It was still early when Piper woke up, enveloped in the strong arms of Alex, and the feeling of being safe, secure, protected as well as wanted, cared for, maybe even loved.

Piper knew it was far too soon to be considering such a word, let alone saying anything of the kind to the woman beside her, who's legs were entwined with her own, who's warm breath on her neck made her pulse race.

But the thought of that word alone made Piper giddy and for a moment she played with the word in her mind, wondering what it would be like to say to someone, whether that someone would say it back to her with the same conviction she would utter those words with. Piper smiled to herself knowing for now she needed to push that word to the back of her mind, instead focusing herself on what she knew for certain. Alex cared for her. She didn't know about her childhood, the pressures she'd had, her parents – Piper had been careful to skirt those issues as they had talked last night, not wanting to cloud her perfect evening with her tainted memories. But even still, everything Alex had done or said was proof that she cared for Piper, and right now, that was more than enough. Other words could come later.

Where Piper had been careful about what she had shared about her past, Alex had been quite the opposite. Over the course of the evening, Alex had told Piper how Nicky and her came to be friends, her love of cooking, and how a lucky break through Nicky's almost adoptive mom, 'Red', she landed a job in one of the top class restaurants in town, working her way to her famed position of head chef. The fact Alex was a chef did not come as a surprise, not after the delicious meal that Alex had prepared for her.

Alex had also been open with Piper right from the start, telling her all about her mom Diane, how growing up it had only ever been the two of them and for a long time it was a hard life for the two of them. But despite that, against all the struggles, it was clear that Diane truly loved Alex, would of done anything for her daughter and it had made Piper wonder what it would have been like to grow up with someone like Diane for a mother – rather than her own mother Carol.

Piper felt Alex shift in her sleep, rolling onto her back, one arm still underneath Piper, so she too moved, missing the close contact of the other woman immediately. As she lay on her side, nestled as close into Alex as she could manage without disturbing her, she couldn't draw her eyes away from Alex's face. Alex looked so peaceful as she lay sleeping; Piper wondered how one person could be so many things. The Alex she saw in the store had been so confident and self-assured. The Alex with Nicky was funny and goofy, but it was the Alex she saw when she was alone with her, when it was just the two of them and no one else, that she was most intrigued with. There were still all the other traits, but this Alex, Pipers Alex, was thoughtful and considerate, a little bit insecure at times and a hopeless romantic.

Piper felt Alex's outstretched arm curl around her, instinctively pulling Piper closer, and she smiled to herself, letting her eyes close once more, drifting back into sleep, as she was once more surrounded by the comforting presence that was Alex.

"Merry Christmas, Pipes" Alex's voice croaked from not being used, but the low, rasping voice was enough to stir Piper from her sleep, bright blue eyes focusing quickly on those emerald green eyes that looked at her now.

"Merry Christmas, Al" Piper had whispered, her eyes now flicking between Alex's eyes and her rosy, pink lips. Her whisper soon turned into giggles as Alex pulled her close, peppering her with light kisses wherever Alex could find exposed skin, the touches tickling Piper. She felt Alex pull back slightly, feeling a finger tracing a path along her cheek, down to her jaw, before gently lifting her chin as Alex moved back towards her, Pipers giggles stilling as their lips clashed, in a kiss that was far from gentle, a kiss that yearned for more, a kiss that was a silent promise between the two of them.

As they broke apart, Alex leaned back in towards Piper, her mouth brushing against Pipers ear "I knew it, waking up to you on Christmas day," she paused, feeling the smile that was spreading across Pipers face like a wild fire, feeling long slender fingers tracing indiscriminate patterns on her side, "best Christmas present ever."

They stayed wrapped up in the arms of one another for a while longer, before Alex's stomach growled loudly, disturbing the peace that had fallen between them.

"After all that food last night – how can you be hungry?"

Alex flashed a grin at Piper, mischief playing in her green eyes, "You should see me after I've worked up an appetite!" She smiled as Piper blushed, nuzzling herself further into her side in a failed attempt to hide her seeming embarrassment, but it only made Alex fall for her more.

It should have scared her, how natural this felt, to wake up in one another's arms, how Piper seemed to fit like a jigsaw puzzle into her side, how she seemed to make Alex feel whole, when she hadn't even known there was something missing. Alex knew it was too soon to consider what to call this feeling, but she knew that this feeling was attributed to one, and one person only.

She squeezed Piper a little tighter, before releasing her, a growl from her stomach once more breaking the stillness in her room.

Alex stood, making her move towards the bedroom door, "I'll go fix us some breakfast Pipes, you stay-" but Piper was already out of bed, shrugging on Alex's jumper she had claimed yesterday and walking over to her, wrapping her arms loosely around her waist, gazing up at her.

"Oh no – I'm making breakfast for you this morning."

Piper kissed her on the cheek, released her arms and sauntered out of the bedroom. Alex stood for a moment, shaking her head before following Piper down the hallway, taking in the sight of Piper before her, making no attempts to hide the smile on her face.

Piper looked back towards Alex, catching her staring at her, "What's with that look?"

