A/N: Here's the sequel everyone asked for! You can thank all the snow we've gotten over here. Rated M for the language, occasional smutty scenes (which you guys don't mind, right?), and some violence/disturbing content. Enjoy and definitely let me know what you think, good or bad. Thanks for reading/reviewing!

"I am really, really happy right now," Paige told Emily as the two of them sat outside on the back deck, watching the sun set. It had finally cooled down and they had decided to sit out by the pool with their lemonade, talking and enjoying each other's company. It was July now, eight months after Alison's killer had been revealed and ten months since Paige and Emily had started dating. They had recently bought a house together in a nice town twenty minutes from the university, and were living together very happily. They had had even more time to focus on their developing relationship since Alison's killer had been put behind bars, and they were loving every minute of it.

During the summer months, Paige was teaching one microbiology course at Westminster University, and she was spending lots of time on her research, with her student assistant, Sydney. Emily wasn't teaching over the summer but instead had decided to try out a job as a bartender at a local restaurant only open from June to September. She had told Paige that, surprisingly, she had liked it. They were planning on taking a trip to Spencer's beach house in Massachusetts the following week, along with Spencer, Toby, Hanna, Caleb, Mona, and Noel. It was something they were both looking forward to, and although neither one of them minded the work they were doing, they both wanted the time to just relax.

"Me, too," Emily replied, taking her hand. She looked so beautiful in the setting sun, her dark hair rippling slightly in the faint breeze that had finally looked up. Paige stared at her, never failing to be amazed by her beauty. "What?"

"You're beautiful," she replied stupidly as if she was seeing Emily for the first time. Emily's smile widened.

"I love you," she replied, leaning in to kiss her passionately. Paige kissed her back hungrily, wrapping her arms around her.

"I love you, too. So much."

"You know one of the many things I love about you?"

"What?" she asked, her eyes dark with lust. Emily grinned, running her fingers down her cheek.

"You always make me feel so…. valued. Like I mean the world to you."

"That's because you do mean the world to me," Paige replied seriously. "And you deserve nothing less than to be told every day."

"You are the sappiest person I have ever met," Emily laughed, pulling her in close. "But so, so sweet. I don't know how I got so lucky."

"Last year was a crazy year. But I still wouldn't take back anything that happened because I met you. And I would do it all over."

"Okay. You're trying to charm me out of my pants," Emily teased. Paige grinned.

"You're not wearing pants."

"My bikini, then."

"How dare you accuse me of such a thing," Paige replied, untying the top of her bikini.

"Paige! We're outside!"

"So?" she asked innocently.

"People could see us. How do you know that old guy isn't watching us from next door?"

"Then let's give him a show," Paige replied, rolling on top of her. Emily's protest faded as soon as Paige began kissing her neck, a small moan escaping her lips. She could never say no, and as Paige stroked her hands up and down her sides she decided she didn't care if anyone saw them.

"Paige," she whispered, closing her eyes. She frowned when she felt Paige pull away.

"I have a better idea," she replied, taking Emily's hand. Emily looked at her curiously. "The pool."

"You want to have sex in the pool?"

"Yeah! I've never done it before," she replied excitedly. Emily couldn't help but laugh as she got up and followed her girlfriend to the pool.

"You have strange goals."

"Come on," Paige replied, sliding into the cool water. "You're telling me you've never thought about having sex in a pool?"

"Well…"

"Exactly," she replied triumphantly as Emily slid in after her.

"Shit! It's cold!" she exclaimed, her teeth chattering. She floated over to Paige and wrapped her arms around her, sighing in relief at feeling the warmth of her body against her. "But I trust you to warm me up," she continued, batting her eyelashes. Paige laughed, leaning in to kiss her.

"You bet I will," she replied, slipping her hand inside Emily's bikini bottom.

They went at it with passion, Paige making sure to keep her lips on Emily's so she didn't make too much noise. Emily was clearly enjoying herself, and based on the way she was clenching around Paige's fingers she was sure she was close. Which was why Emily was so horrified when she stopped moving her fingers only a few moments later.

"Paige!"

"I think I heard thunder," she replied, glancing behind them at the darkening clouds. Emily's mouth dropped open.

"Who cares? Finish!"

Paige set back to work, once again driving her close to the edge. But this time a louder rumble of thunder came, immediately followed by rain beginning to pour down from the sky.

"Fuck!" Paige muttered, pulling her fingers from Emily. Her girlfriend immediately began to protest.

"I'm so close," she whined.

"I don't think Mother Nature cares, babe," she replied, lifting Emily out of the pool. "I'll finish as soon as we're inside, I promise."

"You better," Emily called over her shoulder, already halfway to the house. Paige followed, letting them in and closing the door behind them. Well, she had almost been able to cross something off her list of goals.

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"Like this?" Sydney asked, sliding the inoculating loop across the agar. Paige smiled and nodded approvingly. She was glad Sydney had applied to be her student assistant over the summer, especially since she had had a bad habit of taking her frustrations out on her in particular during the last school year. The girl was smart and eager to please, and was probably one of Paige's favorite students of all time.

"Perfect. You really have a knack for this, Sydney. Do you think microbiology may be a field you're interested in?"

