The night before they flew back to the United States, Piper and Alex shared a bed again as part of an unspoken agreement to comfort each other. The brunette had a fitful night of sleep, tossing and turning into the wee hours of the morning. Piper wrapped her arms around her ex-girlfriend, whispering words of assurance and worrying about Alex's mental state even while she slept. At one point, Piper stumbled into the bathroom to wet a rag with cool water. She dabbed it against Alex's sweaty hairline until she fell asleep again. During her bouts of half-wakefulness, Alex didn't say a word; she just groaned as if she was terribly uncomfortable. In a million years, Piper never thought she'd have to soothe Alex—she was usually strong and independent, not vulnerable and frightened.

On the plane ride the following day, they scored an exit row, and at 5'8", Piper was happy for the extra legroom. Alex pulled out her iPod and unraveled the headphones, inserting one bud into her right ear. Piper wanted to be as in sync with the brunette as possible, so she looked up at her companion with inquiring eyes. Alex grinned, handing her one of the buds. The blonde shoved it into her ear with a smile and then commandeered the iPod, scrolling for a Christmas playlist.

The night before, they'd fallen asleep to Christmas music upon Alex's insistence, (she knew Piper loved Christmas songs) and the first hour of their journey home was no different. Alex didn't have a ton of holiday music, so they listened to Christmas For the 90s Volumes 1 & 2, before Piper unplugged Alex's device in favor of her own, which had everything from Bing Crosby to Mariah Carey. They held hands during the flight, occasionally stealing glances, each worried about the other's fragility.

They hadn't defined anything about their relationship the night before; that conversation could wait if it needed to happen at all. What they knew—what they understood without having to verbalize it—was that they shared a deep, abiding, unbreakable connection. They loved each other; that much was certain. Where they ultimately ended up, though, was anyone's guess.

Alex was the more broken of the two, but if she remained on the straight and narrow, she'd eventually heal. Her poor choices were demons she'd have to live with, but they'd likely only surface on occasion. Her physical health needed to improve after she'd starved her body of anything good, but there was an easy solution to that. Piper knew that if Alex lived at home for even a month, Diane's cooking would help restore her health.

Piper was the more damaged of the two, but unlike Alex, she'd have a lifelong, permanent memory of her mistake since she'd chosen to keep the baby. That was the other thing they hadn't discussed, and the blonde didn't know if Alex would feel comfortable weighing in on the possibility of terminating the pregnancy. The thought of raising a child whose father she'd known for less than 24 hours was not a welcome one, but it was far more appealing than ending a life that hadn't even had the chance to start.

When they were close to touching down at LaGuardia, Alex eyed her restless companion. "How are you feeling?"

She pulled the earbud out. "Ok. You?"

Alex squeezed her hand. "A little nervous."

"That's probably the understatement of the year." Piper looked at their joined hands. "I know we haven't talked about us…about our relationship."

The brunette tossed her hair over one shoulder with the flick of her neck. "No, we haven't."

"I don't know if we're ready yet," she admitted.

"Are you bringing this up because of the baby?"

She glanced down again, humiliated by her situation.

"Piper, when I said I'd help you, that didn't mean I wanted to tell your father about us." She licked her lips. "I mean, if we're going to be a couple again, he absolutely needs to know, but I agree that we probably aren't in a position to make a commitment after so much has happened."

She let go of Alex's hand and didn't reply for several seconds. Piper was the one who'd said they weren't ready to define who they were to each other, yet she ached at hearing Alex's statement. She wanted the brunette to prove her wrong—to say that they were inevitable—only life's lessons separated them, and they were ready to move forward: together.

Instead, Piper settled for, "I don't want to listen to Christmas music anymore."

Alex gave her a contorted look that ended with a slight grin. She scrolled through her iPod and hit play. Piper listened to the beginning of a song that sounded like crumbled paper or a burning fire. It took her a second to place it, but she remembered that Alex used to play it when she got ready for school during her senior year—Piper had never listened to the words, they were just muddled lyrics playing in the background as she'd curled her hair & put on makeup, while Alex had thrown on whatever clothes were clean.

