Hi. So this is my very first PLL story. I've written other stories in the past but it's been a long time since I have. I completely adore Emily and Paige, but considering that half of the Paily ship has been shipped away, I've had some feelings lately so I wrote this. I haven't kept up with the show since Paige's rude dismiss last season so I don't much of what's going on, nor do I care to know, but I am still hoping to hear that Paige has come back. So basically with this story everything that happened with Paily in the show before 5x12 still happened, and everything after 5x12 means nothing because it was garbage. If you guys love it, tell me and maybe I can write some more. If you hate, you can say that too.
Thanks!
Pizza, Beer, and Netflix
Hoisting the boxes further up into her arms, Emily grunted slightly, trying to keep her grip on the larger sized brown box that she was currently holding onto for dear life, as well as two tote bags on her left arm, as she waited for the elevator to reach her floor. After three weeks, make that three very long weeks, she finally held in her hands the final boxe from the storage unit. Everything from the old apartment had been unpacked and put into place in the new apartment, except for a few small things, but there had been so much left in storage and now Emily was remembering why. But it was all here now and just about complete.
She absolutely adored the new place. Even as the elevator finally dinged and she stepped off, walking the short distance to the door with 203 painted out in white on a piece of fancy plastic, Emily thought to herself how cute it was while setting the box down to retrieve her key from her pocket. It wasn't huge, but it wasn't entirely small either. It was in the right price range and very close to work, which were the two most important things when the search for a new place had first began. Next had come more typical details such as bedroom amounts, kitchen size, and just how much space would actually be needed for all of the possessions that had been gathered in the past three years.
This place was perfect from the beginning. Beautiful hardwood floors ran throughout the opening hall and into the kitchen, dining and living room. None of them excessively huge, especially the dining room, but big enough for what was needed in terms of furniture and just plain personal space. The living room wasn't big enough for too much furniture other than the coffee table, a white three seater couch and a black recliner they had, but it still worked out fine. The extra large salmon colored rug that she had found on the clearance rack and rolled out for the coffee table to sit on was a nice finishing touch to the room. Plus the photos, lamps, mirrors and other knick knacks added to it made it even better. The kitchen was stunning in Emily's opinion. It came with a built in fridge, stove and microwave which were all stainless steel and were surrounded by a nice set of bamboo colored cabinets. A nice black and grey mixed granite top went all the way around the small, but perfectly accessible and usable countertops. Emily knew her mother would have needed far more space but for her it was perfect. She was still working on her cooking skills anyway so it wasn't as if she felt like she was missing anything.
The apartment had two bedrooms, both with a nice grey looking carpet running throughout. The master had a large window on the far side wall that looked out in the garden in the middle of the complex, which Emily also loved as soon as she saw it. Even with the large queen sized bed in the middle of the room and side table on each side of the bed, there was plenty of room to walk and get where you needed in the room. The closet wasn't entirely big enough for all the clothes but the storage units that were designed into the bed frame took care of that. The bathroom was bigger than Emily first would have guessed though. The shower had left her stunned for a moment with the large see through glass doors enclosing it. That was something she had never even imagined she would have wanted, but quickly realized it had it's perks.
By far though her most favorite part of the new place was the patio that was accessed through the living room. It was small, not much larger than would be imagined, but the view was great. You could see the beach in the distance and all of the cute shops and people coming and going all over the place. Already finding herself out there both morning she had woken up there, she found it wasn't quite as noisy as she had expected, but instead it was oddly very serene and calm out there.
In short; she was completely in love with her new home. It was everything she could have asked for and everything she never thought she was going to have the chance to have. It was like a dream.
Setting the box onto the tiled floor in front of the apartment door, Emily dug her hand into her purse to search for her key. Finally finding it, she slipped the key into the lock and turned it, stopping short of opening the door when she heard somebody call out to her.
"Yo, sexy thing."
Emily turned her head at the familiar voice, a small laugh escaping her lips when she saw the face she was expecting coming off the elevator.
"Reese. What are you doing here?" Emily asked, surprised to see her friend there.
"Well since nobody has bothered to invite me over I just decided to invite myself." The redhead spoke with a slight attitude that Emily was all too familiar with, not even bothering to stop herself from rolling her eyes.
"You were here the first day we moved in, Reese, and the couple days after. Plus you were here like three nights ago."
"My point exactly. Just because you guys decided you didn't want to be neighbors anymore it's like I never see you. I'm starting to feel offended."
Reese stood at about 5'4, so just slightly shorter than Emily, her hair a dark, curly shade of red with fresh black streaks throughout it that sat just above her shoulders. She practically always had a pair of heels on, no matter what the weather was like, and she almost always dressed like she was going somewhere exciting like a club or party. Today her outfit consisted of a pair of black shorts, black heels and a white tank top covered by a dark blue leather jacket. Emily felt plain and boring in her jeans, tank top, and converse but it quickly faded.
"You are so ridiculous." Emily laughed, shaking her head at the redhead. "Will you grab that box, please?"
"And now I'm the help. Great."
"Shut up and get the box."
"Fine." With a huff, Reese moved her purse further up her arm and grabbed the box that Emily had left behind, following her friend into the apartment. "Where do you want it?"
"Just set it over here. Thank you." Emily pointed to a spot on the kitchen counter, removing the two tote bags and her purse from around her arms and sighed in slight relief.
"What's in this?"
"Just some old knick knacks and photo albums, I think. It's the last one though. After this, everything is officially unpacked." Emily sighed, feeling a weight off her shoulders knowing she wouldn't have to unpack anymore boxes and stress over finding places for stuff she didn't even remember owning.
"Well for the record, it looks amazing in here." Admitting with a wide smile, Reese took a glance around the kitchen, living room and dining room and was very impressed with the way it was all set up.
"Think so?" Emily asked as she looked around slightly self conscious. She was worried some of the decorations and knick knacks might clash, but Reese had a good eye when it came to that sort of stuff.
"Yeah, very nice. Although I hate you for not including me in any of it."
"You so were included! You helped me pick half of this stuff out. I just chose the spots they went in. Stop being so dramatic for a second, would ya?"
Opening up the tote bags, Emily set out the few items she had picked up at the store on her way back from the storage unit. She didn't get much and honestly she didn't even feel like cooking at this point, but at least there was some fresh stuff in the fridge now.
"Alright, alright. I forgive you." Reese said, crossing her arms over her chest as she took a moment to look around again.
"Where's your other half? She shouldn't she be helping you with this?"
"She's at work." Emily answered, pulling her phone out from her pocket to see what time it was. She hadn't realized how long her errands had taken until now and she hadn't checked to see if she had any missed texts, but there were none.
"And she's been helping but her schedule has been hectic lately and she's not exactly the best one to give opinions on this kind of stuff."
"Just a lot of 'Whatever you think is best', huh?" Reese chuckled, already being able to hear the words in her head.
"Mostly, but I don't mind it. As much as I find it annoying, I also love the whole finding spots for stuff and arranging the furniture and all of it. But I'm also really glad it's over."
"It is fun pain in the ass." Reese agreed, letting out a soft sigh as she leaned back against the counter.
"So was there a real reason you stopped by or did you just come over to bitch and moan about being imaginary neglected?" Emily asked with a sarcastic tone that earned her a middle finger being thrown her way.
