Rehabilitation
Emily's POV
"You ready for your appointment" Alison asks while mindlessly twisting, curling, and pinning her golden locks into an effortless updo. She looks so beautiful like this...preparing for work and ready to step into her element.
"Earth to Emily" Alison giggles as she waves her hands at me, trying to catch my attention.
"Oops, sorry babe" I reply feeling a little flushed all of the sudden.
Sitting down on my lap, she wraps her arms around my neck, causing blue to become one with brown in a loving gaze.
"Did I just catch my girlfriend thinking dirty thoughts" she asks while playfully biting her lip.
"Dirty thoughts? Yes. Now whether they're about you? I can't confirm or deny" I reply trying to keep a straight face.
Leaning back with surprise plastered across her face, Alison gasps semi playfully and angrily.
"Well fine, be that way" she snips as she starts to get off my lap.
Forcefully pulling her waist towards me, I plop her back down on my lap.
In a husky voice, I hungrily reply in her ear, "You... my dear... will be mine again one day. Your body will be mine. I plan on making you feel pleasure like you've never felt before. The things I'm going to do to you... mmm".
Alison's breath hitched in response to my heated promise as she stared off into space, seemingly dreaming about the thought of us reuniting in our bed after so many months apart.
"I... I... uh..." Alison finally stutters.
"That's what I thought baby" I declare victoriously while squeezing her butt and kissing her lips, tugging at her bottom lip.
The sound of a knock and the opening of the apartment door interrupts the spell I've cast upon Alison.
"Knock, knock! Em you ready for your physical therapy" Hanna asks excitedly as she files into the apartment with Spencer and Aria following behind her.
"Oh I think we've interrupted something" Spencer declares with widened eyes at the sight of us.
"Nothing that can't be continued later" I wink at Ali.
"You guys are the definition of couple goals" Aria exclaims gazing at us with a look of admiration and a hint of jealousy.
"Alright you horn dogs. Break it up. Em's gotta go and Ali has work." Hanna interrupts gesturing towards the door.
Alison gets up, walks over to the girls, and says, "Promise me you'll take good care of her. You know I hate that I have to miss this".
Spencer flashes a sweet smile and steps forward, gently rubbing the side of Alison's arms. "Of course we will. We're all excited to spend the day with Em".
"I hate to ruin this sweet moment here, but we've gotta roll... well at least I do" I reply as I wheel myself closer to them.
Alison turns around and bends down so our eyes meet. Playfully patting the side of my cheek, she smiles and replies, "Don't make jokes like that. I don't need my girl becoming complacent".
"I'm sorry. I'm a bad girl" I reply jutting out my bottom lip.
"In more ways than one" Alison giggles before leaning in to me. "I love you... I'll see you tonight" she whispers before kissing me.
"I love you more" I whisper after reluctantly pulling away from her lips.
As I roll my way to the door, I boldly add, "You're gonna get it tonight".
Opening the door, Aria asks with a furrowed brow, "How is that even gonna be a thing?"
Laughing loudly, Hanna replies pointing at me, "With this horn dog? Anything is possible. She'll find a way for them to do it like a couple of rabbits".
Before long, we arrive at my appointment where I eagerly begin my therapy session with Devon, my main physical therapist.
"You know Devon, I really need to get these two stubborn legs of mine to work again. I've got big plans and a lady to please if you know what I mean" I joke as I work through a core strengthening exercise.
"Girl you're so nasty" he exclaims while laughing. "But I love it... Don't worry. I'll make sure we work your ass off and get you back to your old self. By the way, lemme see a picture of this lady of yours".
I take a break for a moment to catch my breath and wheel myself over to my bag to retrieve my phone.
"Here. Isn't she something" I proudly ask.
"Well hot damn Emily! Now I understand why you're so horny. You've got yourself a damn dime right there" he shouts flamboyantly.
"You bet your ass I do. But seriously though. She's an even more incredible woman on the inside" I reply while fondly flipping through pictures of us on my phone.
