Hey guys, I'm back with chapter 2. Thank you for all the follows, favourites and encouraging comments, it really makes my day to know you like my stories. I'm glad you like my take on Carol, personally I think she's not so bad towards the end of Orange when she eventually comes around to the idea of Piper dating a woman. It would be a shock for any mother to find out that their thirty-something daughter is a lesbian but as well as that, her ex-girlfriend got her involved in a drug cartel and is sending her to prison. So, I would like to paint a better image of Carol, starting with her friendship with Diane, hopefully that will make her less uptight. As babies Alex and Piper can't really do much yet (not that Piper's even born yet lol) but I'm trying to establish a bond between the mother's while throwing in cute antidotes of the babies until they're a little older and it can focus more on them. But it will be fun writing as their friendship blossoms and grows throughout childhood until those pesky, drama filled teenage years. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the future ones :)
Chapter 2:
Early the next morning, Diane was woke by a crying baby Alex. Every morning without fail at 6am, Alex would wake crying looking fed and a diaper change. Diane checked the time on the small alarm clock on her bedside table, 6:02am like clockwork every morning. Diane got out of bed, put on her robe then bent down to lift her daughter from the crib. As soon as she was in her mother's arms, Alex stopped crying and gave her mother a big toothless smile.
''Good morning, princess! Let's hope you're this good at waking up early when your school age. That would be a big help to mommy… Yes, it would! Did you sleep well, kiddo? Me too, I had a great night's sleep.'' Diane animatedly rambled to her daughter as the baby happily cooed and made noises back in response to her mother.
Diane made her way into the kitchen, turned on the coffee maker and grabbed a baby bottle from the fridge and placed it in the bottle warmer. With Alex in her arms, Diane went back upstairs as she waited on the coffee brewing and the bottle warming. The young mother grabbed a soft towel and went into the bathroom to fill the bath with warm water and some baby bubbles. Diane stripped Alex from her onesie and diaper as the bath filled. With the bath a quarter full and just the right temperature, the young mother gently set her baby in. Alex loved the bath, she happily splashed around giggling as she created more bubbles while Diane bathed her and washed her short black hair. When bath time was over Diane wrapped her daughter in the soft towel, went to the bedroom to pick an outfit and went back downstairs with Alex in her arms. In the kitchen, the coffee and bottle was ready, Diane poured herself a cup of coffee and set the baby's bottle aside to cool for a few minutes while she dried her daughter, put on a fresh diaper and dressed her into a cute little matching purple tracksuit. Alex sat contently the whole time, babbling away in baby language to her mother, but the second she was dressed her little bottom lip poked out indicating she wasn't far from tears.
''We're all done, baby. Now it's time for your bottle. Don't worry, momma knows!'' Diane reassured her daughter as she grabbed the bottle and checked the temperature on her wrist.
Alex's little emerald eyes lit up when she seen her bottle as her tiny little arms reached for it. Diane made herself comfortable on the couch with Alex snuggled into her as she happily sucked on her bottle, while the young mother sipped on her cup of coffee.
Diane glanced around their new home with a happy smile. The first seven weeks of her daughter's life had been tough, from being evicted and going from living in an apartment to a cramped car then to stay in a homeless shelter. Finally, things were starting to look up for the mother and daughter. Day one in their new home and Diane could already feel this becoming their new morning routine, almost as if they had been doing this from the first day Alex was born.
Alex had greedily finished her bottle, been burped without any mess and was starting to fall asleep in her mother's arms. Diane gently placed her daughter in her carrier and brought her upstairs with her while she slept soundly. The young mother brushed her teeth, washed her face and quickly dressed in a pair of jeans, vest top and sweater. Diane brushed her hair, put it in a high ponytail and applied her make-up, while keeping an eye on her daughter. Deciding that she looked presentable, the young mother lifted the baby carrier, went back downstairs and poured herself another coffee.
Diane hadn't long sat down until there was a loud knock on the front door, waking baby Alex. After being rudely awakened from her nap by a loud noise, Alex started to cry. Diane lifted her daughter and tried to soothe her crying. 'It's just after 7am, who could it be?' Diane thought to herself as she went to answer the door.
