Alex had taken the subway to get to Popi. Walking up the steps to the street, she juggled the bag of take-out and a large bouquet of roses. If we are doing this, we are doing this properly Vause. You have got a lot of time to make up for.

It was early evening on a Friday night in New York. The streets were bustling with energy. Alex let the mood wash over her, letting herself take in the excitement around her. Fuck I missed having a life. She chuckled to herself.

Since her little joy ride with Nicky, they had sat down and talked shop. The idea of having a 'real job' scared the fuck out of her. But there was no way in hell she was going back to the same shit that had led her to prison.

She and Nicky brainstormed for hours. Open a coffee shop? Too many people ordering avocado toast, and neither of them wanted the super early starts. Open a bar? Too much temptation of women and drugs. Nicky's word, not mine. Start a clothing line? Again one of Nicky's more out-there ideas. And finally, it came to them. They were going to open a vineyard and a distillery.

With Alex's business and import/export skills, and Nicky's ability to replicate customer service for the elite, its seemed like an idea that would put their skills to the test. It was a business that would interest them both, and ultimately, give them careers. Money wasn't an issue for either of them, but after prison, they both wanted something that they could work for.

They had hashed out the business plan that week. When both were allowed to travel together, fucking parole, they would scout for various sites. They wanted two vineyards and a large distillery.

They had decided that the distillery would be here in New York, producing Whisky, Rum and Gin. However, they were wanting to go and visit potential sites in Italy and France for the vineyards. Alex had 6 months left of parole after getting out. They had a lot more planning to do before any potential sites could be scoped, so Alex felt nonchalant about it, knowing she and Nicky would be very busy until then researching.

She rounded the corner onto the street that housed Popi. It was full of boutique clothing stores, cosmetic stores and hair salons. It felt expensive, and as she reached the large glass storefront of Popi, which was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers, Alex grinned at how well Piper had done.

She could see Piper behind the counter tidying some paperwork. She was deep in concentration. She paused on a piece of paper that had interested her. Leaning forward slightly, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her left ear as she read.

Alex continued to watch her. Piper had put her hair up in a messy bun, strands framing her face. It still looked slightly damp. She was wearing a loose fit, ochre cable knit jumper, with tight, black skinny jeans and black sandals. She had a short black apron tied around her waist, with a large pair of rubber gloves stuffed in the pocket. After all this time Pipes, you're still fucking beautiful.

Piper turned to place the paperwork in her hand on the shelf behind her, giving Alex a nice view of her ass. Mmmm, the things I want to do to you Chapman.

Alex tapped on the window, rousing Piper out of her thoughts. Looking up, she grinned, seeing Alex outside holding up a bag of food and a large bouquet of roses.

She broke out into a grin and quickly went to the door and unlocked the bolts, letting Alex walk inside.

"Hey, you're early." Piper smiled.

"I know how much you appreciate good timekeeping." Alex winked at her.

"These are for you. Although, it seems fucking stupid now I'm in here surrounded by what looks like every flower that fucking existed." She said holding the roses out to Piper.

Piper took hold of the bouquet and brought them to her nose smelling them.

"I love roses, you remembered." She smiled and turned to walk to her office. These were her flowers. They would sit on her desk as a reminder of Alex.

"Of course I did you romantic old sap." Alex laughed, as she placed the food bag on the counter and followed.

Piper had grabbed one of the large glass vases like the many that were placed around the store and made quick work of putting them in water and arranging them.

"They're not stupid, they are sweet and thoughtful. Thank you."

Piper placed them on her desk next to her laptop and walked over to Alex. She wrapped her arms around her neck and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.

"I've missed you Al."

"I've missed you too kid."

Alex wrapped her arms around Piper's waist and leaned in for another kiss. She pressed her lips against Pipers, instantly feeling aroused at the contact. She brought her hand up to bury into Piper's hair. She ran her tongue along her lower lip asking for entry.

