Hello beautiful people! I really wanted to get this second chapter out to you all before 7x15 aired just in case it lets me down like 7x14 did! I'm really hoping they do Ali's coming out sequence/scene justice, but knowing the PLL writers they're going to find some way to screw it up lol. It would make me so happy if Ali actually came out as bisexual, because she's one of my favorite fictional characters ever and as a fellow bisexual woman the representation for the LGBTQ community would be amazing! Also, let's hope 7x15 is good Emison-wise. Hey, if nothing else it's Paige's last episode (can you hear me screaming GURL BYE for miles and miles?!)
Anyway, I really hope you all enjoy this chapter of You're Not My Second Choice! We've got Emison fluff, flashbacks, and A LOT of answers! If the timeline seems off for canon events in PLL in this story I apologize, but honestly it's so hard to know how much time has passed between episodes/seasons in PLL. So...I guess I'm asking for a little creative freedom here. Hopefully that's okay with everyone! Also, for the purposes of this story Archer was obsessed with Charlotte, but she wasn't romantically interested in him (I know that departs from canon PLL, but sorry not sorry lol).
As always let me know what you think! And for the reviewers who are wondering if I plan on writing Brittany into all of my Emison stories-I mean she's fantastic, so why not lol?
You're Not My Second Choice
Chapter Two: Underlying Motives
When Emily woke up she momentarily forgot where she was as her eyes took in the unfamiliar bedroom; but almost immediately a small smile spread across her face when she looked down and noted how blissfully content Alison was. The blonde's head was resting against the brunette's shoulder-much like it had been a few weeks ago when they'd fallen asleep on the English teacher's couch after they'd kissed for an extended amount of time-and her arm was draped over Emily's toned middle. The swim coach could really get used to waking up to this every morning. Alison was so breathtakingly beautiful and God, she loves me...has loved me for a really long time. Wow.
Emily relished in being able to hold the woman who meant everything to her and placed a lingering kiss on the crown of Alison's head. I'm never letting you go ever fucking again. The brunette's eyes flickered down to the blonde's stomach…either of you.
"Em…I know it's really late and you're probably exhausted…" Ali trailed off as the two of them finished getting ready for bed in one of Brittany's mansion's many bathrooms. Emily offered her an encouraging look to voice whatever thought she was having while she finished flossing her teeth.
Taking a deep breath, the teacher quietly inquired, "I was just wondering if you'd had any thoughts about my pregnancy," This got Emily's undivided attention and nervous blue eyes looked down as she whispered her final question, "About…our baby?"
It had been over a week since A.D. had made the bombshell revelation that Ali was actually pregnant with Emily's biological child, and the blonde really just wanted to know where the swim coach was at with their…situation. And if them finally admitting their feelings for one another and voicing their desire to be together changed anything.
If she's being honest, Ali knew as soon as she read Emily's name on that necklace that there was no way she could go through with terminating her pregnancy. When she'd thought she'd be getting rid of a combination of her and Archer's genes, it was different. But terminating a baby that was biologically her sweet Emily's? Her heart couldn't handle that…Hell, that was probably why A.D. inseminated her with Emily's egg-they knew she loved the brunette too much to ever destroy something that came from her.
Emily's soulful brown eyes searched her face after Ali tentatively glanced back up, and a look of realization flashed across them when it became clear what Alison was trying to tell her.
After a few moments, the swimmer tenderly grabbed her hands and offered her a soft smile, "Well…I've been dreaming about having kids with you since I was in high school," Alison melted at Emily's sincere words. She knew the brunette wasn't just saying this because she thought it was what Alison wanted to hear. She really meant it, "Of course, I thought we'd be having kids years down the road…" The blonde let out a quiet laugh, because this obviously wasn't how she planned on becoming a mother with Emily either, "And I don't know about you, but I'm certainly not going to love…our child any less just because they were created in a pretty messed up way."
Alison had to blink back tears as she adoringly looked at the woman whose huge heart continually amazed her, "Neither will I."
Oh my God are Em and I really on the same page with this?
The blonde couldn't contain her joy as she leaned up on her tippy toes and kissed Emily soundly. Sure, she was still scared shitless of becoming a mom, but with Emily by her side she knew she could do it (well okay, maybe with a combination of Emily, Mrs. Fields, Spencer, Hanna, Aria, Brittany, and the basketball superstar's family she could do it).
As their kiss progressed, Emily wrapped her arms securely around Alison's waist as the blonde's hands tangled in her luscious hair. Their tight embrace made the teacher's heart flutter. She'd never felt so safe in her entire life. Ali hadn't intended for the kiss to turn into a mini make out session, but she was definitely not complaining when it did. She'd been craving her mermaid for years, and now that she finally had her-she was never letting her go again.
When it became difficult to breathe and their kiss eventually broke, Alison burrowed into Emily's hold and sighed contently. She couldn't even put into words how happy she felt in this moment. And to think less than twelve hours ago she was convinced Emily was in love with Paige. Fuck A.D. for making me doubt what Em and I have always had. Although, that video inadvertently got us to talk about our feelings…so I guess I kind of owe A.D. a 'thank you.' Well, a 'thank you' I would deliver with a fist to the face…
Emily's strong arms drew Alison in even further to their hug, before she honestly declared, "There's no one else I'd want to be the mother of my child. I love you, Ali."
Alison could feel herself falling even harder for the girl who made her believe in happy endings, "I love you too, Em. So much."
Emily noticed Ali beginning to rouse from her slumber and lightly ran her fingers through the blonde's hair, occasionally scratching her scalp. The brunette can imagine that being pregnant made waking up at times rather unpleasant and she wanted to provide as much comfort as possible.