"No, I was just bored. I was supposed to go to lunch with this guy that I met the other night but he called and cancelled on me..." Reese trailed off, shrugging her shoulders while trying to ignore the sympathetic look Emily was giving her.
"Sorry, Reese."
"Hey, it is what it is."
Emily felt terrible for her friend. She knew that Reese was...a bit of a handful, but she had a heart of gold and she deserved somebody completely amazing, but that person just hadn't come along yet.
"Beer?" Emily offered, knowing that would be the best form of comfort right now.
"Yes, please."
Turning towards the fridge once again, Emily pulled out two bottles and popped the cap on each before handing one to the woman across from her.
"Thank you." Reese sighed as she took a generous sip from the bottle, following Emily into the living room when the brunette motioned for her to go with her.
"So what do you think?" Emily asked, moving her hand in the general direction of the living room. She had spent several days trying to find the perfect spots for everything and she finally felt satisfied with it all, but she figured another opinion wouldn't hurt.
"Love it." Reese answered sincerely as she looked around at the arranged furniture, lamps and coffee table. Emily had found the perfect way to make the room seem much bigger than it actually was, along with the additions of the now filled up photo frames and shelves hanging along the walls . Stepping closer to the photo frames she smiled widely at one of the shots hanging up. "Hey, I took this!"
Emily stepped closer to see which picture Reese was pointing to, instantly remembering the moment it had been taken, and she smiled staring intently at the photograph.
"Paige looks hot." Reese commented offhandedly. "You both do, of course, but Paige looks damn hot in that shirt."
"Yes, she does." Emily commented, smiling as she stared at the picture of her and Paige taken a few months back. It was the night of Paige's college graduation and her family, along with Emily's, had flown into town to celebrate the event. The picture itself was taken after the ceremony at a bar by Reese, whom they had met when they moved into their very first apartment together three years prior. Reese had lived right next door to them and had been a close friend to the couple ever since. Paige was smiling in that way that Emily still found to be both charming and goofy in the same instance, her arm wrapped softly and protectively around Emily's shoulder. Emily however, had been captured to be looking at Paige instead of the camera, her hand pressed against Paige's chest as she smiled widely.
"You guys are so cute." Reese smiled, bumping her shoulder into Emily's slightly as she turned away from the frame.
"Hey, where's Finn?" Reese asked suddenly, realizing for the first time since she entered the apartment that there was something missing, or rather someone.
"He's with Paige."
"At the gym?" Reese frowned in confusion, surprised to hear that Paige would have taken Finn with her there.
"Well he's not with her exactly. There's a little daycare right next to the gym and she's been taking him there a few times a week." Emily answered, immediately startled by the sudden gasp that her friend let out. "What?"
"Daycare?!" Reese asked, a completely judgmental and disapproving look on her face.
"What?" Emily asked again, not understanding what she had said that had upset her friend so much.
"You put him in puppy prison!" She accused, not even trying to make a question out of it.
"It is not puppy prison!" Emily laughed, shaking her head at the accusation. "He plays with other dogs all day long and they help train him."
Finn was a four month old Siberian Husky Boxer mixed puppy that Emily and Paige had found at a local shelter when he was just a few weeks old. He was absolutely gorgeous and the couple, and Reese as well, had instantly fallen in love with the golden and white furred, blue eyed puppy.
"Are you sure about that? Cause I've read things about those kinds of places and some of them aren't so sweet!"
"Reese, it's fine. Paige and I looked into the place very thoroughly before we enrolled Finn. It's a nice place and he's getting to interact with other dogs and people. He can't just be locked inside the apartment all day, especially when we both work, so we've been taking him there a few times a week. It's good for him to be around other people and animals so he's not afraid."
"Fine. But I don't like it. He should be here and not caged up."
"He's not caged up! He plays all day long with toys and all sorts of stuff. They have a jungle gym set up for the dogs to play on with slides and everything!"
Paige and Emily both had been shocked to see the set up of that doggy daycare when they had walked in. Finn had immediately taken off to play with the other puppies and toys, making the couple feel much better about leaving him there for a few hours. It wasn't like they didn't want to take care of Finn, because they did and they loved him dearly already, which is why they didn't feel comfortable leaving him in the apartment by himself on the days they both worked. So doggy daycare seemed like the best choice.
"Paige checks in on him all the time too. The shop is directly across the street from the gym, so if something was to happen, which it won't, she's ten seconds away."
"Whatever." Was all Reese could come back with as she started walking towards the couch.
"Okay, so is there any part of this room where I can sit that you two haven't yet christened?"
"Reese!"
"What?!" The redhead asked, looking at Emily with a smile as she took a drink from her beer, pointing a finger at the brunette as she walked closer to the couch.
"I lived a wall away from you guys for three years, Em. Don't even pretend like I'm out of line by asking."
Sometimes Reese reminded Emily so much of Hanna it scared her. Of course there were major differences between the two, but the lack of filter was a complete match.
"Whatever." Emily grumbled, not wanting to get into the discussion but knew it was likely going to happen anyway.
"I still have nightmares about the things that I heard coming from you two, and after that last time I can still just barely look Paige in the eye." Reese continued on as she finally took a seat on the middle cushion of the couch after lifting the sides of the cushions up for whatever reason.
"That was your own fault! You just let yourself into the apartment!" Emily argued, already knowing exactly where this conversation was headed.
"I just wanted to borrow your curling iron! When I walked in I heard screaming and I thought I was saving your life, not scarring my own."
Emily blushed slightly, still remembering very clearly the compromising position she and Paige had been in when Reese had walked into their bedroom that day. Emily could understand why Reese may have a hard time forgetting it.
"Okay? I was expecting to walk in and see somebody killing you, not Paige's head between your legs."
"Oh god."
Covering her face with one hand, Emily shook her head as she tried to erase the image of Reese flinging their bedroom door open, her mouth open in complete shock before her eyes fell closed and she ran away as quickly as she had come, yelling out apologies to the couple as she slammed the door closed. She never let herself back into the apartment again.
"Yeah, so don't even try and tell me you guys haven't been going at it day and night. I should warn your new neighbors about you two."
"Don't you dare! We haven't even met any of them yet."
"Oh, even better to tell them. That way you can't try and replace me." Reese winked, laughing at the expression on Emily's face.
"You're just jealous because you're not getting any." Emily stuck her tongue out slightly at her friend as she took a drink from her beer, moving to sit down on the sofa next to the redhead.
"Rude!" Reese scoffed, thumping Emily with the throw pillow next to her before letting her head fall against the back of the couch. "I mean it's disgustingly true, but still rude of you to say it like that."
"I was just joking."
"But it's so true though. God, I think I've actually lost track of how long it's been, Em. I don't understand what's so wrong with me that I can't get a date."
"You get so many dates!" Emily objected her friends comment loudly, an incredulous look appearing on her face. "Seriously, I don't understand what you're in such a rut for."
"Well of course you wouldn't cause it's not a problem for you." Reese scoffed slightly, looking over at her friend with a pathetic expression.
"You and Paige met in high school and you're still all goggle eyed over each other! I still don't even understand how you pulled that off."
"It wasn't easy for us, trust me. There was a lot of stuff that nearly broke us up, and did a few times." Emily admitted, not going into full detail about it. She had never really told anybody about what had went on in Rosewood. All that Reese knew was that Emily had a stalker back in high school, but other than that Emily and Paige had kept the details to a minimum.
