Chapter 21

A content moan alleviated the silence within the room, as the body beneath the sheets stirred to stretch out their limbs. Her eyes still shut, her body relaxed back into the warmth and snugness of the bed. Spontaneously reaching out for the body that lay beside her, that all too familiar touch that greeted her each morning. A touch that provided warmth and contentment. Her eyes didn't flutter open as she wrapped her arm tightly around her companion's torso, a memorable form that she knew too well. So much, that it required no hesitancy with her actions as she leaned in placing a soft kiss against her lover's forehead. Her eyes still closed shut. Certain of the position of the body next to her. There was only one way that Piper Chapman slept. On her side facing Alex. Their bodies never too far apart, if not touching.

It wasn't often that Alex would wake up before Piper. For those times that she did she wasted no time in showing her affection to the girl beside her. Smug with the sight that always greeted her, the person that she could call her own, the captivating Piper. Today would be no different. As a smile spread across Alex's lips, shuffling closer to Piper's body, her arm wrapped tighter around the blonde. Intertwining her legs with the girl beside her, for the second time Alex leaned to place a gentle kiss on Piper's cheek. But her lips didn't make it as far as Piper's skin, stopped at the familiar and memorable touch of Piper's soft lips.

"Happy Birthday Al."

For the first time that morning, Alex's eyes fluttered open. Not a task she found difficult, especially knowing the gratifying look and heart-warming smile that her gaze would instantly be locked upon.

She had been wrong in thinking that Piper was sleeping.

Through all of the minor movement between stretching her limbs, to the touch of soft lips Piper had been laying on her side, her blue eyes mesmerised by the beauty of Alex. The softness of her pale skin, contrasting with her dark locks was a sight that Piper would never get bored of. A smile inevitably lit up her face as she watched Alex in her vulnerable state, exposing her soft and loving side as carefully adjusted her body flush against Piper. Instantly, and tenderly intertwining their limbs.

But the urge became all too much for Piper. The gentle touch and devoted side of Alex, she could not refrain from responding to the affection. With her eyes still closed, Piper used this as her advantage. Watching Alex's every mouth, moving her head purposely so that Alex was greeted by her lips in oppose to her skin.

Alex chuckled, followed by a small moan of approval, taking her bottom lip between her teeth she closed her eyes briefly, savouring the lingering feeling of Piper's lips. She couldn't think of a better way to start her birthday morning.

She pulled Piper closer into her body, opening her eyes to a warming smile. A welcoming and affectionate look that Alex would never get bored off. For the first time that morning Alex spoke. Her voice hoarse and low, "I thought you were sleeping."

I shake my head, with a very quiet and soft "No." I was enjoying my view and I am certain that I could have continued to absorb all of the beauty in front of me. I smile softly at a very still sleepy Alex, her body snuggled into me. It feels so perfect, like its meant to be. It isn't often that I get the opportunity to hold Alex in the way she often holds me. But today I do, this morning. A simple touch that allows me to express my love. I feel content. Willing to lay here for as long as Alex will allow me, but today is her special day. So whatever she requests I will do. Like always. I only ever want to please and repay Alex for all that she does for me.

With Love.

Little does she know how much I like our current position. Our change in dominance as she holds onto me. In silence. But relaxing. A touch is often enough. Words sometimes do not hold the power and meaning like affection does. I am a believer in actions over words. I hope that is showing now.

I find myself in my own little world. Processing my thoughts in the silence between us. My hands carefully and lovingly caressing the soft skin of Alex. She too seems to be in a world of her own thoughts.

I consider all that I feel. The feeling of love. How much I want to reveal those worlds. Contemplating what it is that holds me back. But it isn't Alex, or the thought that she may not say it back, because I can't force her to love. Although I think she does. I know. There is the fear of rejection. What if Alex doesn't want me to love? I can not deny the way that I feel. Maybe my confession will be too much, enough for me to push her away. What if she finds it all too soon?

But when you know, you know.

I know.

The more that I contemplate the words I long to say, the harder I feel is becoming to say. I just need Alex to know. To hear me say it. So she knows that I am in this for the long run. There is no fear, I'm not backing down, because this is only the start of what is to come.

