Author's Note: As most of you know, I've had some technical difficulties as of late. That combined with some changes in my work schedule has made it increasingly difficult to be able to write, which is why I have decided to bring this story to a close. This will be the last chapter.

I've been writing Paily for 5 years now, this story for 2, and this fandom has brought many great things into my life. I've met some wonderful people through this site, and gotten the opportunity to read some amazing stories. PLL, and specifically Paily will always hold a special place in my heart. I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued comments, your insights and yourencouragements over the last few years. It has been an absolute pleasure writing for you.

I hope that you find this chapter to be a satisfying conclusion to the story. Thank you all for everything xoxo- Sam

Chapter 19

In some ways dating Paige as an adult was no different than it had been dating her as a teenager. Friday nights were still date nights. They got dressed up and took turns taking each other out for dinner or a movie, or both. They played footsie under the table and sampled food off the other's plate when she thought she wasn't looking and bickered about who's turn it was to pay, just like they had when they were teens. Just like they still exchanged sly smiles every time their hands brushed as they reached into the popcorn bucket. And Emily pretended to be grossed out or scared by the really gory parts so she had an excuse too bury her head in Paige's shoulder. And Paige pretended to fall for it so she could wrap her arm around Emily's shoulder and pull her close. They still spent Saturday afternoons wandering around town hand in hand, eating ice cream or sipping coffee as they window shopped and talked about their hopes and dreams. And Sunday evenings camped out on Paige's couch with junk food and take out and text books strewn all around them. Their study sessions interspersed with make out sessions that left them both flustered and breathless. They still sent flirty texts between classes or while they were hanging out with their friends.

But for all the ways their relationship remained unchanged, there were also marked differences. Instead of their date nights ending with a lingering kiss under the porch light, the clock on their curfews slowly ticking down the time they had left together, they ended with a lingering kiss before cuddling up together beneath the covers of Paige's bed. Which they could do without one of her parents yelling up the stairs to keep the door open. Emily was free to fall asleep and wake up within the circle of Paige's arms without having to sneak into and out of the house or lie to her mother about her whereabouts. They didn't have to drive to the lookout on the outskirts of town for the opportunity to make out without interruption. Not that they didn't still drive up there sometimes. They spent lazy Sunday mornings together in bed and drank beer on the back porch as the sun went down and stayed up until 2 a.m. watching movies. They didn't have to account for their time or explain themselves to anyone.

It was the best of both worlds, the fluttery excitement of falling in love like they had as teenagers the maturity of an adult relationship. They were old enough now to know what they wanted. There was no drama. No game playing. No back and forth, breaking up and getting back together. It was the two of them, getting to know one another again and building a foundation. Emily wouldn't go so far as to say she was grateful to their separation, but she was willing to admit she could appreciate that it had shown her the importance of taking their relationship seriously. She didn't take a moment of it for granted. Every day she made a conscious effort to be present, to be invested.

That's not to say that things were perfect between them. They fought, over little things, over big things. And they annoyed each other and pissed each other off. But they didn't let that come between them. In only a couple months Emily felt more secure in their relationship than she had in all the years they had been together before. She knew that there were no guarantees but she felt like they'd gotten it right this time.

"You're quiet today."

"Hmm?" Emily glanced up at the sound of Paige's voice, her words not really registering.

"I said, you're quiet today. Youif e been kind of distracted for awhile. What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?" Paige shifted position so she could face Emily, tucking her leg up under her as she leaned against the arm of the couch. Her arm draped along the back of the couch, her hand finding Emily's where it was resting against the cushion in a gesture that was both automatic and unconscious. The two of them were camped out on opposite ends of Paige's couch, doing their respective coursework. Paige grading papers and prepping for her next morning's class, Emily finishing up some reading. The remains on dinner, a collection of Chinese takeout boxes remained on the coffee table amidst a clutter of books, pens, highlighters and an empty bag of peanut butter cups that Emily swore up and down were a study aid even thought they both knew it was just a way to satisfy her sweet tooth.

Emily's attention had been wandering from her textbook, which admittedly wasn't very captivating in the first place. Her thoughts continually returning to how much things had changed between her and Paige in such a short period of time. And how much she was enjoying all the developments.

Emily laced her fingers through Paige's and gave her hand a little squeeze. "Just thinking about how happy you make me," she said, a grin tugging at her lips when Paige, predictably, grinned and ducked her head. A faint blush visible on her cheeks. It never failed to amuse and delight her that even the most simple of compliments could make her bashful, even after all this time.

"You make me really happy too." Paige's words were a low mumble. Yet their meaning was still very clear to Emily, who despite her amusement at Paige's reaction was also moved by the words. She felt a faint flutter in her chest accompanied by the spread of warmth through her body.

"I know it was a hard road getting here," Emily acknowledged. "But I wouldn't trade what we have right now for anything."

"Not anything huh?" Paige's eyebrow went up as she raised her gaze, and her grin turned teasing.

"Well I might throw you over if Beyonce looked my way. But other than that..." She shrugged and offered up a smirk.

