AN: Thanks for the reviews so far. Keep it coming! ;) I wanted to ask if you guys wanted the chapters longer? I do apologize for spelling mistakes and errors. I hope you still get the story, regardless of errors.
I stirred in my sleep when the ray of sunlight hit my face. I opened my eyes and looked around, taking in the surroundings. I noticed the other girls stirring as well but Emily was left fast asleep. "Lucky one got the sun blocked from her face," Hanna groaned. Still not the morning person, good old Hanna Marin. I went to shut the curtains and turned to the girls. "Get some more sleep. I'm going down to check on Sara and see if Pam is awake to make breakfast or if she needs any help," The girls looked at me in confusion again. "Sara knocked her head against the edge of the coffee table yesterday going through Emily's files and she went to get stitches," Their eyes widened and they stood up immediately. "We'll come down with you," Spencer started. I shook my head and explained to them that Sara wanted to move out of Rosewood. They understood and I went down.
"Ms Higgins, I can't thank you enough for getting Emily out and proving that she was innocent. I don't know how to thank you, really. If there's anything I can do, please," I heard Pam's voice. "Please, call me Sara. There is one thing actually, Mrs Fields. But I think I'll prefer to tell you when the time is right. Thanks for breakfast as well. Do you need any help preparing breakfast for the girls?" I peeked from the stairs and saw Pam give Wayne a glance before declining Sara's offer. "Can I talk to you, Sara?" Wayne started. Sara walked over and sat beside Wayne, looking completely professional and polite. "What happened yesterday night?" Sara explained what was happening but the strangest thing was that she didn't claim self defence and admitted that she was in the wrong for hitting Carol when she was drunk. This is it, I thought and before I could control myself, I barged down the remaining steps.
"What are you doing apologizing? You have witnesses that it was Carol's fault for hitting you first!" I yelled, looking straight at Sara, my tears welling up. I knew why she was doing this. She wanted to protect me. She was afraid Carol would hurt me when her feelings for me got too obvious. "Paige,-" Sara started talking to me but I just shook my head. "No. Don't," I never heard my voice so cold before. "Just let me think about this and have my time upstairs," I didn't wait for any reply and ran upstairs. I walked into the room to see all 4 girls looking at me, waiting for an explanation to why I was crying. "Come here," Emily held her arms open and shifted to the other side of the bed for me to sit and cuddle with her. Without thinking, I went into her embrance and just cried. "Shhh," Emily rubbed my back and tried consoling me. "Tell us when you're ready."
After about 15 minutes of crying, I finally stopped and explained to the girls what was happening. Sara had this habit of doing whatever she wanted with no one being able to stop her and this time I'm sure if Carol sues her, she'll confess to a crime she didn't commit. It hurts badly to see her risking herself for me. She is my best friend after all. A knock on the door got our attention and I wiped my tears quickly. "I thought I heard talking. Breakfast is ready girls," It was Pam asking us down for breakfast. "Paige," Pam looked at me. "Sara feels bad because she said she promised you to stop being violent but if Carol sues her, she said that she would defend herself by saying that it was self defence." I started tearing up again and Pam left the room to our privacy.
After a few minutes, I walked down to the dining table with the girls to see Sara working hard on Emily's case again. She dropped her notes and I rushed to pick them up for her, giving her a light smile. "You did what you had to do. I don't blame you for hitting Carol but you did go overboard. Promise me you won't do it again?" I softly said to Sara. I know that running up just now would dig a hole in her heart and she would be blaming herself. The only thing to do now is what we always do, be there for each other. Sara nodded, returning my smile and we leaned in for a hug. "Go get breakfast. Mrs Fields is a great cook." Sara nodded at the table that was laid us, plates filled with breakfast of Emily's favourites.