"Well yeah, but you still got through it."
"Because we wanted to. It would have been so much easier to just give up but we didn't. It was hard though, especially when Paige moved here."
Emily remembered very vividly how that year went. Each passing day after Christmas seemed to fly by so quickly. Before they had even realized it, prom night was there and gone and then graduation was over. Everything piled on by 'A' didn't help either, especially after the Dollhouse. On top of Emily being completely broken herself from what had happened, Paige was a mess of her own. There were times Emily was afraid they wouldn't even make it till graduation after all of that, but they had. With her family, friends, and Paige at her side, Emily was able to put it all behind her. Then it finally ended. 'A' was gone for good and the girls had moved on permanently, although that wasn't entirely as simple either.
Paige was originally planning on staying in Rosewood for the whole summer with Emily, but her parents had insisted she go to California in early July to settle into her dorm and schedule. Saying goodbye to Paige at the airport had been one of the most difficult things Emily had ever done. But it wasn't goodbye forever, and they both knew that. They had cell phones, email and Skype as well, which was something they discussed thoroughly on one of Paige's last nights in town. Paige had assured Emily that just because she was leaving Rosewood, she had no intention of leaving her at all. They would make it work somehow.
And they did. Well, they did their best anyways. Emily went to visit Paige five times during that first year, while Paige had managed to come back to Rosewood only three times. It had been difficult only seeing her here and there in person, so much so that they even decided to take some time to themselves for a bit to figure things out. It hadn't been planned but after Paige had to cancel one of her trips to see Emily due to her being behind in her classes, Emily had lost it. The words had flown out of her mouth before she even realized it.
"I think we just need to take a break! I need to think and just...I need time. I just don't know if I can do this anymore."
"...Yeah. Maybe that would be best." Paige's voice had never sounded smaller to Emily and she wished she had never said what she had.
"Okay...I guess...I'll call you."
"Yeah, okay."
The conversation had stunned them both once it was over, but they both thought it might be best that way for the time being, that perhaps the worrying of when they would see each other next was becoming too much. In the end their split lasted just over three weeks before they both decided being together, even if at a distance, was far more satisfying then being completely apart. But deep down Emily knew she wasn't going to be able to handle another three years away from Paige. It wasn't even that she didn't want to, it was that she just couldn't.
Problem was, she had no idea what to do to change anything. She would never ask Paige to leave Stanford, not when she knew how hard Paige had worked to get there and she had earned her spot. She wouldn't take that away from Paige just because she wasn't happy where she was. Emily herself hadn't received many offers from any actual colleges that peaked her interest, nor was she even sure of what she wanted in terms of a career, so the local community college seemed the best choice for her first year. It was better than wasting her parents money on some school she didn't even want to attend while she tried to figure it all out. A month before Paige's final visit at the start of summer, which thankfully lasted three long weeks, Emily had finally caught a break.
'So... I have something to show you.' Emily said suddenly, as she reluctantly pulled her lips off of her girlfriends. She didn't really want to, but she needed to tell Paige her news before they were too far gone to focus.
'Oh, yeah? Is it lacy?' Paige asked with a cheeky smile as she pressed a series of kisses to Emily's neck, resting her body further over her girlfriends on the bed. She had been back in Rosewood for just a few hours so far and she was beginning to realize with every passing second just how much she had been missing her girlfriend.
"No." Emily laughed momentarily, "Well...yeah, actually. But I'm not talking about that right now." She said as she laughed again and leaned up slightly so she could reach into her nightstand drawer.
"What is it then?" Paige asked, half distracted as she let her finger run a circle around Emily's exposed belly button, her lips landing in the same spot seconds later. Turning her eyes up, she saw a folded sheet of white paper in Emily's hand and looked at it expectantly while waiting for Emily to say something.
"Em?"
"Okay... well I didn't tell you before, just in case nothing came of it, but I ran into Coach Fulton last month and she was asking me about school and what my plans were for the future."
"Mhm." Paige nodded, her full attention now on Emily as she spoke, her fingers still running along her smooth skin.
"And I told her that I didn't really have any clue, like nothing at all, cause I always thought swimming was it, you know? I didn't have a back up plan because I didn't think I'd ever need one."
"I'm sorry, Em." Paige said sincerely, seeing the sadness in her girlfriends eyes. She knew how much Emily missed swimming. Paige wished she could do something, anything to help get Emily back in the water. She'd give her the shoulder off her own arm if she could.
"It's not your fault. It's not even mine, it's just how it is. But I'm okay with it. It took a long time for me to be okay, but I really think I am." Emily spoke with a confidence she didn't really know she had. It had been very hard accepting that she wouldn't be able to swim competitively any more, but at least she knew she could still be involved with it in other ways.
"Okay, so what did Coach say?"
"Well she told me about how she had heard that I was helping out with training some of the girls on the team, so she asked me if I would be interested in doing something like that full time. I never had even thought of it for some reason. I mean, with 'A' and everything else, my focus was just everywhere it shouldn't have been."
"That's not your fault either, Em. It's been a long year and there's nothing wrong with taking a breath and refocusing now like you are. You needed it."
Emily smiled at the supportive response, happy that Paige didn't feel like she had just been lazy about figuring how what she wanted to do with her life next.
"So I was looking at different schools and I applied to a couple of them that had programs similar to the one Coach Fulton was talking about. And...I got an acceptance letter last week."
"Em, this so great!" Paige's face lit up, completely ecstatic as she read over the acceptance letter Emily handed to her.
"Foothill College. Why does that sound familiar?" Paige frowned as she stared up at the logo at the bottom of the letter.
Emily's smile suddenly widened, so ready to finally tell Paige the news she had been keeping locked inside for the past eight days, wanting to reveal it to her girlfriend in person instead of on the phone.
"Well you've probably driven by it a hundred times on your way to campus."
Emily watched Paige's face fall in confusion and then her eyes shot back up into Emily's as it all suddenly hit her.
"This school's...you're..." The words were completely lost on the swimmer as she tried to wrap her mind around the news.
"It's in California, Paige. In fact not only is it in California but it's a twelve minute drive from Stanford. Twenty-two if I walk."
Paige laughed, her head dipping as she ran her hand through her hair, still completely blown away.
"Wow." Paige couldn't really find any other words. She had missed Emily terribly the entire time she had been away. Every day was spent counting down till the next time she would see her. It was hard to focus sometimes even, just wishing that she could find a way to fly back and forth each day and see her.
"This is really what you want?" She had to ask, she had to know for certain that Emily wanted to go to this school for more than just her.
"For you, I mean? This school is really something you're completely interested in?"
"Yes! I told Coach Fulton I got in and she told me this school has a great Athletic Injury Care program. It's barely two years and I'll have a degree. Plus it's not nearly as expensive as the other schools I looked into."
Emily explained to Paige, just like she explained to her parents when she first got the letter. She wasn't just going to this school for her relationship. Obviously, it was a big factor in the decision but it wasn't all about that. She was genuinely excited and interested in the campus and program after reading up about it.
"Plus...I know how it feels. To be sidelined by an injury and have to work through all of that. Now I can help other people do the same thing or even maybe still have a chance to get back to their sport."