''Morning, ma'am… I have a delivery here for you! Are you miss Vause?'' Said a stout, middle aged man as he checked the clipboard in his hand.
''Good morning... Yes, I'm miss Vause. I didn't order a delivery; this must be a mistake!'' Diane explained looking confused, as baby Alex intently stared at the strange man.
''The little blonde lady from the big mansion instructed that I bring the order here to you, miss Vause!'' The man said impatiently as he glanced back at his large, white delivery van.
''But I-'' Diane started but was cut off.
Carol Chapman came marching up the driveway with a sleepy, young boy in her arms.
''Good morning, Diane. I'm glad we didn't wake you. How about some introductions over coffee as this gentleman unloads the delivery?'' Carol greeted as she walked inside the brunette's home and made herself comfortable. The question was more of a statement.
''Good morning, Carol. Come on in, I've just made a fresh pot of coffee! This must be little Daniel?'' Diane replied as she went back inside, leaving the man to do as instructed.
''A drop of milk and two sugars would be wonderful, dear. Daniel, this is miss Vause… She will be your new nanny.'' Carol said making herself comfortable on the couch as she pointed to the brunette.
Diane quickly prepared a cup of coffee and handed it to the blonde as she took a seat opposite her with baby Alex on her knee.
''Hey, Daniel… My name's Diane, I'm gonna look after you and we're gonna have lots of fun! How does that sound?'' Diane greeted the boy with a friendly smile.
''Hi, Di-am. Yay, fun!'' Daniel replied with a shy wave as he smiled at his new nanny.
''Would you prefer him to call you Diane?'' Carol asked the brunette.
''Yeah, miss Vause makes me feel like my mother.'' Diane responded with a chuckle.
''Baby?'' Daniel asked as he pointed a chubby, little finger at Alex who was looking confused at these new faces.
''Daniel, this is my daughter Alex. When she gets bigger, you'll be able to play with her.'' Diane explained with a proud smile.
''Hi, A-wex!'' Danny said excitedly as he waved a little hand at her.
Baby Alex looked at the two-year-old boy with a small frown, studying him for a moment then decided she liked him as she happily raised her little arms up and down, wiggling her tiny fingers while making baby noises at him. The two mothers chuckled at little Alex's approval.
''Carol… I thought all the new baby things are for your little one's arrival, why are they getting delivered here?'' Diane asked awkwardly as she started at the blonde.
''We've had our little girl's room ready for months… I wanted to make sure you have everything you need for little Alex. I was afraid if I told you that you would refuse.'' Carol explained with a friendly smile, chancing a glance at the brunette's reaction.
''Carol, you didn't have to do that. You bought us more than enough yesterday. I don't want to seem ungrateful, believe me I'm not! It's like a wonderful dream, going from nothing to all this… But I don't want you thinking I'm taking advantage of your kindness!'' Diane explained as she gestured around the room.
''Nonsense! I know how hard it is to raise a baby, never mind doing it alone! I just want to help make it a little easier for you.'' Carol replied with a caring smile, making the brunette tear up.
A knock on the door startled the two women, breaking their moment.
''Sorry to interrupt, ladies… Everything's been off loaded from the van, where would you like us to place it?'' The same delivery man from before asked.
''I ordered an extra crib and baby mobile, the double stroller and a changing mat for the main house, for when Alex is over… If you gentlemen wouldn't mind dropping them off when you're finished here, that would be fantastic.'' Carol explained politely.
''Certainly, ma'am… Not a problem!'' The delivery driver replied back politely.
''Everything else is for here. Diane?'' Carol said as she directed her attention towards the brunette.
''Ohh, umm… If you wouldn't mind taking the crib upstairs into the master bedroom and attaching the mobile, that would be great. I'll show you which room is gonna be the nursery, that's where you can put the changing table and nursery furniture. Everything else you can leave in here and I'll sort it out.'' Diane explained as she stood up with baby Alex snuggled in her arms.
''No problem! We're also here to install safety gates and baby proof the house.'' The man said with a friendly smile.
''Diane, it's still early and I see you have a lot to do. I'll see you at noon in the main house.'' Carol said as a way of goodbye as she lifted little Daniel, who waved his cubby, little hand goodbye.
