Here is the second and final chapter. Happy reading :)
My name is Hanna Marin. 7 years ago I was Hefty Hanna. For 2 agonizing years my friends and I were tortured by a psycho called A a.k.a Sara Harvey. I'm not perfect. I had bulimia, I felt lost, I shoplifted but those are in the past and it stays there. Today, I will take with my head's up high my college diploma. People weren't expecting for this day to happen I didn't even know this day could come but alas here I am now. As I wait for my name to be called my heart aches as I remember my best friend who should've been here with me. She would've graduated senior year and have might pursued her degree with me in this university. Her name should've been also called this could've been her right now.
"Hanna Marin" the speaker called out Hanna's name and her thoughts are drawn back as she hears it. Her face lights up with her contagious smile and she marches towards the stage of success. At the far back in the audience loud cheers were heard from 4 girls, Spencer Hastings, Aria Montgomery, Alison Dilaurentis and Ashley Marin. She takes her diploma and looks at her folks and waves with a very big smile. She should have been here.
It was after their high school graduation that Hanna went to the cemetery with the girls. It felt like the right thing for them to do especially for her. Hanna had brought sunflowers and placed them in front of the gravestone. She lowered herself to the ground.
"Hey. I'm sorry I haven't come here more often. It's not that I don't want to, it's just…hard. We were that close to graduation and…" Hanna bit her lip hard to stop herself from crying, for so many months she did. Alison lowered herself to the ground to wrap her arms around Hanna.
"She was our hero you know. I should've treated her better when she was still here" Alison spoke up to all the girls' surprise. She didn't speak about her, not since after her funeral. The four of them cried together, the 2 blondes and the 2 brunettes.
"Hanna! Are you okay honey?" Ashley Marin asked her daughter when she saw her daughter spacing out while she was taking a picture of her and her friends. Hanna nods at her mom and smiles. Hanna was at the center of the photo on her left was Alison and on her right were Aria and Spencer respectively. They made a couple of poses together; laughing and smiling and all sorts of joy.
"Where's Emily?" Alison asks them and looks around. "Oh there she is. Emily come here" She motions for the girl to come. A brunette beauty comes running into her arms in less than a minute. But, just but, it isn't their swimmer best friend Emily Fields. It's her 2 year old daughter Emily Dilaurentis Khan. She scoops the little girl up and they all took another picture of the group. As they were done taking photos Alison stares at her child who has these brown eyes, which neither Noel or she has, that greatly reminds her of the only girl she had ever laid her affection on.
"Go on girls" Pam encourages her daughter's friends to speak up. All of them were hesitant. They didn't want this. Hanna blames herself for it. She thinks that if it wouldn't be for her, Emily wouldn't be in this situation. Even Spencer and Aria had their regrets for both not being there. Alison…she was just catatonic. She had too many regrets for her emotions to take all at once. Out of all the girls she was the bravest one to talk first.
"Emily was my killer. I called her that because she was very protective of me or to anyone in particular. It was her nature to be such and to be honest, I couldn't believe that word had to come from me" she chuckled at her words and so did everyone else. "That nature of Em was the best. You know it's that feeling of security you have when you're with her? I loved Emily. I really did. She was my mermaid. I made her feel that it was completely one sided and not until recently that I had it corrected. At first she doubted me but when she started to believe me I did things that showed the complete opposite of my words. I did it to protect her, to protect the girls and to prevent for this kind of situation to come. But I didn't have much power than I thought I had. If it weren't for Emily I never would have known love at all. Em thank you being the person who taught me how to love…and to be loved" by the end of her speech everyone including her was already in tears. This was the most vulnerable state of Alison they ever saw. She was comforted by all of them girls and she didn't dismiss them, she cried along with them. Normally she would want to cry on her own not wanting for anyone to see her shed tears but this time around it's different.
While Alison was in deep thought Caleb made her way to Hanna and gave her a big hug. He didn't grow his long hair back like it once was.
