This is a personal favorite song. I hope you like it.
This took some time. Hope you guys enjoy! Hit me with your reviews, i'll be glad to know.
...
babyimafool : thanks for reading. I feel for Gwynn too after i wrote that but what can i do? lol
Chand3li3r : Hahaha sorry. I did't mean to give you a tiny heart attack there. It's coming soon though. Now, I'm making you nervous on every update, sorry haha! Thanks for the review!
ManveerlovesVauseman : Hehehe thanks for the reviews! I was thinking of not making it a not vauseman ending but i reconsider so, there you go!
Lj : Thanks for the review. I'm glad you loved it. The sequel was a hard choice actually, between Gwynn and Piper.
FFChik : Thanks for your review. I tried making it close to the heart for the feels...so there.
Jess : Aw! That's heart warming. Thank you so much!
Berns : Thanks for the review. Hope you stick around.
RANVEER : Wow, thanks man! I tried writing on my take on their relationship, with all the feels so there. Thanks for liking it.
Relieved Guest : I'm sorry, but that's the plan. lol, so...not so sorry too. Thanks for your review! I really tried making it a happy vauseman ending as much as i can.
moanzs : thanks man! I tried my best! :)) I almost did with no vauseman but i couldn't, i guess. Hope you enjoy this one.
"The Way I Am"
(Ingrid Michaelson)
...
"Marriage is having someone to annoy for the rest of your life."
At some point in our lives, we will come across people, places and circumstances, which will either make, or break us. Prison has been the defining time of Alex Vause's life. It's her wake up call. It's the time where she realize that her life has to make a turn in the right direction or she'll end up not living, just existing and wasting it going on circles achieving nothing. It is then, when she decided to make plans and pursue it. After she was caught by her probation officer and served her time of additional four years, she promised herself that it's going to be the last time she'll set foot on prison, as an inmate. After her release, she immediately went to search for a job. Afterwards, she went on a lot of interviews, which either didn't follow up or immediately turned her off due to her record. She was finally able to land a job as an asst. manager of a retail store. She decided to take it a little further and enrolled herself on a community college taking up Bachelor's Degree in Global Logistics and Management Strategy, as she worked. She thinks it's a great fit, as her previous profession serves as an example. She juggles work and studies for quite some time. After graduation, she searched hard for a position that she could use her hard earned skills with. It was hard for an ex-con to land a permissible job. She went one interview after another, until a known automotive company decided to try, and hired her as an analyst. She worked her way through the top and now she's a logistics analysts IV, earning a decent amount of money, with a legitimate job.
Sometimes when she looks back, she still can't believe it. It's been five years since prison and she's here now, living the life she build for herself and her future family. She's married now and trying to start her own family. It hasn't been easy at first, there's a lot of stress, pressure and adjustments involved. Her wife has been very patient and supportive as they both put an effort to make things work. It's a usual Friday afternoon for her. After work on Friday's, they usually go on dinner dates to end their workweek. She reached home around five in the afternoon, earlier than her. She decided to take a shower and change clothes before they went out again. She was picking a casual outfit, black fitted jeans and a V-neck gray top, with her snickers, when she heard her name being called.
"Alex?"
"Bedroom, babe."
She heard hurried footsteps coming as her wife appears on the doorway.
"Hey!"
"Hey." They greeted each other with a kiss and a brief hug.
"Why are you catching your breath? Did you walk three blocks again?"
"I might have." She answered timidly.
"Please don't tire yourself kid, it's not safe for pickles."
"No, I'm not. I just hurriedly walk, as I know you'll be here by now. I wanted to come early to you."
"It's your first trimester kid. We need to be careful."
"I know, mama...and trust me I am being careful." She said sweetly as she pecks Alex on the lips and proceed on changing into a casual dress. Alex waited for her at the couch and rest for a while. She took her glasses off and closes her eyes, as lays her head on top of the couch, to rest. She had a long day at work; as she needs to analyze budget constraints, inventory levels, storage and distribution, to name a few, on their automotive company. She felt a kiss on her cheek a few minutes after, so she slowly opens her weary eyes.
