11 Years Later – December 31, 2025
Alison walked around her room upstairs and frantically searched for her black dress, "ugh," she thought, "why am I such a mess right now?" She was only half dressed and she knew she needed to leave five minutes ago.
"Ali! You almost ready?"
Alison shot her head up and looked at her closet, "yeah," she called downstairs, "just a sec! I'm putting on my dress!"
"Okay, hurry up, I have your heels and pea coat already down here."
"Alright, thanks!"
Alison grabbed the dress off the hanger and slipped it up over herself, thankful that she could stretch on her own and zip the back, "I'm coming!," she called hurriedly, closing her bedroom door and flying down the stairs.
"Okay, I'm all good to go."
"Finally, you think I'd be the one taking forever."
"You do, and you always will be."
"Shutup."
Ali rolled her eyes and asked, "how much time do we have?"
"Well, if we want to make it to Spencer's in time, um, we have like 45 minutes."
"Shit, you think we'll make it?"
"Ali, it's New Year's Eve in New York at 11 pm, I think we're cutting it extremely close."
They had called a cab and the driver was patiently waiting for them at the curb. Hanna slid in and Ali followed, telling the driver where to go.
"Hanna you know why I had to come home." Ali scolded as she tried her best to hide her smile.
"I don't get it, Em doesn't come home for another 48 hours and you had to come back from the city today to get your bedroom all ready? For what? Not like she'll see anything you did once she sets foot inside your house."
Hanna hadn't changed much since high school, or college, or since yesterday. Alison laughed because she guess that meant her and Em didn't do much to change why they were always teased by their blonde friend.
"Not the point, I like having the house look nice when she comes home. Plus Aiden and Christian were driving me nuts, I needed a getaway, just for a day. By the way, remind me to never spend an entire week at their house again."
"Aw why, the nephews were too much to handle?" Hanna laughed, knowing damn well that Spencer and Toby's two sons were more than a handful.
"Not funny, you know Christian likes to get into all of Toby's things and pick on his little brother."
"Ali, they're 4 and 3, what do you expect?"
Ali huffed and shrugged, "I don't know, I expected them to behave more like Spencer."
The couple tied the knot after Spencer had graduated college and have been happily married ever since. Spencer opened her own attorney's office and moved to New York to expand, which is where Toby also got his contractor's license and opened his own construction company. The week had been a big one for them both and with Ali home alone it made her the perfect contender for the boys' babysitter.
Hanna grinned smugly, "maybe we'll all have a little Spencer running around soon."
"What!?" Ali shrieked, scaring the poor driver, "they told you the results?! Wait, I'm mad, I've been there all week and Spence didn't say anything to me."
"Well it was kind of an accident...well I was actually going through Spencer's bag to look for some food while we were at the grocery store and I kind of seen the ultrasound."
"OMG I'm so excited, does Toby know?"
"No, not yet, I think that's supposed to be a surprise for him later."
Alison beamed, "gosh, I'm so happy for them, I can't believe they're already having their third kid, you think they'll stop after this one?"
"Psh, I don't know, all I'm saying is Caleb better learn what he's doing wrong and fix it."
"You guys are still trying?"
"Yeah," Hanna dropped her head a little, "we're both almost 30, I don't want to be an old mom, I want a little me running around so I can shop for someone besides myself."
"And what if it's a Caleb Jr.?"
"Then we'll show his dad how to dress."
"Really, that's why you want a kid?"
"No, of course not, c'mon Ali you know we've been trying. We just think we're ready, things have really slowed down at work for us both and we just bought our house, so why not now, like I said, we aren't getting any younger."
"Yeah, true." Alison looked out the cold frosted window and sighed a little. Hanna noticed and nudged her side, "what about you, praised author, are you and Dr. Fields, baking any pizzas in the oven?"
"Buns."
"What?"
"The expression is buns in the oven Hanna, we've been over this."
"Um yes, but have you seen the way Em shovels pizza in that face of hers, you guys will be baking pizza's, not buns."
Alison laughed, "yeah I guess, I'll actually have to agree with you on that one."
Their laughter died down and Ali sighed again, wishing EM would be here with her.
"So," Hanna said, "do you know if Aria is going to make it?"
Ali shrugged, "I don't know, I know she had her showcase upstate yesterday and I think she told me everything was ready to go, she sold everything."
"Oh wow, that's great, I'm so proud of her."
"Yeah, I'm proud of all of us, I mean seriously, look at where we all are."
"Yeah and it's even crazier that we all ended up in New York, like what are the odds? It's still so hard to believe we went from small ass Roseville to New York. NEW YORK!"
"Okay, okay, calm down."
"C'mon Ali, tell me it isn't crazy."
"But it is."
"Exactly, I have my fashion line and I get to work at FIDM and Caleb is working for Google at their office here, Spencer and Toby have businesses here, you're signed with Simon & Schuster and Em is going to be a head surgeon one day for Bellevue or The Children's Hospital at Montefiore. Aria is a great photographer, she gets to have her own showcases and still be featured in National Geographic, and Ezra finally gets to write for Times, and they just got married last spring, cmon, . .shit."
