Chapter 11:

"Thank you both for doing this for us," Aria smiled warmly at her little brother and his wife, Jennifer. "You have no idea how much we appreciate it."

Mike wrapped an arm around Jennifer, "No need to thank us. I would like to see my godchild, sister, and brother-in-law more often. Just like I am pretty sure you both miss me, Jenny, and Carson."

Aria nodded as she looked over to her two-year-old niece, "I do miss you guys. I'm sorry we haven't been visiting much lately. We've been, um, busy with things."

"It's fine," Jennifer shook her head softly, "Don't apologize. We could've gone over to your house, too, you know. Don't take all of the blame."

Mike glanced over to the clock and stood from his couch, "As much as I want to see you both, I am afraid if you don't leave soon, you will not check in on time. Aria, if you don't mind, though, I would like to talk to you alone for a minute."

"Okay," she nodded and kissed Ezra's cheek, "Wait for me in the car?" He nodded as Jennifer walked him out of the house. "What's wrong, Mike?"

The blonde ran one of his hands through his hair and sighed, "Aria, you know I love you to death, right?"

Aria frowned and walked up to her brother, wrapping her arms around his toned waist, "Yeah, of course I do."

"And you know that I never want you to get hurt," she pulled back, registering what he was hinting.

"You know, don't you," she asked, pulling away and folding her arms, "Mom told you, didn't she?"

Mike put his hands up in defense, "Don't get too upset, Aria. I knew something was up when you missed Jenny's birthday party. I knew Mom would know what was up, so I asked her why you didn't show."

"And she told you," the furious older child interrupted, "Did she tell Dad, too?"

"Would you let me finish," Mike intervened, "She didn't tell me right away. I had to beg her more than once to get it out of her. Look, I just want to know why you stayed with him. He hurt you and broke your trust."

"You don't think I know that," she said, tears springing to her eyes, "I know, and it kills me to think about it. However, I have to take some of the blame for driving him to it. Do you remember how I called you crying over one of our fights," Mike nodded as his sister continued, "That was the biggest one, and the one that caused him to cheat. He hates himself for it, and he regrets it every single day. He tells me all the time he is so sorry, and that he loves me."

Mike looked down, "I know, Aria. He should regret it. For the rest of his life, but you are also not going to forget it for the rest of your life. I know you know that. So, how can you stay with him?"

Aria thought for a moment, knowing her little brother was right. She sighed, about to give up, but then, one thought occurred to her, "I stay with him for all of the things he did right, and don't leave him for the one thing he did wrong." She held a soft gaze with her brother, before rewrapping her arms around him, "Mike, I love that man to death. I get where you are coming from, I do, but I love him too much to leave him, and I know he will never do that again."

Mike placed his head on top of Aria's and hugged her tighter, "I just don't want to see my big sister get hurt again. I love you so much."

"I love you, too," she glanced over at the clock and gasped, "Crap, I have to go. I'll see you later, Mikey!" With a quick kiss on the cheek, she bolted out the door and was soon on her way to her getaway weekend.


"Why are you so quiet all of a sudden," Ezra poked at her about fifteen minutes into the car ride, "Before we went over to your brother's, you were babbling like crazy and smiling like when you came home from watching 'Magic Mike'." Aria smiled at his statement as he looked over at her, "What gives?"

The dark haired girl looked over to her husband and shook her head, "Nothing." Ezra rolled his eyes at her, causing her to give a soft sigh. She leaned over the middle console and snuggled up to him, "It's nothing, baby. Can't we just leave it at that?" He reluctantly nodded as she kissed his cheek and placed her head in the crook of his neck.

"I just want you to know you can tell me anything that is on your mind," he said, kissing her head, "Are you having second thoughts about us?"

Aria pulled away and looked at him, "No. No, I don't." Ezra glanced over to her and then set his vision back on the road, "Ezra, you are my one and only. Mike knows. That was what he wanted to talk to me about. That is why I am so quiet."

