Hey everyone. I am sorry it took me so long to update. I was on holiday and had a lot to do at work. So my idea was that every chapter is one year of the story. The first and second chapter is the prestory until Alex and Piper are born. The third chapter is going to be their first year until they turn one year. I might change this concept if I should notice it doesn't work for me or write more chapters for the content of a year or less depending on my inspiration of what'll happen each year. I've got a rough plan, of how I want it to go but I usually get more good ideas while writing. So I hope you still like the story even if it might take a while until you meet older Piper and Alex, in their teen years and so on. And please review. I always like to know what everyone is thinking, because if noone is reading anymore because noone likes where I am going it would be sad for me. I don't want to write this story just for me. If I was I wouldn't publish it here. So here goes the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 2: Two pregnant bellies

Diane found a job pretty soon. Carol offered her to stay with them longer but Diane wanted to get her own place at some point and needed to find a job if she wanted to be able to care for her baby. She started to work at a smaller company in town as secretary for the big boss. Diane had to tell them that she was pregnant but assured them to be reliable and could manage work and private life even as a single mother. She thought the interview hadn't gone well but when they called her to say they wanted to give her a chance she was very relieved. The first thing was crossed of the list, now the next thing was to get an apartment.

This proved to be harder than she thought. She was looking for literally anything around the town that she could afford. But either she couldn't afford the rent or the landlord decided against her. Often the reason they gave was because they weren't sure if she could constantly pay the rent. On the application form she had to answer that she was pregnant and most landlords thought with her being a single mother and not working when the baby would arrive they mostly decided against her as tenant.

"I'm sorry, Carol, I really don't want to annoy you guys any longer, but no matter how much I try to convince these people that I am reliable I can't convince any of them to give me a chance." Diane apologized.

"Don't worry. You can stay with us as long as you need. I like having my best friend around and Danny is a big fan of yours. I'm sure he's gonna be sad when you move out." Carol tried to calm her.

"Thank you, Car. I really appreciate that. But I can't stay with you forever. You need your time as a family without me being here all the time. I mean even with me not living here anymore we still see each other often, won't we?" Diane said.

"Yes of course." Carol replied resolutely.

Both women were far enough along in their pregnancy to see a first bump. As they were about the same weeks it was the same size as they noticed after comparing. Even though they were in different settings both women were quite happy about their life and their prospect of their children, who'd be the same age and hopefully could grow up together and always have a playmate. During those times joking and talking with Carol about how it would be with a newborn, as Carol already knew from having Danny, Diane sometimes even forgot everything that was going on and maybe not fully how she had wanted it. She forgot about being a single mom and her problems to find a place.

Carol reassured her when it came up that she could stay as long as she wants and needs but Diane insisted she would find something soon, her argument being that it was stressful with a small kid and a newborn in one house already and that there wasn't the need for two newborns which would be more exhausting for everyone. Sure living together and taking care of the kids together could also make some things a bit easier, but Diane wanted to give Carol, Bill, Danny and the new baby the chance to live their life as a family as they should be without her and her baby around.

Diane knew it'd be hard raising her kid alone, but she was positive that she could do it. She sometimes got the question if it wasn't better for her in her situation to decide against having the baby, but she was vehement that she could do it and was definitely keeping the baby. She explained that it wasn't the baby's fault that she had become pregnant, or that she had chosen that asshole to be the father, or that he took the first chance to run from the responsibility. Feeling her bump she already felt so much love for her baby while she didn't even know if she was going to have a daughter or a son. But even or especially in her situation she knew that she'd love this kid more than anything else in her life and that she'd try to be the best mother anyone could wish for.

One evening when both women were sitting outside on the balcony and talking about their day and what has been happening.

"I'm so tired of feeling sick all the time." Diane complained. "And even when I think about olives I start to feel sick. Why am I so sensitive to smells these days?!"

"Because you're pregnant?!" Carol said jokingly. "But I get it. I feel the same. Even though I got the feeling it's not as bad as the first time."

"Lucky you. You mean with the second it gets easier?" Diane wondered.

"I don't know. For me it's like that. I can't tell for everyone." Carol answered. "I know it is still a while until we can find out, but I was wondering if you want to know if you'll have a girl or boy before the baby is born or rather find out the day he or she is born?"

"I actually haven't thought of that. But I think I'd like to keep it a surprise?! I don't know. Maybe I'll change my mind." Diane said. "What about you?"

"Well, with Danny we knew we'd have a boy. We wanted to know. I'm thinking that maybe this time we'll keep it a surprise." Carol wondered.

"It would be funny though to do a baby shower together. We could do a gender revelation thing. We could ask Dr. Harris that he tells you what I'm having and me what gender your baby is and we could surprise each other." Diane got excited about her idea.

"I do like that idea. But we can still decide that later. We could do that shower like shortly before the due date. I actually like the thought of not knowing yet." Carol replied.

"Okay. Fair. How about a month before the babys are born? Then we still have have time until we'll find out and still a little bit time left until they're born." Diane suggested.

