The response to last chapter was soooo amazing, I couldn't even believe it! Thank you guys for getting me to over 200 reviews! :D I hope this lives up to everyone's expectations and was worth the wait!
Aria stared ahead of her a horrified expression on her face as her eyes continued to watch the three people interacting at the front of the store.
"I can't let them see me," Aria whimpered as her eyes started to become glassy.
"We can just wait until they leave," Ezra suggested. He looked down at Aria, his heart crumbling at the sight of her looking so broken. Aria quickly wiped away a tear that had fallen from her eye with the back of her sleeve as she tried to regain her composure.
Ezra glanced back over to the front of the store and noticed Aria's brother walking towards them. Ezra looked to Aria who was obviously panicking as she turned her back to her oncoming brother.
"Hey, man you left your wallet up there," her brother, who Ezra remembered went by the name of Mike said.
"Oh wow thank you," Ezra responded. He quickly took the leather square from Mike's outstretched hands and hoped he hadn't recognized Aria.
"I assume this is the girlfriend you go that charm for?" Mike smiled as he gestured to the small brunette still facing away from him.
Ezra awkwardly nodded and looked between Mike and Aria uncertain of what he was supposed to do. Mike gave Aria on odd glance before explaining how he should probably get back to the register.
Aria finally turned around when Mike had left, and looked to Ezra. He could tell she was on the verge of tears and extremely overwhelmed as she buried her face in Ezra's chest. Ezra lightly dragged his hand along her back as he stole one more glimpse back at Aria's parents. He was expecting them to be chatting to Mike or milling around the store themselves however he was not prepared to find Aria's mother staring back at him.
Her mother was looking at the two of them curiously her head tilted slightly to the side. Ezra not knowing what to do continued to look back, feeling himself tense under the older woman's gaze. Aria apparently could feel the change in Ezra's demeanor and brought her head up to see what he was doing.
Aria looked to the front of the store as well, unintentionally making eye contact with the last person she hoped to ever see. Aria could hear the audible gasp that escaped her mother's lips as she brought a hand to rest on her chest.
Aria stared straight ahead feeling as if she was glued to the floor as her mother alerted her father and brother of her presence. They too turned around to look at her, the same astonished expression written across their faces.
"Aria?" Mike breathed.
A pained look flitted across Aria's face as her family all looked at one another incredulously.
Mike strode across the store immediately pulling Aria into a hug when he reached her. Aria relaxed into Mike's embrace as he squeezed her tighter. Her and Mike had always had a pretty good relationship since at times, when her parents were out or working it was just the two of them. When Aria had left home Mike was about 14 and she knew it had left him distraught. She always vowed one day she would go back and find him, but preferably when he wasn't with her parents.
Aria rested her face in Mike's shoulder as a few sobs emitted from her chest. She had missed Mike so much she couldn't even begin to explain it. He was her best friend growing and most of the time the only person there for her at all.
They finally released one another just as Aria's parents made their way over to where Aria, Ezra, and Mike were standing.
Aria immediately tensed at the sight of her parents, taking a slight step back so she was now closer to Ezra. She honestly didn't know what to expect from them and wasn't sure there was any way she would be able to stay civil.
"Aria," Ella nodded in her direction as Byron cleared his throat and looked down at the floor.
Aria didn't respond, but merely looked at them her face expressionless.
"And this is?" Ella gestured to Ezra who instantly stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Ezra," he answered as he shook Ella, Byron, and Mike's hand.
An awkward silence developed between the five of them, their eyes all refusing to meet anyone else's. Aria's however stayed trained on her parents, the anger and hurt evident in them.
"This is silly," Byron finally said, breaking the silent tension. "Your mother and I know we've had our differences, but you're still our daughter, Aria."
Aria shrugged as if it Byron's statement hadn't really affected her, but Ezra could tell it had. The slight pout in her lips and down casted eyes were subtle, but Ezra definitely noticed them.
Ezra placed his hand on Aria's lower back to which she gave him an appreciative smile. The tension in the air was so thick it could have been cut with a knife, but having Ezra close to her made Aria feel like she could get through it.
"Have dinner with us tonight?" Ella asked. "We can catch up," Ella said as she gave Aria a soft smile.
"I can't," Aria's voice was slightly strained as she shook her head and looked at the floor. "It would be too hard to look at you across a table with what you did."
"Aria," Byron sighed. "We're trying to make things better, please."
"Where were you for 3 years?" Aria asked. She bit her lip as more tears threatened to fall as she stared at her parents awaiting their answer.
"We didn't know where you were," Ella explained. "How were we supposed to find you?"
"Do you hear yourselves?" Aria asked. "You didn't know where your sixteen year old daughter was," she spit out. "Who doesn't know where their own child is?" Aria's voice rose in volume as well as in pitch, her throat tight from all the unshed tears.
"Don't talk to your mother like that," Byron shook his head as he extended is pointer finger towards Aria. "You know exactly why we had to do what we did."
