Aria's POV
Gregory and I lay in bed together while we wait for Ezra to finish making our breakfast. Knowing Ezra, he'll probably mess up a couple of batches before he finishes. That's why I'm surprised when I hear his footsteps coming from the long hallway.
"Done already?" I ask Ezra as he enters the room.
"Not quite, but why don't you get dressed and come downstairs?" Ezra suggests.
Get dressed? Since when do I have to get dressed to walk downstairs? Ezra and I used to spend entire days in our pajamas. Sometimes we spent entire days in no clothes at all...
"Do I really need to get dressed? I'm comfortable in my night-gown." I say with a pout.
"And it looks lovely on you, but it's time to get dressed Aria." Ezra says with sternness in his voice.
"Why?" I ask as I try to contain my frustration.
"Because there is a surprise waiting for you in the living room, and I think you'll enjoy it more if you're dressed." Ezra says with a chuckle.
Gregory pipes up, and a look of excitement washes over his face.
"Surprise? Did you get us more presents Daddy?" Gregory asks him hopefully.
"Not exactly presents, but I know your Mommy will love it." Ezra says as he offers me a small smile.
Now my curiously has heightened. What could Ezra be so excited to show me?
"Gregory, go downstairs with Daddy while I get dressed." I instruct.
My son nods before grabbing his father's hand, and walking into the hallway with him.
I make my way into my closet, and look through my endless stacks of clothes. Before my abduction, I used to go shopping with Hanna almost every Friday. I'd always spend way to much money, but Ezra never said anything about it. He'd limit his own spending so I could afford to buy new clothes, even though I didn't really need them. But now as I'm standing in my closet, I'm thrilled that I have plenty of outfits to choose from. I need to find something that screams "old Aria" so I can convince Ezra, and myself that I really haven't changed that much.
After much deliberation, I finally decide on a cute and casual bohemian dress that falls a few inches above my knee. I put on the dress, and stare at myself in the mirror. I look good, really good. But this dress shows a lot of skin...
I think of all the times Nick ran his hands up and down my legs, and I shutter involuntarily. Do I really want Ezra to see that much of me? I'm being ridiculous! Ezra loves me no matter what. He even told me so himself. So why do I want to puke every time I look at myself in the mirror?
I sigh before taking the dress off, and looking through more piles of clothes. Finally, I decide on a pair of sweatpants and one of Ezra's old Hollis sweatshirts. I guess you could say I look cute in this. Maybe in a tired mom kind of way.
After I brush my teeth and comb my long hair, I make my way into the hallway. I walk downstairs, and gasp when I see my parents and Mike sitting on the living room couch. I haven't seen Mike yet, and I can't wait to give him a hug.
"Mikey!" I exclaim as I rush over to my baby brother.
"Aria!" Mike says as he springs to his feet and wraps his arms around me lovingly.
We stay tangled in each other's embrace for a minute, and it doesn't take long for me to realize that Mike is crying hysterically. I let out a breathy sigh, before kissing Mike's forehead and rubbing his back gently.
"Don't cry baby. I'm here now." I whisper to him.
"Oh Aria... I've been a mess. I thought about you everyday while you were gone, and I didn't think I'd ever see you again. It kills me to know that someone hurt you and your son for so long." Mike says through his tears.
"I know, but we're both safe now. I missed you too." I tell my younger brother truthfully.
"As soon as Ezra called to tell me you were safe, I got on the quickest flight to Rosewood. I went to visit you at the hospital, but the doctors didn't think it was a good idea for you and Gregory to see anyone other than Mom, Dad, and Ezra. But since you're home now, I thought it was the perfect time to pay you a visit." Mike tells me softly.
"It is. But I think this visit is long overdue." I say before kissing Mike's forehead for the second time.
"We tried to get the doctors to let him visit, but they were all so stubborn." My mom says with a heavy sigh.
I chuckle before making my way to the couch, and taking a seat between my mom and dad. It's nice to see my entire family together again, and Ezra was right about me liking this surprise.
"Mike, have you met my son Gregory yet? I'm sure you'll love him." I say with a proud smile.
"Ezra brought him down to meet me, but he started to cry as soon as he caught sight of me. You don't think I did anything wrong, do you?" Mike asks me nervously.
"Of course not! Gregory is still adjusting, and he isn't used to meeting new people." I say as I rest a hand over Mike's shoulder.
"Yeah, the first time your mother and I saw him, the boy nearly had a panic attack." My father tells Mike.
"Poor kid." Mike says with a heavy sigh.
"Do you know where he is? I'm sure Gregory will want to get to know you better after I have a talk with him." I tell Mike.
"Ezra took him into the kitchen." Mike informs me.
I nod, before springing to my feet and walking to the kitchen. As soon as I enter the room, I see Ezra trying to consul a hysterical Gregory.
