A/N: I really enjoyed writing this, so i hope you enjoy!
*Emily POV*
It was just past 5pm when we heard the beep outside. Seen as though it was Hanna's treat she was driving us all to the new restaurant.
'Emily, they're here' my mom called as I was halfway down the stairs.
'Yeah I'm here mom' I say, putting my shoes and jacket back on at the front door. My mom opened the door, waiting for me to leave. As I walked past her, she smiled sweetly. I don't understand how she has been so strong through everything and I don't know how she will cope when I leave for Afghanistan. 'I love you mom' I say, as she locks up the door.
'I love you too darling, and I'm also so proud of you' she says, giving me a quick hug. We both turn around to head to the car, both Hanna and Ms Marin smiling sweetly at our little moment.
'Hey Pam, hey Emily' Ashley smiled sweetly from the passenger seat. Her and my mom deciding to have a catch up, talking about the funeral yesterday. Ashley couldn't make it because of work commitments. Since Hanna left for New York she found herself another job in real estate to keep herself occupied. The restaurant we were going to seemed to be just outside of Rosewood and as we pulled into the road I knew exactly where we were. As we pulled up in front of the white building I was shocked. Once stood Radley Sanitarium but now stands 'The Radley' and it's fair to say it looked really modern. The outside was filled with tables, there was even an outdoor bar, it was a square shape with what looks to be a champagne fountain the middle. There were waiters wearing waistcoats and tuxedo bows and it seemed to be full of people. We pulled up in a parking space and headed to the restaurant.
'When the hell did this happen?' I ask, shock evident in my voice as Ashely Marin and my mom laughed lightly.
'You'll soon find out. Just wait until you learn who owns the place' Hanna said, opening the door so we could all get in. The inside was just as mesmerising as the outside. As you walk through the door there is an indoor pond with little goldfish in and to the left and right of the door there are fountains in the pond. To get to the actual restaurant/bar you had to cross over a little bridge and once you get to the other side you are greeted by a waiter. Looking around, I can see to the far left an area up a couple of steps with a cocktail bar and high tables with stools. Sat around them were many people sipping their drinks, chatting away. Around the remaining outside of the room were booths with people eating their meals which were up a couple of steps also. And in the middle was an open kitchen surrounded by water, again with little bridges with waiters taking food to and from the kitchen to people's tables. Over the bridges in the middle was several tables of all sizes.
'Oh my god' I said, taking it all in. 'This place must be expensive' I say.
'It's a good job we don't have to pay then' Hanna winked. I was completely confused, I hope she isn't planning on walking away without paying. That is definitely something Hanna will do but I can't think the owner would be someone who would take it lightly.
'Hi we are actually friends of the owners, he's expecting us' Hanna says to the waiter, who instantly smiles and walks of. I continue to look around the place, seeing a black grand piano in one of the corners with a man softly playing music that I didn't notice before.
'Hey' someone said, a voice that was very familiar. I turned around, my jaw almost dropping to the floor at the man in front of me.
'Jason?!' I say, the words almost exploding out of my mouth.
'Yeah that's me, table for 4 yeah?' He chuckled, grabbing four menus and leading us around the restaurant to one of the booths up the steps at the back.
'So you own this place?' I say, as he hands us the menu.
'I certainly do, well I kind of co-own but I run it, I'm sorry I have to go deal with something. I'm sure Hanna will tell you everything. It's good to see you Emily' he smiles, before walking away to deal with one of the waiters who has a problem.
'Han, did you know about this?' I say, noticing she had no input into the conversation I just had.
'Yeah sort of' she said, almost looking guilty.
'So what the hell is going on?' I ask, completely baffled at the last 10 minutes of my life.
'Well, you know Ce-Charlotte bought Radley? Well obviously after a few years in the Rollins Mind Hospital she was getting better and she, her family and the rest of Rosewood didn't want reminding of what happened so she decided to pay to have it all refurbished into this place. She's still in the hospital obviously but with her being like a genius she does all the finance and law side of things and Jason runs the place.'
'Wait so where the hell did she get the money from and did you just say Rollins?' I ask, that name is coming up far too often for my liking. Just the word makes my stomach hurl.
'Well the same way she got the money to fund her A antics. She is literally the wolf of Wall Street. She bought shares into companies and sells them when their shares go up. She is literally a walking millionaire. And yes, I said Rollins Mind Hospital. Rollins as in Adam Rollins, he was working for the state hospital and he was Charlotte's doctor and when he mentioned the idea to Charlotte about wanting to run his own mental hospital, being the walking bank she is she decided to pay and now she literally has her own flat there. And before you ask, it's called Mind Hospital because apparently it's a lot friendlier and appealing that Mental Institution or Sanitarium.'
'Wow' I say, still processing everything that's just happened.
'And that's why we get free meals. Unlimited free meals and cocktails for the rest of our lives' she smirked.
'So you've seen Charlotte? How do you know she's better?'
'At the wedding, she was maid of honour. Me and Spencer were bridesmaids' she said, instantly looking at her menu to avoid eye contact as she knows she should avoid the conversation at all costs.
'What?'
'Em, you would have been one too if you went'
'If I was invited' I corrected her sourly.
