Chapter 14
A/N: I do not own anything. I just made the story! :)
"Oh my gosh. Vause?!" Brooke says shocked. "You're out already? When did you get out?" Brooke asked questioningly.
"About two weeks ago. When did you? Get out?" Alex asks.
"About a week ago." Brook says sadly. Alex can see that Soso was still sad but little by little is moving on already from her girlfriend's death. "Well I saw your flyer along Central Park and I was thinking if I can apply for the job." Brooke says nervously.
"Would you look at that!" Taystee says in a loud voice. Brooke looks behind her and sees Taystee. Her mouth was wide opened in shock.
"Oh my gosh Taystee." Brook says shocked once again. Taystee approaches the shorter woman and gives her a brief hug. They've shared a misunderstanding before but, building up the memorial library for Poussey during the riot made them fall in the same page.
"Okay now, enough with all the drama." Alex says chuckling. Taystee and Brooke followed suit. "You're hired." Alex tells Brooke right away.
"Oh, aren't you supposed to interview me first if I fit into the job? Or tell me my job description? Or teach me what to do? Or make sure I know what I'm doing?" Brooke rambles. Alex rolls her eyes in mock annoyance.
"Do you want the job or not? I would rather hire the both of you, people that somehow, I know from prison and I think has the skills to work in this café, than people who I don't know, and I have a doubt in their profiles. You like books and you like rambling, right?" Alex says laughing at Soso. Taystee burst out in laughing.
"Oh, Vause you have no idea. Sometimes she doesn't stop talking!" Taystee says still laughing. Brooke rolled her eyes but was smiling because she knows it's true and she was immediately given a job.
"So, what will I be doing? Where can I use my skills of rambling?" Brooke chuckles.
"You'll be assigned at the café and the register with another person I will hire. I want you to lure customers in with your rambling, not out. Understand?" Alex was chuckling teasingly.
Alex and Brooke never really crossed paths during prison except during the death of Poussey and the riot. Alex saw how devastated Soso was and she tried empathizing with this girl. She thought that if it happened to Piper, she wouldn't know what to do with her life anymore and, so she respects how courageous Brooke was in trying to find a job.
"Wait, you stayed at the other prison, right?" Alex asks. Brooke nodded.
"You best be knowing that Vause here is married now and be aware that we're working for her and her wife." Taystee informs Brooke. Brooke's eyebrows shot up as if inquiring.
"So, a lot happened back at Litchfield huh?" Brooke asks. "Oh my gosh! You're married? Is she who I think she is?" Brooke asks shocked chuckling. Taystee and Alex nodded whilst laughing at the younger girl's realization.
"For fucks sake, she tried trading me for a blanket!" Brooke says laughing. Alex and Taystee burst out in laughter.
"Got room for one more?" A woman walks in the café holding up the flyer.
Alex, Taystee, and Brooke's eyes were wide in shock. "Now, how did this happen?" Taystee asks loudly not believing the person they are looking at that very moment.
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Piper sent out a mail to Polly with instructions about her plans for planning her surprise for Alex. She created a well-constructed plan that she made sure Alex would appreciate. She was happy about it. She made her way back to the phone area and luckily, there is no line. She picked up a phone and dialed Polly's number.
"Hello, Pipe?" Polly answers.
"Pol! It's nice to hear your voice. I sent you a mail with the instructions on what I want to happen on the 10th of December. Please please please make it happen okay?" Piper tells Polly.
"Yes! I will make sure of it. We are actually doing it at your house Piper. Alex is moving in tomorrow." Polly informs her best friend.
"Yeah, Alex told me about it. Is it true that she even invited my parents and Cal and Neri?" Piper asks curiously.
"She did! Yes. She really wants to impress your parents, Pipe. And I could say she's doing a decent job at it." Polly says chuckling.
"I know. I bet she misses her mom which is why she is trying to appreciate my parents." Piper says smiling on the phone. "I'm really excited to get out of here, Pol. I miss my wife so much, sometimes it hurts that she's not even here." Piper says sadly.
"Two weeks, Piper. Two more weeks." Polly says encouraging Piper.