Alison could only sit against the faded black leather of the typically yellow cab and absorb everything Hanna was overly excitedly about.
"Damn." Ali had always been humbled by her success along with Em's and she was always happy that their friends were all doing so well, but she never took the time to think about how well all of them as a whole were doing.
"Damn," she repeated and laughed in shock, "wow, you're right, this is crazy."
"Say that again."
"This is crazy?"
"No dumbass."
"Ugh, Hanna you're right."
"Exactly."
"Who would've thought that in just 11 years we'd be here. So much has happened since high school and even college."
"Eh, college was a nightmare for a while." Hanna grimaced and Ali glared, "please don't remind me. I don't ever want that to happen again."
"You guys weren't broken up that long okay, and nothing could ever separate you, it's like a scientific fact now."
Ali shivered at the memory her heart felt. She and Emily had broken up in their third year of college and it was the worst 8 months of her life.
"Ali!" Hanna yelled, "it's 11:20, we won't make it."
Alison snapped from her thoughts and sighed, "we'll be fine, I told you come for me at 8 but you insisted we'd go just before the party started."
"Well, I didn't know you were going to be home fixing it up for another coming home party."
"Um, Hanna this isn't any old coming home party, Em is home for good now, she finished her residency back in October."
"Yeah, yeah, I know, it's all you too have been talking about for ages, I'm happy but if I miss the ball drop, I'm gonna drop this foot up your ass."
x-x-x-x
By sheer luck or the fact that the driver was speeding to rid the blondes of his car, the girls made it to Spencer's at exactly 11:43.
"See, I told you we'd be fine." Ali stuck her tongue out and Hanna rolled her eyes.
"Whatever, Spencer better have all the snacks out."
"You're not even worried if Caleb is here yet?"
"Oh I know he is, I told him if he was late, we weren't baby making."
"Oh my god, Han, did I need to know?"
"Um," Hanna paused in front of the door, posing in thought and smiled, "nope."
"Then what the hell?"
Hanna shrugged, "you asked."
"God you make me want to-,"
"Finally you guys made it!" Spencer pulled open the door, Ali smiling widely at the tiny baby bump that was barely forming.
"Yeah we barely made it because of that one, going home for no reason."
"There was a reason! Besides, who starts a party at midnight?!"
"We do, but either way," Spencer dismissed, ushering them inside, "I'm glad you made it on time, Aria and Ezra just got here, they're in the living room."
Ali walked in first, earning laughs from everyone else when she tiptoed around every corner.
"Ali," Caleb laughed as he made his way towards Hanna, "what are you doing?"
Alison shushed him and continued to walk slowly, "I know you're out there boys, I can practically smell your cookie breath."
Toby emerged from the kitchen and stood by Spencer's side, asking loudly, "what is she doing?"
Ali narrowed her eyes and jested a finger at Toby, "I'm being cautious, you're devil child Christian James has scared the living hell out of me every day of the week so far. You're lucky he's so damn adorable."
Spencer laughed, "did I ever say thank you for watching them this week?"
"Not enough," Ali scoffed, "although Aiden was fine until his brother included him in his antics."
The group laughed drowning out the sounds of small feet pitter-pattering up behind Ali. Small sets of hands grabbed at her sides and she jumped, "God dangit, you boys!"
She turned just in time to watch their heads bob down the hall as they ran scared into their room.
"What are you two doing still up?"
Christian called, "we took naps to watch the lighty ball."
Alison made a childish growling noise and ran to their bedroom, "okay good, that means you'll be awake when I tickle you!"
"Auntie Ali nooooo, no we're sorry!" Ali laughed and barged through the door, ignoring the young boys objections and finding them both to pin on the little bed and tickle lightly until they begged for mercy.
"Auntie, I can't bweath." Aiden cried in laughter, while his brother kicked beside him, "okay, okay, no more scaring, no more!"
Ali stopped and took a moment to catch her breath, "you sure?"
"Uh huh, uh huh."
"What did Auntie Emmy teach you boys?"
Ali stopped and adored their faces as they looked at each other and smiled, returning the smile to Ali and holding out their pinkies in the air, "we pinky promise!" they said in unison.
Alison reached her hand down to either of the boys hands and locked pinkies, "alright, you know what this means."
Christian nodded excitedly, "Auntie Emmy said, now we can't break it."
"Yup, that's right, now c'mon, let's get back outside to watch the ball drop."
"Is Auntie Emmy coming?" Christian asked with bright eyes that looked just like his dad's.
Ali shook her head remembered how badly she wished she could spend New Year's with her girlfriend. Aiden climbed off the bed and stretched his arms to indicate he wanted to be picked up. Ali did as he wished and laughed when she felt his warm little finger poke her cheek.
"What are you doing little nugget?" Ali asked watching in curiosity as Aiden poked his own cheeks and smiled, "I make you happy!"
"You don't think I'm happy little one?"
Aiden shrugged and Ali looked down as she felt a tug on the hem of her dress, "not when Aunt Emmy is gone, you don't laugh like now."
