piper were excited. Visitation is at noon and Alex was all dressed up and ready to leave her apartment. She bought a dog sling so that she can bring tank anywhere. She didn't want to leave Tank alone in the apartment and so she's bringing her to Litchfield. She knows that she isn't allowed to bring Tank inside the visitation area, but she could leave it in the room before entering the metal detectors. She thought she would ask Fischer to keep her for a while.

She had a two-hour bus ride going to Litchfield. Good thing, Tank was in her doggy diapers and, so she didn't pee on Alex again. She took out Tank on the sling and put her in her body leash so that she can walk freely. Before entering the prison entrance, she lifted Tank into her arms protectively. She saw that her former counselor Berdie Rogers was assigned at the window.

Berdie saw Alex walking towards the window so she flashed Alex a wide smile. "Hey Vause! That's a cute puppy you have there!" Berdie says smiling wide looking at Tank. "I'm afraid she has to stay here. You can't bring it in there." Berdie says apologetically.

"Can you keep her while I go inside?" Alex asks nicely. She was a bit shy because she was harsh the last time they had a counselling session.

"Of course! I'll tell her all about you and your 'pulse checking' stunt back then. What's her name?" Berdie looks at Alex teasingly. Alex blushed

"Tank." Alex chuckles. Berdie chuckles at the name too. "It's a long story." Alex shakes her head dismissingly.

Alex felt like someone was behind her, but she didn't mind it. She just thought that it was someone waiting in line to register at Berdie's window. "So, I assume you are here to visit Mrs. Piper Vause?" Berdie says smiling at Alex.

Just as Alex was about to answer, someone barged in angrily from behind, pushing Alex to get out of the way. "What? What do you mean Piper Vause? Who the hell is Piper Vause?"

A/N:That's it for Chapter 11

Stay tuned! Sorry for the cliffhangers. Guess who!

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