Paige listened intently as Emily spoke with a passion that she hadn't heard in quite some time. Emily did seem completely invested and genuinely excited about the idea of this program.
"Plus it's just really not good being away from you. I knew it was going to be hard, but I never thought it would suck this much. Skype has nothing on the real thing." Emily joked, as she took a hold of Paige's hand between hers.
"I feel the same way, Em. I'm sorry this has been so hard."
"It's okay. It's not your fault, but I just...I don't think I can handle another three years, Paige. I know that I can't and that's why I started looking into these schools because I don't want to lose you. I want to be with you, really with you, not with you but thousands of miles away from you."
"I don't either. But I also don't want you to go somewhere you don't really want to go to either. I don't want you to be miserable at some school just because of me. I want you with me so much, Em, but not if you have to give up your home, your friends and family."
All Emily could do was smile. She expected Paige to argue with her a little bit on this, knowing full well that she would probably be doing the same thing if the roles were reversed.
"That's just it though...I'm not giving anything up. Not you or anything else, ever again. By going to this school, I'm taking everything back that 'A' tried to take away from me. You, any chance I had for a real career, and even my freedom. All of that 'A' took complete control of and now I'm taking it back."
Although 'A' had been gone for almost a year, it was still something Emily found herself thinking about. She knew the thoughts, the memories and scars would never completely fade from her mind, but she was doing everything she could to distance it all from her life now. Getting out of Rosewood was the next best thing for her.
"My friends are all at their own schools. I only really see them every now and then and my mom's been thinking about going back to Texas for a long time now. There's nothing left for me here, Paige. It's not home anymore...it's just where I live."
It broke Paige's heart to see the deflated look in Emily's eyes. She knew that the distance had been hard on her girlfriend, but she was just seeing how much it was affecting her now.
"It's not supposed to be like that, you know? Home is supposed to be somewhere you feel safe, like you can just be and know that you're okay. And I don't feel like that, not without you here. I'd be lying if I said you weren't the main reason for me wanting to go but that's just because you're the only thing that feels like home to me anymore."
Emily could see the red shade start to fill in on Paige's cheek, her head falling slightly like it always does when she's embarrassed or shy.
"I promise you, if this wasn't really what I wanted to do then I wouldn't be doing it. I wouldn't put that burden on you."
Paige stayed quiet, her expression unreadable as she tried to gather her thoughts and figure out what to say next. In the end she said the only thing that came to mind.
"Okay." Paige said after another moment of silence, catching Emily slightly by surprise. She was expecting to have to do a bit more convincing, but Paige hadn't argued anymore.
"Yeah?" Emily asked, excitement filling her voice once again.
"If this is really what you want, I'm with you I just want you to be happy, it doesn't matter where you are and if you're with me then it's just a bonus on my end."
Paige could have sworn she had never seen Emily so big in her life. She didn't say anything, but instead just grabbed Paige's face and kissed her, using her position above Paige to push the swimmer back against the mattress while she laid beside her. Paige smiled. her lips sliding against Emily's for a moment as she kissed her back.
"So you're okay with me joining you then?"
"I'm far more than okay with that." Paige answered, brushing a strand of hair out of Emily's eyes. Sometimes it was still hard to believe that Emily was actually hers, that any of this was real and not a dream.
"Okay, cause you know I'd hate to cramp you're style or anything." Emily joked, smiling from ear to ear when she heard Paige laugh.
"I think you and I both know that I don't have all that much style, Em." Paige laughed again, but Emily shook her head at the statement, leaning in close to Paige's lips but keeping a small distance still between them.
"You've got more than you think." Emily whispered against her lips, finally pushing her own onto Paige's briefly.
"I'm going to have to find an apartment or something."
"We can do that. I'm sure we can find something near each campus and I think my scholarship includes something about off campus housing. Or maybe we could work something out with our parents. Either way, we'll figure it out."
"Yeah, we will." Emily agreed, knowing somehow they would find a way to make this new arrangement work out.
"If you're in then so am I." Paige said, her head nodding up and down and she smiled as Emily kissed her again.
"I'm in." Emily nodded, her smile widening more and more before her expression suddenly turned serious, her hand moving from Paige's chest as she raised a her finger in the air slightly. "Well, on one condition..."
"What condition is that?" Questioning her girlfriend with a slightly nervous expression, Paige watched Emily's face closely as she started to smile once again.
"I still want my cross country road trip."
Hearing Emily's response, Paige laughed, her head falling back into the pillow as she remembered the conversation she and Emily had, on the very bed they were lying on currently, all that time before. She could still remember the feeling of her heart beating wildly in her chest as she asked Emily to go with her. Never in a million years did she think that Emily would say yes, and now, even though it's not exactly as they originally planned, it was actually going to happen. It didn't even feel possible.
"I think that can be arranged." Paige said, still smiling widely as she moved in again, capturing Emily's lips between her own, her hand moving to cup her cheek and keep her close.
When they finally broke for air, Emily smiled and dropped her forehead against Paige's, their eyes meeting as Emily laced their fingers together.
"I love you."
"I love you, too, Em."
Emily had left with Paige a month later, her car stuffed full of all of her belongings that she had decided to take, while her mother took everything else with her to Texas since she felt no reason to stay in Rosewood by herself, and she and Paige had spent three days driving across the states to California, stopping at nearly every donut shop, diner and greatest ball of whatever along the way. It was their first real adventure together and Emily believed it had been the perfect start to their new life. Finally, after what felt like a century of disappointment, heart break and never ending torture, it was all coming back together. She was in control again.
Rosewood still had so many ghosts and shadows that it was hard to focus on anything but those bad memories, especially with her friends all away at their own schools. Emily saw California as the only logical place for her to be, mainly cause it was where she wanted to be, and because it was the perfect opportunity to gain a fresh start, one where she wouldn't be one of those girls everyone in town remembered for being arrested or stalked or whatever else they remembered her for.
She could finally just be Emily Fields again.
They had searched and searched for a whole week for an apartment that both of their families agreed upon and had finally found one two weeks before the move. It was a very tiny apartment, which Paige let Emily decorate fully just as she had promised all that time ago, just off the Stanford campus with the help of Paige's scholarship, each of them picking up small time jobs and both of their families chipping in, and life just ...truly started. Between classes, work, practice and swim meets the two of them spent as much time alone together as they could, although it wasn't always easy or perfect or without fights and frustration, they had worked through it all.
After two years at Foothill and earning her degree in physical therapy, Emily had kept her job as a waitress for another year while she volunteered and trained at clinics with licensed physical therapists and nurses, getting a feel of what her job would be like if she kept on the path. Eventually, after that year was almost up she had been offered a job as a physical therapist assistant at a clinic in Santa Clara, which sparked the move to the new apartment, and she loved it. She still had thoughts of going back to school at some point to earn her bachelors degree, maybe even possibly becoming an actual physical therapist instead of an assistant, but for now she was happy with where she was.
Unlike Emily, Paige had been very uncertain of what she wanted her future to be after graduation. At first Paige was sure that she had wanted to continue with a career in swimming, perhaps try out coaching or something along those lines, which would have been easy considering the number of records she had gained throughout her four year stint on the team, but as time passed and she got a job at a local gym, she found herself falling more and more in love with the idea of health and fitness instead. During her junior year she decided to work on getting certified as a personal trainer. Emily had loved the idea, thinking it would be a great fit for Paige considering how much time and effort she had put into keeping herself in shape over the years, something that was equally enjoyable for Emily. Paige had transitioned from working at the front desk of the gym to being a personal trainer for nearly three months now and had already managed to gain her own small group of clients within the establishment.
