Authors Note:

Thank you very much for the reviews.

Please keep them coming.

In reply to your comments...

For the guest that doesn't usually read in-progress stories for

fear of them remaining unfinished... don't fear! This story is actually finished,

I'm not writing chapter by chapter so you'll definitely get it all.

Also sorry...no Mona in this story unfortunately.

Chapter Nine

"You've been in a bad mood for days now, Fields," Jon wrapped an arm around her.

Emily sighed, Jon was right. She wanted to speak to Alison but the last couple of times she'd spoken to her the blonde hadn't been that receptive. It made Emily falter every time she reached for the phone.

"I know and I'm sorry, I just don't know what to do about Alison."

"Yeah?" Jon cocked his head to the side, "What's going on with her? Dan said she was gorgeous."

"She's beautiful," Emily nodded in agreement, "But she's also moody. The first time I talked to her it was easy. We got on really well, we clicked. For two strangers in this situation it went really well but now..." Emily sighed, "She's grumpy, she was kind of rude and she hung up on me, twice. I need to ring her but I don't want to ring her if she's going to be moody so I'm waiting."

"For her to call you?" Jon asked, Emily nodded, "Babe, you don't want to miss out on anything just because the pregnant and hormonal woman is moody."

"You're right," Emily scrubbed a hand over her face, "You are so right. I'm going to call her."

"Alright, just remember your goal," Jon said, receiving a nod.

"Well, well, well."

"Uh, hello?" Emily frowned, throwing herself onto her bed.

"It's Hanna, I need to talk to you."

"Is Alison okay?"

"She's fine, she's asleep. I just think you need a little advice."

"I do?" Emily asked, "About what?"

"About Ali, obviously," Hanna huffed, "Look Ali isn't exactly an easy person to get on with and she told me that she snapped at you. You can't take offence Emily, she's just like that."

"What? I don't understand."

"Ugh, Ali's at best a bitch twenty four seven so with the added pregnancy hormones and the stress of everything she has literally no chance of being decent."

"What so she's just not a very nice person?"

"I didn't say that, she's just complicated. Ali finds emotion in every day life difficult so this is hard for her."

"Alright, so you want me to...?"

"I just don't want you to give up on her. She might be a temperamental bitch but I honestly think she wants your baby."

"Really?" Emily's face lit up, "That's fantas-"

"Just be there for her, not just the baby. Ali...she's...like I said, she's complicated, there is absolutely no way that she could do this alone."

"I will, I swear. I want to be there."

"Good. Then no matter how much of an asshole she is don't stop calling again, if you want this then make sure she never feels alone."

"Alright. I think I get it Hanna, thank for this-"

"I'm going to hang up now but I'll text you from my phone so you have my number. I can't help with anything baby related but think of me as your guide to Ali handbook. I want to help."

Emily couldn't help but admire her. She had to admit Alison was absolutely beautiful and with a body to match. She was definitely Emily's 'type'. Hey eyes scanned over Alison's outfit. A tight blue shirt, black suit jacket and matching skirt. Her hair in loose curls and her face adorning make-up. Despite how ridiculously hot Alison looked, Emily almost missed the comfy look from a few days ago when the blonde was just in her sweatshirt.

"I want to come and visit you," Emily said, rubbing her hands together, "I think if we spent some time together it'd give you an idea of how this would work. Plus it would probably be a good idea to get to know each other better."

Alison's eyes downcast and she shifted uncomfortably, "Emily, my fiancé-"

"I can make it easy for you Alison. I can stay at a hotel, out of your way. We can just meet up when you call."

Alison pursed her lips, looking in deep thought for a moment, "So our meet ups would be on my terms?"

Emily nodded, "Completely on your terms. I'd just be close by and waiting for your phone call."

"Okay."

Emily grinned, "Okay," She smiled, "Where do you live anyway?"

"Rosewood."

"Pennsylvania? That's where I was born." Emily's eyebrow shifted upwards.

"Yes. Where do you live, Emily?"

"Jupiter."

"Florida? That's like more than a thousand miles away! When I have this baby how the fuck am I supposed to raise it with someone who lives like twenty fucking hours away?!"

"Alison, it's an hour flight for now and something to decide later," Emily paused, "You said when again instead of if."

"Emily, I'll say this one more fucking time," Alison hissed, "I am not raising this baby alone!"

"Alison, I am going to do everything in my power to make this easy for you. I'll move if that's what you want me to do," Emily rolled her eyes, "Jesus, I'll move into your bloody house if that's what you need to feel comfortable."

Alison's lips twitched and that's the last thing Emily saw before Alison disconnected the call.

"Fantastic," Emily huffed, dropping her phone onto the couch and rubbing a hand over her face. She remembered her conversation with Hanna, hanging onto it somewhat. She promised herself that she wouldn't let Alison's temper effect her. There was a reason Alison was so closed off, Emily just didn't know it. Maybe some day she would but for now she had to make damn sure that Alison knew she was there.

"Are you okay?" Cece asked after Alison had just spent the last twenty minutes in her bathroom throwing up. Alison shook her head no and practically collapsed onto her friends couch. Cece made a sympathetic face and rubbed Alison's back.

"Pregnancy doesn't agree with me," Alison grumbled, picking up the watermelon from the coffee table.

