Guest: Sorry. But, I promise it'll all pay off in the end.

Guest Yeah, the backseat isn't right for the first time. I can see why Paige thought it might be romantic, but not for their first time.

Viva33, I'm glad you liked it.

Chapter 42

"Emily. Wait up. Hey, Em."

Emily, and her friends, paused outside The Brew and turned to find Paige jogging up the street towards them. She was dressed in her Sunday best, the floral print dress, with the crème colored cardigan and the ballet-style flats were disconcerting in how unfamiliar they were for Emily to see her in. It was certainly a far cry from the jeans and t-shirts she wore to school. Or the pressed pants and dress shirts she wore on their dates. But, she wore it well.

Paige skidded to a stop in front of Emily, nearly tripping over her own feet in the process. It was only Hannah's arm at her waist that kept her from toppling over. She shot Hannah a grateful smile before turning her attention on Emily.

"Hey," she said, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet where she stood.

"Hey, what's up? Are you okay?" Emily asked, concerned when she noticed how haggard Paige looked, her skin was ashen and her eyes were puffy and red rimmed, with dark circles beneath them.

But, she was grinning broadly and fairly vibrating in place. "Oh, yeah. Yeah, I'm good." She waved off Emily's concern, her grin only growing wider. "I did it. I came out to my parents last night. I told them."

For a moment, Emily was too stunned to speak, to react. Then, she thought for sure her ears were playing tricks on her. But when she glanced to Paige for clarification, her girlfriend nodded, and continued to smile at her. Slowly, the weight of her words began to sink in, and she tackled Paige in a hug, the force of which nearly knocked her off her feet. Once again, it was only Hannah's arm shooting out that kept them both upright.

"Oh, my God. Paige. That's amazing."

Paige let out a faint "oomph" as she stumbled back a couple steps, but she wrapped her arms around Emily's back and returned the embrace, squeezing as tightly as she was being squeezed.

Emily's mind was a buzz with questions. She wanted to know when. How it had happened. What had prompted Paige to tell them. How they reacted. She wanted to know all the details, and most pressingly, if Paige was okay. She also wanted to keep hugging Paige. Especially when she heard her breath hitch, and felt her shoulders shake, and realized that her girlfriend was either crying, or trying really hard not to. She squeezed tighter, and Paige squeezed back.

They probably would have stood there all day, embracing, if not for being jostled by someone stepping out of The Brew, and reminding Emily that they were right in the doorway, blocking foot traffic both in and out of the coffee shop, and also on the sidewalk in front of it.

She pulled away, though Paige's arm lingering around her waist kept her from going too far.

"Are you going to tell us what went down, or what?"

"It's kind of personal, Han. Maybe Paige doesn't want to get into all that with us." Aria gave Hannah a nudge, offering Paige up an apologetic smile as she did.

"No, I don't mind."

"You really don't have to." Emily didn't Paige to feel like she had to open up to her friends about this, just because they were there. The two of them could go somewhere more private and talk, if that was what Paige preferred.

"I want to." She gave Emily a gentle squeeze, reassuring her that it really was okay. "If you don't mind. I mean, I don't want to impose on your plans or anything."

"You're not imposing."

Paige glanced between them, looking hesitant for a moment, before nodding.

"Perhaps we should take this inside?" Spencer suggested, gently herding them through the door even as she spoke. They all allowed themselves to be shuffled in, Hannah and Aria immediately heading towards the vacant couch at the back of the room.

"What are you drinking?" Emily asked.

"Oh, nothing for me, thanks. I didn't bring my wallet with me." Paige gave a sheepish smile and a shrug.

"Don't worry about it, Spencer's buying."

Still, Paige shook her head. "It's fine."

Spencer rolled her eyes and turned to Emily, one brow raised.

"Cappuccino."

Paige's brow furrowed slightly. "You don't drink cappuccinos."

"But you do. Come on." She nudged Paige in the direction of Hannah and Aria.

"Shouldn't we stay and help Spencer carry the drinks?"

"They'll give her a tray. She'll be fine."

It was a familiar routine by now, the girls having done this every weekend for the past few months.

Paige resisted for a moment, then gave in to Emily's gentle prodding and preceded the way across the room, where she flopped down onto the couch beside Hannah. Emily took the seat next to her, taking care not to sit too close. Even though Paige was apparently now out to her parents, Emily still wasn't sure what her stance was on generally being out in public, in Rosewood.

She noticed that Paige didn't put an arm around her, or take her hand, or show any overt signs of physical affection. However, she did drape her arm along the back of the couch, her fingers skating lightly up and down the nape of Emily's neck. The sensation sent shivers skittering up and down her spine. She glanced over, and caught the private smile Paige sent her way, before turning her attention back to the conversation Aria and Hannah had fallen into. Emily tried to tune in as well, but her thoughts were on other things.

As glad as she was that Paige was comfortable enough with her friends to want to share the story with them, she was still sort of wishing that it were just the two of them discussing it right now. Mostly because if that were the case, they could have already jumped right into it, and wouldn't be waiting around for Spencer to get over here so they could get started.

