A HEALTHY LOVE

CH.21: Getting Comfortable

The next morning, Alex had left her cell phone behind to grab a quick shower. When she returned, a battered novel was on her pillow. She slowly picked it up and opened the cover. There was a bookmark, one that was clearly decorated by a child with crayons, and a note written on the first page. Alex recognized McCullough's handwriting immediately and smiled. This was my favorite book growing up. Thought you might like it. – A

It was a story about the Native Americans in the Old West, one that focused on a complicated relationship between a mother and a daughter. Alex read the first chapter, smirking at the child's handwriting in the margins. McCullough had obviously taken many notes for the class. Alex couldn't help finding the young McCullough's handwriting adorable.

McCullough was busy with visitation for most of that day, and Alex had finished her book cart duties early. She went to the general purpose room with her new book to get some reading done, as C-block was rather noisy that day. Nicky dropped by the general purpose room that day as well with some of her new kitchen workers. As usual,she had to check in with Alex.

"If it isn't my long-lost buddy" Nicky greeted her as she sat at her side. "How goes the book cart?"

Alex: "Fine,how's the kitchen?"

"Not bad. I'm no Red, but I'm trying. What're you reading? Let me see" Nikki asked,pulling book from Alex's grasp. Alex rolled her eyes at lack of manners by her old friend. "Hey,ee careful. It's a special book" Alex warned her.

Nodding, Nicky looked at the bookmark and the note in the front. "A gift, I'm guessing. From that companion of yours. What's the latest? Give me something" Nicky replied.

Alex: "For hundredth time,I don't kiss and tell."

"So, there's been kissing..good to know" Nicky replied. She looked Alex over carefully as she started to chuckle lightly. "Shit, you're glowing, Vause. You really are."

Alex: "Maybe."

"Uh-huh. That's all I'm getting out of you. I can tell. Well, don't be a stranger. I'd better check on my crew" Nicky said patted Alex on the shoulder before returning to her new friends. Alex read some more of the book before she felt her phone vibrating in her sock. She returned to her cell to check. She had missed 2 missed calls from Piper, so she found a safe place to return her wife's call.

Piper: "Hi.."

Alex (sighing): "Hey. Sorry, I wasn't in a safe place to answer you. I only have a few minutes."

Piper: "I won't be able to make it back when we discussed. We have to stay another week or two for work reasons"

"Okay" Alex replied

Piper: "Okay? Seriously? You're just...okay with that?"

"I'm fine with that, Pipes. Take all the time you need" Alex answered softly, staring at the book in her hand

"Thank you.." Piper replied. "How are you doing?"

Alex: "I'm good. You?"

Piper: "I'm good too."

An awkward pause followed. It had gotten to the point where neither woman had no clue what to say to each other. Alex checked the time on her phone. She needed to meet with McCullough in less than five minutes. "I have to go, Piper. I'll see you when I see you" Alex said.

Piper: "Okay. Bye for now, Alex."

Alex ended the call as she hid the cellphone in her sock and readily walked to the closet. McCullough was waiting for her inside. When McCullough saw her with the book, her face lit up like a Christmas tree. Alex loved the way McCullough stared at her, as if she was the only person left on the planet. Alex held up the book. "Thanks for this. I've been reading it all morning" Alex said softly

McCullough: "I thought you might like it."

Alex moved in for a kiss. Alex set the book aside and held onto McCullough's waist,putting her forehead on her. "Can we pretend we're somewhere else? Just the two of us. On a cliff overlooking a romantic city or something?" Alex asked jokingly.

"It's always just us in my head" McCullough replied.

"And what are we doing in your head?" Alex asked suggestively.

McCullough (blushing): "I can show you."

Alex: "I like the sound of that."

As they kissed against the shelves, the rest of the universe faded away. It was only the two of them, and they never wanted to return to reality.

In the SHU—which the new warden had reopened—Pandora was stewing and pounding her fist. She had beef with a certain CO, and they were not going to keep her locked away forever.