Here it is, some Kasey and Ezra moment together. Please Review at the end; and I want to say thank you to my Beta.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Kasey's POV:
I waited downstairs for Ezra, as he was still upstairs making sure that my mother had everything she wanted, before he took me over to the mall. I had made a few friends at Rosewood High and we wanted to get in those last minutes of shopping before Christmas. And now that Ezra is a part of my life, I wanted to get him something just to show him my gratitude for what he did over the last month.
"Let's go!" I yelled out, getting annoyed. "I'm going to be late."
I heard footsteps and then saw Ezra at the top of the stairs. "I'm coming. Sorry."
I sighed. "I can just drive myself you know?" I offered.
He nodded. "I do know that. But I was already heading over to the mall, so we could ride together."
"And what are people going to think again?" I crossed my arms over my chest.
"That I'm just helping out your mother." He sighed. "You know at some point I am going to have to tell the school who you really are," he pointed out.
"And who am I?"
He looked at me with disappointed eyes. "My daughter," he stared blankly. "Who else would you be?"
I shrugged. "I really don't know anymore," I stated before opening the door and feeling the chill of our winter snow. I walked over to his car and waited next to the passenger side. Ezra got there and opened the door, allowing me to take a seat before he closed the door and headed over to his side.
I don't know what really gotten over me. Over the last three weeks, when my mother was in a coma. We had gotten along really well. And now, my mother was back and he was just Ezra. Not Mr. Fitz or even my father, if I could call it that. My emotions were just getting the best of me. I want to call Ezra my father, because biologically he is. But then there is the man that raised me all those years, the man that I had called 'daddy.' I wiped my face when I noticed a fresh tear rolled down my cheek, and I looked over at the man next to me. He wasn't my teacher for the next three weeks and he was the man living a room down from mine.
"What are you looking at?" He asked curiously. "Do I have something on my face?"
I shook my head. "No, I was just thinking."
He looked at me even more curiously when he stopped at a red light. "We have another half hour before we get there. You could talk to me about it," he offered.
I sighed and then sucked in a breath. "I was thinking about you and me." I looked away from him. "About how we really bonded or got a connection going."
He let out a breath of relief. "I thought about that too. I really enjoyed getting to know you."
I nodded. "Yeah, but I don't think I'm ready to call you dad just yet."
"Look," he cut me off. "I know you thought Calvin was your father all these years, and I don't want to take that away from you. I want you to call me whatever you want, and only if and when you are ready, you can call me dad. I will welcome it with open arms." He looked at me with a smile on his face before looking back out onto the road. "You are my daughter, Kasey, and I won't push you."
"Thank you!" I smiled widely. "I really had fun too, getting to know who my real father is. And I do look forward to spending more time with you."
Aria's POV:
I let out another breath for what seemed like the sixth time in a few hours. I really didn't have anything to do with everyone out of the house and only my mother here to babysit me. I felt like my mind was going into overdrive. I wanted to be there, out in the world with Kasey while she did her Christmas shopping. But I was confined to my bed for the next couple of weeks. Spencer and Wren didn't want me to over-work myself and get back into working on my students' papers or even washing a load of laundry.
My mother was still in town for the next week and then she would have to go back home and take care of my father, who was still recovering from his stroke.
I know my father wanted to be here with me, making sure I was the one who was okay. And his stupid excuse of Ezra being here with me was just that. An excuse, but the real reason was because he was having a hard time himself and he didn't want anyone in town to know about it.
"Hey," a soft whisper came from my door way. "How do you feel?"
I smiled warmly at the sight of my mother. "I'm bored. I wish I can just walk out of here and do something," I whined. "How are you?"
My mother sat down at the edge of the bed. "I'm okay. I am just glad to see you alive and here."
"I know, and I'm happy you're here too. How is dad really doing?"
She rolled her eyes. "You know your father. He is just like you and will put up a fight till the end. Sometimes I just don't know anymore."
I sighed. "Can I ask you something?" She nodded and I continued. "Why have you stayed with dad for this long? I know when we were still living here you wanted to get a divorce. Why didn't you follow through?"
"Honestly?" I nodded and she shrugged. "Because of you and Mike I guess. I wanted to be there for Kasey." She stopped and looked at the bedside picture I had of Kasey and me. "I knew you were pregnant before your father whisked us away."
"What? How?"
"I heard your late night's morning sickness," she confessed. "But I wanted you to tell me when the time was right. I didn't want to be one of those mothers who would push and push until their child ran away." She laughed. "But we did just that. I let your father for years run us over and yet you ran away from Ezra."
"Mom."
"No, Aria. I'm the one that is so sorry. For what I did to you and your family. I mostly feel bad for Ezra, and I hope one day he would be able to forgive me for not fighting for us to stay here." She sucked in a breath and grabbed my hand. "I guess, in the back of my mind, I wanted to go back. I wanted to get away from here and leave all the troubles that Rosewood was giving. I mean, with Mike and the stealing, and you and your stalker." She shook her head. "I saw Rosewood differently when we had gotten back."
"Mom, you had done nothing wrong. We all could have fought harder. Yes, I will admit I was upset at what dad did. But we would never know what would have happened, and I am grateful for the things that have. Kasey was born into a family that loves her. Despite the issue of who the father is. You have given us so much and I own you my life." I smiled. "Thank you!"
"I will always be here for you, Aria I promise. And if your father doesn't like it, then that's just too bad." She chuckled. "Get some sleep. Ezra and Kasey will be back before you know it."
I smiled. "I will. Thanks, mom."
