So I super liked the idea of a future fic of Emily and Paige, just being happy. I know weird concept, any of the liars especially Em being happy. But I wanted a them getting engaged, then married and then having little baby swimmers running around their home. So I figured why not write it myself. Enjoy.
There is something to be said for starting over fresh and nobody knew this to be truer than the Liars. After they clawed their ways through the bullshit A had put them through in high school, they had all finally graduated and were off to their next great adventures. They all had gotten into different college and all intended to study different things so they knew the day would be coming where they would get split up. Spencer decided on UPenn, Hanna ended up at some college in California that was geared toward fashion design, Aria at Sarah Lawrence and Emily was offered a spot on the swim team and a full ride to about four different schools, but decided to attend Boston College.
Emily was the first to leave: she had to move into her dorm sooner and start swim practice before classes actually began. So one early morning in late August, the four of them were gathered in front of Emily's childhood home while Emily's dad finished loading the last of her stuff into the van they had rented. They exchanged tearful goodbyes and I love yous and soon Emily knew she had to get going or she would never want to leave. She didn't know how to walk away from her friends and get in her car, it felt like she was abandoning her crew and she hated that feeling. Seeing her struggle Spencer pointed to her car and reminded her that she had someone waiting for her and that they needed to get going in order to beat the traffic. Emily glanced at her passenger seat and saw Paige flipping through the freshmen manual that they sent everyone. That's right Paige got in to BC too, though unlike Emily she didn't have any interest in being on a nationally ranked swim team: swimming was one of the things she loved, but she wanted something different for a career.
Emily gave all the girls one last hug and then climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine. Leaving Rosewood was bitter sweet for all the girls, but for Emily it was especially hard. The other girls had their trials, but none of them lost two people like Emily had. When they drove past the cemetery it took everything Emily had not too stop; she kept going and told herself that living in a past clouded with death wasn't healthy. A fresh start was what she and Paige both needed so when they crossed the Rosewood boarder Emily was finally able to feel at peace for the first time since Ali's death.
Four years later all the girls had graduated and were once again starting the next stage of their lives. Hanna had gotten a job with a new designer in LA and was helping with the new line for fashion week. Spencer had gone straight from undergrad to law school, but this degree wouldn't come from UPenn, but from Princeton. Aria had gotten her degree in English and was currently working on getting a collection of short stories published. Of course that publication would not say written by Aria Montgomery because that wasn't Aria's last name anymore. She and Ezra had gotten married in a very small ceremony a week after graduation; only her family and her four best friends were in attendance. Emily had graduated with her degree in Sports Medicine, but her junior year had one very big surprise in store for her: Emily qualified in the Olympic swim trials. The day she got the news that she had officially made the Olympic team Emily was floored and was in such a state of shock that Paige had to be the one to call Pam Fields and share the good news with her. Emily managed to compose herself long enough to call her best friends from back home and they all freaked out appropriately. So while senior year included longs night of studying it also had Emily working harder than ever in the pool. After graduation she began training with the other women she would be on the team with and she loved every minute of it. Paige graduated right alongside Emily with her degree in Criminal Justice, but instead of going into law school like Spencer she surprised everyone by immediately joining the Boston Police Academy.
All of these things had brought them back to Rosewood in the middle of June. Emily had to leave in a month for France and Paige was about to start her work at the Academy so under Spencer's organization they decided to have a big going away party back in their home town. They rented out the coffee house that Emily used to work in and put a stage in the corner for some live entertainment. Their parents offered to help set things up so the girls agreed to meet at the café at about noon so they could finish setting up. Ashley, Ella and Veronica all met their daughters at the café, but instead of seeing them run around trying to make things perfect they found them sitting and watching the band warm up. When they looked closer they saw that the young lady singing was someone they knew. No one knew that Paige could sing or that the band that was playing was one she had belonged to all through college. Veronica tapped Spencer on the shoulder and Spencer gestured for her mother to sit. All three older women took a seat and watched Paige run through a few songs with the band. Paige wrapped up the song and turned to talk to the rest of the band. They all nodded and took the piece of paper in Paige's hand before she hopped down from the stage and joined the girls and their mothers.
