Disclaimer: I own nothing but boy do I wish I did… because the next 2.5 seasons of PLL would be very different, than I'm sure they're actually going to be.
Keep the faith fellow Emison fans…. I believe Ali will eventually become worthy of the love Emily has for her, if she's just given a chance… and I believe Emily will realize the error of her ways and that she should have trusted Ali all along.
And if it turns out I'm living in a complete fantasy world, please just let me live here for now…lol
Okay, everyone….. here it is…. The End of my little tale…..
This is a bittersweet moment for me - to finally be here. I've enjoyed this ride so much. I've enjoyed writing for you, reading your reviews and comments and chatting with many of you.
I want to say thanks again, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who has read and reviewed and those who have read and didn't review. I'm just glad you were here on this journey with me.
Ironically, this chapter was originally written as and intended to be a one shot.
Then it morphed into the behemoth it became when I realized I wanted to tell the story of how these girls got here.
My all-time favorite Ali/Kira scene is the first scene in this chapter and is the very first scene I wrote.
I still have more stories, in me, to tell about these two…. and many of you were unhappy I ended the last epilogue where I did….. sooooo maybe I might have to write a one shot of the proposal. ;-)
Either way, I'll be back I'm sure, although I think I'll take a short break. This almost felt like birthing a baby….. lol
Thanks again for all your kind words and sometimes not so kind words. Words are my life these days so I welcome them all.
So, without further adieu….
Enjoy!
Epilogue 3
Two years later…
"Is it wrong that I'm still girl crushing on you even after all these years?"
Alison lifted her eyes and met Kira's in the mirror. She smirked as Kira placed her hands on Alison's hips, resting her chin on the blonde's bare shoulder.
Alison turned and tilted her head, resting her temple against Kira's and she sighed softly.
"You look gorgeous Ali," Kira said sincerely.
Alison's eyes slid back to the mirror and took in her reflection. The strapless floor length white gown was a flowing combination of satin and lace. It hugged all of Alison's natural curves, leaving very little to the imagination, yet it was traditionally classy and so quintessentially Alison DiLaurentis. Her hair flowed in long, soft, blonde waves over her bare shoulders and her ice blue eyes twinkled with anticipation.
"Thanks," Alison said sincerely as she reached for Kira's hands and squeezed gently. "Did you ever think almost 11 years ago you'd be standing here with me right now?"
"You know, by the end of that first week," Kira admitted honestly. "I had no doubt."
Alison's eyes twinkled, unable to hide her delight, as her friend's words filled her with such warmth and gratitude, that she felt tears pricking at the back of them.
Kira released Alison's hips and stepped back. "How are you feeling?"
"Eager. Impatient. So ready for this I can't even tell you."
Alison smoothed down the bodice of her dress as she turned and walked to the table beside the window. Just beyond the glass the Eiffel Tower loomed in the distance. Alison reached for the diamond teardrop choker that sat on the table, nestled in black velvet.
"Can you help me put this on?" she asked as she turned and looked over her shoulder.
Kira walked over and took the necklace, fastening the clasp, while Alison slid the matching earrings into her ears. The blonde walked back to the mirror and gave herself a once over, satisfied with her appearance.
"She's going to pass out when she sees you."
Alison met Kira's eyes in the mirror again. "Have you seen her?"
Kira nodded. "Just left her in the other room."
Alison turned around and titled her head. "Is she nervous?"
Now Kira shook her head. "I've never seen her more sure of anything."
Alison's smile widened joyfully.
"Except how much she was going to love me as a roommate freshman year, of course." she added as she smirked and Alison's smile morphed into a matching smirk.
"And you're going to pass out when you see her too, but no worries, I have medics standing by for both of you."
Alison sighed softly because part of her was afraid Kira might be right. She wasn't nervous. Not even one iota nervous. But part of her feared that the sight of Emily in her wedding dress was going to blow her mind so hard she wouldn't be able to even speak her vows.
Alison's eyes slid to the clock on the wall. "God, is that the time? Why is time moving so slow today?"
"It's only another hour," Kira offered, trying to be supportive, but it didn't help.
Alison huffed impatiently. "This whole not seeing each other before the ceremony thing sucks. What the hell was I thinking? We're not doing this traditional. We didn't need to not see each other today." Alison huffed again. "And I've kept her at arm's length for weeks. I'm a little nervous I might actually climb her like a tree when I get near her today."
Kira laughed. "Emily said the exact same thing not ten minutes ago. I swear the two of you are so much alike."
Alison eyes softened and she shook her head gently. "No, we're not." Kira looked at her curiously. "She's everything I'm not." The warmth and affection in Alison's voice filled the room as she spoke about her bride. "And everything I need to make me whole."
"Damn it, Alison," Kira scowled. "Do not make my girl crush flare up today." But then her lips curved into a teasing grin. "You don't want me to object when the time comes, do you?"
Now it was Alison's turn to scowl. "So help me god, Kira, I will murder you with my bare hands in front of all of Paris, if I hear so much as a peep out of you today."
Kira tried to look innocent, but failed, finally chuckling. "Something tells me you'd have to get in line behind Emily."
Alison didn't disagree. Her mermaid would stand up to the Lord Almighty, if he dared to object today.
"But don't worry. I'll be on my best behavior." Kira crossed her heart.
Ali arched an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to reassure me?"
"It should," Kira said more seriously, her teasing tone falling away. "I've been waiting for this day almost as long as the two of you. I'm watching my two best friends vow to love each other forever. I'll eviscerate anyone, including myself, who even thinks about fucking with your day."
Tears prickled at the back of Alison's eyes again and she threw her arms around Kira's neck.
"Thank you," Alison said and that sentiment encompassed so many things, all at once, Alison didn't need to elaborate. They both just knew.
