Chapter Twenty-Four

Piper went to shower while Alex cleaned up the kitchen. When she got out, Alex was naked and ready to slip right in the shower. Piper stared at her body with a slow deliberate gaze. She felt the tingle start from her toes and go up her body as Alex returned the gaze.

"Hey," she said with a small smile that held memories in its curve. Alex smiled and pushed her hair back behind her ear.

"Hey," she said in response, then she moved closer to her. Piper felt her breath catch and she just forgot to breathe. She wondered again if it will always be this way between them. Somehow, she felt it would.

"I know you want to lay low, but the brunch is over and the show starts in about a half hour. I know you want to see it...so I laid out one of your interview outfits and something for me. Let's go to it. Then we can go home and I'll cook dinner, read to you and plan for our trip Thursday," Alex asked as she reached out and pulled Piper against her. Her skin was cooler than Piper's shower heated flesh and it made her gasp when they touched. She forgot speak and moaned instead.

"No fair...I can't think when you hold me like this," Piper said and she dipped her head some and stared at Alex's lips. Her lover smirked and wiggled her eyebrows..then she darted her tongue out to the side, licking quickly at her smiling lips.

"Just do it for me...it doesn't matter if Rebecca is there. It is a charity event and WPA is one of the recipients. We both should be there. So go get ready so you can help me with my hair. I think my bag is under the counter," Alex asserted herself, kissed Piper and slipped into the shower. Piper just followed her body in to the stall and bit her lip as she closed the door. She smiled then as she realized she liked it more than a little bit when Alex did that. It would Piss her off if Larry did it. But with Alex, it was part of her nature to command folks and Piper knew that hiding from the world was a rabbit hole she could get lost down.

So they got ready and Piper was very surprised they left the house without fucking each other. She wanted it. Alex had her dress halfway off before the alarm on her phone told her they had five minutes to be in a cab or they'd be late for the start of the show. Piper grinned in the back of the cab as she remembered how Alex moved herself away from her wife and waved her hand to tell her to put her clothes back on. Miss "I'm always in control" Vause, had almost lost it trying to resist her.

"What are you thinking about?" Alex asked her as she looked over with a humorous curious expression. Piper laughed.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Piper quipped.

"Yes I would, thus the question. Stop being coy, Pipes and spill," Alex coaxed. Piper just shook her head and leaned over to kiss her neck. The event was at major public library. Piper knew the address. Alex paid the driver as Piper headed up the stairs. She stopped at the top and then smacked her head.

"Fuck, honey, I had our invitations but they're back at our apartment," Piper tried not to whine because she really did want to see all the new clothes from the top new designers. She had Helped organize this event in the beginning stages and the line up of talent was fantastic. It had become part of the things she pushed aside so she could deal with getting better from her accident.

Alex just took her elbow and headed her up the stairs. "I wouldn't worry. I'm sure we can smooze our way inside," Alex replied with a confident smile. "Have you seen yourself?" Piper was wearing a black lace dress that was open on the side and back. It clung to her with love. Alex was in a suit...white tailored shirt and dark grey jacket. Her slacks were flowy and cut to accentuate her height, but snug at the hips. It made Piper want to melt inside of her. She knew, with some degree of vanity, that they looked phenomenal.

"You don't look half bad yourself, Ms Vause," Piper whispered in her ear. To her delight she saw Alex shiver and bite her lip. She gave Piper a "behave" look as they approached the doors to the event. There was a table with packages placed to the right of the door. A friendly girl with a bright face seemed to beckon them closer. Piper watched Alex smile her best smile and head straight for the girl. Piper thought for a moment that the girl didn't stand a chance.

"Hello! Oh, Ms. Chapman, we're so glad you could make it. We heard you were out of town!" She nearly squealed when she saw Piper. It took her a moment to look from Alex to the girl again. She was coming out from around the table with passes and a different packet for her.

