Hello there! Sorry this has taken a little longer to upload. I was actually debating whether or not to continue with this story as recently I've noticed a lot of my ideas have been appearing in other fics, well one fic in particular, and I got quite annoyed about it! I don't know if it seems obvious to you which one it is and I suppose I could take it as a compliment that someone is copying some of my ideas but I don't really feel that way lol! Anyway hope you enjoy!

Kate xxx

INTRODUCING CAROL

"We've brought a few meals for you two dear" said Carol Chapman, as if her actions had just managed to cure world hunger.

"Thanks mom" said a weary Piper.

"Where is she?" said Carol chomping at the bit to see her newest granddaughter.

"Alex is finishing feeding her they'll be down in a minute" said Piper, giving her Dad a hug, and ushering them into the living room.

Ella Diane Chapman Vause was now four days old and about to meet her grandparents for the first time. Piper was quite stressed, everything had been going so well over the past couple of days, her, Alex and Ella in their newly formed little family bubble. She didn't want her mom to irritate and annoy Alex especially as she was still recovering from her labour.

"How are you sweetheart?" asked Carol. Piper was the happiest they had ever seen her.

"I'm good but so tired. I didn't know I could actually be this tired! But I'm so happy Mom. She's only been here a couple of days and she already rules the roost"

"Welcome to parenthood Piper" said her Dad.

Alex was reluctantly approaching today's meeting as a job that she had to get over and done with. She could hear voices in the living room as she was making her way slowly down the stairs to greet their visitors; she was carrying very precious cargo after all.

"Be nice my angel" said Alex to a currently sleeping Ella, placing a delicate kiss to the crown of her head, before entering the room.

Alex went straight over to Carol and delicately handed her Ella before heading over to sit alongside her wife on the sofa. Ella was clad in just a white onesie and she was doing an excellent job of looking incredibly cute.

"Where's my girl?" she exclaims "Hi my precious Ella!"

"I guess I should get used to getting upstaged" Piper says good naturedly to Alex as both her parents pay them little attention and dote upon their granddaughter, Bill looking from behind the chair in which Carol was sat.

"I know that will be hard on you" joked Alex.

After a while, Carol stands up and eases the now awake baby into her husband's arms "Oh come here baby girl" he says as he situates her. Looking into her eyes, he smiles and coos "Hi honeybee"

"Dad, I didn't realise you were such a softie" Piper says with a slight laugh. If she smiled seeing Carol interact with their daughter, seeing her Dad with her looks like it's about to crack her face in two.

"Grandchildren ruin you Piper" he said without taking his eyes off Ella "They just ruin you"

"Happy to be ruined" said Carol cheerfully.

Carol was a little teary eyed, which Alex certainly did not expect "Thank you for her" she said sincerely, directing her thanks at Alex.

"You're welcome" she replied, making eye contact with Piper which translated into what on earth is going on with your mother today?

"So what do you think daddy?" asked Piper.

"She is beautiful sweetheart" said Bill.

"Her eyes" remarked Carol.

This was the first back handed compliment carol had ever given Alex as Ella's eyes mirrored her own so beautifully. Today was a difficult day for Alex without Diane but it was clear for anyone to see how much Piper's parents already loved Ella even though they were not related by blood and it was a beautiful thing to witness and Alex was truly grateful. She wasn't sure how Carol would react to the pregnancy as a whole but she had been open and welcoming and tolerant. Piper must have had firm words with her.

"How are you both doing?" inquired Carol.

"The first few nights were tough but I think we're getting there" said Piper "We're gradually getting into our routine"

"At the minute she only cries when she wants fed or changing" said Alex.

"You're lucky she's so good" said Bill "Think of us and Cal"

Alex and Piper laughed. It was nice to have a bit of extra company in the house for a change.

"She's perfect" said Carol, running her hand over Ella's soft, dark hair.

"Coffee anyone?" offered Piper.

"Yes" said Alex, who had never been more appreciative of the hot beverage than over these last couple of days.

"I'll come and help you" said Bill, gently handing Ella back to his wife.

Carol and Alex sat in companiable silence for a while, both fixated on Ella, before Carol eventually spoke up.

"Alex I've never really. You know, I just wanted to say thank you"

"You already did"

"No. Not for her. For Piper. I have never seen Piper this way and I know that's down to you so"

"You're not going soft on me Carol are you?" jested Alex.

"Never my dear. But I do have something I want you to have" Alex was intrigued.

"Bill could you grab the gift" she asked her husband, as he and Piper had just re-entered the room, beverages in hand.

"Is that?" said Piper, gesturing to the material that appeared in Bill's hands.

"It is" he answered.

"We want you both to have this. We insist" said Carol.

"What is it?" asked Alex.

"It's the blanket my mother gave to us when Piper was born" said Bill "She would want you to have it honey"

Piper had tears in her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course we are. We are so proud of you Piper" said Bill "And so would she be. She would love for you to have this for Ella"

Piper didn't get to say goodbye to her grandmother properly and Alex had never really taken into account how much her death had affected her. She never once stopped to consider how Piper had felt during that difficult time. After all Piper had achieved the unthinkable and had actually managed to get furlough, but her grandmother had already gone before she'd had the chance to say goodbye. Life could be cruel sometimes.

"Do you want her back?" asked Carol, who could see Alex gazing adoringly at Ella from across the room.

"No it's ok you have a hold a while longer" offered Alex overly generously. Although she actually yearned to have her little body resting against hers again.

Carol, however, saw straight through her.

"I know that is a downright lie so here you go" said Carol making her way over to the sofa and handing Alex back her only daughter.

"Well I think we're going to head on and leave you both to it. We only came to stock you up and get a glimpse of the new addition" said Carol.

After saying her goodbyes and promises of meeting again soon, Piper returned to the living room to find Alex holding tiny Ella against her, supporting her by her bottom and cupping her head with her hand. Alex missed having her against her body – she was so warm and she smelled so good, Alex just loved holding her close whenever she possibly could.

Piper approaches them and runs her palm over the baby's head and then traces her fingers gently down her arm until she holds her tiny hand and kisses her fingers.

"I love her a lot" stated Piper.

"Me too"

God, thought Piper. She's so in love with her, with both of them. How long as she wanted this, dreamed of this life they'd have together? She's exhausted, sure, and a little stressed, but – more than anything else – this overwhelming feeling of finally getting everything she's ever wanted, this feeling of everything coming together so exquisitely and so perfectly after waiting so long – it's this that's making her feel punch drunk.

"Oh my God, I'm so obsessed with her" says Piper, finding it difficult to pull herself away. She wanted to be with her all the time it was quite hard to let go. She is so filled with wonder and amazement every single day for what Alex did for her, for them.

Piper grabs her phone off a nearby table and snaps a picture of Alex and Ella, still standing in the same spot in the middle of the room. When Alex thinks Piper has snapped the photo she wants she pulls the baby closer to her, whispering loving words in her ear before laying her down on the sofa so she can change her, she hears the click of Piper's phone a few more times.

"Nicky wants her daily photo" reasoned Piper.

"You've sent her about five already today!" argued Alex.

"I know I can't help it" confessed Piper "I mean look at her" she said, showing her some of the images.

Alex didn't really like getting her picture taken but was going to have to get used to it. It was Piper's new found hobby and she was going to have to put up with it for many more years to come. And she found that she didn't mind at all. Not one bit.