Alison tilted her head back as she gripped Kira's face in her hands. Then she kissed her smack on the lips.
Kira choked out a laugh and hugged Alison back. "Hey, be careful there, you don't want to wrinkle your dress. I hear it cost more than I make in a year."
Alison blinked back more tears, even as she laughed and pulled out of Kira's arms.
Kira was grinning warmly. "So, now you finally kiss me." Alison chuckled as she took a deep breath. "Don't worry; it will be our little secret."
Alison looked up, her eyes soft. "No it won't," she replied with complete honesty. "But Em may want to slip your husband the tongue just so we're even," she added in a teasing tone.
"She'll totally make his year," Kira replied just as honestly. "But you didn't slip me the tongue so it really wouldn't be fair. We can do it again if you want," she offered as she wiggled her eyebrows humorously.
"You do know where my tongue has been, right?" Alison smirked and licked her lips.
Kira wiggled and shuddered dramatically and Alison laughed out loud. "Okay, I've had enough of this game now. I concede. You win."
"It's about time you realize, I always win," Alison giggled and kissed Kira on the mouth again, for good measure, before reaching up to wipe the mascara from beneath her eyes. "Bitch, you made me ruin my makeup."
"Well it's a good thing you still have an hour to fix it."
Alison scowled again and was about to tell Kira to take a flying leap when there was a brisk knock at the door. Alison stepped back as it opened and Spencer and Aria walked in.
"Wow, Ali," Aria smiled. "I thought Em looked breathtaking, but damn girl."
"Why are you crying?" Spencer asked.
Alison and Kira just shared a look, and then the blonde tilted her head. "Happy tears," she replied, choosing not to sully her and Kira's private moment.
Over the years Kira had become like a sister to Alison, too. More than a sister. More like a kindred spirit who Ali could share parts of herself she'd only once reserved for Emily, trusting Kira to see the darker parts of her soul. Second only to Emily, Kira had turned out to be the best friend Alison ever had.
The two women's shared love for Emily; one, whose love was platonic and familial, and the other, whose love was soul achingly deep and endless, visceral, carnal, sensual and unconditional; bound them together permanently.
"Now, get the hell out of here please, Kira," Alison commanded as she moved in front of the mirror again. "Go make sure my mermaid meets me at the altar on time."
"I'll never understand how she puts up with your bossiness?" Kira huffed dramatically.
"I would tell you to give her a wet, sloppy kiss from me, but those lips are exclusively mine as of today," Alison said as she looked over her shoulder. "Besides I think you'd enjoy it too much."
"This is true," Kira agreed as she started toward the door. "But you know I'd totally take one for the team."
Aria and Spencer laughed, used to the banter between the two women.
Alison narrowed her eyes. "Go away. I need to fix my face, before I ruin my makeup again during the ceremony."
"Do you need any help? Aria asked.
Alison smiled and nodded gratefully.
"Hey, girl crush," Kira said as she opened the door.
Ali looked up from the mirror, fully expecting Kira to want to have the last word.
"Her lips have been exclusively yours since the day you kissed her back."
####################
Emily stood on the grass in Eiffel Tower Park, waiting for her bride to arrive. In less than five minutes she'd be marrying the love of her life and she had never felt more at peace in her twenty eight years.
Her mother and father stood beside her as she spoke to the Celebrant, going over final instructions.
Because it was a national monument, weddings could not be held at the top of the Eiffel Tower, which was what Alison originally wanted. So instead their ceremony was going to be held on the grass at the foot, with the tower as the backdrop. Then they'd follow with an intimate, private dinner at the exclusive Le Jules Verne restaurant on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.
She and Alison had traveled to Paris every year for the last six years, ever since their first trip the summer after college graduation. They loved France as much as they originally thought they would after first talking about it when they were fourteen.
Neither of them wanted a big wedding. They just wanted to be married. They were only allowed a dozen guests at the ceremony in the park, so it worked out perfectly, with only their closest family and friends in attendance.
Emily's father had been able to get furlough for the weekend and her parents, who now lived in Germany, where he was stationed, traveled over for the nuptials.
Alison's father flew over from Connecticut, where he now lived. Jason declined the invitation as he and Alison hadn't spoken since her sophomore year in college. After the truth of his parentage had come out, Jason had cut himself off from the DiLaurentis side of his family; and since he and Alison had never really gotten along, they fell out of touch.
Aria and Ezra, Kira and Brian, Spencer, who had recently finalized her divorce from Toby, and Hanna, who was currently on one of her many breaks from her relationship with Caleb, were all there.
That was it. These were the people they loved most in the world and the only ones they wanted sharing the most significant day of their life.
Hanna walked up. "Kira just called. Alison is in the car. It's kind of like the eagle has taken off…. but different."
"The eagle has landed," Spencer said as she walked up.
"Huh?" Hanna asked with a look of confusion.
"The saying is 'the eagle has landed,'" Spencer offered as she rolled her eyes. "Not taken off. It's landed."
"Whatever," Hanna scowled. "Taken off… landed…. Either way, she's finally in the car."
Emily laughed and shook her head. But despite Spencer and Hanna's friendly war of words, Emily smiled.
Alison was the one who insisted they didn't see each other before the ceremony so they took separate cars. The ceremony was going to be simple. Just a brief exchanging of vows. There was no aisle so no one would be walking down anything. They were just gathered on the grass at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, where they would soon promise to love one another forever.
Emily remembered their first trip to Paris, the summer after college graduation. Even though she started a semester later, Alison had taken extra courses each semester so that she had enough credits to graduate with Emily's class.
Two weeks later, she and Alison made their first trip to Paris. Since then, they went every summer except the first year of Emily's residency, when she went to Brazil. But Alison had surprised Emily the following Christmas with a New Years trip, where they rang in the New Year in the city of lights.