"Before last year I would have said no," she replied. "But I loved the class so much and you're such a good teacher that it's make me second guess. I'm really considering it now."

"Ah," Paige replied proudly. "Thank you. I'm very glad to hear that."

"You're a really good mentor, too."

Paige chuckled. Sydney certainly knew all the right things to say.

"I'm surprised you think so highly of me."

"Why?" she asked, genuinely confused. "Dr. McCullers, it was only one or two times. I knew it wasn't anything personal."

"You're a good kid, Sydney."

Sydney smiled in response, turning back to the plates she was working on. Paige went back to her own work, grateful for the understanding she had gotten during the events of last year. It had been a frightening experience for sure, but it had only made her stronger and her relationship with Emily closer.

"Sydney, I told you I won't be here next week, right?"

"Yeah. So, I don't need to come in?"

"Nope. You get the week off."

"Cool. My boyfriend wants us to go to Florida."

"Okay. Enjoy."

"Dr. McCullers?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you believe in soul mates?"

Paige grinned stupidly. A year ago at this time she would have said no without even having to think about it. That was right after her break up with Shana, right after her heart was shattered into a million pieces. It wasn't even that she was desperately in love with Shana, like she thought they would last forever. She had never thought that. It was just the way Shana had completely disregarded her feelings and acted like she was of no importance to her, even though they had been together for years. The way they had left one another had left her very better and sure there was no such thing as true love, because everyone else was probably as rotten as Shana. But then she had met Emily and that had all changed. Emily was sweet, loving, and as considerate as a person could be. Paige had never considered herself to be secure, but she knew Emily loved her. She did truly believe they were perfect for each other.

"Yeah," she replied. "I do."

"You know, my brother went to high school with Professor Fields," Sydney continued. "He had a huge crush on her. Ask her if she remembers Brian Driscoll."

Paige chuckled. She doubted there was a heterosexual boy in school who didn't have a crush on Emily.

"I will."

"Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity. It will look really good on any grad school application."

"Thank you, Sydney. You've been a big help," she told her, checking her phone. "Twelve already. How about some lunch?"

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"I'm pooped," Hanna complained, slumping next to Emily at the counter. "I am so ready to go home and shower."

"You and me both," Emily replied, wiping sweat from her forehead. The air conditioner had been broken for a week now, and the current heat wave was making the facility barely bearable to be in.

"With Paige?" she asked, smirking. Emily swatted her arm.

"Shut up."

"Oh, come on," she complained. "You don't give me enough details about your sex life."

"I give you plenty," Emily protested, pouring a drink for a customer.

"Not like I do."

"Yeah, well, you totally over share," she replied, cringing at some of the things Hanna had told her in the past.

"I'm open," she corrected. "Like you should be."

"You need hobbies," Emily replied, leaning back against the counter. Hanna grinned.

"Harassing you isn't a hobby?"

"No."

"Come on. I know you got laid last night. You were in such a good mood today. Like, that special mood you're in when you've had-."

"Oh my God, Hanna. How did I ever live with you?"

"Because I'm awesome," she replied, flashing her friend a grin. "And just think, we get to spend all next week together. And I'll definitely know when you and Paige are getting down and dirty because boy, does she scream. I never would have guessed her to be so-."

"Shut up, Hanna!" Hanna just laughed. Emily sighed, deciding maybe if she told her what she wanted to hear she would leave her alone. "Okay. We had sex in the pool last night."

Hanna squealed. Emily shushed her immediately, glad that it was a slow night for the bar.

"That's so hot," she replied. "How was it?"

"Perfect, as always. Well… we kind of got interrupted by that thunderstorm. We had to finish inside."

Hanna laughed. Emily rolled her eyes, although in all honestly she was amused by Hanna's antics. She did secretly like bragging about her amazing sex life, too.

"So, are you excited about the trip?" she asked, trying to change the subject. Hanna's face lit up.

"Yes! I haven't been to the beach in so long!"

"It's going to be romantic," she added, picturing her and Paige lying side by side on the beach, watching the sun set. "I can't wait."

"Shit! I need to buy more condoms before we go!"

"Hey, Hanna?"

"Yeah?"

"You're a hot mess."

"I know."

Emily shook her head, looking around the restaurant. It was a fairly slow night, most people probably spending their evening at a pool. No one wanted to eat in a place with no air conditioner in the middle of July.

"Who's that?" Hanna asked suddenly.

"Hmm?" Emily asked, turning to look at her.

"That woman back there. She's staring at you."

Emily followed Hanna's gaze. Sure enough, there was a woman in the back of the restaurant looking at her. She couldn't see her well because of the dim lighting, but she looked to be fairly young.

"Maybe she's into you," Hanna suggested. Emily snorted.

"Too bad for her. I'm taken, remember?" she asked, grinning as her thoughts drifted to Paige. Her loving, beautiful girlfriend. Hanna smiled.

"You're so pussy whipped, you know that?"

"I do. And I love every second of it," she replied. "Come on, help me restock the ice."

"Yes, sir," Hanna replied, saluting her. Emily grinned, watching her disappear into the back. Her mind was already the beach, where they would have a week to relax and have fun. She couldn't wait.