Love me, Love me not.

I am brought from my thoughts at the feeling of Alex adjusting her body as she snuggles closer in to me. I respond with tightening my grip. My hands instinctively running through her hair as she settles back into me. I look down from my position to Alex on my chest. She looks so sweet. Staring ahead of her. Her arm wrapped around my torso. Her legs entwined with mine. I smile. I look back up so that I do not disturb her. She looks so relaxed right now.

So I fixate my gaze in front of me. Not really sure what I am looking at. Just smiling to myself as I reflect on my thoughts for that moment longer. My hands continuing to lovingly stroke Alex's soft skin.

We lay in silence for a moment longer. I listen to the soothing breaths of my lover. Before her green eyes peer up to me, lovingly. A small kiss is placed onto my cheek, and she returns to her current position and then I know, I can't hold it any longer.

"Alex." I say her name softly, but enough to catch attention as she again looks up to me.

My gaze meets with hers, as she remains snuggled into me. The closest of contact we can have through the thin material that prevents us from being skin against skin. But sharing the warmth of each other. She continues to hold onto my lovingly, as she watches me patiently. Our eyes are locked together, blue meets green. I wait, a small silence passes between us as we spend a moment just looking into each other's eyes.

I feel a lump in my throat as I open my mouth to speak. The nerves have hit me. But I can't back away from it now. I clear my throat. Looking directly at Alex.

"I love you."

Then it falls silent. The room. I shiver.

My mouth is ajar. My eyes wide in shock, as I gulp. Taken back. I look to Alex. Her facial expression mirrors all that I am feeling too. Both of our responses the same.

Her eyes are wide too. Her eyebrows raised questionably as she searches my eyes fro answers. But the situation is not easy or uncomfortable. Just both in shock. Taken back by the confession of the other. The three words that we left our mouths simultaneously.

We said it together.

The three words. I love you.

I can only speak for myself. I'm amused. That we said it together. But overwhelmed. I definitely did not expect to hear that. In fact, after the words had left my mouth I was ready to back them up with reassurance that I expected I would have needed to give Alex. That she didn't have to say it back. But she did. I'm speechless.

But a good silence.

Alex said those words to me. Those three meaningful words, they left our mouths together. In sync. Now we both look to each other stunned. Clearly not expecting to hear those words from each other.

I gulped. The shock started to vanish as I began to question by ability to hear. Did Alex really just say those words? Love? That she loves me? One of those things that she argued she was unable to do. But I was wrong to question it, because my gaze didn't leave Alex's. Her facial expressions told me all that I needed. Alex Vause had just confessed her love to me.

Our expressions softened. I am fixated on Alex's green eyes that are smiling at me. I feel the tears fill my eyes. My voice still lost.

I try to seek out any sense of uncertainty or regret. But there was nothing. I know that she means those words. That she loves me.

The three words are repeating in my head. I blush. I suddenly feel shy as I chuckle nervously. Unable to hold our gaze any longer, as I look away. Anxious. The silence between us and I no longer know what to do, or how to react. What is my next move? Do I say it again?

But I don't get to divert my gaze for long as a gentle touch is placed on my cheek, my head is being guided to look down to meet a pure look of love. But no words are needed. The gentlest of kisses meet my lips. Soft and tentative. Full of love and reassurance. The touch that we both needed.

That's how it is for a while. Sharing a loving kiss. One that is not rushed, but delicate. Our actions speaking the words, I love you. Just as I was ready to take our kiss a step further I feel Alex pull back from me. My eyes are still closed as I preserve the feeling. The love.

But I hear the softest of voices. Barely above a whisper. Alex talking to me. Her voice low and husky, but pleasuring. As she says my name. I know what she is asking of me. So I respond, opening my eyes. Instantly met with that beautiful shade of green.

She smiles at me softly. Looking directly into my eyes as she speaks. "I love you."