"Are you tired? We can stay for tonight." Piper inquired softly as her fingers brushes on Alex's cheek.
"No, I'm fine Pipes. We've been staying all night for a week, you know. It's good to go out sometimes."
"Are you sure Al? I wouldn't mind cooking." Piper said gently. She knows Piper always looks forward on Fridays, as she enjoyed their quiet time together as she did. It's a far cry on their Friday nights when they're still young and reckless.
"Yes I'm sure kid. Let's go! It's date night!" Alex said and kisses her wife softly, as she takes her hand while they walked out of their apartment. They settled on their Chevy equinox, heading to the movies. Alex recently bought it in preparation of her growing family. It's one of the proofs of her life changing decision, in which she was glad she made.
Piper and her were married four years now. When she was put back on prison and found out that Piper threw her back in, she retaliate for a few months ignoring her and throwing deathly glares at Piper. She didn't acknowledge her nor talk to her for four months, until the blonde can no longer take her deliberate avoidance. She dragged Alex on the chapel one breakfast morning and forces her to talk about their current situation. There's a lot of cursing, crying and hatred towards each other. The brunette's tamed anger burst, spurting ego damaging words at her, and the blonde blurting out equally ruinous truths. It's a hard earned trust after that, both of them equally promising to never again fuck each other off, and both evenly trying to work things out before them. After Piper's sentence (which she served for two years due to her deliberate lying on court) was finished, Alex didn't keep her hopes high. After all, hope breeds' eternal misery. She trust Piper to stick to her promise of waiting for her for two years, but she knew full well that sometimes, fate has different plans. In prison, you'll get to see who really loves you. Piper defied odds, as she visits Alex every two weeks in a month, after her released. She updated Alex every now and then on her life outside, as the brunette eagerly listens. It was hard leaving Alex each time, after her visits and Alex misses her so much, so she calls everyday during lunch. The unbearable loneliness often strikes. When it happens, Piper wrote on her journal to stop the raging emotions inside. She also sends Alex books and love letters, in which Alex gladly wrote back. Piper usually spends her day working. She was able to land a job at Broach blaze Strategies as a contact adviser with the help of her college friend. She was able to pay a one-bedroom apartment with the help of her inheritance from her late grandmother. She slowly worked her way up eventually, as a communications consultant.
Here they are now five years later, married, a kid on the way, living in a home they both worked hard to achieve, and slowly living a life they both didn't think would ever happen. They rented a condominium type, with two bedrooms. The unit is on ninth floor, spacious with whited walls complementing its new oak floors, giving it a stylish but homely ambiance. The living room area is open and looks onto the private terrace, in which Alex spends most of her time reading. It has a floor to ceiling window giving the home an open & buoyant feeling. Each bedroom is impressively broad with walk-in closet, and the kitchen is stainless steel Bosch chefs with Caesar stone counter tops. The bathroom is beautifully tiled and well lit, and has doubled paned window for sound control. The building is well secured and has a roof deck that overlooks Brooklyn Bridge. It is a huge upgrade on their first apartment after prison. Although they've been here for three years now and they both loved it, Alex still thinks that it is not so safe for pickles, so unbeknownst to Piper, she started looking for the suburban kind of houses or at least close to it.
When Alex first thought about it on prison, she was a little skeptical. Although Piper broke up with Larry, she knew the possibility of the blonde still even on the tiniest bit hoping, that the shreds of a life she used to live is still available for her when she comes out. Alex thought hard about trying again with the blonde. She knew Piper loves her but she was also aware that Piper wouldn't want the free falling kind of life she has to offer. It was after their usual shenanigans on the chapel when she made that life changing decision. She hand Piper 'Norwegian Wood', the book they've been reading together.
"So what? I'll be reading from now on?" Piper asked as she fixes her uniform.
"I'm ready." Alex said as she seated beside her near the stage.
"What?"
"I'm ready as I can be kid. I'm done with free falling." She said as she open up a page where there is a paper and a drawing of a ring, and shows it to Piper.
"Are you sure?" she asked Alex dumbfounded.
