This is the end of the road for me! Hope you all enjoyed reading this story. It's been a very emotional road, but one without regrets. Thank you all for your kind words, your reviews, your encouragements, they mean a great deal to me. Thank you!
"Is she going to be okay?"
"Your mother will fine Ms. Vause. She has a few broken ribs, but it's mostly bruises. Her leg was jammed when the other car ran into it, but no major damage. She won't be able to use it properly for at least a week, so a lot of bedrest for her. We're keeping her here for two days and then she'll normally be allowed to go home. You can go see her, she's being brought to room 428."
"Thank you," Piper replies as she holds onto Alex. The brunette can't say a word, sheer relief washing over her as she hears the news about her mother. She has to sit down onto the bench and just take a moment to breathe in deeply.
"Al, she's going to be fine. Everything's going to be alright."
"I know Pipes, I just … I was so scared that-"
"Alex, don't think that. It's no use anymore. Diane'll be fine, now let's go see her." Piper smiles at Alex as she crouches down so she can look the brunette in the eyes. The older woman smiles back and takes her hands, standing up and wrapping her arms around her girlfriend. She pulls her close, hugging her for a minute before pulling back and kissing her softly.
Alex enters the room and sees her mother, awake and smiling weakly at her. The brunette rushes in the room and into her mother's arms, while Piper just stands back. Mother and daughter hug tightly, even though Diane can feel the pain in her ribs shooting through her body. It lasts a few minutes before Alex pulls back, tears in her eyes but a smile on her face.
"Hey baby."
"Hey Mom."
Piper slowly approaches the two women, a broad smile on her face. She too is very relieved that her girlfriend's mom will be fine. Diane has become a second mom to her, and she never wants to lose her either. Without words, she sits down on the bed, on the other side of Alex and falls into the older woman's arms.
"Oh Pipes … shh baby don't you worry. I'll be just fine."
"We were so worried."
"I know sweetheart, but that's not necessary anymore."
The three women hugged each other close, spending the next few minutes in silence. It was calming to all of them. Alex asks Diane if she remembers what happened during the accident. The older woman tells them how a drunk driver ran a stop sign and crashed into her side of the car. He wasn't driving very fast, which was good for her.
"I'm so happy you're okay Mom. The doctor said you'd need some help during recovery, so you're coming to live with us for a while."
"Oh no, I would only be a bother, and you girls have your own lives to live."
"It's no problem Diane, we'd love to have you with us for a while. Maybe you can control this one better than I can," Piper laughs as her girlfriend smacks her arm, pretending to be mad. Diane also laughs at the scene before her. The discussion continues for a little while before the older woman relents. They only leave when visiting hours are over.
"See you tomorrow Mom."
"Goodnight girls. Sleep tight."
Later that night
"You okay, Al?" Piper asks as they cuddle up together in bed. Both in only big t-shirts and panties, the blonde curling up against Alex's side and the brunette pulling her girlfriend close so she can put her head on her chest.
"I'm okay babe. That phone call scared me to death, but I'm alright now. Glad Mom's fine."
"Me too." Piper smiles as she looks up at her lover, kissing her sweetly on the lips. Alex needs to feel her girlfriend, close to her and wants to show her how much she loves her. The older woman slowly moves them so the blonde is on her back, but not before pulling off her t-shirt and panties, as well as her own. They make sweet love to each other, and the night is filled with gasps and moans.
The next morning before work, Alex goes to pick up her special delivery and puts it in her jacket pocket. She doesn't want to wait too long before showing and giving it to Piper, so she calls her girlfriend right after and asks her if she wants to go out on a date.
"Babe, we've been together for so long, we haven't been on a date in forever."
"So? Just because we don't do it often, doesn't mean we can't do it now. What do you say? Let me take you out baby girl."
"Okay, fine. Where'd you wanna go?"
"I found a new one, it's called Per Se. They get great reviews, and it all looks great."
