A.N I don't really know how to tell every person who has favourited, followed and especially who has reviewed quite how happy it has made me. It has been so fantastic to hear your thoughts on the storyline and opinions especially, as I don't have a beta reader, its only ever been me who has seen the chapters before they are posted. Anyway enough from me I know who you're all really interested in ...

"Pipes don't you think you should get dressed?"

Piper groaned and nuzzled her head deeper into Alex's lap closing her eyes childishly as if she ignored the question she could stay exactly were she was. Piper felt exhausted and aching, in no mood to do anything than spend a day under this blanket curled into Alex's soft warm body with the TV playing aimlessly in the background. They had been awake for most of the night their overdue emotional discussion had led to desperate passionate sex Piper left needing to feel all of Alex in every way physically and emotionally possible. The conversation regarding the surgery had frightened her, shook her to her very core and she needed the reassurance that Alex was still here, still fighting, still here to love her. Piper had not been able to settle afterwards her body and brain humming after such fulfilling sex and it had led to Piper having a brain wave. Poor Alex had dosed on the bed as Piper had settled herself at the desk in the room and drafted two chapters of her third novel. She had finally stopped typing at about half past four succumbing to her tiredness, it was now showing half past 12 on the clock and they were curled on the couch with coffees watching crap daytime television.

"What time is your meeting?"

"It's only at 2"

Alex chuckled and Piper opened one eye pouting up at her lover.

"Yes but you need to leave with plenty of time. You also need to get dressed and eat before you go"

Piper groaned theatrically stretching her arms high above her head trying to relieve the stiffness in her back "I hate meeting with my financial adviser it's always so boring"

Alex tickled under her arms playfully and Piper squirmed trying to evade the torturous teasing. She was almost successful until she squirmed a little too vigorously sending herself falling to the floor. Alex burst out laughing and Piper couldn't keep the irritation on her face she too collapsing into a fit of giggles.

"Well now you're up you can get dressed"

Piper groaned loudly although it was in good humour and she picked herself up of the floor. A knock sounded at her door and Alex looked at her curiously.

"You expecting someone?"

Piper shook her head and went to investigate. Looking through the spy hole she smiled as she saw the outline of her father his face obscured by the large brown bag he held in his arms.

"Are you moving in?"

Bill just laughed as he stepped through the threshold balancing his bag precariously on one arm so he could press a kiss to Piper's cheek.

"No I brought you lunch! It's from that organic place you always go on about"

Piper's face lit up and she started trying to look in the bag excitedly desperately looking for the tell tale box from her favourite eatery.

"Maggie's?"

Piper pulled out two boxes her face falling when she noticed the logo on the side "This is from the beefeater on the corner?"

Bill just smiled "I never said it was all from Maggie's in your hands are quarter pounder cheese burgers with all the trimmings and they, my dear, are for me and Alex"

Piper watched her father give Alex a roguish wink, before they both fell about laughing and she pretended to huff before extracting her own food container this time with the correct logo.

"I don't know why you both won't try their vegetarian burgers there so much healthier and they taste just as good!" Identical disbelieving faces looked at her and she rolled her eyes "Fine enjoy your heart attack in a box"

Alex sat up eagerly taking her container from Piper with real delight and it made Piper want to hug her father right there and then it was the first time in the last few days Piper had seen Alex show any real enthusiasm over food.

"Thanks for this Bill you shouldn't have"

"Oh should I have picked you up the "release your inner wellbeing" salad as well?"

Alex just pulled her face "God no thanks"

Piper busied herself collecting plates and cutlery from her kitchen all the while smiling gently listened to her father and Alex poke fun at her healthy food. They were so alike their humour, their opinions it still pleased her just how well they got on and sometimes she regretted keeping Alex a secret the first time they were in a relationship. Settling down into the chair now that the couch was occupied with the two people who meant the most to her in life Piper tucked into her lunch relishing the tasty salad.

"You still going to see Sean this afternoon?"

Piper nodded trying to look enthusiastic, her adviser Sean Williams was one of her dads friends and she only went to keep her father happy.

"Good good make sure you tell him I've been asking after him"

Piper nodded quickly wanting to move the conversation onwards catching Alex's eye she tried not to laugh when Alex gave her a knowing smile and her famous eyebrow quirk.

"You got any plans this afternoon Alex?"

Piper watched as Alex's expression remained carefully neutral but her eyes had become guarded. Going out was still a touchy subject Alex's opinion on the matter had not changed and she had been no more receptive to the idea even after visiting the hospital yesterday.

"No I'm just going to chill out here then I think, once Piper's back, we're going to go to my apartment later"

"Oh good you can come with me this afternoon then"

Bill's voice was light, casual almost and he continued eating his burger nonchalantly. Piper looked at her father curious as to what he had planned and her eyes narrowed suspiciously when she saw her fathers foot begin to tap it was always the tell tale sign of nerves with her father and her curiosity flared.