Ali grinned weakly and squeezed Aiden into her chest and reached down to hold Christian against her legs, "I love you boys, I really do."
"Ali, bring the boys out, the ball is about to drop."
"C'mon kids, let's go."
The trio made it to the living room when Hanna bumped into Ali and handed her her phone, "you have a phone call."
Ali knew it could only be one person, snatching the phone and walking into the kitchen, "EM!?"
"Hey baby."
"Ugh hi, I miss you.'
"Miss you too, you at Spence's?"
"Yeah, I just got here not too long ago with Hanna, where are you?"
"Just barely got there? Always running late," Em ignored her question and chuckled at the other end of the line and Ali beamed in response, she could imagine Em's laugh was real and her mermaid was laughing in front of her now.
"I wish you were here Em."
"I know, where are you at right now?"
"I told you dork, I'm at Spencer's. Has that smart doctor brain of yours been working too hard?"
"No, just where are you? In the kitchen?"
Alison looked around suspiciously and smirked, "yes, I am."
"Twenty seconds," Aria cheered loudly somewhere behind Ali.
"Good," Em said, "come out the patio doors."
"Em-," Ali started.
"Alison, just do it."
"Ten, nine, eight...," Ali held the phone tight in her arms and ran towards the double French doors that lead to the back yard.
"Five, four, three..." Ali looked around outside and gasped when she felt familiar hands circle her waist and push her gently against the house wall. Those same hands wandering to cup her face and guide her eyes to those warm brown eyes.
"..one! Happy New Year's!"
Emily leaned down and captured Ali's lips in a searing kiss, interlocking one hand in Ali's long blonde tresses and using the other to hold her firm against her body and the wall.
Their lips fought for dominance but Ali gave in the moment Emily's tongue asked for permission. It was granted and Alison felt herself melt, despite the frigid temperature, into Emily's arms.
When a soft moan escaped her lips, Ali felt Emily pull away, making sure their hips stay connected, she husked in a raspy voice, "Happy New Year's baby."
Ali's grin did no justice to how happy she was at her surprise and she quickly moved to kiss her girlfriend again, "Em what are you, how, why...you know what I don't care, Happy New Year's."
Emily laughed when she felt herself being attacked and she cleared her throat, "babe can we go inside before we get an audience?"
Ali pulled away blushing and grabbed Emily's hand for both warmth and comfort, "Em I can't believe you're here, you said you're flight wouldn't be in until after New Year's."
The brunette shrugged, "I had to see you, I couldn't miss another holiday."
They made their way in and Ali paused at the kitchen counter, "I told you it was okay."
"But it wasn't with me, I couldn't do it."
"You're crazy, you should've waited, and I don't know how you got a flight at all today."
"Well, it wasn't all last minute, I knew I wanted to surprise you."
"wait, so when did you get back? Oh my god, how long have you been waiting outside, you could've frozen to death! Why didn't you call me when you landed?"
"Woah, woah, Ali, calm down, don't worry okay, I can still feel my fingers and toes just fine." Emily dragged her finger over the edge of Ali's jaw to make a point and the shorter woman shivered, from the slight chill from outside that still lingered on her skin, "Em, don't do that."
Emily smirked and sat on one of the stools at the counter, pulling Ali into her lap, "why," she asked seductively, "don't you miss my hands?"
Ali shivered again, but this was nowhere near caused by the cold.
But before she could answer, Christian and Aiden ran in the kitchen with their pinkies up and smiling proudly.
"We did it, Auntie Emmy, we did it!"
Emily smiled and high fived each of the little nuggets in front of her, "I know, you both did a great job, I owe you both another present."
Aiden and Christian snickered and ran to their parents to let them in on the news.
Ali turned in Em's lap and partially faced her, "the boys were in on it this whole time? Unbelievable."
"What is?"
"How good they were!"
"Yeah, I told Tobes to put them in some acting classes."
"I had no clue," Ali stated still baffled.
"It's okay," Emily encouraged kissing the side of Ali's cheek, "I taught them well."
Alison shook her head, "a promise is a promise then I guess."
"No, that wasn't just any promise, it was a pinky promise."
"You're too much Em."
"Only for you."
"Damn right."
"Ew barf," Hanna walked into the kitchen nonchalantly and pulled open the fridge, "Spencer where is the real food? I can't eat another cheese and cracker, or I swear I will die."
"Always," Emily declared regarding Hanna's unending impeccable timing.
"Never fails," Ali agreed, getting out of Em's lap and walked to fridge as well, "does she have any cold wine? I'm going to need a drink."
Hanna moved so Ali could look for some red wine and she walked towards Em, "Hey, you're finally home."
Emily rolled her eyes, "don't sound so excited."
The blonde shrugged and pulled Em into a long awaited hug, "you know I'd miss you more but Ali was talking about you every second you were gone, it feels like you never left."
"Ali, is this true?"
Alison turned around with her wine glass filled and brought it to her lips, "Ah," she said satisfied, "that's what I'm talking about. What were you two saying now?"