"I made a mistake!" Aria exclaimed as the tears that had been threatening to fall finally did. "And you threw me out on the streets." She wiped furiously at her eyes as more sobs ripped through her chest.
"Aria listen," Ella began. She reached out to gently touch Aria's shoulders, to which Aria instantly pulled away as if she had been burned.
"No," Aria shook her head vigorously. "You ruined my life and I don't think I can ever forgive for that," she whimpered. "I'll never understand how someone could do that to their own kid."
"I think your overreacting Aria," Byron stated. He ran a hand behind his neck expelling a breath.
"I was homeless for 3 years!" Aria practically shrieked.
The sudden outburst surprised both Byron and Ella, and luckily they were the only people in the store at the moment.
A continuous stream of tears were flowing down Aria's face as she pushed past her parents and left through the entrance to the store.
Ezra didn't know if he should follow her or give her some space, her parents uncertain as well.
"Maybe I should go talk to her?" Ezra jutted his thumb towards the front of the shop, but Ella shook her head.
"Can I do it please?" she asked. Ezra was hesitant to let her fearing she would only make it worse with Aria than it already was.
"I know you probably don't think much of me right now, but I just need to talk to her," Ella almost begged. Ezra nodded in understatement and watched as she went to follow Aria.
Ella cautiously opened the door to the store and turned to see Aria sitting on the floor not too far away. She went to go stand by her, but like she expected was treated as if she wasn't even there.
"I know you probably hate me right now and I understand," Ella said as she sat down next to where Aria was sitting.
"Your father and I weren't there for you and Mike as kids and I'll always be sorry for that. I will always regret kicking you out and I hope you know that," Ella confessed. "Please understand that."
Aria looked up from where she had, had her head resting on her knees her cheeks blotchy and red. "I just don't know how I could forgive you for what you did," Aria whispered, her voice strained from crying.
"I know," Ella nodded. "I don't blame you." She lightly placed her hand on Aria's and took it as a good sign she didn't pull away. "I don't expect you to forgive me for a while but maybe one day?" she wondered.
Aria slightly nodded and shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe."
Ella gave her a soft smile glad Aria hadn't dismissed the idea right away. The two of them sat in silence for a while each of them consumed by their own thoughts.
Eventually Ella made a move to get up and stretched out her hand for Aria to grab. Aria was hesitant at first but took it as she lifted herself off the ground as well before the pair walked back to the store.
LB
After Ella left, Ezra, Byron, and Mike continued to stand there neither of them really knowing what to say. Ezra could tell Byron had been affected by Aria's words, as his facial expression showed his concern and regret.
"Can I ask you something?" Byron asked as he looked up at Ezra.
"Of course," Ezra nodded as he put his hands in his pockets.
"I know Aria was on the streets and I'm just wondering how you met her?" Byron wondered.
Ezra had always been horrible at lying even as a young child, causing him to get extremely nervous. He certainly didn't think it would be a good idea to tell him the truth, but he was afraid his tapping finger or slightly stuttered speech would give it away.
"I um, we met in a restaurant," Ezra said, figuring it was a plausible scenario.
"Do you know how she got the money?" Byron asked. Ezra could tell Byron already had some ideas in his head, his face reflecting how he was trying to piece everything together.
Ezra cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair as he nervously swallowed.
"Is it what I think it is?" Byron's face twisted into a pained expression as Ezra nodded figuring he had pretty much figured it out himself.
"Did you really meet her at a restaurant?" Byron's voice became more stern than it was just moments before.
When Ezra didn't answer, due to his inability to need to tell the truth he felt like he could visibly see the steam coming out of Byron's ears. Before he knew it he felt a fist flying, hitting him square in the lip.
Ezra backed up and grasped his face just as he heard a shrill, "Mike!" coming from the entrance of the store. Ezra could taste the blood pooling at the side of his mouth, the iron flavor making him nauseous.
Not even two seconds later he felt Aria's presence at his side as she lightly took ahold of his chin and turned it to face her.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Aria demanded as she whipped her head around to look at Mike. He shook his head mouthing an "I'm sorry."
"Aria, what this man did to you was sick and if Mike hadn't punched him I would have," Byron seethed. His face reflected his disgust for Ezra as he looked at the man still holding his jaw.
"What are you talking about?" Aria looked to her father and then Mike for some sort of explanation.
"I know how you two met, and whether or not you want to believe it, he's taking advantage of you," Byron pointed his finger to Ezra, while Aria shook her head in anger.
"We're leaving," Aria stated. She took ahold of Ezra's hand, tugging him through the store ignoring her father's attempts for her to come back.
Aria pulled Ezra to the nearest corner where she didn't think her parents would come after her and she would be able to inspect his cut.
"Does it hurt?" Aria asked as she lightly dabbed it with a napkin she had, had in her coat pocket.
Ezra slightly winced when Aria pressed on, but explained that it wasn't too bad.
