It was around 7am when Emily was rudely woken from her peaceful slumber by something hitting her full force in the face.
"Ouch," She grumbled, holding her face with her left hand as her right hand was paralysed by someone lying on it. She opened her eyes to see two sets of blond hair either side of her. One blonde was snuggled up against her whilst the other was practically sprawled out on top of her. Emily imagined herself, at that moment, looking like a 3 headed octopus. "Hanna, get the fuck off me." It was warm, very warm, and being cocooned in-between two other bodies Emily definitely thought she was about to melt.
"I'm too hot," Hanna moaned, dramatically throwing the cover off of her before once again throwing an arm and a leg over Emily however this time she managed to smack Ali in the head in the process.
"Hanna, stop!" Emily scolded, cupping Alison's head to protect it. Luckily for the both of them Ali was a heavy sleeper so she didn't even flinch at her slight battering. It was no surprise that Spencer woke, groaning from her position on the couch.
"Maybe if you hadn't insisted on sleeping on the floor next to Em then maybe you would be nice and cool on one of these couches," Spencer smiled, her eyes still closed but she knew she would have earned herself a glare from the blonde.
"What's going on?" Aria asked, oblivious to what's going on as usual. "Actually scrap that, I don't care." Her head once again hit the pillow as she turned over to go back to sleep.
"Well seen as I was woken up at this un-Godly hour I'm going in the shower first." Spencer got up but was soon pushed back down by Hanna who then tried to scramble from the living room to the stairs but failing miserably and falling straight on top of Emily and Ali. This time the blonde wasn't so lucky as Alison finally stirred. Not wanting to face the wrath of a grumpy Alison, Hanna scurried up the stairs after Spencer.
"So it wasn't a dream, you really are here," She mumbled, snuggling in closer to Emily and laying her head on the brunette's shoulder.
"I am indeed," She said, pulling the covers further up over the pair of them and turning on her side as she brought Ali as close as possible, hiding her head in the crook of her neck.
"Mmm I love the smell of your hair," Ali whispered sleepily, causing Emily to chuckle into her neck, the vibration causing her to squirm slightly. "Is it argan oil?"
"It is. Anyway, Merry Christmas," She said, pulling her head away to look into the blonde's eyes.
"Merry Christmas," Ali smiled, leaning in to place a kiss on the brunette's lips but before she reached she was smacked in the head with a pillow. "What the fuck?" She grumbled, not taking lightly to being hit in the head for the 3rd time that morning.
"Shower time. Hurry up I want to open the presents. Don't forget your Christmas sweater Scrooge," Hanna called out, keeping her distance knowing Alison would probably attack her if she was within reaching distance. Alison got up, not before placing a delicate kiss on Emily's lips. She skilfully threw a pillow at Hanna on her way out, heading up the stairs with a spring in her step.
"You not going to join her Em?" Hanna said, wiggling her eyebrows as she threw herself down on the couch.
"No, we're not there in our relationship yet Han," She laughed, sitting up whilst rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Why not?"
"Well considering the first civilised conversation we had in 5 years was about 30 seconds before I left for over 3 months and then I returned yesterday and although we have established we are - "
"Girlfriend and girlfriend?" Hanna suggested, raising her eyebrow causing Emily to laugh.
"Yeah anyway, we haven't talked about, you know, what happens next. We've kind of just gone from being at each other's throats to being together overnight." Hanna saw the confusion in her eyes and instantly got down on the floor next to her.
"Yeah and Ali has changed a lot over the past 5 years, she's so shy and vulnerable. There's still a little bit of bitch when she's around me but it will definitely take you a while to get used to."
"I sort of liked bitch Ali sometimes. It was kinda hot," Emily smirked, causing Hanna to laugh.
"What was kinda hot?" Ali said, walking back into the living room rocking her 'Bah, Humbug' Christmas sweater.
"Emily's huge crush on me," Hanna smirked, both her and Emily expecting a snarky comment back.