Emily smirked, knowing the answer already, "some things will never change."
"Ugh," Hanna groaned, "I'm going in the living room with the people who don't make me want to barf. Emily I'm just glad Ali will stop stressing about the house now that you're finally here."
"The house?"
Hanna just shook her head and pointed her chin out towards Alison, "ask her."
Ali shot a warning glare at Hanna, hoping that Emily wouldn't see it. She wasn't fast enough, "I seen that Ali, what is Hanna talking about? What's wrong with the house?"
"Wrong? Why do you assume something is wrong, our house is perfect okay?"
"Okay, then what was Hanna talking about?"
"Nothing, you know Hanna can still be an airhead sometimes."
"Ali," Em tried but Alison put her glass down and walked towards Emily again, straddling her again so that they were facing each other.
"Emily Fields, did I tell you how gorgeous you look in these jeans and your jacket?" Alison bit her lip and pouted a little, Emily couldn't resist her own smile.
"Ali-,"
"Did I?"
Emily sighed and laughed, "No Ali, you didn't."
"Oh," Ali said feigning surprise, "well then here, let me tell you now."
Em waited to hear Ali say something but was surprised when she felt warm breath on her neck and the soft skin of hands wrap on either side of her neck and even more surprised when she felt teeth scrape lightly on her earlobe.
She swallowed and Ali noticed the way Emily's pulse sped up, her hands on Emily's pulse point on the side of her neck. Smirking Ali leaned forward, their chests touching and dropped her voice an octave, "Emily, these clothes look amazing you on you."
Em shivered and closed her eyes, succumbing all her senses to everything Alison, "Ali I think we should,"
"But," Ali stopped Emily with a single digit to her lips. Alison kissed her way down Emily's jaw to the other side and traced her tongue lightly along the lob of her other ear, continuing to whisper seductively, "but I know they'd look even better off of you. And I know you'd look better under me, or over me," she added as an afterthought.
Emily was leaning forward, her lips searching for Alison's when suddenly the blonde's body warmth left her and Ali was walking back to the living room, shooting her girlfriend a wink.
"Tease," Em mumbled under her breath.
The night went by fast and after the boys fell asleep and were tucked into bed, the "grown-ups" had time to talk and catch up, although it was mainly an interview session for Emily about how residency was, what the next step was and where she was planning on working.
Of course Em didn't mind, but she was tired from the last minute flight and wished to relax, she didn't know if she could stay up this late, she was sure she could but the night seemed to drag on now.
"Em?"
Emily's head shook and she startled awake, "huh, what?"
Aria laughed, "aw you poor thing, I forgot you just came from California. You guys should head home?"
Emily yawned and shook her head, "no, I missed you guys, it's been three months."
Spencer laughed, "Nonsense Em, Ali was bugging all of us and talking about you the whole time. We didn't miss you as much as we could've."
Em smiled tiredly and nudged her girlfriend who sat beside her, "so I've heard."
"Guys, I was not like that okay, I missed Emily a normal amount okay?"
"Yeah," Hanna scoffed, "normal for you."
"Guys? Anyone?"
Caleb shrugged and kissed Hanna's forehead, "I'm with Hanna on this."
"Of course you are, Toby?"
The tall construction owner cleared his throat and looked up towards the hallway confused, "oh Spence, you hear that? I think it's Aiden. Let me go check on the boys."
Ali rolled her eyes, "such a shitty liar, what about-,"
"No," Ezra held his hands out, "nope, I know how these things end if we answer."
Everyone laughed and Ali crossed her arms, "you are all such crappy friends."
"Ali," Em coaxed, "you're 29...stop acting like a baby."
"Look who's talking party pooper, you were knocked out just a second ago."
"But with a valid excuse."
"Um, I love you more than anything and I really missed you, that's all the validation I need to talk about you."
Em beamed, "come here."
Ali leaned in but before their lips touched-
"What the hell, Hanna!"
Their blonde friend had thrown a pillow at them, hitting them both successfully in the face.
"Always," Ali repeated like earlier.
"Never fails," Emily smiled and kissed Ali's cheek quickly, "let's go home?"
Ali smiled and nodded hurredly, "yes please, I will not be babysitting those boys anytime soon."
"Hey," Spencer exclaimed, "those are my children you're talking about."
"Yeah those are my nephews too, I just...don't call me first next time?"
"Well that's not rude."
"It's not, they're just a handful."
"And what happens when you have your own kids?"
Ali squinted, "Emily duh."
"Ali!" Em exclaimed and shook her head disapprovingly.
"I'm just kidding, my kids will be asking for someone other than me because I'm going to smother them in love and affection and-,"
"All your words, geez, Em take her and go, we'll call you tomorrow."
The couple shared an embarrassed look and said their goodbyes, walking outside to hail a cab which took all of three freezing minutes.
"Jesus, it's freezing." Ali slid in beside Em and before she could tell the cab driver where to go, Emily grabbed Ali's hands in hers and brought them to her mouth, cupping them between her fingers and blowing on them to warm them.
