Disclaimer: I don't own anyone but Clara.
Thank you to all my reviewers! Keep it up!
Read, Enjoy, and Review!
Recap:
"Hi Aria, sweetheart."
I was startled by the voice on the other, as I hadn't been expecting a woman's voice, but Ezra's.
"Hi Mom," I said into the receiver.
Chapter 20:
Aria POV:
"Where have you been," questioned Ella worriedly. "It's like you've fallen off the planet since graduation."
"No need to worry, Mom," I laughed. "It's been crazy moving into the apartment, and I got a job," I said proudly.
"A job," exclaimed my mother.
"Yes! It's at a very good school in an outer section of Midtown. I'm teaching a class of adorable kindergartners." I purposely left out the fact that one my students was Ezra's daughter.
"That's fantastic! I can't wait to tel your father," said Ella excitedly. "Give me a second," she said and I could hear her yell "Byron! Come here! Aria has some news!"
"Coming," I heard him yell. He was probably doing his late night tradition of reading the newspaper in the living room.
"Hey kiddo, whats the big news," I heard my father's voice say.
"Well, I got a job!"
"That's amazing! Knowing your mother, a surprise congratulation gift will be on it's way," he chuckled. "She's probably picked it out all ready. Listen, sweetheart, I've got to get back to grading papers. We'll talk another time, ok? I'll put Mom back on."
"Sounds good. Love you," I said.
"Love you too," I heard him say, and then I heard Ella's voice again.
"So, is the job all that's been keep you preoccupied," she asked suspiciously.
"Well," I said shyly. Was there even a rational way to explain to my mother that I met up with my old high school English teacher and we started dating.
I could picture it now."Oh hey Mom! There is a guy. Remember Ezra Fitz? Yeah, well he and I met up during the end of senior year and starting dating. And he has a five year old daughter that thinks I'm her mother!" That would go over well. I can just see her now, fainting on the ground and Dad flying out to the city just to knock some sense into Ezra.
"Who is he! Tell me everything," she demanded.
"Not right now, Mom. It's been going really well, I don't want to jinx it," I said. It was partly true. Things were going really well.
"Again with the secrets about guys! Remember the time when you accidentally sent me a text meant for a guy. I never found out who he was," I could practically hear her rolling her eyes.
What irony. If only she knew that the man destined to receive that message was the same man I was keeping a secret about. For now, at least.
"That was junior year Mom. It hardly counts anymore," I said, laughing. Hopefully, she wouldn't be able to detect my nervousness behind the laugh.
"Alright, if that's what you want," she said, almost wanting to linger on the subject.
"Hey, is Mike there," I asked. Mike was a senior in college at Hollis, and was, for some reason, always hanging out at the house.
"No, for once he's out with his friends," she joked.
"Oh, well when he gets in, tell him I say 'hi'," I said.
"No problem. One more question though, what would you think if Mike, your father, and I came for a visit. Just for a weekend," she added quickly.
"That would be great Mom. When were you thinking," I asked.
"Next weekend, maybe."
"It sounds perfect. Listen Mom, I've got to go. School day tomorrow," I joked. "Call me when you have everything planned out. Love you," I said hanging up quickly. I gave a silent laugh at my family's quirks. Thanks to all the torture A had put us through, our family grew stronger. Ella and Byron came out to Mike and I (well more to Mike) about their affair with each other. They even went to a few marriage counselling sessions just to get back on their feet. I smiled at the thought of my family, and drifted off to sleep.
I awoke the next morning, and quickly got ready. I dressed in a red and black print blouse, with dark jeans. I paired the outfit with black high heeled lace up booties, and long black feather earrings (all outfits on profile). I even had time before Spencer came to collect me, to sit down at read a little bit of the book Ezra bought me yesterday. How sweet was that? He bought me a book that he knew I really wanted.
I put down my book just in for Spencer to walk through the door.
"You ready," she said poking her head in.
"Yup," I said popping the "p". I quickly picked up my bag (while sliding "Something Borrowed" in their secretly) and we left for the school.
"Anything new with you and Ezra," Spencer asked as we walked to the school. I had decided earlier to keep Ezra seeing Audrey a secret. There was no use in making people all wound up, if it could end up to be nothing.
"Umm...he asked me to move in," I said making it sound more like a question. It was the only thing I could think about. It was hard me to contain my excitement over the fact.
"He what," Spencer asked in disbelief.
"He asked me to move in," I said a little firmer, and this time is sounded more like a statement.
"Awww! My little Aria is moving in with a guy," she teased. "How long do you think it would be before he proposes," she joked. I laughed, but suddenly took the topic seriously. Granted we had only been back together for a few weeks, but what if he was thinking about it? Maybe me moving in was just a step toward the "big question". I was instantly giddy at thought of Ezra proposing to me. I had it all pictured in my head. We were at an amateur poetry reading, and he got up to read his. Except, within his poem, he weaved in those four big words.