"Life doesn't agree with you, Alison but you'll kick ass in the end," Cece chuckled, "So are you going to keep it? That Emily chick sounds like she's trying hard."

Alison pouted, "I don't know what to do."

"Care to elaborate?" Cece raised an eyebrow.

"I'm so torn," A tear appeared but she quickly wiped away before it could fall down her cheek, "If it was just me and Emily then maybe-" Alison shrugged, staring at the floor.

"Elliott isn't part of this decision, Ali, he shouldn't even be a factor," Cece shook her head.

That earned another shrug.

"Ali, Emily wants this baby so if you want it too, even just a little then you should have it. If you don't you'll regret it so much," Cece grabbed Alison's hand, "Is Elliott worth that? Does he make you so happy that you'd be okay ending the chance to have this child?"

Alison stayed perfectly still, her eyes not leaving the floor. Her teeth cutting into her lower lip. Suddenly the tears were falling and a sob escaped her lips. Cece was on her in seconds, wrapping her arms around her friend and rocking her back and fourth.

"N-no," Alison sobbed, "He's not."

Cece furrowed her eyebrows, "Then why-"

"I'm scared!" Alison shouted, pushing Cece until she was away from her. Alison ran her fingers through her hair, tugging to try and contain her sobbing. One more look at her friend's confused and worried face made her bolt out the door. She never was one for emotion.

"Oh, Ali," Cece whispered to her empty apartment.

All Alison wanted was to spend a little time alone, to regain her thoughts and composure. But no, of course not. Hanna had to be just hanging out in her house, sprawled across her couch and eating her food.

"When will you have an ultrasound?" Hanna asked lazily.

"I don't know," Alison dismissed.

"Alright moody," Hanna raised both eyebrows, "I just want to find out if it's a lizard baby."

"Jesus, Hanna, could you not?"

"Do you want a boy or a girl?" Hanna mused.

"I don't care," Alison frowned.

"Is it going to have Emily's last name or yours?"

"Oh my God, Hanna, will you just shut the fuck up about the stupid fucking baby!" Alison threw a pillow at Hanna, hitting her on the head.

"Uh, ouch!" Hanna scowled, "What the fuck crawled up your ass today?"

"I'm sick of you," Alison yelled, "So why don't you just get the fuck out of my house?"

"Are you kidding me?" Hanna stood up, "Is that really what you want?"

"Yes," Alison spat, walking upstairs without a second glance.

"Did you grow a beard?" Alison peered at her laptop screen with distaste, "It looks absolutely ridiculous."

"Ah, dear sister. It's always a pleasure to talk to you," Jason laughed, lighting up a cigarette.

"Do you have to do that in front of me?" Alison wrinkled her nose.

"You can't second hand smoke through a laptop. Now what's going on with you?"

Alison's eyes fell to her lap, she pursed her lips in thought, "I want to talk to you about this baby and I need you to be non bias."

"Alright," Jason nodded, "I can do that but why aren't you speaking to your friends? They're women so might have a little more to say on the emotional side of things."

"Way to gender stereotype," Alison rolled her eyes, "Like I said, I need you to be non bias."

"Go ahead, Ali," Jason chuckled, "I'll help as much as I can."

"Okay," Alison chewed her lip, "I have three choices. Keep the baby, give it to Emily or..."

"I get the idea," Jason said softly once Alison's voice trailed off, "What are you leaning towards?"

"I can't give it to Emily," Alison shrugged, "I'd spend the rest of my life knowing my kid was out there and wondering."

"Yeah, I can see that, so that leaves two options."

"I don't know," Alison suddenly found her hands interesting.

"I can't pretend to know what you should do, Ali, but I do know you," Jason paused, "I know it's hard for you but you need to just be honest with yourself."

"I guess I don't have much practice with that," Alison mumbled.

"I know," Jason looked down sadly, "But this decision needs honesty and that's the best possible advice I could give you."

Alison looked away, swallowing thickly, "Got any advice on how to do that?"

"That's the question I guess. What feels right? What won't you regret?"

"I wouldn't regret keeping the baby but I'm scared," Alison furrowed her eyebrows, "What if I go through with this and Emily bails-"

"I really doubt that would happen. She's the one who wanted to wait in the first place. If it wasn't for the fact Emily wants this baby we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Fine," Alison rolled her eyes, "It's not that. Jason, what if I end up like Mom?"

"Alison, Mom was ill, what she did to you..." Jason's eyes closed in regret, he let out a deep breath, "Ali, you would never do that to anyone, especially not your own child."

"How can you be so sure?" Alison wiped at her wet eyes.

"Don't forget that I've known you all your life little sister."

"I'm not going to be your little sister for long if I go through with this," Alison made them both laugh.

"Ali," Jason's voice turned serious, "Just remember that you're not Mom, remember that you have a lot to offer a child."

"Thanks, Jay," Alison gave him a small smile.

"This is all a big deal, maybe it would be worth going to see Dr Sullivan again?"

"Y-you think I need therapy?"

"No, that's not what I mean. I'm saying it might be good to just go over things, you know, make sure you're dealing with everything?"

Alison bit her lip, "I..." Her eyes met Jason's, seeing the concern, "Maybe that would be a good idea, just to...check."

"Great, you can set up an appointment this week and let me know how it goes?" Jason grinned.

"Yeah," Alison nodded, "Alright."

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