Author's note: Sorry it's been a while again. I'm just going ask if anyone else thought that the final season was upsetting? Like I was crying probably half of the time when I watched it... Anyway, I'm not sure how actively I'll be able to update as the school started again. But I'll try my best :)

Enjoy!

Piper couldn't stop staring. Alex was sleeping peacefully next to her, looking beautiful as always laying naked on her stomach. The comforter left her upper back bare and Piper admired her smooth skin and tattoos. Alex had looked so stressed every time they had seen last week, so it was nice to see her so relaxed for a change.

Piper finally decided that she wanted to capture this moment and got up carefully, so she wouldn't disturb Alex's sleep. She took her camera and studied Alex some more as she waited for the camera to start. When Piper had chosen the best angle, she snapped a couple of pictures and checked that the pictures had turned out as she had wanted.

"Those pictures better be good."

Piper almost dropped her camera. "Jesus, Alex, you scared me!"

The other woman chuckled as she finally opened her eyes to look at Piper. "Well, were they?"

"Yes. I doubt there even are any bad pictures of you", Piper commented as she put the camera away and went back to bed.

"Oh, there are. And mom keeps the most terrible ones on the walls", Alex told while rolling her eyes before remembered suddenly something. "Oh crap, talking about mom, what time is it?"

Piper turned to take her phone from the nightstand. "9:34."

"Shit, I have a brunch date with her and Nicky at 11. I got to go", Alex said apologetically as she climbed out of the bed. She pecked quickly Piper's lips before started to look for her last night's clothes and hastily put them on.

"I'm really glad we had chance to spend some time together, hopefully the next week is going to be a bit slower", Piper said still laying on the bed.

"Yeah, last night was great", Alex smirked. "And I think you need a little bit more practicing, so we should definitely do lots of that in the future."

Piper's face fell momentarily until she saw Alex's teasing grin and threw a pillow toward her head. "Asshole."

The editor just laughed and grabbed the pillow easily from the air. "See you soon, hopefully", she said before tossed the pillow back onto the bed.

"Yeah, have a great brunch."

"Probably not. Nicky will probably tease me the whole time and my mom... she'll probably tease me too", Alex said as she made her way toward the front door.

"Serves you right since all you do is tease me!" Piper laughed.

"I wasn't even teasing you last night, but if you want... I could drag it out next time..."

Alex left the apartment laughing and barely dodged another pillow that was thrown toward her.

She went to her apartment, showered, changed her clothes and put on a light makeup before rushed into the café. Alex crashed down next to her mom only seven minutes late which she thought was pretty impressing.

"Well, well... Look who decided to show up", Nicky taunted her best friend smirking.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Hello to you too."

"I would ask why you were late, but it's pretty damn obvious since you're glowing."

Alex glared at Nicky. "I do not glow."

"Oh, honey, yes you do", Diane intervened grinning. "I'm glad things are progressing with Piper. You look happy."

"I am."

"And you're sure that she isn't going to run away the second an attractive guy is interested in her?" Nicky asked seriously.

"Yeah, she really seems to be serious about this", the editor smiled softly.

"I'd like to meet her properly someday", Diane said excitedly.

"Sure, someday. But not yet, I don't want to overwhelm her. We aren't even officially together."

"From what I gathered last night, she seems cool. Not your usual type but maybe the change is a good thing", Nicky shrugged.

"What do you mean my usual type?"

"You know... bitchy type", her best friend grinned.

"I do not have such a type!"

Diane cleared her throat. "Your type was more like confident but unfortunately most of your past girlfriends were... well bitchy."

Alex pursed her lips together as she thought about her latest relationships. It was true that she found confidence attractive, but that was mostly because usually confident women were great in bed. And her relationships had really been just about sex lately. "Might be, but it's not like I was super serious about those relationships."

"But you're about this one?" Diane inquired and Alex thought she might have heard a hint of hope in her voice.

"I guess... She is different."

"That's a huge step-up from last time we talked when you tried to convince us that you were definitely not interested in her", Nicky commented chuckling. "But I should probably fulfill my duty as your best friend and threaten to make her life living hell if she breaks your heart."

Alex's eyes widened. "Please don't, I don't need you to scare her off."