"Great idea." Carol agreed.

The next months passed pretty quickly. The bellies kept growing and they went to most checkups together.

When they were four months along Diane finally found a small apartment that she could afford. It wasn't very big but would be enough for her and the baby and the good thing was that it wasn't too far from the Chapman's home. Now that she had her own place she was relieved but Carol and her still met very often and talked on the phone when they didn't see each other. Carol had stopped working when she was three months pregnant but Diane kept working as long as she could. The other difference between the two women was that Carol wasn't planning to go back to work anytime soon after the birth but instead decided to stay home with her two kids while Diane had agreed with her boss that she could stay home with her baby for two months, then she would take some of her vacation so she came to a total of two and a half month to stay home after the baby was born and then go back to work.

Both women were happy when the checkups didn't show anything not normal but instead showed that both babies were fine, healthy and growing how they were expected to. A week before the baby shower they had a checkup where they asked Dr. Harris to tell them what the babies genders were going to be, but to tell Diane about Carol's baby and vice versa.

They had decided they would reveal the gender by coloured powder filled in white balloons that they were going to pop. The party started and everyone brought small gifts for the babies and everyone was giving their best wishes and what they thought might be a good advice. Everyone was excited to find out if it were boys or girls or both that the two best friends were having. They started with cake that was decorated with blue and pink icing and a big question mark on it and everyone was eating and chatting eagerly. The question that came up the most time was if they had already picked name and if they had a name for both genders ready as they didn't know yet. Both women answered, they'd thought about it and had some preferences but nothing set yet.

When it was time to reveal Carol spoke up to quiet everyone down.

"Hi everyone. Thank you a lot for coming. I think we both are happy to have so many of you celebrating with us today. Thank you also for the presents and good wishes. I think now you're both excited to find out and it's time to reveal the genders." Carol announced.

Carol handed Diane a balloon and Diane did the same.

"Ready?" Carol asked. Diane nodded.

They popped the balloons soon followed by shouts from the group. Carol looked in front of her and saw a lot of pink. She'd have a daughter. She was excited. Secretly she had hoped that it would be a girl as with Danny she already had a son.

Diane looked in front of her too and saw blue. She was happy she'd have a son even though she had hoped for a girl.

"Look at that! You'll have a boy and I a girl. I am so happy!" Carol exclaimed.

The rest of the party was filled with more conversation a few games and many more people asking if now that they knew they had chosen a name. Both answered in the negative. Even if they had they wouldn't give it away just yet.

It was a week later that both women were talking about the coming month and the birth. As far as possible Diane wanted to be there when Carol gave birth and Carol wanted to do the same but they didn't know if it would be possible as both women's due dates were so close together. The doctor had predicted for Diane to give birth on June 9th and for Carol a day after. So now they had three weeks left, both were excited but also anxious for the change.

"Hey, Di." Carol addressed her friend. "You've made a decision on how to name your son?"

"I do have an idea and different names but I haven't decided on one. I think I'll decide when I see him. Who knows if he'll look like a Toby or a Felix or what I feel will be the right name."

"Toby and Felix are on your list?" Carol wondered.

"Possibly. I don't want to give anything away yet. I'll tell you when I've decided. How about you?" Diane asked.

"We did decide on one. It took Bill and me a while to finally agree on something. I always liked the name Bridget. But Bill is not a fan of it. So, we found something that we both liked. But as you're not telling me I won't say anything either."

A week later Diane was alone at home reading her book. She thought how in about two weeks everything would change and she would hold her baby in her arms. She stroked her big belly lovingly when she felt an awkward ache which she played down as a short unwell feeling for now. It was May 24th, her baby wasn't supposed to be born before June 9th. The doctor had said as it was her first child it would rather be later than earlier for her to go into labour. Which is why she half expected to give birth the same time Carol would. But when the pain returned a bit heavier about an hour and a half later she was wondering. The same thing happened again and she decided to go and see her doctor.

When she got there the doctor confirmed the she indeed had gone into labour already. He said that things like that happen sometimes and that she slowly but surely should make her way to the hospital. As the single contractions were still over an hour apart she didn't need to hurry but she should get ready to give birth soon. Diane was a bit shocked that it happened sooner than she thought but tried to stay as calm as possible because stressing now wouldn't help her right now. So she went back home packed a few things and called Carol who was really surprised but told her she would be there as soon as she could.

When she arrived at the hospital the contractions already had come in shorter periods. She was brought to the maternity ward of the hospital and doctors came to check up on her. Soon Carol arrived too.

"Hey, you. What are you doing? You still got two weeks!" Carol said as she walked into the room.

"Tell that to this little speedy in my belly!" Diane replied. "Someone is keen to see the outside world. Couldn't wait another two weeks." She chuckled but was interrupted by another contraction. Carol went over trying to help her friend.

