THANK YOU KIND REVIEWERS for reviewing chapter 19! :) Each and every one of you; you make me smile!
"My God, you're perfect," she said as she leaned forward and kiss him, before curling into his arms as the book fell next to them on the bed. Aria ran her fingers through his hair as he supported her with one arm around her waist; his hand of the other arm was delicately under her chin, his thumb delicately stroking her cheek. "So," Aria said breaking away in a haze; "I bought you a book too, which you will love; but can we just keep doing this?" Aria asked as Ezra nodded with a soft smile, without hesitation, as he softly brushed her lips with his, before kissing her deeply. They fell back on the bed, as their hands started running down each other's torsos again; leading them back to a world that was only their own.
The days following Christmas consisted of Aria helping Ella at her physical therapy session and sneaking away from Byron to 'visit Ella/ spend the night with Ella', but instead spending endless hours and many nights with Ezra at his apartment. Ella was having a difficult time with the exercises, but that was to be expected due to her injuries; she, Aria and the doctors knew it was going to be a long process, but one worth it ultimately.
Ezra and Aria's life was developing more and more like the fairy tale every day. They had stayed in bed this morning, doona rumpled around them as they snuggled in toward each other, reading peacefully. Occasionally, Ezra would lift his eyes from his book and brush a small amount of hair on Aria's head before kissing it softly, then returning to his book. Aria in turn would occasionally lay small kisses on his cheek, or neck, or arms in between her reading; both of them perfectly happy and content.
Tomorrow was New Year's Eve; plans had been made by Ezra and Aria to go back to the rooftop of the apartment building where there was going to be a party held by the residents. The clear windows of the rooftop area overlooked miles beyond and were bound to bring them the delights of fireworks from somewhere nearby; or at very least, a beautiful starry and snowy night's sky.
Aria looked up from her book at Ezra, whose complete attention was in the passage he was reading. Aria lifted herself up from his side and put her face between his face and the book he was reading; kissing his lips tenderly before he knew what was even happening. He quickly registered though, and the hand of his that wasn't holding the book went to run fingers through her hairs as their kiss grew more passionate. He put the book beside him and supported her back as she sat on his lap; their hands clasping each other's faces briefly before continuing to kiss each other.
"Are you sure you have to go?" Ezra asked sadly as he stood near the door in just his pyjama bottoms, watching Aria swing her handbag over her shoulder ready to go.
Aria gave a flat smile with sad eyes, "Byron's expecting me. He'll come looking for me if I'm not on time. I don't want him to become suspicious. I'm sorry though," she said as she placed a hand on Ezra's arm and kissed his lips softly before she left.
"I'll be back again tomorrow," she said as she turned to open the door. As she did, Ezra sharply pushed the door shut and pushed her against the door with a slight element of force, kissing her lips as her hands went to his cheeks. They stayed there for a few minutes, smiling and giggling between kisses before Aria finally turned to open the door, "bye" she said with a soft smile, as Ezra gently closed the door behind her. He smiled to himself sadly as he went and sat on his leather couch then put his legs up. He wanted so desperately to have her stay. He hoped that soon she could move in with him; life was perfect when she was with him.
"How was Ella?" Byron asked as Aria got back to Ella's. Aria quickly looked at Mike whose face was distraught, before she turned to Byron.
"She's doing better," Aria responded as she walked toward her bedroom and dumped her handbag and jacket on her desk. She heard footsteps immediately behind her and she turned around confused.
"So, she looked good when you saw her?" Byron asked inquisitively.
"Yeah, she did. Why?" Aria asked in an accusing scowl.
"Well it's just, I borrowed Mike's camera, you know, to take a few shots…"
Aria's world immediately went spinning. She knew what was on that camera; the photo of her, Mike, Ella and Ezra at the hospital on Christmas day.
"… Have you been seeing him this whole time, Aria?"
Aria didn't know how to respond, which prompted Byron's voice to grow considerably louder very quickly.
"EZRA, ARIA? HAVE YOU BEEN SEEING HIM THIS WHOLE TIME? OH MY… IS THAT WHO IS THE FATHER?" Byron asked disgusted as Aria looked down, cheeks burning red with no way to escape this conversation.
"Byron, uhh…" Mike began, before he was promptly stopped.
"Forget it, Mike. I know you were in on this too, and I'm deeply disappointed in you," Byron said quieter, more pained.
"WHY?" Mike screamed. "They're not doing anything wrong; they're just two people in love, what's wrong with that?" Mike dared to ask.
"IT'S WRONG BECAUSE I HAD FORBIDDEN IT!" Byron screamed at his son as Aria finally started to cry now the initial shock had worn off.
Mike ran in and put his arm around Aria to console her as she continued to cry, before facing Byron again.
"She's pregnant, you idiot. Stop causing her such stress," Mike tried to reason.
"Don't you DARE speak to me that way. And yes, we all know, she's pregnant, WITH EZRA'S CHILD," Byron spat before he walked toward the door a few steps, before turning back.