Alison had never stopped talking about wanting to kiss Emily at the top of the Eiffel Tower. So the first day, of their first trip to Paris, Alison dragged Emily to the national monument and they took the lift to the very top.
Emily smiled as the memory came back to her.
"Come on, baby," Alison tugged on Emily's hand as they stepped out to the open air summit at the top of the tower.
Emily allowed herself to be pulled through the throngs of other visitors, by her enthusiastic girlfriend, laughing a little nervously. Heights really weren't her thing. It's not that she was afraid. A little height wasn't bad. Hotel balconies didn't faze her.
But they were currently, what was the equivalent of, one hundred and five stories in the air. And they were on an open air platform. Granted it was surrounded by steel grates to keep anyone from falling, but they were still freaking one hundred and five stories in the air.
But there was no way Emily wasn't going to let Alison have the moment she'd dreamed about since they were fourteen.
"Oh, Em, look at it," the blonde gushed as they looked down over Paris as the setting afternoon sun shone down on them. "You can see everything from up here."
Alison pulled Emily's arms around and leaned back against her chest. Emily kissed Alison's temple softly as she wrapped her arms around the blonde's waist and linked their fingers on Alison's stomach.
"I think that's our hotel," Emily said as she lifted one of their joined hands and pointed across the Seine, just to the left of the Esplanade du Trocadero.
Alison nodded and smiled. "I think it is," she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper, but Emily could hear the awe in it.
Very little in the world truly awed Alison DiLaurentis, but the look of wonder Emily saw on her girl's face at that moment took the brunette's breath away.
Emily brushed her thumbs over the backs of Alison's hands and she felt Alison's body soften against her as they stood there, neither one feeling the need to speak. They watched as the sun lowered in the sky as sunset approached.
Alison turned her head and looked at Emily out of the corner of her eye. "Em, I really need to kiss you now."
Emily smiled and loosened her arms. Alison turned around, blue eyes meeting brown. She stepped closer, pressing her body against Emily's as her arms slid over her girlfriend's shoulders to wind around her neck.
Emily's arm came around Alison's body and she pulled her even closer as she lifted one hand to Alison's face and caressed her cheek gently. Alison's eyes fluttered and she sighed softly.
"I've waited so long for this," Alison whispered as she licked her lips.
The wind blew around them and, even though Emily had her hair pulled back in a ponytail, tendrils escaped and swirled around her face. Alison had worn her hair down and it was whipping around her face as she smiled.
Alison reached up and cradled Emily's face in her hands, brushing her thumbs gently against her girl's cheeks. Her eyes softened and she leaned forward and brushed her lips gently against Emily's.
"I love you," she whispered before she captured Emily's lips, sweeping her tongue inside as the brunette opened for her.
Emily's other arm moved around Alison and the brunette pulled the blonde flush against her body. Alison slid her fingers into Emily's hair, pulling her ponytail loose and letting her hair free. It whipped around their faces, along with Alison's, as the kiss deepened, a soft, slow caressing of tongues and lips.
Alison whimpered into Emily's mouth and Emily moaned in response as the kiss remained an unhurried, soft, sensual, meeting of lips. The blonde tasted sweet, a taste Emily craved and ached for, and Emily knew she would never tire of kissing the girl in her arms.
Emily's hand slid down Alison's back and gripped her hip as Alison's fingers gently massaged the brunette's scalp, causing Emily to hum softly against her lips.
Too soon, the need for oxygen became a necessity and their lips parted, yet still hovered as their warm breath mingled as the both panted softly, their eyes still closed.
"I love you, Ali," Emily finally breathed in reply and Alison's smile widened as she pressed her forehead against her girl's.
"Thank you, Em," Alison said softly, sincerely, and her eyes fluttered open to find Emily looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
"What for?" Emily chuckled as she lifted her hand to Alison's face again, her thumb brushing softly against Alison's now swollen bottom lip.
Alison softly kissed Emily's thumb as she grinned. "For making my dream come true."
The black Mercedes sedan pulled up at the curb by the edge of the grass.
"It's time," Pam said softly as she touched Emily's arm. Emily looked over and saw Kira exiting the back seat, and then a sea of white satin and lace appeared.
Emily held her breath as Alison stepped out of the car, her blue eyes immediately seeking Emily's brown ones. The blonde looked breathtaking in her wedding gown and everything around Emily faded into the background and she saw nothing and no one but the woman who irrevocably held her heart.
Alison's eyes crinkled in the corners and she smiled widely, her breath hitching softly as her eyes met Emily's. Her mermaid was standing barely twenty feet away from her, looking like a goddess in her own strapless wedding gown, and it took all of Alison's self control to not hitch up the skirt of her dress and sprint over to her.
"Look at her," Alison whispered over the lump in her throat, her eyes blurring as they filled with tears, as her emotions overwhelmed her.
Kira smiled. "Told you. You're not going to pass out on me for real, are you?"
"Not on your life," Alison replied, but it was choked.
"Good, because I was joking about those medics," Kira replied as she pinned Alison's short train to her waist and adjusted it.
"Kira, hurry up," Alison snapped impatiently, never taking her eyes off Emily. "Or just leave it down. Where's my bouquet?"
Alison's father walked up beside her, having gotten out of the opposite side of the car.
"Here, sweetheart," he said softly as he handed her the small bouquet of white, pink and purple roses.
"Thanks, Dad."
Alison blinked trying to clear her vision and she saw Emily's eyes soften. The sight made Alison's heart sigh.
"Okay, you're done," Kira said. "Go get your girl."
