"You okay?" Emily spoke after a few minutes of silence, satisfied that Paige had come down from her euphoric high.
"mmhhmm" Paige nodded sleepily, curling herself further into Emily's hold, embracing the new sense of connection buzzing between them.
"You know we have to get up, right?" Emily questioned, placing a lingering kiss to Paige's forehead, her fingers drawing whimsical designs along the length of Paige's naked back evoking thousands of tingling shivers.
"I know... I just want to stay here for another little while." She spoke, her voice quiet and still holding a significant rasp to it's tone.
"Okay another few minutes, then I have to go shower. Paige... what about the others?"
"What about them?" Paige hummed sleepily into Emily's chest.
"What do we tell them... do we tell them anything at all?" Emily continued, unsure of how she hoped the brunette would respond.
"What do you want to do, Em?" Paige sat up this time so she could look Emily in the eye, leaning forward to place a chaste kiss just below the other girl's chin.
"I'm not ready. I think we should wait until we figure out what's going on here for ourselves, first. Then we can think about telling them." Emily spoke shyly, worried her answer would upset Paige. But she was wrong.
"I think that's a great idea." Paige smiled, she wanted to keep it quiet for a little while longer too, at least until she felt at ease with everything for herself.
"Now you should go shower before we get caught out." Paige spoke again, reaching up further to capture Emily's soft lips between her own.
"Maybe you should join me?" Emily rasped, pulling Paige back down on top of her, joining their lips once again in a wave of heated passion.
"Maybe I will..." Paige purred in return, quickly unravelling beneath Emily's touch once again, the two immediately breaking apart once they heard a blood-curdling scream echo from outside. Paige stood up instantly, panic washing over her. The scream quickly descended into a loud bout of boisterous laughter as she watched Jake and Caleb chase Hanna around outside, hitting her playfully with snowballs.
"It snowed" Paige smiled, her eyes lighting up like a giddy child on Christmas morning, she always loved the snow. She loved how serene and pristine the outside looked once covered in a thick layer of brilliant white snow.
Emily reluctantly climbed out of bed now too, picking up Paige's Stanford hoodie and throwing it over her naked body to ward off the chill in the room, as she carefully approached the window beside Paige hoping she wouldn't catch the others sight from below. Grabbing one of the extra blankets that Spencer had left out on the desk in case Paige felt cold, she approached the brunette wrapping the thick woollen fabric around Paige's naked body, afraid the girl might start feeling the cold. Paige turned slightly, shooting Emily a thankful smile before instantly turning back to continue watching Hanna and her family play around in the snow, a sight so fascinating to Paige she felt like a child.
Emily's eyes glued to Paige as she took in the pure fascination in the girl's eyes, she knew how much the brunette adored the snow. Paige had always loved snow, she was always mesmerised by the way the snowflakes would flutter seamlessly from the sky. Unfortunately, as a child both her parents were always busy working trying to provide a living for themselves and their daughter, they didn't have the time to roll around outside in the snow with her. Almost every day after school while growing up, she'd go to her grandparents' house because she was too young to stay at home alone, but anytime she got to experience the sheer delight of a winter's snowfall it was simply too unsafe for her grandparents to run around out in the snow with her. Oftentimes she was left, confined to the restrictive nature of the indoors sitting perilously sat on her grandparents window seat just watching the flakes of snow ease to the ground, her whole body itching to get out and explore. She was an adventurous child who spent most her youth outdoors exploring her grandparents' overgrown backyard, climbing trees and coming back inside covered in cuts and bruises ingrained in mud, sadly snow was the one thing she very rarely got to explore deemed too unsafe for a young girl to go out by herself, by the 'grown-ups'. When it snowed she would always resent the fact she was an only child, she didn't have many friends when she was growing up either, she had always struggled making them. She had Pru of course, but Pru lived on the other side of town and it wasn't safe or necessary for her parents to risk going out on the roads for a playdate. She was allowed outside for brief periods of time usually after nagging her grandmother senselessly or sneaking off when her grandfather fell asleep reading the newspaper. Knowing her time outdoors in such mystical weather conditions was limited, Paige would put so much of her energy into making the best snowman. Sadly, it was never enough all she ever really wanted to do was have a snow ball fight, like the ones you saw on TV or in films where everyone is having so much fun, red noses and red ears appearing after being caught by a perfectly aimed snowball, snow covering every inch of the target from head to toe, the adrenaline and thrill something she always missed out on. That was the one thing she rarely got to do, and one of the reasons she took the every single chance as a grown adult to enjoy the snow.
"You should go..." Emily leaned in, wrapping her arms around Paige's waist as she kissed the base of the slightly smaller girl's neck.
"You sure?" Paige leaned her head back to let it lie onto Emily's shoulders, she couldn't help but laugh out loud when she saw Jacob and Hanna corner Caleb this time, covering him in a mountain of snow.
"Paige, you're shaking like Chihuahua with excitement just watching them, go get dressed and join in the fun downstairs. I'll shower and be down in a bit." Emily added laughing as Paige's excitement only seemed to intensify.
Paige turning to peck Emily's lips once more quickly threw the blankets off her body and began rooting out her snow gear, Emily watching on in amusement at her ex-girlfriends quick movements. Paige without saying goodbye sprinted down the stairs still pulling on her coat as she made her way out the door to join the trio. Emily now the one to laugh to herself once she saw the three quickly turn on Paige on noticing her presence while she was still struggling to close up her coat as they began pummelling her with snowballs. Paige's child-like playfulness, shooting butterflies around Emily's stomach as she stood to watch on for another few minutes.
"Hey, Kids! It's lunchtime." Spencer yelled out the front door, everyone had been outside for a good three hours playing around, but it was only the guys and Paige who had remained outside for the whole duration. Quickly making teams, it was Caleb and Paige up against Toby and Ezra as they battled it out to invade the other's base without being struck down by a snowball. All the other girls had decided it was best to return to the warm confines of the cabin, Hanna taken Jacob inside too afraid he'd get sick from being out in the cold too long, her protective motherly instincts kicking in.
Within seconds of hearing Spencer mention any kind of food, the four returned indoors hyped up on adrenaline and excitement, like a group of raucous teenagers. Paige was the last to return inside, Emily instantly looking her way making sure she was okay and the boys hadn't ganged up on her, instead she instantly picked up on the coy smirk and playful glint in the other girl's eye, she jumped off the seat ready to run if she needed to.
"Paige... No!" Emily yelled, as she noticed the brunette begin to move towards her, Emily made a dash for safety running down the hallway to get away from what she suspected to be an ice cold snowball ready and waiting for her, held tightly within Paige's hand. Running as fast as she could, she felt the snowball whoosh passed her, ploughing into the end wall before dropping into a sad heap on the ground.
"Ha... you missed, McCullers!" Emily declared proudly.
"Doesn't mean my hands aren't still freezing cold, Fields." Paige replied just a quick, sprinting down the small hallway towards Emily, capturing the slightly taller girl within her hold just in time as the two fell in through the door of main bathroom down the end of the hallway. Picking Emily up and twisting her around, before she threatened to place her hands under Emily's hoodie, hoping to make tortuous contact with the warm skin under there. Instead the two just stopped for a moment, the two now eye to eye, as they quickly forgot about the existence of the world around them. Paige pushed Emily up against the bathroom door instantly capturing her lips with her own in a heated embrace, their tongues meeting in an instant as the kiss amounted with a desperate intensity. Moans escaping the two shamelessly, Emily biting down on Paige's lower lips aching for more. Paige forgetting about her cold hands in the moment let them wander under Emily's hoodie mindlessly, simply itching for further contact. An ear piercing screech coming from Emily interrupting their moment, pushing Paige away within an instant after she was touched by her freezing cold hands, almost regrettably so as she instantly missed their physical connection.
"Fuck, Paige... you're hands are fuckin' freezing" Emily laughed, hitting Paige's hands away. A mischievous, teasing glint on Paige's face.
"Told'ya I'd get ya." Paige joked laughing now too, as she playfully poked Emily's side.
"Yeah, Yeah whatever you say, Paige..." Emily nudged back. "Come on, let's get back up there before someone comes looking, we don't want anyone walking in on this." She continued, a huge smile still plastered on her face a similar one mirrored on Paige's.
Paige held the bathroom door open for Emily allowing her to exit first, following behind her Paige was immediately temped to purposefully place her still slightly cold hands back under Emily's hoodie from behind to come in contact with the other woman's warm back.
Paige who was about to move forward with her hands, was instantly interrupted when Emily turned on her heels "Don't you dare" and if looks could kill Paige would be dead right now, with the vicious look Emily just shot her.
"How did she know" Paige mumbled defeated to herself, laughing lighting out of amusement. Emily picking up on the words, shooting Paige another playful smirk, before winking tantalising and walking back into the kitchen, like nothing at all had happened between the two just now. Paige had set out to play a trick on Emily but she was the one left breathless, dazed and confused.
