Hey! Since I do 3 stories at a time, I'm starting this as I finished Alex 2.0. Hopefully everybody likes it! Read and review, and have a great time doing so!

-Vivian

Spencer's POV

He is –A. My safe place to land, my rock, everything that held me together, is –A. Toby is –A. I look at the picture of us in my yard, laughing at something Hanna said, me on his shoulders. Was that a lie, too?

I put down the picture, and look at the object that has the greater part of my attention, that changes my life forever. Then I pick up my phone. "Hanna. I know you're pregnant and running away with Caleb. Don't ask me how, just do. And I'm coming with you." I say. I found a file that Toby dropped, probably on his way to give to Mona. It had everything about their situation. I burnt it. "Spence, you can't tell anybody, please- wait, what?! Why do you want to come?" Han asks. I take a deep breath. "Because Toby is the one who is helping Mona, and I'm pregnant with his baby." I say.

Hanna's POV

"Caleb, Spence is coming with us." I say casually after talking with Spencer for an hour. He nearly drops the pot he's holding. "Hanna, you told? Why?" He asks. I roll my eyes. "I didn't tell. She knew on her own, and I can't tell you how. She's also pregnant, but Toby skipped town after she found out about something he did." I say. Caleb looks confused. "What did Toby do?" he asks. Ugh. Way to open your mouth, Hanna.

"I… can't tell you that, either! We're meeting her behind her house in the morning. She's bringing her trust fund." I say. He shrugs, then nods. I smile in victory. Rubbing my stomach.

Spencer's POV

I crouch behind the bushes in my house. I have a suitcase full of money, clothes, and anything else I need, along with a bag of food, because Hanna and Caleb probably forgot to pack any for the drive to… wherever we're going. The letter to my parents and sister on the counter explains just enough… that somebody betrayed me in a big way, and I couldn't do it anymore. A car pulls up, Hanna gesturing wildly from the front seat. I roll my eyes, and Caleb grabs my suitcase, putting it in the trunk.

I get in the back seat, and Hanna hands me a burner phone. I smile at her, thinking of the texts I sent from my old phone. To Em and Ar, "I'm sorry. I love you guys like sisters. Remember that." And to Toby, "I don't know why you did it, but I need to get out of here. Even if you don't love me back, I will always love you. Goodbye." I sigh, leaning my head against the back of the seat, and the car pulls away from my house.

Leaving my life behind.

5 years later

"Mommy! Look what Auntie Hanna got me!" My four year old squeals. I pick her up as she runs into the apartment, laughing. "What did she get you, Ari?" I ask. Her first name is Ariana, a tribute to Aria. Her second name is Marion. Hanna named her daughter Emma Addison, after our other two friends. We're not blind. We watch the news. Everything with –A stopped around a year after we left, and Alison came back. But the names felt right all the same.

Ariana holds up an American Girl doll. I sigh. We all played with them when we were little. "Well, Ari, where is she going to sleep? Your room is already filled with dolls, yours and Em's." I say. They share a room, as they act like sisters, even though they're not technically related. Emma comes in, carrying a very similar doll. I laugh. All of their toys are matching, as well. Emma has blonde hair going to her shoulders, and bright blue eyes. Ariana is the opposite, with brown hair, which she keeps as long as possible, and brown eyes.

She pouts. Then her face lights up. "Mommy! We can put them in our beds so we can play before we sleep!" she squeals, and she and Emma jump up and down in excitement. I roll my eyes. "Oh, can you now?" he asks, and Ari and Em nod very seriously. I sigh, and nod, and Emma grabs Ariana's hand, as they run to their rooms, giggling.

Hanna walks in, Caleb in tow. "Hey, Spence. Are the girls in their room?" she asks. I smile happily. "Yup, probably playing with their new dolls. How was work?" I ask. She makes a face. "Mindy was sick everywhere, so they're sending her home for the next few days. I have nobody to gossip with, when you're at the diner and Caleb is doing illegal s***!" she complains. I laugh. Hanna works at the office in Vogue. She hasn't even written anything, just edited, but it's her dream. I work at the local diner, which pays surprisingly well, but I'm hoping to get a job as a kindergarten teacher next fall if everything goes well.