Alison lifted the hem of her dress up and strode forward as steadily as she could over the grass, in her heels, silently cursing herself for not listening to Emily. She'd told Alison to wear flats, not heels, because they'd sink in the in the soft turf, but Alison wanted to be the same height as Emily today so she could look straight into her eyes.
She knew Emily was wearing flats herself and, as usual, Alison should have listened to her mermaid. She stopped half way across the grass and sighed, frowning.
Emily looked at her a little confused. "Ali," the brunette said her name and the blonde just smiled and shook her head softly.
"Everything alright?" Kira stepped up beside her and Alison handed her the bouquet.
"Hold, this." Alison braced her hand on Kira's arm for balance and she reached down and removed her heels, one at a time.
She looked up and saw Emily chuckling and smiling and she shrugged in acquiescence.
"Trade," Alison said as she handed her shoes to Kira and took her bouquet back before striding purposefully over to her bride now.
Emily held out her hand and Alison took it, her body finally relaxing as she touched her bride.
Emily had watched with rapt attention as Alison made her way across the grass, unable to take her eyes off the blonde. It still amazed her that this beautiful woman was hers. She could see, even from a distance, Alison's eyes were moist and Emily had to blink back tears of her own.
This day, with this woman, was the culmination of all of Emily's dreams. Every girl dreams of her wedding day. And this moment was exactly what she'd hoped and dreamed it would it be.
She didn't need a church. She didn't a hundred guests. She didn't a big party.
All she needed was the woman walking toward her and the few people who had traveled halfway around the world to share this perfect moment with them.
When Alison had stopped, Emily's brow furrowed, wondering for a brief second, despite how ludicrous the thought was, if she was changing her mind. But when she watched Alison remove her heels, Emily couldn't hold back the soft chuckle that escaped.
And when Alison's eyes met hers again, that brief second of doubt was long gone, and Emily watched as Alison finished her approach, reaching for her hand at the same time Emily reached for her. When their fingers touched nothing else mattered.
"Hi," Alison breathed and smiled as she continued to blink rapidly.
"Hi," Emily replied softly. "You look beautiful, Ali."
"Please," Alison chuckled breathlessly, her voice almost hoarse. "I'm about to hurl myself at you right now, so, please, don't say things like that to me or I won't be able to stop myself."
Everyone around them laughed softly. Emily, her eyes soft and full of love, caressed the back of Alison's hand with her thumb, silently acknowledging the blonde's request.
"You take my breath away," Alison breathed as she stepped closer to Emily, needing to be closer.
Unable to stop herself, Emily lifted Alison's fingers to her lips and kissed them tenderly, whispering 'thank you' softly.
"Are we ready?" the Celebrant beside them asked.
Both women nodded their heads, not taking they eyes off each other.
"Join both your hands, please."
Both women handed off their bouquets, Alison to Kira and Emily to Aria, before they linked their hands between them.
Alison's eyes started to fill again, her vision blurring and she hiccupped.
"Wait, wait," she begged as she pulled her hand away from Emily's and waved it close to her face, blinking rapidly as she tried desperately to keep her tears from slipping out. "I can't see you," she sniffled as she took a few shuddering breaths. "I can't see you and I need to see you."
Emily turned to Aria and reached for her bouquet, removing a tissue she'd tucked into the flowers, expecting this. She stepped closer to Alison and lifted the tissue to her face, brushing it gently beneath her eye, catching the tears as they slipped past the blonde's eyelashes.
"Breathe, love," Emily whispered and Alison grasped Emily's fingers gratefully as she continued to blink until her vision cleared. She took the tissue from Emily's fingers and patted it beneath her eyes and she took a deep shuddering breath as she stepped back.
Alison turned to look at Kira behind her. "Is my makeup ruined?"
Kira shook her head, and for once, there was no sarcastic or playful retort on her lips. "It's still perfect," she said as she took the tissue from Alison, reaching up and gently wiping the corner of Alison's right eye.
"Are we ready now?" the Celebrant asked again, smiling.
Alison turned around and Emily looked at her, her eyes questioning, and Alison nodded and laughed softly at herself. "I'm such a train wreck," she murmured as she and Emily joined hands again.
Emily gently squeezed her fingers and winked. She had known, out of the two of them, Alison would be the first to cry, even though the phenomenon was very rare for the blonde.
And as composed as she looked on the outside, Emily was anything but. She was just waiting for her turn to say her vows. That was when Emily was sure she would become as overwhelmed as Alison was at the moment.
"Alison and Emily," the Celebrant began. "Have asked me not to follow the traditional ceremony script. All they would like to do is pledge their love to one another in front of the closest people in their lives. To both of these women, this ceremony is merely a formality, because in their hearts they have already been married for a very long time."
Alison instinctively stepped closer to Emily, her heat beating rapidly in her chest. She could see the rest of her life in Emily's eyes and she gently brushed her finger over Emily's engagement ring, which the brunette wore temporarily on her right hand. Once her wedding band was securely in place, Emily would slip the diamond back on her left hand to join its mate.
"In a day where more marriages end in divorce than actually endure, it is a very rare thing to find the person who completes you, the person who accepts you, exactly as you are, the person who loves you unconditionally, despite all your flaws."
Emily's eyes softened as she looked at her bride, silently communicating her love for the woman in front of her.
"I have only known Alison and Emily for two days, but the depth of love I have seen between these two women is the kind that endures. It is the kind that moves mountains. It is the kind that can change the world. And I am truly honored to share this day with them and all of you, as you support them as they take this next step on the beautiful journey of their life together."
The warm summer wind blew softly around them.
"They've written their own vows and now won't you all come closer," the Celebrant urged with her hands for everyone to move closer. "And let us listen as they declare their intentions to one another."
She held out a platinum band encrusted in diamonds. "Alison."
