The tension was so thick in the air you could cut it with a knife. Right now that knife seemed more comforting than what Emily was about to be faced with. She had the impossible task of trying to convince two parents of going against every natural instinct they had, and allowing their daughter to stay in a place that had been proven to be more than unsafe.

Emily took a deep breath and was about to speak when Paige cut her off.

"Mum…dad…we need to talk to you." Paige said, maybe a little more forcefully than she intended.

Great…not obvious that we are trying to convince you of anything at all…smooth.

"Paige…if this is about California then don't even bother. There is nothing you can say that will make us change our minds." Paige's dad explained, his eyebrows almost meeting in the middle with discomfort.

Straight away Paige was knocked off course. No doubt she had had this conversation with her parents many times over the past months, always ending in the same way and no doubt building huge walls of tension between them…huge…tall…thick…solid walls that Emily now had to try to break down.

Where was Miley Cyrus with her wrecking ball when you needed her?

"Maybe there is nothing more that Paige can say, but maybe I can try to explain to you from another perspective why it is the wrong thing to do…"

She knew that if she really gave them time to answer that they would shut her down, so she needed to think and talk fast…

"When I first met Paige, it's safe to say she was far from my favourite person in the world." She glanced quickly over at Paige, who look clearly uncomfortable reliving the pool incident in her mind. "First impressions are hard to forget, but I did. Over time, Paige has become one of the closest people I have ever had in my life."

She took a few seconds to try to analyse the faces of Paige's parents. Desperately trying to read their expressions, to find some sign that they were understanding why this was so important. In that short moment, she realised something. For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, she was attempting to convince other people to do something, not from threats; not because of A. This was terrifying because for once, this really had nothing to do with A. Paige's parents weren't masked villains, they were normal human beings who had their child's best interests at heart.

Maybe that was why this would never work. They were not A…they were her family.

It was that pang of doubt that made her push harder. She had to do everything in her power to make them understand.

"The last couple of years have been hell. Not just for me and for Paige, but no doubt for yourselves also. Rosewood is unrecognisable at the moment, and it may never be the same again…but once all of this is over, once everything settles back down…it will be safe again, for everyone."

Emily took another deep breath.

"I have fallen in love with your daughter. She means everything to me, and I cannot and never want to imagine my life without her. I have seriously considered moving to California with you…"

From the corner of her eye she noticed Paige's head jerk up and look at her.

"But with the commitments that I have here, to my friends and my family, I cannot do that. It would be impossible for me to just leave this all behind as you are doing, as much as I may want to. You have accepted your daughter for who she is, and she has found love and acceptance in our relationship. You can't take that away from her, it just wouldn't be right."

"She's changed my life…" Paige said sheepishly, looking down at her hands once again.

"I know that Paige means more to you than anything else in the world. You are her parents, she is your only daughter. Your pride and joy and you will do everything in your power to protect her. I understand that, completely. But you know why I understand that? Because she is my world. Your daughter means more to me than anything or anyone I have ever encountered. She has opened my eyes to the wonders of this world, the meaning of life and more than anything…the meaning of love.

You must have heard what happened to the girl that lived in Alison's house when it went up for sale. Maya St. Germain? I thought she was my everything; she was taken away from me, forever. She didn't have a choice, she was taken away before anyone had a chance to change it. I refuse to let somebody else I love be taken away…not again.

I thought that I would never be capable of feeling that way about anyone ever again. I had convinced myself that I would continue on my own. Become completely self-sufficient and never get hurt. I didn't need anyone else. Until I met Paige. She has opened so many doors for me, and helped me to grow into the person that I am proud to be. She has shown me that no matter how tough life gets, and no matter what is thrown at you, that love really does conquer all. She has shown me that it is possible to love, unconditionally and completely. So please…don't take that away from me…"

How could the world be so cruel? For the average teenager, more had been thrown at her and her friends than most. Why was her last hope being taken away from her? What had she done to deserve this?

Emily took one last look at Paige's parents and then looked down at her hands in despair. Well…this was it. The last resort. The last train home. The last chance…

"…okay."

What?

"We will think about it. It is a big ask…we have made many arrangements, for our home and our jobs...but more than anything, we want Paige to be happy…and it really looks like you make her happy."

The tears were rolling down her face before she had even had time to register the words she was hearing…had they done it? Did it work?

Emily was knocked out of her own thoughts by Paige jumping on her with excitement…was this real life?