When my session was finished, I came away from it feeling stronger and even more determined to continue. I want my legs back. I want to dance with my girl. I want to get down on one knee one day and propose to her.
"One day baby.. or day" I whisper to myself as I roll myself towards the waiting room.
"Hey Em, how'd it go" Aria asks as I enter the room.
"Really well! I'm exhausted but I feel good. I had an idea while I was in there ladies. You up for helping me? It's going to be a lot of work" I ask giving them the biggest doe eyes I could muster.
Spencer's eyes narrow and then widen as a virtual light bulb appears above her head. "Shouldn't you ask her that before we undertake that task" she asks.
"Wait. I'm lost here. Are you two communicating again without talking" Hanna asks crossing her arms over her torso.
"God I hate when you two do that. It's like a special power" Aria replies sounding slightly peeved.
"What?! I'm just able to read a situation guys. It's not that hard" Spencer snaps back defensively.
"Guys, guys. She's perceptive. She just figured out that I want Alison to move in with me. Not just till I recover. I want her to move in permanently" I reply while smiling at the thought.
"Aww oh my God that's so great Em" Aria exclaims clapping her hands like an excited, small child.
"I agree Emily. You should ask Alison about this first" Hanna adds while rubbing my shoulder.
"Well I have a cute idea. But I need my little buddy to help me out" I smirk. "I hope she'll like it and say yes".
It's a little past 7 pm and Alison just got off work. She'll be home within the hour and I'm finishing up last minute touches.
The spinach tortellini casserole is warming in the oven and the surprise is prepped and ready as soon as Alison arrives. In my mind, this is already our home. I just hope she'll soon call this place home too.
A smile lights up my face as I hear my baby walking down the hallway. After knowing Alison for some time now, I've become accustomed to recognizing her freakishly soft footsteps.
"It's showtime buddy" I say as I position myself to face the doorway.
"Babe, holy crap it smells amazing in here" Alison exclaims as she finally appears in the doorway after struggling to open the door.
"Go" I whisper softly as she turns her back as she locks up the door.
"Oh my gosh hi baby" Alison squeals in delight as she sees Moose scampering towards her.
Bending down with a huge smile across her face, she says, "I have missed you so much! I know I've been a bad mommy but I promise I'll do better from now on" as she begins to smother him with kisses.
"Wait... What's this?... What do we have here" she asks as she notices the key attached to his collar.
"Em" Alison asks sounding confused.
"Bring him here" I reply as I open my arms for her to hand him to me.
After gently removing the key, I gently place him down on the floor and continue, "Good boy. Now scurry off. I have an important question to ask".
"Emily, I'm confused" Alison replies with the same confused look on her face.
"Sit" I gesture as I gently tap my lap.
"Okay.." Alison replies hesitantly as she slowly sits down on my lap.
"You see this right here" I ask holding the key.
"Babe. It's a key" she replies with a slight chuckle.
"Yes. But it's not just any old key" I reply as I begin to feel my nerves creeping up my chest.
"Go on" Alison replies now sounding intrigued.
"It's your key to this apartment" I say with a huge smile.
"Em, I love you, but you've totally lost me. I already have a key to the apartment while I'm here till you recover" Alison states now sounding confused again.
"Yes, that may be the case, but that's not what I'm getting at here" I reply as I begin to laugh a little.
Now looking deeply into her captivating eyes, I take a deep breath and say, "What I'm trying to say is...When I look around, I no longer see it as my dining room table, my sofa, my bed. It's our table, our sofa...our bed. In my mind, this is our home. Yes, I know we arranged for you to stay here until I recover. But... I want to take this step in our relationship. I'm so ready for this and I hope you are too. Ali, I love you. I want to continue to grow here with you".
Pausing and lifting up the key level with her face, I ask, "Will you move in with me?... Permanently".
Her beautiful blues suddenly become a watery ocean in reaction to my question.
God please say yes! Please be happy tears!
"Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes" she replies excitedly as she grabs the key out of my hand and forcefully kisses my lips.
