I've called this 'It Happened One Night' because of the obvious Ezria connection.
This is my first Ezria story. If the premise of this is familiar it's because pretty,little,soprano recently started a similar one. I loved the idea and spoke to her on twitter about writing a similar story myself, and she very kindly told me I should. So a big thanks to her xx
It's similar in the sense that Aria gets pregnant after a one night stand with Ezra, it's based in NY (I needed a city big enough that they wouldn't know each other or run into each other regularly) and that Aria has a daughter.
Daisy Harper Montgomery is all mine, and given her parentage I think you'll agree that she would be absolutely gorgeous!
Chapter One
Neither of them were usually this brazen, neither of them had ever done anything like this before. But with a large quantity of alcohol in their systems and an undeniable attraction between the two they'd soon stumbled into a bathroom at the party they were both at and soon Aria Montgomery was pressed against a wall with her legs wrapped around Ezra Fitz's waist experiencing the most mind blowing orgasms of her life.
Ezra's friend Hardy had always told him 'you never kiss her' when talking about his own experiences like this, but Ezra couldn't help himself there was something so inviting about her full lips and he knew that he just had kiss them. He had and the sparks he had felt overwhelmed him.
They'd adjusted their clothes, left the bathroom and went back to their friends and acted like nothing had happened.
3 years and 4 months later (give or take)
"Spence," Aria whispered into her phone, "Would you be able to pick Daisy up for me? I'm not going to get out of work on time. I probably shouldn't even be talking to you now you know how Jackie gets when I make personal calls."
"I can't," Spencer replied, "I'm not in the city today and I probably won't be back until later. Have you tried Hanna?"
Aria sighed, "Yeah," she said, "Caleb's in town for the weekend so her phone is switched off. Thanks anyway Spence, I'll think of something. I love you."
"I love you too Aria," Spencer replied, "and you should leave that job. You're so much better than that."
"I know," Aria said, "but I can't afford to be picky Spence I have Daisy to think about."
She sent a quick text to Daisy's pre-school explaining that she'd be late again, checked herself over in the mirror and walked out of the bathroom.
"Shit," Aria sighed as yet another cab flew past her, a torrential downpour had just started so cabs were now hard to come by. She bit her lip and looked at the time on a ticker tape in a store opposite it was 5:30pm, she'd have to run for it, she was already thirty minutes late and the pre-school should be closing at 5:30pm. Daisy had only been going there for a little over a month. It was one of the most prestigious pre-schools in Manhattan and it was stretching Aria's budget to the max, she had dined on ramen noodles every night since Daisy was awarded a place there but she didn't care, she would go without things so that Daisy always had the best.
It was the third time this week that Aria had been late and she was worried that they might rescind her place. She put her head down and made a run for it, in her eagerness to get there quicker she didn't see the man stepping onto the sidewalk from the road and ran straight into him, and despite her petite stature the pair of them tumbled onto the wet pavement.
"Oh god," Aria exclaimed, "I am so sorry. I was in a rush and I should've been watching where I was going."
The man stood up and held a hand out for Aria; she took it and let him pull her back up to her feet.
"It's okay," he replied his hand never letting go of hers; he didn't want to let this stunning petite brunette with the beautiful doe eyes go. "I wasn't looking where I was going either. I'm Ezra."
Aria smiled shyly, he was gorgeous. Almost six feet, dark wavy hair and beautiful blue eyes that reminded her so much of Daisy's, "Aria, I'm really sorry about your suit."
Ezra glanced down at his 'lucky' suit and shook his head, "It's okay," he said honestly.
"No," Aria replied, "Please at least let me pay for dry cleaning?" she prayed that he would say 'No' as there was no way she could afford dry cleaning.
"I'll tell you what," Ezra replied, "How about you let me take you out for dinner tonight instead?"
Aria bit her bottom lip; there had been no guys in her life since before she found out that she was pregnant with Daisy from that moment on her baby had been her priority and dating was off limits. But she was really attracted to him, and a proper food sounded really good when all she'd been eating was noodles. "Dinner sounds good," Aria said, "but rain check? I really do have to be somewhere."
Ezra smiled, "Okay," he replied letting go of her hand finally, "he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, "What's your number? I'll call you and we can make plans."
