Author's note: One more! I wasn't supposed to write any more chapters to this fic but I got this idea and just had to write one more chapter :D I should probably have thought more about the ending but I blame the fact that I generally don't plan anything too far ahead. I'm aware that this isn't probably the best way to write but... anyway, here is the last chapter.

Enjoy!

Alex woke up when the sunlight started to come through the window. She yawned without opening her eyes and turned to lay on her stomach, hoping to get a little more sleep. It had been pretty late before Alex and Piper had gone to sleep.

Talking about Piper, Alex couldn't help but opened her eyes to look at her girlfriend when she felt her turning around beside her. Unlike Alex, Piper had turned to lay on her back and Alex let her eyes roam over Piper's naked body. She truly was beautiful.

Piper started to stir like she had felt Alex's gaze and subconsciously snuggled closer Alex.

Alex smiled as she gently removed Piper's hair out of her face. "Good morning."

The blonde slowly opened her eyes before breaking into an adorable smile. "Good morning indeed."

Alex chuckled before placing a small kiss on Piper lips.

They laid there for a while, just enjoying the lazy morning before Piper forced them out of the bed after she heard Alex's stomach growling.

"How the hell did we manage to create such a mess?" Piper asked Alex as they examined the kitchen from the doorway.

"I'm asking myself the same thing", a voice from the other doorway stated.

Both of the girls were startled by Diane's sudden appearance.

"Mom! Why are you back so early?" Alex inquired.

"Early? It's noon! How late did you two stay up?" Diane asked as she stepped fully into the kitchen. "And do I even want to know what you were doing in my kitchen? Kitchen where people actually eat?"

Piper's and Alex's eyes widened as they realized what Diane was trying to say.

"No! No. It wasn't like that", Alex rushed to say as she took one of the cookies they had baked. "We were just making cookies", she explained as she offered it to her mom.

"Oh, thank god", Diane sighed in relief as she took the cookie. She looked it suspiciously for a while before took a tentative bite.

The girls were staring at her intensively, both waiting for some kind of comment.

"It's good", Diane finally said in approval. "Almost worth of the mess. You two are planning to clean this up, right?"

"Yeah. Of course. We were supposed to clean it before you came home but it went pretty late last night and we just woke up...", Piper rambled.

Diane chuckled. "Relax, kid."

"We'll clean it up, mom. Go watch TV or something", Alex assured her.

Diane gave one last look around the kitchen before nodded and went to upstairs.

"Did she really think that we had sex in the kitchen?" Piper asked with a soft blush spreading on her face.

Alex laughed. "She did."

"I could consider it if we were in my apartment... hell we would have most likely done it if we were there. But doing it in here? In your mom's house, in her kitchen? That would have just been awkward..."

"Yeah. Usually, mom is cool about sex and stuff, you know her. But doing it in her kitchen? That would have been probably too much."

"Too much", Piper nodded in agreement. "Let's clean this mess."

After about half an hour they had managed to get the kitchen clean again and almost immediately after Diane came back.

"And now it's like we were never here", Alex announced as she turned around to face her mother. She frowned at the distant look on Diane's face. "Is everything okay?"

Diane didn't even acknowledge the now cleaned kitchen and just absent-mindedly nodded. "Yeah."

"Are you sure?" Alex asked, kind of worried.

Diane seemed to snap out of her thought as she furrowed her eyebrows. "No. Look, I need to talk you about something", she said as she briefly glanced at Piper.

The blonde figured that Diane wanted to have this conversation privately and nodded. "Right. I'll be just in your room", she said to Alex and gave a quick kiss on her cheek before disappearing into the stairs.

Diane sighed. "I got a call..."

Alex didn't say anything, silently encouraging her to continue.

"It's... fuck, Alex. Your father died. That dumbass overdosed", Diane told her with another sigh.

"Oh..." Alex didn't know what to say. Her father had never been in her life, she didn't know what to think about his death.