It wasn't easy at all getting to where they were now, but looking at that picture, of the two of them smiling so big while she sat in their brand new apartment, Emily knew it was so worth it all.
"...no help at all!"
"Ouch!" Emily scoffed as she was brought out of her thoughts by a slap to the arm from Reese, who was staring at her expectantly.
"Excuse me! I'm having a bit of an emotional crisis here. Can you not space out on me?"
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking." Emily grumbled as she rubbed the spot where she had been swatted.
"Well stop fantasizing about your girlfriend and help me!"
"Help you with what?" Emily asked, confused on what she was supposed to do right now.
"Feel better! Come on, you're supposed to be good at this kind of stuff. It's your job as the best friend."
"Okay, Reese..." Emily set her beer down on the coffee table, turning her full attention to the redhead as she reached over and took both of her hands. "I love you, you know that I do even though you drive me completely insane..."
"This is helping." Reese butted in sarcastically, but closed her mouth when Emily held her finger up at her.
"But...I do love you, which is why I'm going to tell you this and I know you're going to hear me when I say this." She stopped and took a small breath, looking at her friend with the most uplifting expression that she could muster.
"You're kind of a date whore and you just need to stop trying so hard."
Immediately, Reese's mouth fell open wide, completely in shock at what she just heard from the brunette.
"That's it? That's your big, wise, and helpful advice to me?"
"Yes." Emily nodded several times. "Honey, you could get any guy you wanted. But the problem is your trying so hard to rush and find that guy by dating all these wrong people and you're not giving anyone a chance to find you. Give yourself a break and just let the universe do it's thing."
"Ugh. That is so not what I wanted to hear." Reese grumbled, pulling her hands away from Emily with a huff.
"Well I'm sorry but it's true. I wasn't looking for Paige at all when we first went out and I never would have imagined she would be the person I would be with now." Emily admitted with a small laugh, remembering those first moments between them when she returned to the swim team. Paige McCullers was never somebody she would have ever expected to be interested in, but once she realized that the persona Paige put out for everyone to see wasn't the real her and she got to know that beautifully adorable and goofy side of her instead, it felt impossible not to fall for the girl.
"Just be patient." Emily told her friend, reaching over to squeeze the top of her knee.
"It'll be worth the wait."
Letting out another huff, Reese nodded her head and let her head fall onto Emily's shoulder. Smiling at shorter woman, Emily wrapped her arm around her shoulder and squeezed her for a moment.
"Fine. But you better be right."
"Don't worry, I will be and then you'll thank me one day." Emily said with such certainty that Reese didn't have much choice other than to trust her friend.
If waiting it out meant she had a chance to find something even close to as good as Emily and Paige had going, it would definitely be worth the wait.
Hours later, after Reese had gone home to prepare herself for yet another dry night, Emily was stretched out lounging on the couch, her head buried deep into her laptop. She was going over her appointment list for the next few weeks, making sure her times were correct on her calendar and seeing which days she had free so she could let Paige know. They tried to at least have one day off a week together to do whatever they felt like. Both of their schedules were a bit crazy at the moment between both of them just starting their jobs recently, but they had done their best to keep in touch with one another at the same time. So far it was working out just fine for the young couple.
Hearing the sound of a key in the door, Emily looked up from her laptop just in time to see Paige walking through the door, pushing her bike in with her while holding onto Finn's leash at the same time. Paige was dressed in her usual gym attire, which consisted of a sleeveless t-shirt and black track pants, something Emily always enjoyed seeing her in, especially because she was able to appreciate the view of Paige's well toned arms without really being noticed. Emily loved Paige's arms. Everything about them just made something stir up in the pit of her stomach.
"Hey." Paige smiled brightly at her as she leaned her bike against the wall, removing her shoulder bag before hanging it up with her keys on the hook by the door.
"Hi, beautiful." Emily grinned, closing and setting her laptop aside as Paige came further into the room.
"Come on, boy." She heard Paige say, watching from the couch as Paige patted the side of her leg and waited for Finn to follow.
Hearing Finn's paws on the floor running her way, Emily leaned up further on the couch, and smiled widely when she saw the puppy come into view finally.
"Hi, baby." Emily cooed out in her best puppy voice as she petted Finn's soft fur all over, rubbing his belly and scratching behind his ears as he rolled around on the floor in front of her, getting up quickly to lick at her legs and then her face over and over.
"Hey, now. Watch yourself, mister." Paige pointed a mock stern finger at the tiny puppy, who's tail was wagging at rapid speed when Paige spoke to him. "She's mine."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, really." Paige nodded, walking to the front of the couch before bending down to meet Emily's lips for a slow and lingering kiss.
Emily smiled fully against Paige's lips, breaking the contact just for a moment before pulling her girlfriend back in. Paige smiled as she rested both of her hands on the couch cushions, letting Emily pull her down onto the couch so that she was hovering above her girlfriend on the cushions.
"Hi." Paige repeated her greeting as she rested her forehead gently against Emily's, her hands sinking into the leather at her sides.
"Hi. How was work?" Emily asked, running her hand along Paige's chest before twirling a strand of her, recently lighter shade of brown, hair around her finger.
"It was good. Got a possible new client." Paige smiled, proud of herself for being able to make the progress that she had so far.
"That's great! See, I told you."
"I know. I know." Paige nodded, already knowing from the start that Emily was going to be right. She always had so much more faith in her than she did herself. When she had first thought of being a trainer she was afraid she wouldn't be able to get clients of her own, possibly because she was a woman, or perhaps because of her being gay or maybe even just because she sucked. But so far none of that was being proven true.
"Pretty soon I'm going to have to start making my own appointments just to make sure you don't forget about me."
"Well, just remember I require a twenty-four hour in advance notice for a session." Paige played off of Emily's joke.
"Do you make house calls?"
"Not at the moment, but for the right price I may be able to work something out in the future for you, Nurse Fields."
Seeing the mock seductive look on Paige's face, Emily couldn't contain herself anymore and bust out laughing.
"You're such a dork." Emily laughed again, covering her face with her hands as Paige started to kiss all over her cheeks.
"You started it." Paige reasoned, letting her arms rest for a moment as she laid her body down half on the couch and half on Emily, her head lying on her stomach. Feeling the toll of the day starting to hit, Paige closed her eyes, relishing in the feeling of Emily's fingers running through her hair.
"Guess what?"
"Hm?" Paige popped one eye open, looking at Emily briefly before turning her eyes to Finn who was laid out on the rug beside the couch, his small tummy rising and falling as he slept.
"I got the last box out of the storage unit today."
Paige turned her head slightly so her chin was resting on Emily's stomach, her other eye opening up so she could see her girlfriend better.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yup. We are officially moved in. No more boxes to open!"
"Well in that case, welcome home." Paige smiled, leaning up the short distance to kiss Emily's lips.
"It does feel like it though, doesn't it?"
"Like home?" Paige asked, seeing Emily nod her head and she did the same. "Yeah, I think so."
"Me too." Emily agreed, smiling sweetly at Paige as she rested her hand on the back of her neck.
