The Aspiring Journalist Chapter 9

The fall semester officially came to an end. Ezra and Aria were both relieved to have time off. They had driven to Philadelphia to take Emily to the airport. She was going to be spending some time in Texas with her parents. It was the week before Christmas

Before Emily went off, she hugged Aria and said, "I'll miss you over the holidays. Your Christmas present will be delivered on Christmas Eve to your parents' house."

She bent down and kissed Aria on the cheek. Ezra and Emily said goodbyes. Emily then headed to catch her plane.

Aria and Ezra left the airport and went off to a live performance of A Christmas Carol at a popular theater. Both enjoyed the play. After the play they headed back to Rosewood. Aria was planning to spend the night at her and Emily's house before heading to spend a couple of weeks at her parents' house.

The couple went to Aria's bedroom. Ezra had been in it before. Aria slept on special full size bed that had a mattress designed to prevent her from getting bed sores. Aria transferred herself onto the bed and Ezra lied down with her. He held her in his arms. Aria felt so safe in his arms.

Ezra started to kiss her neck and she loved it. She turned and started kissing him. A few minutes later, he started to pull off the sweater she was wearing. She panicked.

Ezra noticed it, "I'm sorry".

Aria said, "It's ok. I need to tell you a couple of things and it's embarrassing."

Ezra looked at her sympathetically and said, "Are you scared of having sex?"

She nodded and then said, "I've never had sex before. When I was with Noel back in high school, he never pressured me and after we broke up, I never had a relationship with another man until you. The other thing Ezra is, that I cant' feel anything down there. I'm not ready yet, I'm sorry."

Ezra held her tightly and said, "It's ok, we don't need to rush anything. Remember we both said we are taking things slowly."

Aria said, "Thank you. Could you stay here with me, tonight? I should have asked you earlier. But since my injury, I've never stayed alone anywhere by myself. I do my best to be independent, but I sometimes worry about people breaking into the house or something like a fire happening and not being able to get out in time."

"I'll stay with you and make sure you are safe."

Eventually, the two fell asleep.


The next day, Aria packed suitcases of clothes and supplies for her stay at her parents' house. She wrapped several presents and put them in a large plastic bag. She drove off to her parents' home.

Aria had lived at home until she was 20. Before that she dreamed of experiencing living away from home, but after her spinal cord injury she figured she needed stay at home longer. Then when Emily's parents moved away to Texas, Emily offered for her to move in. Emily didn't like living alone either. Whenever, Emily went off for visits with her parents or other places, Aria came back to her parents' home.

The Montgomerys lived in a two story house. When Aria first came off from rehab, she stayed downstairs in a makeshift bedroom in Byron's home office. Eventually, a stair lift was installed and Aria was able to get up stairs and into her bedroom.

Aria pulled up to house and Ella and Mike came out. Both were happy that they were going to be together for the holidays. Mike was home from college in Maryland. He was going to college on a lacrosse scholarship.

Mike took in Aria's things. The Montgomerys kept a spare wheelchair upstairs for Aria to use. She transferred to stair lift chair and went up on the lift. She got into the wheelchair up there. She went into her bedroom. It was pretty much the same as she had it back in high school. Ella said she wouldn't change the room unless Aria asked. Aria smiled as she saw her Pigtunia puppet on a bed post. Her mom came up with a wool blanket.

"I'm bringing you an extra blanket. It can sometimes get cold in the early morning hours".Ella said.

"Thank you Mom. I was thinking about inviting Ezra to dinner with us tonight. Do you think Dad would be ok with it?"

"He'll be fine. It will take him awhile to get used to you and Ezra dating. I'm happy that things are working out well for you. You deserve to be happy.

Aria called Ezra and told him about dinner.


Ezra was nervous about the dinner. He had been to the Montgomerys before for Thanksgiving, but this time it was different. He and Aria were now dating and he was worried about Byron and Ella and their approval. He arrived at the Montgomery house a little after 6 pm. He was relieved when Ella answered the door instead of Byron. Ella welcomed in. Aria was the kitchen, she wheeled out to greet Ezra.

Byron came into the kitchen and said, "Hello Ezra. I'm so glad that you could make it for dinner."

"Good to see, thank you for having me over."

Byron said, "Can we talk in my office?"

Aria got nervous as she heard that.

She watched as Ezra walked off with Byron.

Ezra came into the small home office.

Byron said, "Ezra, now that you are dating my daughter. I want to make sure that you understand that I'm her father and I am very protective of her. Don't hurt her."

"I won't hurt your daughter. I care about her very much."


Twenty minutes later, dinner was served. The dinner consisted of baked chicken, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, and salad. Ezra complimented Ella and Aria on the food.

After dinner, the family chatted while drinking coffee. Aria's phone rang and she was talking on the phone for several minutes, before getting off.

Aria said to the others, "I just got off the phone with Mona, she is coming into town tomorrow."

Ella said, "Did you tell her about staying here?"

"I did and she plans to stay here." Aria said.

Ezra remembered that Mona was Aria's friend from rehab. Aria had told him before how she and Mona remained friends after rehab. Mona was now living in Pittsburgh and working for a business there.

