"So why are you here?"
A deep voice announced sending shivers down her spine—and not the good kind; she turned around and saw a man—slightly older than she was. He was handsome; he had blue eyes and blonde eyes. In a strange way he reminded her of Sean, Hanna's ex-boyfriend but she doubted they were connected.
Hesitantly she spoke "Because I wanted to get away" He smiled, a smile that spoke a thousand words. It was almost as if he was saying well you're in luck. But she hadn't been, in fact it had been the exact opposite.
Breathing heavily she woke up, a bead of sweat dripping down her forehead which she wiped with the back of her hand. Sighing, she looked at the clock on the wall. It was only three in the morning but it certainly wasn't anything strange after all ever since she had returned to Rosewood, the only thing that filled her head during the night was nightmares.
She had lost hope for a nice dream a long while back, dreams were supposed to be an escape of some sort. Dreams were a better version of your life, they were the things that would never happen but yet you had the satisfaction of them perhaps one day coming true but she had been deprived of that for so long. She had been deprived of dreaming.
Her room had been painted a white and designed chic-ly after all she was sure that Spencer had hired a renowned interior decorator even for the barn. This room was all Spencer, it had no sense of quirky or eccentricity as Aria desired it to be. She stopped herself in that train of thought as she was lucky that Spencer allowed her to stay here.
Aria got out of bed and walked into the living room. The living room however had been all Aria as it was a perfect mix of acceptable yet bright. She always loved colour and thought it brightened the space.
She plopped onto the green couch and turned on the television, her copy of Once was still in the DVD player and was currently on the screen. She pressed play and the musical (which she loved) continued.
As she watched the Irish musical, she thought about the day ahead of her. He was coming over; Daisy was finally going to meet her father. She had to confess that telling Ezra released a huge weight off her. Every day before that, she could barely look at herself in the mirror without regretting the decisions she had made in her life.
He was going to be a good father, she was sure of it, he was kind and calm. He loved truly with all his heart, he was funny and mature. He was well—he was Ezra and that in essence made him perfect.
Guilt also filled her not only because of Ezra and Daisy but as she thought about how Maggie, his girlfriend, would react when she found out. There was bound to be some sort of resentment towards Aria when the girlfriend did eventually.
Another thing that certainly didn't help with the guilt was the fact that Ezra and her had been speaking on a daily basis—not always relating to Daisy. She was so sure that the guilt she felt was one day going to eat her alive.
On the table beside her laid her phone, she clenched her eyes tightened not wanting to fall into that trap and call him but something inside her caused her to grab the phone. She dialed a number immediately regretting it the minute she heard the beep.
To herself, she spoke "If he doesn't answer if five seconds, I'll hang up" And so she waited, five, four, three, two, and one. No answer. A part of her felt relief but also rejected, she rolled her eyes at the irrationality of her feelings. It wasn't as if he was her boyfriend that he would answer at unreasonable hours of the day.
She watched the indie movie until the song, a song she held dear to her heart, began to play. Quickly almost as if she was afraid of the emotions it might bring, she turned off the television screen.
Her mind was all over the place—on one hand she was thinking about her father and the issues he might cause—and then about Ezra. About how he lost the first three years of his only child's life because of her cowardice, about how Daisy was deprived of a father, about how the only thing keeping her sane through all this was the thought of her child.
Byron was definitely going to be an issue; he was stubborn and hell-bent on proving that he was right. It was either going to be that or he was just ignore her, he was pretend she didn't exist. He treated Daisy that way; he acted as if she wasn't his grand-daughter. No one seemed to notice but her.
Surely he felt the slightest bit of love for his grand-daughter; Aria couldn't understand why he wouldn't. Wasn't love for your family members something natural? Even if he did care, he didn't show it.
Ella was an entirely different story. She overwhelmed her grand-daughter with presents and love, Aria even suspected that Ella may love Daisy more than she did, her but she didn't mind after all she wanted to raised her daughter in a loving, calm environment.
Her mother was oblivious over her husband's actions; she didn't realize how much Byron and Aria had drifted apart. About the strains and the arguments that occurred nor did she know about Byron's threat to Aria.
"You will never see him again or I swear to God, I'll see to it myself that he's behind bars"
Aria wasn't quite so sure how she would react after all her mother was madly in love with Byron despite his betrayal. She loved him and they had been through a lot. Aria owed it to her mother to not ruin her marriage again.