"Have you two kids finally settled down?" Hanna joked as she caught sight of Emily and Paige walk into the kitchen grabbing a bowl of soup each and some bread.
"Blame Paige, she's the one who decided to bring the snowball fight inside" Emily whined, looking to her friends pleading innocence. Everyone just looked on in amusement.
"Well if you weren't such a wuss and actually stayed out in the snow for longer than five minutes maybe I wouldn't have to try bring out the fun in you, in here" Paige responded just as quick, the two now joining everyone else at the table.
"You know I hate being cold." Emily whined, pulling her hoodie tighter around her to emphasis her statement.
"I know. I'm sorry... I'll make it up to you." Paige added flirtatiously, briefly forgetting about the others in the room, it was up to Emily to deter the attention now focusing in on her and Paige as interested smiles and scrutinising gazes pinned down onto them. Paige's heart racing on realising her slip-up, guessing it was most likely mirroring Emily's once she picked up on the girl's panicked expression.
"What this?" Emily reacted quickly, looking for a distraction thankfully finding it in the form of a large white envelope standing upright in the centre of the table.
"it's for Paige." Spencer interrupted, thankfully the moment passed no one really over-thinking Paige's previous words.
"Me?"
"Yeah... it's your Christmas present. Remember Hanna and I said you'd have to wait a little while longer." Caleb spoke up, standing up to pass the envelope to Paige. "We got the forms in an email this morning, but since my darling wife says it's not a real present unless you get to open something, we had to hunt out an envelope so you'd have something to open."
"Okay?" Paige looked on curiously, Emily was just as curious and frankly a little worried about what may be hidden inside the envelope.
Paige tentatively ripped open the large envelope which was slightly thick, that simply fact worrying Paige even more so as her mind began racing as to what the contents could be, especially given the amount of paper inside.
She pulled out the forms followed by a professional looking booklet. Glancing over the papers, her eyes began to put two and two together.
"So what is it?" Emily asked eagerly, glancing around the room she figured she was the only one beside Paige who was left out in the dark.
"A job opportunity... an amazing one at that." Paige spoke in disbelief, her eyes never once straying from the papers she held in her hands as they continued scanning the page seeking out further information and trying to find a catch.
"Is this some kind of joke" Paige looked up, trying to understand if her friends were playing an incredibly cruel joke on her.
"No, not at all. Okay well let me explain. The woman who is head of PR and marketing for my design label, is married to the CEO of LUX Designs New York, he was in the office one day with his wife when he noticed the designs you drew up for my spring line. He loved the illustrations so much, he wanted to see more so I sent him a copy of your portfolio, and I know I should have asked your permission but it was best to keep it a secret especially if things didn't work out... I didn't think you could handle another rejection. So we continued talking over the past few weeks, Caleb did some background searches and Spence looked into their legal background, everything seems to look pretty great." Hanna explained looking to her husband to finish.
"They're only a new company, only up and running for over two years but they're making waves within the world of digital animation and photography and are quickly becoming a multi-million company within the world of design. Luke was looking for ways to upgrade once more, and began considering illustration and artwork for children and young adults after he saw your designs. They had to pass the idea by shareholders and other members of the company, but it seems to be all go now, hence why they offered you the job." Caleb added, a proud smile registering on everyone's face as they noticed the level of interest in Paige's eyes.
"I... I don't know what to say. I'm speechless" Paige stuttered out, as she took the papers and moved to the couch trying to let the whole thing settle in. "... it says here they want to offer me a $70,000 bonus just for accepting their offer... and the salary is incredible, it would mean I could pay back my loans and parents in only a few weeks. I'll have an office to myself with the best equipment in their Manhattan offices as well as the opportunity to work from home." Paige continued rambling in pure shock.
"Well, what do you think?" Aria broke the heavy silence, as everyone watched on eagerly awaiting an emotional response from Paige.
"I...I... I don't know. Things like this don't just happen me. I need to process it all a little while longer." Paige stood up taken everything with her as she retired to her bedroom to do a little more research and figure out if this is what she really wanted.
"Well that was anti-climactic" Ezra joked, a low rumble of confused laughter following.
"It's Paige... she just needs to figure everything out in her head first. Then we'll know what she's really thinking." Emily spoke up feeling the need to speak on behalf of Paige, everyone nodding in understanding.
A couple of hours passed when Paige heard a knock on her bedroom.
"Paige, can I come in?" The voice called out, she immediately recognised it as Emily.
"Sure."
Paige's face hid any sign of emotion as Emily entered the room taking a seat beside the brunette. Emily tentatively reached forward to offer some kind of support, squeezing the girl's shoulder as she sat down, and waiting for Paige to speak first.
"Okay, well I did some research on the web and emailed the company. They immediately replied and we organised a skype call which lasted about an hour, they went over all details with me in person. I met some of the other people working there and they showed me where my potential office could be." Paige explained.
"That seems promising?"
"Yeah, well I thought so... so after the call ended I rang my parents and passed it by them, they are thrilled and delighted by the job opportunity and said if I was happy that I should go for it. But I still don't what to do, Em."
"Emily?" Paige finally questioned again when she didn't get a response, her voice breaking the raven haired girl out of her thoughts.
"Of course, I think you should go for it, Paige. I know you're scared that it's somehow going to fall apart but it's a fantastic opportunity, Pay and I can't think of anyone else who deserves something like this, more than you. You and I know more than anyone that you have to take risks... sometimes they work out, other times they don't. But that's life." Emily reassured pausing for a moment her eyes meeting Paige's beautiful and swirling brown. "You know, you once told me 'Unpredictable can be good', Paige. It can, I promise."
"Unpredictable can be good... just look at us" Paige reiterated, but completing the line she once said to Emily all those years ago. "I said that about us...before everything fell apart, Em." Her voice quiet this time.
"I know you did." Emily sighed. "The unpredictable may have caused us to break apart, to fall distantly from one another lives... but it also brought us back together, somehow...and although things aren't perfect and far from figured out, I'm more grateful than ever before to have you back in my life. That was also the result of unpredictability."
The words hitting Paige hard, her heart no doubt picking up speed as another layer of mixed emotion and confusion piled onto the back of her mind. The weight becoming that little more heavy.
Be Ballsy.
"I think I'll take it" Her voice a whisper but sounder reassured and confident. "Thank you, for believing in me, Em." Paige turned, her fingers trailing Emily jawline before she leaned forwards sealing her statement with a tender kiss.
Always. The words seared in the back of Emily's minds.
"I took the job" Paige spoke softly when she returned downstairs, a timid smile on her face as her mind remained racing, afraid the prospect would somehow find a way to explode in her face.
"Yes! Congratulations Paige" Toby walked over pulling Paige into a tight bear hug, as everyone else cheered for their friend.
"This calls for some celebrations" Hanna declared as she made her way into the kitchen to grab a bottle of champagne and glasses for everyone with Aria's help.
"To Paige and her new job" Caleb toasted as everyone went around the room clinking their flutes of champagne. Paige turned to Emily, a bashful smile on her face while Emily beamed with a proud expression the two naturally moving towards the other, constantly drawn to each other like a magnetic field was always pulling them together. The two simply unable to cope with the distance that existed between them, struggling with having to hide their need to touch, seeking out connection and comfort from the other all the time.
"You should all head into that bar in town. Celebrate properly." Hanna offered. "I'll stay here with Jacob and you guys can go have some fun."
"Hanna Marin, not wanting to go out and party. Is the world ending?" Paige laughed, honestly surprised by Hanna's declaration.
"I would love to go, but this just gives me an excuse to call on you guys to babysit when Caleb and I are busy, or need some alone time" The whole room burst into laughter at Hanna's explanation, there was always ulterior motives.
"Of course, I knew there would be something for you to gain, Marin." Paige grinned knowingly, a coy, fierce and smug grin adorned on the blonde's facial expression.
"I have some cases to look over, so I'll give it a miss too. Maybe keep you company, Han?" Spencer interjected.
"Everyone else feeling up to it?" Emily questioned the group, everyone else quickly nodding in agreement.
"I'll offer to be designated driver." Aria offered up.
"But there's 6 of us we won't all fit in."
"Sure I'll drive too, a hangover is ten times worse and definitely not worth it when you have a child who wakes you up by jumping on the bed at 7 in the morning." Caleb added.
"Fine that's settled, let's have a few more drinks here have some food and then we can head to bar." Ezra spoke up this time.
The bar looked quiet rustic from the outside, worried expression quickly spread across everyone faces. It was big and there seemed to be a lot of people around despite it looking a little unsafe and dirty.
"Kinda looks like the 'Hungry Owl Tavarn' back home in Rosewood" Aria commented, Emily nudging into Paige, biting her lip as memories of their first ever date came to the forefront of her memory.
"Let's hope they have karaoke then." Paige smirked poking Emily's side maybe the other girl squirm with laughter, their playfulness going unnoticed by the others in the group.