"I would love to tell that the pain gets less from now, but that would be a lie. But I am here to help you through it. And I won't leave until that little bean of yours is in your arms. I know you'll curse and for a short time think you were insane when deciding to have that baby but I can promise you that won't take long, cause as soon as you'll see him he'll be the thing you love the most and you won't ever regret making the decision to be his mom." Carol told her friend. Diane was relieved and it calmed her a little to have her friend with her. Carol could tell her how things went as she already went through all this once. And seeing how happy Carol was after the birth of her son Diane was looking forward to the moment this excruciating pain would be over and she could hold her little boy in her arms.

Soon it "really started" and Diane cursed Lee another time for doing this to her, for herself to make the decision to have this child and then Lee again for making her go through this alone. Then she remembered that Carol was there and she wasn't alone. Still she cursed Lee and wished him to hell.

Then it was over. She heard the first cries of the baby and forgot the pain she just had gone through.

"Here you are. Your perfect little baby." one of the nurses said a while later while handing her her baby.

"Oh my god. Aren't you the cutest little thing. Hello my dear. I'm your mommy and I love you so much already." Diane said as the tears were running down her face.

"Do you have a name for her already?" the nurse asked.

"Yes. I had a few – wait, her?" Diane asked a little startled.

"Yes. Congratulations. You've got a perfectly healthy and I might say very adorable baby girl." the nurse said. "Oh. You wanted it to be a surprise and find out now."

"No. Actually, I did know. But the doctor said I'd have a boy." Diane said still a bit surprised but also happy because ever since she found out she was pregnant she hoped for it to be a girl. She wasn't less happy when she found out she'd have a boy but now she got surprised again.

"Oh, I'm sorry. But yeah, that happens sometimes. I'll bring you two to your room for now and you'll have a bit of time to think how you want to call her. Then we can issue the birth certificate." the nurse said.

"No. I know how I want to name her." Diane quickly replied. "I already had the name on my list when I thought I'd have a boy but I think it works perfectly fine for a girl too. With a few slight changes." she chuckled. "Alex Pearl Vause. That's going to be her name."

The nurse smiled at her. "That's a nice one. You sure you don't want to go for Alexandra? Or Alexa?"

"Yeah. I'm sure." Diane replied. She didn't notice much around her, she only had eyes for the little girl in her arms.

A few minutes later Carol came in. The doctors had sent her to wait in the visitation area as they insisted that only family was allowed in the delivery room. But Alex was the only family that Diane had now. Her parents hadn't spoken a word with her when she ran away with Lee. Shortly after she found out she was pregnant she had tried to contact them but they made perfectly clear that they didn't want to have contact with her.

"And how is he? What is his name? How are you? Can I see him?" Carol bombarded her with questions.

"Yes. You can. And surprise surprise. Dr. Harris was wrong. She is the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen. And her name is Alex Pearl Vause. And I am fine. More than that. I mean look at her. She is perfect. I'm so proud. How can a fuck up like me make something so perfect?" Diane said still not able to detach her eyes from her daughter.

Carol smiled. She had felt very similar when Danny was born and couldn't wait to fell like that in two weeks if her baby kept to the schedule.

"It's a girl?" she asked surprised though.

"Yes. I am surprised too. But I am so happy. I secretly hoped it would be. Not that I would have been less happy if it was a boy. But I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am right now." Diane said. She still was very emotional. Exhausted too, but the happiness and love for her daughter were dominant.

Three days later she and Alex could go home. The nurses and doctors had explained how the first time would go and now it was up to Diane to find her own rhythm and way to take care of her little girl. The first weeks at home were overwhelming but Carol visited often and helped her a lot knowing that the first time you have to learn how to take care of a baby can be stressful and exhausting. But for Diane it were also weeks of bliss, happiness coupled with a big lack of decent sleep but she wouldn't change a thing.

Two weeks after Alex was born she got a call from Carol that they had gone to the hospital as Carol went into labour. It was the morning of June 7th and still three days before the original date but closer to it than Diane had been. Diane hurried to pack everything, get Alex ready to leave the house and leave her apartment to be there for her friend just as she was for her. When she arrived at the hospital she was told that Carol and Bill were already in the delivery room and Diane was asked to wait in the visitor's area. Some nurses recognized her and asked how she had been and she told them that it was stressful but she couldn't be happier.

About an hour later she was told that she could go and visit Carol and her daughter now. So she got up and walked with Alex in her carrier towards Carols room.

"Hey, you three." Diane greeted Carol and Bill and got a small view on the little baby girl in Carols arms.

"Hi Diane. And Alex. Meet Piper Elizabeth Chapman. Our beautiful daughter." Carol replied.

"Hi Piper. Welcome to the outside world. I hope you and Alex will get along well. You surely will see each other often." Diane said looking at Piper. She could see the clear blue eyes she must have gotten from her mother. Alex's eyes had taken a green colour. Alex made a giggling noise and seemed to look at the new baby. Surprised by the noise Piper looked toward Alex and green eyes met Piper's blue ones for the first time.