Chapter 10:
Ezra's POV:
"Hey Byron," I said nervously. Crap, what was I going to say to him. "What are you doing here," he asked, giving me a hug. "Umm, nothing. Just came down here to see Rosewood. I really miss it," I half-lied. I did miss Rosewood, but I also missed my wife. "So, where is Aria? Is she with you," he asked, looking around the office that seemed to be getting smaller every millisecond. "No," he looked at me with a stern and questioning face, "I mean she's with me, but…just….not…..with me," I said fumbling with my words. "Well, where is she," he said getting worried. "With Noel Kahn. Don't worry, he is taking care of her," I quickly added. "Noel Kahn? Isn't your job to look after her," Byron boomed, getting angry, "You are her husband, not him." "I know," I said with a pain of guilt coursing through me, "She told me she needed space." "Oh, oh Ezra I'm sorry," Byron said sympathetically while I fall on the couch. "I trust Noel to help her get back to the Aria we used to have. They have always had this thing where they could tell each other everything. I used to think we could do that, until…." I drifted off at the last part, and it seemed like Byron understood why. "I think she needs some time to realize she is nothing without you. You know how-," I cut him off, "stubborn she is, I know," I said with forced laugh, "Yeah, everyone knows." "Well, I have to head home, do you want to stay with us? I mean you are family," he said with a genuine smile. "I don't know," he cut me off, "Oh come on, I insist." "Alright," I said with a smile and then we left.
Aria's POV:
"No stop," I laughed while I ran full blast into the woods."No chance, darling," Ezra exclaimed, "You're mine!" It was the middle of summer and they were at Ezra's parent's cabin in the middle of Arizona.""Not if you don't catch me," I said making a face at him and resumed laughing. I was in a very pretty navy blue bikini that was strapless and had a silver band around the waist. Ezra was wearing swim trunks and was shirtless, which I couldn't be happier about. I ran until I reached the big lake in the back of the two-story building and let Ezra catch up a bit. "Last one in has to kiss the other," I said while jumping in. I heard another splash right after mine. "Well I guess I lost," he said with a fake pout face. "Now," I said while paddling over to him and wrapping my arms around his neck, "You lost and have to suffer the consequences Mr. Fitz." "I think I can handle it, Mrs. Fitz," he said lifting me by my thighs and kissing me. After a minute he pulled away, "Yeah, I'd lose everyday if it means doing this for punishment," he said while resuming his lips back on mine…
I awoke with a start. I was smiling until I took in my surroundings. I wasn't in my house with Ezra's arms wrapped around me. Instead, I was in Noel's apartment, with Noel way on the other side of the bed. I started to fell tears welling up in my eyes. It was just a dream, I thought sadly to myself. I wished it was real. The happiness that filled me when I thought about the old times with Ezra, was just so amazing. "Hey, you're up early," Noel said in a groggy voice. "Yeah, I had a really good dream, but it came to an end too quickly," I said tearing my eyes away from his. "How about I take you a someplace today, hmm," Noel suggested sweetly. "I love that idea," I said while getting up.
Ezra's POV:
I dreamt about Aria last night and wondered if she did the same. I wondered how she was holding up with Noel, or if she was getting better. I was at the Montgomery stove cooking breakfast. "Byron, are you actually making breakfast," a sleepy Ella walked into the kitchen. Ezra turned around to see her face brighten up when she saw his face. Ella embraced Ezra, "I have missed my children so much! Where's my little girl at," she asked innocently. When he and Byron got home last night, Ella was already sleeping, so they couldn't tell her what had gone on. "It's a long story," I said running my hands through my hair. "Well, how about we talk over some coffee," she gestured to the stove, "and some great looking bacon."