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"When did you get out? How did you get out? How are you?" Alex asks Daya curiously. She has a soft spot for this girl because during the riot, she saw that they had the same goals and wants. They just wanted to ride the riot out but unfortunately for Daya, she needed to surrender to save more people.
"I got out two weeks ago. They gave me compassionate release because I had a pneumonia for three weeks. I went to trial for Humphrey's death, but it turns out that the gun shot didn't kill him. He had a stroke from blowing bubbles in his IV drip." Daya informs everyone. "I'm glad I'm out. It's crazy as shit in there." Daya looks at them chuckling.
"I'm sorry for what we did in there." Taystee says sincerely to Daya.
"I'm sorry for my wife too. She may be a bitch sometimes, Prison has done a number on her." Alex says sincerely. Daya's head shot up to Alex's revelation.
"Your wife? Chapman? Did she get out too? A lot happened in about six months huh?" Daya says chuckling with sad eyes. "I'm happy for you, Vause." Daya assures Alex "Your wife can be a bitch sometimes but at the end of the day she's just really a privileged white girl. She didn't choose that life. She grew into it." Daya says nonchalantly.
Daya is a smart woman who can also see the lives of other people inside prison. She remembered asking Piper on how big their house is. Piper didn't mean to appear as a privileged white girl but that's how it appeared when she described her house to Daya and Lorna that time. She even remembered Piper asking her for what her panty size is.
"I've always rooted for you two anyway. Not that Stella shit." Daya says laughing. Alex shakes her head.
"Okay. Now you're hired." Alex burst out in laughter.
"What? Already?" Daya asks shocked. Alex, Taystee, and Brooke nodded.
"That's how we got the job too." Taystee and Brooke admits.
"I need you to make the coffee and serve the pastries to the customers. You'll be there behind the counter with Brooke." Alex says nonchalantly. "I know you worked in the kitchen before and maybe we can use your skills in serving food and coffee, right? The job's perfect for you!" Alex says smiling.
Alex leans down as she sees Tank approaching. "Hey girl!" She grabs Tank who walked puppy steps towards her. "Hey guys meet mine and Piper's puppy, Tank." Alex introduces Tank to everyone.
"Oh my gosh she is adorable." Brooke says petting Tank on the head.
"She's whiter than white." Taystee chuckles on her own remark.
"She's wearing diapers!" Daya chuckled sadly. She remembered her daughter Armaria.
This didn't come unnoticed by Alex and she made a mental note to ask Daya later. Alex briefed the three women on the basics about the café and their duties and responsibilities before dismissing them. Brooke and Daya went home while Alex and Taystee went to her apartment in Queens.
Alex showed Taystee the apartment and gave her the keys. She made sure that she had everything packed for her move in her new house the next day. She was excited because it is the home where Piper and she will be starting their family.
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December 10th
Alex woke up at about 11am. The past two weeks have been tiring for her, she has moved in to their new house, Diane's, their café/library, is now in full operations. She told Piper that she'll name their café after Diane and Piper agreed joyfully because she knows that Alex didn't get the chance to give back to her mom and this is the only thing that she can do for her. She also bought herself a Range Rover Velar to make visitations with Piper much more convenient.
She told the blonde the past week that Taystee, Brooke and Daya are now working for them. Piper was glad that they could help provide work for people like them who doesn't have a big shot in the real world. She thought that not everyone is given as much wealth as she and Alex have and so she was happy that they are working for them.
Alex hasn't received any letters from the blonde for the past week and she haven't received calls from her either. She was looking forward to the next day wherein she will be visiting her wife for her own birthday. Little did she know about the events that would transpire that day.
She checked her phone for any messages and she didn't find any except for some business-related ones. When she was about to get up when she saw Tank approaching. Tank grew bigger over the past three weeks. If it is in human terms, Tank is now a toddler dog. He gained weight and stretched in length too. She trained Tank several things during the three weeks. She potty trained her, she taught her how to fetch and to get the daily newspaper or letters and bring it to her. She noticed that Tank was holding something in her mouth that looks like a rolled piece of paper. She grabbed it and opened it confused as to what it might be. She smiled at the familiar handwriting.
