It was just after midnight that evening when Spencer slowly opened her eyes, realizing that she and Emily had both fallen asleep. Spencer glanced down at her watch, realizing how late it had gotten.

"Em, wake up." Spencer turned her body and gently shook Emily's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Emily asked, groggily as she wrapped her arms tighter around Spencer's body, pulling her closer.

"It's late...we fell asleep."

"What time is it?"

"A little after midnight...I should probably get home."

"How about just a few more minutes?" Emily gently kissed Spencer's neck.

"I think I can stay for just a little bit longer..." Spencer closed her eyes and groaned softly as Emily continued kissing her.

"Do you have any plans for Saturday night?" Emily asked.

"Not yet. Why? Do you have something planned for us?"

"I was hoping that I could take you out to dinner."

"I'd love that."

"Great. I was thinking we could head to Philly for the evening. Where do you want to eat?"

"I'm thinking somewhere romantic."

"How about that French place downtown?"

"I love that place, but it's kind of impossible to get reservations there."

"I think we'll be okay. I can get in whenever I want."

"Really? How?"

"I designed the building."

"You did?"

"Yep. It was one of the first projects I got hired to work on when I moved here from Texas. I mean I had to subcontract some of the actual building work because it was too big of a project for my guys and I to handle, but the design is all mine."

"That's awesome."

"Yeah. I had a lot of fun on that project."

"Because you love your job?"

"That and I was hooking up with the hot interior designer I was working with at the time. She was fresh out of design school in Paris. The restaurant owners wanted a really authentic feel to the restaurant, so they hired a French interior decorator."

Spencer turned around and stared at Emily.

"Do you really think it's smart too talk about exs with your current girlfriend?" Spencer feigned irritation.

"We didn't date or anything. Once the project was done, we went our separate ways. Neither of us wanted a relationship."

"Just casual sex." Spencer rolled her eyes. "Remind me again why exactly it is that I'm dating you?"

"I'll show you."

Emily turned Spencer's head and gently pressed her lips to the brunette's. Emily opened her mouth and deepened the kiss, gently slipping her tongue into Spencer's mouth. Spencer moaned into the kiss as Emily slowly began to massage Spencer's tongue with her own. The brunette placed her hand on Emily's bare stomach as the kiss became even more heated. When Emily eventually broke the kiss, Spencer found herself desperately craving more.

"Was that a good enough reason?" Emily asked.

"God, you're so lucky you're sexy...but if you ever cheat on me..."

"Spencer, I'd never do that to you. Okay? I promise you, I've been one hundred percent faithful in every relationship I've ever been in and I'd be a total idiot to blow a chance with you. Girls like you don't come along every day. I'm lucky to be with you."

"I feel like I'm lucky to have you too. I think we're good together."

Emily smiled and placed a light kiss on Spencer's forehead.

"You should probably be getting home. I don't want your parents to be worried about you."

"Now I don't want to go..."

"I don't want you to either, but I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay..."

Spencer stood up, pulling Emily up with her.

"Here's your coat." Emily picked up Spencer's coat from the arm of the couch and held it out for the brunette to slip on.

"Thanks, Em." Spencer turned around and kissed her girlfriend. "I'll see you in the morning."

Spencer started to walk toward the door.

"Text me when you get home." Emily said. "I want to know that you got there safely."

"I will. Don't worry."

Spencer slipped out the door and headed to her car.

Upon returning home from Emily's apartment, Spencer unlocked the back door, slipped inside and quietly shut the door behind her. Spencer took her jacket off and hung it on one of the coat hooks near the door before stepping into the kitchen. Spencer pulled her phone out and began typing a message to Emily.

"Hey, kiddo. You're home late." Peter said as he closed the refrigerator door after settling on a snack.

Spencer was too focused on texting Emily that she was slightly startled by the sound of her father's voice, as she hadn't noticed him in the kitchen when she walked in.

"Oh...hi dad...what are doing?"

"Just getting myself a little midnight snack before I head upstairs. You want something?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks."

"Where have you been all night?" Peter asked, casually.

"I was...uh...studying over at Aria's house. I guess we just lost track of time. We've got a huge history test coming up."

"I'm glad you're so focused on school, but try not to push yourself too hard. You need rest too, you know."

"I know. I think I'm going to head up to bed. Oh, but I almost forgot, Emily left this for you." Spencer reached into her bag and pulled out the catalog Emily had given her.

