I revised this one a lot of times. I hope you enjoy though. Here's the sequel to "All too well."
...
Jess : Thanks for the review. Hope you enjoy this one too.
The Guests: Thanks for the review guys! Here it is the sequel.
Chand3li3r : Sorry for breaking your heart. I might do that again soon. Haha
Vauseismylife : Thanks so much! Here's the sequel i hope you enjoy.
Nichorellos : Thanks! I would try to write about them more next time.
ManveerlovesVauseman : Thanks for the review and sorry for breaking your heart but as i have said, i might do that again soon.
SeriouslyAwesome : Yep! Here's the sequel.
djyxa : Thanks so much. Haha uhm yah i don't know why too but I appreciate all the reviews though.
To all past reviewers thanks guys! I really do appreciate it and please keep it coming! I want to know your thoughts.
"The Scientist"
(Coldplay)
...
"Do you ever wish you had a second chance to meet someone again for the first time?"
...
Art is a form of running away without really leaving. Art is your feelings. It's your voice. It's your story. The journey you took since leaving New York hasn't been easy. It involves a lot of adjustments, changes and abandoning old habits. It took some time but slowly; you've climbed the ladder of success, which you always thought bending on you. You're here now, one of the uprising artist to be watched out for. Your initials are the first people search for, on a painting, on a mural or even on plain sketches. Suddenly A.V means more than your name. It's a perceptual understanding of pleasure, a hidden story...a treasure. Of course success comes with attention. People from diverse backgrounds, different stories, and unalike intentions suddenly surround you. Though you know it's the consequence of exceptionally doing well on something you love so much, you still despise the attention sometimes.
As your life changes ahead, there's always a certain part of the past you gladly visit in your memory. It's been five years. You still see her. She seems to be around on every place. Maybe it's because of her movie posters, or her TV guesting, or the products she endorses, or even seeing her somewhere or perhaps because her face is still vividly tattooed on your mind. You painted her face once, six months after you broke up, when she consumed your thoughts one cold night and you can't think of anything else. It's a half resemblance of her face. The perfectly shaped brow, a distinct ocean colored eye, half of her flawlessly boned structured nose, slightly parted upper thin lip and her golden colored locks falling a little over her shoulders. The other half are variants of colors, of emotions, you still feel on her memory. It's a piece you didn't wanted to put in the showroom but your mentor and friend Andy told you it deserves to. It was viewed and praised by many. Buyers even bid higher prices for it but you refuse to sell it. One day an elderly man convinces you to, as he told you it reminds him of someone. It doesn't look half as the person he's reminded about but the emotions in the painting was. You felt he's sincere enough so you ask to just have it for one more day before you sell it to him. At midnight, while staring at it, your mind wanders again on those times with her. One summer night, you were finishing a sketch of the children you saw earlier that morning. The toddlers are eating ice cream and playing when they caught your eye. Suddenly your hands are working in a paper and a pencil. You were seated on the sofa finishing your art, when her inquisitive head pops behind your shoulder.
"Wow, that is really good babe."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. You have great hands." She said playfully raising her eyebrows to you, and sending a meaningful look.
"Shut up!" you replied as you chuckle. She seated beside you thinking.
"Draw me."
"What?"
"Draw me...draw me like one of your French girls." She said seriously as she gave you her unconvincing wink and you laugh on the hilarity of her words and action.
"You're such an idiot! And you can't even wink." You said and laugh again as she joins you and burst in giggles.
"I'm serious."
"Are you really serious?"
"Yeah!"
"Okay, come here."
You position her on the couch where her head is lying on the edge as her hair is falling on the floor. Her arms are spread like eagles on the couch and her left leg is dangling at the back of the sofa and the other is raised, without removing any of her clothing. You took your sweet time on your pencil to tease her patience. You're sketching her for an hour when she complains.
"Babe, are you done? My head is hurting and my blood is into it…and my legs are aching too."
"You told me to draw you."
"Yeah, not like this. You're an asshole!" She said and you chuckle at her upside down position.
"I gave you breaks." You said teasing her. You saw her face turning red so you decided to finish and help her lie down properly on the couch as you add finishing touches on your sketch.
"Here." You sat down on the floor beside her as you show it.
