Chp 25

Cece was holding Alison's hand so tightly it hurt but Alison didn't mind; she just squeezed back. Alison gave her a reassuring smile and kissed her on the lips, lingering briefly.

"I love you," Alison whispered, "I'll see you soon."

"Promise?" Cece whispered, her voice laced with fear.

Alison pressed her forehead against Cece's, "I promise," she murmured, touching her nose to Cece's.

Cece couldn't help smiling at that and when Alison moved to pull away, she grabbed at her and kissed her fiercely.

"So I know there's something worth coming back for," Cece murmured as they broke apart.

"It's time," a doctor interrupted the moment gently.

"I love you," Cece smiled bravely, her hand falling from Alison's.

"I love you," Alison echoed.

Jessica took Cece's hand briefly, "You'll be fine, honey."

"Thank you," Cece whispered before they rolled the gurney through the double doors.

Alison stared at those doors for a full minute before Jessica took her hand and led to the waiting room.

"What are you guys doing here?" she asked dumbly, surprised by her friends presence.

Emily stepped forward and hugged her, "Didn't think we'd let you wait alone, did you?"

Alison hugged her back, "Thank you," she barely whispered.

"Do you need anything?" Aria piped up, "Water? Soda? Food?"

Alison shook her head, "I'm not hungry," she shrugged, "Thanks guys. Really," she slumped into an empty seat. Her mom sat beside her and the girls took seats opposite her.

Alison sat staring at the floor. Time had never felt slower. Only Emily and her mom sat with her now, the others had gone to find some food after hours of trying to make small talk. Her mom read a magazine half-heartedly and Emily just watched her in concern.

Finally Alison looked up, her eyes looked tired and worry-stricken.

"I really love her," Alison barely whispered, her voice cracking, "Like I never thought I could love anyone."

Her mom put her magazine down and put her arm around her daughters' shoulder, "I know you do."

"We talk about living together and… forever," Alison said, her lip trembling, "What if – "

"You'll have it," Emily said quietly, "You have to believe that."

"I just hate seeing her so… sick and there's nothing I can do to help her," Alison sniffed, "I just want to make it all better and I can't. She's so strong but it doesn't even matter with this because no matter how strong she is, she can't beat this on her own."

"Alison," her mom spoke quietly but firmly, "You're wrong. There's plenty you can do for her. You're here for her and she knows that. You told her how much you love her. She went in there with the best state of mind possible because she knows she has you to come back to," she squeezed Alison's shoulders, "Honey, I am so proud of you. You have been so strong through all of this," she kissed the side of Alison's head.

Alison felt her eyes well up, "Thanks, mom," she leant into her mom's side and stayed there for a while. She was still there, wiping away the last of her tears when her friends came back.

"Okay, we've got a selection of sandwiches, chocolates, chips, cookies, coffee, tea, soda and everything else you can get a vending machine or hospital cafeteria!" Hanna declared, dumping the spread of foods on the table and chairs around them.

Alison smiled gratefully, "Thanks, guys."

Her mom took a coffee and Emily picked up a soda and some nuts.

"Ali, you should try and have something," Emily said gently.

Alison's eyes skirted across the snacks lain about before her. She wasn't hungry. Or thirsty. Eventually, she picked up a Hershey's chocolate bar.

"Cece's favourite," she mumbled.

Alison refused to leave her girlfriends' bedside even though the doctors said it could be hours before she woke up.

"I'm never leaving her," Alison said firmly.

Jessica sighed, giving up, "Okay, Ali," she squeezed her daughters hand, "I'm just going to get a coffee, okay?"

Alison nodded, not taking her eyes off of Cece. She brushed her girlfriends hair out of her eyes and held her hand. She kissed her hands gently. Eventually, she got so tired she rest her head next to Cece's hands. She fought her drooping eyelids but they won out in the end.

Jessica returned to see her daughter fast asleep next to her girlfriend. She smiled and picked up a thin blanket, wrapping it around Alison's shoulders.

Cece's throat felt scratchy and her head hurt. Her eyelids felt like they were lined with bricks but she wanted desperately to open them. She felt them twitch slightly. She was suddenly aware of a touch on her skin. Her hand. She tried to squeeze but her muscles didn't seem to want to cooperate. She groaned and the noise sounded strange to her.

"Ce?"

That was all she needed. The sound of Alison's voice. Her eyes opened, squinting against the bright room.

"Ali," she croaked, clearing her throat.

Alison jumped up and put a hand on her girlfriends' face before kissing her lips quickly, "You're awake."

"I still feel… sleepy," Cece said groggily.

Alison nodded, squeezing her hand, "That's okay. They said you might be tired for a while, it's okay to go back to sleep."

Cece nodded, "Okay, I might…but I love you, Ali."

Alison smiled, "I love you too, Ce."

"Did they say how it went?" Cece asked.

"They just said it went well, the doctor will come in when you're more awake," Alison said gently, running a hand through Cece's hair, "You're so strong," she murmured, kissing her girlfriends cheek.

"Thank you for staying…" Cece mumbled.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else, baby," Alison whispered just as the door opened behind her and her mom came in.

"Oh, you're awake!" Jessica rushed to the bedside, "How do you feel? Do you need anything?"

Cece smiled, "Just tired, really," she licked her lips, "Maybe some water?"

Alison made to move, but Jessica placed a hand on her shoulder and went to pour the water, bringing it back.

"Thank you," Cece took the cup and sipped on it slowly.

"Anything else?" Jessica asked.

Cece shook her head, "No, I mean… thank you for everything. For letting me stay and looking after me and for letting Ali see me when I know you didn't trust me. I really… really appreciate it."

Alison bit her lip, still running a hand through Cece's hair.

Jessica took her hand and squeezed it, "It's okay, honey. Really, you're family now."

Cece smiled tiredly, "I think I'll go back to sleep now."