"We'll talk about the kind of life we wanted to have. Every decision we have to make after this, we'll talk about it. If you wanted something and I don't, we'll meet half way. We'll work hard for it; we'll make things work. If you wanted…only if you wanted."
"Are you proposing to me Al?"
"Well, I don't have a ring yet, and I probably wouldn't be able to have until a year, so this is all I have." She said shyly looking at the drawing not glancing at Piper.
"Are you sure?" Piper asked astonished as she raises Alex face with her hand. She never thought Alex would ever think about settling down. She was clear when she said she was never that kind of person.
"Yes…I wanted a life with you." Alex said as she rolled her eyes, knowing full well that Piper's excitement will come out in the open anytime now.
Piper threw herself at her and hugged her so tight she slightly begins to catch her breath. She releases Alex and looks at her in the eye conveying so much happiness that Alex haven't seen for quite some time.
"Are you really sure?"
"Pipes, if you ask me that one more time, I would begin to doubt myself." She said bothered, as Piper giggled. She drops the book, as she took Alex's face with both hands and kisses her intently. They slowly begin to get lost in each other's lips when Alex pulled back.
"So?" she asked waiting for Piper's answer.
"So…what?"
"You haven't exactly answered me here kid."
"Well, I just kissed you passionately. You should know it means yes. We should work more on our communication." She kissed Alex briefly again as she brushes her fingers on her cheek.
"How long have you been thinking of this?" she inquired softly, as she looks intently on Alex's eyes.
"Quite long." She answered timidly, as she brushed Piper's golden locks to her ear.
"So you had plans?"
"Hmmm…"
"Ugh…are there any tiny humans included?" Piper inquired tenderly.
"You're pushing your luck here kid." She answered, as Piper gave her doe eyed expression that she mastered fully.
"Don't give me that eyes! And we'll discuss it as I've said, although my heart is beating so fast every time you open that up." She said dramatically placing her hand on her chest. Piper chuckled on her antics, as she quietly observes Alex, with adoration evident on her eyes.
"Okay. You make me happy Al…thank you." She states lovingly. She slowly closes the gap on their lips, as she conveys her love and happiness to Alex. Alex shared her plans to Piper and they slowly worked through it, after their sentences were both over.
...
People say marriage is a daily commitment to grow in love. A love that is mature, selfless and patient.
One fine day, Nicky and Lorna invited them to watch the Brooklyn Nets vs. Cavaliers, because Nicky had two spare tickets given by her friend. They arrive early around 2pm at the Barclays Center and decided to buy snacks, before the 2:30 pm game starts. As people begin to arrive, they immediately went and seated inside the arena, before it gets too crowded. The ticket that Nicky's friend gave them was seated on lower level 1 row 5. Alex seated on the inside row, as she holds Piper's hand and assist her carefully seating beside her, as Nicky and Lorna followed her.
"Wow, this is great. Are you sure this is free Nicky?"
"Yes, I am Vause. I stop stealing a long time ago. No going back to hell." She said joking as Lorna and Piper chuckles beside her. Alex reached behind Piper and tried to shoved her on the shoulder but she immediately dodge away from it.
"Hey! Do not abuse your source of happiness at the moment Vause." She said as Piper observes them both.
Their inexplicable closeness used to spark a little of Piper's jealous flare-up before, but as time passes Alex proved there's nothing to be worried about her and Nicky. And even before, she always touches or soothes Piper ahead, when she felt like the blonde is growing uncomfortable on her interaction towards the wild haired woman.
"Tame your woman Chapman! Or should I say Mrs. Vause?"
"Yes it's Vause now, but you can call me Chapman to avoid confusion." She answered happily, as her hand brushes up and down on Alex's thighs. Alex rests her arm towards her shoulder and gave her a lingering kiss on the temple.
"Aw! You guys are cute! Even cuter now than before!" Lorna says teasingly, as she hands Nicky her hotdog.
Piper gave Alex her pepperoni pizza slice, while she munch on her soft pretzel and Alex has soft drinks, as she chooses water instead. She knew Alex usually don't drink so much soda but likes a light sugary taste after. They made a habit of choosing two different drinks and share afterwards. The game started as the arena's atmosphere was becoming wild with energy and excitement. There's a lot of yelling and cheering as the game progress.