"Wow…this is amazing." She said in adoration and pecks you.
"You think so?"
"Absolutely…it's detailed, like you put life into it."
"Hmmm." You said agreeing.
"Okay, let me just lie down a few more. I feel like the room is spinning."
"Sorry…let me make it up…to you then." You answered giving her kisses, one after the other and gently brushing your noses.
You were brought back on to the present as you trace the color of her painting. You observed it one more time. Memorizing each emotion, every stroke of feeling you put into it, before you bid it goodbye. On the next day the old man didn't have to offer a large amount, as you both know any amount wouldn't compensate for it, it's priceless. Oddly that same painting raises you to success, that's the start of your dreams coming to pass and slowly through the next years to come, your memory of her begins to blurs but she's never far from your mind.
...
Hope is longing for chances. A chance to achieve the dream you've been longing to have. It's about yearning for a chance to find love in a crowded room of people. Or perhaps, a second chance of a love you lost on a wrong time. But there's nothing harsher than to keep on hoping, thinking you have a chance when you already lost it. As much as you tried to be logical when you first heard the news nine months after you left, there's still voice in your head saying, that you resented her. It was close to your birthday, you saw the news saying Piper Chapman was involved in an accident on the set. You were worried instantly, you called Annie right away, but then you saw him again on the TV. He's been around her lately. You always saw him accompanying her some place. You suspected something is going on but your not quite sure.
"Hello?" Annie answers, exhausted on the other line.
"Hey, uhm...Annie this is Alex." You said introducing yourself as you've changed your number when you left.
"Alex?...oh! Piper's Alex?" She said as realization dawns on her. You smiled as she still deemed you as Piper's.
"Yes. I just want to check on her. Is everything okay? What happened?"
"Yes. Don't worry...it's just a minor accident. She just slips and fell on a bottom stair on set and sprained her knee on the process…Alex? This is really you?"
"Yeah, it's me Annie."
"It's just she...she waited for you to call." You close your eyes as you felt the emotion of Piper waiting and longing for you. You miss her just as much as she does. Then your attention was caught on the T.V again. It's him, Aaron Crawford talking about her. He was asked bluntly if they were dating and he answered "whatever we have in the moment, we just want to keep it to ourselves for now." It hurts still, piercing on your core as you're reminded that Piper's not yours any longer. She moved on. She's done waiting. You closed your eyes, as you slowly calm your raging emotions inside. Annie's voice brought you back, asking if you're still there.
"Yeah...uhm listen Annie, I got to go. Just tell her...don't tell her I called okay?"
"What? But..." Annie protests but you cut her off immediately.
"Just please Annie...don't tell her."
"Okay." She answered resignedly.
"Thanks. Take care. Bye."
"Bye, Alex."
...
You remember the hatred mixed with sadness. You're angry about the situation. You're mad at yourself as much as you're mad at her. You detested your timing, your dreams and your love for her. You suddenly felt the need to break something. So instead of snapping at something, you build something else. You're raging hands grab your fiberboard, palette and paintbrush as your hands starts making a masterpiece over masterpiece, over and over again as the rage was replaced by exhaustion. Most of those you made that day was bought, someone even ask to showcase it. It's ironic that you're sadness and pains are deemed beautiful and pleasing by others.
When Piper recovered after the minor accident, she was invited to an art exhibit. She went to every occasion she could, as she felt peaceful, calming and relaxing atmosphere on every exhibit. Or perhaps maybe because when she went there she felt closer to you, even on your absence. She saw a painting there that she immediately bought. It was an acrylic painting of withered, different colored and almost dying flowers wrapped on a single branch. It was surrounded by alive, flourishing colors of different butterflies and a distinctive blue colored background.
"It matches your eye." One guest said.
"It is." She claimed and smiles.
"This person has talented hands." The woman said with adoration and left.
She just smiled as her stares are glued at the object. She knew it's yours. She knew you made this. She especially knew that your soul was on that painting, when she read the words that made her bought it. "Love lives in your memory of a glorious past and an almost future." She traced her fingers on your tiny initials of -A.V on the bottom. But she wonders if you're really over her, as she never really heard from you since you left. Is what you have that easy to forget? She hurts on the realization of maybe you really moved on, and that she was left on the past and that chances are, there might never be a future.