When Alison's brilliant blue eyes fluttered open, a soft smile spread across the swim coach's face, "Good morning, beautiful."
Ali's cheeks flushed at the term of endearment and Emily loved the clear affect she had on the other woman.
When the blonde greeted her with a "Good morning, mermaid" a few seconds later however, she was the one who was blushing. Damn, Ali's pre-disappearance nickname gets me every time.
Emily noted the small smirk Ali was sporting and giggled at the breathtaking woman before she inquired, "How'd you sleep?"
A look of pure adoration overtook her girl's face, "Really well actually. You're really comfy, Em."
Ali tilted her head and kissed Emily's cheek seconds later, before she sat up and giggled at the brunette's pout.
"I'd love to stay in bed and cuddle with you all day long, but…I really have to pee."
Alison intertwined her fingers with Emily's as they walked through the mansion's many hallways towards the main kitchen. The teacher giggled at the taller woman because she was completely enthralled by everything in Brittany's estate-from the expansive library, to the huge bathrooms, and of course the heavenly mattresses.
"I still cannot believe Brittany Johnson's one of your best friends and you never said anything, Ali."
"Well, in my defense when we became best friends she was still in college and not making tens of millions of dollars annually. Plus, what kind of friend would I be if I bragged about and exploited my relationship with her just for material things?"
Emily playfully relented moments later, "Okay, I guess I see your point…I just can't believe you didn't mention your friendship on that night we all got wasted and Spencer, Hanna, and Aria revealed they had a huge girl crush on Brittany."
Alison quirked a playful eyebrow at the brunette as she pulled her through the final hallway before the main living room and kitchen would come into view, "If I recall Em…you also revealed you had a crush on her that night..."
"Well, excuse me, Ali. I didn't exactly know that you considered her family…and, I mean, c'mon…have you seen Brittany? Not to mention she's really friendly…Well, for the most part…"
Alison chuckled at the swim coach's rambling. Em was just too cute when she got frazzled and over explained herself.
The teacher brought Em's hand up to her lips and placed a reassuring kiss on tanned skin, "Relax, babe," Ali smiled because she knew the use of the pet name was going to make Emily swoon, "If I didn't think of Brittany as a sister, I'd totally be crushing on her too. But also, not really, because I have you, so…"
Alison squealed when Emily wrapped her arms around her from behind and peppered her neck with feather light kisses, "Smart move amending that last statement, DiLaurentis."
The blonde turned in Emily's arms so that they were face to face. After some excruciating long seconds, she leaned up and tenderly kissed Emily-hoping to convey that the brunette had nothing to worry about as far as her having any semblance of feelings for someone else went. When she pulled back slightly from their embrace, Emily's eyes were hooded over and Alison smirked, "What can I say Fields? You'll forever be my number one girl crush."
"Oh my God they're going to be one of those couples," Hanna's voice filtered in from the living room/kitchen area and Alison just winked at Emily in response, which caused the tanned beauty to blush profusely. Yeah, we are going to be one of those couples-cheesy as hell and hopelessly in love.
As the two of them emerged from the hallway holding hands, Aria quipped back at the designer, "Um…have you seen how you and Caleb act Han? You're just as corny."
"This coming from the girl who wrote a romance novel with her fiancé…" The feisty blonde deadpanned and Spencer snorted at the retort.
Her three best friends were sitting at one of the breakfast bars in Brittany's kitchen, feasting on what looked like an extensive assortment of healthy looking brunch foods. They were all still in their borrowed pajamas (which of course had the New York Liberty's emblem plastered all over them-Brittany being the team's superstar athlete got her loads of free merchandise). Ali smiled at the scene because it was the most relaxed she'd seen Spencer, Hanna, and Aria in weeks (hell, maybe even months).
Aria playfully swatted Hanna for her comment, before she glanced over at Emily and Alison who were now standing by the kitchen island and tentatively asked, "So…can we assume that you two are together now?"
A bright smile spread across Alison's face at the tiny brunette's question. And when she looked over her shoulder at Emily, who was hugging her from behind, the swim coach looked just as ecstatic.
"Pretty sure those smiles give us our answer, Aria," Spencer noted as she lightly crossed her arms over her chest and sported a soft smile.
"Well, can I just say I am so glad you two figured your shit out, because I don't know how much more of the longing 'I'm so in love with you, but I'm not going to vocalize it' looks I could take," Hanna bluntly declared as she took a sip of her coffee and completely changed the subject, "Damn, this coffee's good."
Ali laughed at the blonde's statement, before she inquired, "Did Brittany make it? Because she makes the best coffee." God, I really wish I could drink some. Although I could probably make myself some tea…
"Yes. And she cooked all this food," Hanna answered before sending a playfully pointed look Alison's way, "Don't think I'm letting you off the hook for being best friends with a global superstar and keeping it a secret, Ali."
"Are you saying I can't have best friends outside of our group?" Alison joked as she walked over to the coffee maker and poured Emily a cup of the steaming goodness. Her heart also fluttered when she noticed that Brittany had made her some decaffeinated tea and left a note next to the kettle- "I can only imagine how much it sucks to not be able to drink caffeine, but I hope this somewhat suffices." Ali took a sip of the tea and smiled. Yeah, this suffices.
When she handed Emily her mug of coffee moments later the brunette softly answered with a "thanks, babe" and Alison's knees damn near buckled.
"No," Hanna rolled her eyes with fake annoyance before she used her fork to articulate her point, "I'm just saying you can't have super famous best friends with millions of connections…and dollars. I mean c'mon Ali hook your other best friends up!"
