A/N
Wow! Over a hundred reviews! Thank you so much for sticking with me through this story and to those of you who leave reviews, just know I genuinely appreciate each and every one of them. I am still not 100% satisfied with this chapter, but I hope you enjoy it and it is the longest one yet. Please let me know what you think!
The next few days pass rather quickly as Piper continues to work on some new scents for the fall PoPi line. Since she still owns her brownstone, she and Polly have been using her kitchen as a temporary workplace until they get the business up and running. The blonde is also busy planning Polly's baby shower as the Harper baby is due in about a month. Alex has finally worked out a schedule at Three Doors Down where she is able to work the day shift most days allowing her to spend evenings with Piper.
Alex wakes up first on Wednesday morning and immediately smiles when she sees that sometime in the night Piper ditched her own pillow and is currently sharing one with her. Piper is lying on her side with her arm slung over Alex who is currently lying on her back. The brunette decides watch Piper sleep for a bit because she's so damn cute in the mornings with her hair all messed up and snoring softly. Alex sighs, today is the day she will ask the blonde to marry her, and if all goes well she will wake up tomorrow engaged. Alex is nearly positive that she is going to get a yes, but she is still nervous about the evening as she wants it to be perfect for Piper. Last week she finalized the details with Joe about using his yacht for the evening to surprise her girlfriend. She has arranged for a captain to pilot the yacht as well as a very special chef to cook them dinner. If she has the timing right, they should be sailing on the Hudson River at sunset with a wonderful view of the city.
Piper suddenly starts to stir, grumbling a little bit about how bright it is in their room, before she opens her eyes slowly. "Good morning baby...how long have you been awake?" Piper asks sliding over to rest her head on Alex's shoulder. "Oh just a few minutes, I decided to let you sleep a little longer…I don't want you tired for our date tonight." "Al! Will you please just tell me where we're going? How will I even know what to wear? What's the big secret?" Alex chuckles, "I bet you were horrible as a child at Christmas time- seriously though babe, there is no secret, I just want to take you out and I want it to be a surprise…Is that so bad?" Alex asks with her signature smirk, "and as far as what you should wear, you look hot in everything, but I would love it if you wore that backless turquoise dress of yours that shows off your ass."
"Oh okay, I'll stop trying to get information out of you," Piper says with the most adorable pout on her face, "Or maybe…there's something you could do to distract me?" Alex turns over so that Piper is pinned beneath her capturing her lips in a kiss. The kiss slowly builds from a languid good morning kiss to a much hotter and passionate kiss as Alex nibbles softly on Piper's lower lip. "You're so cute when your horny babe." Piper moans and opens her mouth granting Alex's tongue access. Piper's hands begin to roam under Alex's tank top quickly lifting it up and over her head, before lifting her own back off the bed so Alex can remove her t-shirt. Alex turns her attentions to the blonde's neck sucking and kissing on her pulse point while allowing her hands to cup Piper's breasts and gently pinch the nipples between her thumb and index finger. Piper's breathing becomes heavier and heavier as Alex's mouth moves down to capture a stiff pink nipple in her mouth. Piper's back arches up off the bed trying to push her tits even closer to the brunette's mouth and hands. Continuing to play with and tease Piper's nipples, Alex allows her free hand to move south below the waistband of her cheeky purple panties. Running her fingers through the blonde's folds, Alex is continually amazed with how wet Piper gets for her. After coating her fingers with Piper's arousal, Alex moves her hand up and begins drawing slow light circles on her clit. Piper moans loudly and bucks her hips up trying to gain more friction, "Alex please…" Alex removes her fingers from Piper's panties and lifts them to the blonde's mouth. Piper hungrily sucks her own juices off Alex's fingers until they are clean and lifts her hips so that her lover can remove the frustrating barrier. Piper uses this opportunity to flip their positions so that she is now hovering over Alex. Quickly removing Alex's navy blue boy shorts, Piper places her thigh between the brunette's legs and leans in for a kiss. Feeling Alex's soaking wet pussy on her thigh is just about all Piper can take-she needs release and she needs it now. Turning around the blonde straddles Alex's head and leans forward so that she can taste her delicious pussy. Using her tongue, Piper flicks Alex's clit several times before sucking the tiny bud hard moaning out loud as Alex moves her tongue from her core to her other tight hole and back again. Alex feels like she's ready to explode and she knows from Piper's writhing and moaning that she is close too. Reasserting her dominance, Alex rolls Piper off of her and onto her back and moves so that she is now back on top. "I want to look into your eyes as we come together," Alex whispers as she positions her body so that her clit is lined up with Piper's. "Oh fuck! That's so hot Al!" Alex begins grinding so that their clits rub against each other. They are both so wet at this point that their centers slide smoothly until Piper screams her release followed seconds later by Alex. Several minutes later Alex stirs from the position she collapsed into when she came, "How was that for a distraction?"