Emma skips into the room, coming up to me, knowing I give her most of what she wants, just like Hanna does for Ariana. "Auntie Spency? Can I please bring two cookies into our room?" she asks. Hanna smirks, watching me try not to give in. "Um… why can't you eat them in here?" I ask cautiously. Emma pouts, "Because we want to get our dolls in the room settled, and we need to be in the room to do it." She explains. I know if I tell her she can get them settled after she eats, she'll probably listen, but we've each agreed that we discipline our own kids, and spoil our nieces. The system works pretty well. I smile at her. "Of course you can eat in your room, Em." I says, and she hugs me, grabbing two cookies. "If I find any crumbs, that doll is gone for a week!" Hanna calls after her.

Toby's POV (same time, Rosewood)

"Em, Lily and Grace will be fine. Your mom knows what she's doing, and this is important. We always meet at the end of the month to see if we have any leads. Ali would back me up on this." I say over the phone from my small loft above the brew. I hear a sigh from the other line. "Toby, I know. I want to find them just as much as you do, but you do realise Spence might not be willing to listen. She still thinks you betrayed her, and Han and Caleb probably do as well." Em sighs. I pick up the picture I keep on my dresser no matter what, and look at her beautiful face. It's a week before our anniversary, and there's a light in her eyes as she looks at the camera. She's smiling, and my arms are around her shoulders. It's one of the many I have littered around the house.

Flashback

I can't do this. I've been gone for a month. I need to find her and explain. To make things right. Mona sent he a video of her crying outside my loft, that night. I'd already skipped town. She told me to stay away, but I'm not listening to her anymore. I can't protect her if I'm in bucks county, clueless.

I pass the 'welcome to Rosewood' sign, and a few minutes later, pull up at her house. The door opens, and Melissa runs out, grabbing my arm and pulling me inside. Emily and Aria are on the couch, arms wrapped around each other. Ezra is hovering in the background. Ashley and Veronica are embraced by Pam and Ella, Peter is in hushed conversation with Byron. "What's happening? Where's Spence?" I ask, now deathly scared.

"Son, you should sit down." Peter says. Melissa walks over to Aria and Emily, who surprisingly hug her like they've known her since birth, crying together. Veronica sniffs, and Ashley whimpers, and Pam and Ella whisper comforting words to them. Peter places a piece of paper on my lap, and I cautiously open it.

Dearest Mom, dad, and Melissa.

I'm sorry it had to come to this. I really am. But, I have to leave. Forever. The past year has been hell, emotionally and physically, and I can't do it anymore. It's too hard. Hanna, Caleb, and I are leaving. Don't look for us. Please. Just know, I love you guys.

I wanted to keep fighting, but my rock disappeared. And I can't do anything without here. So, the only choice I have left is to move on. I'm sorry. But you guys will be better off without me. mom, Dad, you deserve better than a daughter who can't be perfect like you deserve. Melissa, I ruined your engagement and your marriage. I don't expect forgiveness, but know that I'm sorry. Toby… I love you. Aria and Emily, I can't be any help to you if I'm like this. You guys deserve so much better than me. Good luck. I can promise you'll never hear from me again.

You all need to forget about us. We can look after ourselves. I love you guys.

-Spencer Jill Hastings

She kept her promise. 5 years later, and radio silence. She left behind anything that could be traced. She took her money, her clothes, her photo album, which only I knew about. Everything. It left me with next to nothing. But, I'm not going to listen to her. I will not stop looking. Ever.

Spencer's POV (2 days later)

"Spence! Spence, it happened! It finally happened!" Hanna runs into the diner, the DC rain soaking her, not that she cares. Ari and Em are on her heels, screaming in excitement even though they don't know what's going on. I lift Ari up, and she clambers onto the coulter I'm wiping. Emma sits on the stool, and Hanna takes Ari's boots off. I lift her up, and she screeches. "Mommy! Put me down!" she shouts. Caleb walks in, having parked the car. "Han! What happened? Good or bad?" I ask. She smiles. "Vogue! I'm finally writing an article for Vogue! About this new make-up store everybody's been talking about!" she exclaims.