"Um...I had a change of plans. I'd rather not do press at the event...I just want to see the fashion," Piper explained. She gave her smile as well and the girl nodded as if she were the keeper of a great secret.

"Oh yes Ma'am, whatever you wish. I'll just put these aside then and here is your information. There are seats to the left of the runway that are reserved for WPA board members and guests. Your mother and friend are sitting with the Women's Rotary Club," she explained as if offering options. Piper looked over at Alex who was staring at her with such utter love. She stopped in her tracks and smiled a goofy grin.

"What?" she asked her. Alex swallowed and Piper realized she was emotional. She moved closer to her and asked again softly, "what? Is everything okay?" Was Alex sorry they didn't get to smooze their way inside? Alex cleared her throat and smiled quoting; Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally. "

Piper laughed and quoted back " Phenomal Woman, that's me!" They walked towards the door and she jabbered on about how she often thought of that poem when she heard Sophia sing. She went on to say how that poem didn't really apply to her with her WASPY looks and was about to rattle on about it but Alex kissed her quiet.

She grinned. " I love the way you tell me to shut up," she whispered as they took their seats in the back of the Rotary Club table. It was low profile enough, Piper was happier there. She was sore still from their night and she knew her wife felt her as well as she moved in her designer clothes. This was all she could ever hope for...to be someplace with Alex and they had a secret. She held her hand as the first designer was introduced. Alex had specific tastes and she knew that this little event was a total gift for Piper.

The dresses were exquisite. Piper could see herself in at least a dozen of them. It was a male designer that studied under Isaac. Alex liked them as well, especially his use of boots with stunningly beautiful dresses. The next one was for children. Piper couldn't believe how adorable they were. She saw her mother, who still hadn't noticed they were there, lean over and whisper something to Polly. Piper quirked a smile because she knew that her mother told her that Finn was cute enough to be a model. Polly blushed and smiled agreeing.

"Do you want to go and sit with them?" Alex asked her when she saw where Piper was looking. She just shook her head no. Alex nodded and ran her thumb over the back of Piper's hand with a softness so touching it was made her heart was this really cute little girl with pitch black hair and blue eyes. She came forward and was throwing flowers like a flower girl. Her dress was white and very simple. Piper was happy it lacked any bows. The little girl took her time doing her job and charmed the crowed by stopping and grinning at different people. She was no older than four. Piper looked over and saw the expression on Alex's face. She looked at the girl with such a longing expression that Piper actually gasped. Alex shook her head and looked over at her.

"Are you okay?" Piper asked. Alex nodded and smiled a sad smile. Yes that little girl could have been Alex's little girl. She had her look. Piper leaned closer to her and said, "I really want a child with you. I don't care which of us carry it...if you'd like to try, great. If you want me to...great. If you want to foster and adopt...great." Alex lowered her head and pushed her glasses up.

" I'm glad you said that. I think I'd like to do it. Let's work on us for another year...then try? I know I said a couple of years but, I'm not really getting any younger and-" Piper kissed her thoroughly. She was talking specifics! No eventually...or later down the road. They were making future plans beyond getting "Book 'Em" up and running. It was like something just slid into place for Piper. This was a real marriage. The kids left and they all applauded the designer. She was very pregnant and Piper found it hilarious considering what they were just talking about. Alex ordered them some champagne and Piper sipped hers. Polly finally saw them and Piper waved at her and gave her the "SHHH" sign. She wanted to surprise her mother afterwards without having to move her seat. Polly nodded and winked at Alex. Piper noticed she was drinking water and wondered if her mother noticed.

"Here is Rebecca's line," Alex told her after looking at the program they were given in their packet. It was the last one because it was by far the best. She used bright colors but conservative lines. One color she used was inmate orange. There was a small cocktail dress with that color with a belt made out of black metal handcuffs. Piper loved it but Alex rolled her eyes. She could see street influence with the casualness of some of her outfits. Yet, they all made you look...and then look more.