"Sorry for the delay you guys, we needed to go over the middle of the set."
"Are you going to be singing all night?" Aria asked tentatively.
"God no, I have my back up vocalist taking most of the songs, but I promised Em I'd sing for her."
"Sap." Spencer coughed and smiled at her best friend's girlfriend.
"Call it what you want, but when you've been together for almost five years you tend to do things that will make your better half happy." The girls laughed and Paige finally looked over to their mothers, "thank you so much for offering to help set this up, I have to leave in an hour to go pick up Em and then I have to shower a get ready so you guys being here will make it go faster."
"We were just so happy when the girls told us that you all were coming home for this party, we are happy to help, just tell us what to do." Ashley Marin was practically gushing she was so excited, but who could blame her.
"Biggest thing is moving the tables and chairs where we need them. I have a diagram of how we need thing set up and if we can do that we will be set because Hanna got here early and directed the people doing the decorations." Paige smiled at the blonde and returned to her chart. "We need table around this area that will most likely be a dance floor of sorts. We have about 50 people coming all total so just enough seat and table to make that happen and we need three of them set up in a line for me, Em, you guys, etc. Make sense." Everyone nodded so they got underway moving things around to where they needed to be.
As she and Ella were setting up one of the main table Paige took off her hoodie and Ella caught a glance of what looked like a tattoo on the girls shoulder.
"Tell me that isn't what I think it is?"
Paige grinned, "that depends, do you think it's a tattoo, cuz that's exactly what it is."
"Why would you do that to yourself, that's permanent you know?" Paige had to laugh. "Mrs. Montgomery I appreciate your concern, but I knew what I was doing and I don't regret getting this done." Paige turned so Ella could see the whole tattoo clearly and Ella had to smile. Paige had gotten a beautifully done tattoo of an eagle on her right shoulder with some kind of writing underneath it. Ella pointed to the script and asked, "what does that say?"
Paige once again smiled, "its Emily's signature." Ella had to smile at that and as Paige finished setting up the final table she pointed to the tattoo one more time. "Emily and I were both Eagles, that was a our mascot at BC, but beyond that it's a symbol of strength and one that a lot of police and military personnel have. I got her signature because no matter what I'm doing I want her with me always, to remind me that I have someone waiting for me to come home."
"So can I assume that soon we'll all have another wedding to attend?"
"Maybe." Paige replied with a smug grin and then looked at her watch. "I have to bounce and pick up Em from the airport, but thank you again for helping out." Paige grabbed her jacket and her keys and quickly said goodbye to the group before rushing out the door. Ella smiled to herself and continued to help the girls set up. When everything looked perfect everyone headed back to their parent's homes to get ready for the party.
About four hours later they were back at the café reconnecting with people who they hadn't seen since high school. Emily's and Paige's parents showed up and told the girls that the Paige and Emily were just parking their car. Spencer cued the band and everyone watched the door eagerly and when the door opened and Paige walked through with Emily on her arm the room erupted. Paige was sure Emily's face would crack her smile was so big and who would blame her, making the Olympic team doesn't happen to just anyone. Emily hugged her friends and they cried and laughed like no time had passed at all. After making her rounds and thanking people for coming and catching up with people she hadn't seen in years Emily finally got around to her best friend's parents. All the moms hugged her tightly and offered their tearful congratulations and gushed about how exciting it must be for Emily to get to do this at such a young age. Emily talked about school, about training, but ultimately liked being able to talk about what had been going on at home since she had left. Emily secretly hated being the center of attention and talking about home town gossip was always the preferred option.
After making sure who got the chance to talk to everyone she and Paige finally got to sit down and food was served. Paige cued the band to change to their second set and people started to dance and enjoy the second leg of the party. About half an hour later the band ended another song and after the clapping had died down the vocalist handed the mic to Spencer.
