Advancing time just a bit…perhaps early June. I've completely lost track of time.

Chapter 36

Emily was taping up a box labeled "bedroom" when Paige came in carrying yet another box. They had started stacking boxes in Paige's home office when the packing began. Now they were quickly running out of room.

Paige placed the box she carried on a stack and looked around. "This one is from the kitchen. It's fragile."

Emily nodded then leaned against the stack of boxes closest to her and rested her head on her hand. "We're going to start running out of room in here if you have much more."

"I know," Paige said while looking around. "I didn't realize I have this much stuff." Paige seemed to be in denial of this whole moving process. She's known for months now that her lease would be up and still she's not found a new place to live.

"Has your realtor found any more places worth looking at?" Emily had looked at a countless number of properties with Paige. Paige found fault with all of them. She didn't want to rent, she'd rather own. Emily understood that, she herself felt the same way when she was house shopping. That said; Emily had a simple solution to all of this playing out in the back of her mind. When the time was right she would voice this to Paige.

"He sent me a few links last night. I haven't looked at them yet." Emily gave her a look. "Em, please don't start. I know…I have a little over a month before my lease is up. Believe me; I am fully aware of that as I look at mountains of boxes in my office."

Emily crossed the room and wrapped her arms around Paige's waist. She placed a quick peck to Paige's lips before leaning back to speak to her. "I know, Paige, and I don't mean to stress you out. I'm here for you for whatever you need. If it's to stuff more boxes into this room then I'll do that. If it's to look at one-thousand more houses, I'll do that too."

Paige nodded her head and squeezed Emily tighter to her.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Paige and Emily spent their Saturday morning going through house after house with Paige's realtor. He pulled listings from Midtown, Buckhead and Roswell. None of them piqued Paige's interest. It was evident that her realtor was becoming mildly irritated. He was putting a lot time into finding the right house for Paige and she seemed uninterested. At one point he even asked her if she indeed did want to buy a new home.

Emily was beginning to wonder the same thing. Paige's mood soured with every house they went through. Emily hoped that taking a break and enjoying lunch at one of their favorite cafes would draw her out of the funk she was in.

It was with trepidation that she posed her question to Paige. "Did you like any of the houses Matthew took us through today?"

Paige shrugged her shoulders, "They were OK, I guess."

"Just, OK? Come on Paige, there had to have been something you liked about them. Tell me, please."

Paige waited to respond until after their waiter sat down their salads, filled their tea glasses and left the table. "That one in Buckhead had a nice wraparound porch." Emily nodded her head in encouragement for her to proceed. "I liked the proximity to Piedmont Park with that one in Midtown. And the one off the square in Roswell had a nice kitchen but a terrible back yard."

Emily knew none of these pluses were enough to move Paige over into the "purchase" column. But they were something to go off of. She just wanted to feel Paige out a little more. "That wraparound porch was really cute. And with your green thumb you could really do a lot with the landscaping." Paige picked at her salad and nodded her head. "And that kitchen was really nice...and bonus…no convection oven!" Paige cracked a smile at that.

"Emily, I know you're trying to help and I know I'm not making this a pleasant experience, but it kind of feels like you're pushing me," Paige admitted.

Emily leaned back in her chair. "I'm sorry, that is not my intention. But you did ask me to help, remember? Matthew was right to ask you that earlier. Do you really want to buy a house? You seem so hesitant."

Paige sat her fork down in frustration. "It's a BIG deal, Em! It's a house we're talking about. Property, responsibility, longevity. What if I end up hating it after I've bought it? What then? Or what if the company ships me off somewhere again?"

Now they were getting somewhere. "Paige, I don't think Michael is going to do that. That was a special circumstance to get a new office up and running. Does he have any further expansion plans that you know of?" Paige shook her head no. "OK then. And as for the responsibility, you're right. Homeownership is a big deal. But you've done this once already when you bought your townhouse in Roswell. What's changed?"

Paige released her breath with an audible sigh. "I was a high and mighty young college graduate then trying to prove to my father that I could make it on my own without him. Everything has changed since then. My relationship with him is back on track. I no longer feel the need to prove anything…to anyone. And I'm more mature now; I have certain things I want and I know what I want for my life."