"She's really talented," Alex admitted. Piper nodded and turned to her. She smiled and leaned in to kiss her.

"Yeah, she is...despite her mom and upbringing in the system. She is a success story that many of the children that we work with at Women's Prison Association benefit from hearing," Piper admitted. She had told Rebecca about her mom's relationship with Alex the last time they spoke. She wasn't sure how that went over. The line up finished and she came out to huge applause. It was then that Piper saw Becca. She was sitting beside the WPA table and was beaming with pride. Alex followed her gaze and stiffened when she saw her. She reached out and took Piper's hand.

"You want to go?" Alex asked her as she leaned up and put her arm around her. Piper hated that Alex was afraid of her reaction. She didn't like Alex feeling like she had to step on eggshells around her.

"As long as she keeps her hands off of you, I'll be fine. It's nice to see her here for her daughter. It looks like it all worked out anyway." Piper's observation seemed to placate Alex and she relaxed back in her seat. Afterwards, she saw her mom and told her that Alex convinced her to come. She shied away from reporters though and told her mom they would be heading back home afterwards. She and her father were going to Connecticut in the morning. They were moving in to the house. Cal was going to help and they had assured both of them that they had hired competent movers.

"I want you both over for Easter...but give me until then to get our house in order," she told them. Piper felt ecstatic her parents were going to be together again. She had faith that this time they'd make it work. Polly gave them both a hug and they almost made it to the door but Rebecca stepped in front of them.

"I heard you weren't going to be here and I was sad. Did you like the themed part of line?" Rebecca started with a big smile and genuine enthusiasm. She hugged Piper as she spoke and it gave Piper a moment to adjust to her energy level.

"It was fantastic. The entire show was inspiring and I just know we'll get lots of donations. Is this your dress rehearsal for fashion week?" Piper asked as she tried to move them forward towards the door. Rebecca stood fast and still.

"It is all practice for that! Oh, is this your wife?" she said suddenly looking at Alex. She looked at Alex with a sharp gaze that told Piper she was trying to imagine her mother with Alex.

"Yes, this is my wife, Alex Vause," she said by way of introduction. She then tried to get them out the door again, "We really do have to be going-"

Rebecca walked up and hugged Alex out of nowhere. Alex isn't much of a hugger but she brought her hand up to awkwardly pat her back. "It is so nice to meet someone that means so much to my mother. She won't talk about herself...or her time in prison so it was nice to know she at least knew love part of the time she was there," Rebecca added when she saw Alex's face.

Alex blinked in surprise and Piper knew immediately that she had inadvertantly outted Becca to her daughter. "Oh um...well we were bunkies..." Alex said to clarify. She didn't really get a chance to go on and Becca approached them from the side. She was looking at Rebecca in disbelief.

Rebecca stiffened and Piper saw the resemblence to her mother much more.

"What are you doing Alice? The press is over there and they want photos with you," Becca said. Her daughter set her jaw and looked over at Piper and Alex. It was obvious that her mother didn't want them talking to her.

She looked at her mother like she was considering saying something about Alex. Piper felt her heart race because she was pretty sure there would be a scene. "I'm heading that way. I just wanted to know what Piper thought of the prison motif in the collection. It was inspired by her book. It was great to see you again, nice to finally meet you Alex. Excuses me," Rebecca moved passed her mother with determination. Piper didn't envy Becca the road ahead.

"Alex made it clear I am not to talk to you. Let me make it clear that you are not to talk to my daughter," Becca began in a low tone. She immediately took on that prison persona...one that threatens in a light tone so no one can hear. Piper felt her anger flare.

"She stopped us and spoke to us. She admires Piper and seeks her out. Get the fuck over yourself Becca and go enjoy your kid's success. Oh..and try talking to her and telling her the truth. It isn't our responsibility to maintain your lies," Alex shot back, and then she turned and led her wife out of the event by the arm. Piper felt her blood pressure lower as they walked down the steps of the massive building and turned to the right.