"Congratulations Princess" He said once Hanna and he had let go of their hug.
"Thanks Caleb. I did it! I didn't even know I could make it!" She said happily and hugged him again. He just shook his head at how the blonde haven't really changed. Ezra, Toby and Noel also gave their congratulations to the newly graduate.
"Guess who made it as well" the voice came out of nowhere of Hanna's back. She recognized that voice. Her smile even grew bigger as she slowly, dramatically, turn around. There was the person whom she really wanted to be there in her graduation.
"You're here" her emotions were mixed up. She was happy, ecstatic, she couldn't even describe it.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world baby." She ran to the person for a warm embrace. She dreamt of this. Everyone was so happy to see Hanna with that so much joy.
"Thank you dad" She kissed her father's cheek and asked for her friends to take a picture of them.
"Ashley, care to join us?" Her father asked her mom after the photo of just them two were taken. Ashley smiled and walked to the father-daughter duo. She and her ex-husband had patched up things along the years. He was happy with Isabel and Kate while she was very much in love with Ted. There was even that one time they went out for dinner together when Tom and his new family were in town. Hanna loved the day. She had wished for this, a day where she could have a complete family photo taken and they were just happy. Pam and Wayne Fields who were also there gave their congratulations to her. They loved the girls like their own daughters.
"Congratulations Hanna" Pam said to Hanna as she tightly hugged the girl.
"Thank you so much for coming Mr. & Mrs. Fields" She thanked the Emily's parents. She wasn't expecting for them to fly all the way from Texas.
"Oh honey how many times do I have to tell you to call us Wayne and Pam" Hanna shyly smiled at the couple who were always compassionate at her.
From a far distance someone lurks at the happy group of friends and lovers keeping Hanna in sight. Slowly, one step then another, the creature makes way to them passing through the other happy crowd around the area. She tightly grips the thing hidden on her back. When she saw the opportunity of Hanna's back turned on her she runs fast towards her direction and tackles the girl not so strongly. She then takes out the thing hidden from her back.
"Oh my God!" Aria exclaims.
"I could have expected something more romantic" Spencer blurts out a witty comment making everyone laugh even more. Hanna turns around and almost immediately she is peppered with sweet kisses.
"Where were you?" She manages to say in the middle of laughing at Emily's ticklish kisses. Not Emily, Alison's daughter but Emily Fields, her best friend since forever and now the love of her life.
"Oh you know just back there watching you and everyone so happy. It's the best view I could ever have plus I had to get you this" Hanna pinched Emily's nose finding it so cute for her girlfriend to be so mushy. She then takes the bouquet of flowers Emily was holding.
"I'm so proud of you Han. Seeing you walking to the stage getting your diploma and all…even though I had to run back from the restroom so I wouldn't miss your name when it gets called"
"You really did that?" Hanna burst into laughter as she imagines Emily rushing to the rest room then running back to the auditorium.
"Yeah. I was still panting by the door when I heard the name Hanna Marin" The group laughed at Emily's story but was immediately followed by simultaneous 'awwws' when Hanna pulled Emily by the neck for a long kiss. Their parents didn't mind. Yes, Pam was more open minded now. She even allowed the two girls to share an apartment. She says they're two grownups already and to the couple's awkwardness Pam even says it doesn't matter if they do the deed because none of them could end up pregnant. It was their friends who made coughing sounds to break their bubble. Pam, Ashley, Wayne and Tom were just laughing at their daughters.
"Emily! Emily wake up! Don't do this. Wake up!" Hanna sounded so desperate for her bleeding friend to wake up. She didn't mind the wound on her leg; all that mattered at the moment was her friend. Not so long after she heard sirens coming near. "Help! We're right here! Help!" It didn't take long for the police force and medics to find them.
"She's dead" the police officer who checked Sara Harvey announced. Guilt and relief filled Hanna. Everything that happened next was blurry to Hanna. All she knew was that she and Emily were both taken to the hospital by an ambulance.