And promise me this

You'll wait for me only

Scared of the lonely arms

Surface, far below these burn

And maybe, just maybe I'll come home

Alex took her hand again, tangling their fingers and bringing them to her chest. She pressed Piper's hand against her heart, covering their joined hands with her free one. A smile slowly spread across her face as she leaned back and closed her eyes. Piper watched her former lover take a deep breath, and in that moment, she looked content.

Just like the song said, maybe—just maybe—they'd come home; not to a physical place, but to one rooted in love, passion, sincerity and happiness.

Piper had parked her car at the airport, so they weren't dependent upon anyone picking them up. Both women were emotionally and physically exhausted, but Alex offered to drive. Piper took her up on the offer if for no other reason than it gave the brunette some sort of control. She wondered when was the last time Alex felt in control of her life, but she didn't voice her curiosity.

They were silent most of the way back to Greenwich, and Piper didn't know who would be home at that hour. She hoped for Alex's sake that her mom was there, but she didn't want her father to be home yet. The blonde had far too much to consider before talking to him about her pregnancy; besides, she needed to ensure that he welcomed Alex into their house, considering the last time she was home, Alex had announced that she was gay.

The brunette made the final turn into their neighborhood. "What if your dad kicks me out?"

Piper swallowed hard. "I don't think he'd go that far."

She gripped the steering wheel. "You're the one who said he doesn't tolerate gay people."

"He loves your mom too much to not let you stay there—at least for the short term." She looked down. "Believe it or not, he's been concerned about you, too."

"Great," she rolled her eyes. "It's going to be a pity party as soon as I step in the door."

Piper put her hand on Alex's leg. "Maybe for the first few minutes, but I highly doubt your mom is going to focus on pitying you. She'll want to make you better."

The brunette parked the BMW on the driveway and turned off the engine. "What about your situation?"

Piper looked at her belly. "I'm not ready for that discussion yet. Let's just celebrate that you're back in one piece."

Alex leaned over and kissed the blonde on the temple and then smoothed her hand down Piper's head. "Whenever you're ready."

Piper wondered if she was referring to stepping out of the car and into the house or telling her family everything that had transpired in Europe.

Alex didn't see her mom's old Buick on the street and wondered if she hadn't gotten home from work yet (or if she'd gotten rid of the vehicle altogether.) The brunette popped the trunk and strapped one bag across her chest and hoisted a large suitcase out of the trunk. "Want me to carry your bag?"

Piper shook her head. "Mine is small; I got it."

Alex's heart thumped as she wiped her feet on the Welcome to the Chapman Home doormat before stepping inside. The house smelled familiar—like pastries and Douglas fir. It immediately brought back memories of their last Christmas together. Although it had been sad to tell Piper goodbye last year, they were in a committed relationship. Back then, Alex could see a future with Piper, and she wondered if she'd been blinded by love.

"Hello?" The blonde stepped inside. "Anybody home?"

"Piper?" Came a voice from a distance. "Is that you?"

Diane turned a corner and stopped in her tracks. "My God, Alex!" She ran towards her daughter and threw her arms around the younger Vause's neck. "I can't believe you're here!"

"I didn't have much of a choice," she mumbled against her mom's shoulder.

"Damn straight, you didn't." Diane pulled back. "Let me look at you."

She nudged her eyeglasses and glanced away as if embarrassed by her physical appearance. "I look worse than I feel."

"Come in. Sit down. Do you want something to eat? Something to drink?" Diane walked towards the living room, hand on her daughter's back. "I was going to heat some leftover chili for dinner, but I can make something special for you."

"I'm fine, really." Alex looked behind her to see if Piper was following and didn't sit down until the blonde was by her side.

"Piper, I'm sorry!" Diane hugged her before she was able to sit. "I was so caught up in seeing Alex that I didn't even say hello."

Piper grinned. "It's good to see you."

The older woman directed her attention back to Alex. "What happened to you? Where have you been? I've been worried sick."

"It's a long story," the brunette sighed. "I got into some shit that I shouldn't have."

"Uh huh." Diane's eyes roamed from one woman to the other. She put her hands on her hips. "What is it you're not telling me?"

"We just flew nine hours after two restless nights," the brunette replied, head reclining against the cushion and eyes shut. "I'm sorry if I don't seem overjoyed."