On entering they expected there to be a good few people inside but no way were they expecting it to be this busy. The place was also a lot bigger than they had first anticipated; there was a large stage, the bar stretched the length of one wall, numerous pool tables and dart boards lined one room and a huge dance floor took up the other, the atmosphere was electric and the crowd mainly college students and people in their mid-twenties seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"Drinks?" Paige question earning a round of nodding faces, Aria and Caleb holding back looking to see if there was anywhere to sit down.
Once they had all got their beverage of choice they found a free table in the back near the pool tables. Everyone chatting, or at least trying to over the roaring music coming from the dancefloor.
After two more rounds of drinks, Caleb and Toby headed off to play a game of pool as soon as they got their hands on a free table, Aria and Ezra were talking and kissing intermittently, leaving Paige and Emily to themselves. Their interaction a mixture of hearty laughter, lustful gazes, subtle touches and restraint, wishing they didn't have to fight off the urge to kiss the other, even holding hands was off limits.
"Back in a second." Paige whispered into Emily's ear, kissing her cheek before running off to the bar. The smell of earthy caramelised beer on Paige's breath lingering under Emily's nose, making her urge to kiss and taste the beer on Paige's lips even more desperate, the gentlest sensation of being tipsy not helping her power to hold back.
Emily remained sat quietly drinking her own beer but began to worry when Paige was gone for more than fifteen minutes. Suddenly the music dropped and the lights on stage lit up, a small woman stood on stage holding a mic, putting two and two together Emily's heart just about dropped. Dropping her head to the table she wished the moment would end right now, Aria immediately concerned moved to sit beside Emily.
"Em? Are you okay?" Aria wrapped her arm around Emily's waist worried the alcohol was to the blame, Emily eventually looked up a bashful smile on her face adding to Aria's confusion.
"Yep... I might not be in about five minutes though."
"Okay, what?"
"Just wait..."
"Welcome everyone, sorry to interrupt the music but I got a special request that I simply couldn't turn down. I know we don't usually have karaoke of a Friday night but we got something special for you guys tonight. Could everyone put your hands together for Pennsylvania's finest; Paige McCullers." The voice finished, as the crowd began cheering of course no one knowing who Paige was but they were all riled up enough that they didn't care.
"Paige is going to sing?" Aria laughed out of disbelief, her brows knitted together with confusion
"Yep... and so am I, if she gets her way." Emily spoke hesitantly, as she caught Paige's eyeline from up on stage, shooting daggers and shaking her head vehemently unable to hold back her own laughter as she saw Paige laugh to herself on stage at Emily's worried expression.
"What's going on?" The two guys came back over after catching sight of Paige on stage.
"Paige and Emily are going to sing apparently." Aria shrugged her shoulders looking to Emily once again, the group still not fully sure what was going on.
"It's kinda an inside joke between Paige and I from a while back." Emily explained, this time the others were happy enough with her response not to ask any more questions, watching on eagerly to see what Paige was going to do next.
The music began, of course it was P!nk's song 'So what'; Emily could have put her whole life savings on it. Paige began singing and dancing on the stage, the crowd loved her already as they sung and danced along.
"Hey everyone... can you help me get my friend Emily up here with me." Paige shouted pointing to the back of the room at Emily, the room quickly exploding with chants of 'Emily! Emily! Emily!"
"I'm going to kill you, McCullers" Emily mouthed the words extra clear so she knew Paige could read them, as she reluctantly made her way through the crowd and up on stage, Paige offering her a coy smile and teasing wink as she handed her a mic, the two singing together reliving old memories.
The song quickly ended much to Emily's relief, Paige turning to hug her in front of the crowd earning one last raucous cheer as they made their way down from the stage, compliments, hi 5's and pats on their backs from the crowd reaching their ears as they streamed their way back to their seat. Paige had been offered a handful of free drink vouchers for entertaining the crowd, quick to redeem two more bottles of beer for herself and Emily.
Once they returned to their friends, they were met by amazed and astonished face as they were enraptured in a warm embrace. Everyone laughing as they relived the moment watching a recording play on Caleb's phone.
"That was brilliant, Paige" Aria stood still shocked by the whole event.
"Yeah you're not the worst performer I've ever seen, Cull. Don't know if I can say the same bout you, Em." Toby joked, nudging into Emily's side earning a light swift back hand to his chest.
"Hey! You do realise I had no choice in the matter" Emily sighed.
"Awh stop complaining, Em. You loved it and it got us some free drinks." Paige moved forward to purposely change Emily's facial expression using her hands to force a smile on the slightly taller girl's face as she continued to force a frown, out of spite of Paige's actions.
"You have a new job which pays amazingly well and you got a bonus on top of that I don't think free drinks are really a priority for you anymore, Paige." Emily added, finally breaking into a lopsided grin.
"Yeah well I was more concerned for you Fields, you're still technically an intern. I didn't think that paid so well." Paige teased, grateful for the fact Caleb and Toby had returned to their game of pool and Aria and Ezra had moved off somewhere else, she had some alone time with Emily once again.
"Shut up before you get yourself into trouble, McCullers. You don't want to be in the doghouse tonight." Emily leaned forward this time whispering with a sexy rasp to her voice into Paige's ear. The two struggling not to clash together as their eyes met duelling, desperation and hunger willing them closer but fear of getting caught by their friends and having to explain themselves further confusing this thing they currently had going on, ultimately keeping them apart.
"Fine, I'll quit while I'm ahead. I know you love to dance so how about that?" Paige smirked, taking Emily's hand within her own to lead her towards the dance floor finishing off her third bottle of beer before getting there, Emily deciding to leave her's there, half-finished not wanting to go much further than the boundaries of being tipsy.
The two began dancing together, finding somewhere in the middle of the crowd meaning they could dance close enough secretly touching, grazing arms and holding hands without any of their friends seeing them from across the room.,
"I need to go pee. I'll be back in a minute. Will you be okay here?" Emily shouted in Paige's ear hoping she could hear her over the music. Paige simply nodding and offering a thumbs up as she moved over closer to the DJ booth there was a little more space there.
A few minutes passed before Emily returned from the toilets it took her a minute to spot Paige out of the crowd. Her heart dropping as she noticed the girl laughing with someone else. Jealousy quickly blinding her vision, taking a deep breath she tried her best to remain calm.
"Hey Paige, I'm back" Emily tapped Paige's side but sadly only got a brief glance and nothing else as Paige remained with her full attention on her new blonde friend. Emily standing there for a moment willing her patience to remain intact, as she tried to hold back the hurt from searing through her heart.
"Paige... we should go." Emily tried again this time, wrapping her hand within Paige's as she tried her best to pull her away.
"Emily, stop! Just give me a minute." Paige brushed her off once again, the blonde shooting Emily a confused look as she went back to adoring on Paige.
It wasn't until the girl let her hand capture Paige's arm running the length of it did it send Emily strength to hold back, into oblivion. Taking a quick glance around the room to make sure she wouldn't get caught by anyone important to her. Emily moved to stand between the two conversing, blocking off the blonde.
"Paige. We need to go. Now!" Emily spoke with a calm but intense and definite tone as she wrapped one arm protectively around Paige's waist, while her other hand moved with ease to gently capture her neck pulling her closer. Moving forward she caught the paler girl's lips within her own, in a passionate embrace enough to make any bystander look on in envy. Quickly allowing her tongue to trail into the depths of Paige's mouth, dominating the other girl's tongue with her own, nipping teasingly at the brunette's lower lip every chance she got before they finally broke apart. The strong taste of the oaky yet sweet beer left lingering on her tongue once again, easing Emily's earlier desire to kiss Paige when she first caught the malty scent on Paige's breath. Paige eyes remained closed out of sheer astonishment she was sure she had never felt so much want and passion in a kiss in all her life. A wave of pride washing over Emily as she turned to see the blonde had quickly disappeared.
"Em..." Paige went to speak.
"Shut up!" Emily commanded with a vengeance, grabbing Paige's hand and leading them out into the outdoor smoking area finding a small secluded area down the back hidden behind a wicker fence, most likely a restricted area. But Emily didn't care, she took control pushing Paige up against the wall of the building capturing Paige's lips in an heated embrace once again, as her knee settled in between Paige's legs allowing just enough contact for a flutter of feeling to appear in the deepest pit of Paige's stomach stealing her breath.
Emily allowing her hands to wander, slid her fingers up the length of Paige's tight abs scratching teasingly with her finger nails before grasping as the girl's breasts still hidden beneath her bra. Paige's moans a tantalising delight to her ears. Moving down, Emily kissed her way across her ex-girlfriend's cheek latching onto her neck tantalising the skin found there, nipping intermittingly before sucking gently.
"Fuck... I've missed... jealous Emily." Paige stuttered out, her mind awash with sensation as she continued to grind down on Emily's knee and pushing herself further into Emily's grasp as she struggled to get out her words.