Aria took his phone from his hand and dialled her own number, her phone rang and she disconnected the call handing Ezra his phone back, "Now we have each other's number," she replied smiling, "and I'm going to be late."
Ezra nodded and Aria began walking away, "Bye Aria," he shouted after her, "I'll call you."
Aria turned back briefly conscious that she was now really pressed for time, "Bye Ezra," she shouted back, "and I'll be waiting."
"I am so sorry," Aria said to Beth the head carer as she ran through the door of the pre-school. It was now 5:50pm.
Beth shook her head, "It's okay Aria," she replied, "Daisy's no bother at all. In fact she's an absolute dream."
"Thank you," Aria said beaming, hearing people praise her daughter was the biggest compliment for her.
"We tried to give her some dinner, but she said that she wanted to eat with her mommy."
Aria smiled, "Yeah, she said the same thing last night too."
Beth nodded, "She's very independent and very bright."
Aria nodded, "Yeah," she said smiling, "A little too independent sometimes."
They walked into the room where Daisy was and Aria looked on as her two and half year old daughter spelt her name out with cardboard letters.
"Look Daisy," Abby one of the pre-school assistants said when she saw Aria, "Your mommy is here."
Daisy put the letter 'Y' into place and turned to face her mommy, her entire face lit up with a huge smile. Aria quickly closed the distance between the two of them and knelt down in front of her daughter. Daisy wrapped her arms around her mommy's neck and whispered, "Mommy," into Aria's ear.
Aria smiled, "Hi Daisy," she replied, "Are you ready to go home?"
Daisy nodded, "Yes Mommy."
"Okay," Aria replied, "then why don't you get your coat and backpack and I'll just speak to Miss Abby okay?"
Daisy nodded and ran over to the hooks where all the coats were kept.
"How's she been?" Aria asked once she was sure Daisy couldn't hear.
"Amazing," Abby replied, "She's a joy Aria, she really is."
"It's a good job you put your boots on this morning Daisy." Aria said as they made their way outside.
"Why Mommy?" Daisy asked, her hand automatically reaching up to hold her mommy's as the neared the door.
"It's been raining," Aria answered as she pushed the door open with her free hand.
"Are there puddles?" Daisy asked excitedly.
Aria smiled, "Probably," she replied, "Why?" she asked although she knew the answer.
Daisy looked up at her mommy and smiled, "I like to jump in them Mommy."
"Goodnight sweetie," Aria said to Daisy later that night, "I love you."
"Night Mommy," Daisy said back, "I love you too."
Aria smiled and kissed her daughter on the forehead, she stood up from the bed, switched on the bedside lamp and walked to the door turning off the main light as she did so. "Do you want the door open or closed?"
Daisy brought one of her hands up to her chin in thought, she did the same thing every night and it always made Aria smile.
"Bit," Daisy replied.
Aria nodded and pulled the door over slowly until she heard Daisy shout, "Done Mommy."
Aria had just walked into her small kitchen when she heard her phone ringing; she smiled when she saw it was Ezra.
"Hi," Ezra said once Aria answered, "I wasn't sure if you'd pick up."
"Why's that?" Aria asked as cleared the small table of the remnants of their dinner.
Ezra chuckled, "I don't know," he replied, "I thought maybe you'd have second thoughts about my offer for dinner. You haven't have you?" he asked hopefully.
Aria smiled, "No," she said, "I haven't."
Ezra sighed in relief, "Good," he replied, "How does tomorrow night sound?"
"I can't tomorrow," Aria replied she knew that both Spencer and Hanna had plans so she wouldn't have anybody to watch Daisy for her. "But I'm free Sunday."
"Sunday's good," Ezra said happily, "Anywhere in particular you'd like to go?"
All Aria knew was that she wanted to be somewhere near her apartment in case there was a problem with Daisy, "Why don't I book somewhere and text you the details?" she asked him.
"Yeah," Ezra replied, "That sounds good. Shall we say 7?"
"Okay," Aria said, "I'll text you and I'll see you Sunday."
"See you Sunday Aria."
"Thanks Hanna," Aria said as Hanna sat beside her on a bench in the children's playground on Bleeker Street and handed her a coffee. "Where's Caleb?"