"I never like basketball, but this is exciting." Alex murmurs to her self.
"Yeah! It's nice right." A stranger beside her says happily.
"Yeah it is." She answered as they briefly shared a smile.
The girl was taken aback by Alex's charm. She smiles to herself and continued watching and cheering. She shares vivid observation with Alex sometimes, as the brunette gladly shares back, unaware to the stare her wife is giving her. Nicky however chuckles on the sight before her, as Piper slowly lost interest on the ballgame and observe her wife and the other girl intriguingly. They reached halftime, as Piper excuses herself towards the bathroom, and Alex gladly accompanies her.
"This is interesting!" Nicky said to Lorna.
"What?" the smaller brunette inquires.
"Chapman couldn't hide her jealousy sometimes." Nicky said mocking, as she explains the situation to Lorna.
"Oh, it's just hormones. She's pregnant, that's why."
"No! I'm not stupid babe. Just wait and see." She said laughing.
"You know, when I get pregnant I might be like that too." She said teasing Nicky, as her woman was not ready yet for kids. She choked on her soda as Lorna laughs audibly.
"You're a terrible joker!" Nicky said as she recovers.
Alex and Piper came back as the game is about to start again. They were waiting quietly as Piper gets an idea.
"Al, let's switch seats."
"Why? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, don't worry. I just couldn't see clearly in this seat." She said in a convincing tone.
"Pipes, we're on the same row, and I can clearly see from here."
"Well, I just think your seat is better...so let's switch."
"Kid, my sea..." She was cut off the Piper even before she finished.
"Let's switch seats." She said firmly, as Alex exhales defeated. She learned to extend her patience on Piper, as she understands the uneasiness of having another person inside of you. She also doesn't want to start a rise from her pregnant, hormone-y wife, so she reluctantly obeyed. Nicky and Lorna saw the interaction between the two of them, as Nicky couldn't help her laugh and Lorna smiles, shaking her head. The game starts again and on the middle of an excitement run towards each team, the girl Alex was talking a while ago started a conversation again. The stranger faces beside her and was surprised to see Piper. She smiled timidly and the stranger smiled back, seeing Alex on the other side. The stranger becomes aware of Piper's hidden agenda, so she chose to distance herself and continue enjoying the ball game. Alex does the same, still unaware about her wife's antics. The game finishes around 4:30 and they decided to grab dinner with Nicky and Lorna before going home.
...
They reached home by 7pm, and relaxed around the couch watching TV. Piper was now on her 13 weeks. She easily felt tired and started to feel sick again. She usually feels this in the morning, but it worsens later in the day. She was leaning on Alex, when she begins to feel nauseous.
"Al, go get some shower please." Alex grew conscious, and smells her self. She still smells of her perfume.
"I didn't stink yet, Pipes." She said to Piper, as the blonde abruptly stand and rushes to the bathroom. She heard gagging, so she went to the kitchen and took a glass of water. She rubs Piper's back soothingly, as she heaves on the toilet bowl. After she finishes, she hands her the water and decided to get some shower. She didn't argue with her and just lets her wife relax on the couch. Piper notices it sometimes, that Alex choses to let things go easily now. She doesn't argue much, unless she really needs to voice her feelings. Her wife was softer now, than before. She didn't know if it's the time they spent away from each other, the prison, or old age that changes Alex. She was just glad they're here now, at the present, building a life together. It makes her love, and appreciates Alex more. She is certain now, that she wouldn't be able to live a life without Alex Vause.
Later in the night, Alex was soundly asleep, when she felt Piper waking her up.
"Al, wake up."
"What?" she said irritably. Alex doesn't like to be woken up, but it registers that her pregnant wife was waking her up. She felt immediately worried.
"What's wrong?" she asks nervously, as she grabs her glasses and looks at the clock on her bedside table. It says 2:18 in the morning.
"I'm so hot. Move on your side."
"Oh, okay." She places her glasses back on the table, and moves on her side near the edge, as Piper took half of the bed.
"Move more please." She asks softly again, as Alex moves more at the side letting the pillow take half of Piper's side.