"I know what you are all thinking, this girl is going to make a long tearful speech about her best friend and we all have to listen to it and you would be right in thinking that. I will however try to keep this brief because we all want to hear more music and I want to dig into the cake we have in the back." Everyone laughed and Spencer cleared her throat to continue, "I'm not going to tell you all the things Emily has had to overcome just to be sitting here today because those stories are all depressing and you all know them already. I will leave it by saying that bad things happened and for whatever reason bad things happened to Emily a lot more than the rest of us and a lesser person would have been beaten down by those things, but not Emily. While I'm still not sure how, Emily got back up every time life knocked her down and that strength will serve her well all her life. People used to look at our group of friends and they automatically assigned us roles: Hanna was the naïve blonde, Aria was the one with the weird taste in clothes, I was the genius and Emily was labeled the sensitive jock. While I would love to be considered the genius I have to say that these labels leave a lot out."
"Emily is sensitive and she is clearly an outstanding athlete, but she is so much more than that. She has the kindest heart of anyone I have ever met and would do anything for the people she loves. Emily has always had this quiet strength and people have mistaken this for weakness, those people didn't suffer from that delusion for long." Spencer looked up from her speech and made eye contact with Emily. "You were always the smart one, always the strong one even when we would have understood if you had given up. You kicked ass in college and got the degree you always wanted and at the same time made a place for yourself in history by becoming part of the most elite swim team ever. You have a partner who loves you and your romance is one to envy and emulate. I don't want to say that your life is perfect, because I know that there are still scars on your heart because of what we faced in our youth, but I will say this, I am so proud of you. Maybe that doesn't mean much, but I am, we all are. Life is all about making the hand you were dealt work for you and you have done that beautifully and now you're living your dream and I've never seen anything so beautiful in my whole life. I don't care if you come home from France with record breaking medals or if you just come home with your duffel bag in your hand, because either way I will be there in that airport waiting for my best friend to come home. Aria, Hanna and I wanted you to have this party so that we could show you that win or lose, you are the most inspirational person we have ever had the privilege of calling a friend. I raise my glass to you, to your lovely partner and to the grand adventure that you are about to begin and the three of us want to thank you for allowing us the privilege of being part of it." Spencer held up her glass along with everyone else and everyone toasted Emily. Afterwards, Emily stood up and walked over to Spencer and the two of them hugged and cried and were soon joined by Aria and Hanna. Once they had calmed down, Emily took the mic from Spencer and got up on the stage.
"Wow, ok, pardon the stream of tears running down my face. What I have to say is very brief, I promise. I would like to thank everyone who came out here this evening because it means so much to me that I get to see everyone before I leave and there really is something special about coming home after being gone so long. Spencer was right when she said bad things happened, but she left out that I wouldn't have survived any of it if it hadn't been for the three of them. We made it through those things because we had each other and I can't imagine going through this next adventure without you all by my side." As Emily talked Paige handed each girl an envelope. "Now if you open that you will find a voucher for a round trip ticket to France and all the stuff you need to get into the games. This is the biggest moment of my life and I want my best friends to be there with me, plus I need someone to keep Paige company." All three girls were completely speechless, but when Emily walked over to them the hugging and crying continued. The girls sat down in their seats, still in a state of shock and Paige took the mic.
"I promise you guys I am the last person who will say anything. They are getting the cake ready to bring out here and they said I have about four minutes to fill. The band up here is a band that I have been a member of since freshmen year of college and they graciously agreed to play tonight. Now usually I sing in this group and play some guitar, but tonight my place was next to my stunning girlfriend so I let someone else do my job and she did it better than I ever could have. That being said, Emily asked if I would sing one song for her and well, I can't say no to Emily ever so I agreed. Now usually we play a mix of covers and our own songs, this song is a cover, but one that has always made me think of Emily so here it goes." Paige picked up a guitar and the band started in behind her, she played a few chords before beginning the song.
I can no longer
Turn away
From these feelings I have
For you
Too many people
Pass the chance
That would set their heart free
And so today
I surrender
All the things that kept my heart from telling you
And though I'm scared of how you'll answer
Know that every part of me's in love with you
And I surrender
And I can't remember how it feels to not be in love with you
So here in this moment
I will take
I will take a chance for truth
Paige put the guitar down and as she continues to sing she walked over to Emily and pulled her onto the dance floor. They moved slowly together as Paige continued to sing.