Ali didn't know why she was taken aback by the gesture; it was just so sweet that Ali didn't hear the driver ask them repeatedly, "where to?"
Emily looked up and was met with eyes so full of love she that could drown in them. She smiled at Alison's obliviousness to her surroundings and without breaking eye contact she grinned, answering the driver, "home."
Of course she told him where their home was exactly but Ali only heard what made her heart flutter.
She held Emily's hands tighter in hers and fell into her girlfriend and rested her head on Em's shoulder. She could make out the lights of streets and stores and buildings and other cars from the foggy frost covered window. She also didn't know why but that felt perfect, everything that was she wished that it would always be.
Em was home for good, it was another new year with the love of her life, she was living in the city that never slept, the city she always wanted to live in and she was doing something she loved with her life.
There wasn't anything that could make her happier.
Well, okay, maybe she could think of just a few things, but she knew there was no rush.
x-x-x-x
February 2026
"Babe! I'm home!" Emily walked in and dropped her bag at the door, hanging up her jacket and walking around the house.
"Ali," she called louder this time.
"Up here Em!" Emily grinned and climbed the stairs two at a time to find Ali in their room, wearing a pair of her sweats and an old oversized tee from her college swim team.
Em crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe watching in amusement as Ali danced around in her room, "give it to me I'm worth it, uh huh I'm worth it."
"Babe." Em called stopping Ali from singing the pop song any louder.
Ali spun around and held out her brush to her mouth, "I don't like it, like it too soft, I like it a little rough."
Em quirked her eyebrow, "is that so?"
Ali smirked and nodded, continuing to sing the song out loud.
Emily watched as her wet hair dangled down her back and she couldn't help but think it looked the same it always did when Ali just got out the shower.
Having heard enough, Em walked over to the iDock and pressed pause.
"Hey, Em, I was having fun listening to our girls, that's their song."
"Yeah it's also an old song, that I'm sure Lauren and Camila will be pleased you still love so much but they're done with that."
Ali pouted and jumped on the bed, "I miss Camren."
"God I can't believe Hanna got you calling them that too."
"What, it's kinda cute, we should visit them in the 303 soon."
"Yeah, my skin needs some Miami."
"I can't believe they formed a band with their friends."
"And became a worldwide sensation for years."
"And toured literally everywhere! I'm still jealous."
"Well, they stopped years ago, you know that."
"Yeah, that's good that they all went back to school to finish up, I was really looking forward to maybe writing something with Camila."
Em nodded, "yeah and I think Lauren said she wanted to work in pediatric surgery."
"That's so crazy you both changed your minds like that, little nerds."
"Um, this nerd is now a doctor."
"Yes, I know, and a sexy one. How was work Dr. Fields?"
"Why thank you for asking, it was fine actually, I didn't have too much going on, although we did have new nurses working downstairs who managed to mess up the computers in a few hours of being there."
"Aw poor them, any scandalous things going on?"
"No," Em answered warily, "why?"
"No reason...I just, you know."
"No Alison, I don't."
"Well I kind of have this thing."
"This thing?" Em repeated.
"Yeah, a thing." Emily walked over to sit next to Alison and she waited for more.
"Ali?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you going to tell me what this thing is?"
"Well...,"
"You know you can tell me."
"I have another...fantasy." Alison grumbled under her breath and Emily had to make sure she heard right.
"What was that?"
"A fantasy."
"Oh really?" Emily was truly amused, "care to share?"
Emily got up and went to the walk in closet to change."
"No, wait!" Ali exclaimed and beckoned Emily back, "um, don't change. Well, not yet."
The tall brunette smirked and raised her eyebrows, "oh, and why not?"
"Come here and I'll tell you."
"Does this have to do with your little fantasy."
Ali nodded, "I get to try something new today."
Emily wasted no time and met Alison on the bed.
"Dr. Fields, I think I might need your help with something," Ali moaned seductively.
Em swallowed and licked her lips, "of course Miss DiLaurentis, what can I help you with?"
Alison couldn't keep a straight face any longer, she broke into light laughter and pulled Emily on the bed beside her by her collar, "oh shut up and kiss me already."
"Yes ma'am, Happy Valentine's Day to you too Ali."
"You're so mine."
"Always."
x-x-x-x
May 2026
"Hanna I don't know what to do."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what the fuck am I doing here?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm where I told you I was going to look. Ugh, you should've come with me."
"No, this is all on you, not me."
"I know but-,"
"Okay, then what's the problem, you know her size and everything there is so damn gorgeous, just pick one, or two, you guys can afford it."
Ali groaned and put her head on the steering wheel, mumbling something into the phone.
"What the hell did you say Ali, it sounds like you're being suffocated."
"I said," Ali announced more clearly, "what if I mess it up?"
"How!? That's seriously such a dumbass question, you're honestly about to be 30 years old next month, grow up and just-,"
"Don't yell at me."
Hanna laughed, "I think you should've called Aria or Spencer, they have more experience with this sort of stuff."
"No, Hanna I called you, I don't want to pick an ugly one."
"You won't."