"He's visiting a few friends," Hanna replied, her perfectly manicured hands wrapped around her coffee cup as she brought it up to her mouth to take a sip. She glanced over to the play area, "Where's Daisy?" she asked, "I don't see her."
Aria lifted a finger and pointed in the direction of one of the slides, just as Daisy came flying down it laughing loudly.
Hanna smiled as she watched the little girl brush herself off and run straight back around to have another go. "New coat?" she asked.
Aria nodded, "Yeah, we went shopping last weekend."
Hanna turned to Aria, "Without me?" she replied bringing a hand up to her chest.
Aria smiled, "You weren't here," she said, "and Daisy needed some warmer clothes. You know she actually put something back because 'Aunty Hanna wouldn't like it.'"
Hanna laughed, "I've taught her well."
They sat in silence and watched Daisy playing for a few minutes.
"Can I ask you a favour?" Aria asked.
Hanna nodded, "Anything Aria, you know that."
"Could you watch Daisy for me tomorrow night?"
Hanna frowned.
"It's okay if you can't Han," Aria said worried that Hanna might already have plans.
"No," Hanna replied, "I don't and I will it's just you never ask if we we'll watch her for you. We always have to ask you to let us take her for a few hours. What's the occasion? A hot date?" she asked jokingly.
"Actually," Aria replied looking down and picking an imaginary piece of fluff off her jeans, "yes."
Hanna raised her eyebrows, "Seriously?" she asked, "you have a date?"
"Yes," Aria replied looking back towards Hanna, "Is that so hard to believe?"
"No," Hanna replied, "Of course not. You're beautiful, smart and funny. It's just you haven't been on a date since you broke up with Noel and since Daisy came along I don't even think you've looked at a guy."
"Daisy became my life Han. She's my priority."
"I know that," Hanna said placing a hand on top of Aria's, "but you need to have fun too Aria you're only twenty three. Spencer and I will always be on hand to help with Daisy whenever you need us to."
Aria smiled, "Thanks Han."
"So who is he? Do I know him?" Hanna asked excitedly.
Aria shook her head, "I don't think so," she replied, "His name is Ezra, he's tall has dark hair and blue eyes."
Hanna nodded, "So what does he do for a living? How old is he?"
Aria shrugged, "I don't know," she replied truthfully, "I guess I'll find out tomorrow."
"You don't know?" Hanna asked.
Aria shook her head, "No, I only met him yesterday when I was rushing to pick Daisy up from pre-school. I ran into him on the sidewalk and knocked him over."
"Aria…"Hanna said concern evident in her voice.
"What?" Aria replied, "Hanna it's no different than if I'd met him in a club. I'll get to know him better over dinner."
"Okay," Hanna replied, "But I want to know exactly where you're going."
"Of course, I picked somewhere near my apartment." Aria said smiling.
Hanna nodded, "Are you going to tell him about Daisy?"
The pair both looked over towards the play area once again, Daisy was now scaling one of the small climbing frames.
"Yes," Aria replied immediately, "I'm not ashamed of her."
"I know you're not," Hanna said, "It's just maybe hold off on telling him, if you really like him I mean."
"And what?" Aria replied, "Tell him in a few months if things work out? No Hanna, I'll tell him tomorrow night and if he runs away then it isn't meant to be."
"Hey Ezra," Hardy shouted once Ezra answered his phone, "Where are you? I thought we could go out tonight and hit a few bars?"
"Not tonight," Ezra replied, "I have a date."
"You do?" Hardy asked, "Why am I only hearing about this now? Is she hot?"
"You've been M.I.A" Ezra replied, "so I haven't had a chance to tell you."
"Are you gonna fuck her?" Hardy asked crudely. It made Ezra feel uncomfortable.
"No" Ezra replied, "It's only our first date and I really like her. Also I'm not you."
"Hey don't knock it unless you've tried it. Seriously Ezra you don't know what you're missing out on. You should be out having fun, not spending your time trying to find that perfect girl. You're young you have plenty of time to settle down although I don't know why you'd want to."
Ezra shook his head, Hardy was one of his closest friends although sometimes he wondered why as they had absolutely nothing in common except the fact that they'd attended the same college and took the same classes.
"Goodbye Hardy," he said hanging up before Hardy got a chance to reply.