Emily nodded her head in agreement. "That's right, you are more mature now. I think most people our age have come into their own. I know there are certain things I want for my life too. There's a risk in nearly everything you do, every decision you make. Sometimes you have to take the risk and reach for what you want."

The waiter came back to remove their plates. He sat the bill in between both girls, unsure of who was picking up their tab.

When he left Emily all but blurted out, "Move in with me."

Paige, who was watching the waiter walk away, turned her head back to Emily in shock. "What?"

"I would love for you to move in with me, Paige." Paige sat there in silence looking at her. "Please, say something, anything, even if its no."

Paige found her voice, "If you're saying this because you're worried I'm going to end up homeless in three weeks, don't worry about it. I'll figure things out."

Emily reached for Paige's hand across the table. "Paige, honey, please listen to me." Emily waited to continue until she knew she had Paige's full attention. "I'm saying this because I love you. I'm saying this because, like you, there are certain things I want for my life. One of those things is you; a life together with you. I think we both know where we're headed. This is a natural progression towards that."

Paige bowed her head and gave that adorable half grin that always melted Emily's heart. She continued, "We spent years apart, Paige. In those years we matured. We grew into the people we are now. We learned what it takes to be in a strong, committed relationship. Most importantly, now is our time. I don't want to waste any of it. Will you move in with me?"

A broad smile lit up Paige's face. "I love you too. I really do. Yes, I would love to move in with you. Let's do this!"

Emily couldn't contain her happiness. She leapt from her chair and pulled Paige across the table. They both hovered above it as Emily kissed Paige, pouring everything she felt into that connection.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Emily walked out of her French doors carrying a large, ice cold sweet tea for Paige. Paige had spent most of the morning in the back yard weeding and spreading mulch. Paige looked up when she saw Emily approaching in her periphery. She stood and wiped the sweat off of her brow. "Thanks," she said, before taking a large gulp.

"You're welcome." Emily looked around. "This looks great. How much more do you have to do?"

Paige pointed towards one back corner of the yard. "All that's left is that flower bed over there."

"OK, well work fast. You still have to get cleaned up before your parents get here."

Paige smirked at the comment. "This would be done by now if you were helping me, you know."

Emily pointed to the house. "I have plenty keeping me busy in there, thank you. Someone has to get the house cleaned up and get your boxes out of the way."

"We're telling them today that I'm moving in with you. I really don't see the harm in my parents noticing the boxes sitting around your house."

A look of concern flashed across Emily's features. "I want everything to be perfect. Your parents don't need to come here thinking you're moving into squalor."

Paige tilted her head back in laughter. "This house is anything but. It's adorable, Emily. They love you and they love me. This is so not going to be a problem."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nick, Claire, Paige and Emily were seated at the table on the back patio. A large umbrella shielded them from the sun's rays. Emily put out quite a spread. In her nervousness she may have over prepared. There were three different kinds of finger sandwiches, a cheese tray, a veggie platter, fruit salad, kale salad and two different fruit pies. They'd never be able to eat all of this.

"Thank you for having us over for lunch, Emily. I know with Paige's imminent move she probably doesn't have a lot in her rental," Claire said.

"It's my pleasure. I'm glad you two could come by. I think its lovely you've come down for a visit."

Nick looked to Paige then. "Have you found any houses you like?"

Paige glanced at Emily. This seemed as good a time as any. "As a matter of fact I have." Paige noticed her mother's excitement increase at the mention. She knew she was eager to hear all about it. "You're looking at it," Paige said, sweeping her arms around to gesture to the house and yard.

Nick and Claire looked confused. They weren't 100 percent sure what Paige was getting at. Emily took the cue. She rested her hand on top of Paige's arm. "I asked Paige to move in with me. She accepted."

The McCullers' remained silent. Emily was starting to feel uncomfortable. Paige was giving her parents a look that implied, "What's the deal?"

Claire was the first to find her voice. "I'm sorry; please don't take our silence as disagreement. This is really wonderful, you two. We're so very happy. It was just a surprise, that's all."

The four talked excitedly for a while about this new development. Emily gave the McCullers a tour of the house. They commented on how lovely it was and Nick remarked that it reminded him of his and Claire's first house together.

Once they were back at the table enjoying a piece of pie Nick reached into his wallet and pulled out four tickets. He laid them on the table. "We have a surprise too, though I think now it doesn't carry quite as much weight," he said with a smile.