Good morning sleepy head!
I am going to make you feel that I am there when you celebrate your birthday tonight! I can't wait to see you tomorrow too but, I won't just give you an easy way out. I wish that I could be there to celebrate with you tonight, babe.
I want you to look outside at the porch. I left something special for you and I hope you'll like it.
I love you, Alex.
Love,
Piper xx
Alex didn't notice that she was smiling widely while reading her wife's note. She has a lot of questions running through her head, but she decided to ask Piper tomorrow when she sees her during visitation. She was now wondering what could it be that Piper left at the porch for her. She was wearing one of Piper's old Smith tees that she kept through the years and silk pajamas. She put on a robe to avoid getting cold when she reaches the porch.
She went down the stairs and walked towards the door. She opened the door and was surprised when she saw a huge bouquet of about 50 blue roses on the porch. She remembered the time Piper gave her a blue rose when she came home from work and told her that she wanted to give Alex a blue rose because it reminds her of her blue hair tips. She smiled at the memory, leaned down to retrieve the roses. She saw that there was a note, similar to the one that Tank gave her, that was stuffed in between the roses. She went inside and closed the door behind her and then she searched for two vases to put the roses in.
"It's beautiful." Alex mutters to herself. She pulled out the note that was stuffed in between the roses and read the familiar handwriting once again.
Hey babe!
I hope you like these. It reminds me of your blue tips back when we were travelling together. I know how we are like red state/blue state couples or how we are so much like Maria and Arnold but, one thing's for sure. We both like E.E Cummings!
"I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)"
Babe, this line describes my love for you. After everything that we've been through, I realized how much I will regret if I lose you and if I don't wake up by your side. I'm glad you are my wife.
I hope tonight I can sleep beside you with my head on your shoulder and us just talking about anything and everything. I'm glad my family will be celebrating with you.
Enough of the drama, I need you to go to Diane's right now and get Poussey's favorite book.
I heart you, Al.
Love,
Pipes xx
Alex didn't notice that she has tears going down her eyes already. She didn't realize how touched she was by Piper's words. She realized how much she loves Piper as well. By reading the last line, she was confused. "What is Poussey's favorite book?" She mutters to herself. She changed, and she immediately drove to Diane's. She left Tank at home because she knew she wouldn't take long.
"Hey boss!" Days shouts happily.
"It's Alex, Daya. Not boss." Alex says then smiles.
"Where's Taystee?" Alex asks.
"Library, fixing books I guess." Brooke answers while fixing book inventories. There were several customers drinking coffee and scanning books. She found Taystee fixing one of the shelves.
"Taystee, can I ask you a question?" Alex asks seriously. Taystee grinned at Alex and smiles big at her.
"Do you know something about this? Did Piper write to you to do this?" Alex asks laughing. She's ecstatic about the fact that Piper put so much effort in her surprise for the raven-haired woman. Taystee closes her mouth and gestures closing her mouth as if it has a zipper on it. "Oh my gosh really huh?" Alex says laughing. "So, will you show me what Poussey's favorite book is?" Alex asks smiling. She wants to know what Piper must say next through the letters. She's been longing for the blonde for about a month now. She's been longing for her kiss, her hug, her touch, and even her sight. Taystee repeats the gesture just to give Alex a tough time. Alex shakes her head laughing approaching Brooke. "Hey, Soso, What's Poussey's favorite book?" Alex asks curiously.
"Alice in Wonderland" Brooke says smiling. Alex rushes to the shelves searching for that book. When she found it, she opened the book revealing another letter. She opened the letter.
Wow you found it! Just like how you found me in that bar sometime years ago. Just like how I found the true meaning of love through the hot and sexy lesbian who became my wife. I am so grateful that I will see you very soon. And soon, we will be able to start our little family.
Look for Daya and she'll give you something. You need to give that 'something' to the person who will be giving you your birthday cake tonight. I hope that you enjoy your birthday with my family tonight!
I will see you soon. Advanced Happy Birthday, love.