I gasp, dropping the cloth I'm using to clean the counter. "Han! That's amazing! Okay, a double order of cheese fries to celebrate, on the house!" I announce, putting in the order. Hanna grins, and Caleb rolls his eyes. "Yu two are unbelievable." Hanna slaps his arm. "Um, excuse me! Vogue pays the highest wage for articles! If I do this right, then none of us will have to work for at least a month!" She exclaims. I give her a look. "No, if you do this right, it's all going into our account for food and basic needs, and you will probably get to do another one. We ae not blowing it on luxuries we can't afford." I chide. She sighs. "I know. I'm just excited. I mean, it's Vogue!" she squeals.

Xxx

"Mommy, can you tell me the story?" she asks again. I sigh. "Ari, why do you love it so much? It's a sad story." I say. She looks at me. "Because, it's a real story. Not like Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty. It's how you and Daddy fell in love. And how Auntie Hanna and Uncle Caleb fell in love. And I'm in the story!" she says, like it's obvious. "And there are princesses!" I laugh, and begin to speak.

"Once upon a time, there were 5 beautiful princesses, called Aria, Emily, Hanna, Spencer, and Alison. These princesses had everything they wanted, until one night, Princess Alison disappeared. An evil witch, named Mona, had forced her to run away. But, she was scared for the other four princess's safety. So, she was watching over them, making sure they didn't get into trouble. Now, Princess Spencer was very sad, along with Princess Hanna, because they didn't have anybody to love them like the others did. But then, Princess Hanna met Prince Caleb, and they fell in love instantly, and she became happy again. But, there was still Princess Spencer. She had nobody to love her, and take her pain away. That is, until she fell in love with Prince Toby."

"Then, everything was beautiful, and perfect. They temporarily defeated the Evil witch, and Mona was locked away in a dungeon. But, when she was let out, the Princesses were in danger again. Somewhere along the way, Because Princess Hanna and Prince Caleb loved each other very much, they made a beautiful Princess called Emma Addison Rivers. And, because Princess Spencer and Prince Toby loved each other very much, they made a wonderful Princess named Ariana Marion Cavanaugh. But, time and circumstance took Princess Spencer away from Prince Toby. She was distraught, and had no choice but to leave their kingdom with Princess Hanna and Prince Caleb, but then, things got better. The evil witch Mona was locked up again, this time for good, and Princess Alison was able to return to the kingdom, and the three remaining Princesses, whilst mourning for their lost friends, moved on, and ruled their land in piece. And they all lived happily, ever after." I finish.

"Auntie Spency, why doesn't Mommy ever tell the story?" Asks Emma. I smile. "Well, because Auntie Spency tells it the best. Mommy made the book on the top shelf, remember?" han explains, and Emma smiles, hugging her. Ariana looks troubled. "Ari, what's wrong?" I ask. She frowns. "Mommy, does daddy not love us?" she asks. I sigh. "Ari, daddy loves us very much." I lie. Hanna shoots me a sympathetic look. I take the book Hanna made, and sit on the chair between the two twin beds, where I sit when I read to them.

The book really is a work of art. Hanna got her friend Mindy from Vogue to help her stitch a pink velvet onto the cover, and printed on the inside is a picture of me and the girls together before Ali disappeared. She made it into a picture book, and each page has a different photo from before we left, excluding the pictures of Em and Ari we have as babies. They were born within a week of each other, Emma being slightly older. The last page has a picture of me holding a baby Ari, and Hanna holding a baby Em, Caleb's arm around her waist.

I bring it down when the time feels right, which I'll admit is not usually. Emma and Ari move closer, so they can see the pictures. "Emma, do you see this one? Well, that's Mommy with your daddy. And they looked at each other the same way that Auntie Hanna looks at Uncle Caleb. So, yes, daddy loves you very much. He just isn't here." I explain as best I can. I can't tell her how he betrayed me. I just can't. She's 4. If, by some miracle, she actually meets him, I want them to be able to have a healthy relationship. That can't happen if I tell her what he did to me. She'd hate him.