"She does have a point there, Ali," Brittany entered the kitchen from the patio door that led out to the expansive backyard area and Ali just shook her head at the taller woman as she flashed her trademark smile and approached the teacher. Unlike the rest of them, Brittany was showered and dressed for the day, sporting a white V-neck t-shirt, black Nike leggings, and of course Nike tennis shoes. She probably went for her morning run and got a work out in before anyone else was even awake…that's why she's the professional athlete.
Brittany pulled her into a gentle hug and Alison sighed contently when the taller woman kissed the crown of her head, right over the spot where Charlotte had bashed her skull in all those years ago. Ali had always found the gesture so soothing and today was no different. When they broke from their embrace, Brittany's soulful blue eyes searched her face for way longer than they normally would to access how Alison was feeling.
"What?"
"Nothing. I just…love seeing you this happy. It's refreshing. And you deserve it, Ali."
Brittany gently squeezed her hand in a reassuring manner before she turned to address Spencer, Hanna, and Aria, "I hope everything tastes okay. I know it's ultra-healthy, but, you know, professional athlete and all…I don't really have anything in my house that's not healthy."
Alison walked back over to Emily and leaned into the brunette's warm side. The swim coach wrapped her arm around Ali's waist and kissed her temple as the teacher took another sip of her tea. Ali felt her breath catch in her throat because she doesn't think she's ever felt this loved in her entire life and it's just...really nice.
Spencer's sincere reply to Brittany snapped Ali out of her love-struck thoughts, "Everything tastes wonderful. Seriously, thank you…for breakfast…and for letting us stay here last night," The brainy brunette paused before she revealed, "It's just been nice to be able to breathe for a little while."
Choruses of earnest "thank you" echoed from Aria and Hanna as well.
Her best friend shrugged her shoulders like it was no big deal, "Well, you're all welcome here anytime…but I can't promise that it will be this peaceful when you come back. My mom, brother and his family are all out of town for the weekend…so, it's eerily quiet right now."
"Wait…your family all lives here with you?" Alison could see how surprising Aria found the information. Brittany's relationship with her family was truly special. For the five of them, even though they loved some members of their respective families (for Ali, this was pretty much just Jason), Ali doesn't think any of them would willingly live in the same house (or mansion) with them as adults.
"Yeah, we're all really tight knit. Plus, this place is huge so if we ever do get upset with or sick of one another we can just disperse into separate wings of the estate," Brittany explained as she hopped up on the edge of the granite counter top so she could see all five of them as she talked.
"That must be nice…having a family like that," Spencer observed with a sad smile. Aria rubbed the brunette's arm in support and Ali's heart clenched for her friend. Spencer's world had been rattled with Mary Drake's revelation and it didn't help that Peter Hastings thought it was more important to track Ali's mysterious aunt down than being at the hospital for his daughter after she'd been shot.
"It is. I mean I've always appreciated having them especially after my dad abandoned us, but as I've gotten older I've realized how lucky I am. I never want to take them for granted, you know?"
"So…your dad's an asshole too?" Hanna asked with her typical lack of tact as she continued eating her food.
Brittany laughed at the designer's bluntness, before she explained, "You could say that. He left my mom with two kids to raise, a mortgage, and a shit ton of credit card debt. Even after my mom filed for divorce and there was a court order in place he refused to give her child support money and fled New York."
"Damn, that's brutal," Hanna commented as she gave the basketball star a compassionate look-knowing all too well how horrible fathers can be.
"Yeah, but the worst part had to be after word got around that I signed record breaking contracts to play basketball overseas and with the New York Liberty, he randomly showed up on my doorstep…asking for money."
"Oh my God, what did you do?"
Alison and Brittany locked eyes as the memories from the aftermath of that encounter came flooding back.
Alison could still feel electricity coursing through her body following her meet up with Emily in the warehouse. Jesus, one look into those soulful brown eyes and Ali knew she was done for. And God the way Emily had held her so protectively in her arms. Fuck, it was going to be impossible to stay away from Rosewood now-not like she really wanted to anyway…
The blonde entered Brittany's apartment near St. John's University and let out a heavy sigh as she started walking towards the living room, "Hey, I'm sorry to show up like this unannounced, but I really need to talk to someone and Cece's not answering-"
Alison stopped rambling when her eyes settled on her kindhearted friend who was slumped into her couch. There was a half empty bottle of wine sitting on the coffee table. What the hell? Brittany never drinks, like ever. And shit…it looks like she's been crying. Who the fuck hurt her? I'm going to kill them!
Ali sat down next to the soon to be professional athlete and softly inquired, "Hey, what's wrong?"
Brittany repositioned herself so that she could face Ali and painfully choked out, "My dad stopped by tonight," Tears formed in the tall brunette's eyes, "He didn't say anything about being sorry for abandoning his family or that he missed me," Sobs raked through her best friend's body as she revealed, "He just wanted money, Ali."
The runaway pulled the taller woman into her arms and tried to soothe her. Next to Emily, Brittany was the sweetest person she'd ever met. She didn't deserve to feel any kind of pain. Alison whispered comforting words into Brittany's ear as she ran her fingers through the other woman's long, wavy brunette hair.
A few minutes later, after Brittany had calmed down remarkably, Ali tentatively asked, "What did you do when he showed up?"
Her best friend pulled back from their embrace and answered with regret seeping into her tone, "I told him to go fuck himself and to stay out of my life. God, doesn't that make me just as bad as him?"
Alison grabbed the other woman's hand and stressed, "No. You don't owe him anything, Britt. He selfishly chose to walk out of your life fifteen years ago, okay?" She could tell Brittany was hanging onto her every word, "Letting him back into your life now that you've 'made it' would just cause you more pain in the long run. And you don't deserve to feel any pain my beautiful friend. Besides you've got your mom and Bradley who love you unconditionally. You don't need him."
