Authors note: Okay so I want to apologise. The support for this story has been immense, and I just want to thank you all, its really help me! As I have posted before, I am having a hard time with my mental health. And this story has been put on the back burner a lot. I have kept trying to come back to it and not felt I was doing it just. So obviously season 5 came out and I binge watched it in 3 days. And I'm inspired again.
So once again, thank you for your patience, kind words and your support. And here is the long awaited next chapter! I promise you won't be waiting that long again for an update!
It was cold and bleak the next morning. Perfect, even the weather is fitting my mood. After returning to the bar with Polly, Piper hadn't felt much like drinking or socialising. She had finished her drink with Larry and they had made their excuses to leave early. She couldn't face Alex again and guilt had started to surge through her.
Technically, I haven't done anything wrong though. It was her that came to me. Piper nodded to herself as she walked down the street. I'm not a cheat. The only thing keeping her warm this morning was the two steaming cups of coffee. She wasn't looking forward to this mornings events.
Pushing the door open she walked into Popi. The lights were already on, and the store was pristine and ready for opening. She had arrived an hour early, leaving time for what she knew would be an hour full of being grilled about stuff she didn't particularly care to share. She walked behind the counter and pushed through a door into the office. Polly was sat at the desk typing.
"Morning Pol". Piper set the drinks on the desk and sat in the spare chair.
Polly picked up her cup and took a careful sip. "Mmmm, i've been waiting all morning for this. You always get me the best coffee when you're feeling guilty about something".
Piper frowned. Polly threw a bag towards her. "As i promised, breakfast. Now spill".
"There's nothing really to tell".
"Don't give me that shit. I saw you".
"Nothing really happened. I didn't plan any of it! She followed me in there to talk".
Polly scoffed. "Is that what you kids are calling talking nowadays?".
Piper looked up from her pastry and paused.
"Pol, its complicated".
"Isn't it always with her?".
Piper sighed. "It's been 10 fucking years Polly. 10! And she still has the same effect on me. I didn't mean for anything to happen. It's just when I'm around her, she just intoxicates me. It was like wham, we were 23 again. And all these feelings just resurfaced..". She took a long sip of her coffee.
"I know its been a long time, but part of me is still feeling guilty at how I left things with her".
Polly slid towards Piper on the chair. "Look Pipes, you shouldn't be feeling guilty. She was a pretty shitty girlfriend, you said yourself".
"I did, but I didn't mean I stopped loving her. Polly she is the love of my life and yeah towards the end it wasn't good. But she was my world. So last night when she walked up to me, it's like time stopped. I've always thought of what I would say to her if we saw each other again, and all I managed was to comment on how her fucking hair is different" she laughed.
"Did you kiss?".
"No".
"If I hand't walked in when I did, would you of?".
Piper looked away. Yes. A thousand times yes. She let out a shaky breath.
"Yes". A stray tear rolled down her cheek.
"Pipes…". Polly took her hand.
"Look. When supercunt gets involved, things get messy. We know that from experience. I guess I get it. She was your first love, that shit always brings up feelings. But you have Larry now and he is a good man. Things are good with you both, and you have been with him double the time you were with her".
"But things aren't good Pol, they are just steady".
"Do you love him?".
"Yes but..".
"You love her more don't you?".
Pipers faces contorted and she out a small sob. Polly pulled her into a hug.
"Hey, shhhh. Come on now. Its all still so raw. But we need to be realistic Piper. You need to stay away from her. Have a talk with Larry about things, that may help. And really talk. And you need to put her out of your head. She's old news. Besides, she's getting married isn't she? You heard her friend last night, so you need to leave it alone".
Alex married? Her heart sank. She wouldn't. Thats not her. Fuck why would she marry someone else? Am I Jealous?
"It's fine Pol. I probably won't even see her again. You're right. I need to stay away. I cant do that again. Last time almost killed me". She grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her face.
"I'll try and talk with Larry again. I know he is feeling the pressure, but I need us to stop feeling like housemates that occasionally fuck".
"Maybe you two should go out on a date? When was the last time you two went out as just a couple?".
"Jesus Pol, I don't even remember".