"Nothing – just accepting the fact I seem to have lost my favourite sweatshirt to you"

Piper pouted, "You can have it back if you want..."

By now Alex had walked down the corridor and now stood behind Piper in her kitchen, slowly wrapping her arms around a the slender waist of the blonde, resting her head on her shoulder as she spoke quietly, "It's OK, it looks good on you..."

Piper turned her head, placing a light kiss on the cheek of the woman standing next to her, smiling as she spoke, whilst whisking up several eggs in a large bowl. "I was thinking, since it is Christmas Day and all, that we could have breakfast watching a film?" Alex hummed into her shoulder, not really answering Piper, so she continued, "It's just when I was little, that was one of my favourite things to do, since it was the only time my mum would let us watch television whilst eating…"

Piper felt Alex's arms tighten around her waist, pulling her closer, Alex's voice quiet as she spoke, "I've already said, waking up with you next to me was the best thing I could think of for Christmas, anything else is more than perfect for me."

Alex planted another kiss on Pipers cheek before releasing her arms from around her waist, then turned to walk to the sofa. As Piper pottered around the kitchen, opening cupboards, finding the ingredients for what she had planned, a bonus of Alex being a chef was clearly a well-stocked fridge and cupboards. Alex tidied up, plumped the cushions on the sofa and moved away the plates and wine glasses that had been left from the night before.

Turning, she saw Piper plating up their breakfasts, she smiled as she watched her getting the food 'just right' on the plate, concentration painted across Pipers face, her tongue sticking out just a little bit as she created her own culinary masterpiece for Alex.

The look of concentration vanished as she lifted her head, once again catching Alex staring at her. Smiling, she lifted the plates and started to walk towards Alex.

"OK, so it's nothing fancy, just scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. I'm assuming there will be lots of food later at Nicky's?"

"You'd better believe it, Lorna still cooks like she is feeding her family, so there is always plenty!"

"I thought as much – I just hope this is enough to keep that stomach of yours quiet, for now at least!"

Alex took both plates, bringing one up to her nose and smelling the food. She smiled at Piper, thinking how she was the first person to cook for her in a long time. Piper turned and quickly walked back to the kitchen where a pot of coffee was brewing, as she poured a cup for herself, she realised she didn't know how Alex took her coffee. As she went to open her mouth, Alex called out from her place on the sofa as if she was able to read the blonde's mind, "I'll take mine black please, Pipes."

Piper smiled at the ease of everything between the two of them, the smile still on her face as she handed the coffee to Alex and as she sat down beside her.

They shifted for a moment as they settled on to the sofa, legs covered by the fleecy blanket Piper had wrapped herself in the night before. After a slight disagreement over what to watch, some pouting from Piper, which Alex couldn't help but laugh at, they eventually settled down to watch Pipers choice of 'A Muppets Christmas Carol', the blonde humming along with the songs, as they ate the simple, yet tasty breakfast.

"That, was delicious!" Alex whispered to Piper once she was finished, not wanting to disturb Piper as she was so enthralled by the film, instead she took Pipers plate from now where it rested on her knee and placed the dishes on the coffee table in front of them, before she leaned back, draping her arm over Pipers shoulder, the blonde snuggling into her as they watched the rest of the film, Alex laughing to herself that she was actually enjoying what she would have normally classed as a kids film.

As the credits rolled, Piper turned to Alex, a bright smile on her face, that warmed Alex just to look at her, her blue eyes sparkling as she spoke, "I love that film, I used to love watching it in the run up to Christmas, but today has been the first time I have seen it in years…"

Alex noticed how her voice softened, her blue eyes dulling as a sadness rolled through her thoughts. "Why did you stop watching it?" She questioned softly, not wanting Piper to feel forced into explaining too much.

"I know it's daft - but it always reminded me of how I used to love Christmas, I didn't want to taint that memory with the shitty reality I've had in recent years with my parents," Piper took Alex's hand in her own, her gaze settling on their fingers as they intertwined with one another so naturally, "Now it can remind me of today…of you. Of us." Piper looked up into the green eyes of Alex, her heart racing as she watched Alex's concern expression turn slowly into a smile that shone with affection.

There was nothing that Alex wanted to say in that moment as she looked to Piper, this complicated bundle of fun and intelligence, of pain and mystery. Alex wanted to know everything about her, but at that moment, with Piper beaming at her with a smile that lit up her face, making her eyes sparkle, all Alex wanted to do was hold her, make her feel safe, secure, wanted.

So as she wrapped Piper in her arms, feeling the blonde relax into her, Alex lay a gentle kiss on top of her golden hair, chuckling as she spoke, "I'm hoping that blue one with the funny nose doesn't remind you of me..."

Alex heard Piper laugh into her side, shifting slightly so she could look up to Alex to respond,

"No, you don't remind me of Gonzo...more...Ms Piggy!"