...
Love is an unexpected find. Love sometimes comes softly, not like fireworks. It comes on a time when you stopped wanting it. You forgot her for a while. Six months after that call, Piper seemed to be a distant memory in the past. As you begin to tuck her on the back of your mind, you unknowingly gave someone else a front row part. You met her one time on a charity event that Andy's friend organized. It was a reading for a children's hospital. She was the one reading and you, Andy and the other volunteers will take on the feeding and gift giving part. She's attractive, with an intense hazel gaze. Her auburn bob falls perfectly touching her shoulders, as her smile was the kind that has a magnetic pull, and makes you smile just the same. You fall for her sincere intentions to help others, and on her despise on media attention just the same, as her job as a Fashion Designer seems to attract it equally with yours. Gwyneth McGill came from a capable family background. Her father is a prosecutor, while her mom is active on community service. You met her parents six months after you started dating. You're so nervous, because unlike before, you haven't been properly introduced to the family of your lover. You found out that there's nothing to be worried about as her family is very acceptable and you felt part of it right away. Her parents even ask you to join on a dinner one Saturday as her little brother graduates in college, which you gladly accepted as you and her brother already formed a bond together. Diane gets to meet her too. It was her birthday and she requested to see you both.
"Mom, this is Gwynn. Gwynn, this is mom." You said as you introduce them once over dinner. Diane insisted that you bring her since this is the first time you ever talked about someone just as much as you used to talk about Piper before.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Vause."
"Oh please honey, call me Diane." Your mother said and hugs her lightly. Gwynn was startled at first but quickly hugged her back. It was fun that night. Your mom and her seemed to talk about anything under the sun. Your mom even told you she's happy for you, that you found someone again although her eyes tells you something else you just couldn't put a finger on.
You we're talking once on your bed when she spent the night, after your acquaintance of each other's body.
"Are you happy Al?"
"Of course, I am. Why?" You asked her puzzled about the question.
"It's just that, I'm happy with you...and I was hoping you are too?" You laugh at her shyness and the statement itself.
"You're an idiot! Of course I'm happy with you Gwynn." She smiled as you did too.
"I love you." You were surprised as she said it first. You haven't really said those words yet to each other. You look at her intensely, a few moments before you answer.
"I love you too." You told her as she looks at you for a few seconds testing the sincerity of the words and smiled at you. She rested her head on your chest as you wrapped her on a hug, and both silently lay on the bed. You felt warm and content, but something tells you that she doubt the honesty of the words that left your mouth.
...
Time is an illusion. The passage of time, the past, present, and future is a delusion created by our minds. It is man's attempt to measure memories and expectation. It is free but is priceless. Five years have past. Five long years of you, gradually adapting to your life in the moment with a little to none remembrance of the girl on TV. You are happy with Gwynn, content and peaceful. Three years together has been nothing but a journey you glad you're taking, with her by your side. There had been fights but mostly petty about your busy schedules unfitting on each other's. You're careful not to commit the same mistake as before, so you make it work. It's working, or you thought so. An event approaching will be the start of the comeback, of a long kept distant past. Something probably time has been preparing on the sidelines. Gwynn has a fashion event coming in two months, one that she can't and won't afford to miss.
"Hon, I have an event." She says timidly as she rest her head on your shoulders.
"Okay." You answered. Your eyes still glued on the book that you're reading.
"It's a big one."
"Uhuh, okay."
" I wouldn't wanted it but mom asks me to participate as it's a good cause." she followed in a convincing voice.
"Okay. Why not?" You answer and look at her waiting. You observed her expression of uncertainty as she bit her lower lip. You noticed she does that, if she's nervous about something.
"What's wrong?" You fiddle your glasses nervously.
"It's kind of far."
"Oh, okay I'll drive you." You exhaled relieved as it's only about the distance.
"No, it's far...far...New York kind of far." You were stunned for a moment as she looks at your impression.
"Oh...yeah, that's...kind of far." You said as she laughs on your antics.
"It's just a week."
"Okay."
"And I was hoping, for you to come." You were silent. You contemplate on coming back at New York. Is this a good trip or just another disaster waiting to happen?