Her fingers move to brush back a strand of my hair as she continues to look at me. Her green eyes continue to meet with my blue. "I love you Piper Chapman." She presses her lips against mine all to quickly, not wanting to reject Alex I allow her to kiss me. But only briefly, as a I pull back. Earning a disappointing moan from Alex as she looks to me. A slight laugh leaves my mouth at her eagerness. But I have to say it back. But I want Alex to look at me. Face to face. For her to know that I really mean this, the words that sit at the tip of tongue.

I shuffle my body and Alex responds, sitting up as she turns to me questionably. I smile, reassuringly. Taking her hand within my mine as I gently brush my thumb across her knuckles, my gaze lifts to look at Alex. "Al." My voice is low, but I know that she can hear me, because she too moves her gaze from our hands to look at me. Instantly, I reach out. My free hand gently placed onto her face. I have her full attention now. "I love you." My gaze flicks between her eyes and lips, shifting closer as I stay focused on her eyes again, this time my voice is louder as I repeat myself to reassure her. "I love you Alex."

It's true. I do. I love this girl. Piper Chapman. Now I finally found the courage to share those words I feel a relief. Like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders because for so long I contemplated on those words, our moment and when I would finally pluck up the courage to say them. Now. On my birthday. It almost feels like the perfect timing. To hear the same words from Piper's lips I know is the best birthday gift. A feeling that I have held for so long, one that I was scared of admitting. But as I watch Piper, and the look of happiness and love portrayed on her face I question why it took me so long. Why was I so stupid to hold back?

She looks so cute, her eyes filled with tears. Tears that I don't need to question because I know they are all for me and the love that we are sharing. I feel my eyes water myself as she tells me, "I love you Alex.", but I have to keep some pride. I don't want Piper to think of me as weak, although I know she wouldn't. But Piper has always been better then me at revealing emotions. Probably because she doesn't have this 'tough girl' image that she has to look up too. But Piper has seen through me. I can not express how honoured I am to have been able to find a person who I can happily share this side of me with. She loves me, and I love Piper too.

For Piper to accept me for all that I am is overwhelming.

But my body isn't allowing me to show that, and as those words fall out of Piper's mouth I instantly moved forward as her lips meet mine. I feel a single tear stream down my cheek, unable to control it. But fortunately it seems to go unnoticed as I kiss her with passionately, a kiss full of admiration. A kiss that retells the I love you's that we have just shared. Love and affection.

It all feels like a blur, I became lost in the heat of the kiss and failed to notice that my body was being pushed back against the mattress. My arms wrap around Piper's petite frame as the weight of her body is on top of me. I laugh between the kiss at her urgency. I love when she is feeling feisty. I know that this birthday is only continuing to get better.

I move my hands to Piper's hair as I pull her lips further into me. The kiss we share intensifying.

Passion.

Heated.

I speed up the kiss as my need becomes clear. Just from I can feel the arousal in my core. Our tongues entwine, exploring the confines of each other's mouth in sync. I can't prevent a pleasurable moan escaping my lips. But a pleasurable moan that is cut short as I lose the contact of Piper, I'm certain she heard the moan of disapproval that left my mouth.

But the positon I am in is not held, I feel a tight grip on my long shirt, the only item of clothing that I am wearing. My body is being pulled by Piper's strong grip, her core sitting so near to mine. She straddles me. I have lost all sense of stability as my body arches forward making contact with her breasts as she sucks at my neck. My hands instantly come to find her waist as I attempt to stable myself as she goes to work on me.

My eyes are closed shut as I feel the sensations travel through me as her warmth breath and rough kisses work on my neck against my weak spot. A feeling of pure pleasure, and the wetness between my legs is building. I supress my moan by moving my own lips to her neck. Mirroring her actions, I graze my teeth against her skin. Stopping at her collarbone, where I nip gently.

But she doesn't allow me to take it any further. Her teeth graze my ear, as she moves to deliberately place a warm breath against a spot that she knows will arouse me. Her kisses make their way down my jawline. Back to my neck, as she stops. I open my eyes to question what is happening. I briefly meet blue before my body is pushed back to the bed. The next thing I see is Pipers body hovering over me. A thin pointless material covers her small breasts, and I can't help but think of how I will dispose of that later. But right now, my mind is occupied by other things. The arousal I feel.