"Daisy," Hanna said as Aria walked out of the bedroom all dressed for her date, in a pair of dark skinny jeans and a patterned blouse. "Tell your Mommy how pretty she looks."
Daisy looked up at her Aunty Hanna with a confused expression on her face. "My Mommy always looks pretty," she replied.
"Thank you sweetie," Aria said as she walked towards her daughter, she kissed her forehead, "you'll be a good girl for Aunty Hanna won't you?"
Daisy nodded.
"You'll go to bed when she asks you?"
Again Daisy nodded, "Yes Mommy."
"Okay," Aria said, "Hanna call me if there are any problems."
Hanna rolled her eyes playfully, "There won't be."
Daisy copied Hanna and rolled her eyes too, "Yeah Mommy there won't be."
Aria had chosen a restaurant within walking distance of her apartment, and although Ezra had used the phrase 'take you to dinner' she had made sure that it was well within her budget just in case that didn't actually extend to paying for the meal.
She spotted Ezra standing outside as she got nearer; he turned and saw her too. He raised his hand in a wave and Aria did the same.
"Hi," she said shyly.
Ezra smiled, "Hi," he replied, "Shall we?"
Aria nodded and smiled as he held the door open for her, she wasn't used to such chivalry from men.
"Table for Montgomery," Aria said as the maitre d approached them.
"Aria Montgomery," Ezra said as they were shown to their table.
Aria nodded, "Yeah," she replied, "Ezra…?"
"Fitz," Ezra said.
They ordered drinks and waited for the waitress to leave before talking again.
"You were on foot," Ezra said, "Do you live nearby?"
Aria nodded, "I do," she replied, "about a block away. What about you?"
"Upper West Side," Ezra replied just as the waitress came back over with their drinks.
He noticed Aria's expression when he said this and smiled.
"My grandmother left me some money," he offered as an explanation, "and I invested it in real estate. It was the wisest thing I've ever done."
They decided to order some mezes to share and then Aria ordered the roasted eggplant whilst Ezra ordered the steak.
"So Ezra Fitz," Aria said, "Tell me about yourself."
Ezra smiled, "I was born and raised here. I'm twenty six," he replied, "and I'm a teacher. Or I was."
"Was?" Aria asked.
Ezra nodded, "I taught at a small independent school, it closed at the end of summer. I've been looking for work but I haven't been successful so far. What about you?"
Aria took a sip of her wine, she knew she had to tell him about Daisy, but she wanted to stall if possible. "What would you like to know?" she asked.
Ezra smiled, "Everything."
"Okay," Aria replied, "I'm originally from Rosewood Pennsylvania. I just graduated and I work for a small publishing firm."She took a deep breath, "I'm twenty three and I have a two and a half year old daughter."
Aria watched Ezra's Adams apple move as he gulped silently. Ezra had not been expecting that. But as he processed what Aria had just told him he realised that it didn't matter to him that she had a young daughter, he still wanted to get to know her better. He may have only just met her, but there was something about her that drew him to her like a moth to a flame.
"I know that I probably should have told you when you called and asked me out," she said.
Ezra gently shook his head, "I would've still wanted to have dinner with you Aria," he replied smiling, "So is there a Mr Montgomery?"
Aria smiled and shook her head, "Only my dad," she replied.
Ezra laughed, "That's good," he said, "So your daughter…?"
"Daisy," Aria replied.
Ezra nodded, "Pretty name, is it after Daisy Buchanan?"
Aria nodded, "Yeah The Great Gatsby is one my favourite books. It was between Daisy and Harper, but the moment I saw her I knew she was a Daisy so I called her Daisy Harper."
"Harper Lee," Ezra replied nodding his head, "that's probably my favourite book."
"Mine too," Aria nodded.
"So is Daisy's dad on the scene?" Ezra asked, lifting his glass to his mouth.
Aria shook her head and glanced down to her plate. When she played over in her mind how this night would go there were always two scenarios. In the first one he would bolt the moment she said she had a daughter. In the second one he would leave the second she said that Daisy was the product of a one night stand.
"No," Aria answered finally, "he's not."
"Did he take off?" Ezra asked, wondering why anybody could leave this woman.
"No," Aria replied, "he was never around," she took a deep breath; "I got really drunk at a party one night and hooked up with a guy. It was the one and only time that I'd ever done something like that and Daisy is the result of that. I understand if you want to leave now."
