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Enjoy!

-Jen

After leaving Jessica's house around noon, Miley found herself driving slowly through the cemetery, parking only about fifty feet away from Ali's grave. She got out, and walked slowly across the grass, over to the head stone, sinking slowly to the grass, sitting cross legged.

"Hey Ali." She says softly after a moment. "At least, they tell me it's you, Ali. I'm still not sure. But I don't know where else I could possibly find you right now, so...If you are up there in heaven, then you must know my news. About the twins, about their names. I hope it makes you happy, Ali. I know if you were here, you'd be there with me. For every appointment, and shopping, and throwing me a baby shower. You'd help me get ready for them. And you'd be in that delivery room with me, holding my hand through the labor...just like you always did when I was in any kind of pain." She said, brushing away a few tears. "You were always my rock, Ali. The one holding me together when I knew I was going to fall apart. You got me through everything, and now I have to find some way to go on without you."

She was leaning on the headstone now for support, for something of her to hold on to as she sobbed. "It's not fair, Ali, why'd you have to go," She sobbed, "Why'd you leave me here all alone, I need you so bad right now. I don't know how to do this without you."

"Miley?" The voice was soft, but Miley still jumped, thinking she'd been alone. She looked up, and through her tears she saw Emily, past that, Emily's car parked behind hers. She held a small bunch of flowers in her hands, obviously coming to visit Ali's grave. She looked unsure, not knowing if Miley wanted her there, or if she should let her be.

"Emily," Miley said, wiping away the tears, trying to calm down.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have interrupted you." Emily said apologetically.

"No, no it's fine." Miley said, shaking her head, slowly getting up, hindered by the extra weight she now had. "I just...I was on my way home after visiting Jess, and I just...I had to come here." She shrugs.

Emily nods, leaning down to gently rest the flowers in front of the stone.

"Those were her favorite," Miley smiled, seeing the yellow tulips.

"I remember she always had a huge vase of them in her room," Emily smiles, nodding.

Miley nods, looking down, remembering. "Our fathers, every Saturday, would go to lunch at a pub in our town they liked, and Ali and I were always together. We lived next door to each other, and we'd run around our yards, in and out of the houses. When they came home, they'd bring us flowers, every weekend, without fail. Ali would get yellow tulips, and I would get pink." She smiled. "Even after we moved away from each other, our fathers would do that."

"Ali never really talked about her childhood much," Emily said, smiling at Miley's story.

"It was great." Miley shrugged. "We met when we were two, before we could remember. Our moms just clicked and it's like we were destined to be friends. And we were, best friends. We did everything together, went everywhere together. We called each other's parents mom and dad. Her grandparents have been gone for a long time, but she was like another granddaughter to mine." Miley said. "Our families, even, did everything together. I don't have any childhood memory without Ali in it. When we moved out to Malibu, we tried everything to get Jess and Tom to move out there, too. We cried, we screamed, we begged, we made calm presentations with posters, trying to tell them separating us would cause the world to end. The night before we left, Ali and I snuck out to my backyard, we had a playhouse our dads built, and we lay in there, awake, talking and making promises. They came to the airport with us, and when our parents finally pried us apart and my father carried me on the plane, it was like our worlds were ending." Miley said, laughing a little.

"You needed each other." Emily said, as both girls sunk to the grass in front of Ali's grave marker.

"We talked on the phone every day, for hours. Our parents finally caved and bought us cell phones because we used the landlines so much." Miley laughed. "That and Skype. We made it work. And then my mom's cancer came back." Miley murmured. "It was so fast. One day she was there, and a month later, she was gone. They all came for the funeral, and Ali and Jess stayed for the whole summer." Miley said, voice breaking. "She held me together, when all I wanted to do was fall apart. She was my rock. She has been since my mom died. And now my dad's gone too and...so is she." She cried. "I mean, part of me doesn't believe it, Emily. It feels like she's still here, like she's out there somewhere, waiting for someone to figure it out. But then I look at this and..."

"I know," Emily said gently, hesitantly moving closer to Miley, who leaned into her, accepting the hug. "When she went missing, when we didn't know what happened we all tried to hold on to the possibility she was still out there. Aria, Spencer, Hanna and I kind of grew apart, but we were each holding on, separately. And then when it happened...I don't know." Emily admitted. "I know what you mean, though. Part of me feels like she's out there. I..."

