Four and Twenty: Chapter 20
Disclaimer: If we ever meet again…Pretty Little Liars will be mine. Yeah, not going to happen. But one can always hope, right? I own nothing…not kidding you. My car doesn't even belong to me. Pretty Little Liars and its characters belong to Sara Shepard and ABC Family respectively.
You guys should all give a special thanks to .soprano. without her, this fanfic wouldn't be possible.
March 2018: She Is Love by Parachute
Loving someone is a funny thing. Sometimes it's wonderful, so easy to let the feeling take over and consume everything. It's like the richest dark chocolate—smooth, sweet, and endorphin inducing. Other times, it's complex, and can even be more confusing than life itself, and extremely sour like a Warhead (think apple or blue raspberry) rather than a sweet chunk of chocolate. It's tart and painful when it's not consumed carefully. And when the sour is gone and only the sugary core remains, it's an unsatisfying taste—bland and even slightly unpleasant.
Aria Montgomery was a chocoholic; she couldn't get enough of the dark stuff. But as the romance of February faded into the temperamental days of March, she found herself wondering if perhaps she should switch to something a little more bitter. Her love life, as it stood at the moment, was like the core of the Warhead—unfulfilling and oddly painful.
Or, as she thought about it, maybe it wasn't even like a piece of candy. Maybe it didn't exist anymore at all. It certainly wouldn't be a stretch to say that her relationship with Ezra was rather lifeless. They rarely saw each other, and when they did, it was usually in passing. His book, which she'd first viewed as the greatest of blessings, quickly became a burden. She'd trade all the bestselling novels in the world to have her boyfriend back—even if it were only for a few brief moments.
Ezra's days grew with the time change. Apparently, a few extra hours of sunlight meant a few extra hours of writing and book signing and lecturing. He'd even quit teaching to work on his next book. And as Ezra drifted farther from home, bonding more with his publishing agent and editor than Aria, she too began to stray from the sanctuary of their little apartment. She took on more of a work load, both writing, and editing for the New Yorker. The way she figured it, there was no sense in sitting alone at home—for the apartment was truly just an empty collection of rooms without someone to really share the space with.
It was close to midnight when she finally got home on Friday, March 12th. The lights were off in the apartment, and with a sad sigh, she stepped out of her stilettos and set her purse on the counter. By all appearances, Ezra wasn't home yet. He'd flown out to Chicago three days prior. There'd been one phone call yesterday, and then nothing. She couldn't blame him for lack of communication—he was busy—or at least that's what she kept telling herself.
Aria didn't bother with dinner or with a shower or with turning on any lights, she just stripped out of her pencil skirt and silk blouse and flopped down on the bed.
"Oof."
Her eyes widened in surprise as her head collided with something hard. Last time she'd checked, her pillow wasn't made of bricks, and it definitely didn't talk. "Ezra?" She couldn't keep excitement out of her voice. Having him home, in their bed, and at the same time was better than any Christmas gift, and that's how she felt—like a child on Christmas morning. "You're back!" Aria slid a hand up his chest, feeling in the dark for his face. She cupped his cheek and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "I missed you."
He chuckled and pulled her closer, his lips brushing against hers as he spoke. "I missed you, too. I thought you'd be home earlier though. You're phone wasn't on when I called."
"Sorry, it died this afternoon…forgot to charge it." She pressed herself against him, her hands trailing over his upper torso just to prove that he was actually there with her, that he wasn't some figment of her imagination like he'd been every other night for the past week. "How was Chicago?"
"Windy and rainy and cold. Of course, the weather isn't much better here."
She laughed and lay back on the pillows. "When did you get back?"
"About four. I switched to an earlier flight, thinking I'd get to see you sooner. Did something happen at work?"
Aria shook her head. "No, I just don't like being here alone. Figured I'd get ahead and kill sometime. I didn't think you'd be home until tomorrow morning." She sighed happily and drew his arms around her. "Are you home for awhile now?"
Even as she asked the question, she knew what the answer would be—it was always the same. No, he'd whisper, I've got to leave tomorrow or the day after. I'm sorry. Aria had always been a big believer in forgiveness, in the power of sorry, but as it became a common phrase in the Fitz-Montgomery household, she began to accept it less and less. She understood he was sorry, of course, but those two words never made up for his absence. Nothing could.
"No." He kissed her shoulder and edged her bra strap down just the tiniest bit. "I've got another signing in Savannah."
"Oh." She always tried to keep the sorrow out of her voice, but he knew. He always knew.
"I was actually thinking you could come with me this time. Take a few days off, drive down with me."
She turned in his arms, her eyes seeking his in vain. "I don't know. There's work and…"
"But you're ahead of schedule on your articles. You always are. Think about it, it'll be like a mini-vacation. You and me and some warm southern sunshine…" As he spoke, his hands drifted lower, ghosting lightly over the waistband of her panties.
"And dozens of fans."