"You have a thing for blondes huh?" She giggled, the sentence aimed at Emily as she sat down on the couch opposite them. Hanna raised her eyebrow at Emily, highlighting her point of what she was just saying.
"I did. Now I only have a thing for a blonde."
"Oh please you've only ever had a thing for one blonde," Hanna said, causing the other two to laugh.
"True," Emily smiled, locking her gaze with Ali's from the other side of the room.
"Hellooooooo?" Hanna said, waving her arm in front of Emily. "Jeez if you're going to eye fuck at least do it when we aren't here."
"No one is eye fucking anyone, Emily got get your butt ready," Spencer ordered, her and Aria making their way into the living room with the sacks of presents. Emily groaned, dragging herself upstairs to get ready.
"Woah," Emily said, making her way out of the bathroom and nearly knocking Ali off of her feet.
"Sorry, it's just I need to talk to you."
"Okay," Emily nodded, trying not to sound nervous even though she was petrified, thinking the blonde was having second thoughts about everything.
"I heard your conversation with Hanna and- "
"Let's just enjoy Christmas today and then we'll talk about this tomorrow or when we're alone yeah?" She said, taking the blonde's hand.
"Okay," She smiled. "But we are okay though right?"
"We are perfect," She said, leaning down to place a loving kiss on her lips. She smiled when she felt Ali relax into her as she wrapped her hands around her waist.
"Okay come on, move it," Hanna said, dragging Ali out of Emily's arms before pushing the brunette into the bedroom. "You have 5 minutes otherwise we are starting without you."
It took Emily around 10 minutes to finally make her way downstairs wearing her elf Christmas sweater. With Pam and Ashely now joining them, the only available seat was on the floor. She was just about to plonk down on the floor when someone grabbed her arm, pushing her down onto the couch. Before she even had time to process who it was or what was happening, someone perched themselves on her lap. She looked up to find a pair of blue eyes staring down at her, the blonde smiling sweetly. She returned the smile, wrapping her arms around her waist to secure her on her lap. Out of the corner of her eye, Emily saw her mom smile at the two of them. She smiled back, trying to hide the blush creeping into her cheeks by leaning her head into Ali's back. She was never one for displaying affection in front of her mom but by the loving smile on the older woman's face Emily knew she secretly had her approval and it meant a lot to her.
"I think I should go first seen as though it's my house," Hanna said, dragging her sack towards her.
"You may find it's my house Han," Ashely said, causing the rest of them to chuckle as the blonde threw her mom a playful glare. Hanna didn't wait as she got stuck straight into her presents, thanking each of her friends individually as she opened their gifts. She received everything from perfume to a personalised shot glass with a bottle of vodka. They all decided to go around the room, Spencer was next receiving a new watch, along with chocolate and other 'stocking filler gifts'. Aria received the same, until she came across an envelope.
"Oh my God Ali, no way!" She screeched, jumping up to hug the blonde. Emily had to grab her thighs to stop her falling off her lap at the force of the little brunette.
"What did she get you?"
"Tickets to see Shania Twain!" She said, jumping off Ali and waving the tickets in Hanna's face. "Ali I can't believe it thank you."
"It's fine. Although I was hoping I would be your plus one," She giggled.
"Of course, I know how much of a country girl at heart you are too," Aria smiled, settling back down on the couch. It was now Ali's turn to open her presents, laughing at her 'My diary don't want none unless you got puns hun' diary that Hanna got her for work. She opened her other presents, receiving a spa break voucher, make-up, perfume and other little gifts.
"I'm giving you my present later," Emily whispered. Ali raised her eyebrow, causing Emily to blush when she realised how wrong her sentence sounded.
"I want to give mine to you later too," She smiled. She wanted to kiss her but she wasn't comfortable with the brunette's mom sat around 2 meters away.
"Okay Em your turn," Hanna smiled, handing her the sack. Ali got up and sat on the floor, giving Emily space to open her presents.