"Please? I don't like being far from you in a week. Unless of course your too busy." She said as she drops her gaze on the floor. You hinted sadness over her statement. It won't hurt accompanying Gwynn. It's important to her for you to be there. You feel wanted, valued, loved.
"Okay."
"Okay what?"
"Okay, I'll come with you."
"Really?" She said grabbing your face with both of her hands and looked you in the eye. You nod once and she squeals with happiness as she kisses you. This is closure. It's time you give the past the final bow.
...
You both have been in New York in two days now. You're glad you haven't seen Piper yet, except on the magazine and few guesting on TV. You decided to pay Nicky a visit on bricks that evening, as Gwynn said she'd catch you there after her meetings. You reached Bricks by 7 and saw Nicky standing by the bar, her back facing yours.
"Hi! Are you busy tonight?" You speak closely on her ear. She was startled a little as she slowly faces you.
"Fucking hell, Vause!?" She yelled surprised and hugged you fiercely.
"Nice to see you too Nicky!" You said as you release each other.
"Fuck! It's good to see you, man! What are you doing here? Are you back?"
"No, just for two or three weeks."
"Really? Well it's nice for you to visit…Sit!" She commanded you and taps at the stool beside where she was seated.
"Yeah. I wouldn't miss this...and I miss you too." You said as you both genuinely smiled to each other.
"Beer?"
"Yeah, that's fine. Thanks!" You replied as she requested a bartender to give you both.
"So, I heard your big now kid. Finally huh?"
"Just fine, not so big though."
"Are you kidding me? I saw your paintings and it's really good! Everyone seemed to want a piece. I heard chapman bought several!" She said bluntly. You were quiet for a moment analyzing if she's bluffing or teasing. You didn't see both.
"Shit! Sorry kid. I didn't mean to..."
"No, that's fine...did she really?
"You have no idea. She went to every exhibit if she knew it'll showcase some of yours." You were both quiet for a moment. You were reminded of Piper's persistence whenever she wants something.
"How about you? What's new?"
"Well, I co-owned this now."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"So drinks are on the house then?"
"Fuck yeah!" She said and bumps her beer to yours as you both chuckles. Her gaze falls into the entrance of the bar suddenly.
"Especially on divine ladies." She said praising, as she points the tip of her beer on the woman approaching both of you.
"Hey, hon!" You turn your head just in time as Gwynn approach you and gives you a peck. Nicky was surprised.
"Hey. Uhm, this is Nicky. Nicky this is Gwynn, my girlfriend." You said introducing them as Nicky felt red on her cheeks and you couldn't help but laugh.
"Hi, nice to meet you." Gwynn said beside you.
"You, too."
"Nicky's an old friend. Remember, when I said I live here before? I worked here." The conversation continues the three of you for sometime updating each other. Gwynn excuse herself after and went to the ladies before you both leave and take dinner together.
"Fuck Vause! You're girlfriend really? You have a way in women kid...and what is that?" She said surprised on the object on your left ring finger. It's a platinum band with a noticeable diamond on the center and a tiny one on both sides.
"She asked me a month before."
"And you said yes?"
"Nicky..."
"Sorry kid...I mean...I was just shocked." She explains cautiously as you gave her a timid smile.
"Fuck! You're getting married!...does Chapman knew?"
"I haven't talk to her since..." You let the words die on your lips.
"Really? Since you left?" She asks surprised, as you nod.
"Wow, that's...unusual. I mean...you don't exactly hated each other when you broke up so..."
"I know. I just, I didn't have the chance just yet."
"Do me a favor man, tell her okay? Before she hears it on anyone else…Tell her." She said worriedly as you nod on her concern.
"Congratulations kid!" She said and toast on your beer as she takes a swig and hugs you. You said "thanks" timidly and drinks too. You dreaded seeing Piper more.
...
Delaying the inevitable is torture. You knew at one point or another you'll going to see Piper but being the coward that you are at the moment, you delayed it as much as you can until you couldn't anymore. You were at Nicky's again, this time at her house passing time, as Gwynn is still busy finalizing the design she'll showcase in two days. You were at the patio just reading a book when you heard them come in.
"Let's just seat here and wai… Supercunt?" Polly said surprised as her words died on her lips. You raised your head from the book, just as Piper come out from the back door.
