The warm September sun beamed through the windscreen as Emily drove down the suburban roads of Rosewood. She took in the familiarity of the route that she had not driven in the longest time. This particular road brought back a lot of memories. Memories of pain and sadness, and the urge to numb all the bad thoughts and feelings that plagued her. The feeling of being haunted by a certain blonde haired beauty, who at this moment was fast asleep with her head against the window. Emily looked down at the two, white gold rings that sat on a perfectly manicured finger. The hand in mention was resting on Alison's rounded stomach, and Emily couldn't stop the smile from creeping up her face, as she looked at her own left hand on the steering wheel. It had been two glorious years since they said their vows.

It was seven months after everything had happened, that Alison and Emily got married. Seven months of planning and Hanna driving them mad while designing their wedding dresses. But finally, they were here. Standing at the top of the church with their friends and few family members there with them.

'Emily, I don't know if you know this about me, but I tend to talk a lot' Alison started her vows, causing the room to chuckle. 'But, in all of the words I have ever said in my life, none will be as important or as meaningful as the ones I am about to say to you right now. People are expecting me to promise you the standard. To love and to cherish for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. But that's not what I'm going to promise you today, because I've been doing that for a long time already. We've already gone through the good and the bad, and I've loved you all the more for every second of it. I've already cherished you through richer and poorer, and I'm talking way beyond financially. We've already cared for each other through various different types of sickness and have embraced the days that we have been blessed with health. So, I'm not promising you I'll do that. What I am promising you is loyalty and trust, love and respect, and a life of never looking over our shoulders. I promise to make your life the best possible version it can be, because you do that every day for me already.'

Emily had almost sobbed at Alison's words, yet they made her happier than she ever felt possible. Alison had spent every day of the past two years showing her just how much she meant those words. Emily felt more loved and cherished, and respected than any other time in her life. She loved that she got to spend every day with Alison, even if it was at the Diner, which had picked up a lot of business since they took over. So much so that they had ended up hiring help in the form of Hanna, who had grown tired of dressing women when she wanted to spend more time on her own designs. Emily offered her a job working in the diner, with the promise that she could work on her fashion line as often as she wanted. It worked in both their favours. It meant that Alison and Emily got time off to spend together, and Hanna was able to pay her bills as well as build her fashion empire. A year on, Hanna's fashion blog was picking up interest of a few smaller fashion sites, and she was dropping significantly less food on customers, much to Alison's pleasure. It was thanks to her that Emily and Alison had been able to get away for a week, though Emily had had to do a lot of sweet talking in order to encourage Alison to leave Hanna in charge during that time. Alison begrudgingly gave in, though she did insist on Hanna checking in every two hours, just to put her mind at rest.

They had been in Rosewood for three days, having come home to spend some time with her Mom. Alison still felt somewhat awkward in her former home town. It was filled with too many bad memories for her liking, and the small town's population tended to stare at her, since everyone knew her story. It was because of this that they never tended to spend more than a few days in Rosewood at a time. Emily had really wanted to spend some time with her Mom though, so Alison agreed to suck it up for a while, knowing that she would have to just get used to it eventually. Still, when Emily had offered the chance to get out of town for the day, Alison had jumped at the chance. Now, after a day of visiting some of their old haunts and reminiscing in happier memories from their childhood, Emily had one more stop in mind. Something she had wanted to share with Alison for a long time, but hadn't had the courage to bring herself to visit. Until now.

Emily pulled the car into the gravel-covered parking lot. The small area was only big enough to hold a few cars, though it had always seemed bigger to her before now. She guessed that was because she was younger and had never experienced life outside of Rosewood. Living in New York had definitely changed her perspective on things. Emily pulled the car in to park and let out a breath as she took in the old-timey building. She had never noticed before, just how much it looked like an old converted barn. Again, she figured it was a perspective thing. Emily shut off the engine and turned to her sleeping beauty in the passenger seat.
'Ali' she cooed, as she leaned over the centre console, her fingers gingerly brushing back the golden bangs that had fallen across Alison's eyes.
'Mhhm' Alison mumbled, not quite stirring from her slumber.
'Baby, wake up'
Alison prised her eyes open, blinking a few times as she adjusted to the sun that was peering in from behind the building they were parked in front of.
'Where are we?' Alison asked groggily, as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.
'We're on the last stop of our trip' Emily explained with a smile. 'Come'

Emily climbed from the car and rounded the vehicle to help Alison out. She gave her a quick look to make sure she was ok, before leading her towards the slightly run-down building, her hand situated on the small of Alison's back as she led her inside. It was something that Alison had come to love. The protective nature with which Emily treated her these days, not that she wasn't always protective. Nowadays it was just magnified infinitely. Emily handled Alison with the utmost care and was grossly attentive.
'What is this place?' Alison asked, as they entered the door to the dingy looking pub. Alison looked around with a hint of scrutiny. This wasn't the worst pub or bar she'd ever been to, but it was definitely up there. Her nose wrinkled as she took in the sight of the various middle-aged men who looked as though they had been sat in their stools for so long, they had become one with their wooden counterparts.
'This is the pub I told you about'

'You mean...?'
'Uh-uh' Emily hummed in confirmation as she led Alison towards the bar. She helped Alison to sit on a stool, before she situated herself next to her Wife. 'You ok?'
'Yes, Emily. I'm fine. Relax' Alison chuckled, as she rested her hand on her stomach.

