The Reign Of Vause

After the 4th July party

(Piper's POV)

Flashback

Alex and I had given our speech and had alone time under the fireworks together on a private deck. Our official engagement night had been magical, it was definitely easy to say it had trumped the night Larry proposed to me on a deck chair on the beach and brought the ring out of a plastic zip lock bag.
I had been talking with my family while I noticed Alex head in Polly and Larry's direction sporting a flute of champagne in her left hand, showing off her ring. My stomach flipped. Alex, Polly and Larry did not go well together. They were two different aspects of my life that were separate, well, Alex and Larry were supposed to be. I had made the mistake of introducing Polly to Alex before, I should've known Polly would've irritated Alex immediately.
"Piper your ring is beautiful!" My aunt excitedly remarked.
"Thank you Aunt Angela." I smiled, happy yet uncomfortable. Family get togethers always made me uncomfortable especially when you've just announced that you're engaged to the woman who threw you in prison to your entire family.
My mother then made it worse,
"Alex has grown on me even if I've never spoken to her. That ring truly is a dazzler. She seems nice even if she is a criminal and made my daughter one in the process."
"Mom!" I hiss, embarrassed and annoyed.
"I'm sorry Piper but it is true." She feigns apology.
"Most of it. Alex WAS a criminal and so WAS I. She has the same ring as I do but yes mom, thank you. Alex is great and I'm glad you're finally willing to give her a chance." I correct and smile at her.
Alex then came to my side, nursing another glass of champagne.
"Am I interrupting anything?" She politely and nervously asks, keeping eye contact with my mom.
"Oh Alex! Thank god!" I sigh, relieved.
"No dear, you're ok." My mom said in the most polite tone I've ever heard her use. It was... creepy.
"Thank you Mrs Chapman." Alex politely smiled and placed an arm around my waist, walking me away.
"Larry and Polly want to talk to you." She said taking a sip of her champagne. Her face looked so unamused.
"What have they done?" I asked, sighing and internally laughing at Alex's pouting, angry expression.
"Well, to put it in a nutshell, I asked them to come by our apartment with your clothes since you were living with Larry before prison and not me. I gave them our address." She starts.
"And?" I ask her.
"Polly was up for it since she's so desperate to be your best friend again but your jealous ex refused." She sighed into her glass, downing it and setting it on a nearby table.
"Oh ok, great, what am I supposed to do now?! I can't live off your clothes it wouldn't be fair on you! They can't just STEAL my clothes. Wait, is Polly planning on wearing them herself because she's always liked that green woolly button up sweater of mine?!" I finish in a rant.
Alex was leading me off the boat.
"I don't know Pipes. They want us to get them ourselves. I guess this is Larry's lame revenge plan." She sighed rolling her eyes.
"Ugh Jesus. Fine. If they insist that's the only way I'm getting my stuff back. Al, we need to say bye to everyone, it'll be rude not to." I tell her, taking her hand and leading her to the raised platform we were on earlier announcing our engagement.
Everyone turned as soon as they saw us.
"Hi again everyone." I started.
"Alex and I just wanted to thank you all for this lovely night and your well wishes for our life together. Unfortunately we're going to have to call it a night. But thank you, everyone." I finish and Alex grabs my hand to leave just as my immediate family came to say goodbye.
"Piper, Alex. Thank you both for coming tonight and congratulations!" My mom started.
"Thanks Mom." I said closely followed by Alex who said,
"Thank you Mrs Chapman."
My Dad then spoke, he hugged me and said,
"I don't mind so much anymore that my baby girl is engaged to a woman just so long as you take care of her. Is that understood?" He asks Alex, somewhat sternly yet politely with a smile.
"Yes Mr Chapman. That is understood and won't be a problem, I love your daughter very much." She smiled back, squeezing my hand. I didn't know if it was for help or for reassurance but I squeezed hers back automatically.
"Future sis in law." Cal smiled going in to hug Alex. She smiled and let go of my hand to hug him back.
"Future bro in law." She snarked back.
When they let go, Cal grabbed me,
"See you soon big sis. I better be the best man at your wedding." He laughed.
"Ooh no contest." I laughed back.
"Alright we'll see you guys again at the wedding." I smiled, waving back at them as Alex took my hand again and was leading me off the boat.