Ezra's eyes went wide, "Damn, did your mother tell the whole family?"

"Darling," Aria placed a hand on Ezra's arm, "If my dad knew about this, you wouldn't be alive."

"I still can't say how sorry I am for that," a look of shame and disappointment came over his face.

"Hey, we are passed that," Aria breathed, but Ezra sighed and glanced over at her.

"Sweetheart, you and I both know that we won't get over this for the rest of our lives," he said softly, grabbing her hand, "I am just going to try and make up for it for the rest of my life."

The small brunette brought his hand up to her lips, kissing them softly, "Ezra, we are going to make it through this. Maybe our marriage isn't perfect, but it is pretty damn close to me. We love each other more than life itself. Can we just be together, you and me, and think about how much we are in love?"

Ezra turned to kiss her and nodded, "I'd really like that. I love you so much, Aria Fitz."

She snuggled back up against him and smiled, "I love you, too, Ezra Fitz."


A little before nightfall, the couple arrived at the hotel. They quickly checked into their room and brought their bags up to the fourth floor. Since the concert was the following night, the couple would have quality time for the night and the following day. Aria lay down on the bed, hanging her feet off the side and lifting her arms above her head. A few moments later, she felt Ezra climb on top of her, kissing down her neck softly. She sighed contentedly, leaning her head the opposite way to give Ezra more access to her neck. He continued and she felt all of her tenseness melt away. He moved his kisses up her arms, smiling as her eyes stayed shut.

He bit down on her wrist lightly, causing her to smile and wrap her arms around his neck, locking her eyes with his, "God, you are amazing."

He crashed his lips to hers passionately, his tongue dancing with hers. His hands travelled up her arms that were back above her head. The sensation sent chills down Aria's body. She wrapped her legs around his waist, making sure he didn't go anywhere any time soon.

He bit down on her earlobe softly and whispered, "You remember saying the words 'we will do this when we are alone', and I said 'I am holding you to that'?" Aria nodded, knowing where this was headed, "Well, I don't see anyone around but you and me."

"Well, what are you waiting for," she asked, closing the small gap between them once more. Aria felt his hands travel up and down her curves, outlining her body. Her hands traveled down his abdomen, tracing each and every muscle he had. His hands played with the hem of her shirt, lifting it up to reveal her flat stomach. Aria watched as he brought his lips to kiss the newly exposed skin. He looked up at her, seeing his reflection in her lust filled eyes. His eyes reflected the same emotions as she pulled his face back up to hers. Aria's hands roamed to the small of Ezra's back, lifting up the material there as her mouth explored his.

Soon, they were both topless, slowly slipping away from reality. However, they were brought back when Aria's cell phone rang. "No, don't get it," Ezra mumbled against her lips, "I am not allowing you."

"Well," Aria breathed against his, "It might be about our son."

Ezra sighed as she reached over to the bedside table. His lips continued to assault her neck as she answered the phone, "Hello?"

"Hey, sorry to bother you, but how many teaspoons of medicine is David supposed to take," Mike's voice rang throughout the speaker, "I'm so confused right now."

"One, I think," she breathed, but Ezra tickled her softly, causing her to giggle. She tried to muffle it by hitting him gently, but Mike already heard it.

"Oh my God, you guys are doing it, huh," Mike said in a grossed out voice. Before Aria could respond, he continued, "Shit, I am so sorry, sis. I feel so awkward now. I'll, um, let you two get back to…..whatever." The line went dead before Aria could say goodbye. She looked into Ezra's eyes with disbelief.

"What the hell," she giggled, "My brother now knows what we are doing."

"And why do I still not give a damn," he chuckled, moving back to her neck.

"You're right," she agreed after a moment, flipping them over and continuing from there.

Note: Wasn't much, but I have been so blocked and busy. I love all of you for waiting, though! My very patient readers are amazing! Thank you for all of the reviews! If you have any questions, suggestions, or anything you have to say, please feel free to message me. Thank you guys! Please review! :)

~Laura