When Emily and her mother arrived home that afternoon, they unloaded all of Emily's luggage and carried it up the front porch stairs. Emily stepped into the foyer behind her mother.
"Take your shoes off, honey." Pam said. "I just vacuumed."
"Okay."
Emily slipped her sneakers off and walked into the living room. Pam and Emily then took the luggage upstairs to Emily's bedroom. The architect set her largest suitcase on the bed and looked around the room. Everything still looked exactly the same as it always had. There were family photos, as well as various ribbons and trophies that Emily had earned throughout her high school and college swimming career. Although Emily hadn't lived with her parents full time since before she left for college, Pam never had the heart to change anything.
"It's so good to have you home." Pam said as she hugged her daughter.
Emily returned the embrace. It did feel nice to be home. She hadn't visited since Christmas time last year and even then, she had only been home for just a few days.
"We should pick you out something to wear to your meeting tonight." Pam said when she pulled away.
"Don't worry, Spencer already took care of that for me."
Emily then unzipped her suitcase and pulled out the black suit and red shirt that Spencer had picked out.
"She thought it'd be nice if I wore Texas Tech colors."
"I think that's a wonderful idea. Why don't you give me that suit, I'll iron it, but right now, how about if I make you a snack?"
"That sounds great. Thanks, mom."
As Emily turned to leave the room with her mother, the architect noticed two photos of she and Spencer in a frame on top of the dresser. They were the photos that had been taken in Love Park during one of her dates with Spencer.
"You printed and framed these?" Emily said, remembering she had emailed the photos at Pam's request of wanting photos of Emily and Spencer.
"Of course. Is something wrong?" Pam asked.
"No, it's just that you don't know Spencer that well yet. I'm just a little surprised that you're so on board with us being a couple. I mean, I'm definitely glad..."
"You two just look so happy together, especially you, sweetheart. I can't even remember the last time I saw you smile like that." Pam said, looking down at the photo in her daughter's hand.
"Well, Spencer is pretty amazing. I can't help but smile when I'm around her."
A moment later Emily and Pam heard the front door creek open.
"That must be your dad. He's so excited to see you."
Emily placed the picture frame back on the dresser and followed her mother out of the room. They made their way downstairs into the living room where Wayne was now standing in the foyer.
"Hi, dad." Emily said, quickly walking over to her father.
"You look fantastic, kiddo." Wayne said. "I still can't believe my little girl is all grown up."
Wayne then stepped into the living room and wrapped his arms around his daughter.
"It's so good to see you, Emmy." Wayne said as he hugged his daughter tight.
Emily smiled to herself. Her father was the one and only person she'd ever allow to call her "Emmy." She much preferred being called either "Em" or "Emily," but with her father "Emmy" somehow always felt right.
"I feel like it's been forever since I've seen you." Wayne said as he pulled away and placed his hands on his daughter's shoulders.
"It's been almost a year now." Emily stared her father in the eyes. "I'm sorry I haven't been down to visit...I..."
"Don't worry about it." Wayne waved his hand dismissively. "You're an adult now, you have your own life to live."
"So...Rosewood Sharks." Wayne said, looking at the t shirt Emily was wearing. "You decide to give up being a Red Raider and become a Shark instead?" He laughed.
"I'll never stop being a Red Raider." Emily laughed. "Spencer gave me this shirt. She's the captain of Rosewood High's field hockey team."
"Captain? She must be a pretty good player."
"She is. She's amazing."
"Wayne, I was just about to make Emily a snack. Why don't we all go into the kitchen?"
Wayne nodded. He placed one hand on Emily's shoulder and one on Pam's as the three of them made their way into the kitchen.
"So...why don't you tell me about Spencer." Wayne said as he and Emily sat down at the table.
"She's absolutely amazing. She's smart, funny, athletic and she's so beautiful. Spencer's perfect. I'm really lucky, I don't know how I ever managed to find her, but I'm so happy I did."
"You know, your mother showed me the photos you sent. You two certainly do make a very nice-looking couple. I'd be happy to have Spencer down for a visit." Wayne smiled. "I'm looking forward to meeting her."
"I can't wait until you do. I know you'll love her. I'm just really hoping her parents will let her come down, but I don't know about that..."