Ashley Marin paces back and forth at the waiting area when Pam and Wayne Fields arrived. The 3 of them wore a worried look.
"How are they? What happened?" Pam fires her questions at once to the clueless Ashley.
"I don't know what happened. I don't know how they got there or what they were doing in there. God I could not believe how irresponsible mom I am" Ashley breaks down and Pam cries with her.
"You're not a bad parent Ashley. The only ones who could answer our questions are Hanna and Emily." Wayne comforts the two ladies who are drenched in tears.
"Hanna Marin?" A woman in a scrub suit called out.
"I'm her mom. How is she?" Ashley's heart pounded even stronger as she awaits the news on her daughter.
"She's okay now. She just got out surgery and is in the recovery room. The gunshot on her leg didn't do much damage. She lost quite an amount of blood so it is expected for her to be weak but she would soon recover for a few days" The doctor explained to them and Ashley let out a relieved sigh but it didn't stop her from worrying about Emily.
"Thank goodness! But what about Emily? How is she? These are her parents right here" It can clearly be seen in the Fields' eyes how much scared they were for their daughter.
"She's still in the operating room. Unlike Hanna she was shot in her chest and she could've bled to death if she wasn't brought earlier. They are still assessing the damage but rest assured the doctors are doing their best Mr & Mrs Fields." The doctor gave them a sympathetic look before stepping out of the waiting room. More tears fell from Pam's eyes. Wayne stared at the ceiling with few tears escaping from his eyes. He was supposed to surprise his baby girl. This wasn't supposed to be the scene he would be coming home to. He didn't take a red-eye flight to come home to her daughter in the hospital.
Hanna opened her eye and searched the room that didn't seem familiar to her. She saw her mom sleeping on the hospital chair beside her. She turned her head to the door when she heard it open. Aria and Spencer came in holding 3 cups of coffee.
"You're awake! How do you feel? Do you need anything?" Aria rushed to her side with tears of joy in her eyes.
"Emily. Where's Emily? How is she?" Hanna started moving around waking up her sleeping mom.
"Hanna?" Ashley saw the worried look on her daughter's face. She placed her hand on Hanna's shoulder to calm her. Aria and Spencer looked at Ashley conveying a message for her to break the news to Hanna gently.
"Uhm. Han didn't you notice Spencer is here?" Aria changed the subject not so subtly
"Yeah. The charges against me are dropped. Could you believe it? It's finally over!" Spencer was genuinely happy for her freedom.
"Last night we were called in to the precinct to be questioned about the Radley files that were anonymously sent to them. They called us because they saw you in the surveillance video dropping it there. It was then that we heard about you calling about an emergency and something. Just this morning they were able to connect the dots and apparently that psycho bitch had a recorder with her and to our favor it had recorder your whole conversation. We're free of A Han!" Aria shared the story to Hanna who despite being happy about their freedom felt annoyed of having an unanswered question.
"I'm glad we're free of A but I'm asking you how Emily is. Will someone answer me?" Team Sparia looked at each other and at Ashley.
"Honey, Emily is…okay. She just needs some rest. It will take longer for her to recover than you but she's okay." If there's anything that Hanna hates, it is things being sugar coated unless it's food.
"What do you mean longer? Can you just freaking tell me the truth?" She was badly pissed and their answers were not helping.
Instead of answering Hanna they requested for Hanna to be wheeled to the ICU where Emily was. Alison was in the viewing area with red puffed eyes.
"Her vitals are stable and her brain activity is doing well. If it continues that way they said she might wake up soon" Alison says as soon as her friends got near her. Her voice was tough it was obvious that she was breaking. "What did I say about us sticking together? I already told you if we just stick together we'll be fine." Her voice was stern like the typical Alison Dilaurentis tone.
"We're sorry Alison" Spencer was the first one to apologize. She and Ali always banged heads but she knew this time around she made her mistakes.