"Er where would we be going?" Alex's eyebrows were sat high on her head the shock she felt clearly on show.

"Oh just out surely you must be fed up of being stuck in and it's a lovely sunny day I just thought it would be nice, I've missed your company Alex"

Piper placed her plate onto her coffee table and turned to her father a kind smile fixed on her face. "That's a lovely offer Daddy but Alex-"

"Would love to come"

Piper turned shocked as Alex spoke, she opened her mouth to retort until Alex gave her a warning look and she snapped her mouth shut still in disbelief. Her fathers smile stretched wide across his face and he clapped his hands together in excitement.

"Excellent we can leave at the same time as Piper. Have you finished with those pickles? They're my favourite"

Alex nodded numbly handing over her plate before she stood shakily "I best start getting ready then it takes me a little longer than it used to. Do I need to wear anything in particular I've only got my jeans?"

Bill shook his head "Casual will be fine"

Alex just smiled hesitantly before she retired to Piper's room to change. Piper waited until the door had closed before she rounded on her father "Ok what's going on?"

"Nothing"

Piper's eyes narrowed further as she scrutinised her fathers face "I don't believe you"

Bill just rolled his eyes "Look I'm trying to make up for acting like an ass yesterday that's all and I knew you would be reluctant to leave her while you go to your meeting"

Piper was loathe to admit her father was right and deep down she was warmed by his kindness although she was still slightly unsettled she was certain there was an ulterior motive at play.

"Well thank you but we're not holding what you said yesterday against you you know, you don't have to make up for anything"

"I know but still I shouldn't have shouted like that even though I meant well I always have been overprotective of my little girl"

"That is true!" Piper hesitated for a moment her face becoming serious "Just be careful please? Alex has been reluctant to go outside look after her for me, please?"

"Of course I will. I may not have been happy when she left you Piper because of how upset she made you but I was also upset because I genuinely like Alex. Honestly I couldn't have picked a better partner for you she's 100 times better than Larry ever was!"

Piper overcome with emotion stood and pressed a kiss to her father's cheek causing him to smile.

"Now go and get changed family friend or not Sean does not need to see you in your pyjamas!"

Piper just grinned and made her way to the bathroom. Once she was dressed and ready Piper went back to where Alex and Bill were already standing ready by the door. Her father had his arm linked through Alex's offering his support and Piper's heart swelled at the kind gesture.

"You all ready?"

Alex nodded, her face slightly worried looking and Piper watched as her father squeezed her arm reassuringly "We're all set"

"You make sure you bring my girlfriend back in one piece and no sneaking back with a bottle of whiskey!"

Piper winked at Alex before bringing their lips together in a tender kiss trying to ease her lovers worry. Bill smiled before he led Alex to the door and Piper waved her fingers at them smiling widely. Her father turned and smirked just as he crossed through the open doorway.

"Don't worry my darling I will make sure your 'fiancée' is returned safely" and Piper's jaw dropped as her father's words filtered through her brain, the door long shut before she could even begin to formulate an appropriate response.

Pulling into the car park Bill Chapman could feel the nerves building now that he was finally nearing his true destination. He and Alex had been for a drive around the city Bill telling Alex all about how he had moved here desperate to make his money in the big city as a young man and how he met Carol before moving back to Connecticut. Alex had seemed genuinely interested and the conversation between them had flowed easily now though he was worried about how Alex would respond when he told her the real reason for their trip today.

"Are we getting out Bill?"

Bill turned to Alex his face serious and he watched as Alex's smile faltered slightly.

"What happens now is completely your decision Alex either way I will not hold it against you"

Alex looked wary although she tried to play it down "Ok..."

Bill took a deep breath "I've booked you in to see an old friend of mine he's a surgeon the best in his field and I'm hoping you will take the opportunity to meet him" silence that was his response but Bill reasoned he should be grateful it wasn't an immediate no.

"He is a brilliant doctor Alex the waiting list to see him runs into months but he has fitted you in for a consultation this afternoon. I have told him everything you have told me and he expressed a keen interest in speaking with you. I know Dan and he would tell me straight if he thought he could not help"

"Bill how much has this cost you?" Alex's husky voice was tight with emotion.

"Not a lot"

"I can't accept this"

Bill was prepared for this response he knew how proud Alex was, it was a trait that he truly admired in her.

"You can and you should I'm doing this for you and Piper so you can be happy for many more years rather than for just a few short months"

Alex shook her head "No I can't Bill you shouldn't be spending your money on me I'm not worth it"

Bill felt desperation rise up from the pit of his stomach and he turned in his seat seizing Alex by the shoulders resisting the urge to try and physically shake some sense into her.