Ezra's POV:
Our ride over to the mall was a little intense. I didn't know where Kasey's emotional state came from and I really didn't know what to say half the time. I know over the course of our three week stay together, we had bonded in some way. And that makes me hope that she didn't feel like she would have to call me dad anytime soon. Although I would love it if she did, I just didn't want to push my luck.
Kasey ran off with her friends and just to be on the safe side, I had dropped her off a block away from the mall. I went straight toward the entrance and found a parking spot 20 minutes later.
The mall is crowded with people doing their last minute shopping and I was one of them. Ever since Kasey and Aria sort of walked into my life, all I seem too thin about was making sure they stayed that way.
First thing's first: I wanted to make sure I had the right gift to give them. I wanted to make sure it was something that I would know they were going to love. But I really didn't know Kasey, other than the fact that she loves to read and is really into certain sports, like volleyball and field hockey. She did play a little basketball and t-ball when she was younger, but then gave that up when she and Aria went to California one summer for a volleyball camp and then she fell in love with it.
"Hello, sir." I was greeted by the sales clerk. "Is there anything I can show you?"
I nodded. "I wanted something that would say I am here for you, even if you're not ready," I mumbled unsure of myself. "I mean-"
"You want something to pop?" She questioned politely and I nodded. "Okay, so we do have tennis bracelets."
I shrugged. "I'm not really sure about that."
She nodded. "Okay, we do have a chain linked bracelet with a heart at the end. It's one of our signature looks. It's common and doesn't say much. But they will know for a fact that you're only there to appreciate them," She explained and went into one of the display cases and brought out the chain linked bracelets.
"Wow," I breathed. "I love those." I smiled and thought about it for a while. "Can I get two of them?"
She nodded. "Sure, that won't be a problem."
"Is there any way we could engrave them?"
She nodded once again. "Yes, but if you're looking for it to be a Christmas gift, you'll have to wait until after the holidays. We usually send them out and have it done by a second party."
"I understand. I there any way I could get them rushed?" I questioned. "I really would love it to be perfect."
She sucked in a breath of air. "Let me talk to my boss and see what he could do." She walked away and I continued to look around the store.
"Mr. Fitz?" I heard my name and turned around to see my students. "Shopping for that special someone?"
I shrugged. "Something like that. How are you doing on your break?"
Daniel and Jess looked at one another. "We could be doing better."
"How so?"
"Well, I hear that Kasey Hobbs is in your class." I nodded. "Well, can you tell me what she likes?"
I pressed my lips into a thin line. "Why?" I asked, getting a little protective. "What do you have to offer?"
He chuckled. "Come on, Mr. Fitz. I've been in your AP class for the last two years. You know me. I just wanted to know what she was like."
I bit my lip. "She's too good for you. I think you should find someone else to play with." They wasn't the right words that I was trying to say, but I know I had gotten my point across.
"Look, dude, there she is," Daniel whispered. "Ask her to prom already."
I chuckled. "Good luck, guys." I rolled my eyes. I knew for a fact that Kasey wasn't looking to settle down because of our conversations we had. She wanted to look forward to something and that was college. So I shouldn't be all that worried about Kasey going to the prom with Jess, or should I?
"Sir." I turned my head to see the sales clerk and her boss. "Hello, I'm Tomas. I hear you wanted to rush the engraving."
"Yes," I answered and looked toward Kasey and her friends. "It's really important that we get it before Christmas."
"I will see what I can do, although we are really backed up with our Christmas orders already."
"I understand that," I sighed. "But is there any way I could possibly pay more and get it by the end of next week?"
He smiled. Of course. Money. That's all that these people wanted was money. "Sure, I will call the engraver and tell them to rush these. Just leave your name and number with our clerk and what you want engraved. Thank you for your business."
I gave him an annoyed smile. "You know, you could have just told me that it would cost a little more to get it rushed."
"I know, sir, but-"
"No, I get it," I cut her off, and handed her my credit card and ID. I then wrote down what I wanted and signed for my stuff. "Thank you for your help."
Kasey's POV:
Ezra and I were on our way home after spending hours at the mall. I've seen him from time to time going in and out of stores. But we never said more than a couple of words to one another. "Hello, how are you and how's your break?"
It was awkward to say the least. At lease in school we only had that hour and a half where he is teaching and we are not talking directly to one another.
"So, did you get everything you wanted?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I think I did." I looked in the back seat where my bags were. "What about you?"
"Yeah, I did." He turned to me and smiled. "So, about Jess Hilender?"
I rolled my eyes. "That's none of your concern." I giggled. "But you do know him better than me. So what's he like?"
Ezra shrugged. "He's smart, just like you. But I thought you were going to push boys aside for now?"
I smiled. "I like him though. I think he's cute and my age," I joked, causing Ezra to laugh. "But he asked me to prom."
"And what did you say?"
I shrugged. "I don't know if I want to go. I mean, I think it would be interesting, but-" I paused and thought about an excuse not to go. "I just don't feel like it."
"Ah," he replied, "If you do go, I'll be right there with you." he winked at me.
"Are you serious?"
"Well, I have been chaperoning since I went back. I don't see any reason not to."
"Right." I gave him a pressed smile. "And if I do go, you're not going to be all daddy, are you?" He stayed quiet. "Well, are you?"
"If he tries something, I will have to be."
"And if he doesn't?" I wondered.
"Then I will give you your spot light."
I smiled at the sound of that. "Thank you!"
"So, are you going?"
I giggled and bit my lower lip, "I don't know yet. But if I do, you'll be the second to know. I promise."
So just to let you all know, I might update at least two more chapters before I take a break. I'm going on a family vacation and I don't know if I'm bringing my laptop just yet.
So please Review, I love all of your reviews.