"I also went to the store and got some groceries, but I was thinking since you know we are all moved in and everything now we should celebrate."
"Yeah?"
"Mhm, so I was thinking...pizza, beer and Netflix?" Emily offered with a shrug and smile.
Paige laughed in response, lifting her head from Emily's stomach as she raised her body back off the couch.
"Ah, see now that's why you're my favorite." Paige said, nodding her head as she pressed a lingering kiss to Emily's cheek.
"Sound good?" Emily asked, patting Paige's shoulders as she hovered over her.
"Very."
"Okay, good. But first you have got to take a shower because you reek."
Paige pulled her face away from Emily's, her jaw completely fallen open in shock and awe. "What?!"
"I'm sorry, but it's true!" Laughing at the look on Paige's face, Emily smiled weakly and patted her shoulders once again.
"I do not stink!"
"You kind of do though and you're rubbing it off on me." Emily teased her, pointing to the short distance between their bodies. She didn't want to be mean, but her girlfriend often forgot that her line of work caused her to come home smelling like a sweat sock sometimes.
"I don't understand why you don't just use the shower at the gym."
"Because that's gross and it's public!" Paige made a face, not even wanting to think about what might be going on in those stalls. She knew the gym she worked at was clean, but it still gave her the shivers when she thought of showering next to a bunch of strangers.
"You used to shower after swim practice all the time."
"No, I didn't. I always came home and showered." Paige answered, watching as Emily thought for a moment trying to remember if that was true.
"Okay, maybe not in college but I know you did in high school."
"Yeah, when I had company." Paige shot back, a smile spreading on her lips as she remembered those few times she and Emily had managed to sneak off to the showers together. It wasn't more than a handful of times, but they had never been caught and the whole thing had been a major turn on for her. How many people could say they hooked up with their girlfriends during swim practice? None that she knew of besides herself, well and Emily of course.
"Oh, yeah." Emily nodded, biting down on her bottom lip as she replayed those same images in her mind that Paige was. "I guess I never realized that you never used them besides those times."
"Yeah, well I just don't like public facilities but those times I had a pretty good distraction." Paige shrugged, leaning her head down slightly to kiss the tip of Emily's nose.
"You did." Emily nodded, not even caring that it sounded cocky. "For real though, you gotta go cause it's bad."
"Alright!" Paige huffed as she sat up and slid back a few feet on the couch, one leg resting between Emily's and the other now on the ground. Pulling at the front of her shirt slightly, Paige frowned as she noticed for the first time that she did have a bit of a stench she hadn't noticed before. Letting the shirt fall back into place, she shrugged her shoulders and looked at Emily expectantly for a moment.
"Let's go then."
Emily was startled as Paige suddenly grabbed a hold of her legs and slid her body down on the sofa, quickly moving her hands behind her ass and back in seconds.
"Paige!"
The whole thing happened so fast Emily didn't even have time to react before she was suddenly tossed over Paige's right shoulder, laughing as Paige smacked her butt and started walking around the coffee table towards the hallway.
"What are you doing?!" Emily yelled out, laughing as she put her arms around Paige's back, trying to shake her hair out of her face at the same time.
"You said I got you stinky so I figure you need a shower yourself." Paige smirked, holding Emily tightly around her waist so she didn't fall as she walked towards the bathroom.
"Oh my god! Finn! Finn, save me!" Emily jokingly called out for the puppy who quickly came running at the sound of his name.
"Finn, you stay right there. Hold down the fort, little guy." Paige spoke to the puppy who sat down in his spot, watching with his head titled as his owners walked away.
Running her towel over her head one final time, Emily walked into the bedroom, smiling to herself as she saw Paige standing at the dresser pulling her sweatshirt over her head.
"What are you staring at?" Paige asked with a grin, catching Emily watching her through the mirror hanging on the wall.
"Nothing. Just your cute butt."
Emily answered, giving said butt a tap as she walked beside her to get into the drawer Paige was standing in front of.
"Why you always trying to flirt with me, Fields?"
Paige teased, taking a step back to sit on the bed so she could pull her socks on. She kept her eyes on Emily the whole time though, watching her through the mirror as she brushed her hair.
"Cause you love it, McCullers."
Paige just smiled in response, turning her head to the left as she let her body fall completely on the bed as she looked at the fluffy ball of fur lying next to her.
"Are you supposed to be on the bed?" She asked Finn, who's tail was wagging and quickly gaining speed, his body inching towards Paige until he was close enough to lick her face.
"I don't think so, sir. I don't think you are supposed to be up here." She told him, but instead of making him get down she picked him up, kissed his snout and laid his tiny body down onto her tummy, petting his back softly until he was nearly asleep.
"I told Reese that we put him into doggy daycare and she nearly had a heart attack."
Not even surprised, Paige rolled her eyes and released a small chuckle. "She's nuts. She was over today?"
"Yeah, for a little bit." Emily answered, putting her brush down as she dried the ends of her hair with her towel again.
"Nothing new from her though. Although you did just prove her right."
"What do you mean?"
"She made a comment about us doing nothing but fucking all day and night." Emily said with a small laugh, although she wasn't upset about her friend being correct on that one.
"Jeez, it's not all day and night. All afternoon? Sure." Paige thought for a moment, considering the last few days.
"Maybe half the night. Anyways who cares. She's just projecting."
"She's just lonely." Emily admitted sadly, still hoping that Reese would take her advice and just wait for something to come her way.
The conversation was broken up at the sound of a phone chiming a few times, indicating a text message.
"Is that yours?" Paige asked, not bothering to move from her spot though.
"No, yours." Emily said as she picked up Paige's phone from the dresser.
"Who is it?"
"Uh..." Emily opened the screen and looked at the text, feeling slightly taken back by who it was from.
"Caleb."
"Oh! I forgot about that." Paige said, gently setting Finn to the side as she sat up to take the phone.
"You texted Caleb?" Emily asked her, not in an angry way but just curious. She hadn't spoken to him, or Hanna in a few months now. In fact she hadn't spoken to Spencer or Aria in about that same amount of time either. It was harder keeping in touch with them then she would have expected, not because she didn't want to but they were just all busy. With Hanna and Caleb getting married within the next year or two she was sure she would be seeing them eventually, but it was still weird to realize how much they weren't apart of her everyday life anymore.
"Yeah, I've got to design my own trainer page for the gym's website and since I have no idea what the hell I'm doing, I emailed Caleb and asked for some help." She answered, reading over the text before sending him back a quick reply.
"He said he'll call me tomorrow and talk me through some stuff." She told Emily, tossing her phone onto the nightstand.
"You okay?" Paige asked, standing up and moving close to Emily when she saw the distraught look on her face.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just-I need to call Hanna. And Spencer and Aria. It's been a long time."
"I know." Paige nodded, knowing that Emily missed her old friends. They had made plenty of new friends since moving away from Rosewood, friends that they loved and adored, especially Reese, but Paige knew that the bond those four girls had made in those last few years would stick with them forever. They would never be replaced.
"When Caleb calls tomorrow you should talk to her."
"I will." Emily nodded, smiling at Paige as she leaned up to give her a kiss. "I'm okay, promise."
"Okay."
Paige knew better than to press the issue, so she let it be, which was good because the doorbell had just sounded off.