"I know that he was never a part of your life but I just thought that you should know. His funeral is next week and I think I should go... It's up to you if you want to come with me."

"I know he was important to you at some point. Of course I'll come with you. And yes, he was dick when he left but without him I wouldn't be here, so..."

Diane gave her a small smile. "Thank you, honey. You can obviously tell Piper and if she feels like it she can come with us to the funeral... if she's ready. But I just thought that this was that kind of thing I should talk about with you first. And I didn't know how much you have shared with her, so..."

"Yeah, I get it. Piper knows about him but, yeah. I'll talk with her. Are you sure you're alright, though?"

"Yeah. It was a long time ago that I felt something else than disgust towards him. And honestly, I saw this coming. He used drugs already when we were together. This just brings back memories."

"How on earth did you fall for him?" Alex asked as she shook her head.

"I don't know", Diane said smiling a little. "Go to talk with Piper."

Alex hugged her mom briefly before followed Piper to the upstairs

"Hey", Piper greeted softly from Alex's bed as Alex came into her room.

"Hey."

"What was it? If you want to talk."

Alex groaned as she crashed down next to Piper. "It's my father."

Piper raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"He died. Overdosed."

Piper's eyes widened as she thought what to say. "I'm sorry?"

Alex chuckled but it didn't sound her own. It wasn't the chuckle Piper loved. "Don't be. He is... was practically a stranger. I just... I still feel this... I don't know how to describe it. It's not quite sadness but something like that? It doesn't make any sense", Alex sighed as she buried her head on Piper's shoulder.

"Of course it makes", Piper said as she wrapped her hands around Alex. "You're allowed to miss your father. At least the idea of him."

"Sometimes I wonder how it would have been if he hadn't left..."

"I know this might sound harsh but... It was better this way. Growing up alone with a mom as amazing as Diane is better than a junkie dad would have been", Piper said.

"I guess you're right... But he could have changed?" Alex pondered aloud.

"Yeah. He could have... but it's kind of pointless to think about it because it didn't happen. But you're still allowed to feel sad", Piper reassured.

"Let's just cuddle for a while?"

Piper answered by hugging Alex closer. "Sure thing."

They laid there in a comfortable silence before Alex took a deep breath. "His funeral is next week. I don't know which day but yeah, next week..."

"Okay?"

"I just... Mom is obviously going and I promised to be there for her and she said... I mean, if you feel like you're ready- you could... Obviously I don't want you to- you know I would never-"

"Slow down for a bit", Piper interrupted chuckling softly. "I can't finish the sentences you started, so how about you start from the beginning and just ask me what you wanted to ask", she suggested gently, already guessing what this might be about.

Alex groaned in mild frustration. "She said that you can come with us. To the funeral. But it's not a big deal. I totally get it if you don't want to come."

"It is a big deal Alex. And I want to come. I want to be there for you."

"Seriously? Are you sure?" Alex asked.

"I'm sure."

"Thank you", Alex sighed, suddenly feeling much better when she knew that Piper was going to be on her side through this.

The next week was kind of blur to Alex. She was moody and constantly on the edge and she was mad at herself because she let the man who was never part of her life to affect her that much.

Piper had been nothing but wonderful. Usually, it was Alex who had been taking care of Piper. Making sure that her thoughts stayed away from negativity and keeping company when she felt sad. This time it was Alex who needed someone to keep her thoughts positive and Piper made a great job with that.

Alex felt kind of bad for hogging Piper from Polly but Piper insisted it was fine since Polly was working most of the times anyway. On Saturday all the three of them went to eat lunch together and Alex got to know Polly better. It was obvious that Piper and Polly were both changed and they weren't always sure how to act around each other but Alex was happy that Piper got her best friend back.

The days went too fast and suddenly Alex found herself sitting on the backseat of their car with Piper as her mom was driving them to the funeral.

They were all wearing black dresses and Alex felt bad again as she noticed how uncomfortable Piper seemed when she had put the dress on. It probably reminded her of her parents' funeral.