"Buddy, Uncle Mike is nicest guy on the planet. I promise you'll love him." I hear Ezra tell our son.
"I-I w-want M-Mommy." Gregory says through his heavy sobs.
"I'm right here baby." I say, causing both Ezra and Gregory to turn around.
Gregory responds by pushing Ezra away, and running into my arms. I hold Gregory so close to me, that I can feel his little heart beating rapidly underneath his shirt. My poor baby is so scared and upset, and it kills me on the inside.
"Ezra, why don't you go catch up with Mike while I deal with Gregory." I say as my eyes dart over to my husband.
Ezra frowns, and I can tell he wants to stay with Gregory. However, I know that I'm the only person who can calm him down when he's this upset.
"I can help..." Ezra starts to say.
"Ezra, please just go." I say with sternness in my voice.
A look of hurt washes over Ezra's face, and I immediately regret snapping at him.
"Ezra..." I start to say.
"Call me if you need anything." Ezra mutters before storming out of the room.
I'm so grateful to have Ezra in my life, but sometimes it's easier to deal with Gregory on my own. That's the way I've done it for five years, and Ezra doesn't seem to understand that. Aria stop. Right now you need to focus on Gregory, not Ezra.
"Baby, tell me why you're so upset." I say as I stroke Gregory's dark curls.
"I-I w-w-walked downstairs w-with Daddy, and a s-stranger was i-in o-o-o-our house." Gregory somehow manages to spit out.
I sigh before kissing Gregory's forehead softly, and rubbing soft circles around his back. Why did Ezra think it was okay to introduce him to Mike without me? The five year-old isn't used to meeting new people, and if he meets someone while I'm not with him, Gregory throws a fit. God, what was my husband thinking? Now it's going to take Gregory even longer to adjust to Mike.
"Honey, that man isn't a stranger. He's my baby brother." I tell Gregory softly.
"He didn't look like a baby to me." Gregory says through his tears.
Despite all the stress I'm feeling, my son's words cause me to smile. He takes everything so literally, and sometimes it's hard to get through to the boy.
"He isn't a baby to you, but he's a baby to me." I say with a chuckle.
"Why? He's even taller than Daddy." Gregory says with a shutter.
"I know, but growing up I always had to take care of Mike. He is my younger brother, so I'm always going to see him as a baby." I explain to my son.
"B-but I don't trust him. What if he hurts you Mommy? Or kidnaps you like Nick did?" Gregory asks as he stares into my hazel eyes.
So Gregory is worried that Mike will hurt me. Does he worry about me every time a man comes near me?
"Gregory, listen to me. Mike is a great guy; just like your daddy. I promise he'd never do anything to harm me in any way." I tell Gregory seriously.
"Are you sure?" Gregory asks as his voice softens.
"I'm one hundred percent sure! And just so you know, I'd never let anyone dangerous near either of us." I say as I ruffle Gregory's curls.
"But Nick was near us all the time, and you couldn't do anything to make him go away." Gregory says as his voice cracks in despair.
My heart sinks in my chest when Gregory says this. He must feel as helpless as I do, and I don't know how to help either one of us. I wish I were a better mother, so I can help my son realize that he's safe now.
"Baby, that chapter in our life is over now. Nick is in jail, and no one else wants to hurt us." I say, trying to convince him and myself.
"How do you know?" Gregory asks me skeptically.
"Because I just know! Do you trust me Gregory?" I ask him softly.
Gregory nods his head slowly. I respond by pulling my son even closer to me, and kissing his forehead repeatedly.
"I know you're scared, but it would make Mommy very happy if you'd give my brother Mike a chance." I say as I stare into Gregory's blue eyes.
"Will you stay with me?" Gregory asks with a sniffle.
"Of course! I won't leave your side." I assure him.
Gregory thinks about it for a minute, before giving me a small nod.
"That's my brave boy." I say before lifting Gregory up, and carrying him into the living room.
As soon as we enter the living room, Gregory buries his face in my chest. He's shaking so much, that for a minute I feel like I might drop him.
"Hey Gregory. I'm your Uncle Mike." My younger brother says as he stands to greet us.
Gregory doesn't move from his place. He keeps his face hidden, and he shakes violently.
"Gregory, can you say hello to your uncle?" I ask my son softly.
"H-hello." Gregory mutters.
Obviously Gregory isn't ready to open up to my brother, and I don't want to push him to hard. I take a seat on the couch, and Gregory remains hidden in my arms.
"Gregory, your grandmother told me that you have beautiful eyes." Mike says suddenly.
Gregory doesn't say anything, but for a minute he stops shaking. Where is Mike going with this? I have no idea, but I'll play along.
"He does! Gregory's eyes are so blue, that you could mistake them for the ocean." I say as I look down at my son.
"So he looks like Ezra?" Mike asks me curiously.
"Just like Ezra! He has his daddy's thick curls too." I say with a slight smile.