"Al, a little more."
"Okay, I'm really at the edge now Pipes." Piper tries fixing herself but couldn't get comfortable.
"Okay, I'll just sleep on the couch." She said tiredly and gets up. She took her pillow and kisses Piper's cheek. Alex falls asleep on the couch in no time, as she herself felt exhausted. She must have slept an hour before Piper shakes her gently again, stirring her awake. She opened her eyes and saw her clutching her pillow.
"Pipes? What's wrong?"
"I can't sleep without you."
"Oh...okay." she said scratching her head a little. She placed the throw pillows and her own pillow at her back and lied down, reclining a little.
"Come here babe." she said softly, and beckons Piper to lie down sideways, on top of her, as her head rest on her chest.
"Place the pillow between your legs. Are you good?" she inquiries gently and rubs soothing circles on her back.
"Yes. I'm sorry Al."
"Shhh…you don't have to apologize Pipes. It's not your fault…It's pickles." She said teasingly as Piper giggles.
"Pickles can hear you, you know?"
"I know! I'm joking kid. Please let mommy sleep now." She places her left hand on Piper's tummy, as she rubs it gently.
"Thank you. Love your boobs." She kisses Alex on the chest softly.
"Goodnight kid." Alex said as she giggles, as Piper chuckles too.
"I love you Al."
"I love you too Pipes." Alex said sleepily, as she place a lingering kiss on top of her head.
...
On a Thursday, they were scheduled for a check-up and ultrasound, but Alex was swamped with work so she'll be a little late. She promised Piper she'll catch up and not to have the ultrasound until she's there. Piper arrived at 4pm, an hour ahead than their schedule. She patiently waited with other expecting mothers, to be called for their turn. She felt significantly alone today, with the three expecting couples around her. Alex said she'd be there in 30 minutes, but it's close to 5 and still nowhere around. Piper was about to call her, when the receptionist gave her a container for a urine sample and asks her to come inside and wait for Dr. Pierce. She stood up, a little worried and upset, when she heard rustling footsteps.
"Pipes!" Alex called, rushing towards her. Piper exhaled a breath of relief upon seeing her wife.
"What took you so long?" she asks gently. Alex hinted sadness on her tone, so she pecks her softly.
"Sorry Kid, work is crazy today." She said caressing her wife's shoulders, as Piper gave her a timid smile.
"It's fine. Let's go inside."
The nurse checked her weight, took her blood pressure, and had a glucose test, which all turns to be normal. Dr. Abigail Pierce is her gynecologist. Since she's over the age of 35, Dr. Pierce advised to get invasive diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis to check any abnormalities. She agreed, and the results don't show any of it. Her baby is healthy. She explained the development of her baby at 15 weeks. Their baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces. The lungs begin to develop, legs are growing longer than it's arms now, and can move all of her joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are still shut, the baby now can sense light. The ultrasound technician prepared the machine to check the baby's gender. Alex felt overwhelmed, as she sits quietly beside Piper holding her hand.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah kid. Just thinking." She said and squeezed Piper's hand. There are times that Piper still feel scared that Alex would one day leave the life they have now, if it gets too hard. She knew Alex loves her but there's a lingering memory of the past that haunts her every now and then.
"Okay mommies, ready?" Dr. Pierce asked, as they both nod. The technician then puts the gel on Piper's abdomen and started the scan.
"Okay then mommies…your little girl is showing off." The doctor said as it shows rapid movement of the baby.
"Girl?" Piper said, as excitement brews on her.
"We're having a girl?" Alex asks softly, as the doctor and technician confirms. Alex looks at Piper as she smiles, and she kisses her wife sweetly. Piper wanted a girl, while Alex didn't care as long as the baby is healthy. Her doctor suggests continuing her vitamins and consumes healthy foods. She also told her to avoid stressful activities and take yoga classes to help her breathe and relax, so she can adjust to physical demands of pregnancy, labor and motherhood, as it calms both mind and body.
...
They were on the parking lot inside their car, and about to leave when Alex begins to breathe rapidly, as she covers her face and rest on the steering wheel.