Alex laughed as she turned on Piper, hands moving quickly, tickling the woman in her arms as Piper tried to tuck her arms and legs together, protecting herself from Alex's nimble hands who seemed to be able to find every possible point to tickle her. Piper's screams of laughter filled the apartment, until she found herself lying on her back on the sofa, pinned underneath Alex who hovered over her, looking ready to strike and tickle her again at any moment. Piper made a half hearted attempt to struggle, as if she was trying to free herself from Alex's strong hold, but in truth, as she watched those green eyes gazing down at her, she had no desire to struggle against anything.

A smile started to form at the corners of Alex's mouth as she looked down at Piper below her, and as she leaned down to kiss Piper, as Pipers arms snaked around the back of her neck, holding on to her tightly and pulling her closer still, Alex's smile was as wide as it possibly could be.

The two spent the rest of the morning snuggled up on the sofa, Piper enjoying the feeling of Alex's arm around her shoulder as she moved to be as close to her as possible. Eventually, after watching as many Christmas shows as time would allow, Alex had pulled Piper from their comfy position, insisting that they needed to get ready to make it to Nicky and Lorna's on time.

Piper would have been more than happy to spend the rest of the day curled up on the sofa with Alex, but she was also looking forward to meeting Lorna, and spending some more time with Nicky, so headed into the bedroom to get ready without too much cajoling from Alex.

Piper showered and dressed quickly and was kneeling on the floor, rummaging in her bag, when she remembered the gifts she had brought with her. Lining the three gift bags up in a row, she quickly decided who would get which scents, hoping the ones she had chosen for Lorna would be OK, since she didn't know her at all.

Piper was still sat on the floor, her head down as she looked at the other item she had packed in her hands, as Alex walked up behind her, "Come on Pipes, we really should get going soon…" Not getting a response from Piper, Alex quickly dropped to her knees, placing a hand on Pipers shoulder, "Pipes, are you OK? Look – if you are having second thoughts about-"

Piper cut her short, turning her head to smile at Alex over her shoulder, her heart racing with the concern she could hear in her voice. "Don't be daft Al, I am really looking forward to seeing Nicky again, meeting Lorna, it's just…" Her voice trailed off as Piper turned her head back, dropping it as she looked to the package she held in her hands.

"Piper, you are starting to worry me – what's the matter?" Alex shifted so she was closer to Piper, concern still running through her mind as to whether she had said or done anything that morning to make Piper change her mind about what was happening between the two of them. "Please Pipes, tell me what's the matter, if I have done something…"

Alex felt a surge of relief flood though her as she heard a soft chuckle come from Piper, as the blonde turned to face her properly, her eyes dropped to what Piper held in her hands, quickly lifting again to meet Pipers as they looked at her.

"It's just…" Piper repeated quietly, still looking to Alex, still gripping the box in her hands ever so lightly, before she found her voice and carried on with her thoughts, "After the other night, all those lights. What you told me about your mom, well, I wanted to give you something for Christmas that meant something to me too." Piper paused before looking up to Alex, her voice barely a whisper, "So, I thought you might like these…"

Piper held the box towards Alex. After her grandma had passed away – there had been one thing that Piper had wanted when they had been sorting through the house in the weeks after the funeral. Piper had always been obsessed by them, and had made sure she found them before Danny or Cal could have laid a hand on them – not that her two brothers would have been bothered.

As Alex took the box from Piper, she lifted the lid slowly, her eyes glancing inside as her fingers traced lightly over the contents. Inside was a long string of lights; each bulb was placed inside a burnished metal star. Each star was then punched with small holes into the metal, that would allow tiny pin pricks of light to escape from the small bulb held inside, no doubt casting a soft glow wherever they were strung up.

As Alex moved the contents of the box, she realised that there must have been at least a hundred of these little stars, each one ever so different to the next. Alex picked one of the stars up between her fingers, her thumb rubbing over the smooth, cool metal, noting how each star was truly individual, the edges not exactly perfect, the pattern of the holes different on each star, clearly handmade.

Still holding onto the box, she looked up to Piper ready to speak – but the blonde spoke first, offering an explanation,

"They were my Grandmas. She loved Christmas lights too – and these were always her favourites," Piper laughed as she recalled the happy memories from her childhood, "They were the first to go up, and the last to go down…in fact after a while she kept them up year round too, drove my mother crazy, which is half the reason I think she did it." A small smile flashed on Pipers face, slowly receding as she continued, "But I loved them for a different reason. Each time I stopped at my Grandmas, I used to like lying underneath them, pretending I was sleeping outside, beneath the night sky, imagining what it would be like to not be a Chapman, but someone who didn't have to constantly seek their parents approval for everything... "

Piper stopped speaking, her eyes distant as she absentmindedly wiped a tear that formed in the corner of her eye.

Alex was focused on Piper, but the blonde's gaze wasn't falling on Alex, or even in the room they both were in, the faraway look in her eyes showed that she was recalling happier memories. Softly, Alex spoke to Piper, "Pipes, I can't take these – they mean so much to you…" Alex closed the lid of the box, handing them back towards Piper, the motion breaking Pipers gaze, making her look down at the box.

