[Author's note: Knock knock...you guys still here? Okay, so I took a break that lasted longer than I initially thought. The good news is, I am back in writing mode. So chapters will be updated more regularly. Also, 6 days til Season 3, woo hoo! Thanks for sticking by my side and I hope you will enjoy this chapter. Chapter 10 will be uploaded soon, really soon.

PS: REVIEW = LOVE]

New York, May 15, 2023

The next morning Lorna woke up in a random bedroom, it was very different compared to her small neat bedroom. This was one had a dark shade of purple and it wasn't totally neat but not totally messy either, it looked like a messy person's idea of a neat room. But that wasn't the only weird thing, she also felt like she wasn't lying on a mattress. She looked behind her and noticed that she wasn't lying on a mattress but on a certain curly haired woman.

When the short woman tried to get up, she felt two arms quickly sneaking around her waist, pulling her back on the bed.

"Where do you think you're going?" Nicky asked with a lazy grin.

"You scared the shit out of me, Nichols. If you must know, I have to visit the bathroom. You can join me, it's not like you minded hearing me pee yesterday." Lorna said sarcastically.

"...Okay." Nicky said, after furrowing her brows, actually contemplating the idea.

"I was kidding, you slow couch. Stay here." Lorna said leaving the bedroom, glaring dangerously at Nicky before exiting.

When Alex woke up she panicked because a certain blonde wasn't lying with her, she checked the balcony and just saw their usual bench and table filled with ashtrays.

She checked her bedroom and saw no sign of Piper or Lorna which panicked her only more.

Then she went and checked Nicky's room only to find Nicky cuddled up with her pillow and a shit load of bowls filled with snacks. She stood there for a while with a confused look on her face but left eventually to find the Blonde. Fuck, I should have asked her number. What if she actually left. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

She barged into the bathroom to find a peeing Lorna. "Oh for heaven's sake, did Nicky send you?" Lorna asked annoyed.

"Fuck, sorry sorry I am looking for Piper. I'll leave now." Alex said, covering her eyes.

And with the image of a very pissed off and half naked Lorna in her head, Alex decided to grab a beer in the kitchen. She knew it was too early, but she felt like she really needed one.

"Hey, Al. I made us all breakfast. Will you get Nichols and Lorna so they can join us?" Piper asked casually, while she was done plating up in the kitchen. The blonde woke up early in the morning, feeling peckish and decided to make all of them pancakes.

"Ehm..yeah sure." Alex said, feeling relieved and confused.

When the four of them finally sat on their seats, each with a hot plate of pancakes in front of them, they just sat there in awe. It was Nicky who spoke first.

"Damn, Chapman. I haven't had home made pancakes in a really fucking long time. These look and smell really awesome."

"You know what's not awesome?" Lorna interrupted. "Sending people to interrupt your peeing sessions."

"For the last time, I didn't send Vause. Why would I send people to peek on Katherine."

"Oh my God, I can't believe you actually remembered that name." Lorna laughed, burying her face in her hands. "That's embarrassing. Okay well, can you pass me the orange juice, Alex?" Lorna said a little flustered, eager to change the subject.

"Wait, who is Katherine?" Piper asked her best friend curiously.

"It's Lorna's vag-" Nicky said before being cut off by Lorna feeding Nicky pancakes.

"Here, hun. Have some of Piper's 'awesome' pancakes." Lorna said, trying to feed Nicky some more pancakes but failing because Nicky is avoiding them successfully.

"Alright, alright. I get it. Our secret." Nicky said, winking at the shorter woman who was now blushing and clearing her throat.

Alex watched her two friends interacting in their own special way. It was such a nice feeling knowing that sometimes, no matter how many years passes, nothing changes. Maybe sometimes when you have a genuine connection with someone it never really goes away. Which didn't only apply to her wild haired friend and the Italian woman sitting in front of her, but also to her and Piper. The blonde was just smiling and furrowing her brows at their weird friends and Alex just couldn't take her eyes off of her.

When it got silent at the table, Alex couldn't help but to chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Nicky said, with syrup all over her face, that Lorna was trying to wipe off with her spit, gaining a disgusted look from Nicky.

"It's so weird, man. The four of us sitting at a table together, having breakfast and chatting about dumb stuff that doesn't matter. Just like the good 'ol days. The only thing that's changed is the location and our clothes." Alex said, looking at the three women.

"...yeah. Except some things did change." Piper replied with a sad smile and stood up to put her plate in the sink and then left the kitchen.

Alex wanted to follow her, but Lorna stopped her. "It's okay. Let me go." To which Alex just nodded and looked at Nicky who just shrugged her shoulders.

"Pipes, you okay?" Lorna asked entering Alex's room to find Piper sitting on the bed.

"We have to go. I have to go back home to Matt. Maybe this was a bad idea, Lorna our lives have changed way too much and I don't want to give Alex false hope."

