So I really want to get this story moving! This chapter is still a little depressing and slow, but I promise I've got plans to come. This was just necessary!

Also hoping to get a little team time in soon!

Hope you enjoy! -J

Chapter 6

Emily was struggling. She hated to admit it because she knew her daughter was suffering, but she was struggling…a lot. As the mother and daughter duo made their way through the week they did their best to remain upbeat, but every night Alex's nightmares got worse, and every day Emily struggled to find the right thing to say to the teen.

Emily spent every day dreading the weekend and the inevitable breakdown to come, nearly picking her nails raw until JJ threatening to duck tape gloves on her hands to force her to stop.

"Em you've got to relax," JJ told the brunette Friday night as they sat together on the couch, Henry already put to bed, while Alex remained in her room. "She just asked for some time alone. She's okay."

"No…she's not," Emily shook her head, JJ silently agreeing, but wanting to reassure her fiancé. "And how could she be? She shouldn't be. Today is hard. Tomorrow is going to be hard. It's not fair."

"I know honey," JJ said, running her fingers through Emily's hair before placing a kiss on the side of her head. "But she knows we're here if she needs us. She just needs some time alone. She's going to get through this," she assured her. "She's strong. Just like you. It will be okay."

"I just feel so helpless," Emily replied. "I wish I could do more."

"You're doing everything you can Em," JJ told her. "Don't doubt that," she said, taking Emily's hand in hers. "Now how are you doing? I know this can't be easy on you either."

"I…." Emily began, shaking her head as she struggled to find the right words. "I don't know," she shrugged. "I mean I think about what happened a year ago and it breaks my heart because I know how much it hurts Alex. And I…I miss them you know. I wish…I wish I had been able to see them one more time."

"They were important people in your life," JJ said, nodding understandingly.

"You know it broke my heart the day I had Alex and they took her away," Emily said quietly. "Not just because I had to give Alex up, but because…because I knew I would never get to see them again," she admitted. "They were so good to me. They understood that I didn't have anyone else; that my parents weren't there for me, so they were. Meredith and I…we got really close," she paused, biting her lip as she tried to focus on the comforting circles JJ was drawing on the back of her hand. "It was hard to watch her go….to not be able to go to her anymore. I wish I could have thanked her…her and Matthew…for everything."

"Oh honey, they know," JJ said, wrapped her arms around the brunette's neck as Emily allowed a few tears to fall. "It's okay baby," she said, kissing her head. "You're okay. You've been so strong for Lex. You're so strong," she whispered, holding on tight as she gave as much comfort to the woman in her arms as she could. "I love you so much."

"I love you more," Emily whispered back with a sniff, tipping her chin so she could draw the blonde into a kiss, a kiss, which JJ immediately deepened until the sound of a knock at the door pulled them apart.

"One of the girls?" JJ questioned as both she and Emily attempted to get their breathing under control.

"Probably Olivia," Emily guessed. "I'll go," she said, wiping her eyes before getting up from the couch and making her way to the front door, opening it up to reveal the last person she had been expecting to be standing there. "Spencer," she said in surprise.

"Hi," Spencer replied nervously, biting her lip.

"What are you doing here sweetheart?" Emily asked carefully, torn between feeling relieved to see the teen and worried about her daughter's ability to handle seeing her again. "You're not supposed to be here."

"I know," Spencer nodded, a lone tear slipping down her cheek. "I know but…but I need to see her," she shrugged. "Please. I have to."

Hesitating Emily took a deep breath, contemplating her options, and the potential consequences before eventually pulling the door open wider, allowing the younger brunette inside.

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Alex knew her mother wanted to help her. She knew the older brunette was desperate to be there for her; to offer whatever comfort she could give, but the teen needed a break. As much as she loved her mother and appreciated every moment they spent together that week; she needed some time alone. JJ assured Alex that it was normal to grieve the loss of her parents again; she had told her that she spent the anniversaries of her sister's death much the same way, though each year it had gotten easier. The blonde had convinced Emily that it would be good for Alex to have some time alone to think, and told the teen that they were both there for her when she was ready to talk.

