Hey Guys!

What a cliff-hanger that was from last chapter hey?

I'm sorry about that and here is chapter 23 as a peace offering ;)

enjoy

-Skai

Chapter 23: 18 Agonizing hours

It has been over 18 excruciating hours since Alex had been brought here and 14 hours since Piper went out for air. Time seemed to be moving even slower than a chameleon.

Piper came back just in time for the doctor as her was on her way to update the family on Alex.

"How is she doctor?" Everyone was shocked to here the blonde-haired person's voice because they thought she was still out.

"Alex pulled through out of the comma and she was moved to her room, number 450 just on the next floor and she was asking for Piper." Everyone was happy to here the news and Piper was beyond happy but at the same time nervous to see her lover awake and hurting, she didn't want Alex to hate her or be mad with what happened.

"If you could all follow me I will take you to her room and the waiting room there. Visitation hours are over but I will allow you people to see her for a few minutes then only one person can spend the night here. This way please."

They followed the doctor to Alex's room and the doctor aske Piper to go in first before because Alex asked for her.

"Alex" Piper said so softly to not startle Alex. Although she did not move closer to Alex, it was as if she was frozen on the spot.

"Hey… come here." Alex tried to sit up but her broken ribs hurt like fuck so she stayed down and winced and Pipe was by her side in a swift to help her sit comfortably.

"Al, oh babe you are awake. You had everyone so worried. I was so worried about you." Piper went on to give Alex a hug and a peck on the lips.

"Hey Pipes! I am sorry I worried you," Alex said in a hoarse voice. She hugged Piper with all the strength she got.

"You don't have to apologise Al. I should be apologising because this is my entire fault." Piper went on to tell Alex all about the message she got.

"Listen to me Pipes. This is not your fault okay. I know we cannot go to the police because we do not have enough evidence but we have to do something. We can talk to our family and friends for help." Alex said reassuring Piper and the blonde-haired person just nodded.

"Pipes I know that look on your face. I do not hate you nor am I angry with you. We all have our crazy pasts and I will not hate you just because of your past. When I told you I loved you, I accepted your past, your weaknesses, your flaws, the good sides and the bad and I gave myself to you so you could do the same." Alex made soothing patterns on Piper's hand and the latter was in tears.

"Its crazy how I should be comforting you but you are comforting me instead. I love you so much Al. so, so much." Piper leaned in to peck Alex's lips.

"I love you too babe. Now get in bed with me so we could cuddle and watch 'family guy'. I need you close to me."

"Speaking about family they are here. Let me go get them." Piper went out and came back with everyone except for Cal who left earlier with Polly.

"Mom, Nicky, Lorna, Poussey and Taystee… what are you guys doing here? How did you get here? How long was I out?" Alex was shocked and looked at her girlfriend for answers.

"Whoa I am hurt; you don't even see us anymore." Carol said in a teasing manner with a smile and everyone laughed except Piper who had silence tears and tried to be strong but failed miserably.

"No it's not like that… its just they were not here and now they are here… I mean…" Alex was stammering because of the shock of seeing her mom and friends and not wanting to offend Carol who welcomed her as part of her family.

"Relax honey I was just joking. I know what you mean. Your girlfriend has the answers" Carol went on to kiss Alex's forehead as assurance and Alex was grateful.

"Whoa Alley cat one question at a time. You need to rest," Everyone went on to hug Alex in greeting and sat down on the chairs and couch in the room.

"Well Al, I had planned a little surprise for you for completing your semester and invited everyone but… yeah, all this happened. You have been only out for a couple of house, which felt like centuries if I might add." Piper said referring to the accident, she felt her tears pricking in her eyes, and her voice broke a little. Alex could not comfort her lover and it broke her.

"I can't believe I missed out on my own surprise party. Boy my timing sucks" Alex tried to make light of this situation but with no luck. She just wanted to see a smile on everyone's faces, more especially her girlfriend

"It's so good to see you awake honey, you scared us all." Carol said as she placed her hand on Alex's shoulder. She had grown to love Alex as one of her daughters and seeing her like this hurt her.

"Thanks Carol. I am glad to be awake too and sorry for scaring you guys." Alex tried to smile to the older blonde but it turned into a grimace from the pain she felt ripping through her leg. Her medication was starting to wear off.

They all chatted and the doctor said it was time for Alex to rest and everyone but one has to go. The others went outside leaving Piper with Diane in there.