"A Lakers jersey?" She smiled, holding up the white/purple Lakers jersey.
"Well I know they were a big part of your Cali life and you're now a huge fan," Hanna smiled. "You don't have to wear it in public, you can just wear it to bed. I'm sure Ali would love that," She winked, causing Pam to nearly choke on her coffee and the rest of them to laugh. Emily was relieved when she looked over to see her mom had joined in the laughing. She received several other gifts including running shoes, a workout wristband thing which counts your calories etc and an iTunes gift voucher. Her present from Spencer was different as it was an envelope.
"No way. Spence?!" Emily said, looking up at the other brunette, her eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree.
"Yep, you'll have to find your own way there and a hotel and things."
"Oh my God thank you so much!" Emily said, jumping up to give Spencer a hug.
"What are they Em?" Aria asked, curious.
"Olympic tickets for Rio to watch water polo!"
"I tried to get swimming but they were completely sold out."
"Thank you Spence!"
"No problem Em," She laughed, not expecting the extravagant reaction.
"Thank you guys, I didn't expect you all to buy me presents seen as though I wasn't going to be here," She smiled.
"You would have always been here Em, whether it was in person or spirit," Aria smiled, causing the rest of them to nod.
"Well thank you, I really do have the best set of friends and family, Merry Christmas."
"Well are you ready for your surprise?" Ashely said, Pam nodding as she placed her coffee on the table. She was greeted by a sea of eager nods. "Well, I spoke to Jason and we are ALL going to have Christmas together at The Radley. Our whole family together," She smiled, greeted by several smiles and gasps before they all ran at her and Pam, engulfing them in a group hug.
Emily was sat on the couch absentmindedly staring ahead of her. Although this was one of the best Christmases she's ever had, it was also one of the hardest with it being the first without her dad; she couldn't help but feel slightly guilty that she wasn't thinking of him as much as she should. After all, Christmas was a special time for her as a child as that's when her dad usually came home.
"Em you ready to leave?" Aria said, breaking Emily from her thoughts. She looked over to see everyone huddled around the door ready to leave.
"What are those?" She asked, Pam had a reef in her hand and she handed the other to Emily. The rest of the girls had either a lantern with a candle in or some flowers.
"You'll see sweetheart," She smiled, linking her arm with her daughter's. They all began walking, overnight they had received another heavy snow storm and Rosewood really did look like a magical wonderland. Ali was walking ahead with Aria and Spencer, her head falling back every time she laughed at something they said. It made Emily realise how lucky she was to have been given the opportunity to finally be with the blonde.
They all approached Rosewood cemetery, walking up to Wayne's grave. With everyone else walking in front of them, Pam and Emily saw everyone place down their lanterns/flowers around his grave, stepping back to allow them both through.
"We just wanted to all be here and maybe say a little prayer?" Spencer suggested, earning a nod from both Pam and Emily. They all joined hands, Ali gently squeezing Emily's hand in support before giving her a weak smile. Spencer began:
"All I can think of is, Christmases long ago;
the time spent with my loved one, and experiencing our love grow.
I bring my sorrows to you Lord, because I don't know what else to do;
I want to focus on your birth, but I'm so lonely and blue.
I take all my sorrows, and lay them down at your feet;
I know you can take them away, and make me complete.
Heal my broken heart, dry my tears and help me understand;
that the death of my loved one, was never unplanned.
According to your Holy Will, You took my loved one home early;
it's not for me to understand why, and no longer should worry.
I now understand why, and I shouldn't be blue;
cause my loved one is in Heaven, sitting right next to You.
Merry Christmas Wayne."
"Merry Christmas Wayne," Everyone else chorused.
"We'll leave you to it," Spencer smiled, the other four smiling before leaving Pam and Emily to have some alone time with Wayne.
When Ashley, Hanna, Aria, Spencer and Ali all reached The Radley, they were greeted by both Charlotte and Jason wearing matching Santa Christmas sweaters and Santa hats.