"I'm sorry" It was still unusual for them to hear Alison say that word but nevertheless they knew it was a sincere apology. Aria and Spencer wrapped their arms on Alison while Alison held Hanna's hand as they continued to watch Emily in coma.
3 days had passed since Hanna and Emily were brought to the hospital. Pam had told the girls to speak to Emily because the doctors had said talking to a coma patient would hasten their brain activities. Alison did speak up followed by Aria and Spencer but Hanna was too emotional to speak up. Hanna was discharged the following day but decided to stay in the hospital with Emily despite everyone convincing her to rest at home. It was a little bit after dinner when Hanna finally agreed to go home but asked for a short private time with Emily first.
"Hey Emmy. Are you enjoying your sleep? I bet you are but you have to wake up now. You don't have to be scared to come back Em. A's gone. Things are finally back to normal, whatever normal is. Do you know what happened while your lazy butt is lying in there? The charges against Spencer are dropped and M-Mona's…Mona's body has been found. There will be a service for her tomorrow. Too bad you couldn't be there. Alison finally revealed everything that happened about the night she disappeared. You should let her tell you the story though. Come on Fields wake up." Hanna picks up Emily's hand and brushes it in her cheeks wet of tears. "Remember when you threw that dog stuffed toy to me when I was so loud and you were studying? I couldn't forget how funny it was. Or that time you were throwing away your stuff just to be sure A didn't put HGH or something on it and you also threw mine but I said for you not to and you had to mention wrinkles and whatever. Think about it Em who would do those things to me if you just sleep here? Who would be my date who's not dressed up like a dude? Whose arms am I going to hold on to when I get scared? Who's going to say 'Hanna' every time I do something stupid or say 'shut up Hanna' when I have my moments. I need you here Emily. I don't know how I would be if you're not around. I don't know how or why you knew about me loving you Em but thank you for loving me too. So wake up." Hanna continues to cry as she forces herself to talk to Emily. The other girls and their parents are at the viewing room looking at Hanna. "Are you not waking up because you're scared of choosing between me and Ali? Em if you'll just wake up you won't have to do that. I know Ali had been the love of your life since then. If I have to give you up just so you'll wake I would Em. I'm waiting for you…she is too. Wake up. Please." Hanna wipes away the tears from her eyes. She didn't know where that selfless act came from but she was sure to do it if Emily wakes up. She's not just sure though if it's just her and Ali, who knows if Emily might choose Paige or someone else.
Emily did wake up a few hours after Hanna had talked to her. She immediately asked for her friends but her mom told her that they already went home and are preparing for Mona's funeral. Emily felt bad that she could not attend Mona's funeral. Afterall, she did help them and that caused her, her life. To pay her respects Emily wrote her eulogy on a piece of paper. She was still very weak but she strive to finish writing and gave it to her mom so someone could read it the following day. Pam informed the girls that Emily was awake but told them to visit Emily after Mona's funeral. Emily healed faster than expected and few days after waking up she was discharged from the hospital.
She stayed home for 2 weeks after going out of the hospital. By that time Hanna was already able to walk better with the help of her crutches. Emily was on her bed reading a magazine when Hanna came inside her bedroom
"Your mom let in. How are you?" Hanna sits at her bedside.
"I'm doing great and as I could see so are you. I heard you went back to school already?" Emily was delighted to see Hanna. They never had their alone time after that terrible night.
"Yeah I did and I brought your homework. Apparently they don't make exceptions for students who got shot. They're seriously inconsiderate" Emily giggled at how Hanna was being Hanna. She took the stack of papers on Hanna's hand and purposely holding Hanna's hand as she does.
"I still remember what I said to you before I passed out. I hope you do too" She trails off. She didn't want to scare Hanna
"W-what did you say?" Hanna was trying to play dumb about it.
"You know the thing you say to the people who's in your heart? Come on Hanna you know what I mean" Emily looks at Hanna with a shy smile but the blonde's face was full of sadness.
