Sorry, guise, that it took so long to update. I promise I am doing these as quick as I can. I've had a pretty stressful day, what with worrying about my best friend and all, so please, go lenient on how bad my edits were with this chapter. I tried and fixed as much as I could.

Chapter Eight:

Emily sat on top of the counter besides the stove as Alison mindlessly cleaned the dishes. Emily loved to watch Alison do simple things. She loved to watch her do things that were seemingly less important and when no else would watch. She loved to watch the way she scrubbed a counter, her tongue pressed against her top lip in concentration. She loved to watch the way her hair would never stay in a ponytail and Alison's frustrated face as she tried to push it back in place.

Emily basically loved everything there was to love about Alison. Besides what she had done last night. She loved Alison to the moon and back, would walk over anything to be by her side, but Emily was seething at what Alison had did. But, what had made Emily even more mad was the fact Alison didn't even realize she had done anything wrong. To Emily, it was like Alison was purposely avoiding her wrongdoing of the night before.

I mean how am I supposed to compete, Emily thought to herself. Out loud Emily asked in somber voice, "Are you ever going to talk to me again?"

Alison looked up at her and replied, "I might if you would quit overreacting and being patronizing."

Emily's eyes broke contact with Alison's and looked around the room, "I am not overreacting. I am reacting as anyone would to their girlfriend flirting with some random waiter and GIVING HIM THEIR CELL PHONE NUMBER. I AM REACTING AS ANYONE WOULD TO THAT STUPID DUDE TEXTING THEIR GIRLFRIEND AND FLIRTING WITH THEM!"

Alison's blue eyes flared, "Hold up, I WASN'T FLIRTING WITH HIM BECAUSE I LIKED HIM. I WAS JUST BORED. YOU KNOW THIS. GOD! AND SECOND OF ALL, I DIDN'T LEAVE MY NUMBER, HANNA LEFT IT. SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS BEING FUNNY."

Emily felt herself get smaller as she thought over this. She then replied in a softer voice, "But you flirted with him… You purposely flirted with him."

"TO GET YOUR ATTENTION. TO GET YOU TO PAY ATTENTION TO ME. YOU WERE JUST SITTING THERE STARING INTO SPACE. THEN AS IF THE PERSON ON YOUR PHONE WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ME, YOU LEFT TO GO ANSWER A CALL. WITHOUT EVEN EXPLAINING TO ME AFTERWARDS OR BEFORE WHO IT EVEN WAS!"

Emily felt herself blush. She stammered out, "I have… I have… I have a legitimate excuse as to that…" Alison's eyebrows rose expectantly, as if to say, yeah and what was that. Emily sighed as she tried to come up with any excuse but the truth. She failed and sighed again. She slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny black box.

Alison gasped and replied, "Is… Is that what I think it is?"

Emily slowly asked, "Alison Lauren DiLaurentis, I have known you since the sixth grade. I have been in love with you for as long as I can remember. I know we have been through a lot, and I irritate the living mess out of you. I know I stumble over my words. I know I never can get through any day without messing something up. But I promise that if you would agree to spend the rest of your life with me that I will never not try and fix it. I promise to irritate you and make you angry, but I promise each and every time is done out of love. I promise to help raise our kids and name them. I promise to be the bad cop, so you can do what you say is not the good cop. I promise I will do anything and everything I can to keep you happy. So if you love me, if you want to spend the rest of our lives together, if you can be okay with my frustrating tendencies, if you are absolutely sure, will you marry me?"

Alison thinks of that day all the time. Especially when she looks at Audrey and Laken. She thinks of the future her and Emily could've had had they not let stupid mistakes and decisions break what was their relationship. She thinks what their kids would've looked like and what they would've named them.

It's not that Alison feels that Audrey and Laken were mistakes, because just because they were accidents doesn't mean that. She just wishes Emily would've raised her kids with her. She just wishes there would've been a chance for the future Emily had promised her.

It had been a month since Alison had moved to Los Angeles. It had been a month since Emily and Alison's kiss. It had been a month since then, and Alison couldn't get it out of her head. She couldn't get the feeling of Emily's lip softly pressed against hers out of her head. She couldn't get the way that Emily had lightly groaned into her mouth when Alison had tugged not-so-gently on Emily's bottom lips. She couldn't get the way that Emily's hands had pulled her closer – the almost desperate way they had clutched her. She could not get the way Emily's soft hair had felt between her fingers. She could not get these things to stop running through her head.

Alison had seen glimpses of brunette hair going into the door Emily was in. However, she had not seen Emily's face. She hadn't even heard her voice. It was like the neighbors around her were either never home or never did anything. Although Alison wasn't complaining about that.

Laken and Audrey had adjusted rather quickly to their new environment. Each reacting differently. Audrey was more hesitant – less quick to judge – and didn't make a lot of friends at first. While Laken, on the other hand, jumped right into school and made friends like a magnet. He was basically the golden child and everyone loved him, while Audrey was regarded as a new species to watch.

