A/N: So for those of you who read my story "Holidays," I guess this is a sort of prequel. I thought it would be fun to go back to when they first got engaged before they had kids. Let me know what you think!

It was snowing. It was the day before Christmas Eve and Paige was sitting anxiously in her living room, waiting for Emily to get home. The Christmas tree lights glowed brightly from across the room, the fire she had started crackling along with the ticking of the clock. It was nice and cozy outside, the complete opposite of what it had felt like coming home from her last final before. Emily was due back any minute and Paige would feel much better when she was safe and sound and home, especially with the snow picking up. Well, and Paige had something pretty important to ask her.

When Emily got home, Paige was going to ask her to marry her. She and Emily had briefly discussed the idea and she had finally gotten up the courage to pop the big question. She had picked out a ring last week, with the help of Spencer Hastings. Spencer was the only person who knew she was going to propose; she knew Aria the least of the four girls, Hanna had a giant mouth, and all of the guys would tease her mercilessly, something she would not be able to handle if Emily by some chance said no. Not that Paige was expecting her to, but she was nervous and terrified of the possibility.

Spencer had been a surprising source of encouragement. Paige had confided in her last week when Spencer had showed up early to get Emily for an outing to the mall, and she had been very supportive of the idea. It was funny looking back that they had once been enemies, because they got along so well now. Emily joked that they had originally clashed so much because they were similar. But Paige knew the real reason was because they were both willing to do anything to protect Emily and didn't trust anyone else to do the same. Nevertheless, Spencer had told her Emily would definitely say yes and went with her to pick out the ring. Having someone there with her had made the whole thing easier, and she had been feeling very confident until she had gotten home. The more she had to wait the more nervous she got, second guessing herself and wondering if Emily would like it. She had prepared everything like Emily would agree; she had cooked Emily's favorite food for dinner (or tried to) and decorated the bedroom so it would be a surprise later. She had to say yes. She just had to.

Paige got up and began pacing around the living room. The silence was only making her more nervous so she went to the radio and turned it on, closing her eyes as the soft sound of Mannheim Steamroller's "The Holly and the Ivy" filled the room. She was freaking out for nothing. It would all work out, just like things always managed to.

She peered out the window, watching the snow fall. The street was already coated and she did have to admit it looked nice against the Christmas lights lit up all around the street. But she would be able to enjoy it more if Emily would hurry up and get home.

Finally, she heard a car door close and peeked outside to see Emily hurrying up to the door, her hood up as she tried unsuccessfully to shield herself from the falling snow. Paige opened the door for her, pulling her in for a hug right away. Emily chuckled, brushing flakes off of her coat as she leaned in to give her girlfriend a kiss.

"Hey, you."

"I'm glad you're back," Paige told her, gently brushing her cheek. "Em, you're freezing."

"Tell me about it," she grumbled. "I thought I was going to freeze."

"Babe, why don't you go shower? I've already got dinner mostly ready, I'll just heat it up."

"You're a love," Emily told her, leaning in for another kiss. "I'll be quick."

Paige watched as Emily disappeared down the hall, letting out a small sigh of relief. She had managed to act pretty normal. She just had to keep it up a little longer.

By the time Emily came downstairs, freshly showered and in her pajamas, Paige was serving dinner. Emily beamed as she set a plate full of lasagna in front of her, rubbing her hands together.

"My favorite. Thank you."

"I hope you enjoy," Paige replied, hoping she didn't notice the way she almost missed her chair when she went to sit down.

They ate in a comfortable silence, talking briefly about finishing finals but mostly just eating and looking at each other. Paige hoped Emily couldn't tell her hands were shaking, and she was finding it hard to take the waiting. She was like a restless child who had ants in their pants as she ate, kicking her legs impatiently under the table.

"That was so good," Emily sighed happily when they were finished. "Just what I needed."

"I'm glad you thought so," Paige replied, forcing a smile. Emily looked at her carefully.

"Are you okay, sweetie?"

"Who, me? I mean, I'm fine," she replied too quickly. Emily raised her eyebrows.

"Okay."

"Uh, I'm gonna clean up," she replied, snatching the plates from the table and carrying them to the sink. Emily frowned, following her.

"Paige? What's going on?"

"Nothing, Em," she replied, not meeting her eyes as she focused on washing the dishes. "What did you want to do after dinner? It feels strange not having to study."

"It does," Emily agreed. "And as an answer to your question, there are many things I would like to do. But one of them is going to require me digesting a little bit, so why don't we watch a movie?"

"Sounds good to me."

They went out to the living room and cuddled up on the couch to watch The Polar Express, Emily's favorite Christmas movie that she had declared wouldn't change no matter how old she was. Paige held her close, stroking her head as she tried to focus on the screen. She was trying to work up the courage to ask Emily her very important question. Now was the perfect time; there was no sense in putting it off. She had already bought the ring and there was no backing out now.