Alex had told Piper that she didn't need to come but Piper insisted that she was fine.

"You okay?" Piper asked as she took Alex's hand in her own.

"Yeah. Are you?"

"Yeah."

Alex had talked about her father with Nicky and she had also promised to come with them as the funeral was in Hartford.

"Thank you for coming with us", Alex said smiling lovingly at Piper.

"Of course. Anything for you", Piper said cheekily as she pressed a kiss on Alex's cheek.

Diane also hadn't been herself lately and hadn't shared her usual witty remarks but now as she watched the two girls from the rear view mirror, she couldn't help but smirk. "You two are so cute it's almost sickening."

Piper chuckled blushing slightly but didn't let go of Alex's hand.

The rest of the journey was spent in silence before Diane parked the car. Piper got up from the car a little anxiously not really knowing what to expect.

The funeral was held in a cemetery, no church or anything. It was very different from her parents' funeral and Piper realized that she was mostly okay. There weren't tears threatening to fall onto her cheeks or any rising panic. She sighed in relief but squeezed Alex's hand a little tighter.

All three started to walk towards the open grave where people had gathered. They stood there by themselves as they didn't know anybody there. Diane recognized a couple of familiar faces but didn't make an effort to include herself into a conversation with them.

"He was a good man at some point", Diane said suddenly.

"I know mom. You wouldn't have been with him if he wasn't", Alex pointed out as she comfortingly wrapped her arm around Diane's shoulder.

"He just loved his drugs more", Diane retorted and Piper tried not to visibly flinch at her words. It hadn't been too far for her to turn up same. Or Nicky. What was it with Vause's family and drug addicts?

"And when I got pregnant... he just got scared. He ran away from his problems instead of facing them", Diane continued thoughtfully.

This time Piper couldn't keep the grimace out of her face but luckily neither Alex or Diane was keeping too close eye on her. Alex's father sounded too similar. Piper promised herself to never turn out like him.

She was startled out of her thoughts as Alex's phone buzzed. Alex glanced at the screen before her eyes moved around the cemetery. "Nicky's here."

"I'll go find her?" Piper proposed, wanting to clear her head a bit.

Alex smiled at her gratefully. "Yeah, thank you."

Piper slipped her hand out of Alex's and went to find Nicky, immediately missing the secure feeling of being on her girlfriend's side.

Alex and Diane talked about Alex's father for a bit more before Alex checked again if her mom really was fine.

"I'm fine, Alex. Don't worry. I'm just a bit overwhelmed right now", Diane said reassuringly.

Before Alex had time to respond, a man walked up to them. "Diane Vause?"

"That would be me, yes."

"Ah. I knew I recognized you", the man smiled.

Alex watched him half curiously and half warily. He didn't seem unfriendly but something about him made the hair stand up on the back of her neck.

"I'm sorry who are you?" Diane asked with raised eyebrows.

"Of course. I'm Fahri. I'm- I was a friend of Burley", The man, Fahri introduced himself as he offered his hand to shake.

Diane took his hand and shook it gently. "Nice to meet you."

"I recognized you from some pictures that he showed me", Fahri explained as he saw the question in Diane's eyes.

"Right", Diane nodded.

Fahri turned his eyes to Alex and smirked slightly. "You must be Alex."

"Yeah", Alex nodded but didn't say anything else in hopes that his attention would move elsewhere.

"You seem smart", he commented.

Alex huffed. "Okay?"

"You're around your twenties, right? You wouldn't be in need of a little college money, would you? I have a perfect job to offer if you're interested?"

Alex hesitated. Money was always good. But this man seemed kind of shady and she didn't want to tangle herself into anything she'd regret. But maybe she should hear him out first?

"No, she's not", an angry voice came behind Fahri's back and Alex moved a little, so she could see her girlfriend walking up to next to her glaring at the man. She had managed to find Nicky and she was walking just a couple of steps behind her, watching the scene unfolding in front of her.

