(Alex's POV)

Bali was a stressful mess. Nothing went the way I planned. And every time I thought I had everything under control, I didn't. Thank goodness, in the end, I got everything taken care of. It was by far one of the worse trips I have ever had. I felt beyond tired & worn down and could not wait to get home. I had made it to DC, the last layover before getting home. And, of course, as was my luck on this trip, my flight was delayed. Rather than getting home at 12pm, it was now looking like I wouldn't be getting home until 12am.

I decided I better call Piper so she wouldn't get worried. I found a pay phone and made the call, knowing what I would say before she answered so I could do it quickly.

"Piper...it's Alex. Listen, I have to talk fast. My flight is delayed. I'm stuck in DC. Looks like I won't be getting out of her until 8:00pm. Can you get my bag packed please so we can still leave first thing tomorrow morning? Thank you, I love you and can't wait to see you." As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I hung up. I did not like to take any chances with phone calls - even if they were on a pay phone.

After walking around the airport for a few hours, I headed to a chair and settled in with my journal. It had been a while since I had done any writing - as Piper & work kept me quite busy - but I had the need to write. I found myself pouring out all of my feelings into the paper. Words quickly became sentences which led to letters. I was writing letters to Piper, as if she was in the past and not the present.

Finally, boarding began for my flight. I was so beyond tired yet I couldn't fall asleep. Once the plane landed, I found the first taxi and got home. It was 2am when I walked in the door, finding Piper asleep on the couch with a book in her hand. Ever so gently, I picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. I placed her on the bed, took off my shoes & clothes, and got into the bed with her. I held her close to my body & feel into a peaceful sleep. Finally, with Piper in my arms, I was able to sleep.

I forced myself to get up and get dressed, knowing that I wanted to get on the road sooner than later. Even though it was Tuesday, I figured we had a good chance of hitting Thanksgiving traffic.

Piper was still sleeping so I kissed her on the cheek, pulled off the covers and said to her, "Shit Piper...you would think that you would be the first one up since you have been home the last 10 days and not in Bali."

She looked so beautiful while she was sleeping.

"Mmm...come back to bed Al. I haven't seen you in so long. I want to fuck you," Piper said, with her eyes still closed.

I had turned my perfect little Smith Grad into a sex-driven nympho.

"Well hello to you too Pipes. What a lovely greeting. We have to go - we have a 6 hour drive to my mom's house and it's already 10am," I said to Piper, as I lifted her out of the bed.

"Let's go...I want to get there before I change my mind."

I was just so overly stressed & tired and the thought of bringing someone home to my mind was scaring the shit out of me. I knew once we were there I would be fine, but the anticipation was driving me crazy.

Piper looked at me and said, "And why would you change your mind? Did 10 days in Bali suddenly make you see that you no longer want to bring your girlfriend home to meet your mom? Should I be upset?"

"Pipes, this is a big deal. Beyond the fact that you are one of my only girlfriends, I've never brought anyone serious home. It's not like I'm worried about my mom it's just the whole thing overall. I'm just stressing out for no reason. Bali was difficult and I haven't really slept well," I said to Piper, not wishing to tell her too many of the details.

Piper came back to me and placed her hands on my waist. Her hands felt so good on me and I felt myself slightly relax.

"Don't worry about it baby...everything will be fine. I am just so glad you are here. Nothing is the same without you. And you are far too skinny...we need to get some meat back on your bones," Piper said and leaned in for a kiss.

Within 15 minutes, we were on the road. As I was driving, Piper kept her hand on my lap or intertwined with mine. Piper had no idea how much she meant to me or how much I loved feeling her body touching mine. We made mindless chatter along the way, each filling the other in on our last 10 days apart. I made a conscious effort to tell Piper as little as possible about Bali, just in case something was ever to happen.

After a good amount of traffic, we pulled up the drive at about 6pm.

"Wow Alex, the house is beautiful. Did you buy this for your mom?" Piper asked me as we pulled up the driveway.

The house was beautiful, I completely agreed. I thought back to the day I bought the house for my mom, surprising her and seeing the shock in her eyes as I told her it was hers. My mom worked 4 jobs to support me and giving her a house was my first priority when I started making real money.

I took Piper's hand and said, "Yes...the first major purchase I ever made. I wanted to give my mom the house she always deserved. Well, here we are babe. Last chance to bail."

"Don't be ridiculous Alex, I'm not going to bail. I can't wait to meet the infamous Diane Vause!" Piper said as she leaned in for a kiss.

I took Piper's face into my hands and kissed her. I made love to her mouth with my mouth, wanting to express just how much I fucking loved her. Piper reached her hands over, taking my face, and kissing me with as much love as I was kissing her with.

After far too long, I broke the kiss and headed out of the car. I walked over to Piper's door, holding it open for her.

Piper said, taking my hand, "Such a lady you are."

I saw the door to the house open and my mom come out. She looked good - full of life, young and ready to have a great time.

"Well shit Vause, you weren't kidding when you said this girl was crazy-fucking-beautiful. Hello Piper - I am so glad to meet you!" my mom said. Oh my god mom, really? I thought to myself.

We were in for one hell of a Thanksgiving, I thought to myself, taking Piper's hand and walking up to my mom.