Love,
Pipes xx
P.S. I miss you so bad. :(
Alex found herself laughing with tears going down her eyes. It dawned on her that she will be celebrating her birthday without her wife. It was sometime ten years ago when she celebrated her birthday with Piper. She smiled at the memory of them swimming in one of the beaches in Maldives. She walked towards Daya to retrieve her 'prize' that she needs to give to the bearer of her birthday cake.
She was still tearing up while laughing. She misses her wife so bad too. She didn't realize that until she read the last line of the letter. "It's okay she'll be out soon." Daya says nonchalantly. "She really got into you huh?" Daya asks.
"I've been in love for her for more than ten years. Once I started I wasn't able to stop. Just like heroin but, my love for her is worth more than anything." Alex admits. Daya's expression changed from shocked to sadness to empathy to love.
"She'll be out soon. I promise, boss." Daya says sincerely. Alex gives her a smile.
"Can I please get my prize?" Alex asks chuckling. "I can't believe Piper set this all up." She adds shaking her head. Daya smiles and chuckles then retrieves a paper bag from under the counter. She opened the bag to peep inside. It has two burgers seared on the grill with tomato and melted cheese, on a fresh, soft, potato roll. And two milk shakes. Alex's eyes widened in surprise. "Am I supposed to eat this?" Alex asks confused. She realized that those were her and Piper's favorite burgers.
"Remember it's for the person who will bring your cake tonight so I'd rather not. If I were you." Daya says chuckling.
"Okay fine. I need to take this home, so I can put the milk shakes in the freezer. Whoever will bring my birthday cake better be special coz they'll be receiving these Shake Shack burgers. I also hope Piper told them my favorite cake. Only Diane and Piper knows that." Alex says chuckling. Daya shakes her head thinking that Alex is going to be really surprised tonight. She walked towards the exit waving goodbye to the girls. "Close up by 8pm and have dinner at home okay? You guys are invited." Alex reminds them. The girls said yes, and Alex drove back home with the Shake Shack burgers and milk shake.
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When Alex got home, she cleaned up the place and prepared for the party. It was about 4pm and people are coming in by 6pm. She was expecting a call from Piper but, there was no call received. "Please don't be in the SHU. What did you do now, babe?" Alex talks to herself worried of the reasons why Piper hasn't called yet. She just busied herself in tidying up their house and cooking. She was cooking Bolognese lasagna because she misses Piper. This dish is just an addition to the other dishes that her visitors will bring. They decided to have a potluck birthday party so that Alex won't get tired cooking since it is her birthday celebration.
Alex stared at the Shake Shack burgers on the counter. She wondered who will be bringing her cake, but she figured it might be Cal or Polly. "I am so going to get one with Piper when she gets out. Ohh, those grilled onions and melted cheese" Alex thought of it while closing her eyes imagining the taste of the burger. She laughs afterwards thinking she was silly.
It was 5pm when she finished preparing everything. She prepared the Bolognese lasagna, she bought soda and wine, so people can choose and she bought a bottle of bourbon because she knows that Bill loves drinking bourbon neat. Carol and Bill invited Alex for dinner one night and Alex accepted the invitation but, since she got invited the week she just moved in their new house, she asked the Chapmans if they wanted to have dinner at her and Piper's house instead. They agreed and enjoyed dinner with Alex.
They learned more about Alex's life. About her dad who was a famous rock star but, didn't really care at all. Even if it is hard, she also talked to them about how she got into the drug cartel. Alex apologized almost the whole night for bringing Piper into prison. Carol and Bill accepted her apology and then they went off from there. They were comfortable with each other to say the least.
Bill felt bad because he has judged Alex before. He felt bad that Alex didn't have a father who supported her. He learned that Diane worked three jobs just to give Alex food, clothing and shelter. Now, he understands that Alex joined the cartel because she is in desperate need of money until she drowned in the drug ring.
Carol, on the other hand, felt guilty for dictating the life that she wants for Piper. She realized that the more they control and manipulate the life that they want for their children, the more that they do the opposite. When she heard of Diane's heroics as a mother, she felt jealous that she wasn't the same way to Piper or to Cal and Danny. And so, she is amazed at how Diane and Alex survived the game of life.