Paige looked down at the tickets. "Orchestra tickets to Phantom of the Opera! That's awesome, thanks so much mom and dad!"

"Oh, sorry. My mistake. These are for us and Michael and his wife." Nick pulled out a twenty and laid it on the table. "This is for you guys. For a nice dinner on the town."

Paige looked at Nick in shock and embarrassment. Nick couldn't keep up the façade anymore. He doubled over laughing. "You should have seen your face, Paige!" He wiped at his eyes. "I'm sorry, that was a joke. Yes, these tickets are for the four of us," she gestured around the table. "For tomorrow night at the Fox Theater."

Paige tried to look mad but she couldn't force the expression. It was nice to have these teasing moments with her dad again. She laughed and added, "Very funny, dad."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The next evening the foursome headed to the Fox after a nice dinner in Midtown. As they were ushered to their seats Claire asked Emily, who was on her right, "Have you been to the theater before?"

"Not the Fox," Emily said while looking around. The Fox Theater was restored to its grandness and saved from demolition years ago. The bold red-carpeted foyer leads guest as they step into another era of entertainment. Opulence abounds as no expense was spared in the renovations of the historic building. The molding and decorative accents gilded with gold plating, ceilings that reached for the heavens and stained glass windows, all leading to an impressive twilight blue "sky" complete with twinkling stars made the visitor feel like they were in another time and place. "This is beautiful," she whispered to no one in particular. Emily turned her attention back to Claire. "But yes, I have been to other performances. I enjoy it. Phantom has always been on my list of must sees, so thank you for this. These seats are absolutely fabulous."

The house lights went down as Claire whispered back, "You'll love it. This is my favorite by far." Then the audience quieted down for the performance to begin.

Emily sat awestruck throughout the entire show. She was enthralled. The music was beautiful. She's heard it before, of course, but never live. Not like this, not on stage. Not in a historic theater, with a real organ: the famed "Mighty Mo."

Paige was so happy to experience this with Emily. Most of her attention was spent watching the other girl take in the beauty that was a live performance of Phantom of the Opera. Paige had seen it before and one of her favorite acts was getting ready to start: the reprise of "All I Ask of You."

The Phantom began his part of the reprise as he poured his emotions through song; the only way he knew to fully express himself. One single spotlight lit him from behind casting everything around him in shadow. There was just enough light for Paige to see Emily sitting next to her. Paige could tell by the look on Emily's face that she felt for the Phantom in that moment. The actor was doing his job very well. Unexpectedly, the mood shifted, the Phantom yelled, the Mighty Mo suddenly started to blast a heavy, malicious beat. Lights throughout the room started to flicker. Abruptly, a chandelier that Emily had not even noticed hanging from the ceiling before lit up and started plummeting towards the stage. She gasped, ducked and lunged at Paige. From their seats in the orchestra level it looked as though the chandelier was coming right at them. This was Paige's favorite part. She loved to experience this musical live with people who had never seen it before. All the better that it was Emily in her arms now.

Emily looked up at Paige, "OK, that was beautiful and also a little terrifying."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

That night Emily and Paige were lying in bed. "I can't believe you didn't warn me about that chandelier," Emily said while swatting Paige playfully. Emily could feel Paige grin as the girls head rested on her chest.

"Now what kind of person would I be to have taken that experience away from you? Honestly that is my favorite part of the whole musical."

"I can understand why," Emily said with a chuckle. Then she turned a little more serious. "Paige," she said while grazing her fingertips over Paige's arm. "Do you really think your parents are good with us living together? I mean, I know it's our decision to make and it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks, but I can't help it. I want them to like me. To accept me as the woman you love."

Paige lifted her head to look Emily in the eyes. "Yes, I really do believe they are happy for us. My parents have known how I felt about you for a long time. Our lives our entwined together, Em. They know how much I love you. They want me to be happy and they know you make me happy. It's as simple as that."

"I love you too." Emily kissed Paige. "Now, we're going to need to talk about the wet towel you left on the bed this afternoon."

Paige just shook her head. Even moments like this, when Emily was getting Spencer-ish on her, Paige felt blessed for. She couldn't wait to live with Emily.

A/N: They are moving in together! I'll be interested to see if this gets positive or negative feedback.