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After their amazing sex, Alex and Piper had to quickly shower and get to work. Grabbing a cup of coffee on the way out the door Alex reminds Piper about tonight, "Pipes don't forget we have to leave here no later than 5:30 tonight so make sure you are ready okay?"
"That should not be a problem. Polly and I are stopping early today so that she can get to her eight month check-up. I'll see you tonight—I can't wait," Piper grabs her own coffee and gives Alex a goodbye kiss.
At around noon, Piper gets a text from Alex
Alex: Hey babe! I hope you guys are having a wonderful day! I just wanted to let you know that I am going to get ready at Nicky's tonight so you will have the place to yourself to get ready. I thought this would be a good idea because you know we would probably get…distracted… again and we can't be late. I will be back home at 5:30 and then we can leave. I love you-see you later! ;)
Piper giggles because of course Alex is right. She sends Alex a quick response and then sets out to pick up lunch from the deli. The rest of the day actually flies by and before she knows it, she is heading home. Feeling a giddy sense of anticipation for tonight Piper smiles to herself, "I wonder what Alex has planned for us tonight?"
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Returning to the penthouse with Piper's engagement ring tucked safely into the pocket of her jumpsuit, Alex opens the door, "Pipes? Babe are you ready? We really have to leave if we are going to make our reservation!" Alex sucks in her breath as Piper appears at the end of the hallway. The blonde slowly spins around in a circle to show off the backless turquoise dress that Alex mentioned earlier. The dress hugs the blonde's body in all the right places and makes her eyes look even bluer. "Wow! Pipes you look amazing," Alex says walking toward Piper to give her a hug and kiss. "You look pretty hot yourself Al," Piper says back as her eyes focus on the plunging neckline of Alex's black jumpsuit that shows the perfect amount of cleavage. "Are you going to tell me where we're going now?" Piper playfully whines. Alex laughs, "Patience beautiful…you'll know soon enough-let's go!"
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When Alex pulls into the parking lot of the Riverside Park Marina Piper's eyes light up as she asks excitedly, "Oh are we going to go on one of those dinner cruises? Polly and Pete went on one last year and she still raves about the food and the view of the city from the Hudson!" Alex jumps out of the car and runs around to open the door for Piper. Reaching in and grabbing the blonde's hand Alex pulls Piper into a standing position and whispers huskily in her ear, "Something like that…you'll see in a few minutes." Giving Piper a quick kiss and a wink, Alex interlocks their fingers and begins leading the younger woman toward the marina. Piper is confused when instead of turning right for the commercially run cruises, Alex turns left toward the privately owned area. "Alex where are we going? I don't think we are supposed to be over here," Piper whispers pointed to a sign that read Boat Owners Only-No Trespassing. "Don't worry babe, we won't get in trouble, I promise," Alex says as she continues walking about halfway down the pier. Finally stopping in front of a large yacht called Jaded Alex turns to face Piper. "Well here we are! This baby is all ours for the evening. What do you think?" Piper's mouth drops open in shock, "What do you mean? Alex when did you buy a boat?" Alex chortles, "No Pipes, I did not buy a boat, if you were listening, I said this is ours FOR THE NIGHT- it belongs to a friend of mine that owed me a favor." Just then a middle aged man appears walking down a small ramp from the yacht to the dock. "Good evening ladies! Ms. Vause and Ms. Chapman I presume?" Alex and Piper nod their heads, "My name is Johan and I will be your captain for the evening," the man says extending his hand to Alex and then to Piper. "Well what do you say we climb aboard and get going? It looks like it will be a magnificent sunset tonight and we don't want to miss it!" Johan motions for the two women to head up the ramp.
After boarding the yacht and removing their heels, Alex takes Piper's hand and leads her to the back of the yacht where a small table for two has been set up with several candles lit. There is also a plush double chaise lounge that faces out toward the city. Piper's beautiful baby blues light up and a huge smile appears on her face. "Oh Al, this is amazing! Look at this view!" Piper squeals wrapping her arms around the taller woman's neck. "I'm glad you like it babe," Alex whispers giving Piper a sweet kiss, "Let's sit and watch this amazing sunset." Alex pours them each a glass of champagne before handing one to Piper and then settling herself into the chaise lounge tapping the spot beside her. Piper smiles and sits down scooting as close as she can get leaning her head onto the side of the brunette's neck as Alex wraps her arm around her pulling her even closer. Suddenly the yacht starts moving out onto the calm waters of the Hudson River. Neither woman says anything for a while as they are just content to be together and watch the scene on the horizon. Silences have always made Piper uncomfortable in the past, but there is nothing uncomfortable about the moments of silence that occur between her and Alex. Even though they are not speaking verbally, it is almost as if their bodies communicate with each other nonverbally so often words are not necessary. Piper finally speaks as the last speck of orange disappears beyond the skyscrapers. "You know Al, I can't think of any place I would rather be than wrapped up in your arms watching this sunset…I'm so happy…" Alex leans slightly to the side to kiss the blonde's temple, "Right back atcha babe."