Much to Aria's surprise, it was now eight o'clock. She had been seated in the same position for so long that her bottom felt numb. Out of the five hours she had been out of her bed, she had only slept for three.
Before Daisy woke up, Aria showered and applied minimal makeup to conceal all the late nights. She curled her hair in loose waves which was something she hadn't done in a while, a long time ago, she had taken pride in her appearance but since the birth of Daisy, she didn't have the time but since her daughter was sleeping, she took it as an advantage to get ready.
Reaching into her closet, she grabbed a pair a black V neck dress with yellow floral prints on it; she remembered wearing it during High school. She stepped out of her room in the dress and walked towards her daughter's room. Daisy, strangely enough, was fast asleep. Aria smiled at the sleeping toddler.
"Honey, come on, get up" She murmured as she ran a hand through her daughter's curls, her daughter murmured and her eye lids slowly opened. Daisy sat up and stretched her arms whilst yawning rather adorably. Aria placed a kiss on her forehead.
After a couple of minutes and initially a difficult task of getting Daisy to cooperate whilst Aria helped brush her teeth, the mother and daughter duo focused on breakfast. The toddler was still in her night-gown considering she was a messy eater, Aria allowed her to watch TV as she ate.
Spencer knocked on the door and Aria walked over opening it, the preppy brunette eyed Aria suspiciously.
"Are you and Jason going on a date?" She questioned, Aria shook her head at the sound of his name. It was fairly obvious that he had feelings for her—it had been since high school ever since they had a little fling during yet another one of Aria and Ezra's break ups.
"Nope" She popped the 'p' as she walked over to the counter holding her mug of coffee, Spencer poured herself a cup of coffee.
"Why are you all—hair curly and dress on, speaking of which you should probably throw a coat on if you're going out, it's crazy chilly." Spencer said, leaning against the counter.
Aria smiled, amused "I'm all hair curly and dress on because—" she bit her lower lip "Promise you won't freak out."
"I promise" Spencer said, hesitantly.
"Daisy's father's coming over today so I just wanted to look presentable" Aria said, sipping her coffee.
Spencer's eyes widened "Or because you want him to jump into bed with you" She teased, Aria nudged her "Why didn't you tell us? When did the two of you start speaking again? Who the hell is he?"
Aria pursed her lips together "Because—just because, I'm not telling you guys yet" She said, firmly.
Her best friend nodded "Okay fine but just answer one question" Aria looked at her, curiously "Are you in love with him? Or were you ever?"
"Yes" She said, quietly. "I love—did love him but it's been forever and he has a girlfriend so that's how that is." Her phone buzzed, she picked it up. It was a message.
Should be there soon, half an hour the latest, see you then – E.F
"Is that him?" Spencer asked, Aria nodded, her stomach was full of butterflies and nerves flooded her almost instantly "Well you're lucky because I have to visit momma dearest and my darling sister for lunch otherwise I would be here watching the reunion."
"Ah, too bad, how I would have loved for you to stay." Aria said, pushing Spencer out towards the door, who in return simply let out a laugh, As Spencer left, the 5'2 brunette looked at her daughter.
"Daisy, come on honey, time to get changed." The toddler pouted, Aria simply picked her daughter up placing her on her hip.
"I want to wear my belle dress" Daisy said as her mother placed her on the floor, her mother shook her head, scoffing slightly. The dress was only suitable for fancy dress.
"No, honey, you're wearing the pink dress that we're bought last weekend" Aria pulled the dress out of the wardrobe.
"But I want to be belle" Daisy said, stubbornly. She stared up at her mother with her hands placed by her side. It wasn't the first time they were having a discussion like this. Ella had even said that Daisy reminded her lot of Aria as a child.
"Daisy. Not today, tomorrow okay?"
Her lips curved downwards and Aria knew what was coming, the adorable puppy dog face which Aria couldn't resist.
"Please, momma, please."
Aria pursed her lips together before relenting "Fine." She said, sighing. As she turned around, a smile formed on her face at the stubbornness of her daughter. Her mother had said that Daisy was exactly like Aria was that her age. Ella had also mentioned that Aria wouldn't have any of the clothes Ella had asked her to but instead threw tantrums.
In that aspect Daisy was just like her mother—whenever it came to clothes—she was a perfect mix of her parents.
Meanwhile a couple of blocks away from the Hastings house Ezra was in a children's store panicking. He looked at all the different toys. It was almost as if he was in a whole different world, he didn't know what Daisy would like. There were dolls—a painting set—books—costumes.
