Miserable At Best: Chapter 9
They released me from the hospital four days later, with stern orders to remain on bed rest for at least another week to prevent tearing my stitches. Ezra's fierce protectiveness and near constant hovering ensured the doctor's directions would be followed to implicitly. I'd managed to keep my parents from flying out with promises that I'd call them daily and update them on how I was doing. Surprisingly, they didn't question me about Ezra and for the moment I was content with that. It was one less thing I'd have to explain to them.
The days I spent at home were routine enough, if not a bit boring. Lucy, Lee, Rianne, or some other member of the gang would stop by at various times between their classes, checking to see if I was all right. Ezra would swing by as soon as he finished up at school and would usually wound up staying the night. On the rare occasions when I was alone, I caught up on homework. Missing two weeks of college classes was almost as bad as the car accident. There were times when I was sure the work load alone would kill me.
However, the long hours spent in bed were trying. Often, I'd find myself irritable and snappish with everyone for no reason at all. I'd pissed off Erin nearly every time she'd come by. Lee was a bit better and learned to hold his tongue. But Ezra, he was the most patient of them all. We'd argued more in those few days than we had the whole time we were together in Rosewood. He took it though and at the end of the night, when I'd worn myself at and just wanted to be held he was there, a gentle smile on his lips and arms outstretched.
We hadn't spoken about Christine or Evelyn since that night at the hospital and my curiosity was beginning to get the best of me. I managed to rein myself in until Saturday night. Ezra had been over all day. We'd talked and watched movies, spent a great deal of time kissing and cuddling, read a little, and had a picnic on the bed. After dinner, he'd settled himself at the kitchen table to grade papers while I lazed about on the couch, working on a paper for my history class.
"Ezra?"
"Hmmm?" He glanced up from the paper he'd been grading, the pen he'd been using to mark papers set aside.
"I have a question."
"I hope it's not about math, because I promise you now I won't be able to help."
I shook my head and laughed. "It's not about statistics. Besides, I've pretty much given up on understanding that class. Actually, I wanted to ask you about Christine."
At that moment it seemed like a math related question might have been better received. He stared at me for a moment as if trying to decide whether to indulge me or not.
"What about her?" He stood up from the chair and came to sit beside me on the couch.
"When she called that night, what did she want?"
He almost looked relieved and I couldn't help but wonder if there was something else he wasn't telling me. "The lease is almost up on the apartment and although I pay most of the rent, it's in her name. She doesn't want to renew it and it's too big for just me. I've started looking for something smaller, closer to the school."
"That's it?" I almost laughed at myself for having been so worried about what she'd wanted.
"That's it." He stood to go back to the kitchen table but I caught his hand.
"Can't you do that over here? There's plenty of room for the two of us."
He smiled gently at me. "I'm not sure if that's such a good idea. We can't ever seem to get anything done when we're right next to each other. That's why I'm at the table now, remember?"
"Please? I promise I'll behave?"
Ezra looked at me doubtfully and I giggled. "Promise?"
"Scout's honor."
He laughed and shook his head ruefully. "Alright."
A few seconds later he returned with his stack of papers and I readjusted myself to make room for him. I watched him thoughtfully for a minute before sliding my legs into his lap. He didn't look up from his paper, but his free hand automatically went to my leg, absently running his fingers from knee to ankle and back up again. I added another paragraph to my paper before I gave up, shutting my laptop down and placing it on the floor next to me.
Relaxing back onto the pillows, I let my eyes drift shut and my mind wander towards things much more pleasant than the Roman Empire. My lips curved into a small smile as I thought about that night in the hospital and how at peace I'd finally felt when he'd curled up with me on the bed.
"What are you thinking about?" His voice was low and quiet as if he was trying to preserve the serenity of the moment.
"You." I kept my eyes closed and allowed a small laugh to escape. "How much I love you." There was a rustle of papers as he shifted about on the couch.
"Mmm. I told you that sitting together was a bad idea."
I shook my head. "I think it was a perfect idea." My eyes opened and I glanced over at him. He stretched out, his feet propped on the coffee table, his head resting on the back of the couch.
I withdrew my legs from his lap and sat up, ignoring the small pain that shot through me at the movement. "A very," I cuddled up to his side and left my head fall to his shoulder, "very, very, perfect idea." His arm came round me, holding me close.
I tilted my head up to study his profile. Dark lashes rested on his cheeks, his eyes closed as he relaxed. He hadn't shaved this morning, the stubble a stark contrast to the paleness of his cheeks. His lips were full and still slightly swollen from my earlier kisses. I traced them lightly with one finger before withdrawing it and settling my hand on his chest.
"Move in with me." The words were out of my mouth before I knew it and I wasn't really sure where the request had come from.
His eyes flew open and he met my gaze.
"Aria, I- don't you think that's moving things a little fast?"
"Probably, but you've practically been living here this week. Besides," I pressed a kiss to his shoulder, "I like having you here."
His finger traced a feather light trail over the curve of my jaw. "And I like being here, but it's a really big step."
I shrugged my shoulders and moved to stand up. "Nevermind. I'm going to shower. You're welcome to stay tonight if you'd like."
"Hey now," he stood up too and took my hands, "it's not like that. I just think we both need to be sure."
"I am. And it just makes sense. You'd be closer to the school and you wouldn't have to go through all the trouble of trying to find a place."
"You're right."
A grin formed on my lips. "You'll do it?"
He shook his head and kissed the tip of my nose. "I'll think about it."
His answer satisfied me and I withdrew from his embrace. "Will you still stay tonight? I-this is going to sound silly but I sleep better with you here."
I smiled sheepishly at him.
"I'll stay. Maybe I'll be able to get some grading done while you're in the shower." He laughed and shook his head. "I've read three papers this evening."
"Just three? Well, if it makes you feel better I only have two paragraphs written for my paper." I kissed him quickly on the cheek and the headed towards the bedroom. At the door I paused. "Better read them fast, cause after I'm out of the shower we're watching a movie."
He rolled his eyes and sat back down on the couch. "It better be a really long shower then, Aria."
A/N: To move in or not move in; that is the question.