Laken and Audrey, however, were doing just fine in the daycare. But, today they were both running a fever. Alison knew she could rearrange her schedule and get put on another day, but her boss was already irritable at her since her first day. Her boss hated her for no reason, so Alison was inclined not to want to make her even more mad.

So, Alison was about to step out into the apartment hallway to call her boss to hopefully reschedule when she saw brunette hair. Alison's mind was working in overdrive, either because of the flashbacks she was having or because of the stress from having two sick kids, and so Alison called out.

Emily whirled around. Her face looked as if she was a deer in the headlights. In other circumstances, Alison would have laughed at how ridiculous Emily looked. Alison quickly crossed the hallway to Emily. She may have been two inches shorter than her, but Alison's glare was about evening up the playing field.

Emily had gotten over her surprise and now looked irritated, "What do you want, Alison?"

Alison eyes flashed, "What do you mean what do I want? You keep kissing me, then running out. Not even bothering to explain as to why you're here of all places. Not even bothering to explain why you couldn't even try and give me a second chance. Not even bothering explaining how we ended up living three apartments down from each other."

Emily schooled her features into remaining passive and replied, "Alison, I just got back from class. I have plenty of homework I have do. If you would please, just get to the point already."

Alison felt her heart crack. It was as if Emily had completely replaced her, and Alison knew that would never be the same on her end. Alison replied in a hurt voice, "I just wanted to know why you kept running off…"

Emily opened her mouth to reply when a little blonde boy ran out of Alison's apartment. He ran over to Alison and latched on to her leg, "Mommy! Are you staying home with us? Because I really want grilled cheese. Audy's not up, but I bet she wants one, too."

Emily looked down at the little boy and smiled. He was slightly reddish and his hair was tousled. He was wearing Thomas the train pajamas and no socks. He had very noticeable bags under his eyes – as if he didn't get enough sleep the night before.

Alison picked up Laken and replied, "Baby, you know I was trying to get off work. Why didn't you just stay in bed? I told you I would be right back."

Laken pouted slightly, "You were taking too long…"

Alison placed a kiss on his forehead as he tiredly leaned on her shoulder. Emily asked, "Is he okay?"

Alison nodded, "Just a slight fever. Him and his sister both. I think they got it from the daycare from the place I work." Alison thought about something for a second before asking Emily, "Will you please take him for just a few? I need to call in at work and see if I can get the day rearranged."

Emily looked slightly uncomfortable as she took Laken. Laken easily adjusted to resting his hot head down on her shoulder. The poor boy was so tired that he didn't even notice his favorite person was holding him.

Alison walked a little way down the hallway as if to get some semblance of privacy. Emily watched her face burrow in concentration as she tried to switch days. Emily gently cooed to Laken, "Hey, handsome. You okay?"

He whispered, "Yes… I just don't feel good. Where's mommy? I want my mommy."

Emily pulled him closer and whispered, "Mommy is trying to get off work for you guise today. So I'm having to watch you for a second."

At that moment, Alison hung up the phone. Even after all this time, Emily was still well versed in the art of reading Alison's expressions. Emily sighed and quickly thought about what she had to do. Her homework was going to be a good three-hour deal, but since she didn't have work until tomorrow and it was her roommate's week of cleaning the kitchen and living room, she guessed she could do it. Before Emily could think of a way out of it, she asked, "I can watch them if you need me to?"

Alison looked heavily relieved, but she stayed guarded, "Are you sure…? I don't want to be an imposition. I can just take them to the daycare."

Emily shook her head, "No, no. I got it. It's not my first time babysitting, Alison. If I do remember correctly, me and you used to babysit a couple kids down the street when Hanna was busy. I'm not that bad, heck, I'm planning on becoming a pediatrician. I might as well get used to sick little children."

Alison still looked cautious, "Are you absolutely sure? Because these two are a handful when they aren't sick and it's even worse when they are. And plus, you did say you had homework you had to attend to…?"

Emily slowly replied, "It's not due until class Thursday. I'm okay. I have all day tomorrow to work on it."

Alison couldn't understand why Emily was offering, but it was relieving to know her kids wouldn't be in awful hands. She then nodded and commanded, "I need your phone then."

Emily looked puzzled, "Why?"

"Because these are my beautiful children and I will not have you risking their lives. So I need your number, so I can call and make sure that they are okay every chance I get."

Emily just nodded and handed her the phone. She made sure to keep an arm under Laken while doing so. Alison tapped a few buttons and then she handed it back over. She smiled at Emily.

Emily faltered at Alison's smile. It was so like the one she used to be able to pull out of her easily that Emily was stunned. She had missed that smile since the day she had left. And here it had been, three doors down for a month, and this was the first time she had seen it in what felt like forever.

Alison couldn't believe she was leaving her kids with a person she hadn't had a legitimate conversation with in over four years. Alison couldn't believe she trusted her with them. But, Alison couldn't deny that Emily was good with kids. She also couldn't deny the fact that Emily looked like she belonged right into their little family.

Emily and Laken followed Alison into her apartment. They watched her point out where everything was and were extras were of everything. Alison showed how much milk and how long it took to warm it up. Alison had everything discussed with a few minutes to spare. However, Alison still had to rush down the stairs. She was hoping against hope that upstairs everything would go fine.

