It was around 11pm and my mom and dad were already in bed. Zack, Megan, Aria, and I had already changed into our comfy sweats and we were playing some intense games of Just Dance on Zack's Wii that he brought home from college. Thank goodness we had something to do because the situation had much potential to be unfathomably awkward. Finally, Megan said she was getting tired, so her and Zack were going to go to sleep. I was happy about that because I wanted a chance to talk to Aria alone downstairs so there would not be any chance of someone overhearing our conversation.

"Goodnight guys!" Aria called up the stairs at them, "Merry Christmas!" She was so adorable sometimes, she had this ridiculously charming air about her that could attract anyone from a mile away.

She came back over into the living room and slumped down beside me on the couch. I didn't want to come out and say anything right away, but I needed to do it quickly.

"Oh my goodness! Ezra! I had such an amazing time! You're family is perfect…can we just stay here forever? It's like everything that brings me happiness all mixed into one, it's so happy here! Do you think they like me? It seems like they do?" She took a big sigh, "I'm talking too much."

I let out a small laugh, "I'd prefer not to live with my parents forever, but I'm happy you like them and I'm happy you like it here. This…this is my home, and I'm so glad that you find yourself happy here." I took a deep breath, trying to find a good time to let the cat out of the bag. "They love you, Aria. My dad even asked me if I was going to propose to you."

She raised an eyebrow at this and slowly nodded, "and what was your response?"

"Well I told him not now, obviously, but eventually…my parents think you're in college, so they wouldn't expect something right now. They could tell that I am in love with you. And they love you too."

Aria smiled, and I kissed her on the forehead, putting my arm around her.

"Zack and Megan are nice too! Zack is a little bit wild, but fun."

"Don't go crushing on my brother now!" I joked.

"Please," she said, rolling her eyes. "You know that you are the only one for me."

We sat there, almost awkwardly, for a few seconds, "Aria…about Zack…"

"What?" she said, she sounded confused.

"He knows about us. I didn't tell him but he knows."

She sat up out of her slump at this, "What! Wait, what do you mean?"

"He knows that you're 17, Aria."

"Well how the hell did he find out?" she questioned in a hushed voice.

"He saw your drivers license, and he recognized that it had everything that made it an under 18 license."

"Shit." She said in a whisper.

"Yeah…"

"I'm sorry," she apologized, looking me in the eyes, "I really did not even think of that."

"I trust him though, so it is okay, we just have to be careful…you know?"

"I trust him too, and I agree."

I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head, "Someday this will all be better, someday soon Aria."

"It's just so hard…why does this have to be so wrong?"

"It is not wrong…it's just hard for others to understand, but Zack was okay with it, other people will be too." I gave her a squeeze, "The only thing I want for Christmas is you."

"Well you can have an early Christmas present. I am yours forever, Ezra."

After a few silent moments, Aria whispered to me, "I think I'm ready for bed, it's been a long day."

We tiptoed up to my bedroom and she looked around it with her eyes wide open with awe.

"It's exactly like a smaller version of your apartment." She walked around resting her hands on things here and there.

"Nice computer!" she laughed at the large desktop computer from 1997 that was sitting on a desk.

"Thanks" I smiled back.

Next she went over to a frame on the wall that had many pictures of my family and I from when I was younger.

"You were adorable!" she said in a hushed whisper, "I can't believe you've never showed me pictures from when you were a kid! I can see why you turned out the way you did." She added with a flirty smile.

"What can I say?" I chuckled, "You've never asked, and it's not like I just keep baby pictures of myself hanging up…that would just be strange." I shook my head.

"I guess you're right…" she trailed off.

Within a minute or two, we were both lying in bed, we were tired and had long, wonderful day today.

Aria scootched closer towards me and laid her head on my chest, "Everything will be alright, right?"

I thought for a second, would it be? "Eventually, yes they will. Everything will work out and fall into place. It's not going to be easy, but it will be worth it."

"I hope so." She sighed, her eyes were closed and I could tell it would be within seconds before she drifted off to sleep.

"It's after twelve," I whispered as I kissed the top of her head, "Merry Christmas, Aria, I love you."

She tilted her sleepy head up towards my face and gave me a quick kiss before nuzzling back into my chest. "I love you too" she whispered back, the end of her sentence barely audible.

I did not want the night to end, everything was perfect. This was the way things between Aria and I were supposed to be, uncomplicated. Someone even found out our secret, and it was fine. The world did not come crumbling down upon us. It was a baby step, but it was still a step. Right here, in this moment, all was good in my world. The next morning that would change and we would go back to our prior ways. I wish that I could just hang out with Aria and Ella and Byron and Mike in the morning. Unwrap presents with them, eat dinner with them, and be with Aria around them. Unfortunately that could not happen right now, however, it would some day. That was something I had no question in my mind about. Things would eventually straighten out; they just had to.

I looked down at Aria, the way she was sleeping made her look like an angel. Her face was surrounded by her thick dark hair that was still curly from all day today. I kissed her forehead and wrapped my arms around her, trying not to disturb her sleep.

"Aria, I love you so much. Even though things aren't perfect right now, they will be, and I promise this to you. And someday, when you're done with school and we both have everything worked out, I want to make you my wife and eventually have a family with you. The only thing I could ask for this Christmas is this moment right now." I gave her another kissed on the forehead.

I don't know if I wanted her to hear that or not, or if she really did hear it or not, but I squeezed her tightly and looked out the window at the snow lightly falling.