"I know you want to be with Alex right now Diane so I will be in the waiting room. I am not going to the house." Piper did not want to leave but she knew if she is hurting like this, it must be worse for Diane and the older woman probably wants to remain behind.

"Nonsense dear. I am going to go with the rest to the house. You can stay behind and I am sure Alex wants you too. Just call me anytime you need me." Diane placed her hand on Piper's should in a comforting manner and then pulled her into a hug before pulling back to say goodbye to Alex.

"Thank you Diane." Piper was being sincere because she really wanted to stay behind, even if it meant sleeping in the waiting room on the uncomfortable chairs. She sat next to the sleeping Alex on the chair on the right side of the bed just looking at Alex and thinking of ways to get back at Kubra for hurting her girlfriend.

The doctor pulled piper out of her train of thoughts as she came to check on Alex along with a nurse.

"Hi there, its Piper right?" Piper just nodded.

"I think I didn't introduce myself earlier but I am Dr Chinn but you can call me Debby and this is our nurse Sophia. She will attend to Alex for the evening until her shift ends and then another one will be assigned."

"Thank you Dr, I mean Debby." the doctor nodded and went on to check on Alex who woke up in the process.

"Hello Alex, how are you feeling right now?" the doctor asked without stopping her check-up.

"I am okay. Just feeling some pain on my ribs and leg." Alex said as she saw Piper. She didn't want to make her worry but this wasn't just 'some pain' it was agonizing, excruciating pain that felt like it was going to tear her skin apart.

"How can you rate the pain from one to ten? We need to know so we could give you the correct dosage." The Dr was now scribbling on the clipboard.

"8.5" she said quietly without looking at anyone. The doctor was shocked that Alex was not even crying out for help because that had to hurt like hell.

"Sophia please give Alex some pain meds and check on her vitals. I will be back to check on you later but in the meantime Sophia will tend to your needs."

"Thank you Doctor."

"Everything loos good so far girl. You are very lucky. I will leave you people to it and I will see you in an hour's time. If you need anything just press this button. I will bring you a blanket." Sophia said after checking Alex.

"Thank you." Piper said.

"Don't mention it."

"You still owe me some cuddling and watching family guy Pipes. Now get into bed with me." Alex said as she shifted a bit. The medication was working now and the pain was bearable.

"Al baby I don't want to hurt you. You are in so much pain and I don't think the doctor will approve of me being in bed with you." Piper was scared of hurting Alex.

"The medication is working Pipers and you are hurting me by not wanting to cuddle." Alex made puppy eyes with a pout that Piper found to be adorable.

"Hey that's my trick to use. You can't use it against me." Piper said teasingly with a smile and Alex was happy to see the smile. Alex protruded her lips even more that Piper could not resist the urge to kiss them so she leaned in and kissed Alex so softly.

Piper got in bed next to Alex, careful to not hurt her. They stayed cuddled for a while without talking or turning on the TV, just enjoying being close to each other.

Alex remained at the hospital for two weeks before she was discharged to go home. Her ribs we so much better and still had a cast that was to be removed after a month. Nicky, Lorna, Taystee and Poussey went back home after two days of Alex being in the hospital. Only Diane stayed behind even to this day. She was going to help her baby while the others went to work because she and Piper know that Alex is too proud to ask for help from one of the helpers.

"Welcome home Alex" Cal and Nerie said in union.

"Thanks guys. It is good to be back. Hospital food makes me even sicker I think." Everyone laughed at this.

"Welcome home honey." Carol said as she hugged Alex lightly.

"Thank you. It's great to be with all of you again." Alex said with a small smile. Her face was clear of all bandages and she only had a few bruises that were healing nicely. Diane was making Alex's favourite meal when Alex came back with Piper from the hospital.

"Ally cat. I am glad you are out of that horrible place my baby." Diane hugged Alex and went on to finish cooking so everyone could have lunch.

Everyone moved to the sitting room to relax before they had lunch. Piper sat Alex comfortably on the couch with lots of pillows and cushions before she cuddled closer to Alex without hurting her.

"Welcome home Al." Piper said with a content sigh. She was back where she belongs, that is in Alex's arms.

"Thanks Pipes." Alex pecked Piper's lips. They stayed there and chatted for about twenty minutes before Diane called them to the table for lunch.

"I can't wait to have Diane's famous dish that Pipe kept on bragging about for a month full." Cal said making everyone laugh.