"We're exhausted," Piper added. "Where's my dad?"

Diane seemed satisfied with the explanation for the time being. "He's been working late this week—end of the year reports and stuff. Last night, he didn't get home until close to 10."

Alex sat up straight, suddenly apprehensive about being in the Chapman home—a place she'd never truly considered her own. "How's he going to feel about me staying here for the time being?"

"You're my daughter." She snapped a dishtowel against Alex's leg. "He'll be happy to see you."

Somehow, Alex didn't believe that was true. "Would you mind if I took a shower? I feel gross."

"By all means." Diane put a hand on her daughter's arm. "I'm going to whip up something for dinner, and then we're going to talk." The older Vause gave her daughter a look that meant her request wasn't open for negotiation. "Piper, you want to give me a hand, or would you like to take a nap or just close your eyes for a bit?"

"I think I'll unpack a few things first." She scratched her head and glanced at Alex who was waiting for her in the entryway with her hand on the long handle of a rolling suitcase. "If that's ok with you."

"Yeah, of course." Diane smiled proudly. "It's good to have you home, kids."

Alex gave her mom the best smile she could muster before tugging her suitcase behind her. She passed up Piper's room and rolled the bag into what was once 'her' room. Before going inside, she craned her neck and watched Piper open her own door and disappear into the bedroom.

Piper put her bag on her bed, pulled out a few essential items, and then walked the few steps towards the other woman's room. "Can I come in?" she whispered.

Alex let out a long, shaky breath. "This place brings back so many memories."

"I know." Piper took a half-step into the bedroom and shut the door, seemingly unsure of how to proceed.

Alex tilted her head towards the ceiling, feeling tears irritate her eyes.

Piper wrapped her arms around her ex-lover's now-too-skinny frame. "Tell me what you need," she whispered.

Alex pulled back, hands immediately landing on Piper's cheeks. "You." She kissed her solidly on the mouth, pressing so hard that her lips felt like they could bruise. "I need you."

Piper returned the kiss, palms splayed on Alex's back, jerking her ex-girlfriend closer.

They broke apart a minute later, foreheads resting against each other.

"I don't want to do this on my own." Alex sniffed. "I can't."

The blonde wiped a tear from her cheek and used the pad of her thumb to caress Alex's cheek. "I won't let you."

Alex chanced a look into her ex-lover's eyes, her vision becoming increasingly cloudy. "So we're in this together?"

Piper nodded. "I am if you are."

"Fuck," she mumbled, placing a sloppy kiss on the blonde's mouth, this time with tongues dueling.

Forty-eight hours ago, Alex didn't know if she'd ever see Piper again, and now they were making a pact to stand by each other's side through what was sure to be an emotional ride. The few words they'd spoken were more than just an agreement—they were a promise, and Alex didn't need a string of I-love-yous to roll from Piper's mouth to know that her declaration of support was genuine.

The brunette could feel mucus dripping from her nose and into their mouths as she tried to hold back a sob at the weight of the moment.

Piper wiped her own lips. "It's not hot when your snot drips into my mouth like that."

"No?" A wet snort surfaced.

"No."

Alex smoothed her lover's hair. "It's not your thing?"

She shook her head. "No, I don't like that."

"I thought you'd be into it." The brunette forced a smile.

"Mm mm." Piper ran her fingertips through thick, black hair. "I don't know what the future holds, Alex, but I can't imagine going another day much less another year without you in my life."

She raised her eyebrows. "You won't have to."

Piper yanked her closer for a tight embrace. "I love you," she whispered against her collarbone.

Alex settled her hands softly on Piper's face and stared into her deep, blue eyes. "I love you, too, babe."

It felt so fucking good to say those words to Piper, knowing they were reciprocated. How could she have denied the kind of love that existed between them? Letting go of Piper was a foolish move on her part, and now, she regretted it sorely. What she'd thought was a selfless move was actually selfish. Alex couldn't believe she'd have another chance at loving Piper, but this time, she swore to herself that she wouldn't fuck it up.

She ran her fingertips down the side of the blonde's neck. "If I don't get in the shower in the next minute, my mom is going to know something's up."

