The loud shrill of his alarm clock woke Ezra, rather unwelcomingly. Groaning, he turned over and shut the annoying beep up. Aria was curled into a ball against him and was dead to the world. Kissing her bare shoulder, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, which had fallen across her face and stretched, really not wanting to get out of bed and face the gossip at school. Rosewood was a small town and he guessed that by now most of its inhabitants would know what happened at the weekend. He wasn't ashamed of his relationship with Aria, he just didn't want the rumors and the speculation and the whispering about what had happened. He'd rather people came up to him and asked him instead of making up rumors and fuelling gossip, but he doubted very much that was going to happen; and to make matters worse, Aria's mother happened to be his colleague! Extremely reluctantly, he carefully pulled his arm from under Aria's head and proceeded to get ready for work.

After 45 minutes, a hot shower and a large mug of coffee, Ezra was ready to leave for work. Thank God it was the summer break after Wednesday, he thought to himself. Gently calling Aria's name, she woke up slowly, rubbing her eyes to shield them from the light.

"Mmmhmm what time is it?" She yawned, turning over.

"Almost 8am," Ezra replied. "I'm going to work now, you'll be ok here wont you?"

"I wish you could stay here, I'll be bored all day!"

"Go out, take a walk, go to the book store, something to occupy you till I get back!"

"Uh, I can't face going anywhere, not just yet!" Aria exclaimed. "I'm probably the talk of the town. You know how the Rosewood inhabitants have nothing better to do than gossip!"

"I know," Ezra sighed. "There's food in the fridge, help yourself to whatever and I'll call you at lunch or something." He kissed Aria on the forehead.

"Love you honey."

The morning at Rosewood High was just as Ezra had predicted; he'd had 5 different students asking him if he had stolen someone from their wedding and a few more looked and whispered as he walked down the corridor. He was relieved when the bell rang for lunch break and as she stepped into the staffroom to grab some food, his eyes met Ella's. Great, he thought.

"Ezra," Ella said, walking over to him. "Have you got a minute?"

"Sure," he replied nervously. "But Ella, it's not what…"

"Relax, I'm not here to give you the third degree," she began. "I just want to say, I don't blame you for what happened. I know you didn't talk Aria into running away on her wedding day, she's always been a free spirit."

"Thank you," Ezra said, breathing a sigh of relief. "I just wanted her to be happy."

"So do I, and I know that she's always loved you and marrying Daniel would have been a bad idea."

Ezra looked at the floor awkwardly, and then back at Ella.

"How's Byron? Is he still raging?"

"Oh, Byron will be Byron!" Ella exclaimed, half laughing, half serious. "He's still pretty pissed but he'll get over it. He doesn't blame you either, he's just angry about everything. But what I care about most is the happiness of my daughter, and I know that she's always been happy with you. She's such a compassionate young woman, she never would have been happy if it wasn't with you. Just treat her right Ezra!"

"I'd rather die than hurt her, you have nothing to worry about!" Ezra said quickly, and it was the truth. Now that Aria was back and they were together he would make sure that she was nothing but happy and loved and he would show her every day just how important she was to him.

It was 1pm and Aria was slouched on the couch, a book in her hand. It reminded her of the days where she would hide out at Ezra's when they were first seeing each other, waiting for him to come back while pretending to her parents she was with one of her friends. She had Orwell's '1984' in her hand, one of her favourites and was a quarter through the book when she heard her phone ping, indicating a text message. Reaching over to the small set of drawers where her phone was placed she grabbed it, knowing it was probably Ezra; she was wrong.

Aria,

I've boxed up your belongings from the apartment and they will be shipped to you parent's house in the next week or so. I don't want anything from you, not money, not your sympathy, nothing. After this message you will never hear from me again. Hope he was worth it.

Daniel.

Aria groaned out loud. How would she reply to a message like that? She truly did feel awful inside for how she had treated him. Daniel was a good man, but he didn't make her heart race with excitement and he wasn't her soul mate. She couldn't enter a marriage knowing that the person who did all that still loved her, and she still loved him. She suddenly felt ashamed, she had treated him horribly. But what was done was done. She quickly tapped out a message, knowing it wouldn't offer any sort of comfort.

Thank you for that, please let me know the cost, it's the least I could do. I really am sorry again Daniel, I should have told you earlier how I felt. Take care of yourself.
Aria.

She pressed 'send' and prayed she wasn't going straight to hell. Her phone buzzed again, but it was Ezra.

Spoke to your mom at school, she don't hate me, thank god lol! How's your afternoon, miss me yet?! ;-) XxX

Oh really? What she say? Hmmm maybe a bit! Hurry home, apartment is too quiet without u! xx

I'll be home soon baby, and I'm taking you on a date tonight! Feel like a love sick teenager at the age of 30 and it's all your fault! XxX

Aria smiled. A date? With Ezra! They hadn't done that since…well since she left Rosewood. She texted back, the smile still etched across her face.

Can't wait, just like old times :-) I have an excuse to go and buy something new, that will get me out the house! See you later Mr Fitz, look forward to it! xx

Don't dress up too much honey, I'm taking you somewhere that isn't dinner! Love you XxX

Ezra was taking her to the drive in cinema that had opened in Philadelphia. Grease was showing and it was one of Aria's favourites. He wanted to surprise her; he had remembered her telling him years ago that she always wanted to go and watch a movie in one, but there weren't any close enough to visit. When the one in Philly opened, Ezra thought of Aria instantly, his heart sinking with the fact that she was no longer in Rosewood and no longer his. But that was then, and this was now, and he thanked his lucky stars that he had been given a second chance with her.

Aria suddenly remembered that most of her stuff was still in New York and the stuff she had at her parent's house was her old stuff from before she went to college. Crap, she thought, I have nothing to wear! 90% of her possessions were being shipped over in cardboard boxes, her old life. Still, for now she needed some stuff so she decided to face the big wide world and head out for a spot of shopping in Rosewood. She decided to call Hanna to come with her; she didn't usually work on Mondays and made the perfect shopping companion. Half an hour later, Hanna picked her up in her white Golf and the two headed to Philly and hit Macy's for a bit of retail therapy.

"So," Hanna began as they browsed the racks of clothes. "How is it being back with Ezra? Is it like old times, or it is totally different?"

"It's just like old times," Aria replied picking up a pair of white super skinny jeans with ripped knees and holding them against her. "It's honestly like we've never been apart. You know, it took me this long to realize I'd made a huge mistake letting him go when I went to college. We could have made it work."

"But you were so young, and back then New York seemed like a lifetime away! Anyway, you're together now, that's what counts. That top is so cute!" Hanna made a beeline for a baby pink V cut vest with diamantes sewn into the neckline.

"Yeah, I guess," Aria finished. "Just gotta make up for lost time and enjoy every moment we have together! How's Caleb?"

Hanna's eyes lit up at the mention of her long time boyfriend. Those two were perfect for each other and Hanna loved him with all her heart.

"He's great," she replied. "We just booked a week in London for the end of August, I can't wait, I can visit Harrods and Selfridges!"

Aria laughed. It was so good to be back with her old friends; she'd really missed them back in New York. She had people she called friends there, but nothing like her group back in Rosewood. Those four girls had been through so much together and were still as close as ever.

"I think I'm done," Aria announced. She went for the jeans, teamed with an orange satin tee and a chunky gold necklace. She'd wear it with her tan wedges, her favourite summer shoes which she luckily wore home from New York. She had no idea where Ezra and her were headed later, but knowing him it would be something she would love!

There's an Ezria 'moment' in the next chapter ;) Review and let me know what you think! xoxo