The next day Ella left early for work and Mike left not long after, claiming he would be home late that evening. After waking Abigail, Aria set about whipping up scrambled eggs for the two of them while Abigail sat at the kitchen counter, watching.
"What would you like to do today, sweetie?" Aria asked, setting a plate in front of Abigail.
"Can we have a look at the town mommy? I want to know where you were a little girl."
"Sure. And maybe we can meet nana for lunch, how does that sound?"
"Yay!"
"You know, I'm so happy that you've met your nana."
"I am too, mommy."
"Do you know what else will happen now that you've met nana and Uncle Mike?" Abigail shook her head.
"No. What will happen?"
"You'll get more presents at Christmas and on your birthday." Aria laughed as Abigail's eyes widened
"Wow."
"Don't get too excited. Have you finished?"
"Yes mommy."
"Good. Go upstairs and pick out your clothes for today and I'll be up in a minute." Abigail nodded and jumped down from her seat, rushing off while Aria packed the dishes into the dishwasher. Then she followed Abigail up the stairs to find her sitting on the bed, swinging her legs as she read a picture book she'd found.
It didn't take long for the two of them to shower and get dressed and they were soon climbing into Aria's car to start the day. Today Aria had chosen a pair of faded jeans and a colourful patterned tank-top with low-heeled ankle boots. Abigail was wearing hot pink leggings and a black and white polka-dot top and black ballet flats. Both had hair pulled into messy ponytails and Abigail had a pink bow in hers.
Pulling into a parking spot near the mall, Aria helped Abigail out and the two of them slowly began to make their way around the town, Aria pointing out various places to Abigail who skipped along happily.
"And this is where I went to school, just before I moved to New York."
"It doesn't look like a school."
"It does, it's just different to how the schools in New York look."
"Why?"
"Because in New York, there's not as much space for the school's so they're built in tall buildings. Here in Rosewood they have lots more space so they have different buildings." Aria explained.
"Oh. Can we go in, mommy?" As Abigail spoke, the school bell rang, signalling the end of class.
"I don't see why not. Nana will be in class now but I'm sure it'll be okay to look around." Together they climbed the front steps of Rosewood Day and Aria pushed the big front doors open, the sounds and familiar smell bringing back a flurry of memories. They slowly walked through the halls and Aria showed Abigail classrooms and lockers, the lunchroom and the library. They were just looking at the courtyard when Aria heard a voice that made her freeze in her tracks.
"Aria?" It was too late to pretend like she hadn't heard so she slowly turned around and faced the person.
"Ezra. Hi."