Brittany sniffled and used the sleeve of her sweatshirt to get the rest of the tears wiped off her face, "Thanks, Ali. It's nice to know I have you too."
The blonde smirked, "Yes you do. Well…not in an official capacity. I'm technically still dead."
Her remark made Brittany laugh and Ali smiled at the sound-there's my girl.
"Damn, and here I thought you could actually come to a game of mine."
Ali offered the other woman a warm smile, "Well, if I can't go to any of your games when you get back in the U.S…Vivian will."
"Yeah, but…I love Ali so much more than Vivian."
"Ugh you and me both. That wig drives me insane."
Brittany chuckled at her reasoning, before she changed the direction of their conversation as she got up to get a bottle of water out of the fridge (to presumably try and prevent a hangover), "So…what did you come here to talk to me about?"
Alison looked at her best friend hesitantly when she sat back down on the couch, because fuck-did she still want to talk about this?
"Don't think my daddy issues get you off the hook, Ali. What happened with Emily? You met up with her, right?"
Shit. Even when she's buzzed, Brittany reads me like a damn book…
The blonde glanced down at her fingers as she quietly explained, "Yeah. I apologized for the way I treated her before I disappeared…and we hugged," Ali could feel tears pooling in her eyes, "Britt, I…I realized something tonight…"
The brunette reached out and grabbed her trembling hands. Ali drew strength from the simple gesture and lifted her gaze to meet her friend's nonjudgmental one. The runaway took a calming breath before she whispered, "I love her…like I'm in love with her."
"Oh my God, Ali…" Brittany didn't seem all that shocked by her revelation (hell, she'd been getting Ali to open up about her stronger than friendship feelings for Emily since they'd met)-more so just shocked that Alison had actually said it out loud.
"Of course, I didn't have the strength to actually tell her that, but I had to tell someone…But now I just have all these questions. Like does this make me gay? Bisexual? But if Emily's the only girl I've ever been attracted to am I straight except when it comes to her?" Alison was working herself up as she rambled.
"Hey!" Brittany squeezed her hand to stop her rapid-fire questions and a conflicted look overtook Ali's face as her mind raced a million miles a minute, "Loving Emily makes you Ali. Your sexuality doesn't define who you are, it just describes who you may be attracted to," The blonde felt her heart warm at the taller woman's words, "It's just a socially constructed label. For some people, like yours truly, it's important to verbalize and hone that facet of their identity, but there's nothing wrong with choosing to be private about it. And if you do discover that you identify as gay, bi, pan, whatever, just know that it doesn't change the fact that you're an amazing, kick ass young woman," Ali was in awe of her best friend's perspective. If everyone in the world viewed things like Brittany, she wouldn't be freaking out about what her loving Emily meant about her sexuality, "Don't focus on the labels, Ali. Focus on your heart," Brittany offered her a playful smile as she finished, "Focus on that mermaid who you love against all discouragement that could be."
Alison bashfully looked down, because she was just so overcome with feels.
"And even if the rest of the world turns on you for being who you are and loving who you love, you'll still have me, Ali. I'm not going anywhere," Ali knew that Brittany was telling the truth and for the hundredth time since the brunette had found her in that alleyway she thanked her lucky stars that she had her.
But feeling somewhat devious Ali jokingly threw back, "Yeah except to Paris for six months." In all honesty, Alison was thrilled for her friend, she was just going to miss her like crazy while she played basketball overseas.
Brittany rolled her eyes at the somewhat troublesome blonde, "Ali, you know you can always get a hold of me. And plus, my mom and Bradley will still be in New York a majority of the time, so you can just hang out with them if you're feeling really Johnson deprived."
"But what if you meet someone in Paris and fall head over heels in love? You'll forget all about me…" Ali knew she was being somewhat dramatic, but Brittany had become such an anchor in her chaotic life she didn't know what she'd do if she ever lost her.
The tall brunette just shook her head, "Impossible, Ali. You mean way too much to me. Plus, I'm not even trying to get in a relationship right now. I'm just trying to learn how to do this whole professional athlete thing."
"I pretty much just told him to go fuck himself and to stay out of my life. At first I thought I was being too harsh, but I was really just trying to protect myself…and my mom and brother. My dad had already caused us enough pain, he didn't need to be let back in the picture to inevitably do it again," Ali was still amazed at times how Brittany could just bare her soul to damn near complete strangers. The teacher wished she was secure enough in her person-hood to be that vulnerable. Well, give yourself a little credit Alison you're always been vulnerable with Brittany and you're finally letting Emily in…
A heavy silence filled the kitchen, before Emily quietly mumbled, "Wow, I got really lucky in the dad department."
Aria smiled at the tanned brunette, "Yeah, you did, Em. We were all so jealous growing up."
"Wait, really?" This information seemed to surprise Emily and Ali smiled because her confused expression was just too adorable.
"Umm, yeah Em. Why do you think we all pretty much lived at your house whenever your dad was home from tour?" Spencer rhetorically asked.
"I don't know," Emily's cheeks flushed as she reasoned, "I thought you guys wanted to spend time with me…or you just really enjoyed my mom's cooking."
"Well, Pam Fields' food is second to none," Hanna confirmed and they all chuckled at the truth behind the blonde's word, "And of course we loved hanging out with you, but your dad was just so warm and made us all feel loved when our own fathers sucked at showing us that."
"Wow…" Emily breathed out and subconsciously pulled Ali further into her. Brittany noticed the gesture and playfully raised her eyebrows at Alison-knowing how damn giddy the teacher was to be in the swim coach's protective embrace. Yeah, you know how to make people feel just as loved as your dad did, mermaid.