"Alex, I want you to have them. I still don't think you know, what you have done for me these past two nights, how special that has made me feel. You've asked for nothing in return – but I wanted to give you a present that meant something to me. It's daft, but I thought these lights, they were a part of my past, but maybe, they could be a part of my future now as well?" Piper sniffed, using the back of her hand to wipe away another tear that threatened to fall, whilst she hoped what she had said to Alex wasn't too much and would scare her away.

Alex placed the box of lights gently to the floor beside her, quickly wrapping her arms around Piper, pulling the blonde into her, ducking her head down to plant a not so gentle kiss on her lips, hoping that in the kiss Alex conveyed exactly how much Pipers gesture and words meant to her.

As Alex pulled away, she held Pipers face in her hands, and looked into those deep blue eyes that stared back at her, "What am I going to do with you, kid?" Alex whispered, not really wanting an answer, but as Piper relaxed into Alex's arms, a smile drifting across her face, Alex knew in her own heart and mind, Piper had come into her life for a reason, and she didn't want to let her go.

The two sat on the floor, in one another's arms for a while longer, before Piper shifted, kneeling first, before standing straight – offering her hands to Alex to help her up. "I suppose we need to get going – I expect Nicky will have a lot to say if we are late?"

"You wont be able to stop her," Alex grabbed hold of Pipers hands, surprised by her strength as Piper pulled her up from the floor. "If you ever thought Christmas day with your younger brother was bad…you are sure in for a treat with Nicky, I swear she is worse than a five year old!" Alex cracked a smile in Pipers direction, which soon turned into a look of puzzlement as she watched her pick up two of the three small gift bags from the floor.

Catching the puzzled look, Piper moved towards Alex, placing her free hand on Alex's forearm, "Don't worry – there is one for you as well, I can't turn up without a gift on Christmas day for my hosts now can I? It's just not the done thing!" Piper sighed as she heard herself speak, laughing she walked out the bedroom, following Alex to where her coat hung up in the hallway, "I'm sorry – old WASP-y habits die hard I suppose!"

Alex spoke as they negotiated their way out of the apartment, pulling on her coat, picking up a bag then closing her apartment door behind her. "Look, Lorna will be delighted that you have come – bearing gifts or not – and as for Nicky – anything that gets her smelling a little sweeter is a bonus in my book – now, come on!"

Alex held out her hand to Piper, which she took in an instance before they made their way towards the elevator, smiles on their faces, their hands never leaving the others as they walked out of the apartment block and along the street, covering the short distance to where the rest of their Christmas day awaited them.

As they walked up the steps to Alex's old apartment, Piper suddenly felt nervous. She know she didn't need to be – she had gotten along famously with Nicky that first night, laughing and joking with her, often at Alex's expense over the Chinese food, and from what Alex had told her of Lorna, she was sure to like the smaller brunette in an instance. It wasn't the people that were causing her to be nervous; it was the situation she now found herself in.

A week ago, she had been dreading Christmas, having nothing to look forward to than spending the day alone with a microwave meal for one, a bottle of wine and plans to watch whichever boxset on Netflix that had taken her fancy.

But here she was now, stood hand in hand with Alex, the gorgeous brunette that had taken her completely by surprise just a few nights ago; invited to a Christmas meal where there would be no family drama, no expectations, no petty comments from her mother, no strong words from her father about how she can better herself in the year ahead.

It was just a Christmas meal where Piper could be herself, have fun. As Alex squeezed her hand and pushed the door open as they were buzzed in, Piper realised maybe it wasn't nerves she was feeling, it was excitement.

As soon as the apartment door opened, Alex lost Piper to the whirlwind that was Lorna, who burst out of the apartment as Nicky pulled the door open to welcome their guests, both woman smiling at the new arrivals. Despite her petite stature, Lorna swooped on Piper, wrapping her arms around Pipers waist giving her a tight hug, before pulling her forcibly her into the apartment, not even giving Nicky the chance to say hello to the blonde. Lorna's thick Boston accent was more apparent through her excitement as she rambled on to the blonde who still wore a look of surprise after receiving such a warm welcome.

"Piper! Such a pleasure to meet you. I'm Lorna if you hadn't already guessed, welcome to our humble abode – I'm so glad you could come today! I always make so much food that it seems such a waste, but I just cant help it – once you cook for a big family I just cant seem to scale it down no more!"

As Lorna paused to breathe, all Piper could do was smile at her, not even attempting to get a word in.

"So, Nicky has told me a little about you, but come, come with me and you can tell me all about yourself whilst we sort the main courses out." Lorna still had Piper by the hand, and was now leading her into the kitchen, where all sorts of pots and pans were scatted on every surface, but the smell of what ever was cooking made Piper's mouth water.

"Can I get you somethin' to drink? Wine maybe? I bet you are a classy lady aren't ya – not like my Nicky who's basically a slob slurping out of beer bottles all the time..."

Alex couldn't help but laugh as Lorna had taken Piper by the hand, leading the slightly stunned blonde away into the apartment. Piper managed a quick glance over her shoulder towards Alex, the wide beaming smile on her face making Alex relax as Lorna continued her ramblings, interspersed with her pointing out what was located where in the apartment on their way to the kitchen.