Nicky just laughed. "Relax. I was only kidding... mostly."

"We promise our best to try not to scare off your hopefully future girlfriend", Diane said seriously before bursting into laughter with Nicky.

"You two are impossible", Alex rolled her eyes but grinned at them affectionally.

Piper stepped out of her car and made her way toward her parents' house. Her mother had called a few hours earlier to ask if she had time to visit them since it had been a while since they had last seen. Piper decided to go since she didn't have anything better to do and she really wanted to catch up with her younger brother, Cal, who also was at home for once.

She opened the door with her keys and was immediately greeted by Cal's cheerful voice. "Hey! What's up, big sis?"

Piper chuckled as she took in Cal's negligent clothes, cargo shorts, and a Hawaii T-shirt. She loved how Cal completely ignored all of their parents' wishes and expectations and just did whatever he wanted. "Hi! It's good to see you, Cal."

Cal smiled at her widely before embracing her into a bear hug. "How's life in the big city?"

"It's great. I really like my new job and I've met some amazing people", Piper smiled at her brother before grinned teasingly. "How's your life in the middle of the woods? Are you still living in that trailer?"

"Heck yeah! And guess what..." Cal paused dramatically. "My new girlfriend loves it."

"No way!" Piper exclaims, genuinely happy for her brother.

"Yes way!" Cal grinned before his smile dropped. "I heard about Larry, that's tough."

Piper just shrugged. "It's fine. It just wasn't working... I'm not upset about it."

"That's good. Have you found someone else that caught your eye?"

Piper opened her mouth to tell Cal about Alex but was interrupted when her parents came to greet her. "Piper! Hi, we're so glad you were able to come", her mother told her before hugging Piper.

Her father smiled at her warmly. "It's good to see you, honey. The food is already on the table."

All of them went sit at the table and as they were filling their plates with the food, Cal decided to continue their earlier conversation. "You didn't have time to answer me, but have you found someone new?"

"Well..." Piper cleared her throat awkwardly as she glanced at her mother, but she didn't show any signs that she knew Piper was seeing a woman.

"Oh! You're seeing someone! Who is the lucky man?" Bill asked excitedly.

Piper hesitated. She hated disappointing her parents... but on the other hand, if she didn't tell the truth now, it might be even harder later. And Alex definitely didn't deserve to be hidden.

"The lucky woman is my neighbor, Alex. Also, she's the managing editor of the magazine I'm working for", Piper admitted and then waited for everyone's reactions. Her father seemed to be the most shocked, just staring at Piper in bewilderment. Her mother didn't seem so surprised, after all, she had known, but she seemed a bit disappointed like she had hoped that she had heard wrong or something. Cal was just staring at her with wide eyes and Piper didn't know what to make out of it.

"You're a lesbian?" Cal asked finally, breaking the silence.

Piper sighed. "I'm not a lesbian. But something about her just... I don't know. I just know that I really like her."

"That's cool, as long as you're happy. But don't you dare to steal my girlfriend!" Cal said with narrowed eyes.

Piper let out a relieved breath and grinned at her brother before turned to face her parents. "Mom? Dad?"

"Is she your girlfriend?" Bill finally asked with a stony face.

"No... not yet. But I'm hoping that she will be soon."

"But Piper, you have to think about your future! What about kids? Marriage? And what would everyone think? People aren't going to be very accepting", her mother ranted.

"I'm 22, mom. This is the time when I should be enjoying my life and not stress about marriage and kids. But if it's so important to you... it's 2019. The same-sex marriage is accepted and if we wanted, we could have kids. What comes to other people, I don't care what they think. I just wish my own parents would be happy for me", Piper sighed disappointedly. "Anyway, I'm not here to ask your permission. I just thought you should know."

There was an awkward silence until Carol spoke. "This is quite a lot to process..."

"I know. I guess I should just head back home... I have some work to do anyway", Piper said as she stood up from the table. She really didn't want to stay and get judged. She had hoped that her parents would react a bit better.

"We get it", Cal smiled at her sister sympathetically. "Would you mind if Neri and I paid a quick visit someday? I'd like you to meet her."

"Not at all. I would love to meet her", Piper replied, grateful that at least Cal took the news well.