Aria faced Ezra and said, "I can't wait for you to meet Mona. She has been one of my closest friends over the years. She will be here for a couple of days."

Later Ezra went up to Aria's bedroom. He looked at her mementos from childhood and her teen years. He noticed pictures of her before she was in wheelchair.

He asked, "Does it ever get weird seeing pictures of yourself when you were able to walk?"

"It does get weird. It is kind of like I was someone else. Well, I was someone else. I could walk. Are you starting to kind of feel like that because of your leg?" Aria said.

"The only time I feel weird seeing pictures of the past is if I see past pictures of myself in shorts, because both legs are visible. I still kind of feel like the same person."

"We all change even if it isn't physical." Aria said as she hugged Ezra's waist.


The next afternoon, Mona Vanderwaal arrived at the Montgomery home. She drove by herself from Pittsburgh. The Montgomerys set up Aria's old hospital bed for her to sleep in downstairs. Mona and Aria were both happy to see each other. Despite loving her long time friends the most, Aria in some ways had a deeper bond with Mona. She knew that bond was because both were in wheelchairs, they knew what it was like to have your life drastically changed.

Mona and Aria went to an art gallery to see some of Ella's work.

They were in the gallery and Mona asked, "So tell me more about your new boyfriend?"

"Ezra is really great. I feel a connection to him because he was in a similar situation. His life changed because of something so bad. I know he is still working through it. I'm happy that I'm getting a chance at love, I never thought that would happen."

Mona said, "I know what you mean there. I've managed to date a few guys, but nothing ever gets serious. Sometimes I feel like giving up on love."

Aria said, "Don't give up Mona. Someone has to be out there for you."

Mona smiled and said, "I love that you always have hope."

The two friends headed back to the Montgomery home. Byron, Ella, and Mike were out doing some Christmas shopping.

Mona and Aria made popcorn and put a Christmas movie DVD on.

An hour into the movie, the doorbell rang. Aria answered it and was surprised to see Alison DiLaurentis.

Alison said, "Hello Aria. It's good to see you."

Aria said, "It is good to see you. I take it that your mom talked to you."

"She did. She said that you weren't angry with me. I also remembered the letter you sent me back in high school. Thank you for not being angry with me." Alison said.

Aria said, "Come in."

Aria led Ali into her home. Ali was still nervous about being Aria. Not day went by that she didn't think of the accident that paralyzed Aria and also damaged Emily's shoulder.

Aria said, "Mona, this is Alison DiLaurentis."

Mona remembered that it had been Alison who had been driving the car in the accident.

Mona was sitting on the couch, her wheelchair was parked next to it.

Alison went over to her and shook her hand,

Mona said, "It's nice to meet you. I'll give you two some time alone." She then transferred into her wheelchair and went into Byron's office.

Ali said, "I came here to apologize again and my mom encouraged me to come here. She said that I needed to make peace with my past."

Aria responded, "You do need to make peace and I also need to make peace. I have forgiven you, but all these years I was concerned about you."

Ali cried and said, "I was concerned about you too. I used to feel so awful seeing you in school. I read up on spinal cord injuries and I know there are sometimes long time health problems, have you been ok over the years?"

The brunette replied, "I've been ok over the years. I sometimes get the occasional pressure sore and sometimes my legs spasm. I've been in good health. I make the best of my life".

Ali then asked, "How is Emily? I know she is coaching the Rosewood girls swim team."

"She is doing ok. I know she still has some anger over the accident. I was thinking that maybe you two could get together and talk about the past. I think she still loves you. She has not been in any long term relationships since you."

Ali put some of her hair behind her ear and said, "If I were her, I guess I would be upset. I never stopped loving her either."

Aria hugged Ali and said, "Emily is coming back into town on the 27th. We are going on a skiing trip with Spencer Hastings, maybe drive up to the ski resort and then you two could meet."

Ali said, "I don't know if that is a good idea."

"Just try. If things don't work out that is ok, but you will feel better knowing that you tried with Emily." Aria said.

Ali said, "I'm sure Spencer and Hanna still hate me for crippling you."

"Don't say that." Aria said.

"It's the truth." Ali said.

"Look, it was an accident. I'll talk to Spencer and Hanna and explain to them that I forgive you."

Ali hugged her friend and said, "I hope we can be friends again."

"We can."

Ali left the Montgomery house an hour later. Later that evening, Ezra came over to the house. Aria introduced him to Mona. Ezra liked that Aria had a paraplegic friend who she could really relate to. Ezra and Mona chatted about various things.

Mike, Byron, and Ella came home later on. Aria watched as Mike stared at Mona. She wondered if she said say something or maybe encourage Mike to ask Mona out. But she didn't want to seem intrusive towards her brother and Mona.

Later in the evening, Spencer Hastings arrived for a visit at the Montgomery home. Aria had not seen Spencer since the summer. Spencer was busy at Yale Law School. She was introduced to Ezra. Ezra knew right away that Spencer was an ambitious young woman.

Spencer and Aria for awhile sat in corner catching up on things. Ezra went into the kitchen and saw Ella by herself.

Ella said, "I bet Aria and Spencer are talking away."