"Why wouldn't they let her?" Pam asked. "You're responsible and trustworthy and I'm sure her parents like you a lot."
"Well, I mean her mother likes me a lot more than her father does, that's for sure. I know I told you things were okay after her dad found out about us, but that wasn't exactly the truth. Mister Hastings isn't really my biggest fan right now, in fact, he totally hates me and doesn't want me anywhere near Spencer."
"How could anyone possibly hate you?" Pam said. "He must be crazy."
"I know it bothers him that I'm older than Spencer. And he doesn't trust me after sneaking around with her behind his back. When he found out he wanted to fire me, but luckily Missus Hastings wouldn't let him. Now, everything's a mess. Things are tense between Spencer and her dad and Missus Hastings is stuck in the middle of everything. I feel really bad about it, you know? Missus Hastings has been nothing but kind and understanding with me."
"Emily, honey, why didn't you tell me any of this before?" Pam asked, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"I didn't want you to worry about me."
"Don't stress yourself too much." Wayne said. "I'm sure you'll be able to win over her father, it might just take a little extra time."
"I hope so. I hate being the cause of so much tension. I try really hard to be respectful, Spencer's dad is still my elder whether he likes me or not, but it hasn't been easy. I know he thinks I'm not good enough to date Spencer. I mean, his other daughter is engaged to a doctor, how am I supposed to compete with that?"
"Sweetheart, you're a successful architect." Pam said. "You've worked very hard you should be proud. Don't belittle yourself. Any parent would be lucky to have you dating their daughter."
"Your mother's right, Emmy." Wayne nodded. "I know you're in a tough spot now, but just give it time. I'm sure everything will work out, but you need to have confidence in yourself."
"Thanks." Emily smiled weakly. "You know, you're right, I'm not giving up. After Stephanie, I never thought I'd be able to get close to anyone again, but Spencer's completely changed my mind. I love being with her and I think she's happy with me. If I have to keep proving that to her dad, then I will."
"Good." Wayne said. "That's exactly the attitude you'll need, if you want to make an impression on Spencer's father."
"So…how was your date last night, Spence?" Hanna asked as she flopped down on Spencer's bed in between Alison and Aria.
"It was amazing." Spencer smiled. "When I got to her apartment last night, she had dinner cooked and waiting for me by candle light. And she gave me a bouquet of the most beautiful red roses I've ever seen."
"Aw. Emily's such a romantic." Aria said. "What did she cook for you?"
"We had steak and shrimp. It was the same meal she made the first time she ever cooked for me. Last night, she even bought a bottle of wine. And it wasn't like the cheap stuff either, it was like the kind of ridiculously expensive stuff my dad usually buys when he's trying to impress clients. And she gave me a key to her apartment too."
"She actually gave you a key to her place?" Alison asked.
"Yep." Spencer smiled proudly.
"Damn." Hanna said. "You get to date a total cutie of an architect who also happens to be a crazy romantic. You're one lucky girl."
"Okay, romance is nice and all, but let's cut the mush and get to the good stuff. Did you guys do it or what?" Alison asked.
"Twice." Spencer smiled and nodded. "Last night, then again this morning."
"Spencer Hastings finally loses her V-card. Congratulations. It's about time." Alison said, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"So…what's Emily look like naked?" Hanna asked.
Aria just stared at Hanna.
"What? Like you weren't thinking about it." Hanna rolled her eyes. "Come on, Spence…talk to us."
"Okay, well…she looks great naked. She's really, really muscular." Spencer smirked. "Like seriously, I'm so glad she has a physical job."
"Yeah, I bet." Hanna laughed. "Tell us everything, Spence." Hanna moved closer to Spencer on the bed. "How was the sex? What's Emily like in bed? How did everything happen?"
"Emily was amazing. I was helping her finish packing up her stuff, we started making out and ended up on the bed. I started unbuttoning her shirt and I told her I was ready to sleep with her. She asked if I was sure and told me that I didn't need to feel pressured just because she was leaving."
"That's sweet." Aria said.