'Em you really should speak to Ali. But yes Charlotte was so much better. She seemed just like Cece expect friendlier, less creepy and she's actually funny. Apparently she has a soft spot for you because she kept asking how her Americano is' she said, raising her eyebrow at the inside joke we have. I smile a little, I actually started to like Cece that day.
'Can I take your order?' The waitress asked.
'I'll have the House steak with an extra portion of fries, and a side of onion rings and garlic bread' Hanna smiled.
'Hanna, they're people starving in the world stop being greedy' her mom scolded her.
'It's free, might as well make the most of it' she said, handing her menu back over. I ordered a meat feast, stuff crust pizza to share with my mom and a portion of fries. After finishing our meals and a strawberry sundae, we were ready to leave but before we could Jason came over.
'Hey, if any of you are free on Friday night, we are hosting a cocktail making session. It's invite only so you'll have to let me know and I'll get you a ticket each.' He smiled.
'Thank you, that's very kind Jason' Ashely said, I still don't quite understand why things seem awkward when they are around each other.
'It's a shame you weren't at the wedding, I know Charlotte was looking forward to seeing you. You should go see her sometime, I know it's a big thing to ask but she is honestly a better person' he smiled genuinely. If he can forgive her after she dated him, then I know I should. I know she was ill just like Mona and I can kind of understand why she was like that. After all, Ali used to be similar and look how she's changed, I think to myself.
'I will, I'll maybe go tomorrow? Would that be okay?'
'I'm sure she'd love that' he smiled, walking away to allow us to leave.
*The next day*
I type the address Jason gave me into my sat nav and headed in the direction of the Rollins Mind Hospital. It was on the outskirts of Rosewood the other side of town. Pulling into the car park I was once again surprised. It didn't look anything like Radley or any other hospital. The outside was a grey colour but each wall had a colourful pattern on and each window frame or door was painted a different colour. As I reached the building the inside smelt brand new. Not the smell of an old history museum like Radley, and certainly not like a hospital. Inside the walls were painted bright colours, with pictures and art everywhere.
'Hi, I'm here to see Charlotte DiLaurentis' I say to the middle aged woman behind the desk.
'Ah yes, she's been expecting someone. I believe she has been looking forward to your visit. Could you please sign in and take one of these' she says, pointing at the book and handing me a visitors badge, the lanyard being a bright yellow colour. A lot different to the visitor's badges in Radley.
'Right this way' a man said, leading me through the hospital. There were lots of rooms however each room has large windows so you don't feel trapped. There are many patients, some doing pottery, some playing games, some reading on bean bags. Through one window I can see some playing soccer on a field out the back of the building. Dr Rollins had actually done a good job. Well, Charlotte paid but all the patients looked happy, and the system doesn't seem to have issues like Radley did. I get lead to a lift where you have to swipe your badge for it to open, obviously the patients aren't allowed to use it. It takes me to the top floor and at the end of a small corridor there is a single door. I knock quietly.
'Come in' the voice says, I take a deep breath. I haven't seen Charlotte since we were all stood on the roof at Radley. I enter the room and it is literally like an apartment. Well a loft apartment. She had a kitchen, a lounge area with a huge TV, a huge king size bed and an office area.
'Americano! It's good to see you' she smiled, pulling me into a hug.
'Hey' I smile weakly.
'Come sit down, we need a good catch up' she said, ushering me over to the couch. Wow it was a comfy couch, my body practically sank into it as I sat down. She could sense my uneasiness as she sat down in the chair opposite.
'Look, Emily, I don't even know what to say to you. I wasn't in a good place back then, in fact, I don't even remember half of what I did. That's how bad it was. And I regret it, God I do, but I can't change what happened. And I know it's a lot to ask but I really want you to try and forgive me'
I just look at her blankly. She wants me to forgive her? After locking me in a dollhouse, driving a car through my living room, sending my girlfriend away and she even caused my dad to have a heart attack!
'Not right away, of course, but I'm getting better now. I have all the support I need, I have the family I never had and I'm being accepted as being Charlotte.'
'I'll try, but I can't promise. You put me, my family and friends through hell'
'You forgave Mona? And Ezra. And don't forget it was Shana too' she said, I could see the hurt in her eyes. It is true that we forgave Mona and Ezra of course, I guess I would be being a hypocrite if I refused.
'Let's see how it goes' I smile. She smiles back, and actual genuine smile and jumps up from the sofa.
'You were always my favourite you know Americano, and no it wasn't just because you were Ali's. Tea? Coffee? She said, holding the kettle up.
'Tea, please. One sugar' I smile. I turn back and look around the room whilst she is making the coffee. But something besides the TV catches my eye. It's a beautifully decorated white envelope with Em- something written on it in what looks to be Ali's hand writing. As I get up and pick it up, it definitely says my name. I open it up cautiously, my eyes furiously scanning the page.
'You are formally invited to the wedding of Adam Jonathan Rollins and Alison Lauren DiLaurentis at the Rosewood Community church.'
Why the hell did Charlotte have my wedding invitation?!
'Charlotte, what the hell is this?' I say, standing up and holding the invitation up.
A/N: Sorry for the lack of Ali in the past few chapters but now the invitation mystery is going to be solved so she will be back ;) Please review etc, i'd love to know what you think!