Evening all, hope you had the most festive of Yuletide's and the happiest of Hogmanay's! Thank you for your lovely reviews on the last chapter, that made me happy because let's be honest, we're all friends here, my work has gone downhill a bit. Anyway I appreciate those of you that did your homework, made some fun reading for me and I feel like I know you all a little better now. So on with the show...
Emily loudly began to sing yet another Christmas song as she put the finishing touches to the tree in Alison's living room. Unlike Emily, Alison did not seem to care much about the holiday. She wasn't even planning on getting a tree at all until Emily had argued with her about it for a solid twenty four hours. An argument that the brunette had eventually won.
"Are you nearly done?" Alison entered the room with a pained expression on her face.
"Almost," Emily grinned in return, "just need to put the star on top." She held out the topper to her girlfriend.
"Well hurry up and put it on, your mom gets here in a few hours and I want to cuddle and watch a film." Alison pouted.
"You need to do it." Emily continued to hold out the star.
"Why?" Alison huffed.
"It's your tree." Emily continued to grin, beckoning the girl over.
"Could've fooled me." Alison rolled her eyes, walking over.
"Come on Scrooge, where's your Christmas spirit?" Emily laughed.
"In the drinks cabinet, labelled vodka." Alison quipped as she took the star out of Emily's hand.
Despite her girlfriends lack of festive spirit, Emily couldn't imagine a better Christmas. She finally had the girl of her dreams and she was happier than she'd ever been. However Alison had been a little off ever since they'd come back from Rosewood. At first Emily thought it had been because of her near declaration of feelings, so she'd made a point not to broach the subject again. That didn't seem to be it though. It was almost like she was hiding something from her. Emily had been made more suspicious of that two days ago when Alison took a call in another room. Something she never did. When Emily had gone in to ask her something she had abruptly stopped speaking and hung up. She was also becoming over generous with her money. It ranged from small things, like insisting she pay for Pam's travel, all the way to trying to trying to pay for all of Emily's Christmas shopping. Last week they'd ended up in an argument because Emily wouldn't let her buy her a car. It was all very strange, Emily wanted to talk to her about it, but she had decided to wait until the holidays were over.
"How the hell am I going to reach up there?" Alison stood staring at Emily with her hands on her hips.
"I'll give you a boost." Emily went round the back of her, bending down and putting her head between the blondes legs. She straightened up easily so that Alison was now on her shoulders.
"Don't you dare drop me." Alison warned, one hand gripping Emily's head tightly as she leaned to place the star on top of the tree, "Done, now let me down."
Emily crouched down so that Alison could jump off. She grabbed her girlfriends hand and pulled her toward her as she stood back up.
"What?" Alison giggled at the mischievous look on Emily's face.
Emily reached into her back pocket, pulled out a sprig of mistletoe and held it above their heads.
"You're a dork." Alison sighed as she leaned in to kiss her.
Emily let go of her hand and pulled her phone out, snapping a picture of them mid kiss.
"What are you doing?" Alison quickly pulled away.
"We look cute," Emily smiled, "plus there are no pictures of us together where I'm not walking three feet behind you."
"There's a reason for that, phones can be hacked." Alison looked angry.
"Relax, Caleb is my tech guy. I'm assured that this phone is unhackable." She placed a gentle kiss to Ali's lips, trying to remove the anger.
"How sure can you be about that?" Alison didn't look convinced.
"Well none of my nudes have been leaked so…"
This earned her a punch to the arm.
"Well I hope you're right, for both our sakes." Alison warned before turning to leave.
"Where are you going?" Emily called after her.
"To find my Christmas spirit." Ali called back over her shoulder.
Emily stood at the station awaiting Pam's arrival. She'd had a lovely afternoon of cuddles and make out sessions on the couch with Alison. Some random Christmas movie playing in the background that neither of them paid any attention to. Something was still not right though. It was hell to leave her, she was excited to see her mom, but she really wished she could spend the holiday with both of them.