''We'll see you at noon, Carol. Again, thank you for everything!'' Diane replied with a warm smile as the blonde waved a dismissing hand at her kind gesture and left with her son.
Diane pointed out the nursey and showed the delivery men where to place the new crib (in her room for the time being) and one of the men kindly carried the travel crib downstairs for her as her hands was full carrying Alex. The young mother explained where to place the safety gates and where to baby proof and left the men to work after offering them coffee.
In the house, the kitchen and bigger, main living room was laid out open plan with French doors leading from the kitchen to the dining room. At the front door there was an open plan reception area looking into the kitchen/living room, it was big enough for a coat and shoe rack, a few potted plants and could easily park the stroller. Opposite the front door, across the room was a door leading into the hallway, through the door was the stairs on the right and the bathroom on the left and another small hallway with two doors one leading to the smaller, cosier living room (Diane's favourite room) and the other leading to the study.
Diane temporarily buckled Alex into her carrier and sorted through all the new baby things Carol had bought for her daughter and removed all packaging by putting it into a trash bag, it almost looked like Christmas morning. The young mother assembled one of the baby playpens in the main living room with a couple of toys and the play gym inside. 'This will keep Alex amused while I'm cooking or cleaning.' Diane thought to herself with a smile. The young mother placed the highchair in the dining room and the baby walker in the corner of the main living room to use when Alex gets bigger. The brunette took the bouncer, breastfeeding pillow, some toys and a changing mat and left them in her cosy living room where she decided her, and Alex would spend most of their time. Diane checked on her daughter who was peacefully asleep in her carrier, happily sucking on her binky. Quickly, the brunette grabbed the baby bath and left it inside the bathtub upstairs for later and assembled the other baby playpen in the nursery with the rest of the toys inside. Happy with her work, Diane made herself a decaf coffee and sat on the couch as she watched her daughter sleep. Checking the time and realising she would soon have to be meeting Carol, Diane warmed a bottle for her daughter. As the bottle was cooling, little Alex work from her nap and started to cry. The young mother lifted her daughter and took a whiff of her diaper.
''I think it's time to change that dirty diaper, baby girl.'' Diane said to her daughter as she peppered her tiny face with kisses.
With a fresh diaper, baby Alex was content again. Diane checked the temperature of the bottle on her wrist then fed her daughter. After burping Alex and giving her a quick cuddle, it was almost time to leave.
The delivery men appeared carrying their tools as Diane was settling Alex into her new stroller.
''That's us all finished here, ma'am.'' The stout, middle aged man said as a way of goodbye as him and the other tall, skinny man left.
''Thank you for your help!'' Diane replied as the man nodded at her.
Diane grabbed the diaper bag, putting in on her shoulder and pushed the stroller outside. The young mother locked her front door, placed a kiss on Alex's head causing her to giggle and set off for the meeting at the main house.
Carol and Diane met in the fancy living room to discuss the brunette's salary over tea and finger food. The salary proposal was more than the young mother could have imagined, it also included; a car (still to be delivered, brand-new from the dealership) their new house (rent free), meals prepared by the Chapman's private chef and use of the pool, gym and home theatre in the main house. After tea, Carol gave the brunette a tour of the exquisite mansion and breath-taking grounds.
