A/N There is a flashback in this chapter and it is in italics. We are getting close to the end of this fic although there is still quite of bit of plot and some angst, but it looks like the last chapter will be 35 or 36. I think I finally have the proposal worked out which will be coming in the next chapter or two. I always appreciate reviews and thank you for reading! Enjoy!
"What do you want to talk to that asshole for?" Nicky asks her raven haired friend.
"Oh come on Nichols, he's not so bad," Alex replies giving Nicky a playful punch in the arm, "Especially since he started dating that Figueroa woman from his firm."
"Are you serious Stretch? He is a dirty old man that hits on anything with a tits and a pussy, and who names their band Side Boob anyways, what could you possibly have to talk to him about?"
Alex laughs remembering when she first met Joe Caputo almost 7 years ago.
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Alex sighs to herself as she grabs a rag to wipe up the bar. Three Doors Down has been open now almost a year and she has slowly begun to establish a group of regulars, but she has decided she needs to do something to get more people to come in if the bar is going to make it. It is a pretty dead Wednesday night so Alex has sent most of her staff home early leaving only herself, Nicky, and Gloria in the kitchen. Looking towards the end of the bar, Alex spots a middle aged man dressed sharply in a designer suit and tie wallowing in a drink.
Walking over Alex asks, "Hey you okay down here? Need a refill or maybe some food?"
The man looks up and sort of half smiles, "Yeah another Jack and Coke would be great, I'm Joe by the way, Joe Caputo" the man reaches out his hand to shake Alex's.
Alex shakes his hand, "Nice to meet you Joe, I'm Alex. I've never seen you in here before," she says as she begins making his drink.
"Yeah this is the first time I've come in, I mean I drive by everyday on my way home from work, but today something drew me inside—I like it here, I think I'll be coming by more often, especially if all the bartenders are as beautiful as you…"
Finished mixing the drink Alex sets it down in front of the man and adds it to his tab, "Thanks for the compliment, but you should know I'm all gay all the time so no matter how much you compliment me, you will not be getting in my pants," Alex replies with a smile and a wink.
Joe coughs and widens his eyes, "Oh wow! I'm sorry you are just so hot-I mean you don't look like a lesbian…I mean…I'm just gonna shut up now."
Alex chuckles as she continues cleaning up the bar area and leaves to make sure her other customers are not in need of refills before returning to Joe.
"Hey would you mind asking the owner if he is open to the idea of live music in here? I have a band and we are looking for some cool local bars play in…you know to get our music out there, hopefully get a following."
Alex smirks, "Well I could, but you just asked HER and believe it or not I was just pondering ways to get more people than just our regulars to come in and give us a try and I think live music might just do the trick!"
"You own this bar?! Oh wow I just keep making a bigger ass of myself don't I?"
Alex laughs, "It's okay Joe so tell me a little bit about this band of yours and the type of music you play."
Well we are called Side Boob and we play sort of a mix of rock and alternative types of music. We do some covers of some well- known bands as well as some of our own material that we write ourselves."
"Side Boob?" Alex stifles a giggle, "Wow that is sure an interesting name for a band, do you mind if I ask how you came up with it?"
"Well who doesn't like a little side boob right?" Joes says with a wry smile on his face as his head whips around to follow Nicky as she walks by to get a new bottle of vodka.
"Sorry Joe, she's gay as well, but on the plus side I think we all like a little side boob…" Alex says with a final wink.
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Alex shakes herself back into the present and realizes Nicky is still standing at her desk waiting for an answer. "Joe owes me a favor since his band has really taken off and it is due in large part to me allowing him to play here, I intend to cash that favor in…" Alex replies searching for Caputo's number in her cell phone and hitting send. The phone rings several times before it is answered as Nicky listens to Alex's side of the conversation,
"Joe? Hey it's Alex from Three Doors Down"
"Oh I'm great how about you?
"Been awhile since we've seen you, are you guys too big now to play in my measly old bar?"
"Yeah that's great, you guys up for maybe playing a set here this weekend?
"That sounds great, I will put together some posters so that my customers know to expect you on Saturday night."
Oh and Joe I have a huge favor to ask…do you still have that yacht you showed me pictures of a few years ago?
"You do, great…I was wondering if I could borrow it for a night sometime in early June?"
"Awesome! Thanks Joe and I'll see you on Saturday night"
Alex ends the call on her cell phone and grins at Nicky who is giving her an incredulous look. "What do you have planned Vause?"
"It's still coming together in my head, but when I get it all planned out I will let you know okay? And for the time being I am going to leave this beauty here in my safe," Alex smiles holding up Piper's diamond engagement ring.
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Piper smiles as she walks out of the doctor's office for the last time. Finally, she is taking a step in the right direction getting away from this dead end job and pursuing her dream of opening her own business. She knows she would never have had the courage to do this if it wasn't for Alex encouraging and supporting her with this huge decision. "My life is pretty amazing right now," Piper thinks to herself as she enters the subway for the short fifteen minute ride home. Piper's face lights up with a huge smile when she sees a text from Alex.
Alex: (5:13 P.M.) Babe- I hope your last day went well and I can't wait to see you! I'm cooking dinner for us, so get your sexy-self home as soon as you can! Love you :)
With her heart fluttering in her chest, Piper replies immediately to her love
Piper: (5:13 P.M.) Yea! I'm so hungry right now, I think I could eat a horse! What are you making? I'm on the way right now, just got on the subway. Can't wait to get home so I can kiss the cook ;) XOXOX
Piper giggles to herself thinking about the apron that Alex loves to wear which features a huge picture of Gene Simmons with the line KISS the cook.
Alex: (5:14 P.M.) It's a surprise, although I can assure you it's not a horse! See you soon! (kiss emoji)
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Walking into their apartment, Piper's nose is immediately struck with the mouth-watering smells of Alex's chicken parmigiana.
"Al! I'm home! Wow that smells delicious!" Piper yells toward the kitchen dropping her keys and purse on the small table by the door. Walking into the kitchen she sees her girlfriend standing in front of the stove finishing up her secret recipe marinara sauce. Moving quietly across the room, Piper wraps her arms around Alex's waist from behind and leans forward to kiss her on the cheek. Turning around and pulling the blonde closer for a proper kiss.
After a moment Alex pulls away and walks toward the living room, "Wait right here, I have something for you." Piper smiles and sits down on one of the stools at the center island. Alex returns about thirty second later with a large bouquet of red, pink, and white roses.
"Alex! These are beautiful! What are they for?" Piper questions.
"Well this is a pretty big day for you, leaving your job to focus on PoPi full time, I just wanted you to know that I will love and support you through everything… I know it's kinda cheesy, but you apparently have that effect on me!"
"Babe, thank you, I don't know how I got so lucky to find you, but I am so glad I did," Piper whispers leaning in to give the brunette a sexy kiss. Alex groans and pulls away, "As tempting as this is, I have slaved away over the stove for two hours and some gorgeous blonde told me she was starving, so what do you say we eat?"
Suddenly it is Piper's turn to groan as Alex removes her apron and the blonde sees that she's wearing the same sexy tank top she was wearing this morning-with no bra.
"Is there a problem Pipes?" Alex asks innocently with that damn sexy voice of hers, "You told me this morning that you wanted me wear this tank top much more frequently."
"Oh so now I see what the flowers were for, you were apologizing in advance for trying to kill me with your sexiness," Piper jokes sarcastically.
Alex laughs as she brings Piper a plate of food and a glass of white wine. "Eat your food babe, because I'm planning on eating you for dessert," the brunette whispers with a wink and a smirk.