"Emily!" Pam rushed toward her daughter, breaking her out of her thoughts and embraced her.
"Hey mom." Emily squeezed her back tightly, "Come on, there's a car waiting."
"No Alison?" Pam questioned as she climbed into the back of the car.
"No, she's spending the holiday with her parents. I'm seeing her in the morning for an hour to exchange gifts." She couldn't keep the sad note out of her voice.
"It won't always be this way Emmy." Pam smiled softly at her.
"I'm not so sure." Emily mumbled.
"I don't know, that girl may surprise you. I have every faith in her."
"You do?" Emily looked at her mother.
"I do."
"Mrs F!" Hanna greeted enthusiastically as they entered the apartment.
"Hello Hanna." Pam laughed.
"Here, let me grab your bags." Caleb said rushing to the door to help them.
"Thank you for having me." Pam hugged Hanna.
"Of course, you are cooking Christmas dinner right?" Hanna said seriously.
"No, she is not." Emily scolded, "Me and Hanna have it all under control."
"Yes, I am." Pam chuckled, "I think we'd all like to survive until the 26th."
"When do your mom and Ted get back?" Pam asked as she followed Hanna through to the kitchen.
Emily checked her phone again, hoping to see a message from a certain blonde. Her screen remained blank. She knew that Alison was trying not to interrupt her time with her mom, but it didn't make her miss her any less.
"Everything alright?" Pam said as she entered the room.
"Yeah, everything's great." Emily smiled back at her.
"You know I was thinking, it's going to be pretty crowded here the next couple of days. We're already going to have to share a bed for two nights at least. Why don't you stay at Alison's tonight?"
"Mom, I want to spend time with you." Emily protested.
"I know and I want to spend time with you too. We've got most of the day tomorrow though, all of Christmas Day and most of the 26th. The holidays are about spending time with the people you love. You should spend time with everyone that you love."
"Thanks mom." Emily smiled gratefully.
"Just make sure you take the present that I got her."
"You really didn't have to get her a present." Emily sighed.
"I wanted to, and you don't get to decide who I buy presents for." Pam said as she disappeared to get it.
Emily let herself into Alison's, excited to surprise her girlfriend. She walked as quietly as she could through the downstairs. Not so quiet that Pepe didn't hear her though.
"Shh boy," She whispered, "Where's your mama?"
Walking into the kitchen she noticed large envelope on the counter. It was addressed to her, Miss Emily Fields. The address was Alison's though. Why would she be getting any mail sent here? It was already open. She pulled out the documents from inside and began to study them.
"What are you doing here?" Alison's voice startled her as she dropped the papers on the counter.
"I came to surprise you. I was going to spend the night here." Emily said, spinning round to face Ali, who was stood at the doorway in a nightshirt. She was still in shock from what she'd just read.
"Why are you looking through my things?" Alison's voice was defensive.
"Your things?" Emily felt herself getting angry, "Pretty sure it's addressed to me."
"Emily, you don't know what that's about." Alison moved further into the kitchen.
"Really? I'm not an idiot Alison. A house? I say no to a car and you just think, well I'll just buy her a house without telling her then?" Emily could feel the frustration bubbling.
"It's not like that…" Alison's voice trailed off.
"Well then what is it like? You think I can't look after myself?"
"No, I mean yes. I know you can look after yourself." Alison was getting flustered.
"So what then? I don't get you Ali. I've been patient, I thought we were getting somewhere. I thought you were happy. Then when we were in Rosewood…it was like you didn't want to hear it. I get that, I do. It's scary. I don't care about you saying it back, I don't."
Alison looked down at the floor and started playing with her hands.
"Since we got back, you've been different. You've been off, you're hiding things from me. It's like you're just throwing your money at me, like if you do that then you don't have to give me any of you. I don't care about your money though Ali! I don't want your money, I want you! I love you!" She had said it.
"Please don't." Alison's voice was quiet.