As Lorna and Piper moved away, Nicky closed the apartment door, then turned to stand next to Alex, nudging her best friend as they both watched the other women disappear round a corner, a wide grin forming on her face as she spoke.

"So I take it last night with Blondie went well then?"

Alex shifted on the spot, dragging a hand through her hair, then messed with her glasses, both small tells Nicky picked up on instantly from her friend. "All that stressing...didn't I tell you not to worry Vause? You cook for hundreds of people a week..."

Alex looked down towards her friend, "But Piper isn't hundreds of people Nic. I know its crazy and weird...but there's just something..."

"Yeah – I'm starting to see that Vause. You got it bad...I mean like proper, gooey, heart-eyes bad. I've never seen you like this – ever…Not even with Sylvie."

Alex shot Nicky a look, not one of anger, but one that warned her not to press to much on the matter, certainly not before consuming a vast amount of alcohol.

Not one to take notice of her friend, Nicky slapped Alex on the back, attempting to drape her arm around the taller woman's shoulders as they walked into the apartment. "Look, I'm happy for you Vause. Shit – if Blondie makes you look like that after just a couple of days with her, I'm all for it. Geez – if I had to look at your miserable mug across my table again for one more Christmas meal..." Alex dug Nicky in the ribs, not managing to break the flow of conversation, "Hey! Look, all I was gonna say was, who knows, maybe there is something about this whole "spirit of Christmas" or what ever? Maybe there was a reason we walked into that store, to find Blondie on the checkout; maybe it was inevitable that you two found one another. Whatever, but it still makes me wanna puke candy canes all over my floor just looking at ya – but ill let you off because, fuck it – it's Christmas!"

Alex laughed, a deep rasping laugh as she shoved Nicky away from her, "Fuck off Nichols – you can talk, that's the whole reason I moved out of here when you guys got together – got sick of tripping over stuffed teddy bears holding hearts..."

"Hey! Can I help it if deep down I'm a hopeless romantic?" Nicky sniggered as she attempted to keep a straight face "Shit! Who am I kidding? Those teddy bears are worth every fuckin' dollar for the fantastic sex I got after I gave 'em to Lorna!"

"You're a sick twisted individual Nichols – I hope you know it"

"Its why you love me Vause...it's why you love me..."

Alex offered to help with the cooking, as she did every year, and every year Lorna flatly refused to let her anywhere near the kitchen, "You spend enough time in it at work – you can at least have a day off at Christmas, now take your beers and scoot you two – Piper and I are getting acquainted."

Alex leaned past Piper, opening the refrigerator and pulling out a couple of beers for her and Nicky. As she closed the door, she leaned into Piper, placing a kiss on her cheek, whispering into her ear "Thanks, Pipes". It meant the world to Alex that Piper was trying to get on with Nicky and Lorna, especially as the two of them were now what Alex considered her family.

Piper caught her arm, turning her own head, her voice low so only Alex could hear her, "Don't thank me Alex, I'm getting to spend Christmas with three people who actually want to spend time with me, I couldn't be happier..."

Piper placed a chaste kiss on Alex's lips, before turning back to Lorna who was oblivious to the interaction between Alex and Piper and was still recalling some joke about an eggplant which Piper kindly laughed at.

Alex smiled at the joke, although she'd heard it a number of times before, walking away from Piper towards Nicky, but not without another glance towards the blonde as she laughed with Lorna.

"She's not going to vanish if you don't look at her Vause, you can look away you know..." Nicky's voice was teasing as she reached a hand out to take the beer Alex offered her. Alex turned to face her friend, an eyebrow arched and a smirk on her face as she fell ungraciously onto one of the sofas, "I know – but you can't blame me for looking!"

Nicky raised her bottle in Alex's direction, tipping the neck of the bottle towards her, her eyes wild with delight, "Damn right sister – its amazing what you can get at a 7-11 these days!"

After Lorna had found out as much as she could from Piper without interruption from Nicky or Alex, they joined the other woman who were happily sat watching re-runs of old Christmas films.

Lorna sat in Nicky's lap, snuggling into her as Nicky wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling her close, planting kisses all over her, making the smaller woman giggle with delight. Piper was still stood, just to the side of Alex, wondering where she would sit when Alex made her mind up for her. In a swift movement, Alex had taken hold of Pipers hand, tugging her so she began to sit down, shifting her as she did so and pulling her legs up and over her own. Piper ended up nestled into Alex, her legs across Alex's lap, head resting into the crook of her neck as if that spot was solely for her to place her head.

Feeling Alex's arm wrap around her waist, Piper draped her arms around Alex, burying her head further into Alex's neck as she heard Lorna call out,

"Oh, would you just look at those two! Nicky, look at them – they look so cute – I just wanna-" As Piper heard Lorna make kissing noises, she felt Alex pull her arms tighter around her, a deep chuckle starting deep within her as she joked back with her friends,

"Give me a break Morello – I had to put up with you two love birds when you moved yourself in here not so long ago!"