"Now, I just want you all to understand that if I come across as emotionally detached or insensitive when I share what I've uncovered with you…I'm not trying to be an asshole, it's just...I used to work for the CIA and well, I was trained to just state the facts and process how I felt later, you know?"
The six of them were sitting in Reggie's "office" (more like super high tech surveillance room extravaganza) in the mansion's basement. Alison, Emily, and Brittany on one couch. Spencer, Hanna, and Aria on another. The teacher didn't know if she should get her hopes up completely, but Reggie certainly exuded confidence when he came to find all of them in the early afternoon (thankfully after they'd all had time to shower and get ready for the day) to announce that he had a working theory on A.D.'s identity and underlying motives.
Reggie paused and made eye contact with all of them as he stressed, "Also, I don't want any of you to beat yourselves up for not uncovering this information. You're all just young women trying to live your lives. You were never meant to…unravel this mind-boggling mystery."
After the muscular male didn't say anything for a good thirty seconds and appeared to have zoned out, Brittany softly inquired, "Reggie, are you okay?"
The ex-CIA operative let out a frustrated groan as he revealed, "I don't know where to start…it's a clusterfuck trying to explain how all the pieces fit together."
Nerves coursed through Alison's body, because what the fuck had Reggie uncovered? Sensing her mounting tension, Emily tenderly grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. Their gazes locked and Ali could just feel Emily telling her that no matter what they found out about A.D., they would get through it because they had each other. Emily mouthed "I love you" moments later and the blonde allowed herself to smile. Knowing that her mermaid loved her….and their child…would keep the teacher grounded (even though they were presumably going to be taken on a roller coaster ride). She mouthed "I love you too" and felt her heart flutter when Emily's soulful brown eyes softened even more.
"Maybe start chronologically? Like from the beginning?" Brittany suggested and all attention was back on Reggie who seemed to be contemplating the idea.
After what felt like hours (even though it was only a few seconds) Reggie determined, "No…No, it's better if I do it in reverse chronological order. Start with the more recent stuff, because that explains so much from the past."
With that he took a deep breath, grabbed his wireless keyboard and sat down in his desk chair. Brittany placed a reassuring hand on her right forearm and Ali offered the professional athlete a look of gratitude. What would I do without my two brunettes who mean the world to me?
"Okay…" Reggie began with clear sensitivity seeping into his tone, "As messed up as it is, Alison's…pregnancy-if we can even call it that-actually tells us a lot about A.D. Why would someone forcibly artificially inseminate someone using the eggs of the person that surrogate-for lack of a better term-loves the most in the world?"
"Because there's no way that person would terminate the pregnancy," Spencer answered like it was obvious and Ali could see the gears starting to turn in her head.
Reggie nodded, "Right. But why even perform the procedure in the first place? You wouldn't just do that to torture someone, you'd do it because-"
"Because you can't have children of your own," Spencer finished Reggie's train of thought before she muttered, "Oh God…"
"So, wait A.D. is a woman then?" Aria questioned as Hanna turned to Spencer and softly inquired, "Spence, are you okay?" The brainy brunette looked like she was going to be sick.
A few seconds later, a haunted look took over Spencer's face as she ghosted out, "It's Melissa, isn't it?"
Spencer drank the rest of her wine in one gulp as she walked through her childhood home. She really wasn't in the Christmas spirit this year and if she had to listen to her parents and their "guests" for the evening drone on and on about any more pretentious bullshit she was going to lose it. She and Toby had broken up only weeks ago and the political science major doesn't know if she'll ever fully recover from ending things with the young man who wanted so desperately to build a life with her. And even though Spencer loved him with all her heart, she wasn't the type of woman to settle down-at least not yet. There were so many things she wanted to accomplish career-wise before starting a family, and she didn't think Toby would ever understand that. Maybe that made her a selfish bitch, but wouldn't it have been worse if she'd lied about how she truly felt just to make him happy?
Spencer's drug out of her thoughts when she hears someone softly crying in the upstairs hallway bathroom as she walked towards her old bedroom. Her curiosity getting the best of her, she listened at the door for a few moments before lightly knocking when she realized it was Melissa.
"Melissa, can I come in?"
Her sister choked out a muffled, "Yes," and Spencer moved into the small space.
Melissa was sitting against the wall across from the toilet with her knees pulled to her chest. She looked so weak and it unnerved the future politician. Spencer slid down the wall to sit next to her and tentatively asked, "What's wrong?"
After a few moments, her sister took a deep breath and revealed, "I can't have kids."
"What do you mean?" Spencer didn't know if it was the alcohol taking effect or what, but she was utterly confused by the information.
"The doctor's ran some tests after I went in for my yearly physical because an abnormality showed up on my pap smear. Come to find out I have an incredibly lazy ovary, so the chances of me ever getting pregnant are slim to none," Her sister sniffled as she continued to divulge, "And it's ridiculous that I'm this upset about it, because I don't even know if I want kids, but like knowing that that's not even an option anymore…"
Melissa trailed off as her voice became overwhelmed with emotion. Spencer wrapped her arm around the other woman's shoulders and drew her into a side hug as she murmured, "I'm so sorry, Melissa."
Melissa burrowed further into her side as tears raked through her body once again. However many minutes later, after she'd somewhat calmed down, Spencer comfortingly stated, "Just because you can't biologically have children, doesn't mean you can't become a mother. You could always adopt or use an egg donor or something."
Melissa lifted her head from Spencer's shoulder and offered the youngest Hastings a weak smile, "Thank you, Spencer."
Regret seeped into Reggie's tone, "I'm afraid so Spencer."
No one knew what to say as Spencer sank back into the couch and angry tears rushed down her cheeks. Alison was stunned. She'd always thought the elder Hastings sibling was conniving and mysterious, but she never thought she was their tormentor.