"Thanks. Maybe you can help your mother and I decided on what would look good in the bathroom."

"Sure. I'd love to."

"Great."

"Well…I'll be upstairs. Night, dad."

"Goodnight, Spence."

A few days later.

Early Saturday morning, Emily arrived at the Hastings' house a little earlier than usual. She was just getting out of her truck when she noticed Peter walking toward her in his jogging attire.

"Hi, Emily." Peter said.

"Mister Hastings...how are you?"

"Oh fine, just heading out for an early morning run. My wife thinks I need to exercise more. You're not married, are you?"

"No, sir."

"You're lucky. Stay single. Wives are such a hassle sometimes, always nagging you to eat healthier and exercise and they're always trying to pick out your clothes..."

Emily laughed.

"I'm sure missus Hastings just wants you to eat well and stay in shape because she wants you around for a long time."

"I guess so...anyway, you're here pretty early this morning."

"Yeah, I wanted to get a head start because I was hoping to maybe leave a little early today, if that's okay with you, of course."

"Sure. You've put in a lot of long hours lately, I don't see any harm in letting you get out of here a little early."

"Thanks a lot, mister Hastings. I really appreciate it. Normally I wouldn't ask, but I sort of have plans tonight."

"Oh yeah? You have a date tonight?"

"Actually, yes."

"Must be a pretty lucky girl to get to go out with a successful, young architect like yourself."

"I don't know about that. I'm pretty sure that I'm lucky to have even gotten a date with her in the first place."

Peter smiled softly at Emily.

"You're too hard on yourself. Go ahead and leave whenever you need to." Peter said. "I probably won't be here. I've got some work to do down at my office."

"Thanks again, mister Hastings."

"You're welcome. I should really get going on my run, but here's to hoping you don't have a room mate, if things go well for you tonight." Peter chuckled and raised his water bottle to Emily.

"Thanks. But I don't think it'll be like that, tonight." Emily laughed.

"One can always hope, I guess." Peter laughed. "I'll see you later, Emily."

"Have a good run."

"Thanks." Peter said as he jogged down the driveway.

Emily turned around and ran her hand through her hair.

I'm sure you'd have a different opinion of me if you knew it was your daughter. Emily thought.

Later that afternoon.

"So, Em where are you taking Spencer tonight?" Mike asked.

"We're going to that French place in downtown Philadelphia. You know, the one we worked on."

"Cool. You know there's a motel right next door. Maybe tonight can finally be the night you get lucky." Mike elbowed Emily.

"Okay, first of all, I'd never take Spencer to a cheap motel and she wants to wait to have sex anyway."

"Why's that?" Chris asked.

"She admitted to me that she's a virgin and she's not ready yet."

"Her being a virgin might actually be good for you, Em." Mike said. "I mean when you do have sex with her, you wouldn't even have to be good. She won't know any better."

"Thanks for the encouragement, dude." Emily laughed.

"I'm surprised she's never had sex." Chris said. "She's hot and no one waits anymore. She'll sleep with you eventually, why bother waiting?"

"Not all hot girls are sluts." Emily said. "Spencer and I talked and her first time seems to be important to her. I know guys usually want to lose their virginity as soon as possible, but it's different for most girls. It usually means a lot more to them. That's why I'm not going to rush Spencer into something she's not ready for or comfortable with. I told her I'm fine with waiting."

"Are you really okay with waiting?" Ben asked. "You must have at least thought about sleeping with her."

"Of course I've thought about it, but when I told her I was fine with waiting I honestly meant it. Spencer's a lot more important to me than sex and it already means a lot that she wants her first time to be with me. We don't need to rush it…besides, I think, I'm...falling in love with her..."

"You haven't told her that, have you?" Mike asked.

"Well no, I mean not yet, anyway. I've been trying to sort my feelings out and the only other person I've ever felt this way about was Stephanie...I just don't want to freak Spencer out or scare her off by saying 'I love you' too soon."

"I had no idea you felt this strongly about Spencer." Chris said.

"I do. It's hard to explain. We've just really connected. She just genuinely seemed to care about me since we first met. I know she's not interested in me for money or sex…I feel like we've known each other forever. I feel like I can tell her anything."

"So you guys are getting pretty serious, then..." Mike said.

"Yeah. I think we are."