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It was fifteen minutes to 3pm and Piper is now saying her goodbyes to the inmates. They had a mini going away party for Piper in the rec room. Nicky convinced Caputo to allow them to use an instant polaroid camera for Piper's last half an hour in Litchfield. Nicky's purpose for it is really for Alex so that they can take pictures and write short messages for her.
They took pictures and wrote messages on the developed pictures. "Take care of yourself and of your wife out there. I will see you in a year. Don't you get married again without me." Red says in her thick Russian accent but has a motherly tone. Piper hugged Red.
"Thank you for everything you have done for me and Alex, Red. We couldn't have made it without you." Piper said pulling away with tears in her eyes.
"Heya blondie, please visit Lorna when she delivers our baby." Nicky says sadly thinking that she may not be able to visit Lorna when Lorna is having the baby already. She is already proud to call Lorna's baby as her own.
"Will do, Nick." Piper assures Nicky hugging her. "Give this to Vause from me and Lorna and wish her a happy birthday from us." Nicky tells Piper. Lorna approached Piper with a hug.
"We'll see you outside, hun. Please tell Alex a happy birthday from us. And you two take care of each other!" Lorna says in her Brooklyn accent.
"Will do, Lorna. Thank you." Piper says with a tear rolling down her eye.
They were now in the visitation room getting ready to say goodbye to Piper. "Tell your wife we said hi!" Yoga Jones said.
"Tell mah girl Taystee we said hello!" Cindy says excitedly.
"Take care. Once you get out, do not look back." Red says with tears in her eyes.
"Take care, Vause. We love you. And we'll see you soon." Nicky says sadly. Lorna tries to comfort Nicky but failed as she was crying too. They formed a special bond in prison that nobody could ever break. Piper hugged the girls and kissed Lorna and Nicky on their foreheads.
"I love you guys. I'll see you when you guys get out okay? If you need a lift from here, just call me okay? We'll send letters and call us, okay?" Piper says now walking towards the exit area.
Everyone was waving goodbye through the window. Piper was greeted by Cal from the outside of prison. Piper waved her last goodbye to her friends inside and blew a kiss for all of them.
"Welcome to your freedom, sis!" Cal says with open arms waiting for Piper to hug him. Piper attacked Cal with a tight hug then pulled away. "Let's go? Your wife is waiting for the party to get started." Cal chuckles.
"Well we need to get her birthday cake to complete the surprise. We need to stop by Dominic Ansel's Bakery in the city." Piper says smiling excitedly.
"Sis, you know that the birthday cake doesn't complete the surprise, right? It's you." Cal smiles and then chuckles once again. Piper smiles at Cal sweetly. She can't wait to see the love of her life.
They travelled for two hours from Litchfield to the city to Dominic Ansel's Bakery. Piper bought Alex's favorite cake and decided that she'd buy Alex's gift the next day. "This is it. We're about 20 minutes away, Piper!" Cal says excitedly while driving to Alex and Piper's house. Piper was nervous and excited to see her wife. She doesn't know what to expect seeing her wife's reaction that she is actually there.
"I guess I'll find out later." Piper whispers to herself.
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It was 10 minutes before 6pm and visitors started coming in. Polly, Pete and Finn got there first. They greeted Alex with a hug wishing her a happy birthday. Finn hugged Alex's leg. Finn is a smart one-year old and he can mumble things such as 'mama', 'dada', and what Polly cannot believe is he started trying to say 'Awix'. Alex spends time with Finn when she can. Especially when Polly and Pete needs 'alone time' she'd happily baby sit Finn and teach her how to say 'Alex'. Luckily for Alex, 'awix' is the closest thing to her name.
Tank licks Finn on his face which Finn loved. Finn got along with Tank too since he is staying with Alex, he also found a friend in Tank. Alex lifted Finn and kissed him on his head. "Finn, give Alex her birthday cake." Polly says sweetly. Finn extends his hand giving Alex a very small almost small as a cupcake birthday cake with one candle poked on the center. It was a mini strawberry shortcake.