All of the nerves I felt brewing inside me instantly transformed into a mass of hundreds of beautiful, flapping butterflies as soon as that pivotal word escaped her lips. Even after all that we've been through, I'm still amazed at what this woman does to me. She fills my heart with love, joy, and happiness like none other. And guess what? She's all mine and I'm all hers.
It's been two months since Alison officially moved in. This time together has felt right. We're back to the way we were before everything was turned upside down.
The police officially closed the investigation into Kate's stalking and attack at the beach house. They gathered every piece of evidence possible and detailed an in depth time line for Alison and me in order to fully understand the situation we went through.
Now that this aspect of my life has come to a close, I feel like I can leave it behind me and focus on what's good in my life and all that is yet to come. The media has been hounding me to do an interview about the entire ordeal.
Alison thinks I should grant one media outlet a single sit down interview and ask that they donate what they would have paid me to a charity of my choice. I tend to agree with her yet still feel like I'm not ready to talk about it in camera. Call me selfish and self absorbed, but I'd also like to be able to walk when I give the interview. I don't want to be stuck in this damn chair. I don't want to look pitiful. I don't want anyone's damn pity.
Alison's refusal to coddle me or feel sorry for me in a smothering sense has helped me maintain a certain level of independence and confidence in myself. She's only helped me when it's physically impossible for me to do something and has been a supportive ear when I need to talk about what I'm thinking and feeling. She kept her promise and I can't thank her enough for that.
Day by day, I'm getting stronger emotionally and physically. I attend physical therapy now 4 times a week. I want to keep working hard and get my legs back. Usually Spencer, Aria, and Hanna take me when Alison can't due to work.
Today, Alison is taking me to my appointment and we're meeting the girls afterwards for lunch. Hurriedly rolling through the door, excited to get to work, I greet everyone in the office.
"Hey Devon, you ready to get to work" I ask excitedly.
Rolling his eyes at me, he chuckles and says, "I'm supposed to be asking you that".
"Ohhhhh look who came today " he adds as he runs over to hug Alison.
"Hi friend! She isn't giving you too much trouble already is she" Alison asks after their embrace.
"Girl she's always a piece of work" Devon jokes while playfully slapping my arm.
Bending down for a kiss, Alison quickly pecks my lips, pulls away slightly, and says, "Behave yourself. Work hard. I'll be in the waiting room if you need me. I love you".
Once she leaves the room, Devon suddenly turns to me and says, "Emily... When are you gonna wife her up? When are you gonna put a damn ring on that finger? Hm? Cause I'd really like to know what the fuck is taking you so long".
Taken back by his blunt words, I paused and thought for a moment. Looking up at him, I reply while feeling a lump develop in my throat, "When I can actually get on one knee. I... I want to do it right. She deserves it. She deserves a perfect proposal".
"But she'd love it no matter when, where, or how you did it. She loves you exactly the way you are Emily. At least start looking for rings" Devon replies while patting my shoulder.
Maybe he's right. Maybe I'm putting too much thought into it. I know Alison loves me for me and has continued to love me through this. The next appointment that Alison can't take me, I'll go ring shopping with the girls.
Sweating and panting after an especially challenging therapy session, I slowly wheel myself towards the lobby to meet Spencer, Hanna, and Aria. Today's the day I'm going to take them ring shopping with me. I hope they will be excited and supportive of my decision.
"Damn Em you look exhausted" Hanna says worriedly while standing up from the chair.
"Yea Em do you need some water or something " Aria asks while rubbing my arm.
"Here. Drink up" Spencer says after handing me a water bottle from her purse.
Twisting the cap back on the bottle, I pause for a moment while fumbling with my fingers.
"What's wrong Em" Spencer asks with a quizzical look on her face.
"Um... so... guys. I want to tell you something. And I want to know what you think about it" I fumble nervously.
"Spit it out. You're freaking me out" Hanna replies trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.
"I... I want to go ring shopping today" I reply quickly while hesitantly looking up at them.
Ear piercing screams flood the waiting room and cause me to jump in surprise. Next thing I know, all three of them rush towards me and smother me with a giant group hug.
