Note: Final chapter. OITNB fandom had a fun talk with theinevitablepipex( ) earlier today and I took the idea and made it as an epilogue. It feels like a good setting to leave the fic where it is, and they've already got some more ideas for one-shots that I'm actually keen to write about, but I'm still not sure yet. Feedbacks?
A big thank you to everyone who's taken the time to read and given feedbacks. I hope you enjoy.

2019-Maui.

Alex had chosen the Fairmont Mountainside Suite for their stay, and claimed that she was bored by the beach view. Piper didn't mind and had relished the whole thing altogether. The view was just as beautiful, if not better, and the concierge told them that they would be able to see the sunrise from their room. What's there to complain about?

Once Alex handed the tip and the bellboy made his way out, Piper lifted her shoulders in that adorable manner only Piper can pull and gave Alex the biggest grin she could muster. "This whole thing is crazy," she leaned in and kissed the brunette. "But it's just what I needed. Thank you."

Alex practically yanked Piper to the bed, which made her shrieked with delight. As soon as Alex started to kiss her; slowly at first, but then building up intensity and purpose, Piper just let herself surrender. They weren't in a hurry, like they usually were in the morning. Nor did they go on a full on romp-fest. This time was smooth and slow, Alex's lips savoring every part of Piper's skin, her hands caressing Piper's back, fingers following the contour of the blonde and resting just above the small of her back. She took her time and used it well, not saying or whispering anything and just enjoying the moment. By the time they were finished, with Piper's stifled moans as she bit her lips shut and Alex' on top of her, her deft fingers still inside of the blonde woman, they were both spent. They cuddled for a while, both of them looked over the window and enjoyed the view, but Alex couldn't keep her eyes open. Piper got up and took a shower, and when she got out saw Alex was still sleeping. She went over and kissed her forehead before heading out.

Piper took a walk around the hotel, taking it all in. The view had been spectacular, and the service was more than she could have asked for. Pretty soon she'd found Ko and ordered a bottle of cold beer. She nursed it slowly, taking little sips and enjoying the dim-litted bar. Several couples and families had walked in and gotten ready for dinner. Piper thought she would just order from the room, considering Alex was still so out of it.

Her phone rang and she looked at the screen to find Polly's number.

"Where the hell are you? Jones said she hasn't seen you in 3 days!"
"Maui," she replied, her grin was almost palpable from her tone.
"Holy shit, Pipes! Maui?"
"We went to New Jersey to visit Alex's friend's grave and then she took me here. Pretty wild, huh?"
"I'll say. When are you coming back?"
"Day after tomorrow, I think. It's just a short getaway."
"Not everyone has a 'short getaway' to Maui, you lucky bastard. Enjoy and say hi to Alex for me." A few seconds later, Polly asked her in a lower voice, "You don't think she's up to something, do you?"
"There are so many flaws in your logic but I'm not gonna go into that with you right now." Piper waved her hand as if there's a fly in front of her, then proceeded to gulp her beer.
"No, you're right. What was I thinking? Of course not."

"This jetlag is really fucking me up." Alex huffed. It had taken her by surprise, considering how well traveled she had been. But then she remembered that it was a lifetime ago. "Jesus, I'm getting old."

Piper was standing by the suitcase, laying out bikinis for tomorrow, her back was facing Alex. She smiled at herself when Alex said muttered to she was getting old, but only let out a barely audible "hmm". Both of them were certainly not young and careless anymore.
Getting to know each other again was not difficult. They've known a version of each other a while back, and when they finally went out, it was just a matter of time before all the pieces fit together again like old habit, with new tidbits to learn from each other. They have both changed, evolved into a more matured version of themselves.

Alex's eyes were glued to Piper, and everything ran through her mind. For the first time in a long time, she actually thought about the future and what it would hold for both of them. It wasn't like they had talked about it, but she'd always known Piper was actually looking forward to settling down, and, actually... Alex didn't find it to be a repulsive idea.

"Al, stop staring."
Alex mused on her thought for a few moments, her eyes never leaving Piper's figure despite the warning.

"Marry me."