"Don't what? Love you?" Emily questioned, "Too late. I love you Ali."
"How do you know that you love me? How do you know that it's not just some illusion." Alison's eyes still didn't meet hers.
"Because I know. I know I love you, because I love everything about about you. Even the things about you I don't like, I love. So yeah, I am completely, utterly, unapologetically, head over heels in love with you."
"Emily, I…" Alison was at a loss for words, but Emily could see the tears threatening her eyes.
"I'm not Rollins, I'm not the guy who tried to sell a story about you, I'm not any of those assholes you've dated in the past. I'm me, I'm Emily and I'm yours." Emily could feel tears in her own eyes now, "But if you don't want me, then you need to tell me Ali. I want a future with you, but you have to want that too. You can't just throw money at me."
She walked forward until she was nose to nose with the blonde. Grabbing her by the waist, she forcefully brought her mouth to Ali's. Kissing her with passion, relieved when Alison responded with just as much enthusiasm. She began to walk backwards, pulling Ali with her. Spinning them round once they reached the counters, she lifted her onto it and shifted her legs so she was now between them. She began placing wet kisses down her jaw to her neck, reaching for the hem of Ali's shirt and swiftly pulling it over her head. She discarded it without thought and resumed her assault on the blondes neck. Alison's hands were tangled in her hair, her legs wrapped firmly around her waist pulling her closer.
"Emily." Alison moaned throwing her head back.
"Tell me that you want me too." Emily breathed out between kisses, "Tell me that you see a future for us."
When Alison didn't respond Emily pulled away. Resting her forehead against Ali's.
"Do you see a future for us Alison?" Emily asked, eyes staring into Alison's own lust filled orbs.
Alison moved to kiss Emily again, moving her hands to unbutton her jeans. Emily pulled away and stepped back.
"I love you Alison, and I'll carry on being patient. I just have to know that this is going somewhere for you too."
Alison remained silent, sat half naked on the counter, eyes avoiding Emily's.
"Well when you decide what you want, let me know." Emily turned to leave, "Merry Christmas Ali."
Alison burst into tears as soon as she heard the door shut. Why didn't she just tell her the truth? What the hell was wrong with her? Fighting back her tears, she got up and put her nightshirt back on. Then she went to her laptop and did the only thing that seemed to give her any clarity recently, she began to write. The story had formed quickly in her head during her visit to Rosewood. She wondered if any of her inspirations would recognise themselves. The one she cared most about though was gone, trying to work through her feelings she began to type out a new chapter.
"Emily?" Pam's head whipped up in surprise as Emily slammed the door behind her.
"I'm going to bed." Emily didn't look at the people in the room as she stalked through the apartment.
Slamming her bedroom door like a teenager, she sat on the bed and put her head in her hands. She hadn't meant to leave, she didn't want to have this conversation now, not during the holidays. That envelope though, it had really pissed her off. Not only had she bought her a house without asking, or telling her, she had bought it in Rosewood. It was like she wanted to hide her away. Out of sight, no chance of them ever just being a normal couple. She had been patient, she had tried, but she needed answers now.
"Emmy?" Pam's gentle voice disturbed her swirling thoughts.
"I'm sorry I slammed the door." Emily felt stupid for her juvenile behaviour.
"I'm more concerned about why, and why you're not at Alison's right now?" Pam came and sat next to her on the bed.
"She bought me a house." Emily scoffed.
"Well I can see why you'd be angry."
"You can?" Emily looked at her mother gratefully.
"Yeah, I mean who would do such a nice thing? You need to steer clear of generous people like her." Pam's face had the hint of a smirk.
"No, it's not just the house mom, it's what it represents." Emily put her head back in her hands.
"What would that be?"
"She's just been really strange recently, since we got back from Rosewood." Emily tried to explain.
"In what way?"
"She's been, distant. Well not distant, she's still affectionate and…I don't know, it's like she's just never fully there at the moment. I feel like she's hiding something from me."