"Maybe I could meet Alex as well. I need to determine if she is worth of your time", Cal joked, probably just to annoy their parents by mentioning Alex.

Piper couldn't help but laugh as she shook her head. "We'll see... I guess I see you around at some point", she said to her parents before left the kitchen and the house.

"Are you serious?"

Piper sighed as she crashed down on Polly's couch. "Yup. Just: this is quite a lot to process", she repeated her mother's words, mimicking her voice.

"I'm sorry", Polly grimaced sympathetically as she sat down next to Piper.

"I know that dad wasn't expecting it in the slightest... but mom knew! I hoped that she would had time to think about it and be a little less... disappointed."

"Yeah, I get it. But there's still time for them to come around. But I have to ask... if they won't, would you ignore their expectations and be with Alex or would you break up with her?"

Piper groaned. "That's what I've been trying to work out for the past couple of hours! I just... I know what I would have done a few years ago but now I'm not sure. But I think... maybe it's time to start living my own life."

"That's great, hun. But remember that whatever you decide to do, I'm always there for you."

"I know. You're such an amazing friend. I don't know what I would do without you", Piper smiled at her best friend.

"Me neither", Polly joked before turned serious again. "But for real, I fully support that decision. I'm not willing to believe that your parents would abandon you over something like this. But if you turn Alex down now... I'm not so sure that she would give you another chance even though she obviously cares about you."

"I know. Alex's best friend is in love with this straight girl who can't decide between her and some douchebag, so Alex won't tolerate anything like that at all. So, if I would end things because I'm scared of what my parents would think, I'm sure that it would be over for good."

Polly nodded thoughtfully. "I think you really should pursue this thing between you and Alex. It seems like once in a lifetime thing and I'm like seventy-five percent sure that your parents will come around."

"Yeah..."

"I think this is something you should talk to Alex about."

"What? Why? Hey, Alex, I was just wondering if I should choose you over my parents. What do you think?" Piper asked sarcastically.

"Not like that you idiot", Polly rolled her eyes. "Just tell her what happened, you don't need to ask her opinion. Think about if your roles were reserved, if Alex would choose you over her parents, wouldn't you like to know that?"

"I guess... but what if she's going to be overwhelmed? I mean we aren't even together! I don't want her to feel like she has to be with me just because I chose her."

"I don't think that'll be the case. And I think the only reason why you two aren't together is because she is afraid of overwhelming you. She wants to do things at your pace because you're new with women. So, I bet if you asked her to be your girlfriend she would say yes without hesitation."

"You really think so?" Piper asked doubtfully.

"Yes! From what I've seen and what you've told me, she really likes you!"

"Maybe I should... after all this is pretty important and like you said, Alex probably would like to hear about this", Piper sighed finally as she took her phone. "I'm going to ask when she has time to chat."

[Piper] - Hey. Just wondering if we could talk when you have time.

[Alex] - Hey! And sure we can talk ;P

[Piper] - I think you and I have a different opinion of what talking means.

[Piper] - But there was actually something I need to talk you about.

[Alex] - Sounds pretty serious. I need to read through a few articles and probably edit them a bit but I can come to yours after I'm done?

[Piper] - Sounds great.

[Alex] - And maybe after we're done talking, we could do my kind of talking ;)

[Piper] - You're impossible :D

Alex smirked at her phone before put it aside and focused back to her laptop. She wondered briefly what Piper wanted to talk about but decided that she wouldn't start to speculate. She would read those damn articles and do her job before she went to talk to Piper.

After a couple of hours, Alex was done and she shut her laptop before got up from her desk and stretched. Now she was ready to go chat with Piper.

She grabbed her phone and keys before made her way out of her apartment and knocked on Piper's door. The photographer opened the door a few seconds later a wine glass in her hand.

"Hi", the blonde greeted smiling.

"Hey. You look a bit stressed", Alex observed a little worriedly. "What did you want to talk about?"

Piper stepped aside, so Alex could enter the apartment. "Let's talk about inside. Do you want a glass of wine?"

"That serious?" Alex joked and was pleased when Piper chuckled.

"Kind of."

"Then sure."

