Alison's mother was never warm and inviting unless she had to that way. Her mother didn't rub her back when she was sick, she didn't whip her tears when she was hurting. No, she was cold. She taught Ali the ways of fighting fire with fire,manipulation, excessive force. Alison wasn't born a monster, she was sculpted and carved that way by Jessica Delaurentis. But no matter her mother's vast fault, she was still her mother. So when news broke they had found Jessica's decaying body buried, Ali saw the opportunity and decided to stop running.
Today was the funeral at the same small Rosewood chapel, Ali's own service had been held at. As she makes her way up the staircase to the church she can hear small chit chat over the dreary sounds echoing from the organ playing in the background. As she proceeds through the massive white doors to the elaborate service. The room goes silent and all that can be heard are the sounds of heads turning in disgust. People are whispering behind closed hands, and faces held no requisite of remorse or sorrow. Just hatred and unwanted stain their cruel mugs. Alison tries not to falter and push forward held high, shoulders strong.
She sees Aria waving her over to sit with her and the other girls. Ali sends her a smile oozing with apprehension. Aria is sitting on the outside of the long pew with Emily next to her and Hanna and Spencer follow after. Emily looks at her with pure misery and pain, and the look of a heavy heart. Ali or Emily neither say anything, their eyes say it all. The minister clamors about all the good Jessica did before her premature departure. Even the way his tongue curled in distaste made you believe he didn't even believe his words. Alison didn't cry but her heart as indeed made heavy. She in all honesty did feel she lost something. Because in reality she never had a mother. But she did lose the what if... What if If too could learn to change like Ali herself did. Maybe she lost her chance at being a mother but maybe her second chance could be found in her as a grandmother one day in the far off future. As people departed on their way to have Jessica forever committed to the Earth.
Something strikes in Ali's core and he flees to the bathroom and enters the small stall and locks the door behind her. Moments later she heard the bathroom door open slowly in caution. The being doesn't speak, seconds later a tanned hand is being extended under the stall wanting to be taken. Ali shakes her head at how dumb they probably look but doesn't hesitant to sit down and take Emily's hand in her own. They stay in this position for quite sometime, holding hands in silence under a bathroom stall door. Alison thinks endlessly about what kind of love Emily must have for her to do such a sweet thing. Her love is so patient that when Alison's darkest of sides comes out to play, Emily can the find the forgiveness in her heart for Ali. Emily is the one constant in her life, the one thing that has remained unchanged only strengthened. She looks at the hand in hers, it's so familiar. The same hand that brushed away a stray hair when the breeze of the spring air sends it in a disarray. The same hand that Ali held when it was just the two of them in a empty dark movie theater. The same hand Alison clung to when her world was crumbling down around her.
At that moment she couldn't stand the distant between them any longer. She no longer wanted any obstacles between them in their path to one another. So she quickly lets go of Emily's hand and throws open the stall door. She pulls Emily into the stall and crashing their lips together. They kissed, and kiss, and kiss. In that imitate act Alison doesn't just see fireworks she feels them. She feels the sparks,heat,potential. The sounds of the bland organ now only faintly being drowned out in the distance. They were saying all they need to say with each deliberate delicate placed movement on one's lips. When they finally break apart Emily's eyes are stinging with tears and both are heavily heaving lack of air. So as they catch their breath they walk out of the bathroom hand in hand.
They are still getting looks of hatred, and discontentment. But when Emily smiles back reassuring she knows she can do this. Plus she wouldn't have to do this alone...Not anymore. The following day Alison had yet to venture out of her old house. It never felt like a home and it never would be. Home wasn't a place it was a person. Home was Emily. Home was the feeling of safety and love she only got from being with her.
Two calls from Spencer, four texts from Aria, and one call and three texts from Hanna later she hopes they get the point. She needs space, some time. She needs to just be with Emily right now. Emily was back from the bathroom as she sits on Alison's bed as Ali sits opposite her in her light pink chair. This was the time to be open, start fresh. She wanted. No needed to tell Emily everything. No more secrets, or cryptic answers.
"What did yesterday mean Ali?" Emily asks her eyes lingering with want. "I just needed to feel close to you." Ali says. Emily nods with an unreadable look being displayed on her copper toned face. "I was in love with you. And you knew that, you always knew probably before I even did. And you played me for so long, that it killed a little piece of me everyday. Ali you broke my heart. I can't put myself through that again. I just won't. I'm not that same dopey eyed little girl you left behind." Emily says her voice never wavering for a second. Alison is hurt my Emily's words but can easily feel the truth in them. "I know. I'm so sorry for hurting you. But, you have to trust me. I'm not that person anymore. I've changed, and all because of you. Em, you showed me how to be the person I've always dreamed of being." Alison says back hoping her words are enough for no at least. "Ali I forgive. I forgave you a long time what happened yesterday can't happen." Emily replies back. Ali wants to argue back, she wants to fight for the fact she believes in what they have. But she doesn't want to scare Emily off, and lose her all over again. "Okay." Is all Ali says back.
Emily slowly removes herself from the bed and moves to say goodbye. They embrace in a warm hug before Ali whispers in Emily's ear "I will fight for you. For you." As they break apart Emily is smiling and her cheeks are tinted with red. Emily gives her a small wave before departing her room.
She wasn't sure how but she was going to prove herself to Emily like how Emily has endlessly proven herself to Ali. Alison wouldn't lose her chance at redemption. She was no longer sculpted and craved at the hands of her twisted mother but at the tender loving hands of Emily Fields.