He sighed and flipped over onto his back. "That's only one afternoon, Aria. The rest of the time it'll be just the two of us. Will you at least consider it? I never get to see you anymore."
"Yeah, and whose fault is that?" Her voice was bitter and regret pooled low in her stomach. She didn't want to pick a fight. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. I'll call in tomorrow and ask, alright?" Aria settled her palm just above his bellybutton, her head settling on his shoulder.
"No, you're right. But there's only a few more of these things to do, and then I'll be home for good, scout's honor."
She laughed. "Scout's honor?"
"Fine." He rolled them over so that he hovered above her, one arm supporting his wait and the other held her tightly against him. "My lady, I vow, promise, and swear upon my life to never leave you again after the last book signing. For parting is such sweet sorrow."
She grinned and arched up to kiss him. "I love you, you know that? Only you would turn something serious into a chance to show off your vast knowledge of Shakespearean quotes."
"Mhmm, maybe. But alas, I love you, too, fair maiden."
Aria rolled her eyes and laced her hands behind his neck, tugging him closer to her. "Oh Romeo?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
Ezra laughed and pecked her lips softly. "Gladly, Juliet, gladly." He dipped his head down to meet her mouth, and those were the last words exchanged for a good while.
…ooo00ooo…
Savannah in the springtime was a beauty to behold. It was pleasantly sunny, a warm seventy degrees, and exactly what Aria needed to get herself out of the depressing funk she'd been in for the past month. The drive down had been relatively uneventful, but incredibly gratifying. It'd taken two days to complete the journey. She'd traversed the low rolling hills of Virginia, the flat, never ending, pine tree lined highways of North Carolina, crossed right across the heart of South Carolina, and dipped happily into the low country of coastal Georgia.
Best of all, Ezra had been with her the entire time. They'd shared childhood memories, root beer floats, slices of toothache inducing pecan pie, and several, several kisses. There'd been no phone calls from editors to interrupt them, no emails from anxious publishers. No anything for two days straight. It'd been relaxing and blissful and everything Aria had hoped it'd be.
But the drive down was just the start. When they'd arrived Sunday evening; road weary, bone tired, and starving, they checked into a little hotel on Ellis Square. Together, they'd changed into pajamas and collapsed onto the bed, both of them too exhausted to even contemplate ordering dinner.
…ooo00ooo…
Monday morning was bittersweet. Ezra had the book signing at noon, and there was just enough time for a quick breakfast and stroll around the square before he had to leave. Aria had given herself a pep talk in the shower, something along the lines of I will not cry. It's only a few hours. Suck it up, Montgomery. You're a big girl-motivating, but not quite enough to prevent the ache of sadness from washing over her as she watched him drive away.
Still, Savannah offered enough to distract her for days, much less the short period of time she had before he returned. Camera in hand, she set out alone. Though she had a map, she preferred to let her feet guide her—or rather her eyes. She'd snapped so many pictures by the time she was done, that her camera card was almost full. There were pictures of centuries old houses, even older trees draped with Spanish moss, statues, and people.
One photograph in particular stood out. She'd been sitting on a bench, munching happily on a praline from the Candy Kitchen when she'd spotted him. Old, and weathered, and grey, the man sat a few benches down from her, a shock of reeds beside him.
He twisted and tucked and knotted the pieces of palmetto until it formed a rose. She'd taken his picture, and when he'd noticed her presence he'd approached her. "For you pretty lady," he'd said.
Aria thanked him and fingered the flower gently. It was amazing how something so beautiful could be made from something so sharp. She reached into her pocket to pull out a few dollars, but he'd held up his hand in protest. "No. This one's for free."
"Thank you." She smiled and tucked the money back into her pocket. "Will you show me?"
He nodded and sat down beside him. Aria wasn't really sure how long she sat there, watching him shape and sculpt five more flowers. His fingers moved too quickly for her to really pick up on how he made them, but it didn't matter. As he worked, he spoke, first of the history of the palmetto rose, and then of his family, and then of Savannah itself. Aria was floored by the passionate note in his voice. She wondered if she'd ever feel so deeply about one place as the man seemed too, as everyone in Savannah seemed to.
Then the sun began to sink behind the trees, and the shadows grew long. Aria gathered her things, tucked the bundle of roses she'd accumulated into her purse, and discretely slipped a twenty onto the bench beside her.
"Thank you for a wonderful afternoon."
The gentleman laughed and gave her a wink. "No thank you, pretty lady."
She rolled her eyes, laughed, and gave a final wave, before wandering back in the direction of the hotel, a slight bounce in her step.
…ooo00ooo…
Ezra was asleep on the bed when she reentered the hotel room, and guiltily she wondered how long he'd been back. Quietly, she set her camera and roses on the nightstand before sliding off her shoes and settling on the bed next to him.
"Babe?" Her fingers gingerly brushed his bangs back from his forehead and she leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead.