They didn't speak until they were in the cab. "You told her we were together didn't you?" Alex asked. Piper just told her she already knew the answer. She also told her she regretted on one hand but like Alex said, it wasn't her job to lie to the girl. They got home and changed right away. Alex started to fix dinner while Piper put on some music. It was a relaxing evening and being home with her wife made her very happy. Piper called Lorna while Alex started the grill out on the steps to the Loft.

"Hey are you ready for your trip?" Piper asked after they told each other what they were making for dinner. Apparentlly, Nicky got a bit sick from her junk food and now only craved salad. Lorna told her about where they were going and how private the cabins were in the area of Vermont they were visting.

"Vause recommended them to her a few months ago. We are going to just hold up and be disconnected together. We have to speak to the DA to make sure they know where she is and that she isn't skipping town before she can testify, " Lorna explained. Piper hated that Nicky's travel could be restricted. She knew though that she did it to save their company and they really couldn't lock her up for it.

"She also sent a word to Red. She told her that she was still her daughter and they'd talk when she was able. It was really sweet. Um, thank you Chapman. I thought it would be Vause that found her but...she said you were just what she needed. If she'd messed up..." Lorna lost her voice for a moment and Piper felt her own heart race wtih the same fear.

She told Lorna that she knew exactly what she meant. Lorna asked how they were doing and Piper was thrilled to say they were alright. After dinner they made love on the sofa twice. Alex propped Piper on the arm of the couch so she could delve into her sex from a unique angle. Her tongue went deep and dart in and out so that Piper felt like it was her finger. She tried to hold out...she tried to make it last longer and pull more pleasure from that tongue...but it was too much. She came much to quickly all over her wife's face.

"UNNNHHHNNNN ..oh fuck fuck...Alex..oh fuck..your mouth...I love your ...oh fuck," she kept repeating. Piper fell forward some and Alex shot up to catch her. She wrapped her up in the blanket and pulled Piper close. She looked at her wife's satisfied wet face and used the edge of the blanket to wipe some of it off her cheeks. She kissed her then, with a certain lushness and thorough tongue that drank in their passion. She kissed Alex all over her face and her neck. She wanted to cover her body in kisses of love. It made her smile to think this as it was almost exactly what Alex said to her their first night in their marriage bed.

They went to bed afterwards and Alex read to her as they reclined. Piper went through her day. She had errands to run that she didn't have to put off until after New Orleans now. Alex was going to be arranging the hiring of more baristas through Raven and Taystee. It was time the stores ran regularly without their daily input. Nicky and Lorna need to focus on themselves as much as they did. The fact that Alex wanted to try for a kid as early as next year made Piper feel like they needed to do that as well. First thing in the morning though, they both were going to go to a couple's therapy session with Dr. Speer. It was their first together since before the accident. Piper had wanted to cancel it just the day before but now...now she wanted to work with Alex to make their life strong enough for a family.

Perspective. She shared this with Alex and her wife seemed really pleased. Piper shared her new itinerary with her and Alex got her ticket for the plane. She loved New Orleans and had three places she wanted to visit. She hadn't been to one of them since before Katrina so she got on the table to check it was still open. Alex loved Cajun food so Piper knew she was in for a treat. She had to give one speech and then do one media event at a lunch counter ran by Ex-Cons. They fell to sleep in each other's arms. Piper was excited her plans for the next day and their next adventure to New Orleans.

****I had to include a Maya Angelou quote. RIP Dear Poet. I am drawing this story to a close. I have really enjoyed the women they have grown to be and I look forward to seeing what Jenji and her great writers have in store for our girls. We know there is little Alex in season two but from the sneak peeks they are at least giving us great flash backs to the beginning of their relationship. Please review. Please...and if you are a guest, I do leave reviews in replies sometimes. I just left one on Covering Up for all the guest reviewers. Peace, Fae***