"Fuck! It's you!" Polly said as she rushes towards you and envelops you in a hug.
"Nice to see you too, Holly." You answered as hugged her back and you both giggled on the term of endearment, forgetting another set of eyes boring holes on your face.
"What are you doing here? Are you back for good?" she inquires as you release each other.
"No, just for two or three weeks."
"Fuck! It's good to see you! It's been five years, you asshole!" she said jokily as you chuckle.
"I know. Sorry." You replied softly as you both genuinely smiled to each other.
"Oh, shit! Uh, I'll just…go find Nicky." She said excusing herself as she remembers Piper lingering on the side waiting. She passed by her as she taps her shoulder softly. You viewed her for the first time. She's as beautiful as the last time you saw her, here on the same place. The only thing that changed is her hair, as it's a long bob just on the length of her shoulders.
"Good to see you Pipes." You said aloofly as you were suddenly reminded of your last phone call. Piper winced as she noticed your coldness.
"You too." She said timidly.
You were both silent afterwards weighing what to say to each other. You felt sudden resentment and hatred towards her, for letting you go, for not fighting for you, for moving on like you didn't mean anything anymore, for making you feel she doesn't deserve you, without you knowing she felt the same way. It's been five years.
"I was worried. I haven't heard from you since." She said with annoyance on your lack of desire to communicate since you left. Her temper was infusing on the side, as your attitude towards her is hurting her.
"Well, you seemed to be doing all right without me. I saw an interview once…what's his name again? Oh, yeah. Aaron." You said mockingly.
"You don't know anything about me on the past 5 years...you weren't there! You fucking aren't there!" she said yelling at you now. She shoved your shoulders once, as she couldn't help retaliating on the things you have said.
"Oh of course I know! I saw it coming. I always knew." You said angrily as your words pierce to her heart.
"Fuck you Alex! You think you knew everything because you have seen it on media...on TV?...you heard on interviews? I haven't stop hoping you'll call…I haven't moved pass looking for you on a crowded room of people for two years! I didn't stop wishing to go back on the day when it's all simple, when it's just you and me. Do you know how hard was that?" she said weeping as she felt the same desperation again.
"I haven't stop beating myself by letting this distance between us. Until one day I stopped...I stop wishing, I stopped hoping and praying because you weren't there. So don't you dare judge me like you know me...like this entire people always do...you weren't there! You stopped being there. I have never felt so alone when you left." She shouted as her tears keeps on falling.
"You didn't ask me to stay!...I was hoping you would...you didn't say anything, you just let me go!" you yelled back as all the pain you felt that day, you're experiencing again.
"I couldn't! I can't be selfish and stop you. You are chasing your dream, just like you didn't when I chased mine." She cries as she shoved you once again. She's breaking, and you're breaking her. You tried walking towards her as she shoves you once again but you catch her hand and gripped it tightly, pulling it on your chest. She's crying and hurting over your obvious hatred for her. You haven't seen Piper like this…this broken. You suddenly crushed her on a tight hug as she struggled for a while. You felt her arms embracing you too as her muffled cries were buried on your neck.
"I wasn't with Aaron. I never was with anybody long enough since you." She explained in between sobs. You missed her so much you can feel your own heart racing. You raised her head as you held her face with both of your hands. She's silently crying still and you felt tears escape on yours too. You don't like seeing her like this, so you did what you usually do to let her feel your comfort. You close the gap between your lips and kissed her softly. She was holding your hands on her face as she kisses you back. Your warm breath was comforting her and you're starting to melt towards hers. The soft kiss becomes a little intense as you both were longing when your tongues dances towards each other. Your passionate lip rubbing continues as it only was interrupted of your need to catch your breaths. You rest your forehead to Piper's as your noses brush lightly.
"I'm with someone now." You said painfully as your eyes closes. You couldn't look at her.
"Thus, the ring on your finger…" she said miserably, as she traces her fingers on your stained cheek. You nod silently as your grip on the side of her neck tightens. You're about to kiss her again to comfort her and yourself, as you felt hurting as much as she does, when your phone rings.
"Timing has never been our strong suit." she said defeated as you both releases each other. You stared at each other's eyes as your grief shows. She walks away slowly crushed as you heard her sniffing. She left you there on that same place five years ago beaten and crying.
