Locum Tenens

PART THREE: "Non Progredi Est Regredi"

~ To not go forward is to go backward. ~

DISCLAIMER: Pretty Little Liars and all its characters is the intellectual property of others. Some characters used in the writing of this fic belong to PLL. Events that transpire, will transpire and have transpired in this story are entirely of my own creation.

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CHAPTER FIVE (PART TWO)

Jai reluctantly tore her gaze away from the window when she heard her phone vibrating on the table for the third time. Without missing a beat, she rejected the call yet again then looked up just in time to see Emily enter the restaurant. She quickly got up and pocketed her phone as she waved at the girl when she noticed Emily looking around the room.

"Wow." Jai uttered breathlessly as soon as the girl was standing in front of her. "You look gorgeous."

"Thank you." Emily replied with a faint smile. "And sorry I'm late. My meeting ran long."

"It's okay." Jai said reassuringly. "I'm just glad you made it. Although I was tempted to offer to pick you up then go somewhere else instead." She confessed.

"I'm glad you didn't. You chose this place for a reason." Emily reminded the girl.

"I know waiting here seems like I'm telling you to go back." Jai admitted. "And maybe I am. But just so you could remember." She explained. "This may have been where our future started to feel real. But I'm not asking you to go back to that. Because we both know a lot has happened since that night. Now I'm just hoping that this is where we can move forward together. A fresh start, if you will. That is... if you're staying." Jai added hesitantly.

"Paige gave me a ride." Emily told the girl as she gestured behind her.

"Really. She did." Jai said while trying to look outside the window casually for any sign of her friend's SUV. "Okay. So are you... I mean, is she... waiting for you outside?" She asked nervously.

"No. She's not." Emily answered. "She just dropped me off."

"Oh." Jai uttered, her mouth going dry and her heart starting to hammer wildly. "So you're staying. Does that... mean what I think it means?"

Emily nodded. "Yes. I'm choosing you." She said, her voice slightly breaking. "I want us to try again."

Jai let out a relieved laugh and pulled the girl close to her. "Oh my god. Thank you." She whispered in Emily's ear. "Thank you. You won't regret it." She promised earnestly, her heart bursting with happiness.

Emily returned the girl's hug and closed her eyes. "I love you." She uttered as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I love you, too." Jai replied, smiling at the girl as they pulled away. She gently wiped Emily's tears then placed a soft kiss on the girl's cheek. "I have something for you." Jai said before reaching for the bouquet of roses on the table and handing it to the girl.

"Uh... when did you find the time to buy these?" Emily asked with a confused look. "I just texted you like an hour ago."

"Yeah, but... I've been bringing one every night in case you decide to show up." Jai confessed sheepishly.

"Wow." Emily uttered as she lightly touched some of the petals. "This is so sweet of you, Jai. Thank you."

Jai beamed at Emily then pulled out the chair across from hers. "Here." She said, gesturing for her girlfriend to take a seat.

"Thanks." Emily replied and moved to sit down but stopped short when she realized something. "Crap."

"What? What is it?" Jai asked, brows creased. "What's wrong?"