"What?" Miley asked.

"A few months ago, when Hanna's dad got remarried, we were all arrested." Emily said slowly. "A set us up, and planted Ali's murder weapon on us. But first, A trapped me in a locked barn, with a car running. I passed out, and next thing I knew, I was outside the barn...and Ali was there." Emily said. "I woke up to the girls, and they said it was just a dream...but we still don't know how I got out of the barn. Part of me thinks she's alive, and she saved me."

"That she's out there...waiting for us to figure it out, but making sure you're ok?" Miley asked. When Emily nodded, Miley smiled, nodding, before bitterly saying, "Then where is she now, Emily? Where was she two weeks ago when I had to bury my father. If she's out there, then she's somewhere that she can't be here, because I know she would be. I know you guys said she was different here, but...my Ali would be here. She wouldn't make me do this by myself."

"Miley, I know we're not Ali, and never could be. But you don't have to do this yourself." Emily said softly. "You've got Aria. When she found out about you, she was pissed at her...your parents. But she was so excited to finally meet you. Scared about what A would do, but so excited. She wants to be there for you. And Hanna, Spencer and I already care about you so much, and want to help you."

Miley couldn't answer because her phone rang. She shot Emily an apologetic look as she pulled it out, seeing it was Ella, and answered it.

"Hey, Ella." She said.

"Hi, honey, sorry to bother you, but could you come home now? Someone's here for you."

"Oh, yea sure, let me just say bye to Emily and I'll come right away."

"You can bring Emily if you want...the other girls are already here." Ella offered.

"Ok I'll tell her...see you soon." Miley said, hanging up. "Evidently I have a visitor, but you're welcome to come back with me, evidently Hanna and Spencer are already there."

"Ok," Emily shrugged, and Miley smiled, both heading for their cars. Just as they had to separate, Miley stopped her, hugging her.

"Thanks." she said softly. Emily smiled and nodded, before they both got in their cars and headed to the Montgomery house.

Unsure of who would be visiting her, Miley was nervous as she walked in, then headed for the kitchen where she heard everyone. "There's my girl," Vida exclaimed, smiling, hurrying over to hug Miley. Surprised, Miley hugged her back.

"Vida! What brings you here?" Miley asked when they parted, one hand absently falling to her bump.

"Well dear, frankly, the company is demanding answers," Vida said. "They want to know where you are, why you cancelled your goodbye for now show, what's going on, Miley, and I can only keep them at bay for so long."

"They need to give up," Miley muttered, sinking into a kitchen chair. Emily had joined the other girls, sitting in the living room, visible from the kitchen. Ella was leaning against the door frame, and Byron was at work, teaching a Saturday class.

"Miley, you know you can't just expect them to give up! Hannah Montana is a trademark that belongs to them, you're their biggest money maker. They won't just give up with no answers. They know about the whole double life thing and they've been very supportive of you, you can't just leave them hanging!" Vida exclaimed.

"Vida, last time I checked you worked for me, not them," Miley said, "Aren't you supposed to fight for what I want?"

"Of course, Miley," She said, "I'm just not so sure you even know what you want."

Miley got up again, walking around the kitchen for a few moments, before turning to her, looking at her, shrugging helplessly. "I don't. Ok, I don't know what I want, but for God's sake I need a break! I'm sixteen years old, I just lost my father, found out my best friend is dead, am pregnant with twins, and have no boyfriend! I've made so many life changing decisions in the past week, I just need someone to give me a break! I don't know what I want to do about Hannah, and I shouldn't have to, I should have time! It's a big decision!"

Vida signed, and then said gently, "Just remember that Hannah doesn't have to be over, honey, just because poor Alison isn't here anymore. She's been there with us every step of the Hannah path, I know she would just want you to be happy. Hannah doesn't have to be over just because you're pregnant, that's the magic of the double life. No one knows that Hannah's pregnant."

"Maybe that's just it, Vida. Maybe I'm just sick of all the secrets and lies, because I've been putting up with them my whole life." Miley said. "Do you think that's a good thing to teach my kids? Tell them not to lie, but let them watch me lie to the whole world?"

"Well maybe it's time to think about taking the wig off, then." Vida suggested. "I don't mean now, but after you have the kids, once they're a few months old or something. Maybe that's something to consider. Because even if you're done singing, just letting Hannah drop of the face of the earth isn't an option, and you know that."

