August 1st 2026

Aria smiled as she felt a small hand poking her arm, she opened her eyes and saw her 8 year old daughter standing by her bed. She shuffled over, making space for her daughter on the bed.

"Summer's come," Aria sung as she cuddled her daughter close, Summer giggled at her mother's antics.

"What are we doing today mommy? We can't go to the park because it's raining," Summer said pouting, Aria placed a soft kiss on her daughter's forehead as she thought about what to do.

"Hmm, movie day?"

"Okay mom, but only if I can pick the movies," Summer replied, causing Aria to grin. Summer was the spitting image of Aria apart from those piercing eyes, she definitely inherited them from her father.

"Which ones did you wanna watch?"

Summer grinned widely, "Uhm, Frozen, High School Musical and Wild Child!"

"I'll think about it. Anyway, what do you want for breakfast kiddo?" Aria asked as she got up and headed to the bathroom, with Summer following close behind her.

"Pancakes and bacon," Summer said as she picked up her toothbrush and began to brush her teeth, Aria nodded and the two started to brush their teeth in a comfortable silence. When they were done they moved into the kitchen where Aria began to make breakfast for herself and her daughter.

"I spoke to auntie Spence last night, she and Toby wanted to know if you want to stay with them and Taylor next Wednesday. I'll have to go into Hollis for the day but if you don't want to go I'll try and see if I can go in another day," Aria explained to her daughter, Summer shook her head and helped her mom make the pancakes.

"I love Spencie and Toby and Taylor! This summer vacation is gonna be awesome!"

Aria smiled as she looked down at her daughter, "I understand if you want to go to Europe with your dad, you don't have to stay here with me."

"I'd rather stay, my evil stepmother is going," Summer replied wrinkling up her face, Aria let out a giggle and kissed the top of her head.

"Maybe next year I'll take you to Iceland or we could do a road trip?" Aria suggested, Summer nodded happily in agreement, "How about both?!"

"We'll see," Aria teased, the two finished making their pancakes and settled down at the table.

"Can we go back to New York one day? I loved it there!" Summer exclaimed causing Aria to grin, knowing that when she was around Summer's age she had told her own mother similar words.

"Well if it wasn't for your father living here and all of your aunties and uncles, I think I'd like us to live in New York," Aria confessed.

"One day, mommy. When I become a famous writer, I'll buy us a huge mansion in New York just for me and you!"

Aria's smile widened as she listened to her ambitious daughter, "I'd like that very much sweetie, but what about your father? I know you're not keen on his new wife but he does love you."

"I know, but I love you more mommy. When are auntie Em and auntie Ali coming back from Paris?" Summer asked, Aria finished her mouthful of pancake before she answered. "Next Friday, how about we all go out for a meal after they get back?"

"Can Taylor, Olive, Lucas and Kensi come too?" Summer asked referring to Spencer's and Toby's daughter and Hanna and Caleb's children.

Taylor and Olive were both Summer's best friends, but she was still close to Kensi and Lucas even if there was a slight age gap between them.

"Sure, I'll ask Spence, Toby, Caleb and Han later I'm sure they'll all want to come."

Summer looked up at her mom, for a young child she was very bright and picked up on emotions very well, "Mom do you ever get lonely?"

"Of course not sweetie, why would you ask?" Aria lied slightly, surprised by her daughter's question.

"I mean auntie Em has Ali, Spencer has Toby and Hanny has uncle Caleb. You don't have anyone."

Aria smiled weakly and ruffled her daughter's hair as she collected their plates and put them in the dishwasher. "I have you don't I?"

"Yeah," Summer grinned goofily, "Mom, I want you to tell me the story of how you met my dad."

"What?" Aria choked out, spluttering slightly.

"I'd like to know how you met my dad," Summer repeated firmly, Aria nodded and sighed.

"I knew this day would come sooner or later , although I would've hoped it would be later. How about I make us some drinks and then I'll tell you? It's a long story.."

Summer nodded, "Thank you mommy."

Aria soon made Summer her favourite drink, hot chocolate, and herself a coffee. She grabbed a blanket off of her bed and brought it into their living room of their cosy apartment. Aria spread herself out on the sofa next to Summer and put the blanket over them.

"Before I begin, what got you so curious about me and your father?" Aria asked intrigued, they rarely ever talked about him and when they did it was usually Summer complaining about her stepmother.

"Because mommy, I've heard all the wonderful stories about how Nanna and Pops met and how auntie Han met Caleb. I want to know how you and dad met. You're sad, mom I can tell," Summer replied as she sipped her hot chocolate, Aria realised that she'd never given her daughter enough credit for being so mature, even her personality mirrored Aria's.

Aria huffed and smiled, "How are you so smart for an eight year old?! I get it, be prepared. This may be a long story, are you ready?"

"Hold on," Summer said as she ran to her room and grabbed her stuffed pig, a toy that Aria had given her the day after she was born, Summer came racing back into the room and took her place on the sofa and wriggled around to get comfy. "I'm ready,"

"Okay. So where do I begin?"

AN: So I was watching the film Definitely Maybe and this idea just came to my head, I guess it's sort of similar but I'll try to make it more of my own. I'll continue if I get 8 reviews:) I know this is quite short but the rest of the chapters will be longer!