"I think he looks like Aria. He has her nose." Ezra says as he takes a seat next to Mike.
"Wow! Aria has a lovely nose, and you have nice eyes. I bet your son is a handsome young man Ezra." Mike says with a chuckle.
I love talking about Gregory, so I quickly speak up.
"He's more than just a pretty face Mike. Gregory is extremely smart for his age. He's only five, and he reads at a fifth grade level!" I exclaim.
"That's crazy." Mike says as his eyes grow wide with shock.
"He's also my little protector. Gregory saved me from Nick the night he tried to kill me, and he's always looking out for me." I tell my brother truthfully.
"Hold on! Gregory is a super model, a super genius, and a super hero? Someone that amazing couldn't possibly exist. I think you're making this person up Aria." Mike says with a playful smile.
"No she isn't! I'm right here!" Gregory mutters not my chest.
"I don't know if that's a real person, since I can't see his face. Maybe he's a puppet, and Aria mastered the art of ventriloquism." Mike says as he tries to contain his laughter.
"No! Mommy isn't a ventriloquist! I'm a real person!" Gregory shouts.
I think Mike is frustrating Gregory, but I don't want to call him out on it. Maybe my brother actually knows what he's doing.
"I'm going to need more proof than that. I'm going to have to see your face before I believe that you're a real person." Mike says as his voice softens ever so slightly.
Gregory responds by turning around to face Mike. Gregory wipes the smile right off Mike's face, and soon tears are pouring out of my brother's eyes.
"Aria, he's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Mike says through his tears.
"Isn't he?" I ask as tears begin to form in my eyes.
"Why is everyone crying? I'm confused." Gregory says with a frown.
"I'm crying because I'm so happy that I've finally met my perfect little nephew." Mike says with a sniffle.
"Mike, why don't you give Gregory his present?" My father suggests.
"Present?" Gregory asks as his little face lights up.
"Yeah, before I came here I decided to stop by the toy store. I've missed five birthdays, so I had to make up for that somehow." Mike says as he reaches behind the chair and pulls out a plastic baseball bat, a glove, and several plastic balls.
Gregory stares at the objects with a confused expression on his face. I don't think he's ever seen a baseball game, so he probably doesn't know what to do with his gifts.
"T-thank you." Gregory says as he forces a smile.
"Do you know what those things are Gregory?" I ask him amused.
"I know what the balls are." Gregory says after thinking about it for a minute.
"Buddy, you don't know what a baseball bat or a baseball glove is?" Ezra asks as his eyes grow wide with shock.
"What's baseball?" Gregory asks his father curiously.
All of the men in the room gasp, and their eyes all dart over to me.
"You never taught him about baseball?" My father asks me.
"No." I say as I shake my head.
The men stare at me like I committed a crime punishable by death. What is it about men and their sports?
"Sorry guys, but teaching my son about baseball wasn't one of my top priorities at the time." I say as I roll my eyes in annoyance.
"We need to fix this mistake!" Mike exclaims.
"I agree! Gregory, why don't you come outside with us, and we'll teach you all about baseball." Ezra suggests.
A smile quickly forms on Gregory's face, but it turns into a frown when he glances back at me. I can tell he wants to play baseball with the boys, but at the same time, he doesn't want to leave my side.
"Gregory, go have fun! Grandma and I will sit in here and watch you boys." I tell him softly.
Gregory nods his head slowly, before grabbing Mike's hand and walking to the backyard. Byron and Ezra follow, leaving me alone with my mother.
"You okay Aria?" My mother asks me softly.
"He's just growing up so fast." I say as tears begin to stream down my face.
"I know the feeling. Just remember not to blink. One minute you're breast-feeding them, and the next minute they're dating their English teachers." My mom says in a humorous tone.
I laugh a little, as I watch Ezra pitch a ball to Gregory.
"He's such a good daddy." I mutter as I watch my husband and son.
"He is. I'm glad you have Ezra in your life baby." My mom says as she wraps her arms around me, and pulls me close to her.
"I'm also glad that I have you. Thanks for visiting me today." I say as I rest my head on my mom's shoulder.
"Don't thank me yet sweetheart. I'm going to be coming by here to check on you everyday from now on, and you'll probably get sick of me pretty quickly." My mom says with a small laugh.
"I could never get sick of you Mommy. Especially after not seeing you for five years!" I exclaim.
"I'm here now baby girl. I'll always be right here." My mom says before kissing my forehead softly.
"You have no idea how much that means to me." I say as more tears begin to form in my eyes.
Before my mom can respond, the doorbell begins to ring. Who could that be?
What did you think? Who is at the door? What was your favorite part of the chapter? Is everyone still enjoying this story? I feel like not a lot of people are reading it. If there is anything you think I could do better, please write it in your review. Thanks for reading, and I hope you liked this chapter :)