"Okay." Pam nodded, urging her to continue.
"Then she's just trying to buy me stuff left, right and centre. Not cheap stuff either, like she can just use money instead of feelings. The house isn't even in New York mom! It's in Rosewood, she lives in New York! It's like she just wants me out of the way. She just doesn't want a real future with me, she doesn't want to be a normal couple."
"Did she say that?"
"She didn't have to, she didn't say anything and that speaks volumes." Emily could feel herself getting upset.
"Have you ever thought that maybe you're wrong?"
"About what?" Emily sat up to look at her mother again.
"All of it, or at least some of it."
Emily just sat in silence, staring at her mother in disbelief.
"I'm just saying, maybe she doesn't seem all there because she's working through her feelings. Maybe she's thinking about what she does want. You might be right about the money, but have you ever thought about where she comes from? It's not exactly the Waltons Emily, maybe that's the way she knows how to show she cares. You say she's hiding something, my guess is it's the house. Speaking of the house, where is the only place you've been able to act like a normal couple Emily? Walk down the street holding hands, hang out with friends in a bar? You say she doesn't want a future, I say this is a huge leap forward for you both. I think you need to talk to her."
Emily processed everything her mother had said, try as she might, she couldn't find fault. It made sense.
"No." Emily said forcefully, she had made up her mind.
"No?" Pam asked in confusion.
"It's always me, this time it needs to be her. When she's ready to talk to me she will. If she wants to fight for this, then I need to see that."
"Well that's your decision." Pam said, kissing Emily's forehead and getting up, "Get some sleep sweetie."
As soon as Pam left, she dropped her stoic and strong act and let a tear fall. She needed to stick to her guns, she doubted she'd get much sleep tonight though.
Christmas Eve had passed as a none event for Alison. She never even got dressed or left the house. Cancelling her plans, she spent the whole day writing. If she carried on at this rate, she'd be finished in a week. It cleared her head, helped her think, work through her feelings. It didn't stop her from crying herself to sleep at night though.
Christmas Day was upon her, it filled her with dread. For two reasons, she had to spend the entire day with her family and she hadn't spoken to Emily since that night. She honestly thought the brunette would have come over by now, or called, or text, anything. However it was becoming increasingly apparent that she had meant what she said. This only made Alison more stubborn though, how dare she walk out on her? Tell her that she loved her, and then just leave? She was not going to be the one to call first.
She paused before she left the house, turning to go into the living room, she stared at the five gifts Emily had left for her under her tree. Taking a deep breath she approached the tree and knelt down. Picking up the first one, she read the tag, it was from Aria and Ezra. She carefully unwrapped the gift to discover a gorgeous scarf, it wasn't designer, it probably didn't cost that much, but it was the best scarf Alison had ever owned. Moving to the next one, it said Hanna and Caleb. She could have guessed that from the wrapping though, she chuckled to herself. Opening up her presents one by one, she was thrilled by her gifts. Hanna had got her pyjamas, Spencer had gotten her a beautiful new diary. Pam had got her a lovely bottle of wine and a card with an invite to visit anytime. She was truly moved by each gift. Finally she got to Emily's, the small package weighed heavily in her hands. Biting the bullet she unwrapped it and opened the box. Inside was a gold necklace with a heart pendant. It was stunning. Her phone chimed to alert her that her car was waiting, she quickly put the box into her handbag and left.
Christmas with the DiLaurentis' was exactly how she expected it to be. While she was certain that other family's would be enjoying festive cheer, laughing and joking, helping to cook the dinner, they did not. Instead they all sat around the room, stony faced, sipping their drinks while the help that was missing out on Christmas with their own families prepared them a feast. There was no gathering around the tree to open presents. Instead her father just muttered something about a bank transfer. Jason looked in pain as he sipped his club soda. Ali felt bad for him, she knew she wouldn't be able to get through the day without a drink. She got her phone out and quickly typed out a holiday tweet to her followers, she would get an Instagram picture later. Opening up snapchat she clicked on Hanna Marin's story. It was snap after snap of how Christmas morning should be. Emily didn't appear except for in the background, Alison strained her eyes to try and get a good look at her. She looked miserable.