Ezra reached across the table and took her hand, "Why would I do that?" he asked, "Aria we've all been there. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
Aria smiled, "You got pregnant after a one night stand?" she asked attempting to calm her nerves with humour.
Ezra laughed and nodded his head, "I did," he replied, "and Boo the chocolate Labrador that currently resides with my mom is the product of that."
Aria laughed and shook her head, "Thank you for not running out on me."
Ezra gently ran his thumb over her hand, "Why would I do that?" he asked, "You intrigue me Aria Montgomery and I'd like to know more about you and Daisy."
"Yeah," Aria replied, "I'd like to know more about you too."
"Thank you for tonight," Aria said as Ezra walked her home, "I had a really good time."
Ezra nodded, "Me too, and I meant what I said Aria. I would like to get to you and Daisy better."
Aria smiled and stopped outside her building, "I think we need to get to know each other first before you meet Daisy."
Ezra nodded, "Of course," he replied, "I understand completely. So would it be too forward of me to ask you to lunch tomorrow?"
"I have work." Aria replied sadly the truth was she would love to see him again.
"You must get a lunch break," he said.
"I do," Aria replied, "but only thirty minutes."
Ezra nodded his head, "That's plenty of time, I'll pick us something up and we can walk around the block while we eat and talk."
"Ok," Aria replied, "but I have to take lunch between 11:45 and 12:15."
"You have lunch that early?" Ezra asked.
Aria nodded, "My boss takes long lunches and I have to be there to cover her."
"Okay," Ezra replied, "So I'll meet you outside work at 11:45, just text me later with the address and let me know what you'd like to eat."
Aria smiled, "Okay," she said.
Ezra leaned closer and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight Aria," he whispered into her ear.
Aria took a deep breath and sighed, "Good night Ezra."
"So," Hanna asked excitedly when Aria walked into her small apartment, "How was it?"
Aria sighed contentedly and sat down on her plush grey sofa, "It went good I think; he's meeting me for lunch tomorrow."
Hanna smiled, "You really like this guy don't you?"
Aria nodded, "Yeah Han," she replied, "I do. I mean I know it's still early days but yeah I really like him."
"Did you tell him…"
Aria interrupted her, "I told him all about Daisy and he didn't freak out. In fact he said he wants to meet her."
"Aria…" Hanna said with concern.
"Not right away Han," Aria assured her friend, "I told him we have to get to know each other a lot better before I let him meet her. So how was she?"
Hanna smiled, "An absolute dream, she told me that it was her bedtime in quinze minutes."
Aria laughed, "She's learning French in school."
"Seriously?" Hanna exclaimed, "She's two and a half."
"I know," Aria replied, "It's just basic phrases but her teacher said she's picking it up really well."
"French though at her age?" Hanna asked; she hadn't even mastered English at that age.
Aria nodded, "She was bored in the last place, all they did was play with toys and sing songs. She's bright Han and I want to nurture that."
"Hi," Aria said shyly as she walked outside into the crisp New York air.
Ezra smiled, "Hi," he replied as he held out a sandwich in front of him, "Your lunch, tomato salad on rye."
"Thank you," Aria said taking the sandwich from him.
"Shall we walk?" Ezra asked, "It'll keep us warm."
Aria nodded, there was a chill in the air autumn was most definitely setting in.
"So on Friday when we ran into each other you were going to pick Daisy up?" Ezra asked, "It's just it wasn't far from here."
Aria nodded, "Yeah she goes to a pre-school on West 55th, it closes at 5:30 I was late again."
Ezra smiled, "I'm kind of glad you were, because we probably wouldn't have met otherwise."
Aria blushed slightly and nodded, "Yeah," she replied, "that's true."
"So tell me all about Daisy," he said.
"Okay," Aria replied, "I didn't even realise I was pregnant at first. My parents were going through a messy divorce and I put my symptoms down to the stress from that. When I did realise it was…not that I would have done anything if I'd known before."
"You weren't scared?" Ezra asked.