Piper opened her mouth, and Alex heard her moan as her tongue ran over hers. Alex held her closer, her right arm slowly deviating to her behind, giving it a gentle squeeze. This elicited another moan from Piper who pulled away from the kiss reluctantly.

"As much as I want this. I think we should talk first if that's okay." She said tentatively.

Alex smiled and stepped back, holding out her hand.

"C'mon. Let's sit and eat, and catch up properly"

—

They talked for hours, catching up on the years that were lost. There was laughter, there were tears, and then some more laughter.

Piper had found out that the cartel had been destroyed after Alex testified against them. She had provided them with every piece of information she could. Drug mule names, pick up locations, flight schedules and route, where the safe houses were, but most importantly, where Fahri and Kubra were hiding.

They were arrested, along with their hench men in Bali. At the same secret retreat Alex had taken Piper many years ago. They hadn't seen it coming. At all. The place was swarmed with armed officers. There were casualties on both sides. Fahri being one of them.

That was a bitter pill for Alex to swallow. On one hand, he was like the father she never had. The leading voice she needed in her time of darkness. The man who had supported and encouraged her, who looked after her when her mom died and when Piper left. The man who put her into rehab to get off heroin. The man who she called a friend.

But on the other hand, he was the reason she ever involved herself with the cartel. The bad influence, the risk taker. The one who was constantly asking more from her, constantly putting her in danger and constantly risking her life for.

It was at that turning point Alex truly understood why Piper left her. It made her sick to her stomach, that she treated Piper the way that she did. To this day, should couldn't believe she did that, to the person she cared about the most.

But she had a lot of thinking time in prison. 7 years of lonely reflection time, and 7 years to attempt self-improvement. She had weekly counselling sessions whilst there. It took her a year to open up to her counsellor, Healy. But as much as she hated to admit it, she was glad she did.

The moment Alex met him, she thought he was a useless, middle-aged, washed-up white guy. Overtime, the walls of difference began to break down. Alex would make small comments and Healy didn't push her. He started to bring coffee and donuts to their meetings, which helped.

They spoke about Alex's upbringing. They spoke about her mom. Her moms death. He feeling of lost identity. They spoke about having self worth. Alex knew she was smart. She knew that she could set her mind to anything, and she would achieve it. But she had not once put herself in a position to be able to 'win at life'.

This is why she wanted a fresh start. This is why she wanted to build a business, build a life, and regain her family. Piper was her heart and home. She always was, and always would be

She had spent hours thinking about Piper whilst in prison. She had gone over every small detail with a fine tooth comb. She knew where she fucked up. She would never, ever take Piper for granted again. She would put their relationship first, she would show her loyalty to Piper always. That is if that's what Piper wanted too.

Piper smiled when hearing this. Of course, it's what she wanted. She had spent the last couple of years building her life too. Building a business, becoming more independent. She was unsure about kids and marriage. She knew it was something that Larry wanted, something at times he had pushed for. But Piper has always pushed back. Was that because it was Larry though?

The pair decided to date exclusively. They would spend weekends together, and go out on Friday nights for a date. They were not taking any chances this time around, they wanted things done right.

"You've always been it for me Pipes. Trust me, I tried to move on. I tried to move past you. And I did. I dated and had a few flings sure. I had arrangements whilst in prison, but no one ever made me feel the way I feel about you."

They were in the back moulding room and were sat on the large corner couch, set to the back next to a coffee table. Alex was stretched out along it, with Piper snuggled into her side.

As Piper leaned up to kiss her, Alex captured her lips.

"I know exactly what you mean. Something in my life felt missing for a long time. I guess subconsciously I knew what that was. I was missing you. I spent so long with Larry trying to live the life I had always wanted. I remember telling Polly that things were lacking. I guess until now I couldn't admit that it was lacking because I still loved you. I'm so glad we ran into each other Al. I'm not letting you go again."

Alex wrapped her arms around her tightly and kisses the top of her head.

"I'm not going anywhere kid."