And I can't betray him like that when I still love him.

Toby's POV (1 month later)

Everybody's at Aria and Ezra's house, looking at colors for their baby's nursery. Aria's 6 months pregnant with a little boy, Noah. Emily has a pile of high end magazines, which she's looking through to see if there are any articles on babies, Alison has paint swatches and fabrics littered on the floor, Aria is sitting surrounded by quilts and pillows, whilst Ezra massages her swollen feet. She's having a lot of trouble with the pregnancy, and I can't help but feel bad for them.

I'm looking online for prices of cribs. Everybody's listening to some kind of earth music Aria has blasting through the speakers. I sigh. It's really loud. "Ar, I get that you're stressed, but can you please turn that down?" Em asks. Aria sighs, and the volume decreases. Thank god. "Okay, how do you guys feel about green and gray?" asks Ali. Aria shakes her head. "Nope, we need some blue. They're too light." She explains, and Alison bends her head down on her color options again.

"Oh my God!" Em shouts. Aria turns the music off, curious. I look up. "What?" she asks. Emily breathes, putting down her copy of Vogue. "That new chain store that opened up- there's an article about it." She says. I roll my eyes. "Em, it's great that you're interested, but it's kind of off topic." Ezra laughs. Emily looks shaky. "No, It's not the article. It's who it's written by. Hanna Marin-Rivers."

I'm on my feet instantly, scanning the page for the contact information. "Hanna Marin-Rivers moved to Washington DC 5 years ago with her husband, Caleb, and works for Vogue as an editor." I read out loud. I sigh. "Well. Who's up for a trip to DC?" I ask.

Hanna's POV

"Emma! You do not throw cookie mix at me!" I laugh, splatting her with icing. Spence giggles. "Well, you're being kind of hypocritical, han." She says. I roll my eyes. I get a cloth, and wipe Emma's face, as she giggles. Ariana is baking brownies with Spencer, and Caleb, Emma, and I are baking cookies. Well, Emma and I are baking cookies. Caleb is filming it. Idiot.

Ariana and Spencer finish, and clean up. "Mommy, can we go play dress-up now?" She asks. They start school in 11 months, so we're trying to make sure they have as much fun as possible before-hand. "Sure, baby girl. Just let Mommy clean up, okay?" Spencer says, and Ariana runs to the couch. Soon, we're all done, and playing dress-up. Caleb groans.

See, our version of dress-up is much better. Instead of us dressing up, we choose outfits for Caleb to dress up in, and he has to walk around in our favorite for the rest of the day. I choose a clown costume from Halloween that he said was stupid and over the top. Ariana chooses a Rapunzel dress. Emma closes flowery pants and a frilled shirt. Spencer chooses a pick princess dress.

"I vote Emma's choice." Spence declares. Caleb glares at her. I snicker. "Just be glad we're not making you wear Spence's choice. Seriously, she can be mean sometimes. Now go change!" I command.

Xxx

"Okay, Hanna. Your article from before was a huge success, so we want you to write one about how to stay in perfect style whilst pregnant. You have a young daughter, is that correct?" My boss, Stephanie, asks. "Yes, it is. And I'd love to." I say quickly. Stephanie smiles. "Okay, you are excused." She says, and I quickly leave.

When I get back to my desk, the intercom buzzes. I answer. "Yes, Gary?" I ask. He coughs. "Um, there are three girls who marched up to the front desk and demanded to know your address." He says. I choke on my juice. "Um… Gary, weird question, but are their names Emily, Aria, and Alison?" I ask. There's a pause. "I believe so. Why?" he asks. Shoot. "Uh, Gary, I need to make a quick phone call. Can you hold for 10?" I ask. "Sure?" he says, but it sounds more like a question. The line goes dead, and I whip my phone out.