Emily drummed her fingers on the bar as she looked around. The place hadn't changed in years. She hoped that was a sign that one particular feature of the pub remained. Sure enough, after only a few minutes, a now slightly fatter and most definitely hairier man than she remembered, came wandering from the back.
'What can I get you ladies?' he mumbled, as he barely looked at the two women who were sitting at the bar.
'Uh, I was just wondering if you'd ever heard the story about the barman who hooked up with a woman who had tits like water melons and legs that went on for miles, and then discovered that she had a huge, fat pair of hairy balls' Emily asked casually, though her smile grew as the man looked up at her, that cheeky glint that she was so accustomed to evident in his eyes. Alison looked at Emily with wide eyes, having no idea about this particular story, but the man's face was filled with recognition immediately.
'Emily!?'
'Hey, Dan' Emily greeted with a smile, as she leaned on to her elbows.

Dan looked her up and down for a moment, shaking his head.
'What on Earth brings you back here after all these years?'
'Well, I was in the neighbourhood, figured I'd pay a visit to an old friend'
'You came all this way for me?'
'No, I figured Earl still hung around here. Where is that hobo anyway?' Emily asked, as she looked around for Dan's sidekick. She didn't recognise any faces in the pub though. 'Did he finally clean up his act and go home to his Wife?'
'Uh...actually... Earl passed away a few years back' Dan replied sheepishly, as he scratched the back of his neck. It was still a sore subject for him. Earl was one of his best friends, and definitely his best customer.
'Shit, I'm sorry'
'Well, I mean the guy drunk double his body weight in liquor and beer every day. His liver was gonna give in eventually' Dan brushed off Emily's pitying look and concern.

'Still...'

So, uh...what can I get you? The usual?' Dan changed the subject. He grabbed for a Whisky tumbler and reached across for the bottle of Bourbon that Emily used to be fond of.
'Oh, no, I uh...I don't drink anymore' Emily replied with a tight lipped smile. She felt her shoulders tense just the tiniest bit, until Alison's hand slid across her thigh and squeezed softly, causing her to relax again.
'Wow, so not only did you get smoking hot, but you decided to keep your drinking strictly underage? Impressive!' Dan smirked. 'Speaking of, I'm still pissed at you, but you're hot so I'll forgive you. If you finally give the Dan Man what he's always wanted' He added, as he wiggled his eyebrows. Emily chuckled at the old joke, though Alison frowned. She wanted to jump across the bar just for this guy suggesting anything sexual about her Wife, but Emily's fingers discreetly threading through hers kept her in place.

'As charming of an offer as that is, you still have a P where I'd rather see a V, aaand I'm taken' Emily stated happily, her smile growing. She felt Alison calm beside her, knowing that she was going to finally be introduced as 'the wife'.
'By...?'
'Me' Alison piped up, raising an eyebrow as she smirked at Emily and Dan's chatter. Emily wiggled her left hand in front of Dan, the dim light catching her ring and causing it to shine.
'You got married? No shit! How did you pin her down?' Dan asked Alison with an amused look.
'It took a long time and a lot of patience' Alison stated fondly, as she looked lovingly at Emily.
'You remember that time I came here and wanted to drink myself into a stupor, because it was my friend's funeral?' Emily asked, her tone growing solemn at that particular memory. It was one of the last she had of this place.
'Yeah'
'Well, it turns out that friend wasn't as gone as I thought' she stated, as she glanced at Alison.
'No shit!' Dan laughed. 'Now you gotta tell me the whole story. Let me get you a drink first'
'Uh, just water for me'
'And me' Alison piped up.
'Two waters coming up'

Dan served them their waters and Emily and Alison told their whole story from start to finish, embellishing some parts and skipping over some of the parts that he definitely did not need to know.
'Fuck dude, that shit belongs in a Reese Witherspoon movie or something!' Dan exclaimed, as he leaned against the bar, a stunned expression on his face. He had some pretty wild stories, but none compared to the one he had just heard.
'Hallmark are writing the script as we speak' Alison quipped as she sipped on her water.
'She's funny. I like her' Dan chuckled to Emily.
'Yeah, I kind of like her too' Emily replied with a love drunk smile, as she looked at Alison beside her, their fingers still intertwined on her thigh.
'You better like me. I'm gonna be pushing a freaking bowling ball out of me in the next couple of months' Alison joked. Dan looked at her with a confused look before recognition registered across his face.
'Wait, you're...'
'Ali's pregnant' Emily confirmed with a smile, as Alison stood a little to show the top of her blossoming baby bump.
'Oh my god! Congrats!' He replied with a stunned expression. 'That's amazing!'

They stayed at the pub for a little while, just catching up with Dan. Alison laughed at all the stories Dan recalled, of the times Emily would spend at the bar, and Emily thanked him for his support when she needed it. When they left a few hours later, hand in hand, Alison was exhausted yet she had a lazy smile on her face.
'What?' Emily asked as she slipped in to the car beside her pregnant Wife.
'Nothing'
'So why are you looking at me like a creeper?' Emily asked, as she stuck the key in the ignition, but turned to face the blonde.
'I'm not, I'm just...admiring you. You've come so far, Em. I'm so, so proud of the woman you've become, and I cannot wait to start this next chapter. Us as parents...'

'Poor kid' Emily joked, causing Alison to smile in amusement.
'I'm serious. You're amazing, Emily' Alison took Emily's hand in her own, resting it against her pregnant tummy. 'For a long time I didn't think we'd have this. Those years we were apart, I couldn't help but think I'd lost you for good. Then when I found you again, and I saw what I'd turned you in to... it just makes me realise now how lucky I am to have you. You've taught me so much over the past few years, and I know that you're going to pass every bit of strength and wisdom that you possess, to our son'
'I love you, Alison'
'I love you too, Emily'
Emily leaned in to kiss Alison, as just as their lips touched, a soft jolt from Alison's stomach bumped their hands caused them to pull apart and chuckle. They looked down at the spot that had just nudged them and Emily soothed over the area with her thumb.
'I think he's saying he loves you too' Alison giggled.