"As much as you say it's a crappy little apartment, it's actually really lovely. You've got plenty of space for the two of you and a pretty good view." Ella said later that evening after Abigail had reluctantly gone to bed.

"I guess. I mean, it's nowhere near as nice as some of the apartments on the Upper West Side but we do just fine here." Aria agreed.

"Maybe I should think about moving out. Find my own apartment." Mike mussed and Ella turned to him.

"Don't leave me. I was just getting used to having the two of us." Mike laughed.

"It's okay mom. I don't have enough money saved up to even consider it at the moment."

"Good." Aria smiled and changed the topic.

"So, what are you guys doing tomorrow? I've got one more day at work before Christmas/New Year break and Abby has a Christmas Break-Up at school so it'll be just you two for the day."

"Could we come check out the museum?" Ella asked and Aria shrugged.

"Sure, if you want to. I don't know if I'll be able to talk but you can certainly check it out."

"Mike? What do you think? Do you want to check out the museum?"

"Sure. Then we can have Aria show us all the other stuff over the other days." Aria rolled her eyes at her brother but carried on anyway.

"I'll let them know that you're coming…"

"We can just come with you." Ella interrupted but Aria shook her head.

"I have to be there at seven. I don't expect you to get up early when you're on vacation. I'll leave the address on the kitchen counter for you and Abby can show you anything you need in here."

"You leave her alone?" Ella was surprised.

"Technically no. Mrs Aitkens across the hall looks over frequently and makes sure she's picked up by Sandra for school by eight."

"How long have you been doing that?"

"Since she was three. I used to take her to the museum with me and then take a half-hour break to take her to school. Then Mrs Aitkens suggested the routine we have now. I was sceptical at first but it actually works out fine. And Abigail is so good with it. She knows not to open the door unless she hears the specific knock that Mrs Aitkens and Sandra know." Aria demonstrated, tapping her finger on the coffee table in front of her.

"I don't know if I'd ever have been brave enough to do that with either of you." Ella admitted.

"I know. I didn't know if I could do it at first but it's what works for us."

"Sounds like you two have your lives really sorted here." Mike piped up.

"We do. We had to learn to adapt and we did." Ella shook her head in disbelief. "But enough about me, what's new in Rosewood?"

"Ar, it's a small town. Nothing exciting ever happens." Mike said with a laugh. Aria just looked at him.

"Are you forgetting my entire high school career? One of my best friends murdered, the rest of us tortured endlessly. My whole life was one big scandal."

"You know what I mean."

"I have to agree with Mike, though. Nothing interesting has happened recently. I did bump into Emily a few weeks back, though."

"Oh? I thought you said she moved to LA?"

"She has. She was just visiting her parents. Apparently she's in some big swimming competition in the fall."

"So she's still swimming then?"

"Clearly. I gave her your number and said you'd love to hear from her."

"Thanks. I haven't heard anything yet, but if I know anything about Emily, she'll be so busy training for this competition that she won't have time to call." Aria joked, laughing. Ella was about to say something else when they heard a cry from Aria's room where Abigail was sleeping and Aria sighed.

"What's the matter?" Ella asked.

"She has nightmares sometimes. Clearly tonight is one of those nights." Aria pushed herself off the couch and made her way over and pushed the door open, watching for a moment as Abigail tossed and turned in the small bed in the corner before crossing the room and gently shaking the girl's shoulder to wake her.

"Abby, sweetie, wake up."

"Mommy I had a bad dream." Abigail whispered as she slowly woke up.

"I know. But it's okay. It was only a dream."

"I dreamed that you got taken away from me and I had to live here by myself."

"Sweetie, that's never going to happen, I promise. Go back to sleep, okay? Nana and Uncle Mike will be here when you wake up."

"Okay mommy." Within minutes, she was fast asleep again, her breathing slow and her eyes darting behind closed eyelids. Aria smiled and left the room quietly, heading back into the living room.

"Is she okay?" Ella asked.

"Yeah. She's fine now."

"Does this happen often?"

"Nah. Only sometimes. I don't really think anything of it. I mean, I had nightmares when I was little too."

"Oh yes, I know you did." Ella laughed and Aria grimaced. They were childhood memories she didn't really want to remember.

"I'm actually getting kind of tired. I think I'm ready for bed." Aria said with a yawn and she bent down to pick up the coffee mugs.

"Yeah me too." Mike agreed, getting up and stretching.

"Are you right to sleep on the couch?" Aria asked him.

"Yeah. I'm good. I can survive on the couch for a few days." Mike sent her a grin and disappeared into the bathroom beside Abigail's bedroom.

"Abby's room is all yours." Aria said to Ella and walked over to the kitchen, quickly rinsing out the mugs before putting them into the dishwasher and turning it on. The she returned to the living room and turned off the radio, the room suddenly descending into silence.

"It's so strange." Ella said and Aria looked at her.

"What is?"

"Seeing you here. Living on your own, raising your daughter. I've only ever seen you growing up at home in Rosewood." Aria frowned.

"You saw me in Rosewood with Abby."

"Yes but it was different. You were in an environment that I'd always seen you in. Here, it's unfamiliar. It's a life I haven't seen before."

"Mom, you're getting soppy." Aria said with a laugh and Ella joined in.

"Sorry. You'll understand one day. When Abigail grows up and moves out."

"I don't have to worry about that for a few more years yet, though."

"Take advantage of the time you have with her. She'll grow up so fast."

"I will mom. How about you get some sleep. Abby's bed should be comfortable for you."

"Goodnight, Aria."

"Goodnight mom."