"Han! How many times have I told you not to call me during my shift?" I ask. I don't bother apologising. "Spence, I'm not joking. Aria, Emily, and Alison are here. And I'm guessing they brought Ezra and Toby. It won't take them long to find you, you need to leave." I say. I hear her breathing heavily, trying to calm herself down.

"Okay, I'm on my way home. Call Caleb." She says. The line goes dead.

Toby's POV

I walk into the small diner, and head to the counter, Ezra in tow. We looked into it, and found Hanna's Instagram page. It had a picture of Spencer in here, wearing a uniform. We could only get her public page, which only had pictures of Spencer, Caleb, and a few people we don't know. But we figured she works here. I head up to a girl with blonde hair, chewing gum. "Hi, we're looking for a Spencer Hastings. We're… old friends." I say. She raises her eyebrows. "Well, Spencer never talks about her 'old friends', but you just missed her." I say. My heart sinks. "Okay, do you know why and where she left?" Ezra asks. The girl tilts her head to the side. "I do, but I don't know you guys. She doesn't like surprises." She shrugs, and goes back to writing something down on her yellow notepad.

I sigh. "Look, her name is Spencer Jill Hastings, her favorite color is blue, she is the most organised person you'll ever meet, her motto is 'Hope breeds eternal misery', her addiction to coffee is possibly dangerous, she hates it when people lie to her, she always wins an argument, she hates dogs but loves cats, she's double-jointed, she can be very secretive, but when she opens up, she's a total goofball, and you need to tell me where she is." I don't realise I'm crying until I stop speaking.

"Are you an ex-boyfriend or something?" The girl asks. I don't say anything. Ezra looks at her name badge. "Look, Crystal, do tell us where she is, don't tell us where she is. We will find her. But, at least tell us why she left, where she goes, etc." He pleads. Crystal sighs. "Look, I'm not telling you anything that could get her in danger. She's my friend. But, I can tell you why she left. Her friend Hanna called, she started freaking out about something, and told me to sign her into temporary leave, because she wouldn't be back until this whole thing blew over. She also told me if anyone came in looking for her, to tell to leave her alone, and that she doesn't want to be hurt again. Does that mean anything to you?" Crystal asks. I hang my head. "If you see her again, tell her she doesn't know the whole story, and I love her." I say, before leaving the diner with Ezra.

Spencer's POV

"Mommy! You're back!" Ari shouts, and I hug her tightly. Caleb comes in with Emma. "Hanna called. You know it won't take them long to find us now." He says. I nod. Hanna walks in, throws her keys on the counter, and sags into Caleb's embrace. "I slipped out the back, but I think Ali saw me. I wouldn't be surprised if they followed us here. I get a text from Crystal.

Spence, I said what you told me. The one with the ombre and blue eyes said to tell you you don't know the whole story, and he loves you. Text back when you can.

XOX Crys

"So, what now?" Hanna asks. I look up. "I'm tired of running. And Ari and Emma are 4. I say we hear then out." I say. Ari snuggles onto my lap. "Mommy, what's going on?" she asks. I kiss her forehead. "Don't worry about it. Mommy has to leave for a little to meet some old friends with Auntie Hanna, so Uncle Caleb will have to look after you and Emma on his own, so be good, okay?" I ask. She nods, and hugs me. Hanna's already in her coat, and hands me mine. I shrug it on, and compose a text, showing them both, and, once they nod, I press send.

Emily's POV

"Babe, we'll find them." Ali tells me, and I tuck my head into her shoulder. The guy who was on the phone for the past hour comes up to us. "You 3 should leave. Mrs. Marin-Rivers just called. She snuck out of the back and is on her way home. I'm not in a position to help you." He says. We sigh, and get up without a word.

Xxx

"Nothing?" Ezra asks. I shake my head. "Ditto." Toby says. Suddenly, all of our phones chime. We answer them, and Toby reads the text out loud.

"I know you're here, and I know what you want. But there's a lot you don't know. And I can't trust you guys with the knowledge. If you're serious, meet me and Hanna in the parking lot of Lindlewood Hotel, 5:30 pm. If you try and force us to come back with you, don't expect us to reach out again.

-Spencer"