Authors Note: Hey everyone! Thanks again for all your support and the wonderful reviews, follows, favs, and of course reading. I am so glad you all are enjoying. Once again I do not own any of these characters.
Alex stepped closer to Piper and turned her around. "I'm not going to hurt you." Alex told her softly, as she lifted Piper's shirt slowly to get a better look at her back, and once again, her eyes went wide when she saw her ribs black and blue. "Piper, please tell me what happened?" Alex asked in a soft whisper.
As both women stood there in the rest room, with Piper looking at herself in the mirror, with her shirt half way up her body, while Alex stood behind her, with a face full of concern. "Please Pipes?" Alex asked again in a whisper.
Piper felt her eyes fill with tears, but quickly blinked them away, as she shook her head. "It's nothing Alex." Piper tried to tell her, but once again, the dark haired woman wouldn't have it.
"Piper it is not nothing." Alex snapped as she moved and stood in front of Piper, and wrapped her arms around her slightly and carefully so she didn't hurt the blonde, and held her close, looking deep into her eyes. "You have handprints on your arms, and well your ribs, are thankfully not broken but they are severely bruised. And I am not letting you leave this bathroom without you telling me what happened." Alex told her softly, never breaking eye contact.
The blonde woman stood there looking the dark haired woman in the eyes, and saw nothing but concern reflecting in them. After a few minutes, Piper nodded her head as she whispered "But not here, please."
Alex nodded her head "My place is about ten minutes away." Alex told her, as she released Piper, and helped her move her shirt back down, and then put her blazer back on.
After both women left the bathroom, they went back to their table, and Alex asked for the check, threw the money on the table, along with a tip, and then led Piper out of the restaurant. "I took a private car, but we can take yours." Alex told her and Piper nodded her head and then handed her the keys.
The drive to Alex's apartment was a quiet one, and a rather fast one, even with New York City's always heavy traffic. Alex parked Piper's car in her guest parking spot, and then led her inside the building, and onto the elevator and up to her apartment. "Home sweet home, kind of." Alex said with a smirk, as she led Piper inside the apartment and then shut the door.
Piper walked over to the window, and saw the perfect view Alex had of the city sky line, and reminded her of old penthouse. "Wow, nice view." Piper said just as Alex moved up behind her.
"It has it perks" Alex said with smirk, and then offered to take Piper's blazer, and helped her take it off. "Follow me" Alex told her as she grabbed her hand, and led her into her bedroom and then into her master bathroom.
"Alex?" Piper asked a bit confused.
Alex rolled her eyes as she told her "Oh hush, I am just going to wrap your ribs."
Piper nodded her head as she watched Alex grab some things from the cabinet. "Your shirt." Alex told her as she placed the bandages and tape down on the counter.
Once again Piper nodded her head, as she slowly lifted her shirt over her head, leaving her in just a black lace bra, and her leather leggings, and Alex couldn't help but stare, but thankfully Piper didn't notice. "I'm glad I wore a bra today" Piper joked as she placed her shirt behind her on the counter.
"Usually go without?" Alex asked with a smug smile.
"Well I don't really need one." Piper smirked as she looked at Alex's breasts, which were clearly larger than her own, before she added "Most of the time.
"Well lucky you" Alex smirked as she grabbed the bandage, and moved closer to Piper, and began to wrap her ribs, carefully. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, I will try not to." Alex told her sweetly as her heart broke when she saw the bruises again.
"I trust you." Piper told her barely above a whisper as she felt goose bumps rise, when she felt Alex touch her skin. But quickly focused on what was happening and asked "So where did you learn to wrap ribs?"
Alex smiled "A friend of mine, she is a doctor, and has boys' and well you know how they can be."
Piper smiled "That I do, though trust me, Melanie can be just as bad as Silas."
"Really?" Alex asked as she reached for the scissors.
Piper nodded her head "She broke her wrist on Easter when she was twelve, and then once that healed, in June, of the same year, she cracked her front tooth, playing softball on a trampoline, and broke three bones in her mouth." Piper told her and then added "And she would probably kill me if she knew I told you she had a fake front tooth."
Alex smiled "Softball on a trampoline, that's a new one" Alex said with a raise of an eyebrow before she added with a laugh "Though it sounds like something my friend Nicky would do. But don't worry I wont tell her you told me. Plus, you can't even notice."