Emily in one quick successive move let her hand fall to Paige's trousers, popping the button on her jeans with ease. With no hesitation allowing her hand to travel inside. A thirsty whimper coming from Paige, but the noise immediately captured by Emily who had covered Paige's mouth with her own. Her fingers delicately going to work on the slick skin, moving in time with Paige's desperately shameless hip movements while she used the building's wall as support to hold them both up, Paige rapidly losing all sense and track of time, place and meanings of the world around her. The sensations bubbling up beautifully between her legs enough to send thrilling chills to every single nerve ending in her body. Her tongue and mouth responding obediently to everything Emily acted upon it, deliciously enraptured in a world currently controlled by the raven haired beauty.
Emily's hand and finger moving faster and more irregular on Paige's sweet spot, knowing the unpredictability of her movements was something Paige particularly enjoyed. The burning sensation ever growing as she felt Emily's lips move to her neck once more. The spiralling pleasure reaching breaking point, as she heard Emily whisper affirmations into her ear unable to appreciate them fully as the feelings in her most sensitive spot began to win, rapidly boiling over while distracting her from all things tangible outside of Emily's precise touch.
"Emmm..." Paige screeched as the sensations won out, her words silenced by Emily's lips once more, as if she was selfishly trying to keep every single movement, whimper, jerk, moan and groan Paige made, to herself; almost afraid the outer world would only tarnish such a perfect moment. Paige's head falling lazily onto Emily's neck as she sought out fresh air to replenish her lungs, placing delicate kisses to the column of Emily's neck every moment she had enough energy to do so.
"I should make you jealous more often." Paige laughed softly into Emily's chest, she was still relying on Emily's hold as her legs remained shaky.
"Fuck Paige... that was a set up?" Emily laughed now too, using her hand to raise Paige's chin so she could look the girl in the eye, the brunette simply nodding coyly.
"Are you joking, Em. That girl was about as interesting as cardboard and stoned off her head. I'm surprised you didn't notice, obviously blinded by jealousy. Come on Em, I mean she was gorgeous but I have a little more respect for myself... and for you to just act on something like that." Paige smiled winking up at Emily, still revelling in the aftermath of her orgasm.
"I actually can't believe you purposely made me jealous." Emily rolled her eyes, genuinely surprised by Paige's actions.
"Jealous Emily is hot as fuck, I wanted to make sure the trait was still existent within you... for science"
"Oh well, I mean if it was for science." Emily laughed once again leaning forward to briefly peck Paige's lips, completely amazed by the woman she currently had wrapped up in her arms.
"Nice to see your jealousy is still as present as ever before though. I don't think I can complain." Paige smirked, she moved forward this time to place a lingering kiss to Emily's collar bone.
"I don't think I can complain either. Not when it gives me an excuse to touch you in the ways I just did." Emily ducked her head, nuzzling her nose affectionately against Paige's forehead. Wanting more than ever to utter the words 'I Love You' but not allowing herself to, knowing it wouldn't be fair on Paige, especially when their current relationship status was still so up in the air. She had promised herself it was all up to Paige this time round.
"Come on, let's get back inside before the other's come looking for us." Emily pulled Paige tighter against her, Paige taking the opportunity to caress the girl's cheek before kissing her with one last bout of passion. Before they magically went back to being just friends.
"Hey we were looking for you guys. Where did you two disappear off too?" Caleb questioned, once Emily and Paige rejoined the group.
"Oh we were outside, we just got caught up chatting to a group of people from Scottsdale, Arizona." Emily acted with ease, she was so good Paige nearly believed her lie.
"Oh right. Aria and Ezra have gone home, something about Aria not feeling too well. So we'll maybe have one more drink and head back then too?" Caleb offered.
"Sure." Paige nodded in agreement.
"I think I'm done for the night anyway." Emily spoke not feeling up to another drink having to remain in slightly intoxicated state.
"Cavanaugh. You game?" Paige asked holding up the last four tokens she got for free drinks, Toby nodding as he made his way to the bar with Paige.
"She's seems happy." Caleb added watching Paige dance away cheerfully.
"Yeah, but she is slightly drunk." Emily laughed at Caleb's comment.
"No, I mean just in general. It's nice to see her like this after everything that went down, you know?"
"I know."
"I'm glad she's happy."
"I'm glad she's happy too." Emily smiled, her eyes trained in on Paige her smile only growing as she watched the way Paige laughed heartily with Toby as they waited on their drinks.
"So what did you bring us home?" Hanna spoke, yawning as she stood up to greet her husband falling into his arms in a tight hug as she kissed him on the cheek.
"We have a very serious, Toby." Caleb introduced laughing as Toby trotted in the door, acknowledging Hanna with a nod before approaching Spencer who was still sat on the couch.
"You must have had quite a few drinks so." Spencer placed her two hands on each of Toby's cheeks now smiling shyly. "You always get a little more serious, philosophical and deep when you drink, Tobs."
"And then we have a slightly drunk Tweedle Dum and even drunker Tweedle Dee." Caleb laughed even harder as Paige and Emily walked into the room together, Paige taken an exaggerated bow on hearing Caleb's descriptive introduction. A brief wave of frustration washing over her as she urged Emily to do the same. A silly, pathetic fight neared breaking out between the two when Emily wouldn't do the same, not understanding why Paige was so vehement on her doing the action. Emily finally gave in, bowing now too much to her own confusion.
"I take it your Tweedle Dee so?" Hanna exclaimed as she pointed to Paige who definitely seemed drunker than Emily.
"And proud of it." Paige declared happily, placing her hand on her heart. Emily moving to take a seat beside Spencer, chatting with her for a moment.
"Maybe you should give us that and we'll make a round of coffee." Hanna stepped forward, taken an unopened bottle of beer out of Paige's hand, her brow furrowing out of dismay but decided not to put up a fight.
"So what did you guys get up to, anything interesting happen?" Spencer asked, Toby was now asleep lying into Spencer's side.
"Well we sang..." Emily began
"We sang brilliantly, well at least I did." Paige quickly interrupted, Emily simply rolled her eyes.
"Then we danced and Paige and I got chatting to group from Scottsdale, Arizona outside..." Emily continued wanting to hammer down and solidify the lie she told the guys and Aria earlier.
"Yeah that happened, but karaoke. Karaoke was fucking brilliant. I won us free drinks and everything." Paige interrupted again, this time everyone laughed at Paige's bordering on obnoxious excitement, as she purposely sought out praise and attention. It didn't really bother the other too thought given seeking out attention was something Paige rarely ever did.
Hanna approached the two with large mugs of black coffee to help sober them up before bed.
"Oh my god, Han. This is like the best thing ever." Paige declared loudly, releasing a satisfied moan.
"It's just coffee from the machine? But thanks?" Hanna laughed lightly at the other girl's slight over exaggeration. "She's a pretty adorable drunk."
"Only when she sticks to beer, any of the harder liquors and it's a different story." Emily added, grateful for already feeling fresher, thanks to the caffeine.
"You know I'm kinda... actually really really disappointed you guys aren't more excited that I won free beer for being such an epic performer tonight. Why don't I just become a fricken rock star?" Paige spoke up again after briefly tuning out of the conversation.
"Umm because you signed on for a different but also equally epic job. By the way you accepting that job lead to your celebration which resulted in that free beer, so this is some kind of weird meta cyclical thing." Spencer tried to explain earning nothing but puzzled looks.
"Hmmph? See this is why I love you, Spence. You always say things so cryptic and stuff and it always sounds super smart. It adds a layer of mystery, girls love that shit." Paige added, everyone shaking their head in laughter at Paige's random response, every else confused by what the hell was going on.
"I guess I'll keep that in mind for when I'm in need of some girls?" Spencer added, Paige offering her a wink and thumbs up as she relished in her next sip of coffee.
"I hope you do, Spence. One of my top tips...just be mysterious." Paige spoke with such impotence, a heavy seriousness on her tone, while everyone else was struggling to hold back their laughter at Paige's drunk ramblings.
"Anyway, Paige was so good at singing she was hit on by a stoned blonde girl, who was about as interesting as cardboard. At least that's what Paige said." Emily smirked seeing how Paige would get herself out of this.
"She was actually awfully boring. Emily made out with a pretty smokin' brunette though... if I do say so myself." Paige shot a wink at Emily, quickly catching the attention of the room. Emily's face blazing to a deep red.
"...and you were just going to conveniently forget that part, Em?" Spencer spoke surprised by the revelation.
"I-I-I just umm. I just got chatting to one of the girls from Arizona, didn't even catch her name. She kissed me... it was okay, not the best kiss I've ever had." Emily tried to play down what Paige just said, turning to face the brunette shooting her a trademark death glare. "Paige, calling the girl smokin' though is a bit of stretch, no? She was good looking just not what I'd consider smokin'" Emily remained calm, knowing exactly what Paige was playing at deciding to tease back, Paige biting the corner of lips trying not to re-act the way she really wanted to by kissing her then and there.
"So did you get her number or anything?" Hanna interrupted this time, desperately eager to know more.
