8

Alex threw a grape into the air and moved her head so that it would land inside her mouth—it didn't. Instead it bounced off her lip and rolled across the carpet coming to a stop near Nicky's foot. Lorna let out a laugh.

Nicky shifted her foot to the side so as not to squish the grape and bent down to retrieve it. "Careful Vause," she said tossing the grape to Alex who caught it in her right hand and tossed it inside her mouth, "I don't think you want to pay to have my carpet washed."

"I'll have the entire thing replaced if it means you'll stop being a grump," Alex said chewing noisily on purpose. Nicky gave Alex an unamused glare but Alex simply shrugged, unbothered.

It was Friday night and somehow they'd all managed to make it into the weekend without blowing a fuse. Especially Nicky who'd been working twelve hour days. Despite Lorna's insistence of stopping by the office to help Nicky, the blonde had refused any sort of assistance from her beloved. This bothered Lorna, but she knew that Nicky wanted to spare her the long stressful hair-pulling days.

"I can't have my wife and boy worrying about something I can manage," Nicky had said. To some extent Lorna was grateful but she couldn't help feeling left out—she just wanted to leave the house for a day or two.

Alex on the other hand was stressed out over Nicky stressing out. Throughout the week Alex herself had offered her services to the head of Litchfield, but Nicky shot Alex down in similar fashion as she had with Morello.

"I can handle it," Nicky said when Alex had entered her office, barely giving the brunette a chance to speak before raising her hand and shaking her head.

"Let me at least file some papers for you," Alex insisted. "It's barely Tuesday and you're starting to look like a raccoon."

"No, thanks. I need to know where everything is," Nicky said without making eye contact, too busy typing an e-mail.

"I know how to file, Nichols," Alex rolled her eyes.

"And you also know where the door is," Nicky said already engulfed in her paperwork. With that Alex stomped out of the office angry that Nicky could be so hard-headed.

#

After a light dinner of salmon and steamed vegetables, they headed into the living room. Alex was sitting in one of couches by herself while Nicky and Lorna shared the other. Morello was reclining against one of the couch's armrests, her feet sprawled on Nicky's lap.

Alex popped another grape into the air and it graciously landed inside her mouth. She raised her eyebrows at Nicky who simply rolled her eyes. Lorna opened her mouth and gestured towards the inside; Alex, catching her meaning, took careful aim before tossing the round fruit at the pregnant woman. The grape bounced off Morello's nose then rolled into the kitchen where Nicky's eyes followed it. The blonde shook her head in disapproval.

"Catch," Alex tried again and this time—much to Nicky's relief—she hit the target. Except in a fit of laughter some juice escaped Morello's lips and landed on the carpet leaving a maroon stain.

"Uh oh," Alex said, her eyes going wide.

"Run!" Morello screeched.

In record speed, Nicky carefully pushed Lorna's feet to the side. Once Nicky was free, she lunged herself at Alex making it crystal clear she intended to make the brunette pay; but Alex knew and had been ready. She threw her arm over the couch and hauled herself over, then used her long legs to propel her onto the other side. She landed on the ground with a loud thump.

"That was not supposed to happen. I swear," Alex said defensively as she held her hands out in front of her, thankful for the couch putting space between her and Nicky. "I will have someone clean that first thing in the morning," she continued but that didn't stop Nicky from advancing. "It was an accident, I swear!"

Nicky stopped to consider her options. She could jump over the couch but that required physical exertion and she wasn't in the mood to parkour. While she was busy thinking, Alex began to slowly inch her way in the direction of her room (she intended to lock herself in it). Screw it, Nicky thought, and ran towards the couch. Alex saw it coming but was too slow to react.

Nicky used leg power to hoist herself over the couch then she jumped at Alex, soaring like a flying luchador. She landed on Alex's back and then proceeded to place her in a chokehold. They wrestled like teenagers until Alex gained the upper hand. Alex rolled over so that she was on top and sitting on Nicky's stomach. She then crossed the blonde's arms and held them pinned to the floor.

"You're not going anywhere," Alex said to a struggling Nicky.

"Let me go! You piece of—"

"Be nice," Alex interrupted her. "Promise me that if I let you go, you will not come after me."