Emily hadn't babysat in years. She hadn't ever watched a single sick kid – and here she was babysitting two. Emily had Laken curled up against her on the couch watching Bubble Guppies, while Audrey sat staring at her begrudgingly on the recliner. Emily sighed and tried to figure out how she had messed up with Audrey so quickly.

Emily eventually gave up on trying to figure out the little girl's thoughts and decided to ask her. She slowly walked over to Audrey and sat on her knees in front of her. In a quiet, yet serious voice Emily asked, "Did I make you mad, sweetheart?"

Audrey looked at Emily with eyes exactly like Alison's and Emily knew what was wrong. Audrey's eyes were almost as expressive as Alison's. She got what she had done – or what Audrey was afraid of her doing – and then said, "Baby, you don't have to be worried about me leaving, okay? I will be here until your mom kicks me out. I'm only three doors down, so you don't have to worry that I'm just some random stranger here for the day and then gone the next."

Audrey replied softly, "You did before… You stayed for a day and then I don't see you for months... How am I supposed to," Audrey coughed, "To trust you when you just left? Mommy didn't even explain really who you are," Audrey coughed again, "So, how am I going to trust you?"

Emily felt taken back with the little girl's unworthiness and how intelligent she was. She slow replied to her, "Baby, I guess you'll just have to find out."

For the next couple hours, Emily got random calls and texts from Alison. Alison required photos for proof her babies were alive in the texts, and she required that she talked to them when she called. Emily about by the sixth call in two hours was getting offended, so when she answered she asked, "Do you honestly think I'm going to kill your kids between these twenty minute intervals?"

Alison tsked at her and just said, "My babies are my babies. They have been through a lot in their few years. I've been through a lot in my years. So, do not question the fact that I'm calling to check up on my babies every twenty minutes. May I please talk to them?"

Emily rolled her eyes and handed Laken the phone. Laken took it without question and answered his mom's questions and then handed it to Audrey. Audrey answered and then handed it back to Emily who asked Alison, "Satisfied that your babies are alive?"

Alison tsked again, "I will be home in seven hours. I will call again at lunch. I'm going to have to be in the recovery section of this hospital, so I will not have access to my phone. Please, if anything major happens, call my boss to alert me."

Emily nodded and then realized Alison couldn't see her and said, "Affirmative, boss."

Alison's mind was filled with inappropriate ideas with what the word boss could do with her sex life – the little one she did have. She thought of what she could do to Emily who would be be underneath her as she wouldn't…. Alison cleared her throat before she replied, "Okay."

Emily hung up as she got back to watching those two blonde children. Audrey had warmed up to her a little by now and now sat on the opposite end of the couch. They both had a slight cough and their fevers were borderline high. Both no more than 101º.

By the time lunch came around, Emily had gotten used to taking care of the both of them. Audrey was warming up to her more and was now sitting closer to her. Audrey seemed to like her a little more. Laken was still as clingy as ever, but he got a little nap.

Emily had watched their fevers constantly and found that the kids seemed to be getting better. Emily decided that when Alison called, she would have good news to tell her.

Emily sat with the two kids who were both pressed up against as she waited for Alison to call. She was getting late, so Emily texted her. No reply. Emily waited a while before trying again, still getting no reply. A couple hours later, Alison sent a short text, "Sorry, can't talk. Busy."

Emily kept to her word and watched the two sick children. They weren't that bad, only seeming to go cranky when they didn't get their way. They were nice and respectful, she figured they would be a big handful if they had energy, though. Audrey seemed to like how tan Emily was and sat comparing her skin tone to her and asking, "Why is mine so light? I WANT TO BE TAN!"

Laken sat on the other side seeming to have been distracted when he all the sudden screamed. Emily looked over worriedly, but he was giggling now. Apparently one of his favorite characters left the screen for a second and he got scared. But the character was now back so he was okay.

By about eight o'clock, all three of them were dead tired. Emily pulled one of their mattresses into the living room and laid it down. All three of them were out within fifteen minutes.

Alison knocked on her apartment door to get in, but no one answered. She knocked again and did not hear anything else. So she worriedly opened the door only to find a site that made her heart swell.

Emily was laid out on a mattress on the floor with Laken and Audrey on either side. Audrey was slightly on top of her, and Laken had his little arms around her. Alison quickly got her phone and snapped a few pictures, trying to decide whether or not to wake them up.

Alison feels her heart ache as the three most beautiful people she has ever seen cuddle up in front of her. She feels her heart ache for the future she was to have had with Emily, and ache for how right it feels to have Emily included. It hurt Alison to think of it because of the fact Emily always leaves.

She sighs as she wakes up her babies. She put them both in her bed, so she could watch them. She moved back into the living room to see Emily sleeping peacefully on her mattress. Alison didn't have the heart to wake her up, and let her stay the night.

Alison muttered to herself as she closed the door, "This is not really how I wanted Emily's next sleepover with me to be."

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