"What if she doesn't want to wear it?"
"Ali what kind of stupid shit it that, she'll wear it and probably never take it off."
"Is it too soon?"
"No she probably bought you one too."
"Do you think she'll-,"
"Stop thinking and just let the card talk."
"She'll see it on our bills."
"No she won't it's your month to pay bills, you'll be fine."
"God Hanna, why am I so nervous?"
"My thoughts exactly, now go; Caleb and I are going to bake."
"Bake?"
"Yeah, you know, make a little bun for my oven?"
"Oh god Hanna did you have to?"
"I'm ovulating, so yes, we are gonna try and bake and you had to know because we're best friends and we talk about this kind of thing, c'mon I've been on the phone with you for 20 minutes, just go do it already, call me when you picked one out for her."
"Ugh, I hate you Hanna."
"Love you too, bye."
Alison groaned and slipped her phone into her purse, she shouldn't be this nervous, she's done it before, she had bought Em one for their anniversary before, but this was a little different.
"Alright, I can do this, it's just Em, we already love each other so much, so this almost won't make that much of a difference will it?" Alison ran all these thoughts through her mind and cursed herself, "fuck it."
She grabbed her purse and walked into the building ahead of her, she really didn't want to wait any longer.
x-x-x-x
June 2026
"Em what are you doing?"
"What?" Em turned around and faced her best friends who sat on the couch of her house, looking at them quizzically.
"You're pacing," Aria noted.
"And you're biting your nails." Spencer said while Aiden bounced cutely on her knee.
"Momma what's wrong with Auntie?"
Spencer poked his nose and shrugged, "nothing, she's just nervous."
"What's that mean?" Christian jumped on the couch and climbed over Aria's lap and sat on Hanna's.
Spencer looked between her boys and smiled, "you two ask so many questions."
Aria tickled Christian's side and added, "you're both gonna be so smart like your mommy."
"I know I am, I'm already the smartass at preschool." Christian puffed his little chest and lifted his chin.
"And as bout as humble about it as your Aunt Melissa."
Spencer laughed at Hanna's comment and shook her head, "Hanna behave."
"What? Their last names are Cavanaugh, but they're definitely going to be little Hastings in school."
Christian crawled over Hanna clumsily and pulled at Spencer's shirt, "mommaaaa," he whined, "what's nerves mean?"
"Nervous," Spence corrected.
"Yeah that's what I said."
"Okay kiddo, it just means...um," Spencer paused, thinking about how she could explain what nervous meant to a kid.
Emily pulled her hand from her mouth and squatted down, "Chris, come here." She beckoned for the little 4 year old to sit on her lap and he ran over excitedly, loving when his Aunt would tell him things, especially when they made promises.
"You want me to tell you what nervous means?"
Christian nodded, his big blue eyes bright and eager and clasped his hands together.
Em looked up and thought for a moment, "oh I know," she said, figuring out the way she would approach this, "remember your first soccer game last month?"
The little boy nodded and shrugged, "I guess."
"Okay, and remember you boys came over here for breakfast?"
"Oh yes," he claimed excitedly, "you put chocolate chips and lots of syrup, Momma got mad."
Emily laughed and nodded, "yeah I did. But you remember when it was time to go you hid from all of us?"
"Yes," he said quietly and dropping his head.
"That's okay, you were just nervous."
"I was?!" His eyes widened and he seemed to be in utter shock.
"Yeah, you weren't scared, you were nervous. Do you remember how your stomach felt?"
The little boy made his stomach expand out and he wiggled his fingers over it, "like this."
Emily laughed and tickled the boy, "yes, like that but in the inside."
His auntie stopped and she nodded, "you had butterflies in your tummy."
He stopped and hopped off, looking between his mom and Emily with a terrified expression on his face, "momma, I had butterflies in my tummy? How did they get in their?! Take them out!" He ran around and patted his stomach wildly, making his little brother pout, "I want buttafwies in my tummy."
Little Aiden looked genuinely sad and Spencer held him tighter, "one day bubba you'll feel them."
Emily grabbed a freaking out Christain and sat him on couch, "hey buddy calm down, they're not real butterflies."
"What? They're not?"
"No," Em shook her head, "it just feels like you had some in there didn't you?"
Christian shrugged and held up his hands, "I dunno, I guess?"
"Well yeah, we just say that when we get nervous because we get this funny feeling in our tummies and we might get sweaty hands and our hearts beat faster like this. And maybe you can't talk right or think because-," She stopped to put her hand under her sweater and pretended it was her heart beating fast out of her chest.
Everyone else watched in endearment and Aiden copied Emily, smiling proudly at Spencer.
"So you feel the butterflies right now?"
Emily nodded, "yeah I do."
"Why? Don't you love Auntie Ali?"
"Yes of course buddy, that's why I'm nervous, I love her so much that I get the butterflies."
"Do they go away?"
Emily smiled and asked herself that question, "no, not with her."
"Isn't that bad, they should go fly away, how can they breathe in there?"