"Screw you."

"Alright," Alex shrugged. She turned to Lorna and winked at the pregnant woman. No matter how much Nicky twisted and pushed, it did nothing as the Alex was both the strongest and heavier of the two.

In her confident state of power and control, Alex failed to see Lorna's foot making its way to her side. Without warning, Lorna kicked Alex hard enough to cause her to lose balance. This gave Nicky the opportunity to reverse the rolls.

"Hey! That's not fair! Two against one," Alex said, her voice muffled by the carpet digging into her mouth.

"If you got yourself a bride that would even the odds out," Nicky said. She twisted Alex's arm a little more and bent down so her mouth was close to Alex's right ear. Mockingly, she said, "I know a certain bachelorette that's on the market. If I were you I would make a move before someone snatches her up."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, Vause. Stupidity has never suited you."

"Apparently you're a magnet for it," Alex said annoyed.

"Suit yourself," Nicky twisted Alex's arm causing her to cry out.

"Ow ow ow ow," Alex cried and laughed at the same time.

To the side, Lorna was jumping up and down clapping her hands in excitement. It had been a while since she'd seen Alex this happy; in turn, it made her and Nicky happy that their friend was starting to enjoy life once more.

While Lorna knew the loss of Alex's mother would always plague the tall woman, it didn't mean she should mourn for the rest of her life. No. The biggest honor Alex could do to Diane was to live and not just by breathing and eating, but by enjoying moments like this with the two of them—who despite not being related to Alex by blood—still considered Alex a part of their small growing family.

Lorna let out a long laugh when Alex managed to flip a protesting Nicky again. Then, without warning, Lorna passed gas. There was no way for her to have noticed it coming as she was busy trying to control her laughter. One thing was for sure—it was loud.

"Oh my," Lorna said, her cheeks had instantly began to warm giving her notice of the shade of red that was sure to be there.

Nicky and Alex stopped mid-motion. Their hands were still locked and their mouths hung slightly open. They turned to stare at one another then burst into laughter. Nicky coughed aggressively feigning disgust.

"Babe, what the hell was that," Nicky asked pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm the one getting squished here and you're the one pumping gas."

"Oh God," Alex guffawed. "Here, let me help you," She placed her knee on Nicky's stomach and applied pressure.

"Stop! No, Vause! Stop! I'm going to pee! I'm going to pee!"

Their loud laughter made it almost impossible for Alex to hear her phone ringing in the other room. She quickly stood and ran to answer. Lorna raised an eyebrow in question. Nicky smiled knowingly.

Piper, Nicky mouthed.

"Oh."

Nicky placed her index finger to her lips, Shh. With a small movement of her head she gestured to the room. They listened intently.

"I'll pick you up…yeah…no…it's no problem. I'll be there in half an hour. No…I'm sure. Don't worry about it. Just send me a message with your address."

Alex finally came back and sat on the couch. When her phone buzzed she immediately opened the messaging app and composed a reply. She didn't notice that she was smiling like an idiot but the other two women in the room did. Nicky let out a whistle.

"What?" Alex raised her head.

"Who was that?" Nicky casually asked. When Alex didn't answer, "Come on Vause! I am your best friend don't you think I ought to know?"

"I have to go," Alex said dodging the question. She walked to the kitchen, shouldered her leather jacket, grabbed her keys and made her way to the door.

"Should we wait for you?" Lorna asked.

Alex stopped at the door. "No," she said, "I'll be back later." And with that she closed the door.

"Where do you think she's going?" Lorna asked. She patted the empty space beside her and Nicky plopped herself down, resting her head near Lorna's protruding belly.

"Out with Piper."

"Really? So those two are getting along now?"

Nicky placed a gentle kiss on Lorna's stomach and cuddled closer. "Yep. Piper can't stop beaming whenever Alex compliments her on the board meetings and Alex can't stop ogling Piper during said meetings."

"You're sure that's whose Alex's going out with?"

"Considering I asked Piper if she wanted to come over tonight and she told me she couldn't because she already had plans, then yes. I am absolutely positive that she's meeting with Alex."