"hhhmm what?" Emily replied having been distracted by Paige's intense glare. "Oh, umm no. It's not going to go anywhere."
"At least your celebration seemed to go well." Caleb added this time, as the excitement in the room began to settle.
"Yeah, it was great." Paige spoke a little more solemnly this time. "Well I know we only have one more night here after tonight. But thank you all for this week, I can't put into words how much fun, exciting and thrilling the trip has been for me. It's been great, one that has helped me to realise how much I should appreciate the people in my life especially you guys. I'm so glad you were kind enough to invite me along, because... and I hope I'm not cursing things by saying this, but for the first time in a long time my life has re-gained stability and a sense of happiness, calm and serenity, like somehow everything fell into place when I wasn't even looking... and for that and everyone here on this trip, I am so grateful." Paige continued, a kind smile on lips matching the sparkling tint of water icing over her eyes as she spoke with such sincerity, and gratefulness. She caught Emily's eyeline for the briefest of seconds, her heart racing in chest as she realised Emily was possible the biggest contributor, at least in a certain sense, her chest tightening with a rush of emotion as she began to feel the distant feeling of falling in love all of over again begin to pull at and tingle her heart.
"Hi" Paige smiled shyly, her eyes wandering over Emily's form as she stood in front of the bathroom mirror getting ready for bed. Having sobered up enough thanks to Hanna's coffee, a new wave of drunken happiness and dizzying levels of lust washed over her, caused solely by being in Emily's company.
"Hi" Emily laughed in return, biting her bottom lips as she noticed the look of astonishment in Paige's eyes. A look that never ceased to amaze her, here she was standing in the middle of a bathroom in her bed clothes, washing her face while her hair was tied up in a messy bun and yet Paige still looked like at her like she was the reason the sun decided to rise every morning, giving life to everything on this earth.
Paige not saying much more just walked into the bathroom, wrapping her arms around Emily's waist, nuzzling her nose into the base of her neck placing the most delicate of kisses on the skin found there. Emily releasing a heavy breath she didn't realise she had been holding.
"Arms up!" Paige stood back, her order taken Emily aback for moment. "Please?" Paige voice was softer this time, Emily let her toothbrush sit in her mouth as she followed Paige's command. Paige quickly taken the loose-fitting t-shirt by the hem and pulling it up over Emily's head, a reddened blush crossing her own face as she caught sight of Emily's boobs in the bathroom mirror, Emily promptly went back to brushing her teeth, chuckling quietly and shaking her head at Paige's ridiculousness.
Paige let her hands roam down the length of Emily's muscular back, before leaning forward and trailing soft, intricate and tender kisses the length of the taller girl's spine, slowly, tantalisingly and teasing.
"Paige, I have to spit and rinse." Emily interrupted, trying her best to remain unmoved by Paige's kisses, but struggling.
"Shhh, no talking. You're distracting me and kinda ruining the mood with need 'spit and rinse'." Paige hushed Emily, a smirk licked to her lips now as her hands began wandering to Emily's stomach drawing intrepid designs of nothingness on the soft skin she found there.
"No, you're distracting me from washing my face and trying to brush my teeth." Emily returned, still fighting her urge to turn in Paige's strong hold and kiss her so ravenously.
"You know, I think this may be the hottest foreplay we've ever had. You've gotten so good at sexy talk these past few years, Em. I mean really, declaring you have to 'spit and rinse' while I'm trying my best to work you up, turns me on so much, Em. It's also great for my ego." Paige mocked, earning a pleasurable sigh from Emily when she gently bit down on the girl's shoulder blade.
"Yeah, so hot." Emily forced a rasp on her tone this time, finally turning to face Paige. Emily's eyes suddenly darkening as she absorbed the blackness in Paige's. Their lips crashing in a heated mess, the taste of mint, coffee and distant fragrants of beer, swirling together in a dishevelled battle as tongues fought once more.
"Mmmm, Minty fresh..." Paige whispered, her words near inaudible as they carried along Emily's lips causing Emily to laugh into another passionate kiss, Paige stealing her laugher as she bit down gently on the girl's lower lip before sucking it into her own mouth.
"I see you're just as good as me, when it comes to talking sexy." Emily replied as soon as she got the chance, this time a small rumble of laughter coming from Paige as she cupped the girl's cheek with one hand before placing a soft kiss to Emily's already swelling lips, allow her other free hand to pay precise attention to Emily's chest, slowly letting her lips follow falling to Emily's breasts taken a hardened nipple and rolling it between her teeth Emily's head falling backwards out of sheer bliss.
"I was simply referencing the other morning when you were so worried about your awful breath." Paige joked looking up at Emily who was quickly unravelling before her very eyes.
Paige returning to the girl's chest, allowed her fingers to pull at the drawstrings on Emily's pyjama pants before letting them fall to the ground, Emily now, remained stood in her lace panties only. Paige eye's going wide once more as she took in the beauty that stood before her, the way she moved under her touch, her chest already heaving slightly as she fought to remain breathing steadily. Paige's touch was the most tortuous, beautiful and calming thing in the world to Emily.
In one swift moment Paige lifted Emily, placing her on the sink basin, Emily's long legs naturally wrapping around Paige as she pulled the other girl into her as close as was humanly possible. Kissing once again, mouth to mouth, tongue to tongue pleasurably moans falling into oblivion as their bodies moved together in a time-altering motion of pure sensation. Nothing else mattered outside of the other as they continued falling into each other drinking up everything the other offered, pouring their whole soul into a kiss that seemed to rock the earth at it's core.
Paige hooked her finger around Emily's underwear, sliding them the length of her perfectly toned legs, she allowed her fingers to explore Emily soothing and teasing the bundle of nerves where Emily so desperately needed her touch. A hiss screeching through teeth that were now plastered together as she fought with the sensations being causing as a result of Paige's intricate finger movements. Emily's head falling forward into the safe confines of Paige's neck, kissing the column of skin with all she had trying to avoid the noises slipping unintentionally from her mouth as her mind seethed in a new pleasurable sense of nothing outside of Paige.
"I want to taste you." Paige voice rasped so deliciously, Emily swore she had never heard anything sound so beautiful. The girl she had fallen back in love with shooting tingling shivers to run the length of her spine.
A simple nod of reassurance.
Paige kissed and licked the length of Emily's chest and stomach, her free hand reaching to entangle with it's partner. Emily's other free hand grasping at Paige's shoulder using it as her anchor, clinging onto the one thing that seemed to hold her onto this planet.
Paige letting her finger's slip inside Emily's warm, slick entrance. The softest of whimpers seeping from Emily's lips as she moved her hips in rhythm to Paige's finger wanting and desperately in search of more contact. Moving closer, Paige licked her lips before placing them onto Emily, the noises that followed almost enough to push the brunette beyond her own point of the recovery. Emily nails digging, burning into Paige's skin as she held on with everything she could as Paige's tongue and finger's worked in perfect motions pushing her body to the limit. Their connected hands never once faltering.
Paige flicked her tongue back and forth, feeling the effects flutter Emily's walls causing them to clamp down around her fingers.
"I got you, Em." Paige broke away for a minute to speak, once again reassuring Emily.
Emily unable to respond, their brief moment of eye contact speaking enough for the both of them.
Paige continued working Emily to her breaking point.
"Fuuucckkk...Paaaigge" Emily hissed out, her voice near an animalistic shrill as she came hard. Paige who was sure the earth stood still in this very moment, slowed her movements lapping up all the girl had to offer, her fingers slowing too, moving just enough to help Emily come down for her outer-worldly orgasm, her head and back against the cool surface of the mirror now outlined by a fog on the glass. A memory of their moment imprinted on the mirrors reflection, a reflection of their entwined body, a sight so beautifully tragic knowing it would only last so long, a piece of limited artwork.
Paige stood up straight and strong, pulling Emily forward in her hold releasing her hand from Emily's so she could wrap both her arms around the girl's body protectively, offering Emily as much warmth, comfort and connection as she possibly could. Emily in all her afterglow bliss, pulled back a little wanting to kiss Paige, she wouldn't allow herself to be the first to say 'I love you' but she couldn't stop herself from telling Paige through a kiss as their mouths reconnected. Emily tasting the faintest hints of herself, sweet and salty on Paige tongue as their continued kissing the brunette lazily for a moment. Emily having been drained of her energy in the most pleasurably of ways, rested her head back on Paige's shoulder, tugging weakly at Paige's shirt, wondering why the other woman was still wearing so much clothing, desperately seeking out the feel of Paige's naked skin beneath her own. Paige smiled at Emily's tiresome effort, nodding her head understandingly while wrapping her hand around Emily's placing it under her shirt on her stomach hoping the skin on skin contact would be enough to sooth Emily for moment before picking her up and carrying her into the bedroom. Lying her down kissing her forehead before quickly stripping off her own clothes and climbing in beside Emily, who had just about found enough energy to curl into her hold once more.
The two falling asleep wrapped up in warm and safe confines of the other's hold.