"Hey I was not bragging for nothing. It really is the best. Just wait until you tasted it and we shall see who will be talking about it non-stop." Piper defended herself. She and Alex walked hand-in-hand, as Alex's other hand held onto the crutch.

Everyone on the table had something to say about Diane's famous dish. They enjoyed to the fullest that they could not even have dessert immediately.

"Wow this was really the best meal ever. Can we hire you to cater for our wedding? Please" Nerie said seriously.

"Yes please. Your food is the best. I am so full but I cannot wait to taste the dessert." Cal supported his fiancé.

"You guys I am flattered but I had never cooked for many people, just family. I wouldn't even know what to do." Diane was so happy to hear that they loved her food but she did not want to ruin their big day by messing up.

"But working at a diner means you feed hundreds of people and hat is no different from this. Please Diane. Please, please, please. Pretty please with a cherry on top." Nerie batted her eyelashes making everyone laugh. Alex was happy for her mom and found it funny how her mom was cornered in a situation she could not get out of.

"Okay fine dear, I will do it. But if it fails don't blame it on me."

"It wont mom." Alex said looking her mom in the eye as if having a silent conversation, telling her mom how she believed in her.

"If Diane is catering your wedding I am definitely sitting next to the food table in the reception." Carol said making everyone laugh.

"What you mom not afraid of gaining weight?" Piper asked in a mock shock.

"It will be worth it for Diane's food. Besides it will only be for one day." Everyone laughed because they knew how Carol was with overeating, well except for Diane of course. They chatted for a while and had the best dessert that the couple to be wed asked for on their wedding day.

"Okay guys we are heading to bed. Al need to rest and I am going to the office tomorrow. So goodnight."

Everyone said their goodnights and went to bed. Piper went on to change Alex into her sleeping t-shirt only because she did not want to hurt Alex's leg. She then helped her into the bathroom to brush her teeth and back to bed. After that, she also did the same thing and joined Alex into bed.

"It feels so good to be sleeping in our bed again. I missed it so much without actually realising it." Ale said as she tried to pull Piper closer to her so she could spoon her.

"Its good to have you back too. It was not him same without you and the bed definitely felt cold. I feel like I am home in your arms." Piper said with a content sigh.

"Pipes…"

"Mmm"

"I meant to ask earlier but I forgot. I didn't see Mrs Thompson earlier on, is everything okay with her?" Alex felt Piper tense up a bit and then shift to face her.

"Sorry I forgot to tell you Al because I was so worried about you and my mind was just occupied with you. Mrs Thompson's youngest daughter who was living in Spain came back and took her mother away. She said she was going to look after her in her home in New York. It was sad to see her go but at the same time, she was so happy that it made me happy. She had not seen her daughter in over 8 years and the reunion was heart-warming. She left you a message with me. She aid to tell you to be strong and hang in there. She loved you like her daughter." Piper said with a sad smile. She hated seeing Mrs Thompson go and at the same time happy, that she was reunited with her daughter.

"I wish I had the chance to bid her farewell. I hope she is happy right now. I also loved her like she was my mother." Alex rested her forehead against Piper's and pulled her closer by the nape and kissed her softly with so much love and passion that made Piper's heart do a summersault. Alex's hands started to roam all over Piper's body and they said the blonde's body on fire.

"Al babe you have to stop. As much as I want to, we cannot. The doctor said no strenuous activities for another two more weeks." Piper said as she pulled away from the kiss while panting and rested her forehead back against Alex's.

"But it has been so long Pipes. We have never gone more than two days without sex and if we are too busy then we always had a quickie. I miss you." Alex said in a raspy voice filled with lust and her eyes grew darker.

"Believe me al. I want nothing more that to have you go putty in my hands and feel closer to you but I cant. I need you to heal first then maybe we will take a nice short holiday getaway somewhere were we will not see the light of day because we would be cooped up in our hotel room ravishing each other. How does that sound?" Piper new she won the argument already.

"You got yourself a deal. But know this that I will be in charge." Alex said in her flirtiest, most seductive voice ever.

"Whatever you say Vause. It's on." Piper said as she pecked Alex's lips.

"You wait and see Chapman. Holding out on me now will lead to you being unable to walk for days and I wouldn't be held responsible for that." Alex said with a smirk and Piper was so happy to see the smirk that sometimes annoy her back on her lover's face.

"Talk is cheap babe. Goodnight Al. I love you."

"You wait and see Pipes. Goodnight, I love you too Pipes and thanks for everything. "

They kissed and fell asleep in each other's arms soundly.