"Merry Christmas," They all said, sharing hugs as they made their way inside, putting on their Santa hats.
"Merry Christmas sis," Jason smiled, pulling his younger sister in for a hug.
"Merry Christmas."
"Well that smile can only mean one thing," Charlotte smiled, wrapping her arms around her sister. "Where is she?"
"At Wayne's grave."
"Ahh, I'm so happy for you," She squealed. "I can't wait to see Americano."
The Radley had been completely transformed into a winter wonderland. There was huge Christmas trees, decorations and lights everywhere along with a giant inflatable Santa and snowman. Set in the middle of the restaurant was a huge table with Peter, Veronica, Toby, Ezra and Caleb already sat down. When they saw the new guests arrive, they instantly got up to greet them and it wasn't long before Pam and Emily joined them too.
"Americano!" Charlotte shouted, going over and pulling the brunette into a hug. "I guess I need to give you the big sister talk now huh?" She smirked.
"If I dare hurt her, you'll torture me?" Although the comment was light hearted, Emily saw a flicker of pain and regret cross Charlotte's face.
"I've done enough of that, don't you think? If you do hurt her, which you better not, I'll be there to pick up the pieces," She smiled.
"You won't need to," Emily smiled, pulling away from the hug. "I forgive you, you know. You've been there for Ali for all the times I wasn't and I'll never thank you enough. The past is in the past and although I probably won't forget, you won't either, I'm willing to forgive and move on."
"Thank you Emily. It really means a lot for you to say that," She smiled, a small tear escaping her eye and trickling down her cheek. Emily smiled, removing her coat and heading over to the table where everyone else was now sat down.
"Hey," She smiled, sitting down in between Ali and her mom.
"Hey, you okay?"
"I'm fine," She said, taking the blonde's hand in her own under the table as the waiters began serving the food.
"Merry Christmas everyone!" Peter cheered from the head of the table, as everyone raised their champagne glasses before tucking into their food.
After far too much food and one too many glasses of wine (especially for Hanna), they all decided to have a karaoke session.
"Ali go to your house and get your guitar!" Hanna shouted, trying to get her microphone to work on the sound system.
"Yeah Ali do it, me and you can do a little gig for them," Aria smiled, looking up from her game of battleships with Ezra.
"Okay, okay," Ali smiled, getting up from her seat next to Charlotte. Unfortunately for Spencer and Toby, Ali and Charlotte were practically the dream team when it came to scrabble.
"You walk away and team DiLaurentis will forfeit," Spencer warned, raising her eyebrow.
"Fine, you two deserve to win once in a while," Ali smirked, earning a laugh from everyone else and a huff from Spencer. Miss Hastings did not take loosing very well – especially at scrabble and especially to Alison.
"Hey where are you going?" Emily asked, just catching the blonde as she was about to walk out.
"I've been summoned to get my guitar," She smiled.
"I'll come with you."
"You don't have to – "
"Ali I want to," She smiled, grabbing her jacket from the coat stand before holding the door open for the blonde. It only took them approximately 3 steps for their fingers to become interlocked.
"Here," Emily smiled, wrapping her jacket around the blonde when she caught her shivering.
"Thank you, such a gentleman," She smiled.
"Why do you presume I'm the gentleman?" Emily said with a pout which only caused Ali to let out an adorable giggle which melted her heart.
"Babe I know you're the gentleman," She smiled. It was a flirtatious smile and one that Emily hadn't seen in over five years and even so it still made her whole body spin with desire.
"Things change," She shrugged.
"If you have a desire for me to be the man I will happily oblige. You know I like to be in control," She winked. Emily's knees nearly gave way; she had to slow down her pace of walking because she thought she might literally tumble over. This was the first time, ever, that they were actually openly flirting with each other and Emily loved it.