Lorna giggled, kissing Nicky on the cheek as she answered Alex, "Fairs, fair I suppose, but I have to say it, you two make a lovely couple, just warms my heart to see the two of you together, especially after-"

Piper felt Alex tense slightly, but before Lorna could continue, Nicky was standing, disturbing the woman in her arms.

"Geez Lorna, quit it will ya – it's turning into a right mush-fest in here! When's it time to eat – feels like my neck's been cut – can you not hear that? I'm sure my stomach is talkin' at me here.."

Piper was certain she saw a look pass between Nicky and Alex, but as soon as she saw it the moment was gone, and Lorna was back into full on Christmas chef mode again.

"You're right, I suppose with all the food to be eaten, lets not keep our guests waiting! I hope you are all hungry – I think I may have gone a little overboard again this year…I just got so excited knowing we'd have an extra guest…"

Nicky bustled Lorna into the kitchen leaving Alex alone with Piper who began to shift, attempting to stand, but Alex holds her close, her voice low,

"Pipes, I don't want you to think I'm a shady person, Nicky isn't covering for me and I'm not hiding anything – its just," Alex paused, sighing as she lowered her head before speaking again, "Its been a long time since I shared my Christmas day with anyone other than Nicky and Lorna. There was someone, but that was years ago, and it didn't end well. They are just both excited you are here, and Lorna just has no filter sometimes, but she means well."

Piper lifted Alex's chin so she could look into her green eyes, "They care for you Alex, that's clear to see. I know its daft, and crazy and I've only known you a few days, but you already mean so much to me. You just seem, I don't know, inevitable. Like we were meant to meet the other night...I don't want to hurt you Alex…"

Alex smiled, allowing the word to run through her mind as she kissed Piper full on the lips, inevitable.

Piper had never seen a table with so much food on it in all of her life. There were so many dishes on offer that there was a mixture of plates and bowls dotted around the table, each one holding a different, yet tasty looking serving. The three other women were quick to take their seats, whilst Piper remained standing a moment longer as her eyes danced over the mountains of food in front of her.

"Lorna – this looks fantastic – seriously, are you sure there aren't more people coming to dine with us?" Piper smiled across the table at Lorna as she took the seat next to Alex, who quickly took her hand, giving it a squeeze under the table.

"You're too kind!" Lorna waved her hand as if batting away Pipers compliment, but she shifted in her chair, sitting a little straighter, clearly happy to be receiving praise for her cooking from someone other than Nicky or Alex. "Help yourself to whatever takes your fancy Piper, there's the usual Christmas turkey and all trimmings," Lorna waved a hand towards the end of the table where Nicky was now stood, brandishing a carving knife looking ready to attack the turkey with a mischievous glint in her eye, "then the rest is just a mixture of dishes we've added – and have kinda become our own Christmas traditions. A lot are Morello family recipes – so I hope you like them, these two gannets do, so I'm sure you will too..."

"Enough already woman! Can we eat yet?" Nicky waved the carving knife wildly in the air, about to start cutting into the roast that was in front of her, but was interrupted by Alex, tapping her fork against her beer bottle, earning an over stated eye roll from her friend.

"I just want to make a toast before we start if that's OK Nic?" There was a non-committal shrug of the shoulders from Nicky so Alex continued, raising her beer bottle and taking Pipers hand in her other, "I just wanted to raise a toast, to friends and loved ones. Past, present and …future…" She turned to smile at Piper, and then quickly finished, "Now lets eat, before Nichols attacks me and not the turkey with that knife!"

…

Piper made a good attempt to try every single dish and was impressed with the range of food on offer, from the various Italian dishes influenced by Lorna's family, the beautifully cooked turkey and excessive amounts of trimmings, to the traditional Russian dishes, that, once Alex had explained how it linked to Red and her family tree, made perfect sense.

The four woman sat round the table for well over an hour, even after they had cleared their plates, they remained seated, chatting as the wine and beer flowed, still picking at the food that remained on the table, until it appeared that everyone was well and truly full.

The conversation was bright and light-hearted, often revolving around Nicky or Alex telling a tale about some mischief or trouble the other had gotten into; Piper nearly snorting wine out her nose as she laughed at Nicky's retelling of the 'infamous pork chop story' when Alex had just started at Red's.

"I was so embarrassed…But it wasn't as bad as you make out you know!" Alex laughed, as Nicky came to the end of her anecdote, her arm draped around the back of Pipers chair, her fingers playing with the ends of Pipers blonde hair.

"Wasn't that bad? Red wouldn't let you cook meat for a whole month!" Nicky pointed at Alex, but looked straight at Piper, a wide smile on her face, revelling in causing further embarrassment to her best friend, "Vause here was on vegetable duty for her crimes! She couldn't even get meat out the freezer without someone else with her to keep an eye on her!"

Nicky carried on laughing as Alex leaned closer to Piper, whispering to her, "It really wasn't as bad as Nicky makes out, you know"

Piper moved closer to Alex, a smile on her face as she lowered her voice to match the tone of Alex's, "I believe you…although thousands wouldn't, but either way, I think Ill take my chances with you if that's OK?"

