23.

Piper was just to shocked to even wonder how long they have been standing in the embrace, oblivious to her green eyed lover and blue eyed boy standing at the top of the stairs staring down at them.

"Who is that?" A small voice broke three adults out of which ever world each of them was in.

Braydon and Piper breaks their hug and both turn their attention to the top of the stairs. Piper looks at her son and then meets Alex's gaze. Her face if pretty much blank but Piper can see in her eyes she knows exactly who the man at the door is.

Piper is not sure how to answer Cameron's question. Braydon is not sure if he is allowed to answer the boys question and Alex, well Alex has enough of her own questions swirling around in her head right now.

Cameron being Cameron and having enough of this silence and staring gazes walks down the steps until he stands in front of Braydon. "Hi, I am Cameron Chapman and I am four years old. Who are you?"

Braydon bends down, stretching out his hand to Cameron in order to shake the little mans hand. "Hi, I'm Braydon. I am a friend of your mommy's" Piper releases a breath she didn't know she was holding and so does Alex. Neither of the woman thought just coming out and saying 'hi, I am Braydon and I am your father' would have been the best approach. Luckily so did Braydon.

At that moment Alex decides to decent the stairs knowing she cant stand up there all day. She reaches out her hand the man. "Hi, …."

Before she can finish introducing herself Braydon interrupts with a warm smile while taking her hand "Alex, very nice to meet you."

She has no reason to be rude to the man. He couldn't help what he went through even though she does not understand how anyone can just forget they loved Piper, but she knows its not his fault so she returns the smile. "Nice to meet you to Braydon."

Alex and Piper stares at each other for a couple of seconds before Alex speaks. "So I guess you two have a lot to talk about so I will take this one over here" she says ruffling her hands through his messy sleep hair "and go play outside."

Piper is not death to the sad undertone in Alex's voice "Al…"

But before she can continue Alex waves her off. "It's fine, really. I know."

Alex takes Cameron by the hand and walks up the steps so they can go get dressed and ready for the day. She lets Cameron lie on her bed and watch cartoons while she takes a shower. She does not allow herself to think or feel at this moment because she does not even know where to begin. She cant even imagine what must be going through Piper's head at this stage so it would be to selfish of her to even start thinking about her own concerns.

Stepping out of the shower she dried herself and dressed in her underwear, standing in from of the mirror brushing her wet hair when there is a soft knock on the door. Before she can answer Piper walks into the steam filled batch.

She does not say a word. She just looks at Alex and Alex can see she does not need worlds at this stage. She needs comfort. "Come here". She motions the blond over.

She wraps her arms around Piper, while Piper wraps her arms around Alex's neck just enjoying the moment for a while before she speaks. "I am so scared Alex." She whispers.

Alex rubs comforting circles on Pipers back "I know you are. Do you know why he is here? Does he remember?"

Piper pulls away so she can look the other woman in the eyes "Yeah. He got his memory back bit by bit and fully remember everything for a month now. We haven't really talked. He is downstairs. I told him I was just going to take a shower and get dressed then we can talk. I don't know what to do or what to say. I don't know how this will affect Cameron. I have thought about this a couple of times but I never came to a conclusion. I am so scared Alex."

"Hey, hey. Look at me Pipes, breathe okay. Freshen up and then you guys can talk about it. You don't have to make any rash decisions. You take this at a pace which is good for you as well as for Cameron. Okay?"

The blond nods "Will you sit with me when we talk. I mean I know its not your responsibility and this is my mess…"

"It's not a mess. It's just a difficult situation which should be approached with caution and the best solution for everybody should be reached, but before anyone else's, Cameron's needs are priority." Alex reassures her. "I will sit with you if that is what you really want".

"Yes please."

Alex got Cameron ready, while Piper took a shower and got dressed. The three of them walking down the steps to find Braydon patiently waiting at the patio table for them.

"Hey buddy," Alex addresses Cameron "Why don't you go and play there on the grass while the 3 adults talk okay. But only where I can see you okay."

The boy nods and runs off.

As the two woman approaches Braydon stands up and pulls two chairs out for them. 'I can start seeing what Piper saw in him' Alex thinks to herself.

"Thank you" They both say in unison, to which he just nods and smiles.

"Can I pour you both a cup" Braydon asks gesturing to the coffee pot Piper made before she went up for her shower. They both nod.

After he served them both their coffee he can feel the atmosphere is a bit uncomfortable, nobody knows what to say, so he decides to break the silence. "I am really glad you are here Alex. I know me pitching up on Pipers doorstep must have been one hell of a shock and I am glad she has you here as support. I didn't know Larry was away this weekend. I just couldn't wait any longer to clear the air. I have been regaining my memory bit by bit and have been fully recovered for about a month now. I tried to think about every possible way of how to do this. Nothing ever seemed like the right way. What would a right way be." The two woman notices the sadness in his eyes "After how my family treated Piper. She was pregnant and alone and they didn't reach out to her or support her. I am so sorry Piper. I guess I was just to ashamed to come and face you so this morning when I woke up I told myself just do it, and so here I am."

"Braydon, your family were just looking out for you. What you went through was also not easy. I am sure being pregnant and alone is a walk in the park compared to missing years of your life." Piper offers trying to make the man feel better.

"It wasn't a walk in the park, but that" he turns, pointing at Cameron "is my son. They should have handled it so much better. He is my blood. Not just some strangers child." They can hear the regret in his voice but his face quickly turns into a small as he watches Cameron running around with one of his plane toys. "You did so good Piper." He smiles. "I always knew you would be a great mother." He turns to meet her gaze and she offers him a small smile.

A silence falls upon them again as they watch Cameron for another few moments. Alex knows its not her place to ask questions. She is just here to support and offer advice if needed, but she knows the questions needs to be asked, so she nudges Piper softly and tilts her head towards Braydon letting her know it is time to talk about it.

Piper nervously clears her throat and gains the attention of Braydon again. "So what now? What picture do you have in your head? Where to from here?" She asks.

"It's all up to you Pip" he calls her by her old nickname "we take it at your pace. Obviously I would love to get to know my son and be a part of his life. I know I will never be able to make up for lost time but that doesn't mean that I don't want to spend the rest of my life trying. But you know him best. You know what he can handle and how much of it. I can come around as only your fried for a while. We can get used to each other before you introduce me as his father. Which ever way. You need to tell me. I will respect which ever decision you make. Please just don't shut me out. I am so sorry."

Piper notices the tears building up in the man's eyes and before her mind can even catch up with her movements she took Braydon's hand in her running her thumb over the back of his hand soothingly. "It's not your fault Braydon. You had an accident. I will never hold you responsible for your families actions and I will never keep you from your son. He deserves to have a father. We will take it slow okay. My friend first for a while okay."

Alex sits silently watching the interaction between the two. She can see the love once between these two has not completely died down. It was to be expected. He didn't know he loved her so he didn't know he had to stop. When he looks at her his eyes are soft, full of respect, full of love. When she looks at him you can also see the love in her eyes. It was never a choice for her to stop loving him. She was forced to. Maybe she never stopped. Maybe she just buried it in the back of her heart but held on to the special memory of him. A memory which might now come alive again, because it was never her choice. She never wanted to let him go. She never wanted to stop loving him. She never wanted a life without him in it. He got ripped away from her without her consent. Now, maybe she has a say in it. Maybe.