"Where is it?"
"Midtown."
"And we're going tonight?"
"No, next Friday."
"Okay, sounds good to me. I'm arriving at school now babe, I have to let you go. Love you."
"Love you too baby. See you tonight."
Alex also gets to work, and she smiles at everyone she passes in the hallways. She goes through her day with a huge smile on her face, and students and fellow teachers alike ask her what that's all about. She doesn't say anything specific, just mentioning that she'll be taking a big step soon. When she gets back to the apartment, Piper is already cooking dinner for the two of them, singing along to whatever hit is on the radio at that moment. She's dancing her ass off, and the brunette can't help but chuckle at the cuteness of it all.
Piper squeals as she feels two strong wrap around her waist from behind as she's stirring the sauce. "Looks delicious, babe," Alex husks into her ear. Piper tilts her head back for a quick kiss. It isn't long before dinner is ready and the couple is seated at the kitchen table, eating in comfortable silence.
The next few days pass by like that as well, but Piper senses that Alex is nervous about something as the day of their date arrives. Diane is staying with them, keeping them both in check if discussions are about to start, and it's a blessing. But, the blonde can surprise her lover quite easily, and that's something she never used to be able to do. The brunette just waves her off when she says something about it, and Piper knows better than to ask. She'd find out sooner or later, anyway, Alex is always honest with her.
Friday night
"Alex, what's going on?" Piper asks as she walks up towards the table in the restaurant. She was expecting the older woman to be alone, waiting at the table, but now she is meeting the blonde halfway, and when Piper glances at the table, the younger woman can see Diane and even her own brother sitting at the table with them. Alex just smiles at her, takes her hand and leads her towards the table.
"I wanted the people who mattered most to both of us to be here, because there's something I've been wanting to ask you, babe." Diane and Cal just smile at the two women still standing next to the table. The waiters know about the brunette's plans, asking her girlfriend to marry her, and they are waiting until she has popped the question to pop the champagne bottle.
"I thought I'd wait until we had dinner, but I'm too nervous to wait any longer," Alex says as she wrings her hands. She steps away from her lover for a few seconds, leaning down to pull something out of the pocket of her leather jacket. Piper has noticed the incredible dress the brunette is wearing for this night out, and smiles as she remembers the clear instructions from her lover.
My dear Pipes,
I'm not at home right now. I had to stay late tonight, but I won't be late for our date at the restaurant. I'll be meeting you there at 7pm sharp. Dress up, will you? It seems like forever since I've seen that hot body of yours in one of those gorgeous dresses you have in our closet.
I love you, Piper Chapman.
Forever yours,
Al
By the time she's snapped out of her thoughts, she sees Alex standing in front of her again, a small velvet box in her hands.
"I – Pipes, I'm …" The blonde finds her lover's nerves incredibly cute, something she's never even thought about. "Look, I'm nervous but I want to do this … I've been wanting to do this for so long, and now we're finally here … I love you Pipes, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. No matter what happens, I'll always want you. I …" Alex laughs, the nerves taking over on her face, "God, I had this whole speech prepared and now I'm too nervous to say it … Anyway," Alex takes one of the blonde's hands into her own and squeezes it. Piper looks at her, anticipation on her face; she has an idea of what's coming next. And the older woman does it, she lowers herself on one knee.
"Piper Elizabeth Chapman, you are the love of my life, will you make me the happiest person on the planet and marry me?"
Piper doesn't hesitate. She falls onto her knees, her lips pressed against Alex's, whispering a yes right before the passionate kiss that followed. Somehow, the older woman manages to get the ring on her fiancé's finger all while keeping their lips locked. They kiss slowly for a few minutes until the clapping filters through again.
"I love you, Alexandra Vause."
"I love you too, Piper Elizabeth-"
"Vause. I've always wanted to be a Vause."
"Babe, you've always been a Vause. Always."
"And forever."
