It was finally all over. A had been arrested, charged for attempted murder, threats, and so much more. The girls knew that they would never receive another text message, they were free at last. Mona had come out of her hiding place; she had explained that A had threading her mom's safety, so she decided to disappear, letting the world believe she was dead. The girls of course understood that, and watching Hanna cry and embracing her friend in a tight hug had been the most touching experience.

And here they all were. Sitting at the Brew, trying to wrap their heads around the fact that it truly was over. Spencer with Toby's hand in hers, Aria resting her head on Ezra's shoulder and Hanna with Caleb's arm around her. And finally Emily alone. She hadn't heard a word from Paige ever since she had left, and Talia had backed out as soon as Emily and the girls were arrested. Aria, Hanna and Spencer had comforted her and said that if she couldn't handle that her girlfriend was in jail, then she wasn't good enough for Emily. And they were right.

They hadn't seen much of Alison since A was arrested, of course she had testified against A, but besides that, Alison had been missing in action, which was unusual for her, she loved being the center of attention, but as Spencer said, she was probably embarrassed about all the crap she had pulled over the years. And maybe Alison really was embarrassed, since they hadn't seen her at all.

Emily sighed. Finally they would all get some peace, and the opportunity to move on with their lives. For Emily that involved leaving Rosewood for good. Rosewood held no good memories for her, of course, it was the place she had grown up and lived all her life, but the events the past three years had overshadowed her childhood memories. She needed a fresh start somewhere else. Her mom and dad were the only people she'd told, the girls knew nothing yet, and she didn't know how to tell them that she was leaving town. Of course she would tell them eventually, although, the thought of just slipping away quietly was tempting. She was so tired. Tired of being scared every time the light went out, tired of feeling her heart race when she got a new text message, tired of having to look over her shoulder, tired of feeling tired. She took another sip of her Americano, and looked at her friends. None of them really felt the need to say anything or celebrate that A was gone for good, they were all tired and worn out. It was Spencer who had suggested going to the Brew and getting some coffee and trying to relax, but they were all tense, like they couldn't believe that it was over.

Finally Hanna broke the silence. ,,I can't believe that it's over."

,,Neither can I." said Aria, and Ezra kissed her gently on her hair.

,,Feels… I don't know…" Spencer ran out of words, and that made it even more bizarre, seeing Spencer Hastings running out of words.

,,It feels weird," said Emily, her voice sounded so thin and fragile after her long silence. ,,it feels weird to know that we never have to dread another text message, or feel like we're being watched anywhere we go."

,,you're right," said Hanna, and squeezed Emily's hand. Aria put her hand over Hanna's and Spencer put her hand over Arias. For a moment they just sat like that, no one feeling the urge to say anything.

No one said or did anything, until the door to the Brew opened, and a familiar figure entered the café. They all looked up, and saw Alison standing in front of them.

,,Am I interrupting?" she asked quietly, looking at them.

,,Not at all," said Spencer, ,,come and sit down with us?"

,,No…I…This will only take a moment." She replied, looking anxious. ,,I just wanted to apologize for everything I did over the past three years. I'm sorry for disappearing. I'm sorry for putting you all through hell time after time. I have been incredible selfish, and I should never have letting this go on for so long. I should have come forward when you received the first message from A, instead of hiding and thinking about my own safety, and I am so incredible sorry. I hope that you one day will trust me and think of me as your friend again."

There was completely quiet after Alison's speech. The girls didn't doubt that she really meant it, but was she truly changed, and could they really trust her? They could have asked her, they could have pointed out that she had said things like this before, but this was not a day point fingers or doubt.

,,of course we think of you as a friend, Alison," said Aria finally.

,,despite everything that's happened, we can't imagine not being friends with you." Added Hanna.

,,Spencer?" asked Alison. ,,what about you?"

Spencer said nothing for a moment or so, and then she suddenly smiled at Alison. ,,what do you think, bonehead? We have missed you for three years, what kind of friend would I be if I shut you out now?"

,,do you mean it? Honestly?"

,,of course we do." Said Aria, ,,please sit down with us."

But Alison shook her head, now looking at Emily. ,,Can I talk to you for a minute?"

,,Yeah, sure," said Emily, and waited for whatever Alison had to say to her.

But Alison didn't seem too keen to talk to her in the crowded café; she blushed slightly and said nervously:

,,I need to talk to you alone. In private. Will you come with me?"

