Context: requested by a guest user who wanted to see Jessica interact with Emison. This is a Semi AU where Jessica divorced Kenneth before they could traumatize their kids any longer. CeCe isn't Ali's adoptive sister/cousin. Jessica didn't bury Alison alive. Meanwhile, Alison has rejected Emily while still harboring feelings for her.
Jessica was in the attic, rummaging through boxes filled with old memories and forgotten treasures. The dust danced in the shafts of light that peeked through the small window, and the musty smell of old paper filled the air. Some of those boxes reminded her of the beginning of her marriage to Kenneth, when it all looked too perfect.
But it ended on a sour note, with Kenneth's alcoholism and conservative views and her own infidelity. Jessica decided it was over when she realized that Jason was imitating his (adoptive) father to a new extreme and that Alison was growing cold and manipulative in order to protect herself from her father's behavior.
Jessica was a woman of many mistakes, but she'd always protect her children.
As she shifted aside a box of toys from Alison's childhood, a small envelope slipped out, landing softly on the floor. Curiosity piqued, Jessica picked it up and opened it, revealing a neatly folded piece of paper. The handwriting was unmistakably Alison's, elegant and delicate.
I saw the most beautiful girl today. Her name is Emily Fields. I could barely believe myself when I started to shake before I talked to her. This is so not me. But Emily just smiled sweetly and blushed and I was head over heels.
She told me she's a swimmer and, God, she definitely got the body. Emily's like a beautiful mermaid. I think that's what I'll call her later on.
My Mermaid.
Jessica dropped the letter for a moment and was reminded of Emily. She had always liked the girl and thought she could be a good influence for Alison. She'd had a feeling that Emily's feelings for her daughter might have been more romantic than platonic.
But Jessica found more letters and they were more revealing of how Alison felt about Emily.
Emily kissed me.
It's not like it was a surprise. I knew she's been wanting to kiss me for a very long time, I just didn't believe she'd have the guts to do it. But she did.
Honestly, I can't even blame her. I was reading Charles Dickens to her, saying things like I loved her against reason, against hope, against promise, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be… Like I could ever love someone like that.
Then she kissed me and the world stopped. Her lips were so soft and I could feel her love pouring in that kiss.
I wanted more.
I've kissed older guys with more experience than Emily had, yet none of them made me feel like she did. It was like I was floating in her orbit. I wanted to hold her close and love her just as much as she loves me.
It scared me.
"Alison..." Jessica whispered, her heart pounding as she read the words that revealed her daughter's feelings and sexuality. There was another letter — all expressed a depth of emotion and vulnerability that Alison rarely shared.
It's all my fault. I rejected Emily and it's all my fault.
After that kiss in the library, she grew bold. We were in the locker room. I was changing and I teased her by asking her to help me clip my bra on. After she did it, she pressed a kiss to my neck and it startled me.
Scratch that, it scared me.
Before I could control myself, I panicked and pushed her away by telling her that I liked boys and that our kiss was just for practice.
Gosh, I feel so awful. I don't know how she'll ever forgive me after that.
It was a lie. I just panicked because I didn't expect that neck kiss. But it was not unwelcome. It felt like butterflies dancing on my skin.
Gosh, why did I have to react that way? Why did I have to push her away and break her heart? I hate that I hurt my Mermaid, but I don't know what to do to make it right.
Jessica sat back on her heels, taking a moment to process what she had discovered. Alison had been so guarded about her feelings, especially after everything that had happened. It was clear she still had feelings for Emily, and it broke Jessica's heart to think of the pain her daughter must be feeling.
With newfound determination, Jessica made her way downstairs, where she found Alison in the living room, lost in thought as she was reading a book. It was the Great Expectations, Jessica noted. The same book Alison had read to Emily, according to her letter.
Jessica took a deep breath before approaching.
"Ali, can we talk?" she said gently, her voice soft but firm.
Alison looked up, contempt flickering across her face. "What's up?"
Jessica sat down beside her, holding the letters tightly in her hands. "I found something in the attic… your letters to Emily."
Alison's face paled, and she turned her gaze away. She panicked. "Mom, I—"
"Sweetheart, I need you to listen," Jessica interrupted, her tone serious but caring, holding her daughter's hands. "You can't keep hiding from your feelings. It's clear how much you care for her. Have you thought about reaching out to Emily?"
