Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Sad but true… I own a dog. Does it count? No? Well… then I guess they can keep PLL rights and I can keep my dog.
A/N: So this is my first fic ever. I've been drowning myself in Paily feelings and it's awesome. Please be nice. Engliish is not my first language so this is probably not as good as other fics. But this is how I see things.
Enjoy!
CHAPTER 1
Not ready yet but here I go
"Em, would you marry…" No. How did I come up with such a lame and cliché way to ask this? "You are the love of my life and I want to spend the rest of my… No!"
Come on, McCullers. You can do better than all of those lame phrases. But… can I really do better? I've known for a long time that I want to be with Em for all my life. I know that she's the one… I didn't need my father to tell me that, but it certainly helped.
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"Paige? What are you doing, dear?"
Busted! I was kneeling in front of Rocky, the dog that Em got me for my birthday 4 years ago. She knew how much I wanted a dog.
"Ahm… Proposing to Rocky? He's kind and he gets me. Maybe it's not Emily after all, dad." Go ahead, Paige. Joke about the best and biggest decision in your life.
"I see that. Good that I've known him for 4 years now." He chuckled and looked at me as he opened his arms to hug me. I let myself inside his arms. Her little baby being a baby.
"I don't know what I'm doing. I'm lost! I've been rehearsing for a 2 weeks." He kissed my head as he patted me on the back.
"I'm sure Emily won't like you to be rehearsing too much. Knowing her as I do, she'd like all of this mess to be spontaneous. Like that thanksgiving dinner…" he sighed in a playful way "the worst dinner the McCullers ever had."
I let go of him to punch him lightly in the arm "It wasn't that bad, dad. I've told you she wasn't a really good cooker, you just didn't listen."
"Dear, she set the kitchen on fire. We ate Domino's in the backyard! It was the worst meal ever. You know how much I hate pizza"
I laughed. We laughed. He took my hand as he led me to the couch.
"But you know, Paige? I knew from that moment, that she was your perfect fit." And me too, dad. Me too. "I knew that someone as damaged as you could only be made for someone as wrecked as her." He took both my hands in his. "And I still think that. We know that we had our rough times with your love story but I know Emily would take you no matter what, and that makes me the happiest and luckiest father ever. And I hope that she can protect you and love you a little bit less than we do. I know you'll do fine and I'm proud of you, dear. I'm really proud of the amazing woman you've become"
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But here I am, again. Being nervous as hell and trying my best not to faint. After all, I feel ready.
I feel like I can fly and I feel like I have everything I wanted in life. I feel free… free to love who I love and free to be who I am.
Em and I've been together for 7 years. With our ups and downs, but we have been together for 7 years. I'm nervous, but who isn't when they make the most important decision ever? Even after 7 glorious years of dating, I'm still nervous about this.
But I have it all set up. I'm corny that way…
I look at the watch in my wrist and I paralyzed. I'm running late… As usual. I have 30 minutes to call everyone and check that everyone in the the schedule is doing perfectly: the flowers, the band, the lie and our friends. I check myself… suit up. I know she likes me in a suit, so I'm wearing one to make even a better impression. Not a flashy one, of course. Black simple suit with a loose tie… always teasing her.
Then I got a text from Caleb:
-P, we got a problem. I think Em suspects something…
My fingers slide rapidly
-I knew she would, dork. I'll call her and re assure her that I'm at California for the try outs.
The lie: me not being able to be with her for our 7th anniversary because I'm trying to enter the national swimming team. Meanwhile, to keep the lie, Caleb let me stayed at his old place that was working now as his man-cave.
Answer comes fast.
-Ok, I'll call Hannah. By the way, open the door, I'm freezing.
He's already here? I knew I was running late but I didn't know I was running that late. I hurried to the door and find Caleb texting and whistling. He gave me a hello nod and got in.
-Why didn't you call me instead of texting, Caleb? You know I can barely do anything right now and using my phone is one of them.
-Easy, McCullers. I already picked the flowers and called the band. Everything is running ok. - He grabbed me by the shoulders and gave them a little squeeze- Chill, dude.
-Chill? I can't even do this stupid tie knot. I'm freaking out!
-Here- he grabs me by the arm and pulls me closer to him so he can help me with this stupid tie. He barely took 3 seconds to do it-there you go, Paige. Now, relax… or you are going to sound worse than you actually do.
-Zip it, Rivers. Let me go get the ring and we'll be heading out.
-Ahm, Paige. - I turned around and saw him holding the little black box- you are really messed up, aren't you?
I was nervous enough to forget that I gave him the ring. I'm such an idiot…
-Thanks, pal. I'm so freaking nervous… were you this nervous when you propose to Hannah? –He look at me like he would definitely kill me- Wait! You didn't have the balls to ask Hannah so she did the job for you. Silly me!
-It's not that I didn't have the balls, it's just that she rushed to do it. I was taking my time, McCullers, so now you zip it.
-I'll zip it but give me the ring. - I extended my hand to take the little black box and he reluctantly gave me the box. I don't blame him; I don't trust myself with an expensive piece of jewelry that's why he's been keeping it for/from me. – Ready to go.
-Ready to go, Paige? You are about to leave a room whit no pants.
What?! I looked down and find out that he's just messing with me.
-Ha ha. Very funny, Mr. Marin. Let's just go, ok?
-Fine. I'll drive otherwise you'll kill us both.
He left the room and as I walked to the door I felt lighter. As if I was leaving some big bourdon behind. I felt free… curious, right? Seeing that I'm actually about to lose all my freedom