After a few more minutes Alex glances at her watch and realizes that it is just about time for dinner. "Are you hungry baby? It is just about time for our dinner to be served," Alex whispers in Piper's ear. Grabbing Piper's hand, Alex stands and leads the blonde to their table. "I sure hope you girls are hungry because I have prepared you a dinner like no other," booms a female voice with a heavy Russian accent. Piper squeals and jumps out of her seat to hug the chef, "Red! What are you doing here? It's so good to see you—it's been a while!" Red laughs, "Your girlfriend here paid me a visit about a week ago and asked me if I would come on board a beautiful yacht and prepare a delicious dinner for the two of you-how could I refuse? She really loves you-this one," Red says nodding toward Alex. "I really love her too," Piper answers back glancing over to Alex. "Okay, okay, sit down now and I will bring out your first course." Red commands heading back to the galley. Dinner consisted of a Caesar salad, shrimp scampi with pasta and asparagus, freshly baked bread, and Pinot Grigio. For dessert, Red prepared tiramisu that was to die for. Piper and Alex enjoyed each other's company and chatted about everything and nothing at the same time.
Soft guitar music begins to play over the speakers, Piper recognizes it immediately as Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.
'When your legs don't work like they used to before. And I can't sweep you off of your feet. Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love? Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks?
Not only does she love this song, but it is also the first song she and Alex ever slow danced to. Alex's smiles as her emerald eyes meet Piper's blue ones. "Dance with me?" Alex asks standing up and reaching across the table for Piper's hand. Piper smiles, taking Alex's hand and wrapping her arms around the brunette's neck as Alex holds her waist. The two women begin to move slowly to the music staring into each other's eyes.
'And darling I will…be loving you till we're seventy! And baby…my heart…could still fall as hard at twenty three! And I'm thinking 'bout how…people fall in love in mysterious ways…maybe just the touch of the hand…Oh me I fall in love will you every single day and I just want to tell you I am…'
"You look so beautiful tonight Pipes," Alex whispers pulling Piper even closer. "This is the most perfect night Al…I love you so much, I can't believe you did all this for me."
'So honey now! Take me into your loving arms! Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars. Place your head on my beating heart! I'm thinking out loud. Maybe we…found…love right where we are.'
Piper turns her head so that she can rest it on Alex's shoulder. "I hope you know by now that I would do anything for you babe…I love seeing you smile…so are you gonna kiss me under the light of a thousand stars?" Alex whispers into her ear pointing up toward the night sky. Piper grins leaning in for a sweet kiss. The song is nearly half over and Alex knows her moment is coming. Her heart is beating rapidly in anticipation of what is to come, she just hopes Piper doesn't notice and become suspicious. For the next minute or so, Piper and Alex sway to the music, again no words are necessary-they are just content to be with each other in this moment.
'So, baby, now…Take me into your loving arms! Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars.
Oh, darling, place your head on my beating heart! I'm thinking out loud. But maybe we… found… love right where we are. Oh, baby, we found love right where we are
And we found love right where we are'
The song ends and the women stay locked together for a moment before Alex lifts Piper's chin so she can once again stare into her eyes. "Piper…the last six months have been the most wonderful of my entire life and it is all because of you. You have taught me how to love even though I was beginning to think that was impossible for me. You are my soulmate and I have never been more sure of anything in my life… so," Alex takes one step back as she removes the ring from the pocket of her jumpsuit and drops down to one knee. Piper's eyes go as big as saucers. "Piper Elizabeth Chapman…will you make me the happiest woman in the world and be my wife?" Alex stammers through her emotion holding the ring out for Piper. Tears are streaming down Piper's cheeks, but there is a huge smile on her face, "Oh my god! Yes Alex, Yes Alex, Yes Alex of course I'll marry you!" Alex finally lets out the breath that she had unconsciously been holding, "Yes? Did you just say yes?" "Yes you idiot! I can't wait to become Mrs. Vause!" Alex slides the engagement ring on the blonde's finger and stands up wrapping Piper into a huge kiss.