"I... I can't," Alison stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "She deserves someone who can give her everything, and I can't do that."
"Ali, that's not true," Jessica insisted, her heart aching for her daughter. "You love her, and that's what matters. You've spent so long pushing her away, but you're not doing either of you any favors by staying apart."
Alison looked at her mother, tears welling in her eyes. "What if she doesn't want to see me? What if I've ruined everything?"
"Then you'll never know unless you try," Jessica urged. "You have a chance to make things right. Love isn't about perfection; it's about being honest and taking risks. You owe it to yourself and to Emily to at least talk to her."
Taking a shaky breath, Alison glanced down at her hands, the weight of her mother's words settling in. "What if she hates me?"
"She could never hate you," Jessica replied, placing a comforting hand on Alison's shoulder. "You both deserve a chance to be happy. And if you don't take this opportunity, it might haunt you for a long time."
Alison closed her eyes, envisioning Emily's smile, her laughter, the warmth that always filled the room when they were together. "You really think I should?"
"I know you should. Love is worth fighting for, Ali. Go to her. Talk to her. You can do this."
With her mother's encouragement resonating in her heart, Alison nodded slowly, the flicker of hope igniting within her. "Okay. I'll try. Thank you, Mom."
Jessica smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "I'm proud of you, sweetheart. Just be yourself."
Alison sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the letters she had written to Emily over the past few weeks. Each word was a reminder of the feelings she had kept bottled up, the feelings that had made her push Emily away. She sighed, crumpling one of the papers in frustration.
"Mom, I'm going out!" she called, grabbing her jacket.
"Where to?" Jessica asked, appearing at the door.
"Just… somewhere," Alison replied, her heart racing as she made her way to Emily's house. She needed to see her. She needed to make things right.
When Alison arrived, she found Emily sitting on the porch steps, staring at the ground. She looked up, surprised to see Alison, and their eyes met for a moment.
"Alison," Emily said cautiously, standing up. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to talk," Alison said, her voice trembling. "Can we sit?"
Emily hesitated but nodded, leading the way to the back yard. They settled on the swings, the creaking chains echoing in the stillness.
"I've been thinking a lot about us," Alison started, her heart pounding. "About everything that happened. I need to apologize, Em. I was so scared of my feelings that I pushed you away, and I regret it every day."
Emily crossed her arms, looking away. "You really hurt me, Alison. I thought we were closer than that."
"I know, and I'm sorry. I didn't handle it well at all," Alison admitted, her voice thick with emotion. "I was terrified of what we could be because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. But you're not just my best friend; you're someone I truly care about. I've liked you for so long, and I thought I could ignore it, but I can't anymore."
Emily remained silent, her expression unreadable.
"I understand if you don't want to forgive me," Alison continued, her heart sinking. "But I had to try. You mean too much to me to just walk away."
After a tense moment, Emily finally turned to Alison, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's not that simple. You rejected me, Ali. You made me feel like I was unworthy of your love."
"No! That's not what I meant," Alison said quickly, leaning closer. "You are more than worthy. You deserve all the love in the world. I just… I was confused and scared."
Emily took a deep breath, her walls beginning to crack. "I don't want to be hurt again, Alison. It's hard for me to trust you right now."
"I get that," Alison replied earnestly. "But I want to earn your trust back. I want to show you how serious I am about us. Can we take a chance? Just… give us a shot?"
Emily's gaze softened as she searched Alison's face for sincerity. "You really mean it?"
"Yes," Alison affirmed, her heart racing. "I'm done running away from what I feel for you."
After a long pause, Emily looked down, contemplating. "Okay, but we need to take it slow. I'm not ready to jump into something just because you feel bad."
"That's fair," Alison said, relief washing over her. "We can take it slow. I just want to be in your life, however you'll let me."
Emily finally smiled, a hint of warmth breaking through her guarded demeanor. "Alright. But you have to promise not to freak out again."
"Promise," Alison said, her smile matching Emily's. "No more running. Just me, you, and figuring this out together."
As they sat on the swings, the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over them. For the first time in a long while, Alison felt a flicker of hope. They had a long way to go, but they were finally on the right path.