"Guys... can't... breathe" I say hoping it will make them release me from their clutches.
"Oh sorry Em" Aria says pulling away.
"Yea we didn't mean to. We're just so excited and happy for you" Spencer says while smiling lovingly.
"I'm beyond fucking excited. It's about damn time" Hanna adds slapping my arm.
"Do you know how and when you're going to propose? Do you have any ideas about rings" Aria asks.
"Ummm. No idea about the ring. I think I'll know when I see it. And as far as a proposal... it's a work in progress. All I know is that I love her. There is no other person on this planet for me" I reply as tears threaten to fall down my cheeks.
"Aww babe, come. Let's go get Ali's ring" Aria cheers happily.
After hours of looking, we decided to stop in one more store. I was beyond exhausted but they were determined to have me find one. If I'm being honest, I was being quite picky. Even though I didn't know exactly what I wanted, I knew that I would know it was the right one the moment I laid eyes on it.
"Welcome to Neil Lane ladies. How may I help you" an older women asks joyfully.
"We're looking for the most expensive engagement rings you have" Hanna replies smirking at me.
"Actually. We'd just like to look at everything" I interject.
"I can still bring the higher end ones out from the back of you'd like me to" she replies.
"Yes. Ma'am that'd be lovely" Hanna replies before I could answer.
I decide to browse while the three of them continue talking.
"No. No. No. Eh, maybe." I think to myself as I slowly browse the selection.
Ugh. Am I being too picky? I really want to find the perfect one though. My girl deserves nothing but perfection.
"Hanna you know Alison is not the type of girl to expect the most expensive ring" Spencer says throwing her a look of disapproval.
"I want Emily to look at everything possible. Who knows... it could be the one" Hanna replies defensively.
"Guys this is Emily's day. The focus should be on her. Not us bitching" Aria interjects trying to defuse the tension.
"Here you go my dear" the sweet sales woman says while placing a small display in front of me.
I can still hear the girls bickering in the background but I pay them no mind because my attention is on something else far for important. Tears begin to fall down my cheeks at the mere sight of it. It's just so beautiful. It's so perfect. It's so Alison.
"I think we may be onto something" the older woman smiles.
"This. This is the one" I reply while picking it up in my shaking hands.
"How much is it?" I ask even though I don't care about the price.
"This one is $155,000. Is that going to be a problem" she questions.
"Not at all. It's worth every single penny" I reply smiling widely at the glimmering rock before me.
"I'll take it" I say aloud excitedly.
"Wait what" Hanna yells suddenly as she stops her bickering with Spencer.
"You found one" Aria asks hurrying towards me.
"Yes, while y'all were fighting, I found the one" I reply beaming with joy.
"Oh my God let me see" Spencer begs me.
"Here you go my dear" the saleswoman says while handing Spencer the tiny black box.
A loud gasp escapes her lips the moment she tilts open the velvety black box. She opens her mouth as if attempting to say something but she ends up pausing and closing her mouth again.
"Wait. Is The Spencer Hastings rendered speechless? And wait... are those tears I see" I ask her jokingly.
Clearing her throat, she finally says, "It really left me speechless. It's stunning Emily. Alison is going to love it. I can't help but think about how far you've come since Alison came into your life. I always knew the Emily I see before me now was the real Emily. You just needed the right woman to show you the light".
"Stop now you're going to make me cry" I chuckle as I wipe a tear from my cheek.
"I agree Em. This is the one. You finally found it" Aria squeals.
"Gotta admit, I'm hella jealous. I hope I can get a ring like this one day" Hanna laughs still in awe of the ring.
"But in all seriousness Emily. I'm thrilled you've finally found yourself and that you're ready to take this next step. Alison is completely worth it all" Hanna adds smiling warmly.
"I know she is. And I hope I can keep this bad boy a secret until I figure out when and how I plan on proposing" I joke as I gaze down at the magnificent ring before me.
"There's just one thing that I have to do before I set any plans in motion" I reply still gazing at Alison's ring.