(Alex's POV)

Being with Piper continued to be amazing. I really felt like I had a connection with someone for once. And this was not just a connection. This was a real, true, loving connection. And it really scared the shit out of me. I tried to figure out my feelings and my emotions but, this meant having to deal with them. I learned a long time ago to just keep them all in rather than allow myself to really feel them. Bad idea? Of course. But this way was much easier and ensured I didn't allow myself to get hurt.

The month turned to November and I was busy planning a run to Bali. While the run was only 10 days, it was 10 days I would have to be away from Piper. I had so much I wanted to say and do with her and I felt like everyday I was away, was cutting into that. I was up way too late the night before - sex in the middle of run planning was stressful - and we found ourselves still in bed very late in the morning. Piper had brought up Slyvie for some god forsaken reason. Not wishing to get into an argument, I let her just say what she wanted to say.

As I was removing my glasses, Piper asked, "Did you love her?"

Shit. I really wanted to tell Piper I loved her but, was I ready for this? I was almost certain that I loved Piper. No, actually, I was 100% certain that I loved Piper. But saying it and feeling it were too different things. Ah, fuck it.

"No. But I love you," I told Piper as I looked deep into her eyes. Phew...it was like a huge weight was off my chest.

Piper laid back in the bed with me and replied, "Really? You do?"

"I don't say that to everyone you know...You have to say it back," I told Piper as I tried to read her face.

She was looking deep into my eyes - basically right into my soul - and was leaving me hanging...waiting to hear what she would say back.

As a grin spread over her face, Piper said, "I love you too."

I reached for Piper's face and gave her a small & simple kiss. And I let a deep breath out. Piper loved me. After sitting just holding each others hands for some times, I decided to turn on some music. I got up, walked out of the bedroom and went to the CD player.

"I really need to update this," I said to myself out loud - a mental reminder to get myself into this century & ditch the CD player. I placed an Alanis Morissette CD in and went right from the song that said so much - Everything.

I walked back into the bedroom and got on the bed & on top of Piper. I wanted to express to her just how much I loved her. And, in my opinion, making love was a much more adequate way of doing that. I kissed Piper slowly and with my mind focused on nothing but making sweet, sweet love to her. I closed my eyes and let my body take over.

"...I am the wisest woman you've ever met.

I am the kindest soul with whom you've connected..."

While kissing Piper, I snaked my hands up her pajama shirt and reached her bare breasts. I loved that Piper slept sans-bra...it was always a lovely treat to wake to. I tried to mimic my slow kissing on her breasts as my hands slowly make their way over & around them both. I kept my right hand on her breasts and allowed my left hand to find its way down her torso and to her pajama pants.

"...You see all my light and you love my dark

You dig everything of which I'm ashamed..."

As my hand met Piper's pussy with happy anticipation, I focused on keeping my movements slow. Our tongues played a simple game in her mouth, while one hand made circles around her nipples and the other ran circles around her clit. Piper was soaked with anticipation as I continued to please her. Just then, Piper broke away from my kiss. In shock, I opened my eyes to Piper.

Piper looked at me and said, "I love you Alex Vause," and once again met my lips.

Damn...I really found the girl for me. I went back to pleasing Piper and felt her begin to cum. Her orgasm was slow and oh-so-long. As she completed her orgasm, I removed both of my hands and laid on the bed, taking her body onto mine.

"I love you too Piper. I really, truly love you too," I said to Piper, as I held her in my arms.

I, Alex Vause, was in love. Not wanting the dream to end, I held Piper close & allowed myself to just love being in the moment.

"...I'm the most gorgeous woman that you've ever known

And you've never met anyone

Who is as everything as I am sometimes..."