"Have you told her about your history with Stephanie?" Chris asked.

"Not yet..."

"Em, you were almost married to her. You guys practically had a baby together." Ben said. "If you and Spencer are going to be a serious couple, don't you think you should tell her?"

"Yes. I absolutely agree with you. And I am going to tell her, eventually. I just haven't found the right time yet."

"You just probably shouldn't wait too long." Chris said. "It'll only make it harder."

"You're right. I know I should have told her from the beginning, but I was afraid she'd think I had too much emotional baggage."

"If you guys care about each other, like I think you do, you'll be fine." Ben said.

"Thanks. I think I'm going to head out for the day. I need to go home and shower before Spencer I go to dinner."

"Does that mean we get to leave too?" Mike asked.

"Yeah, you guys can go too."

"I love that you have a girlfriend now." Mike said.

"Yeah well...I expect all of you here bright and early Monday morning. I don't want to hear excuses." Emily said as she began packing up her tools.

Once Emily had loaded her tools into the truck and her crew had gone for the day, she walked up the porch stairs to the house and rang the door bell. After a minute or so, Spencer came downstairs.

"Hey, Spence. I'm just getting ready to go home. I need to shower and change clothes."

"Can I come get ready over at your place? I'm not sure when my parents are getting home. They'll be suspicious if they see me leaving all dressed up."

"Sure, you can come over."

"Great. I just need to go grab my dress and my shoes and we can go."

"Okay. I'll be in my truck."

Spencer ran up to her bedroom grabbed a garment bag and shoved her dress and shoes into it, along with a few other items. She then went back downstairs and headed out to Emily's truck.

"I'm gonna go jump in the shower." Emily said as she walked into her bedroom and pulled her shirt off.

"I'll come with you." Spencer smirked.

"In the shower? No."

"Why not?" Spencer pouted. "We could have fun."

"You don't want your first time to be in the shower. Believe me, shower sex is totally overrated. It's cramped and awkward."

"Fine." Spencer frowned.

"No…don't give me that sad puppy dog face." Emily said. "I'm looking out for you. If we do it now, you'll regret it the second after we're done. I know you will. Take it from someone who's first time was less than incredible."

"What happened? What was bad about it?"

"I was just way too young. It wasn't that long after I came out to my parents. I was sixteen and I liked the girl I was dating, but we just rushed into everything too fast. It was her first time too and the whole thing happened so fast, it was over almost as fast as it started. And that's not something you get a redo on. I just don't want you to have the same experience that I had. I know nothing can ever be perfect, but I want our first time together to be close to it as possible."

"Thank you for caring about me." Spencer wrapped her arms around Emily and hugged her tightly.

"Spence…I…I…" Emily pulled back and stared into Spencer's eyes.

Emily wanted to tell Spencer that she loved her, but as hard as she tried, the architect just couldn't get the words out.

"You what?"

"Uh, nothing, never mind…I just totally forgot what I was going to say."

"If you remember, let me know." Spencer smiled as she placed her hand on Emily's chest.

"Okay."

"Will you at least leave the bathroom door unlocked so I can wash my face and do my hair?"

"Sure. Just give me a minute to get in the shower first."

Emily then disappeared into the bathroom. After a few minutes, Spencer entered the bathroom. She wiped the steam off of the mirror with her hand and began to wash her face. As Spencer was washing her face she heard Emily's phone begin ringing from the bedroom.

"Hey, Em. I think your phone's ringing. You want me to see who it is?"

"If you wouldn't mind." Emily said, poking her head out of the shower.

Spencer picked up the phone from Emily's dresser and saw that the call was from Mrs. Fields.

"Em, it's your mom." Spencer called out.

"Can you answer it?" Emily replied. "See what she wants."

"Okay." Spencer called out before answering Emily's phone.

"Hi missus Fields, this is Spencer."

"Hello, sweetheart, how are you doing?"

"I'm great. How about you?"

"Just fine, thanks."

"Emily's in the shower right now, but I can have her call you back when she gets out."

"It's all right, I didn't need anything important, I was just checking in with her. It's been a while since we've talked. I can talk to her tomorrow."

"Okay."

"Do you two have plans for tonight?"

"Actually, we do. Emily's taking me to this great French place in the city."

"The one she built?"

"That's the one. I've been there before with my parents. It's a beautiful restaurant."