Alex was just about to kiss Piper, as Lorna chirped up, a slight slur to her words as the alcohol let her mind wander a little, and speak without thinking, "So Piper, you haven't mentioned anything much about your family, you didn't fancy spending time with them this Christmas?"

Alex felt Piper tense beside her, noting how she closed her eyes, as if trying to hide from the question, from the thought of her parents on what had been up to that point, a very enjoyable Christmas day.

"Lorna, we don't need to go into Piper's family histor-" Alex started, but was interrupted as Piper placed a hand on her arm, speaking quietly at the same time.

"Alex, really it's fine" – Alex stared into the blue eyes that looked to her now, placing her own hand over Pipers as the other woman continued. ""I think it is safe to say that after disappointing my family for years, not living up to expectations then finally having the guts to stand up to them and have my say, I'm pretty much not welcome back home for Christmas any more.

"Oh, Piper, I'm sorry – I didn't know…"

"Lorna, there is nothing you need to be sorry about. In fact, I should thanking you…" Piper looked around the table, noting the puzzled faces as they took in her words. "This, today, its been wonderful – you've shown me what a proper Christmas can be about, again. After all those years with my parents, I'd forgotten what that felt like." Piper sighed, moving her hand from underneath Alex's so she could hold it properly, squeezing just a little too tight, "It's like you guys have your own little family going on here – and I've loved being part of it for a day…"

Piper felt Alex wrap her arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer and was about to speak when Nicky rose up from her seat. The wild haired woman raised her beer bottle towards her, and placed her other hand on Lorna's shoulder, in as much a loving gesture as it was for support due to the amount of alcohol she had managed to consume with the plate loads of food.

"Well, think it's safe to say, that the way Vause here looks at you kid –you are well and truly part of this family now…today, tomorrow, the future, whatever." Nicky smiled and rolled her hand in the air, as Piper lowered her head, blushing slightly, catching Alex looking at her, not so much glaring, but eyes wide, and eyebrows raised, "Don't look at me that way you long stalk of celery – you know I'm right. I said it earlier and I'll say it again…Blondie here is the best thing to have happened to you in a long time, just don't fuck it up yeah – 'cos I'm telling you if you do, it's Chapman who is coming back for Christmas next year…"

Piper was laughing at the side of her as Alex threw a sharp response at her friend, although the laughter that ran through her words took the edge off, "Shut up Nichols…you've had too much to drink, get off your soap box…"

"I only speak in truths Vause…" Nicky said, a beaming grin on her face that meant she knew she had struck a nerve with Alex. "Come on, let's leave the dishes and continue with the drinks somewhere comfy, yeah?"

…

The four woman took up their previous positions on the sofa, Piper nestled into Alex, and Lorna held tightly in the arms of Nicky, occasionally extracting herself to get more drinks for the four of them, refusing any help from Piper, insisting that as the guest, she should relax and enjoy her Christmas day which Piper was more than happy to abide by.

After a trip to use the bathroom, Piper remembered the bag her and Alex had brought with them that held the small gifts for Nicky and Lorna. Finding it back in the corridor near to the door to the apartment, she quickly pulled the presents out, and walked back to the sofa with the small gift bags in hand. As she got closer the smell of something sweet drifted from the kitchen to where the three others were sat, as she came to stand behind Alex, she noticed a large plate on the coffee table, overflowing with a good selection of delicious looking cookies.

Before sitting, Piper handed the gift bags to their recipients, explaining what they were and then tried to prise herself out of the tight embrace she received from Lorna, who was over the moon at receiving 'such fancy bathroom products', where as Nicky joked as to whether it was some sort of intervention and they were trying to make her smell sweeter.

Piper sat back down against Alex, noting that that raven-haired woman was on her second cookie, and was humming in pleasure at what she was eating.

"Pipes, you gotta try these – they're awesome!" Alex said, before devouring another large piece of the warm cookie in her hand.

Alex was right, the cookies were delicious and in the minutes that followed, the four women took their fill of cookies, managing to find room for them, even after their copious Christmas meal just a short while previous, until there was one left in the middle of the plate. Alex could see that Piper was keen to have the last one, and nudged her to reach out and take it, which she did. However she decided against taking the whole thing at the last moment so instead broke a piece off, only to be lambasted by Nicky as she leaned back into Alex.

"In the nicest possible way Chapman, but you fucker!"

"What?! What? What have I done?" Piper's eyes went wide at the accusation, not realising what Nicky was so angry about all of a sudden.

"That's it – I take it all back Blondie, you aren't welcome here again – not if you are going to do something like that…"

"Nicky – what have I done? Please tell me what I have done?" Piper looked between Lorna and Alex who were both trying to supress laughter as they watched what was playing out between the two other women, knowing exactly what Nicky was playing at.

"That!" Nicky pointed to the remains of the cookie on the plate in front of them, her eyes locked onto Piper.

"What? The half cookie…?"

"Exactly! What sane person leaves half a cookie?"

"That's what you are angry about? That I left half a cookie?"