A wolfish grin spread on Fahri's face as she saw Piper. "Piper Chapman. Long time no see."

"Luckily. Now, seeing that we're not interested in anything you're about to offer, you can fuck off", Piper said with a sweet smile.

All three women were watching her curiously but Piper refused to meet any of their eyes and just stared at Fahri.

Fahri raised her hands in surrender after a moment. "I will, calm down. But first, I want a couple of words with you."

Piper gritted her teeth and continued her glaring.

"Come on. All the things I helped you with and you're not going to spare even five minutes for me?"

Piper tensed before forcing herself to relax. "Two. You have two minutes."

Fahri grinned and started to lead them a little further away but Alex grabbed Piper's hand before she could follow.

Piper turned around to find Alex's concerned face and tried to smile reassuringly. "Don't worry. It's fine. I'll be back soon."

Alex let Piper's hand reluctantly and watched as she turned around to follow Fahri.

"Okay, what?" Piper asked once they were out of the earshot.

"How have you been?"

"Great. I got clean and you and your drugs are going to stay away from me and my friends", Piper threatened.

"Your friends", Fahri repeated amusedly. "Alex seemed to be more than just a friend", he commented with raised eyebrows.

"It's not your business. Tell me what you had to say so I can leave."

"You've become rude", Fahri mumbled before continued. "So, you got clean, huh? You're not craving it anymore? You know it would make you feel better."

Piper clenched her jaw.

"I have some if you need. You can even offer it to your girlfriend", he smirked as he took something from her pocket.

Piper's eyes widened as she glanced at the small packet. "What the fuck you think you're doing?! You trying to get arrested?"

"I knew that you'd care", Fahri told her still smirking.

Piper sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair. When she had started using Fahri had been there, he wasn't a drug dealer but Piper had gotten her drugs from him. Piper figured that he was part of some drug thing but had never asked. Fahri had taken care of her in his own fucked up way and he had been pretty much Piper's best friend back then. "Look Fahri, I'm grateful for everything you did for me but I need to stay away from drugs. For my brother, for my girlfriend, for me. So, please, could you just... leave us alone?"

Fahri studied Piper's face for a moment before sighing. "Fine. But you know where to find me if you change your mind."

"Thank you", Piper nodded before turned away and went back to the others.

Before she had the chance to explain any of that, Nicky dragged her further away.

"Aren't I popular today", Piper quipped sarcastically.

"What the fuck was that Chapman? Do you think I don't recognize a drug dealer when I see one? I swear to god I will punch you in the face if you have managed to get yourself hooked on drugs again", Nicky ranted with an angry but quiet voice so they wouldn't draw attention.

"Firstly, he wasn't a drug dealer. But something close. Anyway, he was an old... friend from the time I used. But don't worry, I asked him to stay away from us and he agreed. Problem solved", Piper shrugged.

Nicky looked at her somewhat suspiciously. "I saw he had some stuff with him. You didn't get the urge?"

"Of course I got, Nicky!", Piper snapped. "Once an addict, always an addict, right? I just know better than to use again."

Nicky sighed. "Yeah, okay. You're right."

"Let's just get back? I promise it isn't anything serious."

Nicky looked at her skeptically for a while before nodded.

They went back to Diane and Alex who appeared to be even more confused now.

"What was all that?" Alex asked concerned.

Piper sighed and debated whether she should lie or just tell the truth. She hated lying to Alex, so she just went with it. "I got drugs from him."

Alex's and Diane's eyes widened as they stared at Piper in bewilderment.

"What?" Piper asked with furrowed eyebrows. Why was it such a shock, they knew that she had used- "Oh my god! Not now! Back then when I was using. Jesus, I wouldn't... God, no."

Alex and Diane sighed from relief at the same time as Nicky chuckled. "You sure you're not religious, Chapman?"