"Thank you Finny" Alex looks at Finn tickling him. He chuckles. "So, am I supposed to give him the Shake Shack burgers?" Alex says laughing whilst eyeing Polly. Polly closed her lips and gestured closing her mouth with a zipper. "Oh, so it's like that now huh?" Alex says chuckling while shaking her head then smiled sadly at Polly. "She hasn't called yet today, Pol." Alex admitted sadly. "Did she call you?" Alex asks. Polly shakes her head. "I'm worried that she might be in the SHU." Alex admits to Polly worriedly. Polly wanted to tell Alex about the surprise already because she feels bad about what Alex is thinking but, she didn't want to be the party pooper.
"Maybe she'll call later after dinner?" Polly says trying to assure Alex.
The doorbell rang once again, and it was Bill, Carol. And Neri. Alex greeted them with hugs. "Where's Cal?" Alex asked curiously.
"He just got beer and he's bringing the salmon with lemon cream sauce. They bought Carol's famous chicken casserole with herbed mashed potatoes while Polly and Pete brought beef bourguignon and garlic bread. They were just waiting for Cal to arrive so that they can start eating.
Alex looked at the people who were in her house, she thought these are the people who she'll be with for the rest of her life and she could live with that especially with a certain blonde by her side. She smiled as she remembers that in two months. Piper is being released.
It was already 15 minutes after 6pm and Cal still hasn't arrived so he decided to text Cal.
To Cal:
Where are you at, Cal? Make sure not to finish the beers even before you get here. *laughing emoji*
Alex didn't expect any reply because she knows that Cal is driving. Just as she was wondering about it, her phone buzzed.
Fr Cal:
Haha funny! But, sorry I already did. *smug emoji*
To Cal:
Hey aren't you driving? You shouldn't text and drive, Cal. You know that. Just get here safe okay?
When she was about to press the send button, she heard the doorbell ring once again. "Oh, that's why. He's here." Alex mutters to herself walking towards the door. She saw that Pete was about to get the door, so she stopped.
"Pete! I need you here now please." Polly asks Pete urgently and harshly. "I'll get it Pete, go to Polly." Alex assures Pete.
Carol, Bill and Neri were at one couch and while Polly, Pete and Finn were at the other. They were talking to each other. "Do you think that's Piper now?" Carol whispers at Bill.
"I think that's them" Neri tells the Chapmans.
"Pete, you weren't supposed to answer the door earlier. You almost ruined the surprise!" Polly whispers at Pete annoyed at what happened then nudges Pete on the arm. "Good thing we recovered from that." Polly says nonchalantly.
Everyone was watching the door in anticipation. They knew who it was at the door. They see Alex approach the door and open it.
Alex approaches the door and stretches her hand to unlock and open with the doorknob. She pulls the door open and looks in front of her. Her mouth immediately fell open cannot believe what she's seeing.
She is seeing the most beautiful woman that she thinks ever existed. She saw those baby blues and bambi smiling eyes. She saw those dimples at the sides of Piper lips. Lips that were tugging upward to a smile. She saw that blonde hair half tied with her bangs falling on the side. She saw the beautiful woman that she married about three months ago right in front of her on their porch and not in prison. She saw her wife carrying a cake box so big it almost looked like it is very heavy.
Alex, still, cannot believe her eyes. Alex walked towards Piper trying to see if her wife is real. She tried to blink but She still is seeing her wife in front of her She tried shaking her head thinking maybe she's just hallucinating but, Piper is still in front of her and close to her. She didn't notice that she was smiling, and tears of joy were rolling down her eyes. She reached out and cupped Piper's cheek just to feel that she is real.
"Pipes." Alex says her voice barely above whisper while smiling and with tears in her eyes.
"Maybe this is a bad time to say hi. Huh?" Piper says smiling with tears of joy rolling down her eyes as well.
A/N: Okay so this is not really a cliffhanger so please don't hate me. Lol! That's it for this chapter 14.
I will be updating asap, and it will be domestic Vauseman from then on with some fluff, smut, angst, and a little bit of everything.
I hope you guys are enjoying the story. Should I continue, or should I end?
I'd appreciate your feedback! Thanks!