"Your doctor friend?" Piper asked as Alex was finishing up the wrapping.
Alex shook her head "God no, I don't think Nicky could handle kids." Alex told her with a laugh "But you never know, and you are all set." Alex said with a smile.
Piper nodded her head, and then went to put her shirt back on, of course with by Alex. "Thank you" Piper smiled.
"No problem, but now you own me an explanation." Alex told her and then led her back into the living room, but before she sat down she asked "Can I get you anything?"
Piper shook her head, as she sat down on the couch, and watched as Alex went to grab herself a bottle of Fiji water, and then made her way back to her couch and sat down next to Piper. "So?" Alex asked without missing a beat before she took a sip of her water.
"You waste no time" Piper smiled.
"Neither do you, but now you are stalling" Alex smiled back as she placed her water on the glass coffee table, and then moved closer to Piper, taking her hand before she said "Nothing you tell me will make me not like you."
Piper smiled sweetly at Alex, as the dark haired woman squeezed her hand tighter. "Larry" Piper told her barely above a whisper.
Alex took in deep breath when she heard the one simple name, and clenched her jaw. "He did this to you?" Alex asked trying to remain calm.
"It was an argument" Piper began but Alex cut her off.
"No don't you dare even think about defending him" Alex snapped softly "Your ribs when did this happen, last night?"
Piper shook her head "No this morning, he pushed me back, and I hit the kitchen counter" Piper explained.
Alex shook her head as she felt her blood begin to boil as she asked "And the handprints?"
"This morning, and last night" Piper began and then got cut off by a question.
"Has he done this before?" Alex asked staying calm.
"Just once before, it isn't often." Piper told her softly with tears in her eyes.
"Has he ever hit the kids?" Alex asked but afraid of the answer.
Piper shook her head "I would kill him if he ever did." Piper told her through clenched teeth.
Alex sat there for a few moments just looking at Piper, before she moved even closer to the blonde, and then wrapped her in her arms. "You deserve so much better Piper, he doesn't deserve you or those kids." Alex whispered as she held the blonde in her arms, and she could feel Piper holding back tears. "Just let it out Pipes." Alex told her softly.
Piper smiled at hearing Alex hearing her call her 'Pipes' but then she couldn't control the tears anymore, as she held on to Piper tightly and just let the tears fall.
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Both women didn't know how long they had been sitting there, wrapped in each other arms, as Piper let out the tears she had been holding in for so long. But after a few more minutes of silence Alex said "I'm coming home with you tonight."
Piper pulled back from the hug, and brushed away the tears before she shook her head "Alex you don't have to do that."
Alex moved her finger's to Piper's lips to quiet her "Yes I do; someone needs to talk to him." Alex told her and then removed her fingers.
Piper smiled at the kindness of Alex's words, but shook her head again, and Alex gave her a look. "Alex he isn't going to be home tonight, he went to Boston with Pete, for work."
Alex shrugged her shoulders "So, I'm still coming home with you tonight." Alex smiled and Piper knew there was no way she was going to win this battle.
Piper threw her hands in the air, and shrugged her shoulders with a smile "Fine, you win"
"I always do" Alex said smugly before she stood up from the couch, "I am going to pack a few things, you can wait, or I can just go to your house once I am done." Alex told her as she helped Piper up from the couch.
"The girls are going to be home soon, and Helena and I have a date." Piper told her as she watched over to where he blazer was and put it back on.
"A date? Anywhere good?" Alex asked.
"The animal shelter, she wants a puppy for her birthday. So we are going to look at one." Piper laughed.
"Dog's are the best." Alex smiled
"Do you have any pets?" Piper asked and then shook her head as she rolled her eyes "Stupid question, I would have seen them by now, I am in your apartment after all."
Alex laughed "Yes you are, but yes I do."
Piper raised her eye brow confused "Now you're just fucking with me, I don't see any pets, unless you have imaginary pets Ms. Vause." Piper smiled.
Alex nodded her head "It's possible" Alex laughed "But no, I have a dog, but I left him back in California, with a friend, since I won't be gone long, and he doesn't really like to fly."
Piper nodded her head "What kind?"
"A Rhodesian Ridgeback" Alex told her
Piper's eyes went wide "Wow that's a really big dog, they can take down a lion."
