They enjoyed Sunday together as a family, relaxing before a busy week. Alex worked at the book store during the day with Poussey and Taystee, then helped Nicky with the tavern at night, having agreed to help train some new bartenders.

Monday to Thursday Alex and Piper had gotten up for work at the same time, but Alex would leave from the book store directly to the bar, not coming home to bed until well after Jack and Piper were asleep.

It was Friday morning and Alex had a mountain of paperwork to do at the book store, so she got up before Piper and slipped out, needing to get a jump on the day and wrap up the hectic week.

They had only seen each other getting ready for work that week, both too busy to have their normal breaks and lunch together. Today was the first time Alex thought she might be able to squeeze in some quality time with her family. She pulled out her phone, sending Piper a quick text.

To: Pipes

I miss you.

Piper had been extraordinarily moody that week and Alex wasn't sure if it was thanks to her absence, Max driving Piper crazy with her constant 'tap dancing on internal organs,' Piper preparing for a big presentation, or a combination of all three. Polly had rolled her eyes at one snappy comment Piper had made the day before when Alex had walked in their office asking if she was free for lunch, mouthing 'hormones.'

From: Pipes

Can you come get your son? Polly's leaving for lunch soon and I'm having trouble concentrating

Alex sighed. 'Your son.' Piper only called him that when he was being difficult. It was going to be another one of those days. She found the only way to combat Piper's moods was to be extra attentive and patient.

To: Pipes

Be right over. You craving anything? I'll grab something on my way.

From: Pipes

Vanilla ice cream

Alex walked to the market across the street, her phone ringing and Nicky's name flashing on her screen as she walked in. She slid her finger across the display to accept the call, Nicky's voice cutting her off before she could answer.

"You and your wife are a real pain in my ass, Vause."

She paused mid-step, eyebrow lifted, "Care to start over?"

"You're really making shit difficult for me over here."

"You're gonna have to elaborate, I'm lost."

Alex reached the frozen selection and stuck her hand in, grabbing the first carton she saw with white ice cream on the label.

"Lorna told me she wants a baby."

Alex burst into laughter, handing some bills to the kid behind the counter.

"Well there's an easy solution to that," she waved for him to keep the change.

"No shit but I don't want a fucking kid."

Alex chuckled, "Trust me, you don't need a kid. And that's far from an easy solution."

"Well out with it, genius!"

"What are you doing right now?"

"Nothing for a few more hours, I'm going in tonight to help with the dinner rush."

"Meet me at the book store and I'll fix all your worries and problems."

"You better," Nicky said with a huff before ending the call.

Alex walked in Popi, waving to Jean and heading for the office in the back.

She handed Piper the bag, "Your ice cream, milady." She turned around and smiled at her son who was watching her over the baby gate, "Want to go an adventure with me, baby boy?"

"Yes!" he yelled, jumping up and down.

Alex heard the plastic rustling behind her as Piper took the carton out, then her wife's sigh. She turned around concerned and saw Piper with a dismayed look on her face.

"What's wrong, Pipes?"

She looked heartbroken and tears had filled her eyes, "This is vanilla bean, I wanted vanilla."

Alex bit her lip to keep from laughing, "I'm sorry, babe. Nicky called, I guess I was distracted."

"It's fine," Piper snapped. She stood up and brushed the tears away quickly, "I need to work on this pitch and a new lotion anyway."

Alex frowned, "I'll take it back."

Piper waved her hand dismissively before walking around the corner to the work shop where her and Polly mixed their products.

Alex picked the carton up off Piper's desk, shrugging at Polly. Polly looked back at her with a grimace.

"She's been all over the place today," she said, trying to explain Piper's behavior away.

"I'm heading out for a bit with Nicky, if she asks. I'll just keep him for the rest of the day," she said, nodding towards Jack. "Maybe if she has some quiet time to herself she'll be able to relax."

"I think she just needs to get L-A-I-D," Polly spelled, swiveling in her chair. "How's the tavern? I haven't had much time to talk to Pete."

"It's doing really great, actually. But same here, I feel like I haven't seen Piper all week." She walked to Jack, picking him up and cradling him on her hip, "Or this guy."

"You going back tonight?"

Alex shook her head, "I told Nicky last night that her guys were good to go and she wouldn't need me anymore. Her and Pete know to call me if they need something anyway."