"I'm so sorry," she murmured. "I don't know what Mike was thinking." Aria wiped away the last of the blood and softly kissed his wound.
"They were just trying to protect you," Ezra shrugged. He pulled Aria into his arms and pressed a kiss to the top of her head ignoring the pinch he felt on his mouth. "You do know that this relationship means more to me than sex right?" Ezra asked.
"Of course," Aria instantly replied. She looked up at him and ran her fingers across Ezra's cheek eventually moving into his hair. "You wouldn't be here comforting me when you just got punched in the face if it didn't," she smiled.
Ezra grinned back at her and pressed a kiss to her forehead lightly running his hand along her back.
"How did things with your mom go?" Ezra asked. He pulled back a little from their embrace so he could look at Aria while she answered.
"Actually really good," she admitted. "She told me how much she regretted kicking me out, and while our relationship isn't going to be fixed right away I think maybe one day we'll get there."
"Well I'm really happy for you," Ezra said. "You deserve it."
"Thank you," Aria smiled. Ezra nodded knowing her thank held much more meaning than for what he just said.
"Do you want to go home?" Ezra asked.
"Yes," Aria laughed. "After the day we've had I think that would be nice."
Ezra smiled and held out his hand which Aria immediately took. The pair walked out of the building together the drama of the past half an hour forgotten and saved to be dealt with later. Every once in while Ezra would look down at Aria as they walked the streets of New York City, his heart swelling with every glance he took. He shook his head lightly laughing at himself with how enamored he was. Aria was literally always on his mind and it was days like these that made him realize just how special she was to him.
They finally reached Ezra's apartment building, breaking Ezra from his thoughts. Ezra gave a short wave to the doorman before he and Aria took the elevator up to the third floor.
The elevator finally reached its destination and opened its doors allowing Aria and Ezra to get out.
"How does a quiet night with pizza sound?" Ezra asked once the two got into the apartment.
"It sounds perfect," Aria smiled as she took off her coat and put it on a nearby chair.
LB
After ordering pizza and having it delivered Aria and Ezra decided a movie night on the couch would be perfect after the hectic day they had gone through.
Aria was currently sitting with her legs across Ezra's her plate resting on her stomach while Ezra's rested on Aria's legs. With the hand that wasn't holding his pizza Ezra was softly rubbing Aria's feet and ankles as an old film played on Ezra's screen in front of them.
Finally finishing their meals Ezra took both their plates and stacked them on the coffee table in front of him. Aria sat up and curled into Ezra's side still keeping her legs on his lap. Ezra smiled down at her and wrapped his arm around her torso pressing a kiss to her neck. It still hurt to put pressure on his lip, but it felt much better than it had a couple hours ago.
"Does your lip feel better?" Aria asked as she leaned back so she could get a better look at it.
Ezra nodded, but Aria could see the slight look of pain in his eyes as he tried to smile.
Aria gave him a knowing look and laughed when he just shrugged. "Well I'm ordering you to not use your lips until it gets better," Aria stated.
"How will I kiss you?" Ezra pouted. Aria giggled at his disappointed expression reminding him of a small child who didn't get the candy they wanted.
"Well we can do other things besides kiss," Aria pointed out. She moved closer to his ear her hot breath causing Ezra to shiver. "And my lips work just fine." She pressed a kiss to Ezra's earlobe before slowly trailing them across his cheek and down his neck.
Ezra groaned, his grip on Aria's hips becoming tighter the movie in the background now long forgotten.
Aria began kissing her way down Ezra's chest, resting her hands on the side of his abdomen. Ezra moved his fingers through Aria's luscious locks kissing the top of her head, ignoring Aria's previous order.
"You're not supposed to be using your lips," she mumbled into his chest.
"I couldn't resist," Ezra shrugged.
Aria moved her way back up to Ezra's neck beginning to suck on his flesh. She lightly bit it smiling into his skin when she heard Ezra softly moan.
Ezra not being able to take the torture anymore flipped them around so Aria was underneath him. Ezra began kissing Aria's collarbone and dipping his head between the valley of her breasts even though the rough motion was pulling at his cut again.
"Ezra," Aria breathed as he began unbuttoning her jeans. Ezra tugged the dark blue fabric down her legs sitting up on his knees so he could get them all the way off. Aria reached out her hands and popped the button on Ezra's pants and pulling down the zipper. Ezra grinned down at her and stood up so he could push his pants to the floor.
Aria bit her lip as Ezra discarded his boxers as well her eyes trained on his member. Ezra lowered himself back onto the couch roughly gripping Aria's panties and throwing them to the floor.
"I love you Aria," Ezra murmured. "Always remember that," he smiled. Aria smiled back before pulling Ezra onto her so they could finally become one.
Hope you guys liked this! New PLL tomorrow Ahhhhhhh I'm so excited haha! I'm really hoping the Ezria scenes are good!
Please review!