I lift my head slightly. She smiles at me as seductively as she begins to undo the buttons on my shirt slowly. Kissing every inch of newly exposed skin. Until she meets my free breasts. My shirt is then complete unbuttoned, not bothering to free me of it as she brushes it off my body.

She purposely hovers over me, her warmth breath so close to my breast and as she smiles at my hardened nipples, her dark lustful eyes look to me mischievously. She is a bad girl when she wants to be.

I gasp as she presses her teeth to my nipple, flicking it with her tongue as she progresses onto sucking. I no longer have the strength to hold up my head as she continues to caress my breasts. I push her head further into me as I request more. But she is teasing me.

Her free hand traveling south as she cups my heat. Her leg finding a place between my thighs as her hand is replaced with the pressure of her knee. As she grinds into me. Her knee making continuous contact with my clit. I contain the moans that leave my mouth as she continues to work me. Her free hand playing with my nipple, as she moves back up to my mouth. Kissing me. Then a trail of wet kisses travels south, from my neck to my torso. Her tongues swiping my breast as she continues her journey. The trail of kisses is followed by her hand, her fingers scraping down my body.

Stopping above my core.

She looks back up to me. Her chin running a line from my belly button to my opening. Breathing against me. She flicks my clit with my tongue. Her hand's pushing my thighs further apart as her body fits perfectly between them. A single finger running between my folds, her hand reaches up to grope my breast. Teasingly kissing on the inside of thigh as she leaves me throbbing, waiting.

"Pipes."

She moans, vibrating so close to my thigh. I'm aching for her touch. "Pipes. Please."

The suddenly, her tongues swipes between my folds. Sucking at my clit. Replaced with her thumb as she begins to rub circles against my sensitivity. I can't hold the moans. My body arches at the touch. The heat of her tongue against my opening as she works me. Deep.

I can feel my arousal building as she stops. Her thumb leaves me, her warmth of her tongue is replaced by air. Just as I lift my head to look to her questionably, her fingers pump into me. Not taking long to pick up the pace, as she continues to thrive in and out of me. Pleasuring my clit with her tongue.

My walls tighten.

Her pace quickens.

She is working in all of the right spots.

As I reach my climax.

I let go.

Breathlessly.

The pace slows.

Her touch lost.

She stops.

Moving her body off me. The next thing I hear is a very seductive Piper whispering to me, "together Al" I have no time to adjust as her core is above my face, and her tongue swipes at my clit.

"Together"

I finally get my turn.

Sometimes a simple touch could be just enough. Laying in the arms of another can be soothing, reassuring. A time in which you can wash away all of those insecurities, at the protecting and affectionate love of another. A touch that holds so much meaning. Comforting. A simple gesture but filled with so much pleasure and rewarding. A small act of kindness, but enough to tell another how you are feeling.

That's all that was needed for Piper and Alex, as they lay facing each other. Blue eyes met green. Their arms lovingly wrapped around one another, the weight of the duvet off them provided them with that extra warmth and comfort as they lay with no space between them. Their legs intertwined. It all was enough. Through the delicate touches, and light strokes, the silence was enough.

Piper watched Alex tenderly, searching the glimmer her green eyes, a look of genuine happiness. A smile ignited her face as she moved forward to press her lips against Alex's. Pulling back to place her hand on Alex's cheek, she smiled eagerly "I have something for you."

Her own eyes excelled, as she pulled away excitedly. Showing Alex a toothy grin as she slid from under the duvet.

Alex raised her eyebrows questionably, she too was feeling excited as she smirked from the bed. She sat up watching as Piper retrieved an envelope from her bag. She wasn't typically one to get excited over gifts, but she couldn't help but refrain from feeling giddy. I could grow use to this.

As she adjusted her position in the bed, she could not hold back the wide smile at the thought of having someone to share her special day with. Something that was becoming fonder of every passing second as Piper made her back over to the bed. A proud look adorning her face as she didn't move her gaze from Alex's. Alex's eyes on the other hand followed Piper's every movement, her smile growing wider as she watched Piper's excitement increase. Stopping at the side of the bed, she put her arms behind her back as she looked to Alex as a small, mischievous smile arose at the corner of her lips. Her head titled questionably at Alex's giddy look. She shook her head, biting on her lip, "Close your eyes."