"Al?" Piper asks worriedly. Alex raised her right hand to signal on giving her a time to catch her breath.
"Oh god! Oh god! This is real. I mean yeah, this has been real for months now…its just…it only sinks in now." She said rumbling, as she raised her head, and place her left hand on her chest.
"Do you realize that it might look exactly like me Pipes? I mean, we used my eggs…" she continued rambling to herself when she heard sniffling beside her. Piper is crying.
"Pipes…why are you crying? Are you hurt?" she asks worriedly, and leans towards her wife. Piper wipes her face immediately.
"Are you…are you going to leave?" she asks worriedly.
"What?" Alex was taken aback by the question.
"I'm…I'm scared Alex. I'm scared that one day, this will all be too much for you…and up you leave."
"Hey. Shhh…I'm not leaving Pipes." She said surely, wiping Piper's tears and hugged her tightly.
"Shit! Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Babe I'm not leaving, I'm just…scared too. This is new, and that…that's my kid. I wouldn't ever leave pickles…and you, I promised you forever." She raised Piper's face with both hands gently and kisses her.
"I'll be damned if I throw everything we've been through, away. I'm sorry I scared you."
"That's the plan…I wanted a mini you, that's why we used your eggs." Piper whispered, swallowing a lump of fears in her throat.
"I love you Alex."
"I love you too Pipes." She answered kissing Piper avidly conveying her love for her wife.
...
In her second trimester, Piper experiences a boost in her libido due to hormonal change. She and Alex still frequently make love early on her pregnancy, but since the nausea stage, she barely has any sexual drive. Alex understands and deals with her hormonal change, but lately Piper's sex drive seems to spark up. She was on the kitchen preparing dinner, when Piper comes in and started caressing her.
"Babe…I'm cooking." Alex said gently, as Piper lands feverish kisses on her neck.
"Cook later…Mommy's hungry."
"Pipes, I'm not having sex with you right now."
"Why not?" Piper drops the act, and stares at her waiting.
"We just did at lunch, and you came really hard it gives you cramps. You give me a lecture for an hour, over it."
"No…I talk to Dr. Pierce. She said it's normal to have cramps after, just as long as it easily goes away...and besides it's your fault, you made me cum so hard."
"You always cum so hard, especially when I gave you twice in succession."
"Well, that's because you're great on giving it. That's a plus for you babe, so c'mon give me some loving." She said teasing, with her eyebrows.
"No. I will not put pickle in danger just because of her mom's raging libido." Alex said firmly, and continued cooking as Piper stares hard.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Are you cheating on me!?"
"What?"
"That explains why you never want to touch me Alex and so you're making all of this goddamn excuses!" Piper's temper flares up.
"Jesus! No...Piper, I'm not cheating on you."
"Then what? Or you had enough of me now, since I'm turning into an elephant?! Is that it huh? Am I suddenly a turn off because of my swollen feet and nose or my huge waist now?" she said as her voice shakes, and Alex saw that she's on the verge of tears.
"Oh my god! Babe that's not it, okay."
"Then what is? Does the swelling of my whole body makes you nauseous?"
"Okay, come here." She took Piper's hand and hugs her on the waist.
"First of, I love your swelling body especially your tits and your waist, the feet I can tolerate." She said teasingly, as Piper sends her a deathful glare. Alex hugs her tight as Piper buries her face on her neck and begins kissing her.
"Pipes, I'm just worried about pickles. I can't risk her and your safety, okay?"
"Okay. Let's pick some position I'm comfortable then, I'm not risking pickles safety too, but Alex I'm so horny for you and I'm not kidding. It's making me cranky. I can't believe I have to beg you for this." Alex laughs as Piper buried her face on her neck and kisses her again.
"Hmmm. Okay. Let's try later then." She gently took Piper's face away from her neck to face her and kisses her gently.
"This is a good story to tell." Alex jokes as Piper playfully slaps her on the arm.
...
Commitment is what transforms a promise to reality.