Luckily, they didn't have to wait long. It was still early enough that The Brew wasn't particularly crowded. There wasn't a line at the register, and Spencer was carrying their drinks over a few minutes later. She distributed them quickly, before setting onto the chair adjacent to the couch. Paige withdrew her arm from the back of the couch, to accept her coffee, much to Emily's disappointment

"So?" Hannah leaned around Aria to look at Paige, her eyebrow's raised in question.

"Give a girl a minute to take a sip," Spencer chided, laughter in her voice.

Paige chuckled as she shifted position, taking her cup in both hands and staring down at it's lid for a long moment before, taking a deep breath, then glanced over at Emily.

"My parents were home when I got back from out date last night," she began, her voice soft, but steady. "I guess they heard me come in, 'cause my Mom called me into the living room on my way past. I walked into the room and she said, 'You're all dressed up. You look nice,' but she had this look on her face. I can't even describe it. But, I knew she knew."

Emily nodded, as did the others. They had all found themselves in similar situations, where their parents had figured out something that they were trying to keep from them. Or, at least, it felt like it.

Emily had experiences so many moments of panic, certain that her mother knew, or at least suspected that she was gay. Though, after seeing her reaction when she'd come out, the way the news hit her like a blow, it was evidently all in her head. A product of her own paranoia.

But, there had also been times when Emily had thought she was hiding the truth, and her mom saw right through her. She had no way of knowing which of those it was for Paige, but she certainly understood the sensation.

"Then my dad asked where I'd been. And I just kind of shrugged, and said 'out.' And he rolled his eyes and kind of laughed and said 'No kidding. Out where?' And, I just…I don't even know if I meant to say it or if it just came out, but I said, "On a date."

"You didn't," Hannah murmured, looking both horrified, and impressed.

Paige glanced over at her, a small smile playing on her lips. "Oh, but I did."

"What'd your dad do?" Aria asked.

"He just nodded. And my Mom said 'A date?' And she had that look about her, y'know?"

Emily felt her pulse pick up as Paige got to the pivotal part of the story. She found herself gripping tightly to her coffee mug, anxiety spiking as she waited.

"I could have left it there, I guess. I doubt my Mom would have pressed. My dad might have, I don't know. I'm not sure if he actually suspected or not. But I said 'Yes. A date. With Emily. She's my girlfriend. I'm gay.'"

"Oh, wow." Aria said what they were all thinking, and then silence hung in the air for a long moment.

Emily wasn't sure what to say. Wasn't sure if there was anything to say, at this point. She reached out and discreetly squeezed Paige's leg.

"What happened after that?" It was, of course, Hannah, who voiced the question they all wanted to ask.

"There was some yelling. And pacing. My dad kept asking me where they'd gone wrong. My mom calmed him down. Then she hugged me, and told me she loved me."

"Paige, that's…." Emily didn't know how to finish the sentence. She was just so proud of Paige, and happy for her. Paige seemed to know what she meant though, she smiled and nodded.

"What about your dad?" Hannah asked.

Emily felt Paige tense up beside her, and she felt her heart drop. After everything she had been through, how hard she had struggled to come to terms with her sexuality and to get over her own self-doubt and security the last thing she needed was her dad's rejection setting her back.

"My dad's…not so cool with it He's having a hard time accepting…" Paige's voice shook, then cracked, and she ducked her head, her hair falling in a curtain that hid her face, but could not conceal the fact that she was barely holding it together. "He told me that it doesn't change the fact that I'm his daughter. And he loves me. He just doesn't understand, but he'll try."

"That's a good thing, right?" Aria asked, laying a tentative hand on Paige's shoulder. Paige glanced over and gave her a weak smile, reaching up and giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"I guess. I mean, it's better than being disowned. Which is what I thought was going to happen. But, it kind of stings, to have your parent basically say that they would try to love and accept you for who you are."

"Oh. Ouch." Aria winced faintly.

Emily felt a pang of sympathy. She'd heard a lot of that phrase after she'd first come out. Her mom was constantly telling her that she was just didn't understand, or that she was trying, as if suddenly loving her daughter was a chore, something that required foresight and effort.

"I never really thought of it that way before," Aria admitted, and the others nodded.

"That sucks," Hannah said, and Spencer nodded, reaching across the distance to squeeze Paige's knee.

Paige shrugged. "I guess it's better than being kicked out."

"He'll come around, I'm sure," Spencer said. And Paige nodded, her head moving jerkily as she took a deep breath.

Emily wrapped her arm around Paige's back, and allowed herself a small smile when Paige sank into her, leaning heavily against her side, and dropping her head onto Emily's shoulder.

"It'll all be okay," she whispered softly into Paige's ear, pressing a quick, subtle kiss to her temple. She knew it might not feel like it to Paige at the moment, but it was a promise she felt confident in making. He had said he would try. He was willing to make the effort. And, Emily was certain that would be enough.

She felt Paige nod against her, as she leaned a little more into her.