Paige stirs awake splaying her fingers across the mattress trying to find Emily, sadly her fingers are met with a bleak nothingness. Sitting up in the bed, a slight tremor of pain ringing in her head the result of her drinking last night, as she moved to look at the clock it was already passed noon. Rubbing at her eyes, before gulping down the glass of water she was sure Emily placed there for her, she grabbed her Stanford hoodie soaking up the slightest scent of Emily that was imprinted on the fabric after she had worn it a few times and pulling on some sweat pants, she stood and stretched cleaning herself as best as she could in the bathroom before tottering down the stairs.
"And so the second, arises." Spencer's calls out as soon as she noticed Paige wander into the room, collapsing on the couch next to Emily, Hanna approaching her with a warm cup of peppermint tea. Paige offering a smile out of appreciation.
"Hungover?" the blonde questioned.
"Not really, I've felt worse. Just a little headache... I mainly feel tired." Paige yawned leaning her head back into the sofa. "The other's in a bad shape?"
"Not too bad, Aria and Ezra were up earlier but he didn't feel very well and went back to bed. Toby's being a big baby refusing to get up, I think his biggest problem is he needs food to help his hangover... and somehow Emily here, woke with no hangover in sight, looking more refreshed than ever before." Spencer explained, a shy smirk appearing on Emily and Paige's lips knowing exactly why Emily felt so refreshed.
"Where d'you go this morning?" Paige whispered, a sadness licking to her words.
"I didn't want to wake you, it was getting on in the morning and I was worried we might get caught. So I reluctantly climbed out of your warm embrace, got up and headed downstairs."
"You should have woke me... I missed out on my morning kiss." Paige whined.
"I know. It kinda sucks having to keep this thing a secret."
"I know, can we just keep it between us for another little while. I still need to figure things out in my head."
"I understand, I do Paige. It's just hard not being able to kiss or touch you whenever I want." Emily bit her lower lip, averting her eyes from Paige's impenetrable gaze.
"I just don't want to mess this up" Paige finished her voice so quite even Emily struggled to hear the words. Paige moved her head from the back of the couch to lie on Emily's shoulder, thankfully neither Hanna nor Spencer thinking much of their closeness, assuming Emily was just offering Paige some comfort to help ease the other woman's slight hangover. Paige sighing heavily, thankful for their closeness now, closing her eyes as she made sure to appreciate the comfort of having Emily back beside her.
"I think I'm going to go for a walk." Emily declared as she sat up from the table. "Anyone up for it?"
"Me... me... me. Pick me, Emmy." Jake bounced on his heels excitedly.
Everyone else was still feeling tired after last night, shaking their head signalling they weren't feeling up to it. Paige shook her head too when Emily looked to her, an apologetic glint in her eye she just felt tired and wanting to stay on the couch next to the fire.
"I guess it's just you and me, Bud." Emily hi fived the little boy, as a new smile lit up his face walking over to grab his coat and winter boots to wrap him up before they headed out into the snow.
"We'll see you guys in bit." Emily waved as she took Jacob's hand as they exited through the front door.
"So what's all your news, little man?" Emily questioned as the two walked across the crunching snow towards the half frozen lake, it somehow looked even more beautiful, and the water had frozen in a swirl of beautiful whites, greys and blues around the edge of the lake expanding a few metres out into the open water.
"I watched Spiderman with Daddy this morning in bed, and Mama made us pancakes and hot chocolate cause she said it's our last day so she gave us a treat." Jake declared happily, the boy having to take twice as many steps as Emily, trying his very best to make his way through the snow.
"Wow that sounds like a really great morning."
"Yep!" he nodded proudly. "LOOK! Emmy, there's duckies and swans... can we go see them." Jake jumped excitedly.
"Jake I think it's best if we just look at them from here, getting too close to the water might be dangerous." Emily explained, caution on her words.
"But pleeeese, Emmy?" Jake whined "I loves them." Jake did love duck and swans, oftentimes it was one of the things he loved most about going to Central Park.
"Okay, but we have to be extra careful." Emily's hold on Jacob's hand became tighter as the two wandered down the pier that Paige and Emily had sat on, only a few days before.
"Here, ducky, ducky, ducky." Jake called out once they reached the end of the pier, clicking his fingers trying to catch the bird's attention, unfortunately none of the ducks were really bothered by their presence. The two remained there for a little while watching the duck swim and dive together.
"Come on I think it's time we headed inside, it's getting chilly." Emily spoke, Jacob sighing but decided not to put up a fight simply waving good bye to the bird.
Just as Emily turned on heels to walk back down the pier, she felt the wood begin to collapse beneath her feet. Letting go of Jacob's hand she pushed him as far down the wooden pier as she could hoping he wouldn't end up too hurt, trying at the same time to move herself forward on to more steady wood unfortunately it was already too late. The snow covered wood collapsed, disappearing beneath her feet in the blink of an eye, plunging heavily into the freezing lake water, Emily falling in with it.
The water being so ice cold instantly knocked any remnants of breathable air from her lungs as the shocking chill tightened around her whole body. While Emily was struggling to breath she tried her best to stand in the lake, after a few minute of catching her bearings she made contact with the ground, but instead of it offering her any kind of support her foot sunk into the sticky mud on lakebed swallowing up her foot up and holding it within it's strangling grasp, like quicksand holding her down. Emily breathing a brief sigh of relief on realising the water only reached just below shoulder level now and she was able to tread it enough to focus and slow down her breathing, hoping she could reserve her energy long enough for Jake to reach help.
Jake hit the wood hard but as a result he avoid falling into the water, he slowly climbed to his feet before taking one look at Emily struggling within the water. His little body sore after falling, but he immediately understood he needed to go find help for Emily, his heart racing on seeing how panicked Emily was.
His little legs pumping as fast as they could finally reach the cabin, having to take one step at a time he climbed the stairs as quick as he could.
Jacob eventually reached the top and ran inside, desperately seeking out help but was intercepted by his concerned mother once she noticed his injuries. Hanna immediately started panicking and fussing once she notices a small gash on her son's head dribbling blood down the side of his face, matching scratches on his hands and knees. Jake tries to explain what happened, but Hanna and Caleb are too busy fussing to notice. His frustration quickly grows more and more, unease and fear registering in the pit of his stomach at not being giving the chance to speak, but he finally shouts at his parents to stop.
"Emmy needs help! She fell in the lake!".
Paige was already on alert noticing Jake's return without Emily, as soon as she heard the words seep from his lips, she rapidly exited the room, running across the snow covered front yard as fast as she could not even caring she wasn't wearing any shoes. Her eyes focusing in on Emily wading tiresomely in the water, a terrified expression on her face, even from where Paige was she could tell Emily's breathing was noticeably weak and fragmented, her skin lacking colour having paled due to the icy water sucking her of her energy resources at a rapid rate. Without giving herself any real time to think, Paige dives in, not bothering to chance the remains of the pier getting straight into the water from the land edge – a slight crunch of ice that had built up on the edge of the lake crushing beneath her weight.
Paige was unable to hold back a high pitched screech as she felt the cold water crush around her, stealing her of her breath and instantly putting excess pressure on her muscles and heart. The feel of the water around her body, only making her worry even more so for Emily's safety.
Pushing the cold of the water to the back of her mind, she forced her body to pick up speed pummelling through the black water as fast as she could, her stomach dropping in a nauseating wave as she noticed Emily's fight become gradually weaker, looking significantly and almost impossibly worse than two seconds ago, a wreaked, exhausted and tiresome expression on her face.
She looked like she was getting ready to give up fighting.
'Not again' the words whirling in the back of Paige's mind almost taunting her.
"My leg..." Emily just about gets the words out, her teeth chattering loudly and body shaking uncontrollably seeking out any kind of heat, as she see's Paige approach. Still struggling to hold herself above the water for much longer, grasping at Paige's body once she reaches her with the last of her energy, her final push of energy coming from just having Paige there with her.
Caleb, Toby and Ezra eventually reach the lake, tentatively making their way along the length of the dilapidated pier, Toby wants to jump in too but Paige quickly orders him not to, a harsh firmness to her tone.
"Paige... it's s-s-so cold." Emily meets Paige's eyeline, fear hidden in the two's brown orbs.
"I know. I-I-I got you. Just h-h-hold on, Em." Paige voice stuttering now too, unable to hold back the teeth chattering cold from setting in on her, her heart racing knowing ever second counted now, seeing and hearing the blood-cuddling, hatful and terrifyingly familiar sleepiness evade Emily's being. It felt like she was re-living those few moments when it was just the two of them in their crumpled car, waiting for help to seek them out.
Paige took a deep breath before diving beneath the water's surface, thankful for the fact she still had a good lung capacity from her swimming days. Using Emily's free leg she pulled herself down so she was mere inches off the surface of the lake bed, she shove her hand into the sticky soil hissing when the contact was a little too rough but not caring, she began digging into the thick stony mud trying to free Emily's foot from her entrapped shoe.
