Chapter 14:

Aria woke up sobbing. She had a nightmare that involved Ezra leaving her again. It hasn't happened in a while, and she began worrying. "Is this a sign," she whispered as a tear ran down her face. The dream was so vividly real, it scared her badly. She looked around the room, waiting to be comforted by Ezra, but he was nowhere to be seen. She couldn't help but think about the dream some more…

Aria's Dream, Her POV

"I don't love you anymore," Ezra simply stated, looking me deep into the eyes.

I felt a tear stream down my face, followed by another, then another. I didn't even bother to wipe them away. I gasped as I realized he didn't love me anymore. I felt my heart get torn from my chest, "Ezra, you can't leave me again. I don't know what I did to you, but I am sorry."

"It was nothing you did, Aria," Ezra answered, causing me to flinch. I didn't do anything to him, but he was still leaving me? That meant he really didn't care for me anymore.

"Then what is it? You just don't have any feelings for me at all anymore," I asked as a picture of Anna and Nathan crossed my mind, "You told me that we would be like Anna one day. Still happily in love and married."

"I did," Ezra nodded his head slowly, "But I didn't mean it literally. I hoped we would be like them. That's why I didn't promise. Sorry, Aria, but we are done. I am going to be needing that ring back."

More tears slid down my rosy red cheeks as I slipped the ring off of my finger. As it fell into his palm, part of me went with it. I was no longer whole, or complete. He left out the door and I sank to the floor, feeling broken and hurt…..

End of Aria's Dream, and Her POV

"Ezra," she choked out. "Ezra?" Aria hopped out of bed and went looking for him. She wiped the tears from her eyes, but they kept flowing. She walked into the living room, but he wasn't there either. "Did he really-.."

"Hello, sleepyhead," Ezra said wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"Ezra," Aria breathed out of relief. She twisted her body and gave him a big, passionate kiss. Ezra smiled into it and pulled out, "Wow. What was that for?"

"Promise me that you will never leave me again," Aria said ignoring his other question.

"I promise, Aria. What made you doubt my feelings for you," he asked confusedly.

"Nothing, I just-," she got cut off unexpectedly, causing her to jump into Ezra's arms.

"Welcome home, Aria," both Ella and Byron were standing with a little cardboard box that read "We missed you, Pookiebear!" Ezra smiled and loosened his grip on Aria.

Aria looked at them in disbelief and smiled with tears welling in her eyes for a whole different reason this time, "You guys are so cheesy and I love you." She ran up to her parents and embraced them tightly. Byron and Ella both kissed her on the head lovingly. "How did this happen? I thought you guys hated him."

"Well," Byron started, "It's all because of your guy here. And we did not hate him, I just didn't like the age."

"Ezra," Aria asked with a smile, "Can you explain please?"

"Well, alright," Ezra said.

Flashback

"Byron? Hold on, let me three-way with Ella, too," Ezra said nervously. He hadn't spoken to Byron or Ella since that night in the cabin. He quickly dialed Ella's number, and to his surprise, she answered. "Okay. Ella, Byron, we need to talk."

"Why should we talk to you," Byron asked bitterly.

"Byron," Ella quickly stepped in, "Let Ezra explain why he called us without interruptions." Byron huffed slightly.

"Anyway," Ezra continued, "I am not sorry for being engaged to Aria, but I am sorry that you don't like the idea. I know it is not the ideal relationship that you want for her, but you need to understand that I love her more than anything. She is my best friend and I would be willing to do anything for her. And from what I can tell, the feeling is mutual."

"Is there any other reason you called us here? You wouldn't just call us up for this, so what is it," Byron said a little kinder.

"I know that having Aria angry at you hurts," Ezra said knowingly, "I know this, and you know this. You and I also know that your family has never…has never been easygoing. I also know that she hates when you fight, and wishes for nothing more than to be a family again. So can you please come over? We are at Aria's apartment. Look, I can't stand to see her so homesick, and I have seen how much you both mean to her. So please? For her?"

"I am already in the car, Ezra," Ella said sweetly, "Thank you for this."

"No problem," Ezra said back before she hung up, "Byron, you haven't said a word for a while. Are you still there?" He then realized that Byron's number had ended the call. He leaned against the sofa and shut his eyes as the doorbell rang. Ezra got up and answered it, "Ell-, Byron?"

"Ezra," Byron said looking down.

"I thought you hung up and weren't coming over," Ezra said with a frown.

"I did hang up, because I realized that you do love her. I should be happy for her, even though I don't particularly like the ages, you are perfect for her. Thank you for calling us," Byron walked to him and awkwardly hugged him. Ezra turned pink and patted his back.

"Aria is still sleeping, but you are welcomed to stay here with me until she wakes up," Ezra suggested.

"Alright. Is Ella-," Byron got cut off by a sound outside the door.

"I'm here," Ella said barging in without knocking and giving Ezra another, big awkward hug. "Thank you."

"I just thought that we should all start acting like a family," Ezra said honestly.

"I couldn't agree more," Ella said nudging Byron in the ribs playfully.

End of Flashback

"Ezra? Did you really do all of this for me," Aria whispered.

"Aria, I love you. I knew they mean so much to you, and didn't want you to have to choose between your family and me," Ezra said looking her deep into her eyes.

"I love you so much," Aria said walking up to him and kissing him passionately.

"Byron, look at how happy she is," Ella whispered to Byron softly, "I have never seen her look this complete in her life."

"I know. I am so happy she found him," Byron smiled at the couple, who were now smiling at each other.

"Awe, there is a soft side to you after all," Ella playfully joked.

"Yeah, yeah," Byron said putting his arm around Ella's waist.

"Okay you two," Ella said with a smile plastered to her face, as Ezra and Aria turned their attention towards her, "Let's talk about the wedding."

Note: Since I hate Byron in the show, I wanted to make him a little bit more understanding in this story. –A day is coming up on March 19 guys! I have nothing else to say right now, so please review:)