Piper started to feel pickles move more on her third trimester, as she's growing fast. The first time she did, her and Alex are both overwhelmed with love and excitement. She especially moves when Alex reads out loud to Piper at night, while her mama rubs her. They started to get busy with work, and preparation of her birth. The nursery is finished, as well as baby essentials they would need, when pickles comes out. At 31 weeks she started to feel breathless. Her back, ache frequently as pickles grows, as though she swallowed a watermelon. Alex was attentive to her. She especially prevents Piper to lift anything heavy, to prevent straining her ligaments. Alex sees to it that she accompanies her wife everywhere she needs to go. She drives her to her parents often, to visit. Although their relationship was not like before, the baby helps to patch things up. Alex still feels unwelcome at times, but she deals with it for her family's sake. It bugs her sometimes that Piper would one day decided that the life they built together isn't what she really wanted. She especially felt that lately when she failed to accompany Piper on her parents, due to work. She was unusually quiet after visiting her parents, making her anxiety grow. It didn't help seeing Polly and Larry one afternoon in the grocery store. She was running late, so she asks Piper to just meet her there. Piper was busy scanning the produce section when Polly saw her.
"Piper?" Polly said with a two-year-old girl in her trolley.
"Oh, hey."
"It's good to see you."
"I...you too, I guess." They were silent after. It makes her miss Polly and their friendship.
"Wow. Ugh…congrats on your baby." Polly said pertaining to her watermelon bump.
"Thanks. You had a girl?"
"Oh, yeah. Fran, this is Piper." She said introducing them. The little girl waved shyly. She has the same color of eyes with Larry. She hoped pickles get Alex's eyes.
"Hi." She said brushing the little girl's hair.
"What are you having?" Polly inquired.
"Oh, yeah. A girl too." Polly asked her how many weeks and they continued talking until Larry emerges from behind her.
"Hey Pol, here. It's the only thing that's left." Larry said giving Polly the carrots with Finn following him.
"Oh, hi Piper!" He said surprised.
"Wow, is this Finn now? He's grown up."
"Yeah he's nine now." Polly answered, and introduced her to Finn.
"Congrats on your baby." Larry said sincerely. She felt Larry's judging gaze, and it makes her uncomfortable.
"Do you live around?" Polly asks.
"Oh, yeah. Dumbo Lofts. You?" she said asking Polly, as she deliberately ignores Larry. She rubs her belly, as she felt pickles move.
"I'm a content writer now. We live in Fort Greene." Larry said proudly.
"Who are you with?" he inquired genuinely, just as Alex strides from behind them.
"Sorry Pipes. Traffic's... " Words died on her lips as she saw who she's with.
"Oh, of course!" Larry said resentfully.
"Hey, babe. Alex's a logistics analyst on Chevrolet now, and I'm working as communications consultant. " Piper said smugly, as she pecks her and explained how she saw them.
"Good to see you Alex." Polly said.
"You too." She answered firmly, giving her a timid smile. Larry just stares at them quietly, as bitterness was evident on his body language. It makes Alex's blood boil. She felt Piper's awkwardly stares back. She furrows her brows questioningly.
"We should go. Nice to see you guys." Polly said diffusing the tension, as she drags Larry and Finn away. Alex looks at Piper inquiring but the blonde just smiles at her. She kisses Alex gently, and continues shopping. Her worries increase, as Piper was unusually quiet. She knew Piper loves her but she thought that maybe, the life she offered her wasn't enough. She saw longing in her eyes. Alex observes quietly, as she slowly sinks into her fears.
...
They reached home hours after. Alex retreats on the terrace quietly, with drinks in hand. She sat there for hours until Piper starts looking for her. She saw Alex staring straight ahead, absentmindedly. It scares Piper.
"Alex?" she called her softly.
"Oh, hey." She answered gently, looks at Piper for a second before she stares ahead again.
"Al, what's wrong?" she asks worriedly, as she seats beside her.
"Nothing. I was just thinking."
"About? You're scaring me babe." She said worriedly. Alex looks at her with weary eyes.
"I saw how you looked a while ago. I also felt how detached you are, every time you came from your parents house."
"What?"
"I mean, this is not exactly park slope, or picket white fence in the suburbs but I gave everything I got Piper. I'm sorry if this isn't enough." She said as she wipe a tear that escapes from her eyes.