He let out a deep sigh unbeknownst to him Ella Montgomery was also in the store, a curious smile made way onto her face as she saw him.
"Ezra"
She said, cheerfully, as she walked towards him. He stiffened and gulped; he stood upright and forced a smile. What were the odds?
"Hey, um, Ella" He said to the grand-mother of his child, he knew she was waiting for him to tell him why exactly he was here.
Scratching the edge of his nose, he thought of something he could say "It's my um—I'm visiting my friend. He has a daughter so I thought I'd get her something." He said, smiling nervously.
Ella eyed him skeptically "I see. I'm here for my grand-daughter" She had never mentioned her grand-daughter before because Aria had told her not to but considering her daughter was back in rosewood. She assumed that she wouldn't mind.
He didn't react. Ella noticed it. She would've thought that he would've questioned the fact she mentioned she had a grand-daughter and previously hadn't perhaps Byron had told him.
"You look like you're struggling." Ella commented, and he laughed nodding, "Let me help you" She said, smiling.
"So—how old is she?" She asked
"Three" Ezra mumbled, absent-mindedly.
"So is Daisy" Ella said, nonchalantly, Ezra held in a gulp. "What does she like?" She asked.
"I have no idea." He said, sighing.
"There's no need to worry. Okay, I'm assuming she's a big fan of either Tangled, Frozen or Brave" She looked at his dumb-founded face "Which are the latest Disney movies. Daisy adores them."
Ella picked up a fairy tea set "You should get this." She passed it to him and walked down the aisle. She eyed all the toys and then picked up a costume which came along with a red curly wig "This is Merida's wig" He nodded, oblivious to what she was saying and a kitchen set.
"Should I get her something else?" Ezra asked, nervously.
"It should be fine" Ella said, tapping him on the shoulder "You'll be fine. Children aren't that scary. Once you give her the gifts, you'll be her favourite Uncle Ezra" She said, smiling brightly to which he laughed nervously.
After he purchased the toys, he left the store and drove to Aria's. The door was open and he could hear her speaking to her mother. He stood at the doorstep for a while. He smiled as he saw her.
"—Mom, of course I want to see you." Aria said, placing flowers in a vase as her phone rested on her shoulder. She tilted her head making sure the phone stayed put
"Yes, I know. I do realize that—it's been months. I know, Ma. Just not today, we have plans—of course my plans aren't more important than you. I love you, mom, Daisy does too, It's just—I promise Daisy can stay the night. Yes. Okay, see you then!" She hung up the phone and placed it on the counter. She held the edges of the counter and leaned on it sighing.
Ezra knocked on the open-door. The sudden knock caused her to jump slightly; she turned around facing him whilst placing a hand on her chest.
"Sorry. I scared you." He mumbled, trying to hide the smile forming on his face. She noticed it and glared at him.
"You didn't scare me" She said, stubbornly.
"Didn't I?" Ezra said, smirking as he stepped into the house as he held the bag "I got something for Daisy."
Aria walked towards him taking the bag off him, she looked into the bag and looked at him impressed "It seems you did your research" She said, smiling.
"Actually, I just ran into your mom. She helped with this. Also a question: who's Merida?" He asked, and she laughed.
"I'm sure Daisy will tell you all too soon" Aria said, he nodded "Are you nervous?" She asked, the expression on his face told her the answer. He sighed.
Daisy walked out of her room holding a bunch of books whilst in her yellow dress, she had pushed her hair back and was walking very princess-like. Aria smiled and then turned to face Ezra—he had frozen, his eyes widened and he scratched the back of his neck.
"Momma, do I look like Belle?" She asked, her mother nodded, Aria walked over to her daughter and crouched down to her level.
"Honey, do you remember when you asked me where your dad was?"
"Yes, you said he was working." Daisy replied.
"Do you want to meet your daddy?" Aria asked, her daughter nodded eagerly, Ezra looked at Aria who was motioning for him to crouch down as well which he did. "This—this is him, honey."
Daisy's lips parted in shock, her eyes widened and she dropped the books immediately her arms around Ezra's neck.
"You're my daddy" She repeated.
Ezra's eyes filled with water and for the first time in many years he let them flow freely down his cheek.
"Yes, Daisy, I am" He said whilst he held his daughter. "I love you so much, Daisy, I'm sorry I wasn't here before."