Emily shook her head, maybe she should've let Spencer take the reins on this one, "Sometimes when people love each other so much that they always feel like they have butterflies, but these are different kind of butterflies, ones that you want to be there when you're in love with someone."
Christian scrunched his nose, "I don't get it, love, butterflies and sweat, it sounds gross Auntie, I don't want it." He stuck his pink little tongue out and jumped off the couch, running past Emily to his mom, "Momma can me and brother play outside?"
Spencer laughed and nodded, "go ahead but don't throw or kick the balls at your brother, or your Aunt's windows."
Christian nodded "Auntie made us pinky promise after last time." He held up his pinky and with his other hand grabbed his brother's, "c'mon Aiden before you get the butterflies." Aiden wobbled as he was pulled by his brother and frowned, squeezing his little stomach in his hands, "but brudder, I want them."
"No Aiden, wait till you're old like momma. It's not for kids."
They ran through the screen door and when it was closed, Em huffed and looked at Spencer apologetically, "I tried Spence, I did."
"I know, and you did fine, little miss butterfly."
"What? He's four for crying out loud! I can't even explain what nervous means to myself."
Aria pretended to wipe a tear from her eyes, "Em that was precious."
"Yeah I actually managed to not barf this time." Hanna mocked.
"You guys suck...and I'm still nervous."
"Why? You've been planning this since you were in still in freaking pig tails, or in high school or whatever, haven't you?"
"Not that young! Well maybe since that day in high school, or...okay well maybe I always thought about it but when we got older, well you know what happened and then –A and college and now we're already here and I don't know it's finally happening. I'm not dead right?"
"No, and you're both over reacting."
"Both?"
Hanna snapped her mouth shut and looked at Em like she had a head growing out of her neck.
"What?"
"Hanna you just-,"
"What?"
"Nevermind you weirdo, as I was saying, I just have been dreaming of doing this for a long time. And Ali just got her advance for her next book, and I'll have July off and-,"
"And...it doesn't matter, stop worrying, it'll be fine, Ali will absolutely lose her shit when you tell her."
Aria smiled and agreed, "Em you're over thinking, who wouldn't freaking love what you're going to give her?"
Spencer smiled, "it'll be perfect Em, stop worrying."
"Okay, okay, fine, I'm calm."
"What time does she get home?"
"Um she had to go to the office to talk to her first literary agent and go over her deadlines but she should be getting home within the hour."
"You giving it to her tonight?"
"No, I think I'll wait until her birthday, it's in a few days."
"Aw that'll be perfect, where are you taking her?"
"Not sure yet, but I know where we'll go this weekend."
"Well duh, I just want I know about her actual day."
"I don't know, I think I want to cook for her actually."
"Sounds good, I like real food."
"You?"
"Yeah," Hanna went on, "I like your food anyways, you have your mom's cooking skills."
"Hey," Spence interrupted, "how is your mom?"
Em smiled, "she's good, her and my dad are loving Hawaii."
"I can't believe they live there." Aria exclaimed.
"Yeah, well after my dad's full recovery, they just wanted to be where they could relax."
"Thanks to Spencer."
"Okay it wasn't much of a case."
"Yes it was," Emily shook her head, "don't downplay it, you helped settle by dad's case when you were still in college, if you didn't find the original toxicology report of that other driver, he's the reason my dad, you know what, it doesn't matter, he's healthy and happy and that's all I care about."
"Yeah, good." Aria looked at Em, giving her a proud look.
"So what are you doing next month?" Hanna asked innocently, knowing all too well what was planned.
"For what?"
"C'mon Em, don't downplay it," Spencer said mockingly.
"I don't understand, next month is just July."
"Uh huh, and what happens on when you're off for the whole month?"
"I don't know? I tan?"
"Uh huh."
"What? What's into you guys today? I ask you over for lunch and you all act so weird, is there something I should know?"
"Nope," they all said in unison, giggling like high schoolers.
"Whatever, I think the empanadas are ready now."
Hanna was the first to jump and run to the kitchen, "bring em on Momma Fields Jr."
"Ew don't ever call me that, or else I will never feed you again."
"Shut up and feed me."
x-x-x-x
"Ali are you sure you can wait that long to give them to her?"
"I'm going to have to, I want to wait until she's not at work, and she doesn't need any distractions."
"Uh huh and I'm sure you've been giving her plenty of distractions haven't you?"
"Stop it, I don't know what you're insinuating, but you can stop making that face right now."
"What face, I'm just saying."
"You're saying nothing, you said you wouldn't be teasing us about our sex life, we're adults now."
"All the more reason to tease, we're all old enough to talk about it, we're not kids anymore Ali."
"Exactly why I don't want to put up with your shit, c'mon you're not even helping me."
Hanna groaned and walked in front of her friend, "What do you want to buy the little boogers anyways?"
"I don't know, I just need to take my mind off of everything too."
"Why, what do you have to think about, Spencer and I have like almost everything planned, and you know Aria knows her stuff, we're just waiting for you."
"Ugh okay, no more."
"Fine, let's do some therapeutic shopping."
"Yes let's."
"I never thought I'd be doing it here though to be honest."