"So, if you're out to your parents now, does that mean that the two of you can act like a proper couple then?" Hannah asked.

"Little soon, maybe Han?" Spencer said, nodding her head towards Paige with a raised brow.

Emily agreed with Spencer. Now was not the time to be having that conversation. But, she had to admit, she was a little curious about it as well. Though, she had been pushing the thoughts aside, trying to focus on her girlfriend, and supporting her, giving her what she needed.

"What, I'm just saying." Hannah held up her hands in defense before turning to Paige and muttering a soft apology.

Paige turned to Hannah and offered a soft smile. "No, it's fine, Hannah. It's a fair question."

"Well, don't leave us in suspense."

Paige chuckled as she sat up, and turned her gaze back to Emily. There was something in her expression that made Emily's heart drop, and she struggled to keep her expression neutral. Could Paige really expect them to continue to keep their relationship a secret? She understood being discreet. It's not like she expected Paige to post it on the bulletin board or anything. She just didn't want to have to worry about standing too close, or being caught looking. And, it'd be nice to be able to talk to her directly in the hallway, maybe hold her hand as they walked to class.

"About that," Paige started, and Emily felt a mixture of unnamed emotions flare. She bit her lip, and tried very hard to tamp down on her temper. "I was hoping we could hold off on that until next week."

Emily's brow furrowed in confusion. "Next week?" Was Paige just putting her off, until she could find some other excuse to keep them a secret?

"Yeah. I mean, as you know, state championship is this weekend." Paige shot Emily a look, as if this was significant, but Emily just stared back at her blankly, not getting it. "Which means two nights away. Two nights staying in a hotel room." Paige's eyebrow went up, as if asking 'Really?" as Emily struggled to understand her point. "If Coach Fulton knows we're a couple, she'll never let us room together. But if she doesn't…"

"Oh. OH." Emily felt her eyes widen as the dime finally dropped. She felt her cheeks heat up in a blush as what Paige was implying hit her.

"Bow chicka wow wow," Hannah intoned. "Emily and Paige, getting it on."

Emily's flush grew hotter, and Paige's cheeks flamed red. Aria and Spencer both chided Hannah, though Emily could hear the amusement in both of their voices.

"I'm not saying we….I mean if you don't want…I just thought it would be nice…" Paige stumbled through a few attempted explanations before ducking her head and falling silent.

Emily tucked a few strands of Paige's hair behind her ear and ducked her head so she could meet Paige's eye. "We don't have to decide right now, whether we'll…do anything, or not this weekend," she said, pitching her voice low, to make the conversation as private as she could, knowing that even so, her friends could probably hear every word. "Though, you know I want to. And it would be a perfect opportunity," she added, her voice barely audible, her cheeks and Paige's both flaming at the admission. She bit her lip against a smile at the way Paige's eyes went wide, and she gulped loudly.

It would be kind of perfect. They'd have the whole night together in their hotel room. No parents around to interrupt them. There would be no rush, and they could fall asleep together afterwards, and wake up together the next morning.

"But, either way, it would be nice to have that time together. Even if nothing happens," she added, not wanting Paige to feel any pressure that it had to be this weekend. Though, considering Paige had been the one to bring it up. And she had planned for it to happen last night, Emily doubted it was something she needed to worry about.

"I can't wait," Paige whispered, a smile playing on her lips.

"Me either."

"Hey, lovebirds. You want to either break it up, or take it elsewhere?" Hannah, of course it would be Hannah, interrupted their moment. Emily stifled a laugh, but when Paige cracked up, she found herself unable to hold it in either.

"Sorry." They apologized in unison as they pulled apart, settling back against the couch cushions, their shoulders brushing. At first, Emily thought it was accidental, until she felt Paige lean a little more heavily into her. She glanced over, to find Paige glancing back at her, a soft smile playing on her lips. She gently nudged Paige's knee with her own. And felt a smile tugging on her lip when Paige nudged her back lightly.

Physical contact in public, without Paige immediately tensing up or pulling away. This was new. This was nice.

They bumped knees a few more times, until Paige thwarted her, by wrapping her foot around Emily's ankle, a triumphant grin taking over her face. The coffee shop was fairly empty. And the coffee table in front of them hid the action from anyone who happened to glance their way, but still, it was something.

Slowly, Paige's foot began to rub up and down Emily's calf, the sensation sending chills up and down her spine. Enjoying it, but unwilling to be bested, Emily rested her free hand in the small space between their bodies, then slowly began rubbing her knuckles across Paige's thigh, against the bare skin just below the hem of her skirt. Paige swallowed audibly, and Emily's grin widened.

"Is this how it's going to be between you two from now on?" Hannah's voice cut into their bubble once again. They both jumped, and turned their gazed towards her, though they didn't pull apart. "Pay attention," she huffed, before launching back into whatever story she was telling.

Emily tried to pay attention. It was rude to ignore her friends when she was supposed to be spending the morning with them. But, as she shot a sidelong glance over at Paige she couldn't help but think she hoped that it was exactly like this between them, from now on.