"Should we continue with our plan, then?" Lorna asked.

"Maybe. What do you think?" Nicky looked up from her spot and Lorna and raised her eyebrows. Lorna smiled and lowered her head so that her lips grazed Nicky's.

"I think we should still give them a push."

"Alright then. The plans still in motion."

#

Alex was surprised to find Piper already waiting for her outside the apartment complex. She was casually dressed in jeans and a cardigan. When Piper saw the red car, she stuck her arm out and pointed her thumb up in a hitchhiking manner. Alex smiled and rolled to a stop.

"Hey," Alex greeted Piper when the later got in the car.

"Hey."

"So I know I'm the one who suggested we should meet up but…" Alex looked at both sides of the lot exit before entering the main street. "I have no clue where I'm going so if you have any suggestions now would be a good time to voice them. Otherwise we'll end up somewhere that might not be to your liking."

"I have a few," Piper said and with that she guided Alex to one of her favorite bars. Except when they got there, they were disheartened at the sight that greeted them. The parking lot was filled to the brim. Through the open window they could see the place was packed like a can of sardines.

"Guess that's a definite no," Piper said quirking her mouth. She typed something into her browser and guided Alex to another bar. The situation was the same as the first. They drove around for half an hour visiting several bars but finding them all full. Finally, and idea crossed Alex's mind. She wasn't very fond of it, but at that point they didn't have much of a choice.

"Why don't we visit someplace more…exclusive?" Alex said. Piper turned to look at her, lifting an eyebrow in question.

"Exclusive meaning?"

"Meaning we're more than likely to get a table." For a second Alex thought Piper would object. She was, however, surprised when Piper merely agreed to it with a shrug of her shoulders. Immediately, Piper searched something more upper class.

They arrived to the east side of the city. There the cars were similar to Alex's if not more luxurious and expensive. Piper didn't fail to notice the way the people were dressed. She looked down her own body and felt uncomfortable; she was most definitely underdressed. Relief washed over her when she noticed Alex dressed in the same manner, save for the leather jacket in place of a cardigan.

Alex pulled into the lot of a fancy looking brick building. Immediately, two valets came to both sides of the car and opened the doors for them. The one closest to Alex held his hand out and she handed him her key.

"Take care of him," she said to the eagerly awaiting teenager.

"Yes ma'am," he said.

Inside they were lead to a booth by a young woman. She was dark skinned, tall, and beautiful. Piper noticed this and unconsciously turned her face so she could see what Alex was doing or rather where she was looking. She wanted to know if the brunette noticed the beauty walking in front of them. Her heart fluttered when her eyes met Alex's as the brunette had been staring in Piper's direction. They held their gaze for a couple of seconds before they both turned away at the same time. From the corner of her eye, Piper saw a saw a small smile spreading across Alex's lips. She felt her lips pulling at their own sides.

"Here you go," the waitress, whose nametag read Erika, said. "Someone should be right over with you. Enjoy." She placed two menus in the middle of the table and walked away.

They took the menus and scanned the list of drinks and appetizers.

"See anything you like?" Alex asked peering over her menu.

"For a place like this I'm surprised they don't offer a single brand of beer," Piper said and placed the menu down. "Guess a margarita will do the trick."

Alex raised her eyebrows. "Beer?"

"I could really use a cold one right now. I've had a shit week," Piper said picking up the menu again and giving it another look.

"If it's a beer you want then it's a beer you'll get you," Alex said. She stood and held her hand out, waiting for Piper to take it.

"Where do you intend we go?" Piper asked taking it. "You saw every place we went to was packed."

"I think I have an idea in mind."

A/N: I know this isn't the type of update you wanted but at this point it was I either uploaded what I had so far, or I subjected you all to another month, or more, of waiting.

Anyways, as for the 15th here's what happened: I entered a writing competition between eight colleges. While I qualified for the finals, I didn't place in any of the three spots. Meh. Anyways, thanks to those who wished me luck.

I will most likely not update until next year as this semester is coming to an end and I'll be busy wrapping up all my final assignments. As the year comes to an end, here is my message to you all:

Happy Holidays! I hope you enjoy them and spend quality times with your loved ones!