"Hmmm?" Ezra smiled lazily and blinked slowly. "I missed you."
She blushed and met his smile with a grin of her own. "Have you been here long?"
He glanced over at the clock. "Nope, no more than an hour."
"I'm sorry I wasn't back. There was this man and he made these roses." She reached for her bag and pulled one out. "Aren't they incredible? It was fascinating, the way he explained them. Did you know…"
Aria prattled on, and Ezra listened intently, glad to see genuine excitement on her face for the first time in weeks. When she finished, she tucked the rose back into her bag and laced her fingers with his. "So, Mr. Fitz, are you ready to go explore?"
He grinned and rolled off the bed. "Lead the way, Miss Montgomery. Lead the way."
…ooo00ooo…
Dinner was a quiet affair. The pair settled on sandwiches and Cokes by the riverfront. It was a picnic of sorts and as Aria happily crunched on her bag of BBQ potato chips, she couldn't have asked for a better way to end her evening.
"How did the book signing go?"
Ezra took a long drink of soda before looking down at her. "Well, I suppose. It still blows my mind how many people have read the book."
"It was a great book. Don't be so hard on yourself."
He slid an arm along the back on the bench, one hand draping over her shoulder to play with a lock of hair. "What about you? Any other adventures beside Mr. Rosy?"
Aria giggled lightly at his nickname for the elderly gentleman she'd met earlier in the day. "Well, I had the best praline. We should get one before we head back to the hotel, or twelve."
Ezra's eyes widened. "Twelve? Were they really that good?"
She licked her lips as if remembering the sugary taste. "They were that good. Oh, and I wanted to stop and get a copy of that book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Mr. Rosy mentioned that I should read it."
"You know, I'm beginning to think you'd rather spend the rest of this vacation with him."
Ezra stuck his lower lip out in a fake pout and Aria kissed his cheek. "Nope, sorry mister, but you're stuck with me."
He rolled his eyes and took her hand. "Darn, and here I was hoping to slip away." Ezra tugged her up off the bench and tossed their wrappers from dinner into a nearby trashcan.
"Not a chance." She slid an arm around his waist and pulled her close.
"So where to?"
"Hmm, why don't we just see where we end up?"
He smiled and intertwined their fingers. "Sounds like a plan to me."
…ooo00ooo…
They ended up in Forsyth Park. Aria stood in front of the fountain, and Ezra behind her, his arms wrapped tightly around her middle.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Aria sighed and let her head drop back onto his shoulder, her hands tracing a slow path over his forearms. Twilight had fallen, and the fountain was lit up. Everything was golden for a long bit, as the shadows of the oak trees fought the fading sunlight.
"Very beautiful." He kissed the top of her hand and squeezed tightly. "You're beautiful."
She smiled and toyed lightly with his fingers. "I think I'd like to live here. It's so serene, and just…perfect. Can't you imagine us owning one of these little townhouses, our children playing out here?"
He swallowed thickly and turned her to face him. "Our children?"
She furrowed her brow and brushed his cheek softly with the tip of her thumb. "Of course, our children, and maybe a black lab, named Darcy. Oh, and a tabby cat name Georgiana." Aria laughed quietly and then grew serious. "I don't know, it's just not hard to imagine forever here."
Ezra smiled tenderly and swept a few wisps of hair from her eyes. Forever with Aria was the only thing he'd ever wanted—the only thing he'd ever need. "I like the sound of that." He leaned forward and brushed his lips softly against hers. "A postcard worthy house, on a postcard worthy square; it sounds so cliché, but you're right, it's perfect, and children who look just like their mother…" His hands slid to her waist, pulling her ever so slowly towards him. "You really want children?"
"Someday, when we're married. And I want three to be exact, two boys and one girl."
"Three?" His voice came out as a strained sort of squeak and Aria laughed.
"Well, maybe just one to start out with."
Ezra relaxed and released her as she moved to pick a few pink azaleas from a nearby bush. She handed one to him and he tucked behind her ear. She grinned and giggled happily before skipping away to read the inscription on a statue.
He followed a few steps behind, mulling thoughtfully over her words. Someday when we're married. Someday seemed like eons away, and for once, he regretted their age difference. At 30, he was ready to settle down; ready to start working on the three kids she wanted. Hell, if he had his way, though he'd never actually admit to it, he wanted four. But as he watched her spin playfully and stare up at the statue in quiet contemplation, he knew he'd wait. He'd wait decades if it meant he could have forever with her.
Because that's what you do when you love someone. You wait for them. You share plans for the future. It was funny. He'd never been willing to give up everything for something before. Then she came along, and with each passing day, his love for her grew. Yes, Ezra though as Aria danced up to him and took his hand, he'd definitely wait forever.
A/N: Only 4 more chapters to go! If you haven't already make sure to check out my blog for spoilers, and don't forget to review. It's always great to hear what you guys think.