"Promise you'll never leave again" She said as she let go and held out her pinky, he reciprocated the gesture and held her pinky.
"I promise."
As the father-daughter duo bonded, on the other side of the small town, Ella Montgomery was preparing dinner. It was their first dinner since she had come home in fact they were all home excluding Aria.
"So…" Ella began as she cut up some carrots and threw them in the boiling water "I saw Ezra today." She said not noticing how her husband stiffened as she mentioned his name
"And I realized it's been an awfully long time since we've had him over for dinner, you used to invite him weekly" She added, Byron bit his tongue as if to stop him from bad-mouthing the man.
"I think I'll invite him next tomorrow. Also, Aria's coming over tomorrow with Daisy so they'll have a chance to catch up after all he was her favourite teacher and they had become somewhat of friends" Ella said, naively.
"You will do no such thing" Byron said, aggressively, as the thoughts of Ezra and Aria filled his mind.
Ella turned around and faced him, wide-eyed "Excuse me?" She asked as she heard his assertive tone.
"You heard me. You will not invite Ezra Fitz into this house" He spoke clearly and slowly.
"I will do what I want to do, Byron, I don't see why I can't invite him into this house as it's as much as mine as it is yours."
"You can't—."
"Why not, give me one reason" Ella said, sternly.
"Because he raped your daughter that's why" Byron stated "He slept with your daughter when she was sixteen years old. He went out with her whilst she was his student. He's the father of Daisy."
She blinked several times as if to process whether this was a dream or not. "You can't be serious, surely this isn't true, Ezra wouldn't—Daisy, Tell me it isn't" But deep in the heart she knew it was. It all made sense. The fact he was so nervous at the store, the rumours in high-school, and the comfortable relationship between the two.
"Why are you telling me this now? If what you're saying is true, why not tell me all those years ago?" She asked, angrily, she was Aria's mother. She had a right to know.
"Because…I made a deal with Aria, she would cut all ties with Ezra and I wouldn't call the police." Byron said, slowly "And now considering the fact she's told him, I guess I have to do what I have to do."
"You made a deal?" She spoke, bitterly "You kept Daisy's father away from her. You lied to me. Aria had to deal with this pregnancy all alone because of you."
"He raped her. It's statutory rape for god sake."
"How do you know? Did she tell you? Did you hear the words come out from her mouth" Ella questioned.
"You're defending him" He laughed without humour "I can't believe this. Of course he did, why else would he go out with a sixteen year old? I'm sure he didn't want to go out with a sixteen year old if there were no benefits."
"I'm defending him. I just want to make sure I have all the facts before I question him. And benefits?—do you hear yourself?" She questioned, feeling sick. "I can't believe this is happening. I need to speak to Aria."
"There's no point. He was deluded her into think that he loved her, that he was in love with her, that she's the love of his life" He repeated Ezra's words cynically whilst rolling his eyes.
"I need to speak to her" She mumbled, absent-mindedly. "You are not to do anything without consulting me first do you hear me? This isn't a game, Byron. Our daughter's reputation will be tarnished. Right now I don't give a crap about Ezra Fitz. What I do care about is the scrutiny she will have to deal with as result to your actions"
He nodded. "Fine but once you come back we will speak about what needs to happen" She didn't respond instead she grabbed her keys and walked out of the house before entering her car to drive to the house.
Less than ten minutes later she had arrived and parked her car into the Hastings drive way then proceeded to walk into the back-yard where the converted barn was. The lights were closed in the Hastings manor, no one was home.
Just when she was about to knock on the door she looked through the clear glass window which Aria had failed to put any sort of blinds on and saw a sight she thought she'd never see.
It was Ezra holding Daisy as she had a red wig on. They were laughing, Daisy was telling Ezra something. She then reached in to kiss her father's cheek. His eyes softened.
Aria scrunched up her nose and faked a pout. Daisy then kissed her mother as her father lowered her slightly. The three year old said something Ella couldn't hear but she sensed her daughter was arguing but then Ezra lent down and kissed Aria's forehead—it was a sweet gesture, one that caused her daughter's eyes to sparkle and she smiled a little—a smile Ella hadn't seen in years.
Aria and Ezra looked at one another, their mouths weren't moving but a lot was being said. He smiled at her and she returned the smile. They looked like a perfect little family. Ella didn't intrude instead she sent Aria a text message saying she needed to see her and went home.
Hope you liked it. If you did, leave it in a review. Thanks to whoever does review, it means the world to me.
