Chapter 12

Reaching the hospital, I instructed Maya to park across the road if she could; that way we wouldn't have to pay for parking. The five of us jumped out of the car and began making our way into the hospital. Knowing my way around this hospital from knowledge, it wasn't hard to find the waiting room for surgery based patient.

Walking into view, I say "Someone call for a guardian angel?" I watched as they all heard my voice and looked up confused. Ashley and I decided to keep my homecoming a secret, and to surprise everyone.

"Em," I heard a voice breath out and I looked to see it was Alison.

Smiling, I say "Hey Ali." I watch as Alison stands up and begins running across to me, getting ready to catch her. When Alison jumped, I was prepared and caught her, only needing a couple of steps back. Alison wrapped her legs and arms around me, my arms went around her shaking body.

"You're here," Alison whispers into my ear.

"Yeah, I am," I say taking a deep breath of her intoxicating scent.

"Ali, stop hogging her," I heard Hanna say. Placing Alison back onto her feet, I begin making the rounds of hugs.

After hugging Hanna, Spencer and Melissa, a voice said behind me "Hey lighthouse buddy," turning around I see Caleb standing there.

"Hi lighthouse buddy," I say wrapping my arms around him.

"How have you been?" He asked while wiping at a faint scar above my eye that had come from that night.

Placing a hand on top of where the bullet had gone through him, I say "Good, you?"

"Still got what we were talking about but, you know."

"Yeah, I do," I understood everything he was saying but the others probably didn't. Before that night, Caleb and I were barely close, we were friends because he was dating Hanna but that night bounded us together.

We were then interrupted by Spencer asking, "What are you doing here?" Looking back at everyone I see Jason, Toby, Ezra, Mrs Hastings, Ashley, Ella and Byron are all in this room.

I replied with "Ashley rung to tell me about Aria, I couldn't stay in Lima, not if I had a ride," I gesture my head to Maya who waves.

Ashley spoke "I wasn't expecting you to bring friends," Ashley gestures towards Quinn, Santana and Brittany.

"Right introduction time. Everyone these are some of my friends from Lima, we have Quinn, Santana and Brittany," I point each of them out.

I continue with "Quinn, Tana, Brittany these are my people Alison, Jason, Spencer, Hanna, Caleb, Ezra, Mrs Hastings, Ashley, Aria's parents in Ella and Byron. You've already met Toby and Melissa."

"It's nice to finally meet you all," Quinn spoke putting the faces to the names.

Hanna replied with "Likewise, Emily never stops talking about you."

"Same," Brittany said making me smile.

"Has there been any news?" I asked hopeful.

Ella replied with "Sadly not, we haven't heard anything since they rushed her into surgery; almost an hour ago."

"Nodding, I say "Hold in there, it won't be long and we will hear something," I walk over and give Ella another big hug.

"Your hugs are always so warm," Ella said with a smile as I stepped back.

"Can I get you anything? Coffee, magazines or we could sing if you really want," I gesture back to the girls.

Ella spoke "Aria told me you joined a glee club, I laughed when she told me. I couldn't believe swimmer Emily had joined a glee club, furthest thing from my mind."

I replied with "Not what I expect either but it's all working out, so far."

Ezra said, "Aria would love it if you sang in her honour but you know she'll want another performance when she wakes up."

"Of course, any requested?" I asked having a song in mind but open for suggestions.

"Anything Em, anything," Alison said with a nod.

I replied with "Sure, you four want to help?" I turn to look at Quinn, Maya, Brittany and Santana.

"Sure thing Emily," Brittany said with a smile and I looked at the other three.

Maya said, "You never need to ask."

"We are in too," Quinn said as Santana nods. Smiling the five of us grabbed a chair each and move it to the centre to sit, I whisper the song to them and they instantly know it.

Smiling at the group, I say "This one is for Aria, we are all here for you Aria, please come back to us." Looking at the four they nodded their heads and I start the tune upon my phone, which is familiar but no one recognises it yet.

Emily: "You're not alone together we stand, I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand," I start the song off with a shaky voice but continue as strong as possible.

Quinn: "When it gets cold and it feels like the end," I look across at Quinn who is looking straight ahead at everyone as she sings.

Brittany: "There's no place to go, you know I won't give in, no I won't give in," the five of us sway to the music.

Maya: "Keep holding on, cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through," I smile when I feel Maya place a hand upon my shoulder in support.