Piper dropped her bikinis and spun around so fast, she felt dizzy.
"What?"

Alex sat up on her knees and moved towards the edge of the bed. "I'm serious. Let's do it. Let's get married." She added a casual shrug, and Piper could feel her breath getting caught in her throat. "Why not?"

"Is this a joke?"
"Pipes."
"Did Polly put you up to this?"
"Um, how did Polly get in the mix?"
"She asked me if you planned this and I'm starting to think that you did."

"Piper..." Alex took Piper's hand and gave it a squeeze. She could feel Piper's hand shaking and trembling within her clasp. Trying to make the space between them smaller, she guided Piper's arms to rest on her shoulders.
"I'm being serious. And no, I didn't plan this through, so I don't have a ring with me right now." Despite the puddle of tears on the edge of her eyes, Piper laughed. She kept wondering if this is really happening.

"We've been through some tough shits. More than the average people. These past six years has been a wild roller coaster ride, and when I saw you outside the café and I knew I'd found you again, Jesus, there's no way in hell I'm letting you go. Again. We can do this. We'll get married, and move to a nice house somewhere, and maybe even have kids..."

Piper pulled her head back and looked at Alex to make sure she wasn't joking. "You hate kids."
"I'm in the middle of my speech here."
She bit her lips and managed to held her laugh back. "Oh, sorry."

"And anyway, I don't hate them. Plus, are you kidding? Our kids would rock." She flashed a smile and gave Piper a soft kiss on her lips. It was blind confidence, and once Alex found it within herself to actually propose, she decided to ran away with it. "I love you. You put up with my shit, and you keep me on my toes. I can't promise you anything, but I'm in it for the long haul."

Piper was laughing through her tears, an overall jumble of mess. Alex never struck her as the marriage type, and she'd made her piece with it. But give credit to the woman for being spontaneous, even with her marriage proposal.

"What do you say, Chapman?" she asked again, trying to hide her nervousness. "Will you marry me?"

Alex got a kiss.
And another one on her forehead.
And another one on each of her eyelids.

"Yes."

EPILOGUE

"God, what if I'm totally shit at this?"
Piper gave another slap on Alex's upper arm. "No cursing in front of the baby!" she hissed. Reaching into her bag, she handed Alex the car seat with their precious baby boy sleeping soundly inside. "Here, you hold him. I have to get the keys."

Alex looked down to take a quick peek. Jesus, he's gorgeous, she thought to herself.

The agreement was that Piper would donate the eggs and Alex would pick the donor. They went through countless lists, but finally settled on a surrogate and a suitable donor. The whole thing had been nerve-racking.

Alex was in the café when she got the call, and immediately called Piper.
"The baby's coming! She's in labour right now! The surrogate!"
"Al, calm down."
"Holy fucking shit, Piper!"
"We need to do something about that cursing once the baby's with us. Calm down and pull yourself together. I'll go back and take the bag. You got the car seat?"
"Yeah, it's in the car."
"Okay, then put it on and go to the hospital. I'll take a cab and meet you there."
"Okay." Alex's breathing was heavy and quick, and Piper sensed she was still panicking.
"Alex."
"What?" she shot back in a whine.
"You're gonna be a great mom."
Alex felt her tensed body relaxed a bit and smiled. She told Piper she loved her and that she's on her way as soon as she grabbed her car key.

Once they got in, Piper went straight to the kitchen to make some formula and let Alex carried the baby to his nursery. She placed the bag by the counter and pulled out the sterilized bottles and the formula powder. She made a warm one for later, and after checking the temperature, did a little organizing for the baby's stuff. On a small Post-It note, she wrote 'BABY-PROOFING' and stuck it to the fridge next to the baby's sonogram photo.

Piper made her way to the nursery with the bottle in hand. The door had creaked open just a few inches and she leaned to her side to take a look. Alex was cradling the baby and walking slowly, bouncing only slightly back and forth to make him feel more comfortable. Her eyes never left the baby, and moments later she leaned in to kiss the top of his head. Piper thought she had never seen a more beautiful sight, and her heart instantly swelled with joy. They don't need another round-the-world adventure. It was only beginning.