"Pizza's here." Emily said, looking around for her bag, which she found sitting on the chair in the corner of the room. "It's supposed to be like sixteen dollars or something so just let him keep this."
Emily handed Paige a twenty dollar bill from her purse, looking at Paige expectantly when she made no move to go and answer the door.
"What?"
"Why don't you get it?" Paige asked, trying to hold back the smile creeping up on her lips.
"I'm in a towel." Emily said, an obvious tone to her voice.
"Exactly. We might be able to get it for free!"
"Oh my god!"
Emily picked up a pillow on the edge of the bed and smacked Paige in the stomach playfully, hearing Paige laugh as she ducked away from the assault.
"Kidding! Just kidding!" Paige stepped away from Emily still laughing as she headed towards the door.
"I'll get it!" Paige huffed, clapping her hands together quickly twice before leaving the room.
"Come on, Finn! Come be my attack dog."
Finn was up on his feet quick, using the ottoman at the end of the bed to help him get down, rushing to Paige's side as they left the room. Emily just laughed to herself, walking to the closet to pick out some clothes. Finding her favorite shirt, which was actually belonged to Paige from when she swam. Emily didn't know why she loved it so much, but every time it was clean she was the one usually wearing it opposed to Paige. It was nothing truly special, just a red t-shirt with Stanford written out in white letters with McCullers spelled out on the back as well. But Emily loved it and had pretty much claimed it after that first day Paige wore it.
Dropping her towel, she slipped the shirt over her head and changed into a pair of grey sweatpants before walking out of the room, dropping her wet towels off in the laundry basket on the wall. Using the hair tie around her wrist, she slicked the top of her hair back and pulled her still slightly wet hair into a tight bun as she entered the living room where Paige was setting the food out.
"Totally could have got that for free! That kid was like sixteen, he would have completely died if you answered that door." Paige teased her from the kitchen, chewing on a breadstick as she got out some plates and dressings out for the food.
"Well maybe next time."
Emily walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, grabbing out some drinks before gathering napkins and other things they would need. Once they got their slices and salads together, the two walked into the living room and sat down on the couch beside one another, Emily turning on the TV so they could continue on with their 'Orange Is The New Black' watchathon. They hadn't ever even heard of the show until Reese told them about it, something that was strange to both of them at first, but anybody can watch a show and like it they eventually figured.
They watched the first season together in just a matter of days and they had done the same with the second season and were now moving onto the third.
"Want some?" Paige held out the bottle of Ranch dressing to Emily, smiling around her mouthful of food.
"No." Emily said, not even trying to hide her disgust, which only made Paige laugh. Every time they ate pizza, even when Paige didn't jokingly offer her the condiment, she was reminded of that night when she had tried the buffalo and ranch pizza concoction for the first time. Her stomach still slightly turned when she thought of it.
"Here you go." Paige said, handing Emily the hot sauce that she knew she wanted, pressing a lingering kiss to cheek as a quiet peace offering.
"Thank you. So where were we cause I totally forgot?" Emily asked, scrolling through the episodes as she tried to remember which one they had watched last.
"I think episode four, right?"
"Oh, yeah." Emily nodded, pressing play on the remote before setting it down and reaching for her beer as the opening credits started. "This season kind of sucks though."
"Little bit." Paige agreed, wiping her mouth with a napkin as she swallowed her food before taking a drink from her own beer.
"But that's what always happens when shows get popular. They get too big too fast and then the people behind it screw it all up because they think they don't need to impress people anymore. They don't care about the quality or the plot anymore cause they know people will still watch it so who cares?"
"That's so stupid though." Emily replied, not understanding the logic in that at all. "If the show is popular you'd think people would work harder to make the show even better and even more worth watching."
"You'd think." Paige nodded, reaching for her next slice of pizza. "But that doesn't seem to be the way anymore. Once the money starts coming in and the hash tags start trending it's all over."
Sighing, Emily took a bite from her pizza and leaned back against the couch as the two turned their focus to the show.
After watching a few episodes of OITNB, Emily and Paige decided they were done with the show for the time being and instead had decided to watch a movie instead. They had decided on an old comedy that Paige had never heard of but Emily said was a good one. It was pretty funny, but Paige was finding it hard to concentrate on anything that was going on. She couldn't even remember the name of the movie at this point.
From her spot in the middle of the couch, Paige turned her eyes towards Emily, who was focused completely on the TV. Her feet were resting in Paige's lap, her toes twitching every now and then when Paige tickled her heel. Paige couldn't focus on the TV but instead found herself looking at Emily every few minutes. She didn't know why, but she just couldn't keep her eyes away from her. Every time she heard her laugh or saw her smile, Paige had to look at her, a growing tingle in her stomach as she watched her.
She was so damn beautiful. Especially when she was like this. In her pajamas with no make-up or care in the world. That was Paige's favorite version of Emily. The one where she could just...be. No pressures or worries or expectations of any kind. When she was just Emily, just sitting at home and doing nothing at all, she was perfect. Nights like these were her favorite, where they just got to be themselves. Of course they enjoyed the occasional night out too, they were still in there early twenties for hells sake, and they enjoyed a night at the bar or club every now and then. But these were the nights that Paige preferred most of all. After living in Rosewood, quiet nights were like heaven on earth.
"You're missing the movie." Emily said, not even looking in Paige's direction as she spoke. She had felt Paige's eyes on her the entire time they had been watching the movie, or while she had been watching the movie at least. Every now and then she looked over at Finn who was fast asleep on the floor in front of the recliner as well, but for the majority of the past forty-five minutes, Paige had been watching her but she never said anything. Just watched in silence and Emily was growing more and more curious as to why.
"Come here."
Looking Paige's way finally, Emily smiled curiously as she took in the expression on Paige's face.
"What?"
"Come here." Paige said again, a little more earnest this time as she reached her hand out for Emily. Unsure of what Paige was wanting exactly, Emily took her hand and allowed Paige to pull her forward until she was practically straddling her waist.
Even then though, Paige didn't say anything. She just stared at Emily, in a way that Emily had never seen before. A small smile was spread out on Paige's lips as she reached out and touched Emily's cheek, her thumb brushing against her lips.
"Paige." Emily spoke softly, urging her girlfriend to come out of whatever thought bubble she was stuck in and talk to her.
"I love you."
"I love you, too." Emily said instantly, not even hesitating to return the sentiment.
"No, I mean I really love you. I don't even know how to describe it, but I just, I love you so much it actually hurts a little bit. It's even terrifying, frustrating even sometimes because I don't know how to not love you, you know?"
Emily wasn't even sure what to say. Paige's voice was so small, but yet so confident and full of love that Emily felt a little lost. She didn't know where these thoughts were coming from but she listened closely to what Paige was saying. The movie was long forgotten now as she focused solely on Paige.
"You are the only person that I've ever been in love with, Em. I don't even know what it feels like to want somebody else besides you."
Although Emily couldn't exactly say the same thing, she knew what Paige meant. It was no surprise to anyone that Emily had feelings for other girls in the past, but Emily was also well aware that none of those feelings even compared a little bit to how she felt about Paige. Emily had loved before, but she had never been loved the way Paige loved her. It was a whole new world loving somebody that loved you back whole heartedly.
"Are you just like trying to make me cry or something?" Emily asked, laughing slightly as she wiped the edge of her eyes.