Alex arched her eyebrow, pushing her glasses to the top of her head as she looked up at Piper. Laughing as she spoke, "Pipes. I can see it."

Piper's arms instantly stretched further behind her back as she glanced down to her side, she straightened her body turning back to a smirking Alex. "No." Refusing to get into the bed, she took a step backwards. "No. Not until you close your eyes."

Alex laughed again at the stubbornness of Piper, but did as requested. She turned her head to look in front of her eye, closing her eyes shut as she waited for Piper to climb into the bed beside her. But there pause between the time she closed her eyes and the feeling of the small envelope being placed against her body. Waiting. Her eyes remained shut as waited for Piper to follow, patiently waiting for the movement in the bed before she opened her eyes.

But when nothing followed, she looked down. Her gaze instantly falling upon the envelope that lay in front of her. She flicked between the envelope and Piper, looking up to see Piper standing at the side of the bed. Her eyes watching Alex with a playful smile on her face. All to Alex's confusion as she looked back to the envelope, running her thumb across Piper's handwriting that neatly spelt out four letters, Alex. "Are you not joining me?"

Piper just responded shaking her head, as Alex's turned just in time to catch the small motion. Looking confusedly towards the standing blonde, whose head nodded in the direction of the envelope. "Open it Al."

"Not without you." She lifted up the duvet, holding out her other hand for Piper to take. Taking it a step further as she playfully impersonated Piper, fluttering her eyelids as she attempted to get her own way, achieving a giggle from the blonde as she lowered her body into the mattress.

Alex smiled as she watched Piper settle in, placing a kiss onto her cheek she pulled back with a grin. "What is this?"

"Why don't you open it and see?"

She raised her eyebrow at Piper before following instructions and retrieving the envelope from her lap, looking back to Piper for reassurance before proceeding to open the small envelope. Piper watched on with a smirk on her face, slightly nervous at Alex's reaction. But it all required time a patience, one thing that she was certain Alex would not have, as she retrieved a card from an envelope. Piper watched on eagerly, her eyes instantly flicking to Alex's and she watched her facial expression change from excited to confusion. Flicking back down to Alex's thumb that traced the words on the card.

Anticipation had passed. The room was silent as Piper watched the interaction between Alex and the card that was in front of her. Alex's voice was barely recognisable as her voice was hardly a whisper, but enough for Piper to hear the sorrow in her voice. "Pipes." She paused, clearing the lump in her throat, her gaze fixated on the card. "Wha-What is this?"

Piper reached out, placing her hand on Alex's shoulder, "It's a card Al, don't you like it?"

"I-I-I do, but…" She stumbled with her words, her eyes scanning the card as she reread the clear words in front of her, "friend." Her head turned slowly to look at Piper, her eyes full of sadness as she asked disheartened, "friend?"

It wasn't something they had discussed. Only that time that Alex had avoided the question, something that only provided with a sense of fear. The fear of hurting Piper and thinking that deserved more than that, but she couldn't be more wrong. As she scanned the letters on the card and repeated the word friend in her head over and over, she questioned why she waited so long. Her stupidity. She could not help but curse herself for what she had let it become. Just Friends. Questioning herself about her actions. Have I pushed Piper to rejection? Is that all she thinks we can be now?

Turning her head to Piper, she locked her gaze with the blue eyes. Attempting to read the blonde's reaction, but it wasn't enough. She couldn't make that decision for herself, she needed to hear it from Piper. The truth. The reason behind this and what they had become.

Piper was taken back by the sorrow in Alex's voice. She needed to talk, her look of sadness revealed all. The hurt that Piper inflicted on Alex. Through all of the time she had spent thinking of this, she had never imagined that her decision would have hurt Alex. Suddenly, the feeling of guilt washing through her as she reached out to cup Alex's face. Her voice soft, as she looked directly into the green eyes, "Al." Her thumb caressed the softness of Alex's cheek, as she continued "Babe."