The inside of the mansion looked to be recently refurbished, everything was brilliantly white, from the ceilings to the woodwork and wooden spiral staircase, the furniture and marble floors. The mansion was extravagant and beautifully decorated. The only splash of colour throughout the entire mansion was the kid's bedrooms and playroom. Daniel's room was a pale blue and had a car theme, perfectly complete with his little race car shaped bed. The unborn baby girl's room was pink and had a princess theme, with an extra crib (like promised for Alex). The playroom was painted a soft yellow with teddy bear stencils painted on the walls with a range of toys from baby to toddler. The home theatre room was just like going to the movies; it had fifteen leather reclining chairs with cup holders, five chairs in rows of three, each row higher than the last, a huge tv screen taking up an entire wall like the cinema and even a popcorn maker, slushy machine, soda dispenser and snack stand in the corner. The gym was made up of mostly floor to ceiling windows and looked out onto the amazing back garden and it contained all the gym equipment you could think of; treadmills, exercise bikes, cross trainers, rowing machines, weight benches, punching bags, dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls and even a multi-gym with enough room left to place a dozen yoga mats. Through a door into the next room was a large, heated pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room with a tv mounted on the wall opposite the pool and hot tub. Through another door was a changing room, equipped with showers and enough cubicles for half a dozen people. Another room with a bit more personality was the bar, it had a mahogany ceiling and floor with grey stone surrounds and was painted a dark red giving a sophisticated glow about it, the glass bar counter was made up of different coasters from various bars around the world (presumably where the Chapman's had travelled) and behind the bar was different types of drinks glasses and beer mugs. The room had a dart board and pool table with brown leather couches and a mahogany fireplace, it looked to be a perfectly decorated man cave. The gym, bar, pool area and one of the living rooms all had doors leading out onto a large, white wooden porch with grey stone flooring that overlooked the back garden. The inside of the mansion wasn't half as impressive as the grounds around it.
The back porch overlooked a large, neatly trimmed grass area that led to a private lake with its own pier. Just off to the right of the porch was a stone patio with a built-in barbeque, picnic tables, chairs and outdoor heaters. Close to the patio was a huge heated outdoor pool and hot tub with half a dozen sun loungers and heaters placed around it. The most amazing feature of the grounds was the forest; there was a few stone trails lit with fairy lights around the trees that led through the forest to private areas, some overlooked the lake with seats and heaters and others overlooked beautiful gardens with white wooden gazebos, also lit with fairy lights. The grounds were breathtakingly beautiful.
Diane was absolutely amazed as the older woman guided her around the property, she couldn't believe she was standing in an area so beautiful, never mind living here.
'Things are definitely looking up for us!' Diane thought to herself as she appreciated her surroundings.
The next day the young mother continued her morning routine before heading to the main house at 8am with her daughter in her stroller. Diane greeted the housekeeper miss Claudette who she had been introduced to the previous day and made her way to the kitchen where Gloria Mendoza (the chef) poured her a cup of coffee. The brunette looked after her daughter and young Daniel while Carol went to D.A.R meetings, country club lunches, ran errands, went shopping, got her hair and nails done and whatever else a rich woman did to pass the time.
This became the young mother's routine on Monday's to Friday's from 8am to 4pm. Carol had given her weekends off to spend with Alex, except if there was an event being held which required the nanny to look after the kids. Everything had been running smoothly for just over a month, the brunette had even got her brand-new car, a Jeep Grand Cherokee V-8 (don't forget the year is 1993).
Carol hadn't been out of the house much the last few days, due to her swollen feet and aching back from the pregnancy. The blonde was due to give birth any day and that day couldn't come soon enough in Carol's eyes. Diane continued to look after little Daniel and the pair had formed quite a bond, Daniel even helped look after baby Alex. Carol watched the brunette interact with her son but couldn't do much as she found it hard to move around with her huge baby bump. Diane and Carol had quickly became friends as they bonded over the other's child. It was an unlikely, odd-looking friendship but that's what the women enjoyed about the other, the fact that they were polar opposites.
During breakfast one morning, Carol and Diane were talking over coffee when the blonde woman's water broke. Diane quickly put Alex and Daniel into their car seats in her Jeep, helped Carol into the passenger seat then drove the blonde to the hospital where they were met by Bill Chapman, Carol's husband.
At 11:42am on June 7th, Carol gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl and they named her Piper Chapman.
As I write this, my dog Comic (my little man) is harassing me with his teddy bear looking to play, so I'm holding his bear for him and trying to type one-handed lol. The things we do for our fur babies Haha. Anyway, like I've said before, I'm gonna continue my other stories until the end! I'll write a chapter of this and post it, write a chapter of 'High School Never Ends' and post it then a chapter of 'Drunk Dial' and post it. I'm gonna rotate so everything gets updated regularly. I've had this chapter written for a few weeks and forgot to post it… Sorry guys. I hope you enjoyed this chapter; things will start to get more interesting and speed up, now that baby Piper has entered the world. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for reading and stay safe : )