"What are you watching?" Jason asked from across the room.
"Just a snap story." Alison shrugged it off as if it was barely of interest.
"Well they sound like they're having a good Christmas." He smiled, before gesturing round the room, "Hard to beat this though."
"Oh yeah, time of my life." Alison scoffed and rolled her eyes, enjoying joking around with her brother.
"Dinner is ready." Her father announced as he entered to the room.
They ate in uncomfortable silence, as always. It was more about pretending to be the perfect family than actually being one. She didn't want that for her kids, Christmas would be a fun holiday. They would get up early and have a special breakfast before opening all their presents together. She'd make the dinner with Pam while Emily kept the kids entertained…
"Alison are you alright?" Jason's voice was laced with concern, "You've gone really pale."
"Yes, I just felt a bit lightheaded." She forced a smile, "I'm fine now."
There her imagination went again, and once again the only future she did see for herself was with Emily. The woman that she was close to losing. At this stage she realised, try as she might, she couldn't imagine any kind of future without her. She popped up time after time. What annoyed her more though, was that rather than spending this day with that future, she was sat in a room of people she had no interest in being in her future at all. Worst of all, Emily had no idea that Alison had these thoughts. She believed that Alison didn't care, and her Christmas was just as miserable because of her.
"Where are you going?" Jessica's voice brought her back to the room.
Alison looked down to see that she had stood up.
"Is there a problem Alison?" Her father asked, sipping his wine.
Deciding that this would be the first stand of many she was going to have to take against her family, she mustered all the confidence she could.
"I'm leaving."
"You're what?" Jessica nearly choked on her drink.
"I don't know why we even bother doing this every year, none of us want to be here. So this is my last year and I'm done. I'll see you all at the New Years ball."
Before an argument could break out or she could lose her nerve, Alison quickly left the room and marched out of the house. Which is where she encountered her first problem. She didn't have a car, a random driver had brought her over this morning and she had no idea of how to contact him.
"Alison!"
She turned around to see Jason stood in the doorway.
"I don't know who they are, but I'm glad you're happy. Here." He smirked, tossing a set of keys to her, "God knows the last time you actually had to drive, so please be careful."
"Thank you Jason." Alison smiled at him gratefully.
"Merry Christmas little sister." He returned the smile and turned to go back inside.
Jason was right, Alison couldn't even remember the last time she had actually driven. Programming the sat nav, she tried to get comfortable with the vehicle. Hoping for the best she set off to her destination.
"Okay Emily, your turn!" Hanna handed her the mouthpiece.
"I think I'm going to pass on this one." Emily tried to smile at her best friend, but she knew it wasn't reaching her eyes.
"You've passed on all the games." Hanna pouted, she'd been trying to cheer Emily up all day.
"Why don't we just watch some television?" Pam suggested, Emily smiled at her appreciatively.
They had been sitting watching some Christmas film on Netflix, Emily wasn't even paying attention. Instead her head continued to swirl with thoughts of a certain blonde. This wasn't a decision she wanted to be making on Christmas Day. A knock on the door brought her back to the room.
"Did you invite someone round?" Hanna asked Caleb, who shrugged and shook his head.
"Might be a neighbour?" Pam suggested.
"Well let's find out." Hanna got up and headed out into the hallway.
Not giving it a second thought, Emily allowed herself to get consumed by her thoughts again.
"Em, can you come here a second." Hanna's voice sounded strange.
Sighing in annoyance, Emily pulled herself up off the couch and headed through the hall.
"Merry Christmas." Alison said with a shy smile.
"I'm just gonna…" Hanna pointed to the living room before making her exit.
"Thank you Hanna." Alison smiled, before turning her attention back to Emily.