"Me neither."
"You sure you don't want to spoil yourself instead?"
"Yeah, I have enough crap in my closet."
"What about me?"
"No Hanna, you have your own freaking line of clothes, tell one of your staff designers to make you something. Or draw it up yourself and ask someone who works for you."
"It doesn't work that way."
"Well you're the boss, it works how you want it."
"No, it's okay, I think Caleb is upset that I made him use the guest room's closet."
"Hanna!"
"What? He wears the same things anyway, he can take the small closet in the room next door."
"You make him sleep in there too?"
"Ali you know he sleeps where I do."
"Oh god, I don't want to hear it, just tell me when I have a niece on the way okay, I don't want details on how she gets here though."
"Okay, whatever you say, you and Em are going to be the god parents."
"Great, more babies to watch."
"You love it."
"I do."
"It's especially obvious since we're here."
Alison stopped and looked around, "Toys'R'Us...meet your biggest nightmare."
Hanna chuckled, "she's an auntie on a mission people, don't piss her off!"
"Until we have more kids around, these boys are going to be so spoiled."
"Christian loves it, and you see the look on Aiden's face when Aria bought him the little toy camera?"
"Yeah I know that was honestly so cute."
"Yeah," Hanna sighed somewhat sadly, "Spence and Toby are lucky."
Alison stopped where she was and turned around, placing her hands on Hanna's shoulders, "hey, you guys are going to have a baby soon okay? Don't rush it."
"We're not rushing, we're just waiting."
Ali smiled sympathetically, "hey," she said trying to lighten the mood, "why don't you try different positions or something?"
Hanna grimaced, "Ali."
"What?" This had gotten awkward fast, she thought.
"Um I don't want advise from you on this, I'm sure you and Em have some favorites but it's not exactly the same you know..."
"Oh god don't be so...my point is, if you're both...you know doing what needs to be done, then making some adjustments might be you know, it might help."
Hanna wanted to say something back but shrugged, "yeah, yeah I guess, thanks Ali."
"I would say you're welcome, anytime, but seriously I don't want to hear it again, so mot anytime okay?"
"Never in a million years."
"Great, so let's get some damn toys, what do they like anyways?"
"They're little boys, as long as it's durable and easy to wash off, we can get them anything."
"Alright, let's go for the biggest toys they have."
"Uh uh wait up," Hanna called chasing an excited Alison, "we're shoving everything in my car."
"Yes we are!"
"Have some control Ali!"
x-x-x-x
"Aria, you sure I can have this?"
Aria nodded her head, "of course, I know you'll be using it in the future, and I have another one just like it, I don't need this one."
"Oh my gosh thank you, I've always wanted a polaroid camera."
"And now you have one, I already brought you tons of film too."
"Ar, I just need it for-,"
"Oh, I know, but I'm talking about when you- um nevermind, I just brought it because I have a lot at home."
"What were you going to say?"
"Nothing."
"Aria."
"Nothing Em."
"What aren't you telling me."
"Nothing."
"If it is nothing then why did you say you know I'll use it in the future?"
"Why are you reading into that so much?"
"Why aren't you answering the question?"
"Um, you know what Em, I can take it back if you want?"
"Hey that's not fair."
Just then Ezra walked in to his and Aria's studio apartment and gave Emily a greeting nod, "hey Em, what's not fair?"
Aria shot him a warning look that he failed to see and Em took advantage of this, "oh nothing Ezra, Aria just can't wait for me to use this." Em held up the camera and Ezra nodded, "oh yeah she finally gave it to you, I hope you get to take a lot of great pictures when you-,"
"OKAY!," Aria walked over and covered Ezra's mouth with her tiny hand, "I think you should take the dog for a walk, don't you sweetie?"
Ezra looked confused until Aria bugged her eyes out and spoke between clenched teeth in a voice only he could hear.
"Oh," he quipped, "of course, Shiloh, come here boy, time for your walk, come here boy!"
And on cue the little brown cocker spaniel came in wagging his little tail and barked happily.
"Alright Aria, I'll be back, Emily, nice seeing you."
And he left faster than Emily had time to recover.
"Okay, now I know for sure you guys are all hiding something from me."
"You guys?"
"You, him, Hanna, Spencer, and I know the guys are in on it too."
"Em you're being crazy."
"Uh huh, don't worry, I'm keeping the camera and I'm going to find out what's going on."
Aria cringed when Em said goodbye hurriedly and left, "I'll talk to you later."
"Alright Em, drive safe."
"Uh huh, I'll take pictures on my way home."
"You do that."
Em closed her friend's door and scratched her head, what the hell was going on?
AN: So what do you think about the time jump? I wanted to give you just some bits and pieces of their life so far and some cute parts of their relationship with each other and everyone else, believe me, more is coming, I promise...more importantly, what do the girls have planned for each other?! What do Hanna, Aria and Spencer know? Send me your guesses! Thank you for your patience! Love, Lina
P.S. only 6 more chapters are left! I can't believe I'll be done with my very first fic soon, thank you all for coming this far with me!