*Emily's POV*

I think I almost forgot what she looked like, her eyes seemed blue(r) her hair seemed blonder, but then again, I was seeing the world through blurred vision. All morning I had been an emotional catastrophe, pre-empting what I would say to Alison.

I was surprised that Alison greeted me with acceptance rather than hostility. She looked calm, somewhat relaxed as she scooted back into the sofa and sat cross-legged, as if she was waiting for me to make the first move.

In the midst of this moment I had forgotten the bunch of flowers I had clutched in my fist. I stretched out my arm rigidly in Alison's direction. Words tried to materialise but seemingly failed as I said nothing, except for a smile and pleading eyes to go along with the gesture. I watched in slow-motion as Alison unfolded her arms and used the left to take the flowers out of my grasp. The warmth of her fingers brushed over mine and for a split second my heart fluttered in response

"Alison, I…", my voice quivered. It had been so long since I had felt her touch, it had almost become unfamiliar.

She cut me short, "Em!?". By now Alison put the flowers onto the coffee table that was just to the side of us. "I don't need to hear an apology". She reached for my hand, I'm positive she could see my hands shaking with uncertainty. I felt her grip secure itself and tug my arm down to join her on the couch.

"I know how sorry you are, but I need to apologise to you for being immature on how I dealt with the situation. I shouldn't have run away when things got tough, I guess I'm just so used to my old habits I don't know how to cope with my emotions in a healthy way and it looks like I still have some work to do. I know you love me, you always have and that's what makes me love you…so much more".

"Ali!", I readjusted how I was sitting and I moved myself closer to her. I placed my hand on hers and interlocked our fingers together. I savoured every last word she had spoken, a tear toppled from my eye as I recalled that she said she loved me. "I love you too".

I was moved to see my wife lean in to hug me, she seemed to collapse in my arms as if all the weight from the argument was lifted from her and left her too weak to hold herself together anymore. Instinctively I held onto her, I knew exactly what she needed and that wasn't a conversation to discuss her feelings or a romantic gesture, she just needed to know that I was there for her.

A minute or so had passed, I felt a gentle drip on my shoulder which rolled into the creases of my arms, soon followed by a light whimper.

*End of POV*

Alison pulled away and looked Emily straight in the eye, she had forgotten the impact Emily's eyes had on her. The warmth of them soothed her aching heart, Alison could almost feel her heart's pieces slip back into place like a jigsaw. Her cheeks flushed and became rosy, she couldn't help but smile at the woman in front of her. Emily loved the way Ali blushed, it was like she almost turned into a blushing teen who had just revealed their crush. The brunette couldn't help but use the back of her hand to stroke the indentation Ali's dimples had made in her cheeks.

"Are you okay?", Emily asked as she continued to wipe away the tear trail off Ali's lightly freckled face.

Alison flicked her hair back over her shoulders "I am now…you're here".

Emily couldn't help but let a smile hint at her cheeks in response to Alison's words, she finally sat back in her chair and rested the heels of her feet that were crossed on the oak coffee table.

Alison continued to get herself into position, she moved Emily's arm to drape along the back of the couch and she nuzzled her head into the ditch of Emily's underarm. She scoffed "Babe, Spence isn't going to be happy that you have your feet on her solid oak coffee table, she doesn't even let Toby put down his mug on it without a coaster in case it leaves coffee rings".

Emily slowly started finger combing Alison's blonde hair, "Yeah, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her". Emily sounded somewhat cocky in her statement and brushed off any meaning to it.

"Looks like it will hurt, if I'm standing right behind you!". The tall brunette pushed her weight down onto Emily's shoulders as she tried to scare her.

Emily's body jolted with fear as her adrenaline levels spiked, "Ahhh! Spencer…that's not funny".

"Well…", Spencer walked around the couch behind Emily and Alison then continued to sit on the arm of her couch. "To me it was!". Spencer clocked that Emily's feet were still firmly placed on the table, she leaned forward and swiped Emily's feet back onto the ground.

Emily glared and tutted at the slender figure sitting two spaces away from her.

"It was a little funny Em", Alison started to sit up and gave some credit to Spencer for her prank.

"So, lovebirds…when are you going home? As much as I love you…both, I want MY home back", Spencer grimaced as she finished her question as if she wasn't sure whether she was being too harsh.

"Spence, I'm offended! I'm an excellent room-mate", Alison was shocked at what Spencer was insinuating.

"Alison, yes you wash up the dishes and make us dinner near enough every night…but you have left my bathroom…my safe haven!", Spencer was almost doing a dramatic reading of how she felt. "in tatters, there's makeup littered on the counters, I have seen blonde bundles of hair lingering in every corner of that room, so excuse me for wanting you out of my hair". Spencer finished her rant with a deep, composed breathe in and a slow exhale.

Emily filled the seconds of silence, "Are, are you two children finished? Because I'd rather go and collect our actual children".

Spencer sprang from her perching position, "Yeah…please, you may exit the building". Theatrically Spencer started ushering the couple towards the door.

With some confusion Emily stopped in her tracks, "Spence, can she at least collect the rest of her things?"

Lanky limbs stretched out to unlatch the front door, "Nope, I'll gather them up and I'll drop them 'round to yours later…you go get your girls and enjoy the rest of your day". She continued to open the door wide back and watched as the taller woman placed her arm around the blonde's waist as they walked in time with each other towards the car. Like a proud mum Spencer rested her back on the door frame and waved Emily and Alison off as they went to collect Lily and Grace from Hanna's.