Alex nodded "But they are loyal, and great dogs." Alex told her before she asked "What kind are you getting Helena?"
"She found a Golden Retreiver, six months, who was left on the side of the road." Piper told her as grabbed the keys out of her pocket.
"Fucking asshole people" Alex said with a shake of her head.
"Yes they are, but I really should get going." Piper told her.
Alex nodded "Yes you should, or the girls are going to wonder." Alex smirked but before she could say anything else Piper cut her off.
"Oh please Helena is already giving me the third degree." Piper told her with a roll of her eyes.
Alex chuckled "Oh this will be fun." Alex smirked and Piper groaned, before she added "I will see you later Piper."
Piper nodded her head "Thanks again Alex." Piper told her as she opened the door.
"No thanks needed" Alex told her with a wink and then watched Piper leave her apartment, and watched the elevator doors close, and then went to pack some things.
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The drive from Alex's apartment to Piper's house didn't take long, and when she arrived home, she saw the private car and the girls getting out. Piper pulled up in front of the garage, and put the car in park, turned it off, and took off her seatbelt before she got out. "Where were you mom?" Melanie asked and then both girls saw how their mother was dressed.
"And with who?" Helena chuckled
"Oh my god you two, and Helena keep it up and we won't go see your present today." Piper warned and Helena smiled.
"You called?" Helena asked happily.
Piper nodded "Yes, go put your bag in the house, we have to go." Piper told her daughter, and before she could even finish Helena was inside the house, and Piper let out a laugh.
"Where you going?" Melanie asked her mom coming over to her and giving her a hug.
"Your sister wants a puppy for her birthday, and she found one, so we are going to see her. You want to come?" Piper asked her daughter as she hugged her back.
Melanie shook her head "I have to work on a paper."
"A paper already?" Piper asked as her daughter pulled away from the hug.
Melanie nodded her head "Yeah she doesn't waste any time."
"I can see" Piper told as Helena came running back outside.
"I'm ready, can we go now?" Helena asked excitedly
Piper nodded her head and Helena got into the car, and before Piper got in her car as well she remembered "Oh Mel?"
"Yeah?" Melanie asked
"We have a guest coming to stay with us for the night, but in case Alex gets here before we come back, can you please let her in?" Piper asked her daughter.
But it wasn't Melanie who answered first it was Helena who shouted from the car "ALEX VAUSE IS COMING TO STAY WITH US?"
Piper rolled her eyes "Yes" Piper said before she turned her attention back to Mel "So?"
"Yeah mom, have fun" Mel to her mom, and then walked into the house, and Piper got into the driver seat of her.
"So?" Helena asked once her mother shut the car door.
"Oh don't you start already" Piper warned with a roll of her eyes as she started her car.
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The drive to the animal shelter was full of Helena teasing and questioning her mother, who refused to answer any questions, which only resulted in more questions and teasing by her daughter. "Shut up and get inside" Piper told her daughter with a laugh.
"I will get an explanation out of you." Helena told her mother as she opened her car door and got out.
"You just think there is something to explain." Piper smiled as she shut the car door, locking it behind her. "Now come on."
Both blonde girls walked into the animal shelter where they were met by an older woman behind the counter. "Hi may I help you?" The woman asked.
Piper nodded her head "Hi yes, Piper Chapman" Piper told her and then quickly shook her head before she quickly corrected herself "Sorry Bloom, we have an appointment to look at the Golden Retriever puppy."
Helena looked at her mother, confused as to why she would say her maiden name, instead of her marriage name, and now she was even more convinced something was going on with her and Alex, and she would be sure to tease her some more on the way home.
The woman behind the counter nodded her head "Oh yes, I spoke to you earlier. Follow me." She told them as she stood up from her chair, and led both girls into the back. The back was filled with dogs barking, but then they were bought into an office, where a small adorable golden puppy was cuddled up on a pet bed.
Helena smiled once she saw the puppy "Oh mom, she's so cute."
Piper and the woman nodded her head "Yes, but she can be a little timid around strangers, just approach her slowly." The woman told her as she opened the door.
Once they were inside, Helena kneeled down on the ground, as the puppy raised her head to look at her. "Hi there" Helena whispered and within seconds, the puppy got up, stretched, and ran over to Helena's lap and licked her.
