A/N: Sorry guys, I've been really busy lately but here is a new chapter! Thank you for your continued support and I hope you enjoy! :)

Chapter 21

"Emily… you know I love living here," Cece started slowly, "But I've been thinking…"

Emily bit her lip, "You want to move back to your apartment? Do you really think it's a good idea…to be on your own?"

Cece shook her head, "No, not my apartment…" she hesitated, "It's just when I saw Jessica the other day… she said I could you know, go and stay with them."

Emily looked surprised, "Oh. And you want to?"

Cece nibbled on her lip, "I just thought it might be nice… to have a family."

Emily nodded, "Yeah," she said quietly, "I get it."

"Do you?" Cece asked nervously, "Are you mad?"

Emily shook her head, "No, I'm not mad," she replied honestly, "I'll miss you but I understand. I want you to have that too, Ce. You deserve a proper family."

"You're my family too," Cece said quietly.

Emily smiled, "I know," she squeezed her hand, "Hey, don't feel bad about this, okay? This is a positive thing, babe. You always have a place here, you know that. But it could be really good for you to have someone like Mrs D. You guys seem to have a connection… it could be nice for you to have like a positive adult influence."

Cece rolled her eyes, "I'm an adult too, you know."

"Yeah, I know," Emily chuckled, "But you never really had that when you were growing up… even adults' are allowed to need people, babe."

Cece grinned and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, "I do need you," she whispered.

"I need you too," she pulled Cece close.

"Are you sure you're cool with this?" Cece asked as they unloaded the last of her stuff into her new room.

Alison smiled, "Sure. Like I've said, I kinda always looked at you like my big sister anyway so think could be kinda…fun."

Cece beamed with relief, "Great. Thanks, Ali."

"Bet you're gonna miss Em though," Alison observed the way her sisters' face fell, "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. You know my mom says she can come over whenever… and you can go still go over there always…"

Cece nodded, "I know," she nibbled on her lip, "I guess it will be good… I've been pretty much dependent on her for too long… it will probably be good for both of us."

Alison watched the older blonde closely, "Doesn't mean it won't be hard," she said softly, taking Cece's hand and squeezing it, "I'm proud of you, you know."

Cece frowned, "Why?"

Alison laughed, "Why? Really? Because you've come really far. I know how hard telling the truth can be but you're really trying. You're letting people in. And you helped me too… reconnecting with my mom," she smiled, "And hey, I think she's happy you took her up on her offer. She seems to have a soft spot for you."

Cece smiled, "Well, you know, I am charming."

Alison rolled her eyes, "Oh, I know."

"You're right," Cece grinned, "This is gonna be fun."

Emily flicked over the page of her textbook as she filled in more boring math answers. She sighed, readjusting her earphones. She thought she heard something and turned around, slipping her earphones off.

"Hey."

Aria smiled, "Hey, Em. Your mom let me in."

Emily sat up, "That's cool. What's up?"

Aria shrugged, "Not much. Just thought we could hang out… if you want a break from the books."

"Sure," Emily smiled gratefully, "Want to go to the brew?"

"Sounds good," Aria smiled, "Is it weird, Em? Not having Cece here all the time? You guys spend so much time together…"

Emily packed up her books, "It's weird," she confirmed, "It sorta sucks but I know it's a good thing. She needs a real family experience… she missed out on that growing up. Plus, we were, at times…maybe a little too dependent on one another…"

"Maybe a little," Aria agreed with a small smile.

"Hey, how are things with you and Ezra anyway?" Emily asked as they left her bedroom and headed for the brew.

Aria smiled, "They're pretty good. My mum actually talks to him without flinching or being all awkward which is kinda nice. I don't know that dad will ever get used to it. Maybe when we graduate…"

Emily chuckled, "Cool. Hey, I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately… things got so intense with Cece and I got so wrapped up in all that… I haven't been a very good friend."

Aria frowned, "Don't worry about it, Em. Cece needed you and you were there for you. That's what I love about you, you're always there for the people you love," she smiled, "We've all had stuff going on at some point or another. It's just life, I guess… the point is that we always come back to each other, right?"

Emily smiled, "Well said."

"Sooo, this is your room, huh?" Emily grinned as Cece closed the door behind them, "How's the bed? Comfy?" she sat down on it, bouncing a little.

Cece giggled and joined her, "You don't have a subtle bone in your body, do you?"

Emily shrugged, "Not when it comes to you."

"The bed," Cece kissed her lips quickly, "is very comfortable. Nice and soft," she kissed her girlfriend again, "and warm…" she pushed Emily further up the bed and crawled on top of her, pushing her back into the mattress.

"Mm, you're right. This is nice and soft," Emily giggled, her hands on Cece's waist.

Cece pressed her lips to Emily's gently, one hand lifting her shirt.

Emily broke away.

"What?"

Emily shrugged, "It's just weird…doing this like…here," she looked to the door, "In the Dilaurentis house."

Cece looked towards the door too, "I know, babe. But they're out, I promise. And, well, I think we're kinda gonna have to get used to it."

Emily bit her lip, "You're right," she snaked an arm around Cece's neck and pulled her in close for another kiss, "Besides, you know I can never resist you."

Cece laughed, placing a hand on Emily's cheek, "Right back at you. Now how about we christen my new room?"