"Damn straight I am! Who does such a hideous thing? Especially these cookies – a thing of beauty…how dare you Chapman, how dare you not respect the cookie enough to consume it in its entirety? And on Christmas Day of all days…Santa would be so upset with you…"

Quickly realising that Nicky was only joking with her, Piper started laughing emphasising one word in particular, "To be fair they are big cookies…"

"But that still doesn't mean you leave half a cookie…" Nicky said, eyebrows wagging suggestively, her eyes darting to the plate, indicating the one thing Piper needed to do.

"OK, look, fine…" Piper reached forward, grabbing the last piece of the cookie, and shoving it into her mouth in one go, part laughing, part mumbling as she spoke, crumbs flying, "Issth 'at better?"

Lorna and Alex both couldn't hold themselves back anymore, and loud laughter filled the room from all four of them. Lorna swatting at Nicky for teasing Piper, whilst Alex pulled Piper closer still, running her thumb along Pipers lips, removing the few crumbs of cookie, before kissing her squarely on the lips, earning their display a wolf-whistle from Nicky and a large smile from Lorna.

They continued the laughter and jokes well into the evening, but eventually, after all the food, alcohol and substantial amount of cookies, soon the banter was just between Alex and Nicky; Alex could feel Piper getting heavier against her as she started to drift off to sleep. Looking across to Nicky, she could see the same was happening with Lorna, so decided it was best they made a move, so shook Piper gently on her shoulder to wake her.

As Piper stirred, Nicky whispered to Lorna, who, although sleepy, was insistent that Piper and Alex stayed, but Nicky convinced the tired woman in her arms that 'Piper has probably had enough of us to last into the New Year – let her spend the rest of Christmas day with Alex' which Lorna easily agreed to.

After many hugs from Lorna, and open invites to come back anytime, Alex eventually managed to prise Piper away; but not without giving her best friend a tight hug before she left. They slowly made their way back down the stairs and out onto the street, the mix of tiredness and alcohol making Piper unsteady on her feet, and the short walk to Alex's apartment slower than it needed to be. But Alex welcomed any opportunity to have her arm wrapped around the waist of the blonde, and the cool night air did help to sober Piper a little by the time they reached their destination, the extra time had also given Alex an idea for one more thing she wanted to do for Piper before the day was done.

As they entered the apartment, Alex feigned tiredness, claiming she just wanted to go to bed, and steered Piper in the direction of the bathroom as she headed into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. As the blonde changed and got ready for bed, Alex worked quickly, only managing just to turn out the lights and climb into her bed before Piper opened the door, walking into darkness.

"Alex, are you here? What's going on, why are the lights off?"

As she finished speaking, Alex flicked the switch for the power supply nearest to her, a soft amber glow filling the room from the string of lights that was now hung above her bed. The small pinpricks of light from the hundreds of little metal stars created a canopy of light above Alex, illuminating her in their warm glow, and casting soft shadows throughout the room.

"Oh, Alex…" Piper sighed; taken aback by what Alex had done with the lights she had given her earlier that same day. She moved slowly towards the bed, joining Alex underneath the comforter that Alex held back, silently asking Piper to join her underneath the stars.

After making sure that the comforter covered Piper, Alex took the blonde in her arms, pulling her close, her voice low as she spoke,

"Pipes, about what Nicky said tonight…"

"Which part exactly Alex, Nicky has said a lot."

"At the end of the meal, about you being part of the family…

"Saying it like that makes it sound like I've been inducted into the mafia… wait! Red isn't part of a mob is she? You and Nicky aren't like her mob lackeys are you?" Piper chuckled, but when she didn't hear Alex laughing too, she shifted so she could look at Alex properly, finding her green eyes staring back at her, an intensity in them she hadn't seen before.

Piper would have been worried, if it wasn't for the fact that Alex gently raised her hand, bringing it to rest against her cheek, Piper instinctively raising her own hand, wrapping her own slender fingers around Alex's wrist.

"No, you idiot." There was a small smile, and Alex's face softened as she continued to look at Piper, her gaze never pulling away from the sparkling blue eyes she stared into. "I mean the part about you being part of the family, the 'today, tomorrow, the future - whatever'…" Alex paused as she took in the beauty of Piper, swallowing hard as she decided to just come out and say it hoping that Piper felt the same way, "I'd like that, the future bit. Working out the whatever with you. I'd like that a lot."

There was a pause before Piper said anything, as she felt she didn't need to, the smile that broke out on her face seemed to convey everything she needed to say to Alex, as the kiss that followed was strong and passionate, meaning Piper had to gather her breath before being able to actually reply.

"I'd like that a lot too, Alex."

A/N: OK – so I am very much aware that this was a Christmas story, and we are now nearly at Easter, but like most things I start, it spun a little out of control and became a multi-chapter Vauseman fluff fest before I knew it.

So yeah, it's a little fluffy and goofy – but I still hope you have enjoyed it, I am, however, most definitely, marking this complete now!

For all those who have left reviews on this - thank you! It does make my day when I get them, so thanks for that – to everyone who has read and enjoyed – thanks too. You rock too.

Special thanks also need to go to the awesome ejm137 for the cookie inspiration! ;)

R x