"False hope? Piper, it's obvious you still have feelings for each other. Matt will understand, he is a clever and warm kid. I am sure he will like Alex." Lorna assured Piper.

"You really think so?" Piper asked Lorna, trying to hold back tears.

"Yes, absolutely. Just be honest with each other and consider this a fresh start." Lorna said, rubbing her hand up and down her best friend's back in a comforting way.

"What about you though, Lorn. Are you gonna tell Nick about Angelo?" Piper whispered.

"Ehm..yeah I have to...eventually. Right?" Lorna asked, to which Piper answered with a supportive smile and nod.

Nicky and Alex cleaned the kitchen, it was filled with grease stains and dirty dishes but it was now nearly spotless.

"So..you seem happy, Nick. What's going on between you and Morello?" Alex asked, while drying the dishes.

"I don't know...it feels good, you know, the teasing and just to be with her. But I think she is, ya know, 'over' me. But it's fine. At least now I know." Nicky said, while mopping the floor carefully.

"What? Have you seen the two of you? The ridiculous conversations you guys have, the looks you share, I don't think it's over. I think you guys need to talk, about serious stuff and I know that's not one of your or Lorna's strengths, but at least then you will get answers." Alex said, walking towards Nicky.

"She doesn't remember sending me the letter." Nicky said, still mopping but now very quickly and forcefully.

"Nick..." Alex said, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder, making her stop. "Show her the letter. This is Lorna we're talking about, she can be...forgetful." Alex said, carefully choosing her words.

Nicky sighed. "Okay, I will. Just not now, I just want to enjoy her presence. It's been a while." Nicky said, giving a tight lipped smile.

"Hey, we should take them to The Chicken's Cluck! Let it be a surprise for both of them and Red will be so happy." Alex perked up.

"Red is gonna die, sounds like a plan. Let's go. Let me grab my wallet in my room, you can inform the girls." Nicky said, putting the mop down and walking into her room. She opened her third drawer where she put her socks and a letter. The letter Lorna wrote her 5 years ago, the letter that ruined her and she decided to show it to Lorna after lunch, hoping she would be honest about it this time. She put it in her pocket, and grabbed her wallet and joined the women in the hallway.

"But we just had breakfast, I am not really peckish enough for lunch. Plus, I kinda need to be somewhere." Piper said, while she and her friends were on their way to a restaurant Alex and Nicky really wanted to go to for lunch.

"Okay just one coffee then, I haven't had a good cup of coffee since Nicky-" Alex got interrupted by Nicky who jabbed Alex with her elbow, clearly a sign to shut her mouth about the wild haired woman's one night stand a few days ago.

"Since Nicky what?" Lorna asked, while zipping up her coat.

"Since Nicky got me one from Starbucks. I have the best housemate ever." Alex said, rubbing her sore spot.

The women walked a few more blocks until they reached their destination.

"The Chicken's Cluck..oh my God, is this...no, Alex?" Piper said excitingly, holding onto Alex's arm, which gave Alex goosebumps beneath her coat.

"...Let's just go inside." Alex said while smirking.

It was Norma who greeted Alex and Nicky with a welcoming smile, but when the older woman saw Piper and Lorna she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

"Dammit, we almost made her talk!" Nicky shouted laughingly. "Hey aunt Norma" Nicky then greeted and kissed the older woman's cheek. "Yes it's really them." Nicky said, looking at the two women who didn't know how to respond, until Norma walked towards them and pulled them in a tight hug.

"Awww how cute. It made her speechless, well everything makes her speechless but you know what I am talking about." Nicky said to Alex who just stood there, enjoying the sight.

"What's with the yelling, Nicky. I swear to God I can recognize your voice-" Red said, walking to the bar side of the restaurant, and being surprised by what she saw.

"Piper Chapman and Lorna Morello..." Red said as if she is looking at two ghosts.

"Hey, Red." Lorna said, walking towards the woman with tears in her eyes.

"Hello, my pretty Lorna." Red said, holding Lorna's chin, investigating every angle of her face. "You haven't changed a bit, you are still my little sweet girl." Red said, pulling the short woman in a warm hug, while looking at Piper who didn't quite know how to behave.

"Blondie, come here." Red said, opening one arm so Piper can join the hug.

After they ended the hug, Red just sighed happily looking around her. "All my girls are here, safe and sound. Let's celebrate with chicken. Real chicken." Which gained a few cheers from Alex and Nicky who then shared a knowing look. It was a look that said "Let's cherish these good times."

"Hey, Red. Can I make the salad, I promise I won't draw faces on them." Lorna volunteered excitingly to which Nicky just smiled, seeing Lorna like this and the family being complete, made her heart swell.

Nicky held onto the letter in her pocket and decided to not discuss it at all, it didn't matter to her anymore. She was willing to let the past be where it belonged. In the past.