Polly nodded in agreement. Before the grand re-opening her husband had told her how relieved he was to learn Alex would be there to help that night behind the bar and the following week with training.

Alex put Jack down and he held her pant leg.

"Where we go, mama?"

"On an adventure with Nicky after we get mommy some more snacks."

x

Alex held Jack's hand and walked back to the market with him. The kid behind the counter looked confused to see her again so soon.

"You like vanilla bean?" she asked, setting the bag on the counter in front of him.

"Yeah," he answered slowly, his voice sounding skeptical.

Alex had seen him a few times before. He was young, too young to have such dark circles around his eyes. He wasn't a junky though, he didn't have any of the signs. It was summer, looked like he was fresh out of high school. He always had a book nearby, that's what Alex had first noticed about him. Studying, tired, probably working to afford college.

"I got the wrong one. You want it? I don't want to throw it out or return it and have somebody else get some potentially melted bullshit."

"Sure," he laughed, accepting it eagerly.

Too eagerly. He was skinny, doubtful he had much income from this shitty job. She remembered how often she went to bed hungry as a kid.

"Want anything else?"

"What?" he looked confused.

"My treat. It's lunch time, you can't just eat ice cream. The mom in me won't allow it."

"Oh, I..." he stammered, "I'm okay."

She walked away, talking over her shoulder, "What do you want to drink then?"

"Root beer?" he called out to her, his voice still sounding unsure.

She grabbed a couple bags of chips. Fuck it, better than nothing.

"I get root beer too, mama?"

"Soda's just for big kids, Jacky. Want a juice?"

"Okay," he said with a dramatic sigh.

She smiled down at him, "How about I get one and you have a tiny sip?"

She saw her smile in his, grinning at his win. They walked back to the register and Alex dropped everything on the counter so she could fish some cash out of her pocket.

"Thank you, ma'am. This is really good," he pointed to the ice cream, "and I love root beer."

Jack chimed in, "I love root beer too, mama."

"You want to thank me," she pulled out a 50 dollar bill, "don't ever call me ma'am. Makes me feel old as fuck."

He laughed and started to count out change.

She pushed one of the sodas and the chips towards him, "Keep the change, kid."

He thanked her again and she brushed it off. By the time they got back to Popi Nicky was standing outside smoking, clearly waiting for Alex.

"Nice of you to join me," she scowled at her best friend.

"Do you want my help or not?"

Jack smiled up at Nicky, "We go on a 'venture."

"That's right," Alex ruffled his hair, "I'm gonna leave this for mommy, then we're off."

"Where exactly are we going? You told me to meet you here."

Polly walked out holding Finn's hand, "I wouldn't go in there if I was you."

"Why?"

"Delivery's late, she's on the war path."

Alex groaned, then looked at Nicky with a mischievous smile on her lips.

"My fee for today," she handed Nicky the ice cream, "you get to take that to Piper."

x

Alex refused to share where they were headed, wanting to surprise Nicky and Jack. She double checked the address on her phone before pulling in the driveway. Nicky looked around, still lost.

"Where the hell are we?"

"Look," Alex shifted in her seat to face Nicky, "Lorna doesn't want a baby. The two chicks she spends most of her time with are Piper and Polly, she just thinks she wants a baby."

"Then what does she want?"

"Something small that will lay in her lap and let her love on it."

"That's where I come in."

Nicky wagged her eyebrows and Alex chuckled.

"No, you deviant. Get her a puppy."

"What?!" Nicky yelled.

"This place sells shitzu puppies. I'm telling you, get her one and all your problems will be solved."

x

40 minutes later Nicky led the group back to the car, holding the puppy she had settled on with Jack's help.

"I love your doggy," Jack said.

"Thanks, bud. What should we call him?"

Jack stopped walking and held his hand to his chin, mimicking the face of concentration he often saw on his mother's face.

"I don't know," he finally said, shrugging.

"Well you gotta pick something you love," she said, coaxing a response from the little boy.

His face lit up, "I love root beer!"

x

Sorry for the short update, I'll add more tomorrow. Getting a little lost creatively. Let me know if you have any requests, I'm getting a bit of writers block. Big picture I know where I want this to head, but the path to get there has gotten a bit blurry.