"Terrified," Aria replied, "I was barely twenty, I was in college and living away from my family and there was no guy around. She was born two days before my twenty first birthday, when I should've been out enjoying my first legal drink I was at home in my tiny studio apartment trying to get Daisy to feed. I came so close to quitting college and moving back home it was so difficult. I wouldn't change anything though, Daisy's…she's perfect, she's smart and really funny and she's really good."
"You have people around to help though right?" Ezra asked concernedly, "You're not doing this all alone?"
Aria shook her head, "Two of my best friends live here too and they're amazing with Daisy and my mom visits when she can, she's the epitome of a doting grandmother."
All too soon their half hour was nearly up and they reluctantly walked back to Aria's work.
"Same place tomorrow?" Ezra asked.
Aria smiled, "You don't have to disrupt your plans for me."
"I'm not," Ezra replied, his hand resting gently on Aria's arm, "I have an interview at 3 but I'm free the rest of the day."
"Okay," Aria replied, "same place tomorrow."
"Wait," Hardy said, "You went out with her again?"
Ezra nodded and stirred the food he had simmering on his stove. Hardy always came over for food on Monday nights.
"Dude," Hardy said shaking his head, "two dates in two days? Are you crazy?"
"Not at all," Ezra replied, "I'm also seeing her tomorrow."
"Let me guess her idea?" Hardy asked; there was no way Ezra had suggested this despite the fact that he had never been a player he never got this serious about a girl so quickly.
"No," Ezra replied, "Mine." He debated whether he should tell Hardy about Daisy but he decided to keep that information to himself for now.
Hardy shook his head and took a swig of his beer, "What's so special about her?"
Ezra smiled and shook his head, "I don't know Hardy, but I'm drawn to her."
They continued their 'lunch date' for the rest of the week getting to know more and more about each other.
Ezra told Aria that his parents divorced when he was sixteen, and that he hated being in the middle of their feuding so he applied for and was accepted into Berkeley only to return after his first year because he missed the East Coast too much. He completed his degree at Vassar where he met his best friend Hardy. He told her that he'd mended his relationship with his mother, but things were still strained with his father.
Aria told him how she had caught her father cheating on her mom when she was fifteen and how her parents had separated for a short time before deciding to try and work at their marriage. But unfortunately her dad had cheated again and had chosen his mistress over her mom and they had separated for good.
Friday came around quickly, "So will I see you this weekend?" Ezra asked hopefully as they neared Aria's work.
Aria chewed on her bottom lip, she wanted to see him, she wanted him to meet Daisy but she was scared that it might be too soon, she decided to go with her gut instincts. "Daisy and I go to the playground on Bleeker Street every Saturday morning," Aria replied, "You could join us, you know if you wanted to?"
Ezra gently took hold of Aria's hand, something that they'd been doing increasingly over the last few days and nodded, "I'd love to, so who will we say I am?"
Aria smiled, "A friend I guess for now at least."
They reached Aria's work and stopped just outside the entrance, "I'll see you tomorrow," Ezra said, "And I can't wait to meet Daisy especially if she's anything like you."
Aria blushed and Ezra reached his free hand up to her cheek, he leaned closer tilting his head slightly. Aria knew what was coming and sucked in a breath of air; she unconsciously licked her lips and leaned towards him. Their lips met in a sweet chaste kiss. They pulled away at the same time and smiled.
"Tomorrow," Ezra said.
Aria nodded, "Yeah tomorrow."
Ezra walked into the Bleeker Street playground and looked around he spotted Aria almost instantly the turquoise coat he'd become familiar with over the past week was instantly recognisable in a sea of grey and black. He followed her gaze and smiled when he saw the little girl in a bright pink coat who he knew was Daisy from the photos he had seen on Aria's phone. She was running around excitedly her cheeks pink from both the chill in the air and her exertion. An older girl ran across Daisy's path and the two collided knocking the much smaller girl to the floor, Ezra was about to run over when he realised he couldn't he was a stranger to her and he didn't want her to get anymore upset than she already was. Aria was at her side in an instant; she knelt down the floor next to Daisy and scooped the toddler into her arms. The soft flooring meant she wasn't hurt, just a little startled by what happened. Daisy calmed almost immediately as Aria whispered to her soothingly, she held up her hand for her mommy to see and Ezra smiled as Aria placed a gentle kiss on her palm and then her forehead. Aria placed Daisy back onto the ground and the little girl ran towards one of the slides.