Santana: "Just stay strong, cause you know I'm here, I'm here for you."

Maya and Brittany: "There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do, there's no other way when it comes to the truth," I was surprised when Maya's soulful voice and Brittany's high voice went together as nice as it had.

Santana and Emily: "So keep holding on, cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through," I stared across at Santana singing this line to her a little bit.

Quinn and Maya: "So far away, I wish you were here. Before it's too late, this could all disappear. Before the doors close and it comes to an end."

Emily: "With you by my side, I will fight and defend. I'll fight and defend, yeah, yeah," as I sang my line I stood up from my chair and made my way towards Alison, Hanna and Spencer.

Brittany: "Keep holding on, cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through," I watch Brittany stand up and move towards Ezra, Jason, Toby and Caleb.

Maya: "Just stay strong, cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you," Maya stood up and moved to stand in front of Mrs Hastings, Melissa, Ella and Byron.

Quinn and Brittany: "There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do. There's no other way when it comes to the truth," Quinn walked over to stand next to me.

Santana: "So keep holding on, cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through," Santana was the last to stand up and she walked to join Brittany.

Emily and Maya: "Hear me when I say, when I say I believe. Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny," at the same time Maya and I stretch an arm out for each other before pulling it back in.

Quinn and Santana: "Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," Santana and Quinn copied our previous action.

Maya: "La, da, da, da. La, da, da, da. La, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da," the five of us collectively spin around in a circle.

Emily and Brittany: "Keep holding on, cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through," Brittany and I reach out towards each other, as my hand drops it bumps Quinn's hand.

Quinn: "Just stay strong, cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you," Quinn sings beautifully as always but while singing she takes my hand in hers to hold.

Maya: "There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do, there's no other way when it comes to the truth," Maya shrugs across at me.

Santana and Brittany: "So keep holding on, cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through," I smile when I see Santana wrap her arm around Brittany and sing to her, it's like they are the only ones in the room.

Maya and Santana: "Keep holding on, keep holding on," Santana voice is softer in volume then Maya but that's because Santana is more focused on Brittany.

Emily and Quinn: "There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do. There's no other way when it comes to the truth. So, keep holding on, cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through," we finish the song off together very nicely. I had turned to be looking deeply into Quinn's eyes, Quinn had also turn to look up into mine and in the moment in felt right to lean forward and connect our lips together. As we kissed, I could hear cheers going on the background I wasn't sure if it was because of the performance or us kissing; but right now, I didn't care. Pulling back from Quinn's lips, I feel a smile ghosting my lips and looking at Quinn's she is smiling extremely big.

We are pulled out of our moment by a voice asking, "Aria Montgomery's family?" Looking I see it's Wren, I was glad it was someone we knew and could trust to tell us the truth.

"Yes that's us," Byron spoke as everyone crowds around Wren or Dr Kingston.

Wren said "Hello everyone, Emily I didn't expect to see you. Anyway, to Aria, we are just about to bring her up from surgery and place her in the intensive care unit. When the car hit Aria's body, it hit one of her kidney's and that rupture. We had to try and fix the damage; we did manage to save the kidney. Aria will be in a lot of pain over the next couple of days, if not weeks. She's not going to be able to do much; I suggest bed rest for at least a week. We will give Aria an hour in the intensive care unit before the parents can go in and see her. Aria might wake up tonight; she might awake up in a couple of days. Her body has been fighting a lot tonight and needs its rest. So please, when she does awake no loud noises and maybe two at a time; if manageable."

"Thank-you," Byron spoke shaking Wren's hand. After Byron's thank-you, everyone else's rung out, making him smile and nod his head a little.

Wren spoke "It's good to see you Emily. How are you feeling?"

I replied with "You too Wren. I am good, no more ulcers that is for sure."

"Good to hear, how long you here for?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"I'll try and get some time off to catch up."

"Sounds good," I say stepping up to hug him.

Wren spoke "I'll let you know when you can see her," he nods his head before walking away to continue his shift. After Wren left, a big sigh of relief was released from everyone and a few smiles broke out.

Ella turned and said "Thank-you all so much for begin here but I think you should all head home for the night, Wren will only let us in tonight and she won't wake up. You can all come back first thing tomorrow morning if you like and we will ring if anything changes."

Hanna asked, "Are you sure?"

"We don't mind staying," Spencer added.