"Your obsession with that woman is unhealthy," Paige said with a soft chuckle and a shake of her head.

"Oh please, like you wouldn't don't the same thing for what's her name, that soccer player you've been fangirling over since forever."

Paige scoffed, but her cheeks grew a deep red and the under Emily's hand grew hot to the touch. "That's not even the point." She waved her hand, dismissing the conversation.

"What is the point then?"

Emily watched in more amusement than concern as Paige suddenly and inexplicably grew twitchy. The fingers within her grasp flexed convulsively. Her gaze flit around the room, directed everywhere but at Emily. Her brow furrowed, and she bit down on her lower lip as her free hand thrust deep into her pocket.

"Well I know you said that you were happy with the way things are now," she said on a shaky breath, "but I've been kind of hoping that we could take the next step."

Emily's breath caught in her throat and her heart dropped into her stomach as she watched Paige pull her hand out of pocket her fingers closed tightly around something.

"...It's a big step. And I know that it's only been a couple months, but I think that we're ready..."

Emily found herself tuning in and out of what Paige was saying, the words intermittently blocked out by the buzzing in her head. Her eyes were fixed firmly on Paige's fingers, watching them slowly unfurl. A part of her wanted to yell no and reach out, clamping Paige's fingers back into place. While another part of her was breathlessly awaiting the completion of the act, and the question.

"...I'd love it of you'd move in with me," Paige finished in a rush, the words slurring together slightly.

Emily struggled to comprehend them as she stared, dumbfounded at the item in Paige's hand.

"That's a key," she said when she'd finally found her voice.

"Yeah. I had an extra one made," Paige said, sounding bemused as she finally looked Emily in the face again. Her eyes widened as she took in Emily's expression, which undoubtedly was one of confusion, and maybe a little bit of fear." Oh my God. You thought I was proposing." She didn't even try to hide her amusement as she burst into laughter.

"It's not that funny." Emily felt her face heat up in a blush and pulled her hand from Paige's. Or least she tried too. The moment she started to tug away, Paige's grip tightened, holding her in place.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to laugh at you. But come on. It's at least a little funny, right?" Paige ducked her head, trying to meet Emily's gaze. Emily dipped her head further, avoiding Paige's eyes, if only to keep her from seeing the smile she could feel tugging at her lips as her embarrassment faded and the humor of the situation began to sink in.

"You should have seen your face." Paige dissolved into laughter once again, and this time Emily couldn't help but join her.

When the bought of laughter passed, Paige's expression turned serious. "I love you Em. And I do want to spend the rest of my life with you. One day, hopefully, it really will be a ring box I pull out of my pocket. But I think we can both agree we're a long ways off from that."

Emily nodded. For all the strides they had made in their relationship they were still building the foundation. Like Paige, she envisioned them growing old together. But she knew that they weren't there just yet. They'd only been back in each others lives for a few months, dating for even less time than that. They were still getting to know each other as adults and figuring out exactly how they worked together.

"So what do you say?" Paige nodded towards her hand, which was still extended towards Emily. The silver key shining dully in her palm.

Moving in together was a big step. One that would bring about a whole new set of discoveries and challenges as they learned each others routines and adjusted to each others quirks. Like Paige's apparent inability to remember to put cap back on the toothpaste, which drove Emily nuts. And she knew Paige hated it when she left the bed unmade, even though she didn't see the point when she was just going to mess it up again later. All the little habits and annoyances that they had learned to live with in the past they were going to matter again. And while Emily knew it wasn't going to make or break for them, it would be a factor in how well things went over the next couple months. She wasn't afraid of the potential complication though. In fact she relished in it. More, in what it meant. Which was that she and Paige were taking the next step towards the happy ever after they were striving for.

The loved the thought of falling asleep and waking up next to Paige every day, not just on weekends or when she didn't have an early class to get to. Going grocery shopping together and splitting household duties and arguing over who's turn it was to take out the trash or which one of them forgot to add something to the list had never been so appealing. She had imagined herself living in this house the first time she'd laid eyes on it. Paige had gone out of her way to make Emily feel welcome here. The feeling of comfort and belonging had only increased the more time she and Paige spent together here. She couldn't wait to call it home.

Emily reached out and plucked the key from Paige's palm.

"Yeah?" Paige's grin was wide and beaming.

"Yeah." Emily felt her own lips turning up into an answering smile. She felt lightheaded and giddy as she reached for her purse, which rested on the floor by the couch. She had to twist a little to grab it, but once she got a grip on the handle she pulled it onto her lap. Her fingers actually shook a little as she dug around inside it for her keyring. She felt the intensity of Paige's gave on her as she pulled it out and attached the key with a soft yet satisfying snick of metal. She stared down at the newest addition, shiny and unmarred amongst the dull and scratched up car and loft keys for a long moment before placing the keyring back into her purse and tossing it back onto the floor. It felt strange knowing that the next time she returned back to the loft that it would be to lack up her belongings and bring them here. Strange, in the best way possible. This was home now. She and Paige were beginning a whole new chapter, and she couldn't wait to see how it unfolded.

FIN

Thanks for reading guys.