"Alex, what are you saying?" she said nervously, as she rubs pickles.
"I know you wanted that life. I'm really sorry that you felt like your wasting your life again, with me." She said.
"What? Alex…" she panicked, as she said her name. She felt mild contractions, so she relaxes herself. Alex felt her breathing was labored. She immediately worries, as she seats closer to Piper and aided her to lean on her. Piper closes her eyes and buries her face on Alex's neck. The contraction fades, minutes after. She took Alex's face with both of her hands, and faces her.
"I don't want any other life than this Alex. Yes, I long for the past sometimes, only because I miss friendships and used to be relationships with my parents…it makes me sad, because I'm happy right now and they're not ready for that…and I don't think they'll ever be, but I don't care. I miss Polly when I saw her, because both of our lives continued without each other but please…don't ever think, I wanted that life again. I don't Alex! I wanted this life with you, everyday." She kisses Alex passionately, as Alex kisses back.
"I'm sorry."
"Shhh…We'll work things out. It's not easy and it'll take some time, but Al I'm staying. I'm in for, ever. I need you. Me and pickles needs you mama." She said genuinely, as she rest her head on her shoulder. Alex hugs her tightly, kissing her forehead.
"I love you kid."
"I love you too Al."
...
Seven months after
Piper prepares for bed as Alex puts pickles to sleep. They named her Adrianna Diane Chapman Vause. She has Alex's hair color, and eyes. Their nose was similar too, that makes Piper stare at her, every chance she gets. She was mesmerized of how beautiful she is. Their friends say that she's an exact copy of Alex, which the brunette would have a hard time denying. Alex was still getting used to the idea of having a tiny human relies on her but she loves every moment that she gets to spent with her. She was also amazed that Addi looks almost exactly like her, minus the glasses. Piper was reclining on their bed reading, when Alex comes in.
"Is your mini-me fast asleep?"
"Yeah." She said absentmindedly. She lies beside her, as her head rest on Piper's waist. Piper rubs her back, soothingly.
"Babe…I want a mini you." She told Piper, as she raised her head looking in her eyes.
"What?"
"I want a mini you." She repeats quietly, as she took her glasses off and places it on the bedside table. Piper closes her book, as she views this a serious conversation.
"Al…I'm not getting any younger. I mean if we want another one, we should have it now…not now, now but in a year or two. Do we want another one? I'm not aware of this." Alex kisses her rudely to stop her rambling.
"I just don't like the idea of Addi growing up alone. I want her to have someone…and I want him with blonde hair and blue eyes."
"Him? So, we have a gender now?" she said teasingly, as she grabs Alex's face.
"Are you saying yes?" Alex asks with hope in her eyes. Piper exhales quietly.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yeah. We can start in two years, after we settled on the new house." She said smiling.
"New house?" Piper asks her intently.
"Well, yeah. I wanted to look for a house as your surprise present. Don't get me wrong, I love this apartment, we have memories here, but it's not so safe for the kids…so I was thinking house hunting." She explains. Piper was surprised, as her mouth was wide open.
"I didn't know you're planning." She said finally.
"Well yeah kid…that's why it's called surprise." Alex said teasingly, as she rubs Piper's belly softly. Piper shoves her on the head lightly, as they both chuckled.
"So yes?" she asks expectantly, as Piper releases a breath. She felt overwhelming love towards this woman in front of her.
"Yes." She gently says, as Alex kisses her with affection.
"Only two, Alex. I can't push anymore." She said in a firm tone, as Alex laughs. Alex stares at her intently. She caresses Piper's face softly with her fingers. She slowly closes the gap between them again and kisses her passionately. Alex rolls the tip of her tongue around the tip of Piper's in a seductive, swirling motion. She pulls back in a slight pause, and then nibbles lightly on her wife's lower lip. Piper darts her tongue into Alex's mouth, as the brunette sucks on it gently for a brief moment, before she releases it.
"I love you Al."
"I love you too, Pipes." She said back, as they made love through the night. She's excited about the life they're starting to build together. It's still a long process, but they are both in for the long haul.