And so today
I surrender
All the things that kept my heart from telling you
And though I'm scared of how you'll answer
Know that every part of me's in love with you
And I surrender
And every time my eyes would try to tell you
And every time I thought that you would know
That you had from the start
From your smile
To your heart
And I think it's finally time for you to know
Paige pulled away from Emily slightly and before Emily could realize what was happening Paige was down on one knee holding an open black velvet box in her hand. The band finished the vocals so that Paige could actually ask the question 'will you marry me?"
And so today
I surrender
All the things that kept my heart from telling you
And though I'm scared of how you'll answer
Know that every part of me's in love with you
And I surrender
While the band played through the ending of the song Emily was trying to keep her emotions in check, but that wasn't going well. She tried forming words, but she couldn't speak so she just started feverishly nodded her head and Paige practically leapt off the ground and kissed Emily. They fumbled with the ring and got it on Emily's finger before continuing to hold each other and cry. The room around them had erupted into cheering and applause, but Emily didn't hear any of it, she was so focused on Paige and what had just happened. When she was finally able to calm down a little bit her friends swarmed them and gushed over the ring and hugged Paige, congratulating her on a very romantic proposal. Their parents got teary eyed when they offered their daughters congratulations on their engagement, it was shocking for both girls to see their parents, their fathers especially so affected by it. The rest of the evening was a blur to Emily and to Paige: they had cake and danced more and eventually everything winded down. When there was only a few people left everyone started cleaning up and even as she helped holding a garbage bag Emily couldn't stop smiling.
The four best friends spent their time cleaning up and throwing out ideas for Emily's wedding. Paige would laugh when she heard some of their plans and as she finished putting the tables back Ashley Marin walked over and patted her on the shoulder.
"You should go over there and stop them before Hanna becomes your wedding planner and you have hot pink decorations at the reception."
"As long as Emily's there I don't care what the wedding looks like."
"I don't believe that, everyone has some idea of what they want at their weddings."
"I didn't say that I never cared or thought about my wedding, but when I met Emily I just didn't care anymore. I didn't care where we got married, big or small, indoors or outside, I didn't care either way, I just knew I wanted it to be her that I shared it with."
"Looks like you're going to get your wish."
"Looks that way, now I just need to get her to France and me through the Academy and we can have whatever kind of wedding she wants."
"How long do you think the engagement will be?"
"Well, I need to get an assignment before we get married, that way I can actually take some time off for the honeymoon, plus that way we can fill out all the paper work with her as my wife. Makes it much easier when it comes to living wills, power of attorney and medical proxy."
"Seems kind of weird for someone as young as you to be talking about those things."
"Pitfall of the job, I have to spell it out in very clear language that if I die in the line of duty she gets everything that's mine and if there is a medical issue I want her to be the one to make those decisions. It's hard to think about, but it's better to have it and not ever need it than to never have it to begin with. Plus it makes sure that if anything ever happens to me Em get my pension so she can take care of herself and the kids."
"Kids?"
"Emily wants three and I think that sounds about right. Not like we are getting pregnant tomorrow or anything, but eventually."
Emily came over to check on Paige and jumped into the conversation, "eventually what?"
"I was telling Ashley that eventually we'll have to get a bigger place so we can have baby swimmers running around." Emily gave Paige a quick kiss and smiled, "don't say that too loud or the girls will lose their minds and start naming the babies. You almost ready to go?"
"Yeah let me just grab our jackets and then I think we are done for the night." They both said their goodbyes and headed back to Emily's childhood home, the same home that they left four years prior and as they pulled into the driveway Emily couldn't help but laugh to herself. Four year ago she couldn't have imagined leaving her life in Rosewood and here she was back in Rosewood, engaged and starting a whole new life with the person she loved more than anyone else.
"Guess dreams really do come true."
Ok so that song was by Jesse Bonanno and the song is called Surrender. Honestly his records are amazing, please go buy them. Anyway, if you liked this I have a wedding planned out and baby chapters so let me know what you all think. Also how hot was Paige as Marlene Dietrich ;-)