,,oh.. I…" Emily stuttered, and quickly glanced at her friends, who tried to hide their amusement over seeing Alison so nervous about Emily, and not the other way around. ,,All right, I'm coming." She said with a sigh and headed for the door with Alison. But before leaving the café she turned to her friends and shrugged, showing that she had no idea what Alison wanted. The girls waved her out of the door, and she quickly catched up with Alison who seemed to head for the forest.

,,where are we going?" she asked as Alison led her deeper into the forest.

,,not very far, I just want make sure we don't meet any hikers."

,,okay." Said Emily.

Finally Alison led them to a beautiful meadow, which Emily had never noticed before.

,,I didn't even know there was a meadow in this forest." Said Emily, looking at the flowers around them.

,,not many know. Most people just walks past it, never realizing it's here, and that's really a shame."

,,yeah, it really is. It's very beautiful. But we didn't come here just to talk about the flowers, did we?" ,,No, you're right. We didn't." said Alison, looking nervous once again.

Emily just stood patiently and waited until Alison was ready talk. Alison took a deep breath, and said: ,,I meant every word I said at the Brew."

,,I know you did…"

But Alison held up her hand: ,,let me finish, please."

,,Okay," said Emily and waited in silence.

,,I meant every word I said at Brew," said Alison again, ,,I really have messed up with Spencer, Aria and Hanna. Really, really messed up" she quickly added when Emily raised an eyebrow. ,,they are my best friends, and I really appreciate them. They are brilliant. But I still think I owe you the biggest apology, Emily. I am deeply sorry for toying with you for the past three years. I never should have leaded you on like I did."

,,You didn't lead me on. I wanted too myself."

,,So you say, but I have rejected you time after time. And every time I did, I hurted you badly. I let you believe in something, I manipulated you into thinking that it was real, and I really am sorry about it. I'm sorry about everything." Said Alison, tears welling up in her eyes.

Emily felt her own eyes well up, and blinked a couple of times, trying to remain strong. ,,it's okay, Alison. It is. I know you're not that person anymore."

,,Typical you. Always seeing the best in me." Alison tried to joke about it, despite the tears running down her face.

,,I believe you have changed."

,,Do you know what I regret the most?" said Alison. "I regret that I rejected you the very first time we kissed each other. I could have had the chance of being happy with the person who loved me the most. Instead I pushed you away, like I push everyone away. And now it's too late." Alison tried to wipe her tears away. ,,I guess I just wanted you to know that. I'm sorry, Emily. I really am sorry." She turned her back and started to walk away from Emily.

,,Ali, wait! What makes you think it's too late?"

,,what?"

,,do you really think I just forgot you?"

,,But Paige and Talia…"

,,It never truly felt real. Not even with Paige. I was always searching for something. For somebody."

,,How can you say that? After everything I did?"

,,But you are not that person anymore. This is the Alison I always see. The Alison I've always seen."

,,Oh, Emily…" Alison rushed over to the dark haired girl, closing the distance between them, by capturing her mouth in a tender kiss.

There were many things in this world Emily would never have expected. And that Alison kissed her was one of them. She put her arms around Alison, pulling her closer, running her fingers through her blonde hair. She could feel Alison's arms around her neck. Her little hand pressing on her lower back, trying to be as close as possibly to Emily. Alison wanted no distance between them.

Finally Emily broke the kiss, a little out of breathe, and Alison too was gasping for air.

,,I love you, Emily."

,,I love you too, Ali."

,,in fact… "I love you against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be." Said Alison with a small smile on her lips, despite the tears still streaming down on her cheeks.

,,No one loves you as much as I do."

,,I know." Said Ali and laced her fingers into Emily's.

,,Are you prepared to let everyone know that we're together?"

,,Yes I am. But.." she smiled at Emily. ,,with a girl as beautiful as you I expect to get competition."

,,There is no competition, trust me. You are the only one for me."

Alison smiled. ,,you are the only one for me too, Emily."

They sat together for a while on the flower meadow, holding hands, kissing each other, not saying much. Alison couldn't seem to stop looking at Emily. Like she was trying to drown herself in her eyes. Trying to memorize her face, the structure of her hair, the way her face lit up when she smiled.

,,Come on," said Emily finally and got on her feet.