"Yeah. I told her I didn't feel pressured and that I wanted last night to be our first time. Emily was super sweet and really gentle the whole time. She told me how beautiful I was and that she loved me. It was perfect. Every single minute."
"That's great, Spence. I'm so happy for you." Aria said.
"So…I assume Emily passed the oral exam?" Hanna winked and gently elbowed Spencer.
Spencer blushed a little and stared down at her feet. "With flying colors. But she was great all around. She sweats a lot too, but I don't mind…"
"Sexy." Hanna said. "I love it when they get all hot and sweaty. That's how you know they're dedicated and working hard for you."
"I think we all could have pretty much figured Emily would be a total stud in bed." Alison said. "Just look at her…but what about you, you did reciprocate, didn't you?"
"Yeah." Spencer nodded.
"And…" Hanna urged Spencer to continue.
"And I was really nervous, but Emily seemed to like it, so I guess I did okay…"
"Obviously most people like to be on the receiving end, but how did you like giving and everything?" Hanna asked. "I mean, I've never been with a girl before so I'm just curious what it's like."
"Well, it's really, really personal and intimate. I've never felt closer to anyone in my whole life than I did to Emily last night. You know, I fell asleep wrapped in her arms and I woke up spooning with her this morning. It was like the most amazing feeling ever…I just felt so safe and comfortable, like we were in this big, cozy bubble and nothing could touch us, but now Emily's gone and I can't believe it."
"Spence…" Aria said, sympathetically, placing a hand on her best friend's knee.
"After I got back from the airport, I went over to her apartment and I just laid in her bed for a while, until I fell asleep. It didn't really hit me until I got back that she won't be home for the next four months. I already miss her."
Hanna could tell that Spencer was desperately fighting back tears.
"You guys will be fine, okay?" Hanna said, sincerely as she placed her arm around Spencer. "You love Emily and she loves you. Distance won't change that."
"I know. I just wish we could be together." Spencer sighed. "I don't wanna sound too needy or clingy, but…"
"Don't worry. You're not needy or clingy at all." Hanna said. "You're in love and you miss your girlfriend. There's nothing wrong with that. At least you guys can Skype and stuff. You'll get to see each other."
"Yeah and you can always go visit her at some point, right?" Aria asked. "Maybe like over a weekend or something?"
"I asked my mom if I could go see her over New Years. She said I can."
"See, that's not so bad." Aria said. "New Years is only a little more than a month away. It'll be here before you know it…are you gonna get to talk to her tonight?"
"I should. I asked her to call me after her dinner meeting. I wanna know how everything goes with her boss."
"Just try not to act all mopey and depressed when you talk to her." Alison said. "That'll totally turn Emily off."
"I'll do my best." Spencer said.
Later that evening, Emily decided to take a shower before getting ready for her meeting. While Emily was in the shower, Pam took the suit Spencer had picked out and laid it across the ironing board.
"I can't believe Spencer's father is angry about she and Emily seeing each other." Pam said as she turned the iron on and began to press one pant leg. "I should really find his phone number, call him up and give that jerk a piece of my mind."
"Pam. Don't get involved with this." Wayne said. "That's about the last thing Emily needs."
"I just don't understand where he gets off thinking that my baby isn't good enough."
"I know you're upset about this and so is Emily, believe me I don't want to see our daughter upset any more than you do, but Emily's a grown woman now. You can't keep coddling her forever."
"Are you saying she doesn't need her mother anymore?"
"That's not what I meant. Of course she still needs you. She always will. She just can't have her mother swoop in and fight all of her battles for her. You can be supportive without intervening in the situation. I know you just want to help, but if you get involved, it'll only complicate things even more."
"Maybe you're right." Pam sighed loudly.
"I know I am." Wayne stepped over to his wife and kissed her on the forehead. "Don't worry so much. We raised Emily to be strong and persistent. She's got my hard head. She'll be fine. She always is."
Pam nodded as she shifted the pants on the ironing board to press the other leg. Once she had finished ironing Emily's suit, Pam knocked on Emily's bedroom door.
"Come in." Emily called out.
"Here's your suit, honey." Pam said, walking over to her daughter.
"Thanks, mom."
"You're welcome, sweetheart. Now hurry and get dressed, you don't want to be late."