"Well I'll be" The older woman said in shock "I have never seen her run up to someone that quickly.
"Well I think she has found her new best friend" Piper said with a smile as she watched her daughter on the floor with the puppy who was sitting on her lap, licking her.
"Mom please?" Helena asked with a smile
Piper nodded her head "Yes, we will take her, is there any forms we have to fill out?" Piper asked the woman before she added "And is she up to date on her shots, and spayed?"
The older woman nodded "When we found her, she was already spayed, although she wasn't supposed to be until six and nine months of age, but who ever had her, got it done early." The woman explained before she added "And yes she is up to date on all her shots. And you filled out the adoption papers last night in your email, I have already gone over them, and you are approved."
"Adoption papers?" Piper asked confused and then Helena cut her off.
"I filled them out, when I sent them email, I download the form, and then attached it." Helena explained and Piper nodded her head.
"If you like you can take her home today, she was given a bath earlier, and I think if she spends another night in this shelter, she might be more afraid than she already has been." The older woman explained.
"Please mom?" Helena begged.
"Happy birthday darling" Piper told her daughter with a smile as she kneeled down next to her daughter and hugged her as she pet the newest member of her family.
"Let me just get you a leash" The older woman said with a smile as she watched the two women with the puppy.
"Thank you" Helena said with a smile as she took the leash from the woman, who came back a few minutes later, and then put the leash on the puppy.
"So do you have a name?" The woman asked
Helena nodded "Milah"
The older woman smiled "That is a pretty name, best of luck to you, and thank you for adopting and not shopping."
Helena smiled "Always adopt don't shop" Helena told her before they left the animal shelter with her new puppy in her arms.
Once they were back in the car, with Milah in Helena's lap, and on the way back to their house, Helena asked "Hey mom?"
"Yeah?" Piper asked
"Why did you say Chapman before?" Helena asked
Piper tensed and then shook her head "I don't know, it just slipped I guess" Piper told her and then changed the subject "Oh we have to stop at PetSmart, for puppy food, and a cage."
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After the short stop at Petsmart, where Piper ran inside the store, and got puppy food, toys, a cage, dog bowls, and puppy pads, even though they were told she was house trained, it's better safe than sorry. Now they were finally pulling into their driveway, and into the garage. "Now just let her roam, she is going to be scared at first." Piper told her daughter, and Helena nodded her head before she got out of the car, and grabbed a bag, while Piper grabbed the last bag and the cage.
Piper was about to close the trunk to her car, when she heard a voice ask "Should you be lifting that?"
Piper jumped as she gasped "Jesus Alex"
Alex smiled as she rushed to her side, and grabbed the cage from Piper's hand "Sorry"
"You are such an asshole" Piper said with a roll of her eyes, while Alex chuckled as she closed the trunk, and then followed Piper toward the garage door, watched Piper press the button to close the garage, and then into the house.
"Mom we got a puppy?" Silas shouted as he ran down the stairs, to find Helena. And then was shocked to see Alex standing there "Oh Hi Alex"
"Hi Silas" Alex smiled before she turned to Piper "Where would you like the cage?"
"Just put it next to the stairs, please" Piper told her before she walked into the kitchen and answered her son "And yes, she is Helena's birthday gift."
"Cool" Silas said before he went back to his search for his sister.
"So you said you were looking at a puppy, you didn't say taking one home today." Alex smiled as she walked into the kitchen, and saw Piper put the bags down on the counter.
"She is adorable, and took to Helena quickly" Piper said and then got a sharp pain in her back, and once again Alex rushed to her side.
"Pipes, sit down, I will make dinner, go rest." Alex told her sweetly, but in a tone that meant she wasn't taking no for an answer.
"Alex, you are…" Piper began but Alex cut her off.
"Nope, go sit, either in here, or some where else, but I am making dinner." Alex told her again, and then helped Piper over to the chair in front of the island and helped her sit.
Just then did Helena walk into the kitchen and smiled at her mother and Alex before she said "And this Milah, is our kitchen." And then added "Oh hello Ms. Vause nice to see you again."
"Same to you Helena" Alex smiled as she removed her hand from the small of Piper's back and then walked over to the puppy. "And you must be Milah" She said with a smile as she kneeled on the ground, and Milah climbed up her body to kiss her face. "She's adorable Helena." Alex told her with a smile as she pet Milah.