"Yes you are. You treat my daughter like a princess, you love her with every fibre of your being, you give her everything she needs and more. You are so worth it Alex. Ignoring Piper for a moment you are a great person, a kindred spirit to me and I don't like the idea of you not being a continued part of my own life. I was upset myself when you left Piper I missed your conversation and intellect"

Bill looked seriously at Alex before he quirked his lips wanting to bring back a little lightness "Besides who else can I bitch about Carol too?"

They both chuckled at any family gathering that had happened since Piper had left Litchfield Bill and Alex always congregated in the study away from the rest of the family. Alex finding it a blessed reprieve from Carol and her uptight WASPY manner Bill grateful for an intelligent sparring partner who also understood the need to enjoy a decent scotch.

"I'm not going to make you go in Alex but I really think you should at least hear what Dan has to say. This consultations technically free anyway as a favour so I'm not out of pocket not monetary wise anyway. I have given up a valuable bottle of scotch but I can use this as an excuse to buy more"

Bill relaxed his grip on Alex's shoulders and leant back into his seat "Your appointment is in 5 minutes what will it be?"

Alex looked lost in thought a faraway look in her eyes as she stared out of the windscreen up at the building in front of her.

"You going to accompany me in there?"

Bill wanted to fist pump the air in elation but instead he settled for a beaming smile "Well I wasn't planning on just shoving you out of the car, I did tell Piper I would look out for her fiancée"

Bill quickly exited the car making his away around to the passenger door helping Alex out of the passenger seat keeping a steady hold of her left arm "I wonder if she's still standing in a state of shock"

Alex laughed "She'll go bloody mad I told you"

"Piper always does say you tell me far to much"

"Usually that's because you ply me with whiskey"

Alex protested although it was weak and Bill pulled back a mock look of shock across his features.

"I do not how dare you insinuate such a thing!"

Alex got quieter and quieter the closer they came to the door and once they reached reception she stopped talking completely acknowledging Bill with only nods or grunts. When her name was called Alex had gone white, her hands shaking as she stood.

"Don't look so worried it's just a conversation that's all"

Alex tried to smile in return but it fell flat.

"Go on I'll still be here when you're done"

Bill kept a reassuring smile on his face until Alex entered Dan's office then he sat down heavily into a worn chair in the waiting room and prayed, prayed for a positive outcome.

When the door opened 45 minutes later Bill leapt up from his seat as if he had been electrocuted his body tingling with anticipation. He looked from Alex to Dan their expressions giving nothing away.

"Well?"

Dan broke out into a huge smile as tears began to stream down Alex's cheeks, she hurled herself towards him and Bill caught her in his arms, supporting her weight as she sobbed into his shirt.

"Dan?"

"Ms Vause is being transferred into my care. It's my professional opinion that I can successfully remove the tumour with no lasting side affects. I will then refer my new patient to a specialised radiographer"

"So you can fix it?"

"I'm almost 90% sure I can remove the tumour without causing any complications or their being any ramifications. Treating the actual cancer will be down to the radiographer. But yes the outlook is positive"

Bill could have kissed him and he squeezed Alex tighter in his arms his own emotion beginning to get the better of him as his eyes watered.

"As the pre op has already been completed and Ms Vause's files are already in the system to be transferred I reckon we will be able to proceed with the surgery as early as the beginning of next week. The sooner the better is my view so I will be in touch as soon as I can schedule you in"

Alex pulled back away from Bill and hastily scrubbed at her cheeks before she shook Dan's hand.

"Thank you, thank you so much"

Dan just smiled "You're very welcome now I must go my next appointment is due in 10 minutes. Bill shall I will contact you regarding the other arrangements?"

Bill nodded knowing he meant payment details and shook Dan's hand his throat still tight with emotion as he watched his old friend return to his office.

"Bill how can I ever repay you"

Bill turned to look at Alex who was now the very picture of happiness and his entire being swelled with relief, his throat loosening he spoke determinedly.

"You fight this god forsaken disease and you remain by Piper's side for the rest of your years together. That's all the repayment I'll ever want or need"

Bill pressed a kiss to Alex's cheek and looped his arm through hers as she shook her head in disbelief the occasional tear still spilling down her cheeks.

"Right lets be off I think we have time to pay a visit to my favourite liquor store before Piper is home"

Alex raised her eyebrows playfully "What will Carol and Piper say"

"Well I need to replace my bottle I've given Dan and you Ms Vause won't be divulging this little detail of our trip"

"Anything you want Bill"

"Brilliant I think I'll buy two! Now let's go the sooner we've picked the best whiskey we can get our hands on the sooner we can get back to Piper to tell her the good news!"

A.N Everyone always loves a bit of happiness ... :)