"It certainly is. My Emily does wonderful work...but I suppose I should let you go. Make sure Emily is on her best behavior this evening. I expect her to be nothing less than sweet and polite. If she isn't, you let me know."

"You don't have anything to worry about. Emily's always very sweet and perfectly polite."

"I'm glad to hear it. You girls have a good night. Tell Emily I'll call her tomorrow after church."

"I will."

"Thank you, sweetheart. It was nice talking to you."

"You too."

Spencer ended the call, set Emily's phone back on the dresser and walked back into the bathroom.

"What did my mom want?"

"Nothing much, just checking in with you. She said she'd call you tomorrow after church."

"Okay, cool."

When Emily finished in the shower, she pulled her towel down off of the shower rod, wrapped it around her body and stepped out. Emily picked up her clothing from the floor and walked past Spencer and into the bedroom to get dressed.

A few moments later, Spencer entered the bedroom. Emily, who was now wearing a bra with her towel wrapped low around her waist, turned to face Spencer.

"Damn it. You're still wearing a towel."

"You were expecting to see me naked?"

"Well, yeah. I was hoping to."

"We just talked about how we shouldn't have sex yet, didn't we?"

"I was just hoping to get a little preview of the merchandise. I'm capable of looking without touching. I'm just interested in checking out what I have to look forward to.

"I guess no one properly explained the whole homosexuality thing to you." Emily chuckled. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, darlin,' but you're not gonna find anything I have that you don't."

"Well, obviously." Spencer rolled her eyes. "But, you still have a ridiculously hot body. You have way more muscles than I do." Spencer reached out and placed her hand on Emily's stomach, just above her belly button.

"You like that, huh?" Emily smirked.

"Who wouldn't? I know you own a mirror, do you ever look in it?" Spencer asked as she slid her hands over Emily's shoulders and leaned forward to kiss the architect.

Emily placed her hands on Spencer's waist and pulled her closer. As they kissed, Spencer's hands slowly wandered downward as she reached for Emily's towel, but she was quickly stopped by the architect, pulling her hands back upward.

"Damn." Spencer mumbled into the kiss. "So close."

Emily broke the kiss to look at Spencer.

"Relax, hot pants..." Emily laughed. "You know, for being a virgin, you're kind of a horn dog."

"I'm sorry. I'm just anxious."

"Don't worry so much. The right time will come along, eventually. And when it does, you'll be glad we waited. Trust me. Our first time together will be amazing."

"Amazing? So you're good in bed?"

"I've never had any complaints...now, you need to leave so I can get dressed."

Emily placed her hands on Spencer's shoulders and turned her around, toward the door.

"Okay, okay. I'm leaving."

"As soon as I'm done, you can get dressed in here."

"Okay. Thanks."

"Oh and Spencer, don't make me lock this door." Emily gently squeezed Spencer's shoulders, before ushering her out the door.

"I'll try to have some self control." Spencer said, turning around to look at Emily before exiting the room. "But, it won't be easy."
"You'll manage." Emily kissed Spencer before closing the door behind her.

Emily then walked over to her closet to search for something to wear.

"Hey, Spence are you almost ready to go?" Emily called out from the living room. "We've only got an hour and a half until our reservation."

Emily walked over to the bedroom and knocked on the door.

"Spence, can I come in?"

"You can come in."

Emily opened the bedroom door to find Spencer standing in front of the mirror on Emily's dresser, touching up her mascara. Spencer had on a tastefully short dark blue, form fitting dress adorned with Swarovski crystals around the neck line. Emily was stopped dead in her tracks as she looked Spencer up and down.

"I'll be ready to go in just a second." Spencer put the finishing touches on her make up and turned to face Emily.

"Do you like the dress?" Spencer asked.

"I love it. You look beautiful, Spence."

"Thank you." Spencer walked over to Emily and kissed her.

Just as Spencer was about to pull away, Emily captured her lips in a second kiss. Emily tangled her fingers into Spencer's hair.

"You're gonna mess up my hair." Spencer mumbled into the kiss.

"Sorry." Emily pulled away and looked at her girlfriend.

"It's okay. You're more than welcome to ruin my hair and make up after dinner if you want to."

Emily smiled softly at Spencer.

"You ready to go?" Emily asked.

"Ready if you are."

Emily reached down and took Spencer's hand as they walked toward the bedroom door.