"And after looking through Welby's surveillance footage I can say with certainty that Wren Kingston performed the procedure on Alison."
"Does that mean he's the sperm donor?" Hanna asked as tears pooled in her eyes. Alison was struggling to keep her own tears at bay. She was devastated for all of them, but mainly Spencer, who thought she and Melissa were on the precipice of forging a better relationship as they worked together on Veronica's campaign. God, this is so fucked up.
"I can't 100% say if he is or isn't the father of Emily and Alison's baby, but I'm pretty sure we can infer that. After all, he is Melissa's fiancé."
"What were Melissa and Wren planning on doing? Kidnapping the baby after Alison gave birth?" Brittany didn't even try to mask her disgust. She'd never met Spencer's sister or her doctor of a fiancé before, but the basketball superstar was kicking both their asses if they were ever within arm's length of her.
Alison moved her hand that wasn't clasped with Emily's over her stomach, trying desperately to protect the child that resided within her as Reggie further theorized, "Yes, I believe so, but they were planning something far more sinister for Alison…"
"Like what?" Emily's voice was laced with protection and if the situation were any different Alison would have found it hot as hell.
"Like frame her for murder. Shit, they've done it before," Reggie replied rather bluntly and Ali took a sharp intake of breath, because fuck she barely survived prison the last time around. The muscular man offered her a genuine smile, "But don't you worry, Ali. You ever get brought in for questioning, I'm representing you," He shifted his attention to Brittany, "Right boss?"
"Duh," The athletic brunette responded like it was obvious and then added, "If any of them get brought in for questioning, you're representing them Reggie."
The ex-CIA operative snorted, "I figured as much. God, that'll be fun. Proving that every single theory Rosewood PD has is wrong…you know it's actually pretty incredible just how incompetent they are…"
His statement got all of them to laugh for a couple seconds, despite the situation they were in.
Never one to forget the task at hand, however, Spencer inquired, "Whose murder would they frame Ali for though? Charlotte's? Archer's?"
"That's where it gets tricky…" Reggie stated rather vaguely as he began typing on his keyboard and pulled up a surveillance video from what looked to be the Lost Woods Resort, "There's no easy way for me to explain this, but…Charlotte's alive."
Six gasps filtered into the room when Reggie started playing the video that was time stamped as being from six weeks ago and a very alive Charlotte appeared on screen with Mona. Holy fucking shit!
Ali didn't know whether she was relieved or pissed at the revelation that the woman whom she'd spent time with every day for five years wasn't dead. But they found her lifeless body outside the church...she was buried in Rosewood Cemetery. Seriously, what the fuck is going on?! Ali could feel Brittany tense beside her and the blonde reflexively grabbed onto her hand. They locked gazes and tears formed in Ali's eyes when she saw the ones that were already present in Brittany's.
"Ali, there's something I really have to tell you. I've been meaning to tell you for a long time, but I just haven't been able to find the words," Brittany looked physically pained as she continued to ramble while she paced through her library where the education major was working on her homework, "But if I don't tell you it's just going to keep eating at me. And I don't want to lie to you, because you don't deserve that."
"Britt!" Ali yelled to get the professional athlete's attention. When the tall brunette met her gaze, she lowered her voice substantially, "You can talk to me about anything. You know that."
Brittany took a steadying breath, "Okay…do you remember the girl I was dating in Paris?"
"You mean the girl you were head over heels in love with and wanted to someday marry?" Ali countered as a smirk spread across her face. The blonde had never seen her best friend as happy as she was during that six-month span. Of course, she'd only seen Brittany over video chat, but still her joy radiated through the screen. Ali still didn't understand how this mystery woman could just walk out of Brittany' life if she felt anywhere near as profoundly for the basketball superstar as Ali's best friend did towards her.
Brittany nodded her head, before a guilty look spread across her face and she revealed, "That was Charlotte."
Ali had been shocked by her best friend's revelation. It didn't make any sense, because how could the same person who was tormenting Alison and her friends love Brittany so wonderfully? As Brittany shared more and more details about her and Charlotte's time together in Paris, Ali became more and more confused-because this Charlotte sounded like a completely different person to the woman Alison knew. The woman Brittany fell in love with was the best friend Ali used to have in Cece Drake-beautiful, headstrong, funny-but also softer and more affectionate.
Charlotte was certainly a complex enigma, but Ali always held out hope that the "real" Charlotte was the woman Brittany had seen (or maybe brought to light would be a better way to describe it). Her best friend always brought out the best in people, so maybe she had done that with her sister (well, technically cousin) too?
"Ali, I had no idea that she was…hurting you and your friends like that. You have to believe me, that no matter how I felt about her I would have stopped her or turned her in had I known."
"I know that, Britt," Alison honestly replied. She could see how guilty Brittany felt for ever having loved Charlotte, knowing what the older blonde had done now. Hindsight could really be a bitch at times.
"When did you say she left Paris again?" Alison questioned because the time line of events that Charlotte relayed when she had revealed herself to be -A at Radley Sanitarium just weren't adding up. And Ali knew Brittany wasn't lying about the six-month romantic relationship she'd had with the other blonde.
"A couple weeks before Christmas."
Okay that would make sense because Charlotte went to the Ice Ball and staged Mona's "murder" around that time. But what about everything that had happened in the time span from when she left the United States following everything that went down in New York and didn't come back until Ali presumes six months later? If she was really -A who blew up Toby's house? Or was Charlotte just a player in the game who had taken the downfall?
"You haven't said anything all night," Mona's voice filled the room and she and Brittany simultaneously turned towards the screen.