After Sara, Spencer was the best lawyer in the firm. Spencer and I were the lawyers in charge of Emily's case with Carol. "Is there any known address for me to mail to Carol the lawyers' letter? I need to mail mine as well," Sara asked cautiously, knowing that Carol was a touchy subject with Emily still. "I'm not sure. She has no family and usually crashes at her friend's place if she don't come back home. I can hardly talk to her because she's hardly sober," I could tell that Emily was putting on a brave face, trying not to crumble by the thoughts of Carol alone.
"Mrs Fields has agreed that each of you would stay here on different nights to make sure Emily is well protected when Carol comes back. If she does," Sara concluded, packing up her stuff. "That is if you girls are fine with it," She looked around and made sure that she had approval of everyone. "I'll make a move first. The lawyers' letters are on the dining table. If we can't get her by 3 days, we'll have to go to the cops. I'm not going to go along with the normal plan of placing the camera. I don't want Emily getting hurt again," I nodded and smiled at Sara in total gratefulness as she walked out. "I'll see you girls back in the office on Monday, and for the others, until then." Sara smiled and walked off, out the door.
Monday soon came around and we still haven't heard from Carol. Tomorrow is the day that Spencer, Sara and I have to go to Rosewood PD. Specifically looking for the chief investigating officer that was still working on Maya's case, in hopes that he would spend some time helping us in this. "Paige, can I speak to you? My office, 5 minutes," Sara walked past, holding her cup of freshly brewed coffee. "Here's one for you by the way." She placed the cup on my table and walked off to her own office. I was in Sara's office, sitting down awkwardly opposite her while she just sips her coffee and go through paperwork. "Sara, why am I in here?" I asked, breaking Sara from her work form. "You graduate after this case, Paige. I'm leaving after that. I want to talk to you about the firm. Whether if you would want it or if I should hand it to Spencer."
My mind froze and I just stared blankly at Sara. "You're kidding right? You worked so hard for this." Sara started shaking her head. I worked hard to find a place that was suitable to open a law firm, Paige. Or I can just sell it away as well?" Sara tried to calm me, knowing that I might start a panic attack soon. "I'm paying for the plane fees back to Cali for your graduation. Invite whoever you want. The girls even," Sara concluded. I guess it was my cue to leave her office and I did, with my mind trying to process everything. I sat down on my seat and stared blankly in front of me. "Paige? Are you okay?" It was Spencer. "I think I am. I don't know Spence," I leaned back into my chair and breathed out heavily. "I'll ask Sara to explain to you. Come with?" Spencer and I headed to Sara's office.
We walked into Sara on the phone with someone and she put her hand up for us to hold as she finished her conversation. "Mrs Fields, it's fine honestly. Don't worry about the fees. See it as a favour for Paige. She is my friend afterall... Yes, dinner is fine but you really don't have to... Alright, I'll be there by 7 tonight. Thank you Mrs Fields... Don't mention it, really. See it as a favour," Sara was on the phone with Pam and she didn't want to take the lawyer fees. This sent my head to another whirlwind and Spencer had to clap her hands in front of me to break me out. "Sorry, what?" Sara looked at me, clearly worried. "I asked you why you and Spencer are here?" Sara asked, the worry evident in her voice. "I don't want the law firm. You can discuss about it with Spencer." I said hurriedly and walked back to my place, sitting down. Sara didn't take lawyer fees from the Fields' because of me?
Night soon fell and it was my turn to stay with Emily. I waited as Hanna took her back from work, seeing as it was still her turn to take care of Emily from Carol, up until now. "Hey, thanks for bringing her home. By the way, you won't mind bringing her tomorrow right? Because I have to be up early and back in the office to discuss things with Spencer and Sara before going to the station," Hanna nodded and smiled at me. "Sure, I'll bring Emily and have Spencer pick her up afterwards," Emily thanked Hanna as she went home. Emily closed the door and smiled when she turned around to me. I opened my arms out to her and she just fell into them and we held each other tightly. This was the first romantic moment I had with Emily since I was back. "God, I definitely missed this," I muttered into Emily's hair, taking a deep breath and going back to the time I always sniffed this scent.