Alex knew she needed to talk. She felt certain that talking about her parents would, indeed make her feel better, but after several hours curled up in her bed crying, she still couldn't bring herself to do it. The young brunette knew this weekend was going to be hard, but she never could have anticipated just how difficult it would be, as she found herself longing for just one more day with her mother and father; wishing so badly that she could talk to them about everything going on in her life. And though she knew it was okay to miss her parents, she couldn't help feeling guilty about it, since she had two incredibly caring mothers waiting to be with her downstairs.

Hearing her bedroom door open behind her, Alex figured one of her mothers had finally given in to checking on her, remaining still as she listened to soft footsteps approaching before she felt the bed dip behind her. Expecting her mother, Alex was surprised when a familiar scent filled her nostrils, a small hand, that she knew did not belong to either one of her mothers, rubbing up and down her arm. Feeling her heart beating rapidly, the teen slowly rolled herself over to find soft, brown eyes staring back at her.

Blinking several time, Alex opened and closed her mouth before reaching out and taking Spencer's hand in hers as if to ensure that the other brunette was really there. "Am I dreaming?" She eventually asked quietly.

"No," Spencer shook her head, giving Alex's hand a squeeze. "I'm really here. I…I needed to be here. I had to see you," she said, pulling Alex closer as the shorter brunette instantly let out a heartbreaking sob. "It's okay," she soothed softly. "It's okay. I'm here. You're okay," she repeated, running her hand over Alex's hair.

"I m-miss them," Alex continued to sob. "I m-m-missed you."

"I know," Spencer replied, feeling tears of her own stinging her eyes as she desperately tried to hold them back. "I know, I'm so sorry. I missed you too. I'm so sorry," she said, leaning back so she could place a kiss on Alex's cheek before she began to kiss away the tears that continued to fall. "I'm so sorry," she said one last time before Alex tilted her head and their lips found each other's.

Though Alex was still crying, the kiss was gentle, but brief as Spencer eventually pulled away, placing a kiss on Alex's forehead before tucking her hair behind her ear. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"N-no," Alex shook her head, clearing her throat as she tried to get her emotions in check. "Not really," she said, biting her lip. "How are you here?"

"I snuck out," Spencer shrugged. "I had to see you today. I…I couldn't not see you," she said. "My mom doesn't know. I'm…I'm not sure how long I have."

Nodding Alex once again took the taller brunette's hand in hers, beginning to draw circles on the back as she tried to soak up every ounce of comfort Spencer could offer her. "I…I needed you here. I'm…I'm glad you're here. Even if it's just for a little while."

"I'm so sorry Alex," Spencer whispered, her emotions clear in her voice. "I never wanted this. I never wanted to leave you like this," she explained. "But…I…I don't know what to do," she admitted. "I don't know how to fix this. I'm just….I'm so scared."

"You know my parents would have liked you," Alex said, surprising Spencer, who wasn't expecting the subject change. "My dad would have loved that you play field hockey. He would have loved talking about books with you," she said. "My mom would have thought you were great. You two would have gotten along amazingly."

"Oh yeah?" Spencer said, quirking an eyebrow, a small smirk on her face. "And you don't think it would have bothered them? Me being a girl and all…dating their daughter."

"Oh they wouldn't have liked me dating," Alex replied with a small, almost sad smile. "But the fact that you're a girl wouldn't matter to them," she said certainly. "They would see what I see. They would just want me to be happy."

"I wish it could be that easy with everyone," Spencer said, squeezing Alex's hand as she thought of her own parents. "Tell me a story. Tell me about them," she then said, wanting to keep the other brunette talking; knowing it would help her heal.

"You know they were the happiest couple…had the happiest marriage, and yet they could hardly ever agree on anything," Alex said with a laugh, unable to hold back a smile at the thought. "If one of them wanted chicken the other wanted beef. Mom wanted me to be a dancer; Dad wanted me to play soccer. It was always something," she explained. "I remember this one time I was like 9…maybe 10 and they promised me that we could have a day together; all three of us. They said I could pick whatever I wanted to do, and they both gave me a bunch of suggestions: movies, park, zoo, museums, whatever," she continued. "My Mom really wanted to go to the museum though, she loved stuff like that but Dad….he hated it. He would always get so bored because my Mom and me always took our time; we would look at everything. He wanted to go see a movie and then play in the park."

"So what did you pick?" Spencer asked, stroking a finger over Alex's cheek.

"Well I was going to pick the museum, but then my dad slipped me ten bucks," Alex laughed, a true and honest laugh.