...
Choice is making a decision, when faced with two or more possibilities. A choice between someone you love and somebody that you're in love with. It is a selection between forgetting and remembering. The event ended positively as Gwynn's chosen charity receives a huge amount of her paycheck, making her parents very pleased. The week is closing in and you're expected to come home. Gwynn met Piper on the event. She was one of the VIP guests on the list. She wasn't oblivious to the tension you both seemed to have whenever you're on the same room. She wasn't also ignorant to not notice a change of your behavior since that visit on Nicky's place. She notice things, but she's waiting for you to say something, only you wouldn't, you didn't know how to tell her about Piper. How would you tell her about how you still long for her after these long years, or how you dream about being with her again? You can't tell her that her kiss makes you feel excited and warm at the same time. You most especially can't tell her, that you love her still as her face lingers on your memory. You love Gwynn too, and that's the most selfish thing you'll ever do. You have two days. Two remaining days to decide to close one chapter as another begins. Gwynn left that day for an unplanned visit to her old friend. She said she'll be back before dinner but you felt like she's giving you space. A much needed one, to do the things you have to do, to end things that you must end, closing chapters. You went to Piper's that day, as you wanted to see her and talk. You reached her place close to sundown. Annie answers her door and was glad to see you. You chatted for a while and ask for Piper, she said she didn't know where she went as she asks to be left alone for a while. She cancelled every appointment that day and wouldn't tell her where she was going either. You racked your brain thinking where could she possible be, when you remembered a rooftop over bricks. The one Nicky gave access to the both of you before. You turned it on a living room, placing sofa with blankets and a coffee table, so that if you guys wanted to hangout or just be left alone, far from the eyes of the people, which Piper begins to attract at the time, you had a place to go. You borrowed the key to Nicky and went upstairs. You open the door quietly and saw her thinking, leaning on the railings, overlooking the cityscapes with a tea in hand. You knocked at the open door before you enter so you won't startle her.
"What are you doing here?" She asked surprised.
"Thought I'll find you here."
"It's peaceful here." She answers quietly, clutching the mug in her hand. You observe her for a while not saying anything. This feeling of calm, peaceful silence, you used of having when you're together.
"I called you once before." You said nervously, breaking the silence, as you fidget your glasses.
"What? When?"
"Your accident on the set. Annie answered my call. She said you've been waiting for my call since I left."
"She never told me." She said offended.
"I told her not to…I was jealous when I saw that fucking Aaron talked about what you guys seemed to have." You admitted with venom still evident on your voice. You stared ahead on the lights of the buildings before you.
"Al, we were never together. Almost, but I couldn't keep you out of my head. I wasn't even with someone longer than a year since you. You were never far from my mind…you are still." She confessed quietly.
"I can't do this to her…she was there, when I didn't had anyone." You explain softly, still staring ahead.
"Do you love her?" She asks as her voice shakes.
"Yes." You answered, as yours trembles.
"Do you hate me?" She asks gently, as you look at her.
"I love you too...but it's not fair to Gwynn." You said as a tear left your eyes, as you wiped it immediately. You were both silent for a while, staring straight ahead, and hearing only deep breathing of each other, equally breaking, evenly aching.
"Don't forget me..." She said in a hush voice, staring at the cityscape not looking at you, as you hear her sniffing.
"I can never...I couldn't..." You said nostalgic. "You're face is everywhere..." You teased her as you both giggled and she shoved you playfully in the arm.
"I'll always watch you kid...I'll always be at the sideline, proud and cheering." You said and smiled at her not quite reaching your eyes.
"I'll buy hundreds of your paintings." She said joking and you both burst into laughter again. You stare at her for a moment memorizing her face, as you thought it might be the last time you'll see her this close. She did the same way and smile at you sullenly as you tried hard keeping tears at the base of your eyes.
...
You have said goodbye to Nicky and Polly as well, not knowing when you'll see them again. Arriving in the airport to go back to Denver, you set your mind on leaving New York and letting Piper go. No coming back this time, no more second chances, no trying again. This is it, once you leave that's the final call. You were inside staring at the flight information display, absentmindedly contemplating things when you heard Gwynn speak.