Byron backed Ella up with "We know you girls wouldn't but we don't want you girl tiring yourselves out."

Ashley suggested "They are right. How about you all come over to my house? We can push the couches out the way and you can all sleep on the floor together."

"That's a really good idea, what do you say?" Mrs Hasting asked.

Caleb asked, "Are guys invited too?"

Ashley smiled and said, "Of course but no funny business," Caleb and Toby nodded their heads before high-fiving each other.

"I'm in," Spencer said with a smile.

"Us too," Brittany said while wrapping her arms around Santana and Quinn's shoulder.

"Emily? Maya? Alison?" Hanna questioned.

Ashley states "Han, Emily and Maya are staying at ours while they are here. I'm guessing Quinn, Santana and Brittany are too." Hanna nods her head slowly in realisation, which just makes me smile at classic Hanna.

Alison spoke "Of course I'll be there Hanna."

Jason said "I have work tomorrow, so I can't. Can you please keep me informed?"

"Yeah, I have meetings back in Philly and have to drive back tonight," Melissa added.

Spencer asked, "Where's Ezra gone?" We all looked around and realised Ezra was nowhere in sight, thinking about Ezra and where he would go I figured they'd only be one place.

"I'll go get him," I say walking in the direction of where I thought Ezra was. Walking around the corner, I smile when I see Ezra standing there looking through the window at all the new born babies.

"Hey you," I say walking up behind him.

"Emily, hey," he said almost startled by me.

"What you doing?"

"Just watching the babies, you know Aria and I talked about having kids."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Of course, it's nothing serious at this point. There is just so much we both want to do before settling down. But all I can think of is what would our baby look like? Would we have a boy or a girl? What would their names be? How many would we have? The thoughts are endless."

"That they are, they are very nice thoughts to have," I state.

"I would like to write a book but the one thing I want more than that is Aria, I want to be with Aria for the rest of my life."

"It'll happen."

"How do you know?"

"Just trust me Ezra, there are a lot of things I know and don't know, but this I know. You and Aria are meant to be together, not every couple could survive everything you have had to survive; A aside and all."

"Thanks Emily. I can't wait to see Aria's face when she sees you."

"Me neither, I want to keep it a secret. I don't want anyone telling her, I'm here until I walk into her room."

"Sounds like a good idea. I'm going to stay here tonight with Ella and Byron, I don't want to miss anything."

"Understandable, but we are a phone call away if you need."

"Thanks Emily, I forget how sweet you are," Ezra spoke while hugging me.

"I haven't been gone that long."

"Long enough for everyone to miss you."

"I've missed them too."

"Quinn seems really nice."

"She is, I just hope I haven't screwed things up."

"That kiss didn't seem to screw things up."

"Things got complicated with us and we've actually been broken up for two weeks."

"Maybe being here can fix you two."

"Hopefully but I don't want to rush her."

"You better go, thank-you for checking up on me."

"No worries Ez," I say with a smile and walking back to everyone.

Hanna asked as I rounded the corner "Where is he?"

I replied with "The newborn windows, he is going to stay here tonight," everyone nods understanding.

Ashley spoke "We'll see everyone at the house," I smile as everyone said their goodbyes to Ella and Byron before making their way out of the hospital.

Maya pulled the car to a stop outside of the Marin's house but across the street, I could see Ashley's car and Spencer car already here. Along the way towards the house, I pointed out different things to the girls and giving them a brief description about them. Sliding out the car the five of us began unloading the car, ready to bring everything inside.

"Need a hand?" I heard Spencer ask.

I replied with "Thanks," I hand her a couple of suitcases.

Hanna asked "How long are you planning to stay?"

"I was working on two weeks but it might not be that long," I say putting a bag on my shoulder and grabbing another suitcase, then heading towards the house.

Ashley instructs "Everyone's stuff can go into the office upstairs for now," I nod my head and led the way for Quinn and Brittany whom were right behind me. After going into the office, I followed my way back down the hallway until reaching Hanna's bedroom and walking inside. Instantly I was hit with the smell of her perfume and the mess spread out across her entire room. I smiled when I saw my M.V.P. trophy sitting proudly on her desk with little frame photos of us all surrounding it.

"Hey," I heard a voice say and turning I saw Alison standing in the doorway.

"Hi," I whispered back.

"What are you doing?" Alison walked into the room and over to me.