Alison took the wedding band, her fingers shaking. She took a deep breath and moved even closer to Emily, their bodies virtually touching, leaving barely enough room for the hands between them. She lifted her bride's left hand and let the ring hover in front of her ring finger.
Then she then lifted her eyes to look back into Emily's as she swallowed.
"Emily, ten years ago I came back from the dead…. well, supposedly back from the dead," Alison titled her head as she said the words with no shame, since everyone around them, by now, all knew the whole truth of what happened to Alison all those years ago.
"And the reason I came back was for you. I knew how you felt about me and when I first realized I had feelings for you that went beyond friendship, as well, it confused and scared the hell out of me. And we both know how well I handle confused and scared."
Alison smiled sadly, but Emily's eyes reflected nothing but acceptance and understanding. "But being without you was scarier than admitting my feelings for you. And once I did, and I embraced them completely, all my fear vanished and everything in my world made sense. I broke your heart and the scars on my own from my actions with always remain with me. Every second we were apart, I ached to return to you, ached to make right all the wrongs I'd done to you, ached to heal all the hurt I caused you. But I'm broken. I always have been and always will be. But despite that, you forgave me and gave me another chance to prove I could be the kind of person you deserved."
Emily blinked, tears building softly behind her eyes, as Alison's gentle and heartfelt words enveloped her. Alison's voice was thick with emotion as she continued.
"And I know because of me we endured some truly terrible things. But I thank a God, I'm not even sure I really believe in, every day of my life for you. Every morning when I wake up beside you and every night you fall asleep in my arms, I thank him for keeping you safe when I didn't. I thank him for your light and your goodness and your heart. I thank him for making you the beautiful and forgiving soul you are, who sees past the deepest and darkest parts of me and loves me anyway. You love me more than I ever imagined anyone would and more than I'll ever deserve. I promise to spend the rest of my life showering you with more love than you can ever fathom. I will never let you live a day without knowing unequivocally that you are center of my universe, you are the reason the world is beautiful, and you are and always will be the love of my life."
Alison slipped the ring over Emily's knuckle, sliding it down until it was in place. She rubbed her thumb over it gently before lifting Emily's hand to her lips and kissing her finger where the ring now rested, and would for the rest of her life.
Now Emily was blinking rapidly and Alison's lips quivered softly as she reached up and brushed her thumb over the brunette's cheek. "If you start crying, baby, it will set me off," she teased softly and it was just what Emily needed to regain her composure.
Emily closed her eyes for a moment and breathed deep.
"Emily," the Celebrant held out an identical diamond encrusted wedding band. Emily opened her eyes and grasped it between her fingers, her hand only slightly less shaky than Alison's had been.
She lifted Alison's left hand and slipped the band just over the blonde's nail before stopping as she spoke, her still moist eyes meeting the blonde's.
"Alison, I have loved you for as long as I can remember. And when I thought you died, it left a hole in both my heart and my soul that I thought would never heal." Alison's eyes flashed briefly with pain and remorse as Emily continued. "I thought I had lost the one true love I would ever have. When I discovered you were alive, those rips inside me started to heal, even before I realized it was happening. And the first time I held you in my arms again, in that warehouse, I felt whole. And I knew in that instant that I would love you for the rest of my life."
Emily bit her lip gently and Alison smiled again as her mermaid's words filled her heart.
"Loving you confused me too, at first. I was so young. But it never scared me. It was the one thing I knew was true, and it never lessened or went away, even when I thought you were lost to me forever. We hurt one another, love, and, yes, you did break my heart once, but your love has healed it so there are no scars anymore."
Emily's voice clogged with emotion.
"The first time you told me you loved me, I was so happy I thought my heart would burst in my chest." Alison's smile widened and she wiggled softly, wanting to press against her girl, but she had to be patient. "But people can say words and not mean them, or not understand the significance of them. But you show me every day, with every action, with every word, with every touch, and with every kiss, just how much you truly love me."
Alison was on the verge of jumping on her bride. As much as she wanted to hear the rest of Emily's vows, the desire to kiss her was starting to be too much. Emily smiled as she could see Alison's patience wearing thin and it just made her love the blonde more.
"You don't give yourself enough credit, love," Emily said as she used the term of endearment she knew Alison loved to hear. "There is such beauty and goodness inside you. You love more deeply and more powerfully than anyone I've ever known. And the way you love me leaves me breathless."
Emily blinked rapidly again as soft tears pooled on her eyelashes.
"I only hope you know and I show you, with every action, and every word, and every touch, and every kiss," Emily smiled as she used the words again. "That you are the love of my life too. I love every part of you, unconditionally, without hesitation, and to the depths of my very soul. I promise to spend every day for the rest of our lives showing you how truly loved you are…. because I was put on this earth to love you, Alison."
Emily choked out the last words, softly, before looking down and slipping the band on to Alison's finger; and she felt Alison's hand relax when it was finally in place.
Emily lifted her eyes to see Alison was blinking back her own tears again and the blonde whispered to the Celebrant.
"Can you hurry this up, please? I'm not going to last."
Emily smiled, Alison's eagerness and love enveloping her again, as their guests chuckled again.
"You have vowed to each other in front of your friends and family your intentions to be together for eternity. Let you be to each other, strength in times of need, comfort in times of sorrow, and companions in times of joy. Take with you the memory of this day and of this moment when you have bonded your hearts for now and always."
Alison was vibrating and slowly leaning toward Emily. She was trying desperately to wait, but it was too much.
"You may kiss…," the Celebrant started and that was all Alison needed.
She gave in and tugged Emily by their joined hands and crushed her lips to her mermaid's.
"…. the brides," the Celebrant finished even as she laughed, the others around them joining in.