Ali was about to question how it was possible this surveillance footage had audio when Reggie paused the video and quietly explained after gaging how shocked they all were, "I still have CIA level clearance and access to the government's satellite surveillance system, which records everything visually and audibly. Hence, the video having audio."
"Damn, maybe Caleb's right when he says the government knows everything we do…" Hanna observed with her typical candor, but Ali was glad to see that she and Aria were providing Spencer with amble amounts of comfort. Thank God we all have each other.
"Your boyfriend's not far off Hanna," Reggie eerily declared before he resumed playing the video that captured all their attentions.
Charlotte just looked at Mona with evident pain swirling within her blue irises as the two of them sat on the picnic table closest to the lake outside the Lost Woods Resort.
"Charlotte…you didn't know what Wren was going to do to Ali," Mona tried to placate her, but the blonde just averted her gaze to the ground.
"I should have known," Charlotte sniffled before anger seeped into her tone, "For fuck's sake Mona he killed me and brought me back to life because he gets off on performing medical miracles. Impregnating a woman against her will so his fiancé can be a mother is nothing to him," After her slight outburst, Charlotte went back to looking defeated, "God, everything's so fucked up."
"I know," Mona agreed as she looked across the lake and let out a heavy sigh, "And she's becoming even more unhinged," Feeling unnerved by the heavy mood the tiny brunette attempted to joke, "If we're not careful, pretty soon she'll start shooting them…"
"That's not fucking funny, Mona," Charlotte glared at the other woman, not appreciating her failed attempt at humor whatsoever.
Mona threw her hands up in surrender, "Okay, okay I know. I'm sorry…but what exactly do you suggest we do Charlotte? Because in case you forgot neither one of us are technically on the -A team anymore. All we can do is to continue documenting everything and collecting evidence so that when shit hits the fan Alison, Hanna, and the others don't spend the rest of their lives in prison."
A determined flare flashed through Charlotte's eyes as she declared, "That's not good enough. Do you know how groups of oppressed people usually gain their liberation?"
When Mona surprisingly doesn't offer an answer, Charlotte continued, "By using the master's tools against them."
"What are you saying? We out -A A.D.? Join the team again just to work as double agents?"
Charlotte smiled at her, "Exactly. Who better to take these motherfuckers down than us, Mona? We already know how to disrupt shit in the game. Hell, we both did that when we were "technically" in charge already."
Mona seemed to be contemplating the idea, "Charlotte…you do realize if we do this when shit hits the fan and the ship sinks…you and I will go down with it."
The blonde nodded her head before she swallowed thickly, "I know, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. Besides I already lost the best thing that's ever happened to me. What else do I have to lose?"
A few moments of heavy silence passed between them, before Mona huffed out, "There's no scenario where you and I don't come across as the psychotic tormenting bad guys in the end is there?"
Charlotte shook her head at the other woman, "No. And in order for this game to completely be dismantled we have to play the part really fucking convincingly."
The video stopped playing and Alison didn't even know how to process what she had just watched. Charlotte's alive and working with Mona to take down A.D.? And is Melissa A.D. or is she just a player in the game too?
"Reggie, is this…legit? Are Charlotte and Mona really working as double agents against A.D.?" Brittany could barely get the questions asked because she was so overcome with emotion. The woman she loved and wanted a future with, who abruptly left her confused and broken hearted in Paris only to confess to being Alison and the other's tormentor, who was tragically murdered not too long ago was alive?! She had long ago accepted that Charlotte had stolen her heart six years ago in Paris and was never giving it back. And even though the professional athlete had tried to move on from her, it was to no avail. And fuck she didn't miss how her heart fluttered as soon as her eyes settled on Charlotte in that surveillance video. Yeah, you're totally still in love with her.
"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," Charlotte quietly revealed as she continued tracing absentminded patterns across Brittany's exposed skin, as always paying particular attention to her defined abdominal muscles.
Brittany pulled Charlotte even further into her side laughing gently when the blonde practically melted into her. Kissing the crown of Charlotte's head, she inquired, "Why do you say that?" They'd only been in each other's lives for three months-how could she possibly be the best thing that's ever happened to Charlotte?
"Because you see me…the real me," Charlotte spoke in a tone barely above a whisper.
After a few more content moments passed, the basketball star earnestly murmured, "Thank you for allowing me to see you." Brittany understood how big of a deal it was for Charlotte to be this vulnerable and exposed. She'd never told any of her past love interests that she was transgender out of fear that they'd be disgusted and reject her, but it didn't matter to Brittany. She loved every part of Charlotte-every complicated facet of her-and the athletic brunette suspected that would never change.
"I love you, Brittany," Even though she'd heard those three words from the blonde countless times throughout every day, the steely conviction behind them always made the Bronx native's heart soar.
"I love you too, Char. So much," Charlotte had completely captured her heart from the moment they'd met and Brittany knew the other woman would always hold a piece of her. Even if things didn't work out between them-which the professional athlete prayed wasn't the case-she'd always long for the woman whom she was convinced was her soulmate.
When Charlotte lifted her head from Brittany's chest a couple minutes later sporting her trademark smirk, the professional athlete knew she was in for a long night-a long wonderful night.
She tried to blink the memory away as Reggie answered her, "From everything I've been able to gather, yes it looks like the two of them are working very strategically to undermine A.D. and end this game once and for all."
"God, I don't know if I should be pissed at Mona or proud of her…" Hanna voiced the thought they all seemingly had. Because if Charlotte and Mona joined the -A team again that meant they were contributing to the girls' torment. But if they went into it with good intentions, did that make it better? Brittany thought that it did, but then again, her feelings for Charlotte probably made her slightly biased in this regard-she'd always see the best in the blonde-but who knows how the others were feeling about this?