"What are you doing here?"
"Can we talk?" Alison looked nervous.
"Sure, we can talk in my room." Emily motioned for her to follow. Happy that her mom was staying so at least it would be clean and tidy.
"This is nice." Alison said as she followed Emily in, who sat down on the bed.
Alison continued to stand in front of her.
"Yeah it is, I'm going to be moving out soon though. Need to find my own place." Emily rubbed the back of her neck.
Alison still continued to just stand there.
"You said you wanted to talk?" Emily tried to prompt her to say something, anything.
"Yeah, I did. I don't know why I find this so damn hard." Alison laughed, but there wasn't any humour in it.
"It's just me Ali, you can say anything to me." Emily tried to reassure the nervous woman in front of her, "Why aren't you at your parents?"
"Because I realised that's not what I wanted for my Christmas, for this one or any of them. I want Christmas like you." Alison paused and corrected herself, "I want Christmas with you."
"You do?" Emily felt hope rise inside her.
"I do."
"This year or…?" Emily tried to push her for more.
"Every year." Alison said, looking down.
Emily stood off the bed and walked the two steps to be in front of her girlfriend. It was good enough for her, "I want that too Ali."
Alison looked up and stared into Emily's eyes, "I'm sorry that I make all of this so difficult."
"It's a good job you're worth it." Emily smirked, before gently cupping Alison's jaw and kissing her. She pulled away after a moment and whispered against Ali's mouth, "I love you."
Alison just closed the gap again and wrapped her arms around Emily's neck.
"I am trying, I just need a little time." Alison said quietly once they'd separated again.
"I know." Emily sighed, she should be canonised in her opinion for displaying this level of patience.
"Just give me until after New Years?" Alison asked, cocking her head.
"You got it." Emily couldn't help the grin that was now plastered on her face, "So you want a proper Christmas?"
"I do." Alison grinned back.
"Well come on then," she said dragging her out of her bedroom and through the apartment, "time to play Hanna's games."
Emily had ended up having one of the best Christmas' she'd ever had. Something she wasn't expecting at all considering how they'd left things before. Alison had actually fought for her. It wasn't a boom box outside the window but it was Alison's equivalent. Sure she hadn't outright said, I want a future with you, but she had said she wanted Christmas'. That was basically the same thing and Emily was going to take it happily at this stage. Especially Alison's declaration of just giving her until after new year. Emily wasn't exactly sure what that meant, or what was going to happen, but it sounded promising.
"Babe where the hell are my shoes?!"
"They're down here!" Hanna shouted up the stairs.
"I don't think she was talking to you." Emily rolled her eyes at the blonde.
"Thank you!"
"Are you sure about that?" Hanna smirked back.
Alison's glam squad had been reduced to one single person, Hanna. Emily was amazed she had downsized so drastically. Alison had simply pointed out that Hanna could do everything that she usually paid five people to do, so why not just pay her. It seemed to be an arrangement that everyone was happy with.
"What time is it?" Alison appeared halfway down the stairs in her underwear.
Emily gulped and tried to maintain her composure. It was only a few hours earlier she'd had the blonde bent over the kitchen counter.
"You have half an hour until we're out the door." Hanna answered, chuckling at Emily's seeming inability to function.
"Okay, this is doable. I'm putting my dress on. Can you help me Han?" Alison asked as she turned to walk back up the stairs.
"Sure thing, I'll bring your shoes." Hanna answered, nudging Emily as she walked past, "Jealous?"
"Of you dressing my girlfriend?" Emily raised her eyebrows, "As long as I'm the only one undressing her, you dress away."
It hadn't taken Emily long to get ready, all of the security at the event were told they had to wear black and blend in. So Hanna had dressed her in black trousers and jacket. No shirt. She hope to god that she had enough tape holding this all together.
"Right, she is ready. Let's do this." Hanna squealed as she ran down the stairs.