"Thank you" Helena smiled before Milah ran over to Piper "And that Milah is your grandma" Helena said with a chuckle and Alex laughed, as she got up off the ground, and walked over to the cabinets.
"I'm who?" Piper asked in shock.
"Grandma!" Helena smiled proudly as she lifted MIlah up "Give Grandma a kiss." Helena told Milah, and she did as she was told.
"I can already feel the grey hair sprouting, I am not old enough to be a Grandma"
"I don't know there Pipes, grandma does fit you." Alex said with a smug smile as she laughed.
"Oh shut up Alex" Piper scoffed.
But then Helena added in with the teasing "Oh wait mom, what is that? I think I see some grey hair, hold still" Helena laughed as she moved her hand to her mother's hair.
"Oh get out of here will you." Piper laughed as she swatted her daughter's hand away.
Helena just laughed as she said "Come on Milah saying goodbye to your grandma's, and let's go meet your aunt and uncle"
Alex turned quickly "Oh wait what? I am too cool to be a grandma" Alex shouted with a laugh as Piper almost doubled over in laughter.
"Oh Alex is that Grey hair I see" Piper laughed, and just then did Alex throw a piece of pasta at her. "Hey!"
"What?" Alex asked as she pretended she didn't hear her "Did you say something? I think I need to turn up my hearing aids." Alex teased as she moved her hand to ear with a laugh.
"Such an asshole" Piper laughed "Now make me some dinner woman" Piper teased.
"Ooh did you just call me woman; I like it when you call me woman." Alex winked and Piper just gave her a look "so bossy, I like that."
Piper rolled her eyes "You seem to like a lot of things about me."
"Yeah well you like a lot of things about me too." Alex shrugged as chuckled and turned around and went back to creating dinner.
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An hour and a half later, dinner was ready and Piper called Silas to set the table "So Alex what did you make?" Silas asked as he set the dinner table.
"I made Baked Penne Ala Vodka" Alex told Silas before she asked "Pipes, where is the wine?"
"I'll get it, which would you like?" Piper asked
"Any kind you want." Alex told and Piper walked over to the wine cabinet and grabbed a bottle of rosé.
Once Silas was done setting the table, he grabbed a bottle of water and sat down while Piper called for her daughters. "MELANIE, HELENA, DINNER"
"Wow Jesus Pipes, you sure have a set of lungs" Alex said as she playfully moved her hand to her ear pretending she went deaf.
"That's what she said" Helena laughed as she walked into the kitchen with Milah.
Alex and Silas laughed at Helena's comment, and then Alex added her own "I make a lot of women scream."
"ALEX!" Piper shouted in shock at Alex's comment making Helena, Silas and Alex laugh. "Where is your sister?"
"Right here" Mel said as she walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water, before walking over to the kitchen table.
Once they were all seated, Alex was about to begin serving, but stopped and asked "Do you guys pray or anything before you eat?"
Just then Silas was about to make a comment, but Piper stopped him "Don't you event think about it."
"What?" Silas asked
"You know what" Piper warned before she turned her attention to Alex "And no we don't, Larry is Jewish." Piper told her.
Alex nodded and began serving dinner. "So Larry is Jewish, but you aren't?" Alex asked once everyone was served.
"I gave the kids a choice, if they feel like they want a religion, then they can choose their own path." Piper explained.
"It's for the best anyway" Helena said. "But we celebrate the holidays, to make both side's of the family happy." Helena explained before she added "And Alex this is delicious."
"Thank you" Alex said with a smile before she added "I like that, give your kids a choice, instead of them being forced to believe in something."
Piper nodded "That's how I feel too"
"That's what…" Silas began but got a cut off.
"Silas" Piper warned as all three kids, and Alex laughed. "Great I have four kids at the dinner table" Piper rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Don't forget your granddaughter" Helena added, as she looked down at Milah who was laying down under the table at Helena's feet.
"Oh my god this is going to be a long night" Piper groaned
"I've made many women say that before" Alex smirked making all the kids laugh and Piper just sent her a look.
"I need more wine." Piper groaned with a laugh as she grabbed the bottle and filled her glass to the top.
Well there you have it Chapter 5! I can't believe we are already on chapter 5! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and the family fun, including the teasing of Piper.
Until next time!