"So, is Melissa the "she" Charlotte and Mona were referring to in the video? Is she A.D.?" Spencer asked to clarify her worse fear. God, how vicious do you have to be to torment your own sibling and her best friends like that? Thank God Bradley and I have the relationship we do and love each other unconditionally. We'd literally kill for one another…not pull this twisted shit.
"Well, she's partially A.D…" Reggie answered.
The six of them shared perplexed expressions before Brittany questioned, "Partially? Is there someone else in charge of running the game with her?"
Reggie gave her an uneasy look, before he explained, "To answer that question we have to go to Paris…six years ago." What happened in Paris six years ago?
As Reggie pulled up a surveillance video from the café near her Penthouse in Paris-that she and Charlotte frequented together-Brittany felt her heart clench. Oh Jesus fucking Christ no…
"Please, you promised that I could start over if I took care of Wilden and cut ties with Alison. That I could be done with the game," Charlotte begged the woman sitting across from her. She couldn't believe this was happening. She was finally fucking happy and building a life with the woman of her dreams. Why did Jessica DiLaurentis have to show up in her life once again-with darker hair color on top of everything else?
Her aunt took a sip of her tea before she stated in that sickeningly sweet tone of hers, "You should know by now Charlotte that people like you don't get happy endings. And I'm not about to let some basketball player ruin what I've spent years building."
"But Brittany hasn't done anything to you," Tears welled in Charlotte's eyes and she tried desperately not to let them roll down her cheeks. She didn't want to give Jessica the satisfaction.
"Hasn't she? You've pulled away from me since being with her. And when the others turn against Alison, Brittany will be the only best friend she has left…She'll put Ali back together again and I can't have that."
That's when it hit Charlotte, "You're intimidated by her. You know that you can't control Brittany…and that terrifies you."
Jessica fixed her with a deadly stare for a solid thirty seconds before she seethed, "Fine, you want me to admit it? Your girlfriend's brilliant and with the new head of her security she's hired…she'd put all the pieces together and destroy our family."
"Family?!" Charlotte couldn't believe this bitch, "You killed my mother! Or did you forget that small detail?" Charlotte had been searching for her biological mother her entire life and when she'd finally found her, Jessica had murdered Mary Drake (who mind you was the woman's twin sister) before she'd even had a chance to get to know her. She glared right back at the woman was trying to destroy her's, Alison's, and the other girl's lives back in Rosewood, "What makes you think I'd ever help you again?"
A devious smirk spread across Jessica's face as she replied, "Because you know what I'm capable of. I didn't hesitate to kill my own sister. Poor Mary, she was much too kind for this vicious world," Her aunt added as an aside like she was making a comment about the temperature of her tea, before she threateningly declared, "Do you really think I'd bat an eye at killing that little girlfriend of yours?"
Suddenly, Charlotte couldn't breathe. No, no she can't take Brittany from me. Oh my God I'll die. What would even be the purpose of living anymore?
"The choice is yours Charlotte. Live in a world where Brittany hates you for breaking her heart or live in a world where she ceases to exist."
The blonde couldn't keep her tears suppressed as the reality of the situation hit her. She was going to have to destroy the love of her life in order to keep her alive. Fuck.
Brittany felt the onslaught of a panic attack setting in as she leaned forward on the couch and put her head between her legs trying to keep her breathing in check. Oh my God Charlotte never stopped loving me. She didn't want to leave Paris. She didn't want to leave me. She left to keep me safe from Jessica DiLaurentis who was masquerading as Mary Drake, the twin sister she'd ruthlessly murdered. Oh my God…
"We're going to stop her, Britt," Alison earnestly declared as she rubbed soothing circles up and down her back, "I know she's my mother, but I'm totally kicking her ass if I get the chance." The professional athlete turned her head so that she could look in Ali's determined blue eyes. Not having the strength to verbally agree with her best friend who amazed her more and more every day, Brittany let a weak smile spread across her face.
"Don't worry boss, I've already got a plan in motion," Reggie informed all of them in a fiery tone that had them believing they might just be able to stop Jessica, Melissa, Wren, and whoever else from wrecking any more havoc, "We're stopping this game once and for all."
Dun! Dun! Dun! So what do we think?!
We have Jessica masquerading as Mary-making everyone's life a living hell (and being shady as fuck). Charlotte's alive and working with Mona to take down A.D. (can y'all imagine how epic this would be if it actually played out on screen?) I really do think Charlotte is alive on the actual show, but unlike PLL I've always viewed her in a more positive light. She's a complex enigma certainly, but I've always felt that there was more good to her than bad. And my God can I just tell y'all that Charlotte and Brittany will never stop giving me the feels! I don't know if you guys have picked up on how I try and parallel their relationship to Emison-with Ali and Charlotte struggling so mightily to love themselves and Emily and Brittany seeing the best in the both of them no matter what.
Melissa's partially A.D. (her character has always really intrigued me, because she's simultaneously evil as hell yet really human if that makes sense). Even though she plotted this horrific forced pregnancy on Alison using Emily's eggs in this story, I tried to humanize why she would do that in the flashback of her and Spencer. Of course, it's still fucked up and twisted, but in Melissa's head this was her opportunity to become a mother.
Also, Emily and Alison deciding to become moms and raise their baby at the beginning of this chapter was really sweet. I'm honestly really curious how PLL's going to have them come to this decision on the show. And Emison just being complete fluffballs with each other-be still my heart. And that flashback of Alison and Brittany where Ali first vocalized she was in love with Emily and grappling with her sexuality-good stuff.
Reggie says he already has a plan in motion to end the game. I wonder what that entails?
Until next time my friends, fingers crossed for 7x15, and thank you as always for your continued support! You all are the best!