"I know." Miley sighed.

"Honey," Vida said gently, "You know I just want what's best for you, right? I'm fighting for you, always. I know you've been through more that any sixteen year old should be put through, but that just makes you so strong, Miley."

Miley smiled at her, hugging her, feeling as though she was anything but strong.

When they pulled apart, Vida caught glimpse of the clock. "Crap, I have to get tot he train station and get back to New York. I'll talk to the company and let you know, ok? But stop ignoring my calls!"

"Ok," Miley smiled, hugging her one last time before she thanked Ella, then hightailed it out.

Once the door shut behind Vida, Miley, who had ventured into the living room, sank down to the couch, letting out a scream of frustration. "I'm so sick of having to make decisions like this." She sighed. "I just want ice cream. And cake. And french fries to dip in the ice cream."

"French fries dipped in ice cream?" Aria asked. "That's...odd..."

"I always craved pickles in ice cream," Ella remarked from the kitchen. "Thats what pregnancy does."

"Yea, that and a bunch of other things." Miley muttered, staring past everyone, out the window. "My life wasn't supposed to be like this. Not at all." She murmured.

"Miley, the worse thing you can do is say your life as supposed to go a certain way. If you hold too much to the visions you see in your head, you'll never be happy." Ella said gently. "It may not be how you thought your life would be, but it is."

Miley was quiet for a moment, before saying, "Because of the Hannah thing, my schedule was always hectic and crazy and messed up. Because of the stress, my period's never been regular, so it took me two months to realize something was wrong. I finally realized that my boobs hurting and puking all the time and feeling bloated and sick all the time wasn't right. I talked to Lily, and she got me the tests. I took five of them, before I actually believed it." She said, laughing at her stupidity. "And then I had to tell Jake. His parents were at some benefit thing, and we were alone, and I just, broke down, telling him." She remembered softly. "He told me everything would be ok. He told me not to worry about anything, that he'd take care of me...of us. That we'd be together forever, no matter what happened. He told me he'd get me a damn engagement ring, for God's sake!" She said, "He painted this whole pretty picture for me, and I wanted it. I believed him, and then he just took it away, like it never meant anything to him."

"Miley, you said it yourself yesterday...you don't need him," Hanna said. "He's the one that's losing out, that will look back when he's old and crusty and you're still beautiful, and have so many people that love you. Hell, he'll regret it as soon as he sees how happy you can be without him."

"I hope so." Miley murmured, as her phone began to ring. Without looking, she answered it. "What do you want?"

"...well, someone's in a bad mood," A familiar voice said.

Smiling softly, Miley said, "Sorry. I was having a pity party. What's up?"

"Can I pick you up tonight? I want to see you. Hang out." Jason said to her.

"Yea. Of course." Miley said. "I'm not as much fun as I was two years ago though...I've got some extra additions."

Jason chuckled, "When you were fourteen, I thought you two were the most annoying things to ever walk the earth. I loved you both, but still. Annoying as all hell," He laughed.

Miley laughed, "Well, Jason, Al and I didn't think you were that great either. Moody and pissy all the time."

"Well, we'll see how you and I get along later. Is six ok?"

"That's perfect." Miley said. "I'll see you later, Jason."

"See you, Miles." She hung up, actually smiling.

"See, things just got better!" Ella smiled.

"Jason's...Jason." Miley laughed. "He's been in my life as long as Ali has, he's like a second Jackson. He's just a good friend."

"Ok, well, I need to go to the grocery store. I'll be back in about an hour," Ella said, grabbing her purse and saying goodbye.

"Miley," Spencer said suddenly, "Where Jason and Alison close?"

"Yea," Miley shrugged. "I mean, they got on each other's nerves like you wouldn't believe, but they loved each other. They got dinner every Thursday, just the two of them, starting when we were ten. No matter what. Jason's test for girlfriends was bringing Ali on the second or third date. If she didn't approve, they were gone."

The four girls all looked at each other. "What?" Miley asked, confused.

"The Ali we knew hated Jason's guts. They fought like you wouldn't believe." Hanna said.

"I don't." Miley murmured, launched deeper into confusion. How could her Ali be so different than the one that they knew? Did she have two different sides...and if she did, which one was the real one?