"Friend Piper?" Alex moved her head from Piper's hold, adjusting her shifting her body so she was face to face with Piper. Taking Piper's hand in her own, she looked down placing a gentle touch onto her wrist, "was… is this – is this because o-of…" But she was cut short, as Piper's voiced overpowered the quietness of her own. Their finger's now entwined, as Piper's finger lifted Alex's head to meet her gaze. "Al."

Piper waited for Alex to meet her gaze, and as she gently brushed a strand of Alex's hair behind her ear, her hand coming to rest at the side of Alex's head she spoke softly. "Open it." A small smile formed at the corner of her mouth, her head nodding in the direction of the card, "You didn't read inside."

Alex looked at Piper confused, glancing between the card and Piper she obliged. Shuffling back as she situated the card between them, a quick look to Piper before she opened it. Pulling her glasses back to her face, she looked down to the blank Piper. She thought to herself as she studied Piper's elegant handwriting. Well all of what was there. The words. The question. Reading it in her head then out loud. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes Alex. I will."

Piper laughed as Alex looked up from the card. Both girls smiling from ear to ear. Alex raised her eyebrows inquisitively, receiving a frown from Piper as she teased jokingly, "But I didn't ask."

Furrowing in Alex's direction, she gently pushed on Alex's shoulder. Slowly moving closer, "so you don't want me to be?"

Alex's hands found Piper's waist as she stopped with her knees either side of her thighs. Her hand's clasped Alex's shoulders, titling her head to expose her neck. Her eyes widened as she watched Alex questionably.

Alex was clearly taken back by Piper's actions. Mesmerised by the body that hovered over her. She looked up, pulling Piper's waist into her lap, moving her lips to place an open mouth kiss against Piper's collarbone. "Yes. No. I mea…" Alex's voice hitched as Piper intervened mid sentence. Her warm breath against Alex's neck as she started to nip at the skin.

Taking advantage of the now silent Alex, Piper pulled back from her neck. Running her hands over Alex's shoulder's and down her arms, "Well one of us had to ask." She rocked her body against Alex, deliberately pressed her core into Alex's thigh, as she moved closer to Alex's mouth. Speaking quietly, "and I know you were afraid too Alex."

"Pipes."

"Hm?"

Cupping Piper's face, she steadied her movements. Her actions earning Piper's full attention as she looked directly at the blonde. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Piper leaned in to press her lips firmly against Alex's, "Yes." "Yes." "Yes."

"Yes you idiot."

A raspy laugh left Alex's mouth as she pulled back, although excited she could not help but look to Piper nervously and she studied the beauty of the girl in front of her. Her hands found their way to Piper's face, her blue eyes glimmered as they watched Alex excitedly. For Alex, she was certain that her own eyes only mirrored Piper's, and if that wasn't telling, the smile that grew on her face definitely was. But through the happiness Alex couldn't hide the nerves, processing that she actually had a girlfriend. It provided Alex with all that she wanted but she couldn't hide the vulnerable side of her that was scared of what was required from her. Unnerving, but exciting. The beginning of the journey to her future. With Piper.

She looked to Piper, biting nervously on the corner of her lip, but that confidence wasn't all gone as she wiggled her eyebrows playfully at Piper. Grinning, she tucked a strand of hair behind Pipers ear, kissing her gently on the nose as she beamed. "Girlfriend."

Piper laughed, leaning in to kiss Alex on the lips. "Shower?"

An eventful morning. But one that was worth it as they were officially girlfriends. Alex couldn't be any prouder of the situation as she beamed, making her way into the kitchen hand in hand with Piper. Continuing to hold onto it as they stood in the kitchen, opposite Diane. Who looked back to the two girls with a raised eyebrow at their wide smiles. Her face turned in to a smirk as she looked between Piper and her daughter, before finally speaking. Wishing her Daughter an Happy Birthday as she pulled her into a tight hug.

Alex finally pulled back, instantly taking hold of Piper's hand again as she looked to her Mom. Clearing her throat to get Diane's attention. She looked to Piper smiling, "Mom. Meet my Girlfriend."