"Em?" she asked suddenly. Emily looked at her.

"Yeah?"

"There... there is something really important I want to ask you."

"Oh?"

"Yeah." She swallowed hard, feeling herself start to panic. "I….. uh…"

"Paige?" she asked curiously. "What is it?"

"Uh," Paige replied, fumbling for the velvet box in her pocket. "Hang on." She knew she was blushing. She was being a complete babbling idiot, just like she was afraid of happening. "Fuck."

"What are you doing?" Emily asked, confused as she watched Paige reach around in her giant sweatpants pocket.

"Emily," she started, finally pulling the box out. She slid off the couch and knelt down in front of Emily, trembling as Emily's eyes widened in surprise. "As usual I'm totally fucking things up, but I want you to know how much you mean to me. I love you more than anything in the whole wide world, and without you I have no idea where I would be. You made me realize who I was, and you helped me see that I deserved to be happy." Emily was crying now, her hands clasped in front of her face as tears streamed down her face. Paige took a deep breath, feeling more confident at the smile on Emily's face and continued. "I want to make you happy every night and every day of your life. Emily, will you be my wife?"

"Yes!" she sobbed immediately, kneeling down in front of Paige and hugging her tightly. Paige felt tears come to her own eyes as Emily cried into her shoulder, relieved and elated at the same time. She had done it and Emily had said yes. They were going to be married. "Oh, Paige… I love you so much."

"I love you too, Em," she replied, almost wanting to laugh at how relieved she felt. "I was so fucking scared to ask you."

"Why?" Emily asked, pulling back to look at her. She gently traced her bottom lip. "Did you think I would say no?"

"Not exactly. I was just afraid."

"I could never say no to you," Emily told her, leaning in for a kiss. "Wow. I can't believe this."

"Oh. Here," Paige replied, sliding the ring onto Emily's finger. Of course she would almost forget that part. "It's the diamond from my grandmother's ring. The one she told me to give to the most special girl in the world." Emily burst into fresh tears. Paige took her back in her arms, burying her face in Emily's shoulder as they sat on the floor, the reality of the situation sinking in. It actually seemed a bit like a dream.

"I have to tell everyone," Emily started suddenly, pulling back. "The girls, my parents….. Hanna is going to lose her shit!"

"You can say that again," Paige chuckled. She herself couldn't wait to see the guys' reactions when she told them.

"But first," Emily replied, pulling her in for a passionate kiss. "We need to make love as engaged women."

"I agree," Paige told her as Emily tried tugging her pants down. "But I want you to follow me."

Emily obediently followed her to their bedroom, gasping when Paige opened the door and she saw the rose petals trailing to the bed. Her two favorite Christmas scented candles were lit, giving the room a cozy glow.

"Paige," she whispered, turning to her fiancée. "Baby, it's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it," she replied, still unable to believe how perfectly the night was going.

"Get over here," Emily replied, pulling her to the bed. They collapsed onto the bed, kissing passionately as they expertly removed one another's clothes. This was going to be one of those long, gentle nights where they took their time, exploring every inch of one another.

Paige rolled on top of Emily as they kissed, pressing their naked bodies together. Emily sighed, appearing like she was going to give in and let Paige top her. But when Paige began to let her guard down she flipped them, pinning Paige under her as she slid her tongue into her mouth. Paige groaned, surprisingly not putting up a fight as she wrapped her legs around Emily. She ran her fingers up and down her back, feeling Emily's soft skin against hers. Her fiancée. It felt strange yet wonderful assigning that name to her. Looking back she felt silly for being so afraid. Of course Emily would say yes. After all they had been through anyone could see they were meant to be. But, actually hearing Emily agree to marry her had immediately taken all of her fear away. She was thrilled that Emily was going to be her wife. And, strangely enough, as they laid there close together, Emily on top of her, she was perfectly content with being on the bottom.

"Words cannot describe how much I love you," Emily told her softly, gazing at her. "You've always been there for me, always waiting to pick me up when I fall and cheer me on when I need encouragement. I don't know how I ever got along without you."

"I think I'm dreaming right now," Paige replied, and Emily laughed.

"No, love. This is all real."

"What did I do to deserve you?" she mused. Emily just smiled, kissing her way down to the valley between her breasts. Paige whimpered as she felt Emily's mouth on her nipple. Yeah, this had to be the most perfect night ever.

She was already incredibly aroused as Emily left her breasts to make her way to her center. She spread her legs for her, panting in anticipation, and she cried out when Emily's mouth brushed against her clit. She threaded her fingers through her hair as she felt Emily's tongue swirling around, her mouth opening in silent gasps of pleasure. Emily always knew just what she needed without her ever needing to ask. They were always like that with each other.