"You can't come with me."
"What?" you said and look at her, as the words wouldn't register on your brain.
"You can't do this to me Al. You seemed more miserable than the first time I saw you." She knows. She knew who Piper is.
"I'm sorry."
"Do you still love her?" she asks as her voice trembles.
"Gwynn..."
"Al, do you still?"
"I don't want to hurt you."
"You'll going to hurt me more…Do you love her?" she asks again desperately.
"Yes." You whispered softly. She holds your face with both of her hands looking at your eyes. You saw tears on the edge of hers.
"Do you want to be with her?" she inquires gently, as you rest your forehead on hers. You close your eyes and hold her neck on both sides by your hand, not talking just breathing deeply, as you didn't know how to answer. She rises her head seconds after and looks at you. She gently releases herself on your hold.
"You're making a mistake if you'll just let her go…go find her." She said as her voice shakes, holding her emotions as much as she can.
"Will I see you again?" you ask quietly as silent tears escape from your eyes.
"Go Alex...go before I take it all back…" you stare at her, tears falling from her eyes as she couldn't hold it anymore. You walk towards her slowly as you lingered a kiss on her forehead. You took off her ring and place it gently on her hand. You stare for a little while remembering what kind of person she is, and it makes you want to stay for her, but you couldn't. You know you shouldn't.
"Just go!...go!" She said as her tone rises as little with obvious hurt and pain. You wiped your tears as you dragged your bag and rushes out with a task on submitting to your heart, as she sobs when she defied hers.
...
Eternity confounds all notion of time. Destroys all memory of a beginning, and all fear of an end. It's a point in time standing still, for ever. You knock furiously at her door. Annie answers astonished, as she knew you're supposed to be leaving today.
"Where is she?" you asked heatedly, when you barged inside before she could answer as you shouts Piper's name. You found her on a room with her team discussing. You looked at each other as you saw how shocked she is, and her eyes are swollen from crying, it pinches your heart.
"Get the fuck out, all of you! Get the fucking out!" you yelled in frustration as you saw Annie rushes everyone out of the room. Piper was rooted still, waiting. You stride back and fort, as your right hand rests on your forehead and your left hand on your waist. You're suddenly anxious about all of this, if you're doing the right thing, or is this another mistake.
"Al…" she speaks gently. You raised your right hand indicating her to stop.
"I need to know…" you breathe calmly. "I need to know if you'll fight for us, this time. I need to know I'm not wasting time. I need to know this is not a mistake…I just let go of somebody who adores me so much Piper. I should know if this is worth it." You said as you swallowed your fears.
"I'm not letting you go this time." She said as her voice shakes.
"This isn't going to be easy…we have to work at this everyday. I want to do that because I want you…I want all of you. You and me everyday." You said rumbling as she nods, standing still giving you space.
"Can I…can I touch you now?" she inquires gently. You stopped pacing and look at her calmly. It dawns into you that you're here again with her. You're here together, again.
"Touch me kid." You whispered tiredly as exhaustion over your emotions sweeps on you. She strides eagerly and threw herself on you. You lifted her as she wraps her legs on your waist. You were both crying and hugging each other tightly. You kiss each other passionately, communicating how much you long for each other. You felt her tears on your cheeks conveying her fears on the thought of losing you for good.
"You're with me yes, kid?" you question breaking the kiss.
"I was never not with you." She answered as she kissed you gently again.
...
You were watching a series, taking a break on the lazy boy after arranging the paintings you'll showcase on your upcoming exhibit. She walks in the front door after a long day, rushing to get home to you.
"Hey, babe!" she shouted at the huge house you bought together after six months of being married.
"In here!" You answered from the entertainment room. She enters the room and approached you giving you a peck.
"You look cozy." Piper said as she lays down in your front, her face buried on your chest.
"Hmmm, you look exhausted…and you stink." You said stating the obvious, mocking her as you pretend on smelling her. She laughs and playfully slapped you on the shoulder and you giggle. You rub circles on her back soothing her. She started her chat about how her day went as you listen attentively. You were tired lately, making you doze off on the calmness of her voice. She wakes you after an hour.
"You seemed to be dozing off lately." She asks worriedly.