Alison appeared just after her and Emily was speechless again. Hanna had designed her a strapless white gown. She looked stunning, Emily couldn't help but imagine their wedding day. She shook the thought away, she was getting ahead of herself.
"Baby, you look…" Emily couldn't finish her sentence.
"Thank you." Alison blushed a little, "You're looking pretty hot yourself." She winked.
"Tha…"
"You're welcome." Hanna interrupted, a grin on her face.
Emily and Alison just shared a knowing look and rolled their eyes, before heading out the door.
"I'll meet you there." Hanna smiled as they got into the waiting car.
Alison had invited all of her new friends and their partners to the event. Emily thought it was a very sweet gesture, she didn't have to do that. There was always the risk that it would raise questions, Alison had just said that they wouldn't even be noticed though. Apparently this was the new year event of all new year events. The DiLaurentis New Year ball was the place to be tonight. People would sell the rights to their first borns for a ticket. At least this is what Hanna had told her, before she assured a very concerned looking Caleb that they had been given their tickets legitimately.
"In three hours it'll be a brand new year." Emily smiled and took Alison's hand in the back of the car.
"It will be," Alison smiled back, "it will also be time to renew your contract."
"Really? Wow, has it been six months already?"
"It has." Alison nodded.
"It seems like years." Emily groaned playfully.
Alison just threw her a look, but didn't rise to the bait.
"Have a lovely night ladies, and a happy new year." Carter addressed them as he pulled the car up outside the building.
"Happy new year Carter!" They both chorused.
Emily got out and went round to open Alison's door, the amount of people gathered was crazy. Emily hadn't seen anything like this yet. Between the press and the fans, it was just a sea of people. She opened the door and Alison stepped out. The noise level increased to an uncomfortable amount. Emily winced, Alison just looked like she was just casually walking down the street. If she was overwhelmed you couldn't tell. Her name was being shouted from every direction as she walked the carpet, stopping to pose, sign autographs and take selfies with fans along the way. It took them forty five minutes to make it to the entrance.
"I'll be glad when I don't have to do that anymore." Alison muttered as they entered.
"What?" Emily questioned, but Alison had already moved in and started greeting people. She made a mental note to ask her about her comment later.
"This party is insane." Aria had come to talk to her.
She'd been stood on the sidelines watching Alison mingle for the last two hours.
"Yes it is." Spencer joined them.
"Don't be getting me in trouble guys, you're guests. I shouldn't be talking to you." Emily addressed them while continuing to stare straight ahead.
"Oh lighten up Em, it's new year!" Hanna was well on her way to being drunk.
"Easy for you to say, when it gets to midnight you'll get to kiss the person you love." Emily couldn't help but sound a little bitter.
"I thought things were good with you guys?" Aria questioned.
"They are," Emily sighed, "I'm allowed to be a little annoyed about this though."
"I'll drink to that." Hanna raised her glass.
"You'll drink to anything right now," Spencer rolled her eyes, "Come on, let's find the guys, see you soon Em."
Once again Emily was left alone, just staring at Alison. A dark haired woman that Emily hadn't met before had approached her girlfriend. Emily recognised her as Mona Vanderwaal, she had seen her in Hanna's magazines. She handed Alison a glass of champagne and turned on the charm, from what Emily could see. Emily wasn't buying it though, she didn't trust Mona at all, judging from Alison's fake smile, she wasn't buying it either. She politely excused herself and headed over to speak to someone that Emily thought might have won an Oscar. She really needed to start reading more of Hanna's magazines if she wasn't going to embarrass herself and Alison at these things. She looked at the large clock on the wall, it was ten minutes until midnight. Putting her focus back on Alison she sighed and hoped the time would pass quickly until they could go home.
"Five minutes to midnight folks! So charge your glasses and get ready!" Mr DiLaurentis announced as people cheered.