She was trying to hold back but she was too overwhelmed by the sensation of Emily sucking on her clit. She bit down on her lip, tiny stars flashing behind her eyes at the pleasure she was feeling. It wasn't long before she couldn't take it anymore and came, her mouth open in a silent shout as she shook against Emily's mouth. When she was finished Emily didn't stop, starting right back from where she had left off. Paige groaned as she felt Emily's tongue lick up her wet slit, pushing herself further into Emily's face. She was already sensitive from before and knew it wouldn't be long before she came again. And sure enough, she was sure it had only been two minutes at the most before she was climaxing again, panting as she tried to catch her breath. Emily moved up to kiss her mouth, her taste lingering on her lips. Paige sighed as she pulled Emily into her arms, letting herself relax. Emily caressed her arm, smiling softly at her.

"You're beautiful," she told her softly.

Paige pulled her close in response, burying her face in Emily's raven colored hair. This perfect, loving woman was going to be her wife. Her wife. The girl everyone had laughed at in high school, the girl who had been tormented by Alison DiLaurentis was going to be married to the most beautiful being in the world.

She changed their positions so Emily was lying under her, her wet center pressing against her abdomen. Paige kissed her passionately, feeling Emily's legs wrap around her as they pressed themselves as close together as they could get. She gave each of Emily's breasts proper attention before moving her way down to her center, wasting no time in reaching her tongue out for a taste. Emily groaned, relaxing as her fiancée pleasured her.

There had been many days in Paige's life that she would consider near perfect. The day freshman year that Emily had even acknowledged she existed. The day Emily told her she didn't hate her, the day she had told her parents she was a lesbian and after being momentarily stunned they had hugged her and told her they loved her anyway. The night at her pool, the night they had first made love, when Emily had finally gotten into Stanford. Those all were pretty awesome too, but nothing topped the woman of her dreams agreeing to marry her. It was surreal.

She slid her tongue inside Emily's wet opening, rewarded with a loud cry of pleasure. Emily was so fucking loud during sex and she loved it.

"Paige, yes," she gasped, pushing herself against Paige's face. "Don't fucking stop that feels incredible….. baby, yes!"

Her cries drew Paige on as she pumped faster and faster inside of her, reaching out to rub her clit with her thumb. Emily nearly screamed and came, bucking against Paige as her pleasure coursed through her.

"Paige," she whimpered as she came down from her high. Paige waited until she was finished before sliding out of her. She moved up to kiss her softly, caressing her cheek as Emily groaned into the kiss. They gazed at each other when their lips finally moved apart, breathless. All Emily could do was smile and Paige suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to burst into tears. This was real. Emily loved her. Emily wanted to spend the rest of her life with her. She didn't think she had ever felt more elated.

"I love you so fucking much, Emily. I can't even describe it to you," she told her, wishing there were words to do her love justice.

"Paige, baby…. I love you, too," Emily replied, smiling. Her eyes were filled with tears as she stroked Paige's cheek. "Tonight has been the most amazing night ever. I am so happy and I always was afraid to let myself be happy and now I have you and….." She paused, a tear sliding down her cheek. Paige kissed her soothingly.

"You have me, sweetheart."

"I know," she told her, pulling her in close. "It's crazy how things work out sometimes, isn't it?"

"Yeah," she agreed, smiling at the memory of Emily saying something similar on the Halloween train a couple years ago. She slid her fingers down between Emily's legs, stroking her wet center. Emily groaned. "I'm not finished with you just yet."

It was nearly two in the morning before they were too tired to even move, lying together under Emily's giant Christmas blanket as they held and caressed each other. The candles gave the room a cozy glow, the spice scent mixing with the smell of sex in the air.

"This night was so unexpected," Emily started. She ran her fingers gently over Paige's arm. "But so perfect. I am so excited to tell everyone."

"Me, too," Paige agreed.

"Who do I tell first? Do I tell them all at once? Does anyone know?"

"One person," she admitted. Emily grinned.

"Spencer. I bet that's what you were talking about last week."

"Yeah," she replied sheepishly. "Sorry."

"Don't be. I'm glad you had someone so stubborn to convince you to do it. Besides, Hanna's going to be the fun one to tell."

"Caleb's going to be in trouble," she agreed, and they both laughed.

"That must have taken a lot of courage for you to ask," she started seriously. Paige nodded.

"Yeah. It did. But I knew I had to do it."

"I'm glad you did," Emily replied, holding her close. She kissed her forehead, rubbing her back. "I love you so much, Paige McCullers."

"I love you, too."

"And you even set our room up all nice," she continued, looking around. "I knew you seemed jumpy when I got home."

"Yeah. You know how nervous I get."

Emily just chuckled. Paige did too, giddy at how the night had turned out. She had done what she had set out to do, and now they were finally going to be married.

A/N 2: So let me know what you think of this and if you would like to see more flashback type stories, like before they had kids. Hope you all enjoy.