"Just tired kid. Let's go get dinner." You assured her.
"Okay." She said and you kiss her softly making her moan. You laugh at her obvious desire as she feels her cheeks reddened.
...
You learned to not pay attention on the media's obvious obsession on your relationship with Piper. She proves her commitment to your marriage everyday as she wraps her schedules to your needs, and this time she sticks to it. She takes dinner with you always and if she couldn't, she makes sure you know ahead. She's present on your exhibits when you needed her to be. You go on vacations, dates and time offs together. She didn't mind people's opinion about your marriage as she puts you first in everything she does. You do the same for her, and for the first time everything is well for you guys. You were having lunch date with her one time when you suddenly craved for a cone of ice cream. She refuses for a while saying you'll lose your appetite for lunch but you manage to convince her by giving as best as you can version, of your puppy dog eyes. You decided to seat outside not caring about anyone staring but so far, no one manage to disturb your peaceful lunch. You were sharing your cone with her while waiting for your food, when you felt something at the base of your feet.
"Shit!" you said startled. You look at under you and place your left hand on your chest as you exhaled in relief. It's only a leaf touching you, when you thought of some insect or worse. You looked at Piper beside you and your smile slowly edges on you lips until you couldn't help but chuckle.
"Really? Is this really funny?" she said as she raises her brows. You shake your head from side to side, but your laughter increases. Her nose was covered with ice cream spreading on the side of her mouth, caused by your panic reaction over a leaf.
"No…sorry babe." You said as serious as you can be, but you couldn't help to laugh still. She furrows her brows, kidding offended as you took a wet tissue on your purse.
"Come here baby…the poor baby is so messy." You said giggling making baby noises as you wiped her face neatly. You gave her a peck, one after another. Few minutes after, your food arrives and you both started eating. She convinces you to go to the doctor for check up as she worries a lot about your much sleeping and frequent dizziness.
"I'm fine kid."
"It wouldn't hurt checking. Besides I'll be there. I'll accompany you."
"We didn't have to babe, I'm fine."
"Please just to ease my mind…please?" she asks nicely, giving you her doe eyes.
"Fine." You said defeated by her antics as she pecks you delighted. You continued your lunch together talking about any topic you can.
...
The next day you invited Nicky and Polly over for dinner, after your visit on the doctor. Polly arrived first helping Piper set up the back garden as you both decided to have dinner outside on a starry night. You're just finished taking your frequently needed bathroom break when Nicky arrived. She was holding a magazine, which is unusual. You both walked to where Piper and Polly are.
"Have you seen this? This is the best cover you both had." She said placing the magazine upfront, so all of you could see. You all burst on laughter as Piper's cheek reddens. It was from yesterday's lunch where Piper was covered with ice cream on her face and you are dying on laughter, as you're head was raised.
"Fucking media! Always!" she said.
"It's a good cover." Polly teased and you all chuckled again.
You started dinner after the hysterics and were seated facing both of your friends when you decided to share the news.
"Uhm…we have news." you said clearing your throat as Piper grabs your arm and places a kiss on your shoulder. The attention of your friends won't leave your face.
"Alex and I decided to lie low on our work engagement." She said gently. "We went to the doctor today and Alex was advised to take more rest and I would do the same to cater to her needs." Piper continues. You're friends were instantly worried.
"What's wrong Vause?" Nicky asks.
"Are you sick?" as Polly lays her fork down and waits for the answer.
"Not yet…but I might be soon."
"Alex is…pregnant. We're having a baby." Piper said excitedly as Polly squeals with joy and Nicky was joyfully shocked. They knew you've been trying for some time now, so they congratulated you both and the dinner was filled with plans and hugging, and reminders of the things you need to be doing soon. You agreed on a set date when to tell your families soon, as the night deepens. Your friends bid their goodbyes and promise to see you soon, bringing some baby things. You were both standing at the center of the house, surrounded by your paintings and all of your memories with Piper. You will have more to come, as this will be the home of your growing family soon.
"I love you kid." You said to Piper genuinely as you smile.
"I love you too." She replied tenderly as she kisses you softly. "And I love you too baby." She said as she rubs your tummy calmly. You both giggle on the genuine happiness you were feeling. Finally, you got time and the decent kind of time, for once.