"Just making sure everything is still the same here."

"Hanna isn't the one for change."

"I know," I say wrapping my arms around Alison once she was close enough.

Alison said "Do you remember when we used to climb out of the window and sit on the roof while the others slept? We used to talk about everything up there."

"Of course I remember, you always froze to death."

"True, you used to say you couldn't be happier than you were up there with me. I think you were wrong, you're happy with her, happier than I've ever seen."

"You think so?"

"Yeah, why don't you?"

"Know I do, it's just nice to have other people notice; you especially."

"Well you've always been an open book to me Emily, so easy to read."

"Likewise Ali," I peck the top of Alison's forehead just as we heard a noise behind us. Turning around I saw Quinn standing there, I couldn't help but smile at seeing her.

I heard Alison whisper "So much happier," I felt her peck my cheek before leaving the room all together.

Quinn states "I was coming to see if you were hungry, I didn't mean to interrupt your moment."

"It wasn't a moment, well it was but a friendship moment."

"Okay, so are you hungry?"

"Always," I say with a smile.

"Well Maya and Spencer are doing a burger run, so you better tell them what you want."

"Maya knows what I want."

"How?" Quinn asked stepping into the room.

"It's just something we know about each other, she knows most things about me."

"Why don't I?"

"Because we are still getting to know each other or at least we were until our break-up."

"Right," Quinn said dragging the word out.

I asked "I don't want to pressure you into making a decision but what are we? Are we friends, do you hate me now? Are we more than friends in an awkward part? Are we girlfriends again? What are we?"

"Everything you told us on the way up was a lot and I now understand why you didn't really want to tell us, or need to be ready. It was just a lot to take in at once. But then we kissed after the song and it was amazing."

"That it was."

"I still have feelings for you Emily that's clear but you hurt me, you hurt my heart in a way it's only been hurt when I lost Beth."

"I'm sorry Quinn."

"I know you are Emily. From now on, can you promise to be honest about everything and not lie to me? Not about this A person, not about anything."

"I promise you this now, no more lies, no more secrets. I promise you I'll be honest about everything from now on."

"Okay then," Quinn said before connecting our lips together. I smiled as we continued to kiss while standing in the middle of Hanna's bedroom with everyone downstairs.

"Quinn there's something you should probably know," I say pulling back from her lips.

Quinn asked, "What is it Emily?"

Smiling I replied with "I love you, I have for a while but I didn't want to say it in case it was to freak you out. I want to be honest about loving you and not lying or hiding it from you, so yeah I love you." Quinn just kept nodding her head while I spoke and it didn't give anything away.

"I love you too Emily," a smile appears upon Quinn's face as she speaks.

"You had me so worried then."

"Sorry, it was payback for worrying me."

"Wait, you love me?" I question just hearing what Quinn said.

"Yep," Quinn nods her head.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Emily, I am very sure that I love you."

"Cool," I say with a smirk.

"You are so cute," Quinn said before connecting our lips together. Walking downstairs together holding hands and matching the same grinning smiles, I was extremely happy right now and so grateful to Quinn for giving me a second chance. I wasn't going to break it or screw anything up this time, I did not want to hurt her again.

"There you two are," Hanna said as we entered the open space lounge room.

Caleb said "We are trying to work out what movie to watch first."

I nod my head and said "Well, I've got something to say before that."

Toby asked "What's going on?"

"I'd just like to introduce everyone to my girlfriend Quinn," I reply while wrapping my arm Quinn waist.

"Really, you're back together?" Brittany asked hopefully.

Looking down at Quinn who smiled at everyone and said "Yeah, we are," my smile became even bigger after those words.

"I'm happy for you guys," Santana states to which everyone nods their heads. Walking across the room Quinn and I sit down on the floor next to Santana and Brittany who are snuggled up together, which is rather cute. Feeling eyes on me, I look around to see they belong to Alison who is smiling in completely happiness. I smile back at Alison and shrug, Alison shrugs back and I nod my head. Resting my head down upon Quinn's shoulder, I feel her wrap an arm around me and continue her conversation with Brittany and Santana.

A/N:

Song Reference List:

Keep Holding On by Avril Lavigne

Hey! Thanks for reading. I am posting this on Friday because I don't know if I'll be able to tomorrow and I didn't want to miss another week of uploading. So, I hoped you enjoyed, see ya next week! ~KJ99!