Disclaimer: I don't own PLL or its characters.
Spoilers: None.
Rating: K+

Here's a follow-up to the last chapter.

Enjoy. =)


Friday, November 15th, 1996.


*Spencer's barn*

It's not until Friday that the girls are able to gather back over at Spencer's barn. They all pile into the front room of it, shedding their coats, scarfs, and gloves. The temperature has dropped significantly over the last week, getting colder with each day.

It's also been a week since the incident at the mall. Ashley has kept a close eye on Hanna throughout the week, but the little blonde seems to have no lasting effects from being lost at the mall.

Friday is sleepover day. The girls, and boys -Luke, a boy from Mel's 3rd grade class, named Caleb, and Toby from second grade- come over and they have dinner and a movie, and then sleep over in the barn.

The girls gather in the front room, and as they are all getting their big USA Floor Puzzle out, Spencer and Hanna tell them about Daisy the puppy dog they met at the mall. (Spencer said this was a secret and couldn't be told at school).

"After we saw Daisy, we went to Santa's Workshop." Spencer continues. "We made cookies and ornaments." Spencer says as she begins putting the puzzle together. She puts three pieces of California together and hooks them to Courtney's piece that's part of Oregon.

"Santa isn't real. Only babies believe in him." Alison snarks, making Hanna turn to her.

"Yes he is! We got pictures with him!"

"No you didn't! Santa isn't real; it was a person in a costume!" Alison says back, hands on her hips.

"Don't say that, sissy!" Courtney tells her, turning around and looking at her sister in surprise. "He is too real! He comes every year. He brought us the Barbie house last year, remember? We didn't tell Mamma and Daddy about it, (they did, but she forgot) and we still got it." Alison slumps her shoulders as she remembers.

"Oh, yeah…that's right."

"I asked for clothes for my American Girl Doll!" Hanna says happily.

"You don't even have one! You can't get clothes if you don't have the doll!" Alison sasses.

"Oh, yeah? Well, I'm getting' one for my birthday! I heard my mamma talkin' about it. So, I asked Santa for clothes, pjs, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and a hairbrush!"

"Cool! I hope you get all those things!" Emily says, grinning at Hanna.

"What did you ask for, Spencie?" Court asks, putting more of Washington onto her Oregon puzzle piece and then connecting it with Idaho.

"I asked for some super cool Spy stuff! I'm gonna get spy goggles, a camera that records, and even a pen that writes invisible messages!"

"Awesome! Can I play with when you get it, Spencie?"

"Sure, Ari! You and me can write secret messages to each other at school, and then take them home and use the special light to see what is written!"

"Yay! I can't wait!"

"Oh! Spence, tell'em 'bout the secret present we asked for." Hanna reminds her, which quickly peaks the interest of the others.

"You asked for a secret present?"

"What is it?"

"Tell us! Tell us!"

"Okay. Come closer, guys." She starts whispering all about her plan, and everyone comes closer to form a tighter circle. "Hanna and I asked Santa for a puppy for Christmas. It's something we asked him for, but didn't tell my mom or dad, and you didn't tell Auntie Ashley or Uncle Tom, right, Hanna?"

"Right!" Hanna nods firmly. "It's a secret, so I didn't tell!"

"And I made a plan; if there is a puppy for us on Christmas morning, that means, Hanna, you were right. Santa is real. But, if we don't get a puppy, then, Ali, you're right. He's not real."

"Now, this is a secret, so don't tell your mommies or daddies. Okay? And don't tell your grammas, grampas, aunts, uncles, or even your bigger cousins!"

"Okay!" "Yes, Spence!" "We promise!" Are all the answers as everyone hooks onto each other's pinkies. They make a circle, give each other a firm nod, and then let go.

Even though the girls were whispering, Mel, who was on her way to get a drink from the kitchen since she and the older kids are watching a movie in the movie room, overheard them still.

She realizes that even though she's only six years old, her baby sister is close to finding out the truth: Santa is not real. So, she decides to tell her mom and dad about Spencer's plan. And that they have to get her a puppy dog for Christmas if they want their youngest to believe just a little bit longer.


Here is a short and sweet chapter. Please review!

Next Up: Sibling Day with Hanna and Lucas.

Emily will have cousin named Jacob Holiday. He is three years older than Emily. Also! I need a girl friend for Melissa. I don't want her to be stuck with just the boys all the time, so if you'd like to, you can name her friend for me.