Alison's eyes met Emily's and she motioned her head toward the exit, before heading toward it. Emily followed, unsure of what Alison wanted. Alison continued toward the elevator and nodded at the operator who opened it and let her in, Emily rushed to get in. They rode in silence until they reached the top floor, Alison exited first, Emily once again following diligently.
"What's going on?" She finally asked once they were alone in the penthouse.
"In just over a minute, it's going to be midnight. Now we can stand down there and pretend to be happy, or we can stay up here and bring it in together." Alison said, moving closer and taking her hands.
"Won't anyone notice that you're missing?" Emily questioned.
"Nope." Alison smiled, she seemed a bit drunk.
"How much have you had to drink Ali?" She was sure she'd only noticed her have about three drinks.
"No idea." Alison shrugged, then she gestured to the clock, "Ten, nine, eight…"
She began the countdown and Emily joined in, "Three, two, one."
Emily could hear fireworks going off as Alison kissed her. It was filled with passion and Emily was pretty sure love.
"Happy new year Emily." Alison breathed as she pulled away.
"Happy new year Alison." Emily moved to kiss her again.
"New year, new us." Alison speech sounded slurred.
"Babe, are you okay?" Emily was getting concerned now.
"You must be one hell of a kisser, you've made me very lightheaded." Alison giggled.
"Whose room is this?" Emily asked, wondering if she could just put the blonde to bed.
"My parents, we can't stay here. We haven't spoken since the Christmas Day thing." Alison leaned on Emily.
"Shit, come on." Emily scooped her up and carried her to the elevator.
She dialled the number for the car on the way, it was a replacement driver, she really wished Carter hadn't been given the rest of the night off. She told the driver to meet her out the back. Hopefully he had signed a non disclosure form too.
Once she was in the elevator she dialled Spencer's number, "Happy new year Em! Where are you?"
"I think Alison has been spiked." She cut straight to the chase, "I need you to help me get her out of here."
"I'll grab the others, we're on it." Spencer said, "Where are you?"
"I'll be in the lobby in a minute." Emily answered as Alison placed sloppy kisses on her cheek.
"We'll meet you there." Then Spencer hung up.
"Emmy!" Alison sung.
"Oh no, you don't call me that." Emily laughed a little, but she was more concerned than anything.
"I think they'll call you mom, I'd like to be mama." Alison looked past Emily, deep in thought.
"What?" Emily nearly broke her neck twisting her head.
"Rosewood is going to be great for us, I'm so glad I got us the house." She continued as though this was the most normal conversation in the world.
Emily almost wanted to hit the emergency stop and just sit and ask Alison a million questions right now, sadly this was not the time. The elevator doors opened in the lobby, just as Alison, still in Emily's arms, cupped her face and placed another sloppy kiss on her cheek. Flash.
Instead of Spencer and the girls, a photographer stood in front of the doors with a smirk of triumph on his face. He was going to be getting one hell of a payday.
"Hey!" Spencer yelled as she ran over, but the photographer turned on his heel and fled out of the doors.
"What did he get?" Aria asked.
"We'll deal with it tomorrow, right now let's get her out of here without further incident." Emily's head was spinning with all that had just happened.
Together they managed to shield Alison and get her out of the building and into the waiting car.
"Text us when you get back." Spencer ordered, before shutting the door.
Alison just cuddled up to Emily in the back, luckily she didn't say or do anything else.
When they reached the house Emily picked her out of the car, thanked the driver and took her up to bed.
She had so many questions she wanted to ask the blonde right now, but she knew it would be wrong to do it with Alison so vulnerable. Instead she just tucked her into bed, before settling next to her so she could watch her throughout the night.
"Love you." She whispered into her hair as she kissed her goodnight.
"I love you too." Alison mumbled back.
"Tell me again in the morning." Emily said sadly.
Alright, you know the drill, write some words that express your feelings. Or don't. What I would like you to do this time though (that's right, more homework) is weigh in on the scone/scone debate. Does it rhyme with cone or gone? Answers on a postcard please. Much love!