Much to Emily's surprise, her relationship with Alison turned out to be the sweetest thing they ever had. Alison wasn't perfect; no, she still had some of her mean girl streak. Still, all it took from Emily was one look for Alison to go quietly back in the line.
And Alison was very gentle and caring towards her. Emily always felt like she was going to melt from the way Alison kisses and holds her.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. One day, Pam goes to pick up Emily earlier than expected and catches her kissing Alison in the parking lot. She throws a fit and separates the both of them, tugging Emily home despite her daughter's protests.
She decides to talk it out with Jessica.
Jessica walked into the room quietly, her presence calm but aware of the storm brewing. She gave Pam a tentative look.
"You wanted to talk?" Jessica's voice was gentle, but Pam didn't turn around immediately. Instead, she gripped her arms tighter as if preparing herself for a battle she didn't want to fight.
After a moment, Pam turned to face Jessica, her expression cool and defensive. She let out a sharp breath, trying to gather her thoughts, but all that came was frustration.
"Yes," Pam started, her voice clipped. "It's about our daughters."
Jessica's brow furrowed and she immediately knew what it was about. Pam had caught them. "What about them?"
Pam felt the anger rise again—mixed with confusion and a deep unease. She had found out about Emily and Alison's relationship, and she wasn't sure how to feel. It wasn't that she didn't love her daughter, but it was really hard to sit with the idea of Emily dating another girl. Pam had dreams of a huge family and grandkids — and having a gay daughter didn't go with that in her mind.
"Emily and Alison," Pam continued, her voice tight, "are… together. And I can't say I'm happy about it."
Jessica's expression softened, almost too much for Pam's liking. "Pam, they care about each other."
Pam's hands dropped to her sides, her voice rising slightly. "Care about each other? Jessica, they're kids! They don't know what they want yet, and Alison—" She stopped herself, her frustration simmering just below the surface. "Alison is a bad influence for Emily!"
Jessica sighed, stepping closer, but keeping her tone steady. "They're figuring things out, Pam. And yes, maybe they're young, but Alison has been through so much, just like Emily. Can't we support them?"
"Support them?" Pam's voice cracked with disbelief. "Jessica, this isn't about supporting them. It's about my values and my family!"
Jessica's calmness faltered for a moment, but she stood firm. "You're wrong about her, Pam. I know Alison's made mistakes, but she's changed. And Emily—your Emily—has always brought out the best in her."
Pam shook her head, pacing the room as frustration bubbled over. "I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready to see my daughter in a relationship with—" She paused, her words hanging in the air, unsure of how to even describe it. "With Alison."
Jessica stepped forward, her eyes filled with understanding, but also a quiet resolve. "Pam, I get it. I do. But this isn't about you or me. It's about them. If we can't accept their relationship, we'll lose them both."
Pam stopped pacing, her chest tightening at the thought of losing Emily, but the uncertainty still gnawed at her. "I just don't want her to get hurt," she whispered, her voice softer now, almost pleading.
Jessica softened too, reaching out but not quite touching Pam's arm. "Neither do I. But we can't control who they love. What we can do is be there for them. Support them, instead of pushing them away."
For a long moment, Pam didn't respond. She stared at Jessica, torn between her protectiveness and the uncomfortable truth Jessica had laid bare.
Pam sat at the cafeteria table, watching the lunchtime chaos unfold around her. The chatter of students filled the air, but her mind was clouded with worry. Ever since she'd confronted Emily about her relationship with Alison, things had been tense. Their once open communication felt strained; Pam's reaction had effectively outed Emily and Alison before they could do it on their own terms. While Pam had hoped to protect her daughter, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had crossed a line.
She glanced up just as Emily and Alison walked in together, hand in hand. They looked happy, but there was an undercurrent of tension between them. As they approached the table, Pam's heart sank at the thought of how her actions had affected them. Emily's gaze flickered between her mother and Alison, uncertainty etched on her face.
The cafeteria door swung open with a bang, and Nick McCullers stormed in, his face red with anger. "This is ridiculous!" he shouted, drawing everyone's attention. "Emily Fields has been favored because she's a lesbian! It's not fair to my daughter, Paige!"