"I meant what I said; you go against my wishes, and I'm sending you to boarding school."
"WHAT?" Aria and Mike simultaneously responded.
"You heard me. Though now, being pregnant; that's probably less possible. That's fine, you and me, we're moving to Iceland. Mike can stay here by himself until Ella is out. You and me, Aria; we leave New Year's day," Byron said as he stormed out of the room.
Aria fell to the floor as Mike rushed down to see if she was okay. Mike looked at her face and knew immediately that she wasn't okay; she was broken. Her eyes were fixed on something in the distance; unmoving and unblinking as Mike tried to coax her out of her state.
"Aria, forget everything he just said. You have just over 24 hours. Go and be with Ezra. I'll do my best to help you work something out later, but for right now, don't waste any time," he said as he pulled her up to her feet, gave her a quick hug and guided her to the front door. Mike's arm stayed around Aria as to protect her from Byron, who was on the lounge room couch, glaring at them both as they walked towards the front door.
"Where do you think you're going?" Byron asked, as both Mike and Aria left without a word.
Aria pulled up next to the hospital to drop Mike off to tell Ella what was going on.
"Aria," Mike said as he stood outside the car, peering into the open window.
"Yeah," Aria said, still crying slightly.
"I'm going to tell Ella everything; see if she can stop what Byron is planning. She has a say in this too. Whether or not she is fit to physically protest against Byron is another story. Take care, Aria. Enjoy this time with Ezra," Mike said as he tapped the window ledge as he walked away and Aria let out a sob, before putting the car into reverse and driving straight to Ezra's.
Aria knocked slowly once and stood there waiting, blank, and expressionless. As soon as Ezra opened the door her saw her crumpled and immediately put his arms around her, without saying a word. Her arms slowly rose to grab his sides as his grip around her tightened, kissing her hair repeatedly, before bringing his lips to her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, then her lips.
Their kiss was hungry, feverish as Aria saw the last opportunities to be with him for she had no idea how long. Ezra didn't know what was happening yet, but Aria knew he had an idea of what was wrong, as their kiss continued at this pace, before he walked backwards, bringing Aria with him into his apartment as he flicked the door closed with his hand.
They felt the couch hit behind Ezra's legs before Aria jumped up onto him and wrapped her legs around his waist. He leaned against the couch as he supported her, her hands resting on his shoulders before her fingertips went to his face before she kissed him again.
"I'm being sent away. Byron found out," Aria said as her eyes started to tear again, Ezra's immediately following as he shook his head slowly as she talked, "Iceland, Ezra. I'm being sent away January 1st. I don't know what we're going to do," she said as she cried into his neck, her legs tightening around him like a koala bear as he pulled her in closer too.
"Ella can't be okay with this," Ezra said, trying to register exactly what this meant for them; for their relationship; their family.
"I'm sure she's not; but how can she stop him? She's bedridden right now."
There was silence between them as Ezra brought one of his hands from behind her thighs and placed it on her stomach.
"What's going to happen?" Ezra cried as his bottom lip trembled, now having completely grasped what Aria had said. "I can't live without you," Ezra said as he pressed his lips to her forehead as Aria started crying again, before Ezra put his lips back on hers softly for a tender kiss.
"I will find you," Ezra said truthfully, as Aria's hands came down to his chest.
"You better," Aria said with a soft chuckle. "I'll be living with Byron when I'm in Iceland, but something has to work for us; for all of us," Aria said as she placed her hand on Ezra's that was still on her stomach.
They slowly stripped of some of their layers so they were more comfortable, before they both crawled into bed; Ezra on his side, Aria on hers. They doona softly came up to cover them as they embraced in the centre of the bed; Ezra tucked the doona firmly around Aria to make sure she wasn't cold. As he did that, Aria smiled softly with a broken smile as Ezra's face came to be level with hers.
They stared into each other's eyes, silent. They stayed there for a few hours. Neither knew what to say, how to reassure or comfort; both were devastated and just wanted to crack, but stayed strong for the other.
Then suddenly, Aria slowly pushed her lips to Ezra's as his hands came to cradle her head. Soon, the doona was over them completely and their clothes were being thrown out from under the covers. Both were trying desperately to be like this forever; remember every moment; uncertain of their future, to no fault of their own.
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Ella boomed at Mike, who just stood there; the traumatised messenger.
"Can you stop this? He's taking her on the 1st. I don't know if we can do anything," Mike said honestly as he quickly wiped a tear from his cheek.
"She's my child too; I have rights. I may not be able to get out of this bed, but I'll find a way Mike," Ella said as she pushed herself up a little, yelping slightly as she remembered the amount of pain she was in as Mike edged suddenly towards her to try and help.
Ella reached for the phone and dialled her apartment.
"Byron, don't you DARE take her out of this country; do you understand me?"
PLEASE REVIEW! It doesn't take long, and I really appreciate it when people take the few moments required to do so! What do you think will happen? ~St0ryTeller :) xx