Alison tugged Emily's arms around her waist and released her hands, pressing against the brunette's body as she slid her arms up around her neck. Alison's head fell back in surrender as Emily pulled her close, deepening the kiss. Their first kiss as wife and wife.
Alison stood on her tiptoes, sliding her hands into Emily's hair, tugging gently on the soft strands as she whimpered into her wife's mouth. Emily's hands slid up Alison's back, and she buried her fingers in the long blonde tresses.
The kiss started out desperate and needy, a clashing of lips and tongues and teeth, but, slowly, is softened. Alison moaned into Emily's mouth and she pressed closer, their breasts crushed between them and it took all of Alison's will power to not climb Emily's body and wrap her legs around her waist.
Their lips parted briefly, for barely a second, just so they could both gasp for air, before they were kissing again. This time is was gentle and soft, their lips barely brushing as Alison hiccupped into Emily's mouth.
Alison pressed her forehead against Emily's and she smiled tremulously as she sniffled softly. "I love you, my beautiful wife," she whispered.
Emily sighed happily, her cheeks damp from tears, but she wasn't sure whose they were; hers or Alison's.
Emily murmured as her lips captured Alison's again. "I love you, my wife, my life."
####################
"So how long are you two going to be in Paris?" Wayne asked as he and Pam stood across from Emily and Alison inside the Champagne Bar at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The newlyweds were sharing a brief drink with their guests while they waited for the Maitre d' of Le Jules Verne to tell them their table was ready.
"Only a week," Alison said with a little pout as she leaned against Emily's side.
"I thought your honeymoon was three weeks?" Spencer asked as she walked up.
"It is," Emily replied, her fingers brushing against Alison's bare back as she slipped her arm around her new wife. "We're only in Paris for a week. Then we go to the French Riviera for two."
"Nice," Hanna chimed in as she walked up carrying a glass of champagne. "You're gonna hit the nude beaches, I hope."
"Hanna," Pam said patiently and Hanna just threw her arm over Pam's shoulders. "Awww, come on Mrs. F., they're married now."
"I told you to call me, Pam, Hanna. And what does that have to do with nude beaches?"
"If they're old enough to be married, they're old enough to be naked in public." Hanna replied matter-of-factly.
"They didn't need to be married to be naked in public before," Kira joined the conversation as she and Brian walked up. "But then again, public nudity wasn't exactly legal on that particular beach. That's why I had to call a lawyer to get them bailed out of a Mexican jail."
"I'm sorry, what?" Pam asked as Wayne choked on his champagne and Mr. DiLaurentis's eyes widened in surprise.
Alison elbowed Kira, hard, causing the woman to stumble into her husband as Emily glared at her.
"Oh, shit, you never told your parents about that?" Kira asked. "You two have got to let me know this stuff."
"Or you could just keep your big fat trap shut," Alison snapped before she sighed.
"You know what, they're adults and I don't think we need to hear about this particular escapade," Wayne said as she shot a look at his daughter. Even as an adult, she flushed with guilt slightly under his parental gaze.
Alison saw it and kissed her mermaid's check as she chuckled softly.
"So, anyway," Spencer said, having kept quiet during the previous exchange because she was the lawyer Kira called. As a divorce lawyer she was not equipped to handle a foreign detainee situation, but she was able to pull in a favor and get a colleague to get Alison and Emily released in only forty eight hours, after Alison agreed to pay a substantial bribe to the Mexican Police in Puerto Vallarta.
"Why are you only having a three week honeymoon?" Aria asked as she joined them now.
"Em has to get back to the hospital," Alison said as she gently nuzzled Emily's cheek softly. Now that Emily was her wife, Alison was even more incapable of keeping her hands and lips off her.
"Oh, that's right, you're starting your last year of residency soon," Hanna said.
"Yeah, on the first. I was lucky my attending gave me even this much time off. But Ali can be very persuasive," Emily added with a roll of her eyes.
Everyone present knew how very persuasive Alison could be, especially when she brought out either her sweet or bitchy Alison DiLaurentis side. Very few people were able to hold out against either personality.
"He he he," Kira laughed exaggeratedly. "Yeah, she had that doctor all tied up in knots, I think by the end of it he was wondering if she was just being charming or actually hitting on him."
"Why did we invite you?" Alison asked as she scowled, but no one paid her any mind, including Kira, who just clinked her glass against the one the blonde was holding in her left hand.
Emily pressed her lips against Alison's temple softly, making the blonde sigh softy and forget her aggravation with Kira.
"So, one more year of residency, huh?" Mr. DiLaurentis asked. "Then you have your fellowship, right?" Emily nodded as she smiled at her new father-in-law. "Have you decided where you want to do it?"
"I already applied to the San Diego Sports Medicine Family Health Center. They work with the San Diego State University Football program and the Olympic Training Center. I really want it, but I don't even have my interview until August."
"You'll get it, baby," Alison cooed encouragingly as she pressed closer to Emily's side, inhaling deeply, letting the scent of her bride fill her, and it made her abdomen clench in anticipation of having her wife alone later.
Was dinner over yet?
"San Diego?" Spencer asked. "Isn't that a long commute from Santa Monica?"
"We'd have to move down to San Diego for two years if I get it," Emily admitted as she smiled over at Alison.
"You're okay with that?" Spencer asked curiously.
Alison nodded. "Yeah, we've already started house hunting down there."
"Ali's getting a little ahead of herself," Emily laughed.
"You're going to get it," Alison insisted as she narrowed her eyes at her new bride. "So it's silly to wait until the last minute."
Emily's heart throbbed with love for the woman beside her. Her interminable belief in Emily and her ability to succeed in everything she set her mind to, is what made Emily believe it too.
"I know, love. You're right," Emily agreed, knowing she was fighting a losing battle. She always was, when Alison dug her heels in on something. And the blonde had done that when she decided Emily not getting accepted into her fellowship was not an option.