Emily stiffened, and Alison's grip on her hand tightened. "Don't let him get to you," Alison whispered, her voice low but fierce.
Pam felt her protective instincts kick in. She stood up, ready to confront Nick, but Alison was quicker. "You're out of line, Mr. McCullers!" she shouted back, her eyes blazing. "Emily beat Paige fair and square in that swim meet!"
"Why are you defending her?" Nick sneered, looking from Alison to Emily. "Just because you have a crush on her?"
Alison's face flushed with indignation, and Pam could see the tension building. "It's not about that! Emily worked hard, and she earned her place!"
"Ali, let it go," Emily urged, concern flickering in her eyes. "He's not worth it."
But before the situation could escalate further, Pam stepped forward, her heart pounding. "Hey, Nick!" she called out, her voice steady. "I just wanted to let you know that my daughter beat your daughter in a fair competition. Emily is a winner. She wouldn't take anything she didn't deserve."
"Mom!" Emily yelped in surprise at her mom's support. Alison took her hand in hers to steady her.
"Pam, your daughter—!"
"If this keeps going, I'm going to report this to the school board," Pam interrupted, her tone firm. She turned her gaze to Paige, who stood with her head down, embarrassment written all over her face. "Your daughter is scared, Nick. You're not setting a good example here."
The cafeteria fell silent, tension hanging thick in the air as Nick realized the damage he had done. He glanced around, met with disapproving looks from several parents and students. With a heavy sigh, he grabbed Paige's hand and led her out of the cafeteria, his bravado crumbling with every step.
Pam let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She turned back to Emily, who was watching her with wide, grateful eyes. "Mom…" Emily started, her voice soft and filled with emotion.
"Emily, I…" Pam began, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she stepped forward and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace. "I love you, no matter what."
Emily melted into the hug, relief flooding her body. Alison stood beside them, a smile breaking through her earlier tension as she squeezed Emily's hand.
When they finally pulled away, Pam met Alison's gaze. "I still don't fully understand everything, but you're important to my daughter. And that matters to me."
Jessica, who had witnessed the entire scene from a nearby table, approached them, a smile on her face. "You did great, Pam."
"I just want to protect her," Pam said, her voice softening as she looked back at Emily. "I want her to be happy."
Jessica nodded in understanding. "She will need you. Not everyone will be as supportive as Rosewood. There are more Nicks in the world than I'd like to admit."
Pam's expression turned serious as she considered this. "I want to meet Alison for dinner—my daughter's girlfriend. I think it's time we talk."
Jessica chuckled lightly. "She's going to be a bit intimidated by you, you know."
Pam raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on her lips. "Good. If she breaks my Emily's heart, she'll have me to deal with."
Jessica laughed, the tension in the air dissipating as the two mothers shared a moment of understanding. They exchanged knowing glances before Pam turned back to Emily and Alison, who were now engaged in a quiet conversation, smiles lighting up their faces. Maybe, just maybe, things would work out after all.
As the years went by, Jessica watched with pride as her children blossomed into remarkable individuals. Jason, after overcoming his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, chose to channel his family's wealth into a fund dedicated to helping young people battling addiction. It was his way of giving back, a testament to the empathy and resilience he'd developed.
And then there was Alison. Jessica had been overjoyed when her daughter followed Emily to California to pursue a degree in English Literature. The two had moved back to Rosewood after graduation, both accepting teaching positions at Rosewood High—a perfect fit for the life they envisioned together. Jessica was grateful for Emily's influence on Alison, who had once been known for her rebellious streak. Emily's calming presence had been a steady anchor, and Jessica saw how Alison had truly grown and matured.
In turn, Jessica had seen Alison stand by Emily during one of her darkest times, after her father, Wayne, passed away in active service. It was a painful period, but Alison had been there for Emily every step of the way, showing a depth of strength and compassion that, in Jessica's eyes, marked a deep transformation in her daughter. She knew that the younger Alison wouldn't have known how to help someone through such loss, yet now, she had been Emily's unwavering support.
Jessica loved their visits and cherished the times they spent together as a family. Seeing Emily and Alison engaged, eagerly planning their wedding and dreaming of having children, filled her with joy and gratitude. She couldn't have wished for anything more fulfilling as a mother than to see her children thriving in love and life.