,,Where are we going?"

,,Back to the Brew. I didn't finish my Americano." Emily said with a grin.

,,Oh, right." Said Alison, looking nervous again.

,,Are you anxious about telling our friends?"

,,No. I'm just afraid that they will think I'm screwing you over again."

,,Of course they won't think that. They know you've changed. Don't you trust them?"

,,With my life."

,,Then come on," said Emily, offering Alison her hand. Alison took it, and got up as well.

Together they walked out of the forest. They passed the town square where Alison's memorial bench once has been. Hand in hand they opened the door to the Brew and got in.

Spencer. Aria, Hanna and Caleb, Ezra and Toby all looked up when Emily and Alison sat down at their table, but they didn't say anything.

Emily took a sip of her Americano. ,,Damm, it's cold." She quickly realized.

,,Yeah, Em, you guys were gone for a while." Said Hanna with a smirk.

,,I'll get you a new one," said Alison quickly and grabbed the cup and headed for the counter.

,,wauw, she is practically climbing the wall to please you," said Spencer with a grin.

,,She's just getting me coffee," said Emily with a shrug.

,,Yeah, right," said Aria, and Ezra laughed to himself.

,,Here you go, Em. One for you and one for me." Said Alison and gave Emily her coffee before she slid down on the bench next to her.

,,Since when do you drink Americano?" asked Hanna curiously.

,,Since right now." Said Ali with a shrug and took a sip. ,,it taste really good. I should have tried this years ago."

Emily rolled her eyes at her. Alison was flirting with her in front of all their friends, but somehow it felt amazing.

Alison reached down under the table, and when her hand returned, it had Emily's hand with it. She laced her fingers into Emily's, and gently rested her head on her shoulder, looking completely at peace. Emily gently stroked Alison's head, and couldn't resist the urge to kiss her lightly on her hair.

,,I'm really happy for you guys," said Spencer, gazing at the new couple.

,,we are happy too." Said Alison. ,,right Em?"

,,Yeah, we are." Said Emily reassuringly, and suddenly giggled to herself.

,,What is it?" asked Alison curiously.

,,I was planning on leaving Rosewood, but now I think I might change the plans."

,,Were you planning on leaving?" said Spencer. ,,When were you gonna tell us?"

,,Tonight, actually, but as I said I've changed my plans."

,,Well, maybe it wouldn't be so bad leaving Rosewood." Said Alison and took another sip of her Americano.

,,What do you mean?" asked Emily confused.

,,Years ago we talked about going on a trip together. How would you feel about that?"

,,Oh my god, Ali! That would be perfect!"

,,Then we have a deal," said Alison and squeezed Emily's hand. ,,You and me and sweet Paris."

Emily smiled when she recognized Alison's words from all those years ago.

,,In the meantime," said Spencer, interrupting them without mercy. ,,I would like to propose a toast…"

,,No, let this me my toast," said Alison, and got up and raised her glass. ,,To freedom," ,,to friendship," she continued. ,,And…" she looked lovingly at Emily. ,,to second chances. To love. And to my wonderful girlfriend Emily, whom I truly cherish and… oh, you guys know what I mean! To love!" she raised her glass.

,,To love!" said her friends and clinked their glasses with her.

It was dark when they all left the Brew, but for once, none of them were afraid that there might be someone out there. They were all laughing with each other. Hanna with Caleb, Aria with Ezra, Spencer with Toby and Emily with Alison, who hadn't let go of Emily's hand since they were at the Brew. They all made promises of seeing one another very soon, but that was promise, difficult to keep, for two days later Emily and Alison left for Paris, and two weeks later a postcard arrived at Aria's house. She quickly called Hanna and Spencer, and together they read the postcard:

Dear Aria, Spencer and Hanna.

We're sorry we didn't say goodbye to you guys. But this is something Ali and I have wanted to do in years, so we hope you can forgive us.

Paris is amazing, there is so much so see, but the best of all, is that we are together, and be out in the open without being afraid of A.

To be honest, we are not really sure, when we will come home. Maybe we will stay here the entire summer; this is not exactly a city you get tired of.

So you guys don't have to worry about us. Everything is fine. Well, more than fine, but you know what we mean.

Love,

Emily and Alison.

When they were done reading the postcard, Aria, Spencer and Hanna looked at each other. Emily and Ali were right. Everything was fine.