But Emily couldn't be angry with her wife, certainly not today, not ever really, and never about the blonde's absolute belief in her.
The maitre d' walked over. "Your table is ready now, Madame."
"Merci," Alison replied.
She looked over at Emily and smiled. "Come on, wife," she crinkled her nose playfully. "Let's go celebrate."
Emily laughed and kissed her bride softly before she led their guests to dinner.
######################
Alison turned the knob on the wall and the lights in the room dimmed. She swept her eyes around the room to make sure everything was in place; a fresh bottle of champagne on ice, rose petals covering the bed, candles flickering on every hard, flat surface; even the sconces on the wall were lit.
She was trying to replicate the night she proposed to Emily, as best she could in a hotel almost six thousand miles away from their home.
She could hear Emily moving around in the bathroom and she smiled because the woman on the other side of that door was finally her wife.
They'd parted ways with their guests a half hour earlier, after enjoying their wedding dinner at the Eiffel Tower. The would see everyone again in the morning for breakfast, before some would fly home and others would stay a few days longer, enjoying a brief holiday respite from their lives; while Emily and Alison started their honeymoon, one Alison intended for them to spend primarily naked.
They didn't need to sightsee, as they'd been to Paris a half dozen times in as many years, having seen everything they wanted to on previous trips. And they didn't travel to the south of France until the following weekend, so they had days to explore and enjoy each other's newly married bodies. Not that Alison expected anything to really be any different, but just the thought that when she touched Emily tonight, she would be touching her wife, had the blonde moaning softly and heat pooling low in her belly.
Alison looked at herself in the mirror, the sheer blue lace nightgown she was wearing fell halfway down thighs and left very little to the imagination. She knew Emily would love it, because Emily loved her in anything blue, but the shade was the exact same shade of ice blue as Alison's eyes.
She wouldn't be wearing it long, of that she had no doubt, but this was her wedding night; and she intended to tease and pleasure her new wife until she was an incoherent puddle of limbs, before Alison took any pleasure of her own.
The bathroom door opened. Alison turned to see Emily step into the room and her breath caught in her throat.
Emily's eyes swept around the room and her lips curved into a smile as she took in the sight. She was immediately reminded of a night two years earlier, when Alison had surprised her by proposing on the very same night that Emily intended to. Yes, Alison did steal her thunder, in a way, but Emily could never be sorry, nor could she ever regret, that she and Alison were so much in tune with one another, that they unknowingly planned to propose to one another on the same night.
Her eyes fell on Alison and Emily's gaze heated as she took in the vision of her new wife dressed in her favorite color.
"Baby," Alison whispered as she walked toward her bride, so stunning in a deep purple pleated baby doll.
Alison wasted no time and she reached up and cupped Emily's face in her hands, pulling the brunette's lips to her own. 'You're so beautiful," she murmured softly before she swept her tongue into Emily's warm mouth.
Emily reached for Alison instantly, her hands immediately going to her hips, gripping her gently as she moaned into the blonde's mouth. She felt Alison's tongue gently caressing her own with long sweeping strokes and Emily shuddered softly at the familiar, sweet taste of her wife.
Her hands touched Alison, everywhere, sliding over lace and silk before bunching the soft material in her hands, tugging it up so she could grip Alison's ass beneath it.
Emily's moan turned into a soft groan as she filled her hands with Alison's soft naked flesh, realizing she wore nothing under the scrap of material already barely covering her, and Alison whimpered in turn as she pressed against Emily, slipping her fingers into the brunette's hair.
Alison wriggled her body against Emily's, the pebbled tips of her nipples brushing against the brunette's equally hard ones and it sent a jolt of desire straight between the blonde's thighs.
The fingers of Emily's right hand skimmed around to Alison's abdomen, fluttering over her soft skin, before slipping lower, between her thighs, finding soft, warm, wet flesh. Alison gasped into Emily's mouth and her fingers tightened in Emily's hair as the brunette's fingers pressed against her throbbing clit, making the blonde's body tense and shudder softly.
Emily guided Alison backward, toward the bed, and Alison let her take the lead for the moment as their lips met in soft, wet, deep kisses.
The back of Alison's legs hit the edge of the bed and she released Emily's hair, lowering her arms from around Emily's neck as she pulled her lips away reluctantly.
"Wait, Em," Alison panted as her eyes fluttered open. She pulled Emily's hand from between her thighs and lifted it to her lips, kissing her wife's palm softly before placing a kiss against her wedding rings.
Emily's lips curled softly and she lifted Alison's hand to her mouth and mimicked the action.
Emily slid her damp fingers along Alison's cheek to the back of her neck as she pressed her forehead against the blonde's, catching her breath. She knew they should slow down. They had all night, after all. But it had been weeks since she'd touched and tasted the woman in her arms and she was starving for her.
"I love you, Ali," Emily whispered fervently, her eyes closed, and her voice broke on Alison's name as she felt the pads of Alison's thumbs circling her nipples.
Alison smiled softly, whispering her love in return as she peppered soft kisses against Emily's cheeks and eyes and nose, finally taking her lips again in a soft breathless kiss. With her mermaid sufficiently distracted, Alison turned them so Emily's legs hit the edge of the mattress.
Emily's eyes opened and she pulled her head back. Alison pouted at the loss of Emily's lips against hers before she smiled seductively. Her hands slid down Emily's sides, gripping the hem of her baby doll and lifting it slowly.
"As beautiful as you look in this, I want you out of it."
Emily licked her lips and the lingering taste of her wife made her moan softly.
Alison pressed her face into the crook of Emily's neck and swirled her tongue slowly in circles as her fingertips teased Emily's bare flesh as they slid slowly up her body.