Her lungs burning, and she knew she was down for over a minute she could feel Emily's body going limper above her, with one last pull she finally frees Emily's foot. Swimming to the surface her mouth agape seeking oxygen, adrenaline given her a very last wave of energy so she could drag Emily's limps body towards the guys.
Paige was now too was beginning to feel the exhaustive pull of the icy cold water, her teeth chattering even more violently and her body shaking irrevocably, once Emily was in the guy's hands. Her energy evaded, unable to move much more. She felt strong arms reach down plucking her from the water now too.
Emily who was currently barely conscious now is quickly carried inside by Toby. Paige is pulled out by Ezra and Caleb. She can just about walk, being held up by the two boys as they make their way inside the cabin.
Toby carries Emily into Hanna and Caleb's bedroom. Spencer, who is the first to wrap her head around the situation, orders Caleb to light the fire before asking all the guys to leave so they can strip Emily of her soaked clothes. Paige is brought into the room too, she tries her very best to remove her clothing but her hands are shaking so violently she's struggling, a saddened and defeated look crossing her face when she has to turn to ask Spencer to help her undress while Hanna and Aria continue helping Emily.
Hanna still very much concerned for her friend's well-being glances over the full length of Emily's body, making sure the raven-haired girl wasn't hurt anywhere else, she notices the small bruises on Emily's ribcage, which initially worried her and she is about to inform Spencer and Aria but her eyes also catch sight of some faded scratch marks on Paige's back and shoulder, her mind quickly put two and two together. Her thoughts matched as she noticed Paige's unmoving, anxious and worried gaze glued to the other girl, the brunette's concern ultimately confirming Hanna's assumption.
Once the two were stripped down to their underwear, they were briefly towel dried before Spencer helps Paige to get into the bed, placing Emily beside her wrapping the two up in blankets and the rage feather comforter.
"We have to raise both of your internal temperature slowly or it could do more damage. We don't want that to happen." Spencer explained calmly, Emily still only half conscious mumbling a incoherent response, Paige simply nodding as best as she could it was hard to focus given how cold she felt.
"P-P-Paige? Spencer, where... where is she" Emily mumbles out.
"Emily calm down it's okay, Paige is right beside you."
"S-s-she got back saf-safely?" Emily responded, her words flowing together, as she remained in a half conscious state.
"Yeah, Em. She's fine. I promise" Spencer laughed quietly to herself.
Paige remained still wrapped up in the blankets her mind still trying to process everything that just happened, hearing Emily's concern for her even though she was the one in much worse state only adding to her confusion.
Spencer leaned over reaching to feel her pulse it's still a little slow and when she takes her temperature it reads low, thankfully it's no longer in the danger zone. Her mind finally easing, settling on the idea that if they did everything right, Emily's temperature should return to normal fairly soon.
Spencer took up a seat in the corner, watching over the two intently especially wanting to monitor Emily's pulse and internal temperature every ten minutes at least until she was happy to see it improving.
"P-P-Pai-Paige, I feel so-so c-c-c-cold. It feels we-weird... and s-s-strange" Emily tries to speak, her mind a lot less hazy now as her body began it's slow recovery although she still felt no significant change in her body temperature, she tries to curl closer to Paige seeking out heat, comfort or physical touch from the brunette, but her exhausted, weak and still frail body fails her.
"Shhh Em, it-it's okay. I-I-I'm here." Paige was still shivering but could tell her body was warming up, untangling a hand out of the blanket she was wrapped up in reaching across to Emily under the comforter and digging it's way in through the folds of wool wrapped around Emily's body hoping to offer her some kind of physical connection.
"It-doesn't feel l-li-like me... my... body. I-I-I can't stop s-s-shaking. Paige... I-I'm...I'm scared." Spencer approaches the bed after another five minutes to check Emily's temperature once more, it had dropped another degree, resulting in even more severe shivering but after reading up on the subject a few years back Spencer knew this was normal when someone reached hypothermia.
Aria returned this time knocking on the door before entering, two steaming cups of honey and lemon in hand, Page was fine drinking it and her temperature according to Spencer's most recent reading has returned to normal, her whole body unfortunately just plagued with exhaustion now. Tiredness pulling into the realms of slumber, as her muscles burn in an uneasy pain after the unexpected amount exertion. Emily needed a straw to drink from the mug, but after drinking the hot water her core temperature is beginning to rise, no longer dropping.
"Paige would you feel comfortable enough to, well for lack of a better word –cuddle Emily? It one of most effective ways of raising body temperature." Spencer questions, a little awkwardly, as far as she knew Emily and Paige were trying their hand at being friends and she didn't want to push that boundary.
"I can do that." Paige responds shyly, a reddened blush streaking her cheeks as she inches towards Emily, untangling herself and then Emily from the blankets they were wrapped up in before placing her arms around the raven haired woman, of course the action felt normal for her as of late but she didn't want Spencer to get that impression. Emily still shivering, but half asleep at this stage mumbled nothingness into her ear as she naturally curled further into the other girl, feeling Paige move closer.
"She's still shaking and confused, Spence. Is she going to be okay?" Paige questioned it had been over 30 minutes and Emily although her core body temperature has risen and was approaching normal still seemed a little out it.
"That's normal, the shivering is a good sign. I say a lot of the confusion is coming from whole body tiredness, she expended a lot of energy out there... as did you, you should try get some rest." Spencer explained trying to ease Paige's worries.
"Okay..." Paige bit at the corner of her lip not wanting to show too much emotion, currently trying to fight back tears as her mind re-evaluated what could have been the consequence of the day if she hadn't got to Emily in time.
"Try get some sleep that will help." Spencer cooed seeing the emotion in Paige's eyes, approaching her and rubbing her shoulder, Paige simply offering a weak nod in response. Her arms tightening around the raven haired woman as she nuzzled her nose into the top of Emily's head as soon as she saw Spencer leave the room, a single tear slipping from her cheek.
"I... I still feel... s-s-so cold, Pay." Emily spoke out her voice trembling, a result of how cold she still felt, her body still feeling unusual, slightly numb and strange causing her fear to overtake adding to her trembling voice, nudging her head further into the crook of Paige's neck.
"I know, Em. You're going to be okay though. Try get some sleep." Paige hushed, using her finger's to brush along the still damp hair at the side of Emily's face.
"At least now... y-yo-you know... you can s-s-still swim." Emily's teeth still chattering, but the smallest of grins appearing on her face.
"I nearly lost you, Em... what did you expect me to do?" Paige spoke, no emotion on her tone
"I knew you'd save me. You always do, Paige. I...Lo..." Emily hummed out half asleep this time, stopping her herself from continuing.
What she didn't know was that she stopped too late, the realisation hitting Paige like a punch to the gut. Panic, fear, guilt, shame, washing over Paige in an instant. A wave of self-doubt crashing down on top of her, those words Emily nearly said revoking a hurtful past and in that moment she felt like she was that sad, scared and insecure thirteen year old all over again.
Her biggest fear coming back to haunt her, overshadowing all the good she had experienced the past few days. The pain of her unconfronted past ripping apart her heart, elements of guilt and shame she never dealt with after the crash sickeningly troubling bubbling in the pit of stomach. She knew deep down this moment was inevitable, and maybe that was why she convinced herself not to overthink anything that had evolved between her and Emily, she just so desperately hoped it wouldn't have come about like this.
Maybe it was just the universe's way of telling her, she and Emily just weren't supposed to be together. The thought lingering on Paige's mind as she too gave into the exhaustion.
"You're up?" Caleb spoke, he was the first to notice Emily and Paige enter into the room.
"Yeah... and thankfully with normal body temperatures this time." Paige joked trying to lighten the situation, using humour to cover up how she really felt inside. Her arm was wrapped carefully around Emily's waist supporting the raven haired beauty who still felt physically exhausted her muscles weak and painful having been pushed to their limits in the icy cold water. The two taken a seat on the two seater couch near the fire, after Spencer and Toby kindly stood up offering it to them.
"How do you feel?" Spencer questioned, sympathy glowing in her eyes.
"Better, still a little shaky but beginning to feel like normal... again" Paige gave a half smile, Emily didn't say a word not paying any real attention to what was going on in the room, her tired eyes homed in on a sleepy Jacob who curled up in Hanna's arms clutching his shark teddy and resting his head against Hanna. Emily eyes watering as she caught sight of the bandage covering the left side of his forehead, guilt becoming overwhelming as some tears escaped her chocolate orbs. Nobody else noticing how distraught she became in mere seconds of noticing his injuries, except for the little boy who occupied her worries.
Jacob sat up and began whispering something to Hanna, his shocking blue eyes a mirror of Hanna's own glancing towards Emily every few minutes. The two talking for a moment before he climbed down out of her lap, padding towards Emily with intent. He briefly caught Paige's attention, pulling at her hands so she could help him sit in her lap next to where Emily was sitting, being extra careful as he did so not wanting to hurt either of the girls.