"About that Em…" Emily's smile curved into a worried look. "I do love you but Alison does too and I know how much you love her. You loved her despite me, Aria and Spencer not trusting her. You still loved her even when we thought she was dead. You've waited for so long for this moment to come."
"But I love you too Hanna" The blonde's eyes were starting to fill with tears.
"When you were asleep I said to myself, if Emily just wakes up I wouldn't put her into the trouble of making her choose between me and Alison. I know you love me Em but I can't let you jump on something when you still have hang-ups with something else" Hanna can't believe herself for saying those words. She wanted to be with Emily. She already broke up with Caleb…but she had to sacrifice.
"I don't want to hurt you Han" Emily was already crying just as much as Hanna was. Hanna reaches out her hand to slowly shut Emily's eyes.
"So you won't see me if I ever get hurt" Hanna silently sobs and leans her lips to Emily's forehead. Emily felt Hanna's lips on her forehead. She wishes to know what it could've been when it was on her lips instead. She kept her eyes closed as her tears fall. She felt Hanna's hand slowly drifting away.
She was advice not to stress out too much so she alternately goes to school and study at home. The school understood that she was still recuperating and gave her exemptions so she could make it through senior year. With Hanna's words she did try it with Ali. Hanna was right, Alison did wait for her. She was happy with Ali but she couldn't take away the guilt in her heart when she sees Hanna watching them with a smile that covers up for her pain. She and Ali tried to keep it low-key when Hanna was around.
Months passed by and the day of their graduation came. They finally were done with Rosewood High, well except for Emily, Ali and Hanna. Emily and Hanna still had Make-up activities for their absences when they were hospitalized and on their recovery period. Meanwhile Ali had to stay a year more because of her disappearance. She would've stayed for 2 more years if not for her intelligence. All the girls except Emily went to Mona's grave after their graduation. She had a scheduled check up on that day and it was a must to go. Usually their summer would be spent in procrastination and sleepovers but this year they were preparing for college. Aria was torn between Hollis and Syracuse but then decided to go to Syracuse while Spencer made it to UPenn. To much of everyone's surprise Hanna decided to go to Stanford. Emily was offered a full ride to 2 universities that she wanted, Stanford and Danby both with certain terms and conditions. She had to have therapy care of the university and she had to maintain or improve her time.
When Emily and Hanna finished all the make-up work the girls celebrated at Spencer's barn. They were all reminded of the night that Ali disappeared but when the morning came they all let out the breath they didn't know they were holding when they saw everyone was still there. Alison could see the stolen glances Emily gives to Hanna. She saw that despite the love she gives to the brunette she knows that Hanna had already taken a part of Emily's heart. It did make her jealous but she appreciates how much Hanna had sacrificed. She knows that if it were Aria or Spencer they would've said that Hanna was much more worth it. She also saw the love on Hanna's eyes when she looks at Emily. She might love Emily but she thinks someone else could love her even more. She didn't want to admit that but she couldn't just set that fact aside.
"Ali why are you doing this?" Emily could not believe that Alison was breaking up with her. A part of her was angry that again Alison is breaking her heart.
"Emily I know you love me and I love you too. I love you that's why I have to end this. I know you're happy with me but I also know someone else could make you happier. I could say this is just insecurity and jealousy but Emily it's not. It's the truth. I know you still loved me even though I was in hiding but I kept my eyes on you girls and I saw you and Hanna. Even when I came back I saw how you and Hanna connected. Even a blind man could see how you love each other." The old Alison would never do what she was doing right now.
"You don't have to do this" Emily reasons out
"I have to Em, for you and me. We did give it a try but I guess they're right…almost is never enough. I will always be your first love and…you will always be the only girl I'll ever love." Emily pulled Alison for the most meaningful hug they ever shared.
"Thank you Ali. You will always have a special place in my heart." Alison was happy to see her mermaid happy. That's what's important to her. She shuffles on her purse and brings out something.