"Alison," Emily groaned softly but she lifted her arms as Alison automatically pushed the soft fabric up and over her head before letting it drop to the floor beside them.
"Lay back, baby," Alison encouraged softly and Emily sat on the bed. She didn't lie back, though, instead gripping Alison's hips and she pulled the blonde between her thighs. She pressed her lips to Alison's abdomen, nuzzling the blonde's belly button over the sheer lace fabric, as her fingertips fluttered up and down Alison's thighs.
Alison's head fell back and her eyes fluttered closed as Emily's lips and fingers caressed her softly. Alison combed her fingers through Emily's long dark tresses, just needing to touch her. Emily tilted her face up to look at Alison and the blonde lifted her head so she could look down.
"My beautiful wife," Emily said softly, her voice full of love and wonder.
Alison's fingertips traced Emily's eyebrows and down the sides of her face, making Emily sigh.
"I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing you say that," Alison admitted as she smiled softly.
Emily tugged Alison down so she straddled her thighs, her knees resting on the mattress, and their faces were at the same level. She could feel Alison's wet flesh pressed on her thighs and she moaned softly. Alison wiggled gently to tease her bride, giggling softly, as she felt her mermaid shudder beneath her. She leaned forward and rubbed her nose against Emily's softly.
They both breathed deeply for a minute, letting the urgency of a few minutes before fade away.
"I want to make love with you all night," Alison said softly, honestly. "I hope you didn't have any plans of sleeping tonight."
Emily smiled. "Sleep is the furthest thing from my mind, Mrs. Fields."
Alison's lips spread into a blissful grin at her new name. "I think your parents were really surprised I was taking your name and not the other way around."
"I think your dad was disappointed," Emily replied softly.
Alison nodded and shrugged in agreement. "I think so too, but he'll get over it."
"Are you sure about this Ali?" Emily asked as her fingers gently caressed Alison's hips.
"Yes," Alison said without hesitation.
"I'm only just really embarking on my career. Your name is so much a part of who you are professionally," Emily pointed out. "I'll take your name if that's what you want."
Alison leaned back and shifted slightly on Emily's lap, shimmying as she gripped her nightgown, lifting it up over her head, revealing her naked body to Emily's gaze, which darkened with desire in response.
"No, Em," Alison replied as she dropped the fabric to the floor, before sliding her arms over Emily's shoulders again. "You've been Dr. Fields for two years now. And you should keep it. Alison DiLaurentis will only be a professional pseudonym now." Alison shuddered softly as Emily's fingers caressed her bare skin now. "I want your name because I want the entire world to know I'm yours."
"I'm yours too," Emily said as she smiled.
"Yes, you are," Alison purred as the blue depth of her eyes heated. "And now I want what's mine."
Alison breathed the words as she captured Emily's lips in a soft deep kiss. She pushed gently on Emily's shoulders as she urged the brunette to lay back. Emily's eyes rolled back in her head as she felt Alison's soft, naked body settle on hers.
This is what she lived for.
Alison kissed as soft path of wet, open-mouthed kisses down Emily's neck, purring and moaning softly as her tongue swirled over Emily's warm skin, dipping into the hollow of her throat before sucking softly.
Emily gripped Alison's ass, guiding her hips as the blonde rocked gently, her bare flesh brushing against Emily's abdomen, leaving a warm wet trail of arousal on her mermaid's skin.
Alison lifted her head and sat up, rising to her knees.
"Move up on the bed, baby," she commanded gently and Emily obeyed as she pushed back and settled in the center of the king size mattress. Alison gripped the edges of her panties and tugged them down her thighs as Emily lifted her hips to assist.
Alison straddled her, bending down, her lips sliding slowly over Emily's skin, as she crawled up her wife's long lean body. She tasted the salty remnants of her arousal on Emily's skin and she moaned softly.
Alison swirled her tongue against the underside of Emily's breast, and then up over the soft mound. She wrapped her lips around one of Emily's nipples and rolled the other between her thumb and forefinger, causing the brunette to arch her back.
"Kiss me," Emily pleaded softly and Alison released Emily's nipple with a pop before moving up and capturing her wife's mouth in yet another soft, wet, deep kiss.
Emily reached around Alison and pulled her down on top of her before rolling them both to their sides.
Alison pouted softly against her lips, causing Emily to chuckle into her mouth.
"Why are you pouting?"
"Because you stopped my fun," Alison stuck out her lower lip, but then her lips curved seductively. "It's my wedding night and I want to have my wicked way with my wife."
Emily brushed her lips softly against Alison's. "It's our wedding night, and I want to have my wicked way with my wife too."
Alison's eyes flashed with heat and darkened with desire as she hiked her thigh up over Emily's. She pressed closer to her bride and grasped the brunette's hand, pulling it down between their bodies. She pressed Emily's fingers against her clit and Emily took the hint, fluttering her fingers against Alison's aching flesh.
Alison whimpered the way she always did when Emily was touching her so gently and lovingly. In turn, she slid her hand down Emily's stomach, feeling the muscles quivering beneath her fingertips until she met warm, wet flesh.
"Always so wet for me," Alison whispered against Emily's lips as the blonde's fingers mimicked Emily's motions.
Alison slipped her fingers lower, sliding them into her wife's heated depths. Their lips met in long, wet, deep, sensual kisses and their bodies rocked against each other, as the two women gave and received pleasure from each other.
For the next several hours, the only sounds in the room were soft sighs, soft moans, soft whimpers, soft cries of pleasure, and soft declarations of love.
As Alison finally drifted into an exhausted sleep in the early morning hours, her wife's head resting softly on her breasts, the blonde's last thought was her once again thanking the universe for the unconditional love of her mermaid.
The End…