Piper raised her eyebrows amusedly "I guess it would be good time to inform you that if I was religious, I wouldn't have said that sentence because there is this thing called ten commandments and there is this one commandment which says: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain."

Alex chuckled as Nicky groaned. "Aww, man. You're just like Alex, always pointing out the inaccuracy of my insults. Just take the goddamn insult and let it go!"

Piper shook her head laughing before turning her attention back to Alex and Diane. "Anyway, he got me drugs back then and was something like a best friend to me at some rather desperate times", Piper made a face. "Anyway, I'm pretty sure the job he was offering would have had something to do with drugs, so I intervened."

"I thought he seemed shady", Alex said with furrowed eyebrows. "Thanks. For telling the truth."

"Of course."

"If he's some kind of drug dealer, shouldn't you let the police know or something?" Diane asked worriedly.

"No", Piper shook her head immediately.

"What? Why?"

"He isn't a drug dealer. He's probably part of something bigger and I have no intentions to get involved with anything of that."

Diane didn't have a chance to answer as the welcome speech started. All the four of them turned their attention towards the random man.

The ceremony was quite short. After the welcome speech, Fahri gave the eulogy. It was surprisingly touching and Piper noticed some tears in Diane's eyes. Alex seemed thoughtful and just a little bit pained but wasn't crying. Piper figured that Alex was still thinking that what would it had felt like to have that kind of father. Though, Piper was fairly sure that Alex's father wasn't the good man that Fahri described. Piper slipped her hand into Alex's and gave her a reassuring squeeze. Alex turned to smile at Piper gratefully and squeezed back to signal that she was fine.

Then there was a short moment of silence as the body was lowered into the ground and then people went to throw flowers into the grave. Alex and Diane both had their roses but Nicky and Piper didn't since they were here only as emotional support.

After the flowers had been thrown, the same man who gave the welcome speech gave the closing words and then people started to gradually leave the cemetery.

Diane and Alex weren't keen on staying around, so they left rather quickly. When they got to the parking lot, Alex gave Nicky a tight hug and thanked her for coming.

"Of course. It was no problem", Nicky smiled as she hugged Alex back.

"I'll visit soon, okay?" Alex asked as she pulled back.

"You better", Nicky grinned before gave goodbyes to Piper and Diane and got into her own car.

Alex turned her attention to Piper. She had tried to gauge Piper's facial expressions during the ceremony, but her face had stayed carefully neutral.

"I'm fine, Alex", Piper smiled as she saw Alex's questioning look. "I should be the one to ask if you are okay."

"I'm okay", Alex nodded with a small smile before turned to look at her mother. "And you?"

Diane chuckled. "I'm alright. He was pretty much dead to me anyway. Are you sure you're fine, though, Piper?"

Piper groaned. Somehow Diane and Alex always managed to turn the attention to her. "I'm fine, seriously. This was so different from... I promise it was fine."

Diane and Alex nodded. "Alright then. Now when we're established that we're all fine, are we ready to go?"

"Yeah", Alex nodded as she wrapped her arm around Piper's waist.

When Diane turned around to walk the short distance to the car Alex tilted her head to whisper in Piper's ear. "Thank you for being here."

The blonde smiled at Alex. "Anytime."

Alex stared at Piper's eyes for a while. "I love you."

Piper grinned before snuggled her nose in the crook of Alex's neck. "I love you too."

Diane watched the interaction smiling from the car before quipping. "Alright, lovebirds. I'm going to leave now. Are you going to come with me or stay here acting all lovey-dovey."

Alex chuckled at her mother and started walking towards the car with her arm still securely wrapped around Piper.

Thank you for reading! It's been a long way and I really enjoyed writing this story. I'm grateful for everyone who has been reading this story and all the positive feedback. It has kept me motivated! My next fic will probably be a pretty short neighbor fic that I can't seem to get out of my head :D Hopefully you'll be there. I'm going to keep publishing on Saturdays (or trying to). I just wanted to thank you all!

-Iina