Piper wanted to move into Alex's penthouse as soon as possible when they returned from their trip to Napa, so she recruited Nicky, Lorna, Janae, and Brooke and the six of them were able to get all of Piper's things moved within a few hours. Piper decided not to sell her brownstone, rather she will rent it out temporarily. She does not want to part with the brownstone because it reminds her of her grandmother and she can see raising children there sometime in the future

Over the next two months, Piper and Alex settle into domesticity. Piper loves being able to fall asleep in Alex's arms every night and wake up the same way in the morning. Piper works at the dermatologist's office daily from 9:00 until around 4:00, while Alex tries to make sure she also works the day shift at the bar so that her evenings are free to be spent with her girlfriend. Sometimes they go out for dinner, but mostly the women enjoy staying in and cooking a meal together or ordering take out-just being together.

One evening is early May, Piper arrives home from work in a bad mood. Alex is in the kitchen cooking some pasta when she hears the door slam and Piper yell, "Damn I hate my job! My jackass of a boss treats me like I'm a stupid child and criticizes me in front of the other employees." Piper suddenly appears in the kitchen and plops down at the island on a stool facing Alex. The brunette stirs her marinara sauce and turns down the burner slightly before placing the lid on the pot and walking over to the blonde pulling her into a tight embrace, "I'm sorry you had a bad day babe, how about a glass of wine while you wait for dinner to get done?" Piper gives Alex a weak smile, "Thanks Al, wine sounds great and dinner smells delicious by the way."

Alex gives her a quick kiss before heading to the fridge to get the wine. Pouring a glass for Piper and for herself, Alex returns to the island and sits down across from her girlfriend.

"Pipes, if you are that miserable, why don't you just quit your job and focus on getting Popi up and running?"

"You don't know how much I wish I could do that, but I can't quit my job without another source of income, and with Polly pregnant, she is not able to put as much time into making our products…"

"All the more reason for you to spend more time making your products and trying to get it into some big market stores—Pipes, the bar is doing really well and that's plenty enough income for us to live comfortably for a while. I love you so much and I want you to have the opportunity to follow your dreams, the way I did when I inherited the money from my dad." Alex says grabbing Piper's hand.

A hopeful look enters the blonde's ocean blue eyes, "It is my dream-to own my own business-but I just don't know if I can do it without more help from Polly and she has many other things on her mind right now understandably, I just don't know if it's the right time…"

"Pipes, baby, it may never be the right time, but you won't know if you don't try. You know I do have a business degree and I do know a thing or two about opening my own business. I could help you put some proposals together for when you meet with store executives…I mean only if you would want my help though…"

"Of course I would love for you to help! I love you so fuckin much Alex! Thank you!" Piper squeals in delight leaning forward to give Alex a deep loving kiss. "I'll give the asshole my two week's notice tomorrow!"

Alex chuckles at Piper's wide eyed excitement, "Great then it's settled, now let's eat, I don't know about you, but I'm starving!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

About a week later Alex is at Three Doors Down completing inventory when Nicky knocks on her office door, enters, and plops down on the couch against the wall.

"Yo Vause, Janae just showed up, so I gonna head out-I've got a date with Lorna tonight."

"Okay Nick thanks, hey where are you taking her?"

"Well her birthday is coming up and I managed to snag us two tickets to "West Side Story" on Broadway, plus I have dinner reservations at Red's Russian Steakhouse."

Alex chortles, "I never thought I'd see the day when Nicky fuckin Nichols shells out actual fucking money to see a Broadway show!"

"Shut the fuck up Vause, I guess we're both whipped huh? Nicky retorts playfully.

Alex is quiet for a moment, but there is something she has been needing to talk to Nicky about and what better time than right now?

"Nicky, I need you to do something for me, and I need you to not give me shit about it," Alex relates to her best friend.

"You know I would do pretty much anything for ya Stretch, but as for not giving you shit? Come on Vause, that's like my job and you know it!" Nicky teases.

"I'm serious Nick! Can I count on you or not?"

"Oh shit Vause this sounds serious! You're not dying or something are you?"

"No Nicky, I'm not dying…I need you to come with me downtown this afternoon to pick out an engagement ring for Pi"

"HOLY SHIT VAUSE! YOU'RE GOING TO PROPOSE! What happened to my best friend who emphatically told me that she would never get married because-and I quote-Fucking one person for the rest of your life is fucking unnatural and why would anyone make that choice?"

"Nicky, you know that Piper is different and she has been ever since she walked in this bar five months ago. I love her-so fucking much that it scares me sometimes. I can't imagine ever wanting to fuck anyone else ever again. She even has me rethinking the possibility of having children someday! God! There really is nothing I wouldn't do for this girl…"

"Well you have officially turned into Vausey the Softie, but in all seriousness, Chapman is awesome and I see how happy she has made you, so I'm happy for you I really am, and of course I will go with you to pick out her ring. When are you thinking about popping the question?"

"I haven't really thought that far ahead yet? I so fuckin nervous Nick, what if she says no?"

"Vause, you have to be kidding me! Of course she going to say yes! Don't you even see the way she looks at you? I mean it's actually kind of disgusting sometimes!"

"Thanks Nichols, oh and by the way my mom wants you to come to Mother's Day Brunch with us on Sunday, maybe we can go ring shopping afterwards?"