"That settles it then, text him now and arrange to meet him later. When we finish, go home, and get your sexiest outfit on. He won't be able to resist you! Maybe a night out together is what you need".
"Alright i'll give him a text now".
Larry i've been thinking, we haven't spent much time alone together recently. How about we go out tonight just me and you? Dinner, drinks, or even a movie? Be nice to spend time alone together x
"Sent".
Polly rose from her chair. "Now that's sorted we can start working. We have been so busy lately we need to start producing more stock".
With that Polly left the room. Piper finished her coffee and chucked the ow empty cup in the recycling bin. Her phone buzzed.
Sure Pipes, I'll book us a table at that new Italian, Giovanni's? Im out for the day chasing up leads, but ill meet you there at 7? Love you x
Piper smiled. Okay, so he seems to want to try.
Can't wait! You too x
She place her phone in her blazer pocket and went to join Polly in the shop front.
She rolled over and rubbed at her eyes. Looking around she didn't recognise where she was. Alex pushed her self up into the sitting position and swung her legs round to place them on the floor. She was on a unfamiliar couch. Standing, she looked down at herself. Well I'm still clothed, so I guess I didn't fuck anyone last night. She walked over to the window and peered out. She didn't recognise what part of town she was in. Great.
A door down the hall clicked open and she heard footsteps. Startled, Alex fought the sudden urge to go and hide. Fuck sake, how old are you. She held her breath.
Lorna walked round the corner and into the kitchen, she was surprised to see Alex awake.
"With the amount you drank last night I assumed you'd be out for a lot longer".
She walked to the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice and grabbed two glasses.
Alex breathed a sigh of relief.
"Me too girl! Im not actually feeling all that bad, I recon I've got off lucky!".
"Well you should see Nicky. Not so good". She pushed a glass of juice towards Alex. "Here, drink this. It'll make you feel even better. I'll be back in a moment to start some breakfast, let me get this to Nicky first".
As she walked out of sight Alex took a long sip of juice. She's alright.
She padded quietly across the room in search of a bathroom. Finally finding one she stepped inside. She threw her hair into a messy bun and washed her face with cold water and soap. She grabbed. A towel and dried herself off and returned to the lounge room.
After the bathroom incident she didn't see Piper again. So she spent the night knocking back drinks trying to forget, and trying to celebrate her release from Litchfield. It had felt good to be among friends.
Lorna returned to the room. "Nicky will be out in a moment, sit yourself down and ill rustle us up something good" she motioned to one of the bar stools.
Alex watched Lorna move around the kitchen preparing pancakes and bacon with syrup.
"I didn't know you could cook? Why weren't you in the kitchen with Red?".
"Because stretch, our Lorna here was holding out on us! She didn't want to share her great housewife skills off to anyone else than her wife. Well, at the time husband, but basically she didn't want get up at the ass crack of dawn to feed everyone!". Nicky slid onto a stool next to Alex and winked at her.
"This princess needs her beauty sleep" Lorna rasped, and slid two plates in front of them both.
Alex picked up her fork and took a big bite.
"Fuck Morello. Its like sex in my mouth".
"Really?" Lorna was grinning.
"Of course you know its good sweet cheeks! I've told you, take your cousin up on his offer and go and work in his fucking restaurant. Alex will you fucking tell her". Nicky resumed shovelling the food into her mouth at an alarming rate.
Being more polite, Alex finished her mouthful first.
"If you've been offer a job girl take it, you've got mean breakfast skills. What type of restaurant it is?".
"Italian obviously. And its just cooking. Its desserts, pastries, anything like that really. I mean I do enjoy it, it's just I've never seen myself doing it for real".
"Well maybe nows your chance to shine". Alex smiled. She finished her plate and dropped it in the sink.
"So, last night was awesome, and totally what I needed. But I need to go back home and sort my apartment out and shower".
"Alright, just drop me a message later, we still need to have a business talk" Nicky said through a mouthful of food.
Alex nodded. She pulled Lorna into a quick hug. "Thank you for breakfast, I meant it, you should go for it".
She grabbed her coat off the chair in the corner and left a still beaming Lorna and Nicky to their morning.