The Reign Of Vause

Tickle war

(Alex's POV)

Before I gave Piper her gift for us and maybe her family to watch if they wanted, I got up to go get wine and make some popcorn, buttered with a hint of sugar, the way Pipes liked it. To my disgust Larry and Vanessa followed to 'help me out' while Cal also came to get beers for the guys since I was getting wine.
I put the popcorn kernels in a large sharing bowl, put it in the microwave and waited for them to cook, listening to them pop. As I waited, I looked down at the new locket around my neck and held it in my hand as I opened it again with the other. I really couldn't get enough of looking at the two memories Piper and I shared that she'd included in the necklace. I really hoped Piper would like the DVD of our wedding I'd made her because I truly loved this gift she'd given me. I looked round to my brother in law, Larry and Vanessa who were standing huddled at the other side of the kitchen talking about Cal's best man duties to make sure they weren't looking at me. When I was sure they weren't, I let a silent tear of joy slip out of my eye as I smiled and kissed the locket. It meant so much to me.

I came back into the living room clutching the bottle of wine and two glasses for Piper and I in one hand and the bowl of popcorn in the other. Piper was stretched out on the couch we'd been sharing and her head was on the spot I'd just left. As I made my way back over to her, she raised her head but didn't move to let me sit down. Instead, she closed her eyes and puckered her lips for a kiss. I chuckled, put the wine, glasses and popcorn on the coffee table and bent down to give her the kiss she wanted but my little minx had a plan up her sleeve and I fell for it. Rather than kiss me, she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulled me down on top of her and initiated a tickle war. I smirked. Okay, war it is Pipes but you're going to lose. I've always been better than Piper at tickle wars and quickly had her begging for mercy every time. I wasn't planning on making today any different. Usually, this led to sex, hell with us, anything can lead to sex even when we're fighting but we weren't alone this time so unfortunately that couldn't happen. I straddled her to make sure she couldn't move and was pinned to the couch, both of us giggling so much we were close to running out of breath.
"Babe, I've always been better at these tickle fights, you may as well give up now!" I laughed from above her.
"Never! I will win for once Alex!" She giggles from beneath me. I smirked and raised an eyebrow,
"Is that so?" I asked as I moved to a particularly sensitive spot on my wife's body.
She immediately squirmed and was now laughing hysterically. I was smiling wide as this sound was one of the sounds I loved most.
"Alex! Your hair is making it worse!" She giggled.
"Good." I smirked and used it more to my advantage at this. Cal had come back in to sit beside Neri as I noticed them watching us with endearment. Her parents and Danny were doing the same thing.
Larry and Vanessa followed him and the only place for them to sit was beside Piper and I. Great.
"Okay! Okay! You win! You win! Again!" She laughed and I smiled, leaning down to kiss her just as Larry clears his throat from above us. Pipes and I both simultaneously rolled our eyes as she got up, forcing me up with her after we shared another chaste kiss on the lips.
"He always ruins our fun." Piper groans under her breath just audible enough for only me to hear. I smirked and said out loud,
"Yeah well, you're never going to beat me in that anyway. Ever."
Piper opens her mouth in playful protest as we moved to let the Blooms-to-be sit down. As I got off of Piper, I made sure I sat between her and the Blooms, wanting neither of them beside her and put my arm around her. In return, she wrapped both of her arms around my waist and snuggled into my side. I smiled.
"This is nice." She hummed but before I could reply, she'd sneaked a hand up to my arm pit and started tickling me again.
"Piper Vause! I swear to God! What am I gonna do with you?!" I laughed. Larry rolled his eyes beside me and I simply gave him the side eye, unwrapped Piper from me and got up.
"Where are you going?" She whimpered.
"To get your gift dumbass." I laughed as I too crawled under the tree. I grabbed the square gift wrapped in shiny red wrapping paper and handed it to her.
"Here." I smiled as I gave it to her. She smiled and felt it up, trying to distinguish what was in it. Her finger landed on a small circular lump and her face contorted in confusion. Along with the disk of our wedding, I'd included an engagement ring. Piper already had one, yes, but I thought I'd give her this one as a Christmas gift, I'd held on to it for so long, I thought it was time. 8 years ago, I'd planned to propose to her in Paris.