"Oh Jake, baby... I'm so sorry." Emily was sobbing now, she tried her very best to hold back her emotions knowing it would only scare and cause unease for the four year old. Everyone else now watching the interaction between the two with intent and curiosity, Hanna wanting to run to her upset friend but Caleb stopped her, placing a hand on her wrist telling her to wait and see what their son did first.
"Emmy stop crying, please. Mama and Daddy said you're my hero and that I'm your hero." Jake reached forward, wrapping his little arms around Emily's neck. Paige had her arms tightly around his stomach so he wouldn't put too much pressure on Emily.
"But you still got hurt because of me, Jake." Emily sighed sadly, looking to Paige briefly hoping to ground herself and find solace, knowing it was something she could always find within Paige. Paige's eyes simply meeting Emily's gaze, nodding understandingly and offering a half smile of encouragement.
"Yeah... but now I have a super cool scar like my Daddy. You saved me from the scary water, Emmy. Mama says it'll only make me look even more handsomer too." This time Jake evoked a quite laugh from Emily through her tears, as she wrapped her arms around the young boy pulling him forward even more.
"Do you want to see some of my scars? You know, it wasn't until very recently did I realise how unique and beautiful there are. Someone very special had to teach me that." Emily explained, instinctively pulling the Stanford hoodie that Paige had helped her get dressed into earlier, tighter around her body mindlessly enveloping her body in wave of Paige's citrus scent. Taken a moment she encourage Jake to climb back into Paige arms, before adjusting her position she raised the bottom of the hoodie exposing her right side, Jacob's eyes widening with curiosity as he took in the textured marks on Emily's body.
"That's sooo cool, Emmy." Jake proclaimed as he reached out to touch the damaged skin bouncing with excitement, now. "It's like a tattoo" he declared, interest and curiosity plaguing his features.
"I love you, Jacob. You really are my hero." Emily whispered, placing a kiss to the young boy's forehead. A bashful smile growing on her face, the little boy never once associated the scars with ugliness, enlightening her heart to the beauty and innocence of youth.
The night progressed slowly, Jacob had gone off to bed around eight o clock, while every settled in to have a few drinks, chat and watch some TV. Their last full day hadn't gone to plan and took a turn for the worst but the night seemed to progress smoothly, everyone wanting to make the most out it before headed back to the hustle and bustle of New York.
Emily, who still feeling awash with exhaustion grabbed a throw pillow placing in onto Paige's lap before resting her head there, wanting to feel that extra closeness and safety she always felt with the brunette. Paige eyes looking down at the bronzed woman asleep on her lap, her mind still a tangle mess, she placed her hand on Emily's head allowing her index finger to draw delicate and intricate ministrations on the girl's scalp soothing Emily further into her slumber.
"You'd swear you two were still a couple." Ezra joked, his words not reaching Paige straight-away as was had falling into the darkness of confusion, a result from the day's traumatic events and everything that developed between her and Emily over the days passed. Using her hand to wipe away a single escaped water droplet, not wanting to drag any unnecessary attention to herself before responding.
"Hmmm? Yeah... I mean, I guess it just looks that way..." Paige voiced, her tone distant, desolate and dead of any significant emotion, she offered up a kind grin none the less, but ultimately too caught up in her own head to really care about what was going on around her. Panic and worry setting in, terrifying her.
This new realisation shattering her heart all over again. Looking down at Emily she was suddenly confronted with her worst nightmare, and the hold it had on her heart was so dangerous.
"Hey, you're awake." Emily's voice rasped as she turned over to face Paige in bed beside her, she was currently sitting up in the bed her eyes focused before her, staring blankly. Visibly noticeable black circles under her eyes.
"Uhh yeah..."
"Paige, are you okay?" Emily turned around fully this time, the level of urgency had amounted significantly on her tone.
"Umm yeah, fine. I just didn't sleep very well. We should head downstairs everyone will want to get on the road fairly soon." Paige responded, her words clipped, precise and short.
"I guess?" Emily moved forward to kiss Paige, but the other girl had already quickly removed herself from the bed, moving as far away as possible without trying to come across as too cold, their connection thinning rapidly, she picked up on the hurt on Emily's face another hit to her heart as she felt her chest grow ever more restrictive, struggling to fight back her oncoming attack. Emily instantly picked up on the distance in Paige eye's, her heart pounding in her chest with worry but she decided to remain silent.
"I'm gonna shower and that. You should head downstairs before me anyway." Paige turned to look out the window, the weather had changed overnight it was much milder today, almost muggy and the air felt heavy, the snow had half melted turning into a dirty grey mush on the ground, the sky looked ominously dark for the time of day, no doubt thunder was lingering nearby with the changing weather system, rain drizzling lazily from the impregnated skies above, washing away what was once a picturesque, perfect and pristine snow-covered scene.
"Yeah, I'll see ya down there." Emily's eyebrows knitted together with concern, shaking it off to Paige just having an off day and probably still feeling the effects of yesterday's terrifying ordeal. Emily quickly got changed in her own room before heading downstairs to meet the other's for breakfast.
Once Emily had left the room, Paige walked into the bathroom clutching to the side of the sink, everything was suddenly so terrifyingly overwhelming. She couldn't even face her own reflection, and any bit of honest and pure oxygen in her lungs was being selfishly smothered by the sudden wave of guilt, fear and panic that continually crept up on her after yesterday evening after Emily had fallen into the half frozen lake.
Within a second she had ripped her bedclothes off in one successive move, suddenly feeling too hot, overwhelmed and claustrophobic. She threw her body into the shower leaning into the wall for support, she quickly turned it on the tepid water washing over her skin the feel neither cleansing nor comforting, as she collapsed to the floor in retched, heart-broken sobs.
So are we about ready to hit the road?" Toby asked Spencer and Paige, the three were sat in Toby's car ready to make the long journey back to the city.
"Umm... I think I might have forgotten something. Can I run back inside, really quickly?" Paige asked, Spencer and Toby simply nodding, sharing a brief look of curiosity between them.
Paige darted from the car running inside with speed, she passed by the living room where nearly everyone else was finishing up and gathering up the last of their things. She flew up the flight of stairs, taking each step in twos, bursting into Emily's room. Stopping briefly as she noticed Emily stood over her bed packing her suitcase, Emily turning wide-eyed at the sudden commotion but was quickly enraptured in Paige's strong arms within the blink of an eye. Their lips falling together in a passionate, desperate and heated embrace, Paige pouring every single bit of herself into the kiss. Their tongues and mouths meeting, melding into the other with such ease. They were always the perfect fit, synchronizing in such a smooth, effortless harmony. Emily's hands entangled within Paige's hair, as she felt the brunette pull her close. Paige continued soaking up everything that was Emily, almost like her life depended on it and maybe it did? The two breaking apart for the briefest of moments, brown eyes searching brown eyes, before Paige moved forward once more capturing Emily's bottom lip between her own in one last lingering, poignant yet melancholic kiss.
This was it.
A bashful smile on Emily's face quickly robbed away when she noticed the tears streaming down Paige's cheeks. The brunette suddenly a broken mess before her, the complete opposite of what Emily had expected to find.
"Paige, what's going on? Why are you crying?" Emily hands capturing Paige's face within her hands, her eyes dancing across the other girls face trying to read her expression for any kind of emotion.
"I... I can't do this." Her voice trembling.
"Can't do what?" Emily responded initially struck with confusion.
"We can't keep doing this." Paige used her finger pointing it between the two of them, stepping back a little needing some distance between her and Emily, knowing she wouldn't be able to go through with it otherwise.
"No! Stop... you're not allowed to suddenly decide this ends, Paige. You can't do this!" Emily finally caught on, anger lacing her words.
"I'm sorry, Emily."
"Fuck apologies... what happened to that, Paige?! You said that apologies were pointless, Paige! " Emily spat out, tears now prickling at her eyes now too.
"It has to end here, Em." Paige voice was barely above a whisper, holding back her tears she used the sleeves of hoodie to dry her face.
"Paige, please don't..."
"I'm sorry." Paige simply stated before she turned to walk out the bedroom door.
"Paige... you can't do this. I love you." Emily sobbed falling to the ground as she was swallowed up in a wave of unexpected grief, her world collapsing around her as she watched Paige exit the room.
"I know, that's exactly why this needs to end..." Paige mumbled in response, wiping at her eyes once more feeling like a complete fraud and coward for letting her tears overspill as she exited the room, before running down the stairs.
Her mind finishing her sentence for her.
'Because I have completely fallen for you, too.'
[A/N] I'm sorry for the angst just when things were going so well for Emily and Paige, I had this part of the story planned in my head from the very beginning, Paige has certain elements of her past she has yet to deal with and confront. I hope to get that aspect of the story explained in the next chapter. As always, thank you for the constant support of this story, it really means so much.
Honestly, I really struggled with this chapter and maybe one day I'll re-write it because I'm still a little unhappy with it.
Thanks for reading. Please review.