"And there's me thinking queen Ali D had gone," Emily said, pushing her body closer to Alison's as she tried to unlock her front door.
"When it comes to getting what I want, there will always be queen Ali D, although you are making it out to be some sort of alter ego you have in your fantasies," She said softly causing Emily to groan slightly. Ali smirked, "Did I just uncover my sweet, shy Emily's dirty fantasies?" By the blush on the brunette's face Ali knew she had hit the jackpot, giggling to herself as she headed upstairs to get her guitar.
"I have your present," She smiled, walking back into the living room to see Emily sitting on the sofa waiting for her. The brunette turned to the blonde, who sat down beside her. She placed a small, perfectly wrapped box into her hands.
"It's not much but…"
Emily took her time in undoing the ribbon, carefully tearing off the wrapping paper to uncover a red velvet box.
"Ali, it's beautiful," She smiled, her fingers tracing over the silver Eiffel Tower charm on the necklace. She looked at the silver tag next to it, a small tear escaping her eye as she read writing.
"How about forever? That's what you said to me that day in the classroom," She said, looking up to a smiling Ali who nodded.
"This isn't just a reminder of that, it's a promise that I will always love you and that one day we will go to Paris." She saw the corner of Emily's mouth twitch, Ali knew it was a sign that she was hiding something but she ignored it as she wiped the tear from the brunette's eye.
"Thank you, Ali. I love you."
"I love you too, mermaid." Emily smiled, her eyes glistening as she leaned in to kiss the blonde. The blonde moved closer, placing her hand on Emily's thy but she pulled away.
"I have your present too," She smiled, pulling out an envelope from her pocket. She handed it to Ali who hesitantly took it, trying not to shake as she loosened the seal.
"No way," She said as her eyes scanned over the contents of the envelope. "No way Emily. Is this real?"
"Yep," The brunette smiled, biting her lip as she watched Ali's reaction.
"We are going to Paris?" Ali said, looking up at the brunette who nodded. Alison squealed, throwing herself at Emily and knocking her back.
"Do you like it?"
"Like it? Emily I fucking love it," She smiled, lifting her head from the brunette's neck and kissing her so hard she nearly knocked her teeth out.
"I don't know when I'm going to free next year as I don't know when I'm going back on tour," Emily said, taking the blonde's hand now that they had both recovered from Ali's impromptu attack and were both now sitting up. "But I definitely know I won't be on tour next Christmas, so I booked us to go in the second week of December."
"Thank you," Alison whispered, the tears now flowing down her cheeks.
"We'll get there, I promise." Ali knew there was a deeper meaning behind the brunette's words but she refused to think about her being shipped back off to Afghanistan until after Christmas. She looked up to face Emily, smiling softly as she squeezed her hand.
"I know. I'm sorry you're present isn't as good as Spencer's, or the one you got me but –"
"Alison, I don't care whose present was better than the other. I wouldn't care if I had no presents at all because what I truly care about is having all my loved ones with me. I don't care about anything else. Having you here with me right now is all I ever want. You're all I ever want."
Alison was about to lean in and show the blonde how much she loves her when she was smacked in the side of the head, for the 4th time now, by a snowball.
"Ouch! What the hell?" She said, turning to see two blonde's standing in the hallway with snowballs in their hands.
"Less lovey dovey, more throw to snow," Hanna said.
"You tried," Charlotte said, Spencer now joining them and laughing at Hanna's failed attempt at rhyming.
"Come on guys, it's snowing and we need Emily on our team," Spencer said.
"What about me?" Ali pouted.
"Blondes V Brunettes" Spencer smirked, making a dash for the door when both Charlotte and Hanna turned to her with their hand full snow.
"We'll finish this later," Emily smiled, kissing the blonde softly before they both ran outside to enjoy the snow with the people they loved most.
Merry Christmas, Ali thought, smiling at snow ball fight in front of her before joining in.
Merry Christmas indeed.
A/N: Please leave a review and let me know what you think :)