Noel's POV:
"Where are we going," Aria asked giggling. "I already told you it's a secret. That's why you are wearing the blindfold," I said in the best matter-of-fact voice I could muster without laughing. "Whatever," Aria said giving up and leaning back against the seat. After three minutes or so, I let her take the blindfold off, because she would not quit whining and we were almost there. "Hey, I recognize this place. Over there is that little Chinese restaurant," she said straining her neck to see farther out of the window, "And over there is Spencer's old house, and over there is Ezra's apartment." I noticed that right after she said his name, she began to cry a little bit. "I want to go there," she said gesturing to the apartment building she was still do familiar with. "Aria, we don't have to, if you don't want to," I said to her gently. She thought it over for a second and replied, "No, I need to go. I need to," she choked out. I drove across the street and we both walked up to Apartment 3B. "What am I thinking," Aria sniffled, "I don't even have a key, and someone might have moved in." "I thought Ezra had kept the place all these years." "Oh, you're right. I forgot, but that still doesn't help the fact that we have no way of getting in without a key," she said with a huff and slid down the wall, wiping away tears. Think, Noel, think. Ezra had to have came by before them and knew Aria would come. Yes, I thought. "Look," I said while noticing a slight crack in the door, "It's open."
She stared intently at the door for about two minutes. "Aria, are you alright," I asked. "Yeah, yeah. Can you please wait out here? I'll yell if I need something, but I need to do this alone," she said trying to be brave. "Aria," I said while staring deep in her eyes until she cut me off, "No, I need to do this by myself," she repeated. "Okay, go ahead." She took a deep breath and walked into the apartment.
Aria's POV:
I walked into the apartment, already leaving tearstains on the floor. I saw the little kitchen, the living room, and the bed boards in the corner. A rush of memories came to me, all good and none bad. I thought of all the times we spent in this place. Whether it was eating take-out, or watching an old movie, or just holding each other close, enjoying the presence of one another. These memories were all shared here. It all started here. We started here. I noticed a little envelope placed upon the kitchen counter. It was addressed to Aria Fitz, so I took it out and read it….
My Aria,
I miss you my darling angel. I miss your gorgeous, shining
face that would always brighten my world. I miss your sweet
laugh, and the way it felt to hold you. I missed the way we used
to be, sweetheart. We used to be by each other's side, all day every
day. There wasn't a time we were apart, except when necessary. When
time stood still when we kissed, when I had you. You probably still think
I am hurt. You are right. I am hurt because you are not by my side anymore.
If I am right, you are most likely reading this by yourself, making Noel
Stand outside the apartment and wait for you. You probably insisted on
going in alone, like always. But baby, you don't have to do everything
alone. You don't have to be brave for everything, Aria. I know that
you hate to be helped, but you can't do everything yourself, that's why
I am here. To take some of that weight off your shoulders. But I can only do that if you let me. So please, my dearest wife, come back to me. I am at your
parents' place. I love you. Forever
And Always.
Your Husband Ezra
I guess I do need to change. I haven't realized it before, but I am so stupid. I dropped to the floor and Noel came by my side. He wrapped his arms around me and stroked my hair. That's weird, he has the same smell like Ezra, Aria thought to herself. And the same wedding band as him. Realization struck me in an instant. I lifted my head and stared straight into those piercing blue eyes. "Ezra," I said while burying my head into his chest, "I'm so sorry." "It's okay, now. Shh, it's all alright, I'm here," he whispered in her ear, stroking my back as I cried. I felt a few tears fall on my shirt, but I didn't care. I looked up again and pushed my lips on his, kissing him hard and deep. There was longing, regret, and love all at once, and then pure bliss.
Note: So, I hoped you liked it:) Sorry it took so long to update. I had some writers block and was working on my other story Last Kiss, which will also be updated soon. Thank you all so much for reviewing and please continue to do so. It means absolutely the world to me! Thank you guys for being amazing and awesome, because without you, I would have no inspiration. So again, thanks:)
P.S. The more reviews I get on both stories, the faster I'll update them, just throwing that out there;) Have a great week and Merry Christmas!
~Laura