"No. No, I'm not trying to do that." Paige said, touching Emily's cheek again as she smiled.
"I just wanted you to know." Paige shrugged her shoulders, swallowing a developing thump in her throat.
"I just want you to be happy. Em. Everyday I want you to wake up and just be happy and know that I love you more than anything."
"I do know that." Emily told her sincerely, wanting Paige to know that she felt the same way as well. Nothing mattered more to her than Paige's happiness.
"And I am happy. Believe me, I am. There's nothing more that I could want or need then what I have right here."
"Me neither." Paige said, her eyes falling to her lap for a moment. Looking back up at Emily, she let out a long sigh and licked her lips.
"I know you thought you weren't going to have to open any more boxes, but there is still one left."
"What?" Emily asked, confused by the shift in discussion, looking around the room to see where the box was that she missed. "Where?"
"Right here."
Looking back at Paige, Emily's breath caught in her throat instantly and she felt her mouth immediately go dry. A tiny black box sat in the middle of Paige's palm. A very distinct looking box and Emily seriously began to think that there was no oxygen left in her body.
Paige was just smiling. Her face so full of joy and love that Emily couldn't even barely stand to look at her because it was only making it harder for her to breathe.
"I've been trying to figure out how to do this. Like something over the top extravagant with like fireworks or some kind of treasure hunt, you know?" Paige asked but she didn't wait for an answer.
"I just wanted it to be perfect. But then I realized that I was going about it all wrong. We're not those kind of people, you and me, were not over the top or crazy extravagant, I mean we're not boring either but-"
Emily finally found her breath, laughing quietly as she listened to Paige speak, not even realizing that she had started to cry.
"We're just us, I guess is what I'm trying to say. And this right now you, me, and Finn just sitting here with pizza, beer, and Netflix is more perfect than anything else. I couldn't ask for anything more than that. I could be here every night with you and do this and it would never not be good enough for me. Just the three of us, or maybe someday not just the three of us, you know?" Paige chuckled a little, sniffing slightly as she stared down at the box in her hands.
"Sorry now I'm rambling and this is getting long and-"
"Paige." Emily laughed, tears still falling from her eyes. She reached out and put her hand on top of Paige's, squeezing her fingers lightly.
"Just ask."
Nodding slightly, Paige took a small breath as she opened the tiny black box in her hands, realizing for the first time that her hand was slightly shaking. Emily saw the diamond ring sitting in the box, instantly finding it to be beautiful and suddenly it was hard to breathe again.
Looking up, Paige smiled and glanced back at the ring before she found Emily's eyes again. She paused, watching Emily's face again, sad that she was crying but the smile on her face proved them to be happy tears. Taking a short breath, Paige found her voice again.
"Em, will you marry me?"
The question caused a tingle to rise in Emily's stomach, her whole body feeling like it was going to burst. She didn't even know what to do or say, her body moving on instinct as she leaned forward, both of her hands grabbing a hold of her cheeks, and kissed Paige. She kissed her for what seemed like forever, giving everything she had into that kiss and hoping that Paige would be able to feel even something as close as to what Emily was feeling in that moment.
She felt Paige's hand on her neck, holding her close as the kissed and kissed. Only when Emily felt like she would pass out from lack of oxygen did she finally pull away.
"Is that a yes or a maybe?" Paige asked, earning a laugh from Emily who kissed her again.
"Yes."
"Yes, yes, or yes maybe?' Paige questioned, her eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Paige." Emily laughed, shaking her head at the woman she loved so much. "Yes, yes."
"Yeah?"
"Yes." Emily nodded, watching as Paige released a huge sigh and dropped her head against the back of the couch.
"Oh." Grinning in that way that still made Emily feel like she was eighteen all over again, Paige carefully removed the ring from the box that she was still holding before setting it to the side.
"Here."
Taking Emily's left hand in her right one, Paige slid the band onto her finger and watched Emily as she took in the sight of it. It was a very simple ring, nothing extravagant, just like Emily would have wanted. It was simple white gold solitaire setting with one single cushion diamond in the middle.
"Does it fit okay?
"Perfect." Emily stated simply, still amazed and shocked at the fact that there was a ring on her finger. She knew that Paige was the one for her, she had known that for years, but they had really never talked about actually getting married before in full detail. But now, with the ring on her finger and Paige next to her she knew that there was nothing more that she wanted.
Looking away from the ring, Emily looked back at Paige and smiled, her eyes refilling with tears once again.
"I love you."
"I know." Paige nodded, feeling nothing but that from the girl next to her. "I love you, too. More than you know."
Emily leaned in towards Paige, kissing her again and again and again. Wrapping her arms around her neck, Emily broke the kiss and buried her head into Paige's neck, just wanting to feel the other girls arms around her.
"And you know what?" She heard Paige's muffled words, releasing her grip on the girl momentarily so she could look at her.
"What?"
"It won't even have to be pretend."
Emily's body shook as she laughed, her head falling on Paige's shoulder as she caught her breath.
"That's true."
Paige smiled, her face close to exploding it was so wide, but she didn't even care. Grabbing a hold of Emily's hand, she kissed her fingers and admired the way the ring looked on her hand.
"Your mom was right, this one was perfect."
"Wait, my mom knows?" Emily asked in surprise.
"Yeah, she helped me pick it out when they came down for graduation. Actually your dad knows too. I talked to them about it."
Watching Paige closely, Emily grinned and pointed her finger at Paige. "You asked permission didn't you?"
"Hell yeah." Paige answered without hesitation. "I've seen your dad's gun. That thing is no joke."
Covering her face with her hands, Emily laughed, her head shaking as she tried to imagine how that conversation went between Paige and her parents. They loved Paige, Emily knew that and she knew that Paige was just as fond of the Fields as well, but she couldn't have pictured that conversation going easy. More than likely because Paige was probably a total mess during the whole thing.
"But I got their approval and I got the ring before they left, but like I said I just wanted to ask when it felt right."
"Well, you did a very good job."
"I guess I do have a bit of style."
Grinning, Emily nodded as she moved in again, grabbing a hold of Paige's cheeks and kissed her. That was all she wanted to do, just kiss Paige over and over.
"You're missing the movie." Paige teased Emily when they parted, both of them smiling like a couple of kids on Christmas morning.
"Well, maybe if you'd stop flirting with me..."
Emily felt Paige's chest vibrate as she laughed, wrapping her arms around Emily's waist tightly as she shifted the both of them to a more comfortable laying position on the couch. Emily snuggled closely into Paige's side, wrapping her arm tightly around her waist while Paige left her arm around Emily's shoulder.
A small jingling sound caught the attention of both of them, each other leaning of the side of the couch to see Finn slowly trotting his way towards the couch, his name plate hooked on his collar the source of the jingling. Reaching the edge of the couch, he rested his two front paws onto the leather, his tail wagging as he looked at the two women.
"Oh, alright." Paige said after sharing a look with Emily. Carefully moving her arm from around Emily, Paige picked the tiny puppy up and let him snuggle into the sofa near their feet.
The film credits rolled about an hour later, both Paige and Finn fast asleep but Emily was wide awake. Looking between Finn and Paige, Emily smiled to herself as she let her body fall further into Paige's side, her foot running softly over Finn's back at the same time.
There was nothing better than this.