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The day of the dinner had arrived and Alex was fussing over what she was going to wear. She wanted to make this as smooth as possible. She knew if she did everything in her power to make Piper's parents like her, that if they still refused to accept her, she somewhat selfishly had a clear conscious. Piper was in an irritable mood and Alex knew it was because she was nervous, so she had kept her distance the entire day in the hopes that space was what she needed. Alex had decided to wear a three piece suite since Piper had told her the restaurant Bill had chosen was formal and in true Chapman form had told Piper to "Dress like a lady."
Piper came out of the bathroom with her hair slightly curled and a blue dress that sat just off her shoulders. It was tight around her waist and then fell in pleats down to her knee. Alex's eyebrows raised when she saw her but she decided against teasing her.
There was one small detail Piper hadn't told Alex and she knew she was going to blow up when she found out. As they pulled up outside the restaurant she knew it was now or never.
"So, there's something I have to tell you. Please don't be mad. I have my reasons.
"Piper? What is it?"
"My parents don't know you are coming to dinner tonight."
"What?"
"I knew the only way they would have dinner with us was if they thought I was going to be alone."
"Piper! Jesus fuck!"
Alex felt like her stomach had jumped into her throat. She had stressed all day over meeting Piper's parents again and making a good impression, thinking that had given her another chance, when really they had only agreed to come when they thought Piper would be without her.
Piper was looking down at her knees, not daring to look at Alex's expression. She knew she would be angry but she didn't see how else this was going to work.
"Please, just come in with me. If they don't accept us, I'm not going to stay. I just want one last shot at it."
Alex breathed out through her nose and ran her hand through her hair.
"Piper, the only reason I'm here is because I thought they were giving me, US, another chance. As soon as they see me you know what will happen."
"Please, Al. Just come in."
"I'll come in but you know how this is going to end. It's not going to be pretty."
Alex abruptly left the car, the slam of the car door making Piper jump.
Piper hurriedly got out of the car and rushed to Alex's side. She knew Alex was pissed at her and she was silently praying to god that this would work.
As they walked in they could see Bill and Carol seated at a table just over from the bar. Carol had her back to them, whilst Bill was facing in the direction they were walking. When he caught sight of them his eyes widened.
"Mom, Dad."
Piper greeted them sheepishly and Carol turned to look at her. Her eyes widened when she saw Alex,
"Piper I thought this was meant to be a family dinner." Carol put emphasis on the word family.
"Mom, I'm sorry but Alex is my family as far as I'm concerned. She is here and she is staying."
Piper placed her hand on the small of Alex's back and guided her into a seat. The silence was thick as they sat down in their places, Alex glancing around, trying to size up the situation.
Carol looked shocked once again at Pipers abruptness. She wasn't used to being put in her place from anyone. Especially not Piper, who until now, had gone along with her life exactly how they wanted her to.
"Piper. I'm not going to stand for your insolence."
For the first time, Bill spoke up in his daughter's defence.
"Carol, enough. Alex is here trying her best. Be quiet and hear them out before judging them."
Both Piper and Alex's eyes were wide as saucers as they processed what Bill had said.
Carol, upon hearing what Bill had to say, had excused herself from the table to go to the bathroom.
Piper glanced over to her father. "Dad, thanks for that. I know she won't like what you said, but its true. Alex is here to make things right. She is good for me, her gender shouldn't matter."
"I know, honey. Your mother is set in her ways, you know that. This isn't my ideal situation for you to be in. To be honest, this isn't what I wanted for you Piper. No offense, Alex."
Alex slightly nodded her head in response before looking back down at the table.
"I know this isn't what you envisioned for me, daddy. But the thing is, I love Alex. I'm not going to leave her just because it doesn't fit in with yours or mom's ideals. Alex is the best thing that has happened to me, ever."
Carol approached the table and sat down midway through Piper's speech. She pointedly looked towards Carol as she continued.
"I want to have you guys in my life. I'm afraid if you can't accept Alex, just because of her gender. Then I can't be around you anymore. You lose your only daughter due to something so petty."
Piper knew this was the point where it went well or she cut her losses and walked away with Alex knowing where she stood.
"I can't accept the fact you are with a woman, Piper. I'm sorry. I will never fully accept it." Carol spat.
The tension around the table increased threefold as Piper glanced up at Alex who was still looking at the table in front of her.
"But I don't want to lose you, Piper. So as long as you don't push your luck, I will acknowledge Alex. I will only reference her in public as your friend. What you do in your spare time with Alex has nothing to do with me and I don't want it tarnishing our family name."
Carol looked to Alex who was now staring back at her.
"Mrs Chapman. I know you didn't expect Piper to bring home a woman but I love your daughter and I don't see why my gender has anything to do with it. Sure, its not the most conventional relationship but we love each other. You know I have the restaurant and I can support her just as anyone else would be able to. You don't have to be involved in our relationship. It has nothing to do with you what Piper and I do behind closed doors but I just want you to have a good relationship with Piper. I know what it's like to not have your parents around and I don't want that for her. So if you would let me take care of your daughter, know she won't ever go without anything she needs or wants and she will always be loved."
Piper looked over at Alex. Her eyes had filled with tears as she took in the brunettes admission.
Carol was rendered speechless and Bill stepped in. "Look, Alex, this isn't going to be an overnight thing but I'm willing to try to accept this for the sake of our relationship with Piper. We heard what happened with Larry and I would like to thank you for stepping up to protect my daughter."
Carol looked overwhelmed. She had drank almost an entire bottle of red wine since they had sat down to dinner. She looked up and glanced around at each of them before she stood up from her seat. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go. Maybe you and Alex could come over for dinner one day next week." She then sniffled and turned to stride out of the restaurant, Bill standing to follow her.
"Tabs on me, honey, order something nice. She needs time to process all of this. Let us know how it goes in court."
He quickly pecked Piper on the cheek and gave Piper a quick hug before taking off after his wife.
Piper looked to Alex who was looking back at her bewildered as to what just happened.
"Welcome to the dysfunctional family." Piper stated before leaning her head against Alex's shoulder and letting out a puff of air from her mouth.