"He bribed you?" Spencer asked, laughing along with the other brunette.

"He knew he was going to lose and he was desperate," Alex replied, shaking with laughter; though her eyes were beginning to shine with unshed tears. "And ten bucks was like a million bucks to a kid. It was the easiest decision I ever made," she said, falling suddenly serious. "He was such a good Dad. And…my Mom she was…she was amazing."

"I think they would be really proud of you, you know," Spencer said. "They would be proud of you for being who you are…for everything you've done this year," she continued. "They would want to see you happy."

"I hope so," Alex nodded as a few more tears slipped down her cheeks. "But what are we going to do Spence?" She then asked, no longer talking about her parents. "I can't keep going like this. I miss you. I need you."

"We're going to figure it out," Spencer replied firmly. "I promise," she said, leaning forward for a kiss. "We will figure it out."

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"Em you've got to calm down," JJ said from where she sat on the family room sofa, watching as Emily paced back and forth; practically wearing a line in the rug beneath her feet. "What are you so freaked out about?"

"Maybe I shouldn't have let her up there," Emily said, biting her lip as she picked at her nails nervously. "I mean Lex is having a hard enough time as it is, I doubt that this is going to help. She can't keep having Spencer come back to only have her torn away again."

"You don't know that, that will happen," JJ pointed out.

"Jen her mother doesn't know she's here," Emily said, stopping and turning towards the blonde. "This could end up doing more damage than good," she said, gesturing towards the stairs, looking like she wanted to go up and check on her daughter.

"Or it could be just what Alex needs right now," JJ said, standing up and approaching the brunette; taking her hand and pulling her back towards the couch. "She needs Spencer. She's her best friend first and right now that's exactly who she needs," she said. "I know you would be the one I would want with me if I were Alex; even if it was just as my friend. She needs her."

"I love you," Emily sighed, a smile on her face as she pulled JJ in for a kiss. "You always know exactly what to say," she said, leaning her forehead against the blonde's. "I don't know what I would ever do without you."

"Well it's a good thing you won't ever have to find out," JJ smiled, twisting the ring on her left hand as if to remind the brunette of their upcoming wedding. "You're stuck with me forever now."

"I think I can live with that," Emily smiled just as a furious sounding knock filled the room, forcing the pair to pull away from each other, concern written over both their faces. "One guess as to who that is," Emily said, sighing as she stood up, pulling JJ with her. "Back to reality," she said pulling open the door. "Veronica," she greeted unenthusiastically.

"Where is she? I know she's here," Veronica said, skipping the pleasantries. "Where is my daughter?"

"I'm here Mom," Spencer's voice called from the top of the stairs, having heard the knock at the door, drawing both her and Alex out of the bedroom.

"Get down here right now young lady," Veronica replied sternly. "I thought I made myself clear about this," she then said, turning her angry glare on Emily, who for her part stood her ground. "You should have sent her home as soon as she turned up. You should have called me."

"I begged her Mom," Spencer said when she made it to the bottom of the stairs, Alex standing quietly behind her, still clutching the taller brunette's hand tightly. "It's not her fault. I had to see Alex. You just…you don't understand," she said, tears filling her eyes. "Please, just try to understand."

"We aren't talking about this Spencer," Veronica replied, ignoring her daughter's cries. "I've already made myself clear on the subject. It's not up for discussion. Now let's go," she said, gesturing towards the door.

"Veronica please," Emily tried, watching as fresh tears began to fall down both teenagers' cheeks.

"Now Spencer," Veronica practically shouted, already at the door, turning to watch as Spencer turned towards Alex tearfully, placing a tender kiss on the shorter brunette's forehead before reluctantly making her way towards her mother.

"Mom," Spencer begged, her voice quiet, but pleading. "Mom."

"We're going home," Veronica interrupted, avoiding the teen's eyes as she practically pushed the teen out the door before following her out, slamming the door behind her.

Turning towards her own daughter, Emily could feel her heart breaking, watching as Alex nearly collapsed; saved as JJ quickly scooped the teen into her arms, pulling her down onto the floor as her body was wracked with sobs. "It's okay," JJ soothed, holding Alex tightly. "It's okay," she repeated as Emily made her way over, sitting down on the teen's other side before wrapping her own arms around the pair.

"We're here," Emily told her. "It'll be okay."