"Earth to Aria," said Spencer, who snapped me out of my daydream.
"Sorry. I was just thinking. So, anyways, how's Toby," I said changing the subject.
"He's great. He really likes Ezra. He couldn't stop raving about his Madden skills and speculating about their rematch this weekend," she laughed. "By the way, the other night, while I was over there, Noel was talking about you."
My heart jumped. "Was he talking crap about me again," I asked cautiously.
"No, actually, he was saying he felt like a huge asshole for lashing out like that and making you cry. He mentioned something to me about telling you what he said, so that you two could maybe get together and say you're sorry," she said quietly.
"Well, you can tell him no from me. There's isn't any chance for him to make it up to me," I said defiantly.
"Come on, Aria. He seemed sincere about it. Maybe it's good just to reconcile your differences and become friends."
I stopped immediately and whirled around to face Spencer.
"Reconcile our differences? There weren't any differences. He attacked me. You were there, Spence. Do you honestly think it's a good idea for me to meet back up with him, just for him to say sorry, when there's a strong chance that he could just lash out again," I asked, raising my voice.
"I'm sorry, Aria...I just...," stumbled Spencer.
"Save it," I said and charged my way angrily to the school alone. I needed some time to cool off.
I had finally relaxed once I got into my classroom. I felt bad about freaking on Spencer, but there was just so much whirring around my mind, that I couldn't help it. I really needed to get her something nice to say thanks for putting up with everything to bring over when I would say sorry later.
I was sitting at my desk, reading my book silently, when the door cracked open. I assumed it was just a fellow kindergarten teacher to give me some paperwork, so I called, "Come in," without looking up. I felt two hands cover my eyes and I velvety voice whispered in my ear, "Guess who?"
"Let's see," I said laughing, fully aware of who it actually was. "Ryan Reynolds," I asked turning to face the owner of the set of hands covering my face.
"Wrong! Good morning," said Ezra giving me a kiss. He was wearing one of his signature vests with a red tie and a light blue button down. I honestly think he is the only man on the face of the universe that could possibly pull that off and look gorgeous while doing it. (we all know it's true. no one else could ever look so good in a vest and tie like ezra ;) )
"Good morning," I whispered against his lips, and twining my hands in his slightly slicked back hair, pulling his closer. Then I realized; where was my little ball of energy?
I pulled away and he ran his thumbs across my cheekbones. "Where's Clara," I asked. Ezra's arms tightened around my waist, and he spoke low, and so close to my lips that I could feel the tingle of his breath.
"Outside with Marie. Violette was waiting with her only the playground and offered to take Clara for me."
"Does she know why you entered the school without Clara," I asked.
"Yes. I told her I wanted some alone time with my wife since she left so early this morning to get ready for Marie and Clara's class," he said smiling. "Even Clara said to Marie 'Miss Montgomery is my mommy. Daddy is going to see her while I play with you'," he finished laughing, which got me giggling along with him.
"What was her reaction to that?"
"They both seemed cool with it. No issue at all with the fact, actually," he said, continuing to smile.
"Looks like we've got the head of the kindergarten PTO to like us then," I joked. Ezra pulled me closer to plant another one of his kisses, that even now had the ability to take my breath away.
"So," he said once we pulled away. "I can't wait to get you moved in. What do you say about this weekend?"
"Could it wait until two weeks from next Saturday. The whole Montgomery clan from Rosewood is coming for a visit next weekend."
"Oh," said Ezra, who's face dropped slightly. He was obviously excited to have me move in right away.
"Anyway," I said pulling myself back close to his body. "How do we think we should break our relationship and Clara to them, once the arrive?"
"We'll figure it out tonight. My family wants you to come over for dinner along with Clara and myself. Clara has told Vera a lot about you over the phone," he said winking. "Maybe you could stay over my place afterward, it could be late," he said in a seductive tone.
"I just may have to take you up on that offer, Mr. Fitz," I said leaning in to kiss him again. I looked at the clock and it was 10 minutes until class started. "Ezra," I said as I pulled away.
"Mhmm," he said preoccupied while his nose skimmed over my cheekbone.
"Class starts soon. As much as I love kissing you, you have to go. We always have tonight," I said winking.
"Goodbye, love," he said giving me a kiss. "Love you," he said leaving through the door.
"Love you too," I called.
I love writing Aria and Ezra fluff. It's my favorite :D They're just too cute together, don't you think!
Next up is dinner with the Fitz's! Thank you to HarryLovesGinny09 for mentioning about having Violette and Marie find out that Aria is Clara's mother!
Thank you to all my amazing reviewers! I love opening up my email to see new reviews! If you're out there reading, don't be shy! I'd love to hear what you have to say!
love always,
.soprano.