The morning of the party, Alex kissed her beautiful girlfriend awake. "Morning babe. Open those ocean blues for me."

After some effort Piper manages to open her eyes and stretch out her body while gazing at her sexy girlfriend. "Morning Alex. How am I supposed to kiss you if your way over there."

"We can't have that." They make out for awhile. "Okay Pipes time to get dressed, we have a big day to accomplish."

"Do we have to? I'd much rather stay in bed all day with my goddess."

Alex laughs. "I'd like that too princess, but your parents would kill us if we bailed on the extraordinarily over the top Chapman gathering."

"Uuuuuh, don't remind me. After today you'll see first hand the life I don't want to live. Please don't leave my side when we're there."

"Babe you know I can't promise that I can do that. I might have to go away for short spans, but I'll make Bradley be my stand in if needed."

"Not the same and you know if. He's okay but only you truly know me. Only you do I feel completely safe and comfortable with. The guys don't hit that same level of excellence."

"I know love. It will be hard for me to see you all super sexy looking and gaining so much attention and not being able to let the entire party know that we belong together."

"What are you wearing Al?"

"A nice and tight tux, with a green silk shirt."

"Mmmm, your killing me babe. To see you looking like a million bucks but not being able to kiss you or really touch you."

"I've see that fabulous blue dress your planning to wear. I'll be in the exact same situation. Now what do you want to eat my love?"

"Surprise me."

"Okay go take a quick shower and we'll eat before you start getting ready. I also need to meet with the team before we head to party central."

After breakfast and running through details with the team, Alex gets dressed up and ready minus her lipstick. She checks on Piper and after a few minutes of kissing. They finish the last details and head out with the team to the van. Two and a half hours later they arrive at the Chapman manor. Alex sends the guys to meet their contemporaries her teams. Piper drags Alex by the hand to find her parents and siblings. Luckily Cal is first.

"Hey Pipe, Alex. How are you both?"

Alex takes the question while Piper hugs her younger brother. "We're doing very well. How about you Cal?"

"A little anxious to get introducing the parentals to my new girlfriend. I plan to make her my fiance soon."

With a huge smile on her face. "Cal that's wonderful. Tell me all about the woman my lil bro snagged?"

"Her name is Neri, she's a welder and somehow loves my nature/bohemian worldview as much as I do. I've never met anyone like her. We just fit you know."

"I know exactly how you feel Cal. It's pretty much what I find with Pipes."

Piper blushes, "That's so sweet Al. I feel the same about you. You're my everything babe."

Alex gives her a quick kiss. "Well that's enough of that. Wouldn't wanna out you at the family party. And congrats Cal, Neri sounds lovely. Be sure to introduce us later."

"You two are clearly as head over heels as the last time I saw you. It warms my heart to see Pipe so endlessly happy. Now I need to find my girl before Mom gets to her."

Piper gives Alex a quick tour and find her father in the process. Bill gives her a huge hug, and shakes Alex's hand. "How is my princess today?"

"Overall things are really good with school and me and Alex get along brilliantly. But you know I'm never really comfortable with these big blowouts."

"I understand, but you know how your mother is. I just try to talk to contacts, prospective clients and the security teams. Speaking of such, how do you feel about everything Alex."

"Thanks Bill. Me and the team have been doing drills and studying every piece of information that we've gotten about the event. Anything else I need to know sir?"

"I want you to be hyper aware of Piper at all times. I trust you with my biggest love."

"I assure you Bill that Piper is always my top priority. We can have entire conversations with each other without saying a word, that's not a connection that I've shared with anyone, not even my Mom who has always been my best friend."

"Daddy, Alex is by far the best person I've ever met. She is an incredible friend. She always takes care of me, makes me feel comfortable, is a great conversationalist, and and even better cook. She blows every security person I've ever had out of the water. Choosing her is definitely one off the best decisions I've ever made."

"I'm pleased that your both highly pleased with the placement. You should say hello to your Mom and brothers before the party begins."

"That's where we're headed next."

"Piper could you please try hard not to get in a fight with your Mom or Danny?"

"I'll try but no promises if they can't stop belittling every single thing I do or fail to do."

Alex whispers in her ear,"C'mon Pipes, lets get those intros out of the way so we can can relax afterwards."

Piper grabs Alex's hand and pulls her away, not caring if her Dad notices or not. Piper drops her hand before entering the kitchen, where her Mom is likely to be giving orders to the staff. In a whisper "Al, welcome to hell. And the detestable being that is my Mom."

"Mom, I want to introduce you to my roommate and head of my security team. Alex this is my Mom Carol."

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Chapman."

Carol ignores her and turns to her daughter instead. "Piper, that dress is and not appropriate. It doesn't even come to your knees, much less past. And that lipstick is way too dark."

Alex is watching Piper sink more and more by the second. She finds Carol beyond rude and is astounded that she speaks to her daughter so horribly. She knows she'll be starting a war, but she needs to take care of her girl.

"I think Piper looks absolutely stunning. The dress is a great length and brings out her beautiful blue eyes even more. And her lipstick isn't to dark, it's just enough to accent."

Carol gives her an if looks could kill stare. "I wasn't speaking to the help."

"I'm the head of Piper's security. It's my job to protect her from anything that could hurt her. I'm appalled by the way you speak to this sweet highly intelligent girl. It's clear to me that she needs to be shielded from the acid you spew. Do you even care about your daughter? Her dreams and wants and desires. Or is she simply supposed to be a show in your WASPy country club aspirations?"

"Al, she isn't worth it." Piper cuddles up next to Alex and puts her head on her shoulder.

"Why I never. Mark my words you will be fired. Your a disgrace."

Alex holds fiery eye contact with Carol. "Luckily that's not your choice. I work for Piper and Bill. Both of them actually appreciate me and the job I do. I didn't grow up with money, but my Mom worked her ass to provide for me and has always been my biggest cheerleader. Her approach and yours are worlds apart. And I would choose hers over any amount of money. And by the way, she loves your daughter as if she was her own and is fabulous with Piper."

"Piper! Are you going to stand for this thing speaking to me in such an appalling way."

"First of all, Alex is the best thing that's ever happened me. And yes she can speak to you anyway she wants. Not a single word out of her mouth is wrong. Alex and Diane love me more than you ever have. They make me feel warm inside and safe and important. All you ever do is criticize me no matter what I do or achieve it still isn't good enough in your eyes. Mom, I'm done with caring about your expectations. I'm 21 years old and I'm going to live my own life the way I want to live."

"C'mon Al, we're going to see if anyone else appreciates who I am."