The blonde shrugged. "Let her think that." She pushed a strand of hair behind Alex's ear. "I'm done hiding."

Alex traced her jawline with the pad of her thumb until it reached her chin. She lifted it slightly so they could see eye to eye. "You mean that?"

She nodded. "We'll tell them tonight, unless you want to wait."

Alex smiled through a new set of tears. "I don't want to wait."

Piper wiped her own eyes, and then her lover's cheeks. "Good, it's settled."

While Alex showered, Piper joined her step-mom in the kitchen. "Can I help?"

Diane pulled a bag of tortillas off the shelf. "I'm going to turn this chili into a burrito. Alex loves Mexican food, and I'll bet she hasn't had any in a long time."

Piper opened the can of black beans that was sitting on the counter. "I'm sure she'll appreciate it."

Diane spooned the chili into a pot and her mood turned somber. "How was Alex when you got there?"

"Pretty bad," the blonde admitted. "She's still not great."

"I was afraid of that," Diane sighed. "Why didn't you tell me she was in trouble?"

Piper averted her eyes. "I didn't want to scare you before I knew the facts."

The older woman folded her arms, seemingly ok with the explanation. "Was she into drugs?"

Piper bowed her head, sliding the opened can towards the older woman. "I should let her tell you everything."

"Thank you so much." Suddenly, Piper felt Diane's arms wrapped around her waist. "You might've saved my daughter's life."

There was no doubt in Piper's mind that was true—Alex was days or maybe even hours away from self-destruction.

"You're welcome." The blonde pulled back. "She's worth it."

Diane gave her a knowing grin. "To both of us."

Piper quickly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked away, nervous about informing Alex's mom about their relationship. She was so very grateful for Diane in her life, and of course, in her father's life.

"Something smells good in here." Alex walked in with a wet head, wearing an old baseball shirt with a white front and blue sleeves. Piper recognized it as her own and couldn't help the warmth that spread within her like butter melting on hot bread.

Diane dabbed her eyes. "I'm making burritos and Mexican rice. Sound good?"

"It does." She shuffled towards Piper. "Are you helping?"

"I am." The blonde smirked. "Look, I'm cooking."

"If by opening a can of beans, that means you're cooking, then yes, you are." Alex snickered, putting a hand on her lower back.

At first, Piper tensed, but then she recalled their conversation. She leaned into the touch and looked up at her lover and smiled, knowing she probably appeared stupid-in-love. Alex's smile gave just as much away, and the blonde knew there was no way Diane didn't recognize their more-than-friends behavior.

Alex didn't step away; in fact, she increased the pressure on Piper's lower back. "Mom, there's something we need to tell you."

"I'm listening." She rested the wooden spoon on the counter, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Alex glanced at her mother, and then at Piper who was now all but pressed to her side. "I love this woman…so fucking much."

Diane rolled her eyes as a smile cracked open on her face. "Tell me something I don't know."

Piper knew it; she was just too afraid to have confirmed the older woman's suspicion a long time ago. "You knew all along, didn't you?"

"I had a strong suspicion." She enveloped both of them in her arms. "Moms know these sort of things."

Not all moms, Piper thought. She felt both Vause's hands on her back, and they felt remarkably similar.

Diane pulled back. "I'm just glad the two of you are finally owning up to it."

Piper looked sheepish. "We haven't told you because…because of my dad."

"There's so much to love about him, but he's rigid in his beliefs," Diane sighed. "We talked a lot about Alex over the past few months, and he isn't very open to her lifestyle. I worry."

Alex scratched her head and glanced away, concerned for Piper's pending confession to her dad.

"I'm going to tell him," Piper said with conviction, grabbing Alex's fingers, which were placed low on her hip.

"I'll be there every step of the way." Diane hugged the blonde. "I love you like a daughter, kid."

Piper felt the prickle of tears. She pulled back to look in the older woman's eyes. "You've been more of a mom to me than my own mother."

"Oh, Piper." Once again, she embraced the young Chapman.

Piper looked at Alex, who had a firm grin planted on her face.

"There's so much I don't know," Diane began. "Let me get the beans and corn into a pot, and we'll sit in the living room and talk."

Alex placed a kiss on Piper's forehead. "Ok."