Alex went to wait for Piper on the couch and didn't need to wait for long until the blonde reappeared and sat down next to Alex as she gave her the wine glass.

"So...?" Alex prompted as she sipped the wine.

Piper sighed. "I went to see my parents today."

"Okay?"

"And I told them about you."

The editor's eyes widened slightly. Of course she had hoped that Piper wouldn't try to hide their relationship but she hadn't dared to hope that she would be so honest about it. "Wow. How did they react?"

Piper grimaced. "Not well. Expect my brother, he'd like to meet you someday. But I guess that meeting the family is kind of big thing and it got me thinking... like we aren't even together yet but I was thinking- maybe you'd like to... fuck this is hard."

Alex chuckled. "Relax kid. Let's start with your parents, what do you mean they didn't react well? Like how bad was it?"

The other woman sighed. "I mentioned you to my mom about a week ago but then I chickened out and ended the call before she had the chance to say anything. Then she just pretended that I hadn't said anything later when we talked. When I told them today, she seemed disappointed and started to rant about marriage and kids and that people wouldn't accept it."

"Marriage and kids", Alex let out a breath. "Not sure about you but I think it's a bit too early for me."

Piper shook her head, but a small smile appeared on her lips. "Yeah, that's my mom. Her ideal family is like having three kids and a husband at the age of 25."

"That's..."

"A lot, I know. Anyway, dad didn't say anything. Just asked if you were my girlfriend like it would be the most horrible thing in the world."

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize your family was that... conservative."

"It's fine. I think they'll come around after some time... at least I hope so. But I decided that it doesn't matter what they think. I've always sought their approval but recently I've realized that I need to think about myself too."

Alex had turned very serious as Piper spoke. "I'm not going to ask you to choose me over your parents."

"I know that. But I've already made my choice. If my parents won't accept me the way I am, that's their problem. I'm not letting you go just because my parents think that being with a woman is improper. I want to be with you and I'm not letting my parents change my mind."

"That's... really brave", Alex said finally. "And I'm really glad that you want to choose me, but I need you to think about this. Really think about it. We're talking about your parents Piper, if it comes to it are you really ready to lose them just so you can be with me?"

"Alex, you need to understand something. I love my parents, but we never shared the same kind of connection that you share with Diane. And obviously I wish that it won't go that far but if they really refuse to accept my attraction toward woman, toward you, I will choose to be true to myself. You said that you're not going to ask me to choose you over my parents, and I'm not going to do that. I'm choosing myself."

The other woman just stared at Piper. Now she regretted that she had ever thought that Piper would act like a typical straight girl. "You never fail to amaze me, Piper Chapman. I understand that this wasn't probably an easy decision, but I'm glad that you chose yourself and I'm going to stand by you, no matter what happens."

The photographer sighed in relief. "Well, that's good because I have something to ask you."

"Yeah?"

"What would you say if I asked you to be my girlfriend?"

Alex eyebrows shot up in surprise but soon her trademark smirk spread on her lips. "I'm not telling you that. It would spoil the surprise. I guess you just have to wait until you ask me to get your answer."

Piper slapped Alex's shoulder lightly. "Jerk."

The editor just raised one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows. "So, Piper, do you have something to ask me?"

Piper took a deep breath and turned to fully face Alex. "Alex, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Piper. I would love nothing more."

The blonde smiled widely before kissed Alex deeply. The other woman answered passionately until they had to break apart to get some oxygen.

"You said also something about meeting a brother?"

"Yeah, Cal. He said that he would visit at some point and introduce me to his new girlfriend, and I'd like you to meet him as well. I think you two would hit it off, he's a bit of a troublemaker. But only if you want to, you don't have to."

"I'd like to meet him. I'm not a fan of your parents at the moment but your brother sounds fun. And since we're talking about meeting family... my mom has been asking to meet you properly."

"I'd love to meet her as well. She seems like an amazing person."

"She is", Alex smiled softly before grinned mischievously. "Is there anything else we should talk about or can we move to your bed to do my kind of talking?"

Piper grinned right back. "I think that was all."

"Good", the raven-haired woman said as she took Piper in her arms and started to carry her toward the bed.

Thanks for reading! Please review and tell me what you thought :)

- Iina