Once they had decided they were going to be together after prison they had started to plan for the future. Piper didn't want to wing it with Alex anymore, and prison was filled with time to kill.

Polly and Larry's brief fling had ended with Polly making amends with Pete and Larry moving to Seattle for a writing job. Polly had begged Piper for forgiveness, stating loneliness, postpartum depression, and a temporary lapse in judgement and sanity as the cause of her poor decisions. She couldn't lose Piper. She was her best friend, business partner, and godmother of her son. Piper agreed but they were never as close as they once were.

Seeing pictures of Finn made Piper ache. She wanted a baby of her own. The urge to be a mother was hitting her hard. When she brought it up to Alex the brunette had choked on her coffee and sputtered, saying NO without hesitation. The next time Alex saw Piper come back from visitation her eyes were watery. Alex knew it was because Polly inadvertently made that baby fever even worse.

She had disappointed the blonde so much in her life, she owed it to her to at least think about it. When Piper came in from the track after a long run to clear her head Alex had pulled her in the chapel.

"I'll think about it."

Piper's forehead scrunched in confusion. "What?"

"I'm afraid I'm too tainted of a person to raise an innocent thing. I don't know the first thing about children, I'm a ruthless pragmatist. But it's what you want, and I want you. So I'll think about it."

Relief and love washed over Piper's face.

"Are you sure?"

"No," Alex chuckled, "but give me some time."

Piper pulled Alex in and kissed her deeply, pouring her love into it.

When Alex was released she was in overdrive to get their life set up by the time Piper was out, a short 6 more months. She bought a bar and had it up and running, a quick hit in the area. She purchased an apartment and filled it with necessities knowing Piper would make it feel like a home.

Alex helped ease Piper into the life they'd be sharing and they helped each other adjust back to life out of a penitentiary. A year later, Nicky was released. They had stayed close, exchanging letters, going once a month to visitation, and offering her a job once she was released.

Alex had overheard Piper and Polly talking about the possibility of opening a retail store of their own instead of pitching to Barney's every 6 months. On Piper's birthday she had dramatically presented her girlfriend with a Manila envelope, 2 small velvet boxes, and a gift bag.

"For you, my dear."

Piper beamed, "Is this why you've been so distracted?"

Alex smirked, "You have no idea."

Piper started with the envelope, the curiosity driving her crazy. She pulled out a stack of papers, skimming through them, not quite sure what she was looking at.

"Thank you?"

Alex's deep voice cackled out a laugh.

"Nicky is using her inheritance to buy me out of the bar. She's taking over. Lorna is getting out soon and she thought it'd be good for them to have a joint project, something they could own together to start a life, like us."

"Why? You love that place."

"I do, that's why I'm selling it to someone I trust. Besides, I needed the funds for your second present."

"Holy shit, Alex how expensive is it if you had to sell the bar?!"

Alex extended her hand, "Come with me and I'll show you."

She picked up the gift bag and 2 boxes, leading Piper outside to a cab. They drove about 10 minutes and the cab stopped at the address Alex had given. Piper didn't recognize it, but it was obviously the right place since Alex handed some bills to the cab driver and got out, leading Piper again.

They stood on the sidewalk in front of some buildings under construction. Piper looked around, her face scrunching up in confusion.

"What are we doing here?"

Alex handed her one of the boxes, "Maybe this will help you figure it out."

Piper's hands trembled. Usually she could read Alex like a book, making surprising her virtually impossible. Today was not one of those times.

Inside was a key. She looked at Alex, waiting for an explanation. Alex said nothing, she simply handed Piper the second box. Inside was a ring. Her jaw dropped. Alex's voice cut into her confused thoughts.

"A bar isn't really the type of business to have when you want a family. It's good money, but I'm gone on the weekends and late at night. When I offered it to Nicky she jumped on it, and..."

Piper cut her off, "A family?"

Alex smiled at her and nervously adjusted her glasses, "Yeah, kid. A family. We're basically married anyway. We wouldn't even need a ceremony, just signing a couple documents at city hall. I mean, unless you want one."

"Married?"

Alex handed her the last gift, which Piper was too stunned to remember. She fumbled, pulling out from under the gift wrapping a small white onesie with the words "my mom's cooler than your mom" printed on the front.

Tears started falling from her eyes and she asked, "What's the key for?"

Alex chuckled, "I tell you I decided I'm ready to have a kid and that's your question?"

She turned Piper to look at the buildings in front of them.

"A bar isn't family friendly, but a book store and a soap shop are. The left is gonna be my book store, the right is Popi."

Piper didn't think her jaw could drop any lower. She was wrong. She sobbed tears of joy and practically tackled Alex, her hands in her hair pulling her in for a kiss.

"You... Are so... Sweet," she said between kisses. She could feel Alex's smile against her lips. "Thank you, Alex. Thank you." She started crying harder.

Alex hushed her and wiped her tears away.

"I just want you to be happy."

"You have no idea how happy I am."

In vitro fertilization had advanced to the point where they could both provide a sample and use donor sperm to make their child as close to a genetic combination as possible. Alex was hesitant, not wanting to give any of her DNA to an innocent child, the fear of corrupting it still hovering over her.

"Do you know why I changed my name to Vause?"

"Because we got married and you're a formal debutante."

Piper ignored Alex's sarcasm and wink.

"Because this world could use a break from Chapmans. Because it's your name and your mother's name. Because it reminds me of strength and love. Because that's what you are, and that's what this baby will be, by name and genetic makeup. There's no one who would do what you have for me, or loved me like you do. If you love this baby half as much as you love me, it'll be the happiest kid in the world."

During the pregnancy, Alex took care of Piper physically and Piper cared for Alex emotionally.

When the time came for Piper to push their child out Alex fidgeted by her side, still not confident in herself. She had told Piper she was ready for a baby but she would probably always doubt herself.

On the last push the doctor placed the screaming pink bundle on Piper's chest.

"It's a boy!"

Alex looked down at her wife and their baby. He had Piper's golden hair and bright blue eyes. He was perfect. She moved to touch him and he grabbed her finger and quieted. Tears started to roll down her face.

She kissed the top of his head, "I love you," she whispered. She straightened out and kissed Piper gently on the lips, "and I love you."

Piper had never seen Alex look so happy.

When the nurse took him to get cleaned, dressed, and a diaper on, Alex hovered. She didn't want to let him out of her sight. The nurse noticed her and smiled.

"First one?"

"Mhm."

"Well here you go, mama," she handed Alex the baby.

Piper watched Alex fall even deeper in love with their son, just from looking down at him in her arms.

"Ok, ladies," the nurse said, "what's the name?"

Piper was too tired to speak. She locked eyes on Alex who smiled at her before looking at the nurse, "My son's name is Jack Holden Vause."