"This is for you. I know you chose to go to Danby to be close to me but I think your heart belongs to somewhere else. California maybe?" Emily looks at what Alison gave her. It was a plane ticket to California. "I already arranged this with your mom and dad. You've got one week to say your goodbyes to us and prepare your journey for college. So you better not forget me when you become the star Cardinal swimmer" Both girls had tears of joy in their eyes.
Emily flew to California a week after, surprising Hanna who already went ahead of her. They didn't immediately got together. They had their little chase, sweet endless moments here and there, kisses and dates before they made it official. Alison was the first person the couple called once they made it official. Alison was happy that even if she didn't get her happy ever after with Emily she is proud to have made the best thing for Emily. It was worth the countless of pains she had given in the past.
Things went fine with the girls in college. They fly back to Rosewood during holidays and breaks. Despite being in California Emily and Hanna grew closer to Alison. So when their blonde friend called them crying on the phone saying that she might have messed up again, they immediately stepped on a plane headed home. Alison who was almost done with senior year was carrying Noel Kahn's baby. She and Noel had an on and off relationship if that's even the right term. After Emily, Noel tried to patch things with Ali. He was in Hollis College and time after time he and Ali would head out for big adventures. One of their big adventures resulted to what Ali thought is a dilemma. It was Emily who made her feel better, that the baby she was carrying was a miracle and a blessing, that it wouldn't matter because in a month or two she would be done with high school. Truth in Emily's words the baby girl whom Alison named Emily became a turning point in Noel's life. He changed from being a carefree party animal to a responsible dad. Alison too easily came around in being a mother. Her daughter, Little Em as what she's called is spoiled rotten by her Grandpa Kenneth and Uncle Jason. Somehow Alison had a taste of her own medicine when Little Em would have her tantrums. Her baby girl is closest to her Aunt Emmy, that needs not to be questioned.
Hanna and Emily moved in together in a small but decent apartment on their sophomore year. Their roommates were sick of them being on each other's room doing their dirty stuff so they got themselves a place of their own. They went home to attend Aria and Spencer's graduation. As expected Ezra proposed to Aria on the day of her graduation while Toby is left pressured on how to pop the question. In return Spencer and Aria together with their other half flew in for Emily's graduation. Alison together with Noel and Little Emily went too. Hanna graduated a semester late from them since she decided to change majors on her second year.
"I'm back. I'm sorry it took me a long time to come back. How long has it been? 6 months? I finally have my college diploma Mona. While I was walking on stage I was thinking you could've been me or better. You really had lots of potentials. My success isn't just for me, this is for us. I did this in memory of you. Thank you Mona. I hope wherever you are you've found your happiness. I miss you." Hanna touches the engraved name on Mona's gravestone. "By the way I will be visiting you more often now. Emily and I have decided to stay here in Rosewood. Cool right?" Years had passed but Hanna hasn't forgotten about her memories with Mona. She and Mona were really best friends and she really did love her. It was one of the factors that she and Emily chose to be in Rosewood. Their family, their friends everyone they love was there. There were so many points in their life that they wanted to escape Rosewood. It reminded them of so much terrifying things, of loss of their loved ones, of torture from A, of near death experiences but amongst all those horrible things there is one thing they can't forget about Rosewood. It was home…and it always will be.
"We've been through a lot right? Who would have thought life could get this crazy?" Emily said as she and Hanna lie down in the middle of the woods near the lake. They were having their little picnic.
"It's like this giant movie but real. Good thing it's not your kind of movie cause there would have been zombies everywhere" The two girls laughed at Hanna's humor before they fell into comfortable silence. "5 years from now do you think we'll still be like this? What do think the future has for us?" Hanna became serious with her question.
"10, 50, many years, it doesn't matter. What matters is today. Who knows if we're still here tomorrow? All we have is this day, this is the oldest we've been and the youngest we'll ever be again…Today I want to spend it with you. I want you in every 'today' in my life. We could be whatever we want and we could do whatever we want to do" Emily intertwines their hands.
"I wanna marry you or you can marry me. We could get married." Hanna says casually.
"Please do"