Ezra nodded and then said, "I haven't gotten Aria a Christmas present yet. I was wondering if you could help me out with that."

"She likes books and photography in addition to journalism. Maybe get her a gift card to one of her favorite makeup and clothing stores." Ella said.

"Could you write me a list of her favorite brands?" Ezra asked.

"Sure."

Ella said, "I know Byron had a talk with you last night. Please don't feel threatened Ezra. Byron is just protective of Aria. He always was protective of her, but after the accident, he became more protective of her. I think the fact that Aria could have died in that accident really scared him."

"He is being a good father. I can't imagine how you and Byron felt after the accident."

Ella took a sip of her tea and then said, "It was really tough being told that your child was paralyzed and would never walk again. I hated that I couldn't take Aria into my arms and make her whole. I'm sure your mother might have felt the same way Ezra, after you were injured in Iraq."

Ezra responded, "Things are complicated with my mother. We don't have a close relationship, but I know she was crushed by my injury. She visited me in the hospital and she didn't berate me for spending years as an embedded journalist."

"Was being in a war zone really difficult?" Ella asked.

He was surprised by her question and said, "It was, I can't lie. When I got the job offer to work in Iraq, I was kind of happy that I was being given an incredible opportunity to report on something very important. After a few months, I changed my views. I saw how difficult things were over there, but I kept staying." Ezra said.

Ella said, "Ezra, if you ever need to talk, let me know, I might be able to help you."

Ezra said, "It's ok, I'm fine. But thank you for being kind to me. I will admit that it is good to get a little more support from you."

"I want my daughter to be happy and Byron will come around." Ella said.


Christmas Day came several days later, Ezra arrived at the Montgomery home that morning. The Montgomerys had breakfast on the table and they were getting ready to open gifts. Ezra bought a bottles of wine and a hardcover compilation of American short stories as gifts for Byron and Ella. He gave Mike, a nice wooden dart board and dart set. For Aria, he gave her a hardbound copy of Helen Keller's autobiography and a sterling silver bracelet. She smiled and thanked Ezra for the gifts.

Ezra opened the gift she gave him. In the gift box, there was a hardbound copy of a recent popular novel, cuff links in the shape of an E and a pocket watch. He thanked her for the gifts. They spent the rest of the day with Aria's family and other guests who came into the home.

In the late afternoon, Ezra and Aria went for a drive in Ezra's car. Aria's wheelchair was in the backseat. Ezra decided to take Aria to his apartment. She was surprised when she saw that a stair lift had been installed.

Ezra said, "I talked to my landlord and he liked my suggestion and I paid for the stairlift."

"Wow Ezra, you didn't need to do that. I hate that you spent that quite a bit of money on it."

He said, "It's ok Aria, don't worry. I had the money. Besides, I want you to be able to access my apartment anytime."

Aria transferred over to the stair lift chair and went up, while Ezra carried her wheelchair. They went into Ezra's apartment and sat on his couch. They kissed and read passages from A Christmas Carol. Later on, Ezra took Aria back to her parents' home. He longed for a time when Aria would spend the night at his apartment, but he didn't want to pressure her.


Three days later, Ezra was in a van with Aria, Emily, Spencer, and Spencer's boyfriend Toby Cavanaugh. They were head to Elk Mountain got the ski trip. They arrived at the ski resort hotel. Ezra and Aria would be staying together in a special accessible room on the first floor. They group headed to the slopes. Ezra wouldn't be skiing, but he would be watching. He watched as Spencer and Emily helped Aria get into the special ski seat. He later saw her coming down a trail. He smiled as saw her skiing with her special equipment.

Later on, Aria and the others came down and had dinner in the resort restaurant. They went into a lodge area and Alison DiLaurentis came in.

Aria went over to Emily and said, "I called Ali down here because I wanted you two to talk. Please do it for my sake. I forgive her as you know. But I want you to two make up for the past."

Emily said, "Ok, I'll do it. But it will be hard."

Emily and Ali then went off somewhere to talk.


A few days went by and it was now New Year's Eve and Ezra and Aria were now back in Rosewood. They were going to celebrate with Aria's friends again. Ali and Emily had been talking since the ski resort. Another friend of Aria's Hanna Marin was coming from New York with her boyfriend Caleb Rivers.

The group had dinner and drinks at one of Rosewood's oldest hotels which operated a night club in the hotel. The hotel was going to have a mini fireworks display. The group along with party goers danced on the dance floor. When the countdown started, the DJ called everyone out to the floor.

They counted down to the new year. Ezra bent down and kissed Aria. Then the fireworks started. People went out on the balcony or downstairs to watch. The group went out to see the fireworks. Aria was pushing herself, but she looked over her shoulder and saw that Ezra wasn't behind her.

Ezra had gone to a bathroom. He was shaking. The sound of fireworks reminded him of gunfire and bombs in Iraq. After several minutes, he regained his composure and left the bathroom and went to find Aria.

Aria wheeled up to him and said, "Where were you?"

"I was at the bathroom. Sorry Aria, I should have told you before."

"It's ok. Let's go dance some more." She said.

Ezra nodded. He now needed to pretend to be ok.