He waited for a few moments longer before he walked over to Aria. "Hi," he said quietly Aria's attention was still on Daisy. She turned to face him and smiled, "Hey," she replied, "you came."
Ezra nodded, "Is Daisy okay?" he asked, "I saw her fall."
Aria smiled, "Yeah," she said, "She was just a little shook up."
"I thought you did a wonderful job of comforting her," Ezra replied.
Aria smiled, "Thank you," she said in response.
They walked over to one of the nearby benches and sat down, Daisy still in their line of sight.
"Why do you come to this playground?" Ezra asked, "Isn't there one on your street?"
Aria nodded, "Yeah there is," she replied, "My friend Hanna used to live nearby and she was running late one day when we came to visit her. Daisy spotted the playground so we came in here to pass the time. So then every time we visited Hanna we'd all come here. Hanna moved a few months ago, but Daisy has friends here so we carried on coming and started getting cupcakes afterwards. It's kind of a tradition."
"That's nice," Ezra said, "I don't think I ever had anything like that growing up my parents were always too busy."
Aria smiled, "Me and my mom used to go for ice-cream after school every Thursday, and then as I got older we used to go to the movies."
They watched as Daisy reached the bottom of the slide, she ran back around to the stairs and climbed up once again. Once she reached the bottom she came running over to Aria, "Are you having fun?" Aria asked.
Daisy nodded, her eyes never leaving Ezra.
"Daisy" Aria said, "This is my friend Ezra."
Ezra held out his hand for Daisy, he wasn't sure how you introduced yourself to a toddler, "Hi Daisy," he said.
Daisy giggled, and Ezra thought it was quite possibly the cutest sound he had ever heard. Daisy placed her hand into Ezra's and smiled when he shook it, "Hi Ezra," she replied.
"Are you ready to leave?" Aria asked.
"Yes mommy," Daisy replied.
Aria and Ezra both stood up, "How about we go and get some cupcakes?" Ezra asked.
Aria watched as Daisy's face lit up, "We always go for cupcakes after the playground don't we Mommy?"
"We do," Aria replied as Daisy slipped her hand into her mommy's.
"Come on Ezra," she said holding her hand out for his.
Ezra glanced quickly towards Aria for consent, she nodded and he let the little girl grab his hand.
"I'm going to get chocolate today I think," Daisy said as she skipped excitedly between them, "No," she continued, "I'm going to get red velvet."
Aria smiled over at Ezra, who looked down to Daisy, "Red velvet is my favourite," he said.
Daisy looked up at him wide eyed; "Mine too," she replied, before looking across to her mom, "Mommy, Ezra likes red velvet too."
"I heard," Aria said again quickly looking towards Ezra.
"Mommy always gets gingerbread or lemon ones," Daisy told Ezra, "or sometimes carrot." She pulled a face and Ezra laughed.
"You don't like carrots?" he asked.
Daisy nodded, "I do," she replied, "but not in cake."
They arrived at the Magnolia Bakery; its popularity meant that there was always a small queue no matter what time of day you came. As they neared the front of the line Daisy looked into the glass display case as she tried to figure out which flavour to get.
"I can't decide," Daisy said anxiously.
Ezra caught Aria's eyes and pointed to one of the boxes; she smiled and nodded at him.
"Daisy," Ezra said and the toddler looked up at him, "How about we get a whole box and then you don't have to decide?"
Daisy's eyes widened in surprise and Ezra noticed that they were a bright blue and not hazel like Aria's, he hadn't noticed this in the photos he had seen. "Can we mommy?" she asked.
"Yes," Aria replied, "but only if you promise to eat just one now and the others after dinner?"
"I will mommy," Daisy said nodding her head vigorously; she looked back up at Ezra, "Thank you Ezra."
Ezra smiled at her, "You're welcome Daisy," he looked at Aria, "What flavours would you like?"
"Gingerbread and carrot," she replied ruffling Daisy's hair as the toddler stuck out her tongue in disgust, "Thank you."
"What're you getting Ezra?" Daisy asked grabbing his hand as they moved closer to the front of the line, "Red Velvet," he replied, "and chocolate."
Daisy smiled, "Like me."
"Yes," Ezra nodded, "like you."
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Amelia x