And here we are! Chapter 26: Dinner party, a pretty little liars fanfic

HERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER...

Mario had picked up Aria right on time and was now waiting on her to come down to the front lobby. Aria had told Mario that she and the girls, preferring to Mrs Marin and Hanna weren't ready yet.

For the last two hours Hanna and Aria had been in Timothy's room trying their best to cover up the now visible bruise that had formed on her bottom jaw.

"He really did a number on you!" Hanna said angrily," I can't believe your grandparents didn't send him to hell."

Aria sucked in a breath and shrugged. "They don't know it was him Hanna. And please for the love of god just shut your mouth tonight." She pleaded not wanting to have a big altercation about the matter and when Hanna took an inch back Aria started talking again, "They think that I got this bruise when Mike saved me from that moving car. " she closed her eyes, "I don't know what I'm going to do tonight."

Hanna gave her a slight smile, "Well," She started apply the last of the touch up's, "You're going to have to walk and talk and hold your head held high because," Hanna looked her in the eyes, "This was what you were made to do. Aria, I don't even know why you agreed to come back here, when you had your heart set on spending it in Rosewood for the first time."

"Because I love him," Aria looked down at her newly manicure nails, "We fight and we argue a lot. But deep down I know something is wrong, I know that if we fight it out a little more Ezra will reveal to me the truth."

"What are you talking about?"

Aria shrugged and stood up to get her coat, "It's nothing. We better go before my grandfather sends out reinforcements."

"No," Hanna touched her arm and turned her around to face her in the eyes, "Tell me what you're talking about!"

Aria let out a soft sigh, "I think Ezra is hiding something big. I think that Ezra is keeping a huge secret and I think that I can get it out of him."

"How?" She asked confused, "Why don't you just ask him?"

Aria let out a small laugh, "Because he'll just lie to me and he's going to think that he has gotten away with it."

"Aria, Hanna." Mrs Marin knocked on the door, "We have to go."

"Coming," Aria called out, "Please just trust me. I know Ezra, and I know for a fact that something is bothering him. I just have to get it out of him the only way I know how." Hanna opened her mouth to speak but Aria cut her off, "He didn't hit me on purpose, I swear."

LINE BREAK

Once Mario pulled up to the front entrance of the house Hanna and Mrs Marin got out. Aria had told him to drive her to the back. She didn't want to go through the front door in case there were people here for the party already.

When Aria had looked in the mirror after seeing what Hanna had done to her she just thanked her. Aria didn't want to tell Hanna that it didn't look natural and that she didn't like it one bit.

Aria walked out of the car and into the kitchen. She looked around to see the house in full swing, decorations that weren't there earlier this morning now hung to every corner of the kitchen. Even when they drove up to the front of the house, there were thousands of simple decorations to make the front look more festive than anything.

Aria opened up the kitchen pantry and closed the door after she walked in, she then opened the secret door that hid behind all of the canned goods and made sure it was closed tight before heading up the three flights of stairs that lead to her room.

By the time Aria had got to the landing and opened up the little door that would let her out and into her room from the closet she was tired. Not getting enough sleep last night and having that huge out burst with Ezra made her feel weaker. All she wanted to do was have a few cups of Star Bucks coffee to full wake her up.

Aria pushed her clothes to the side and opened the closet door just a tad. She wanted to know if anyone was in the room before she came out and showed her face. She let out a sigh of relief when she heard no movement.

Aria stepped out of the closet and closed the door. She then turned around and looked around the room. She could see the dress bag that her grandmother had left for her along with the pair of pumps and jewellery she wanted her to pick out.

There was a long box next to the dress that had a note on it that read 'pick me' Aria picked it up and opened it up. It was a diamond bracelet; she smiled and took it out of the box to just feel the diamonds flashing against her skin.

"I thought I heard someone in here." Ezra said coming into the room, "I was in the bathroom," he pointed to the now opened door. "When did you get back?"

Aria looked him up and down and noticed his manly appearance, "You look really-"Aria bit her lip, seeing Ezra in suits really turned her on, "Damn."

Ezra laughed, "You can thank my mother." He blushed, "But the tie was your entire grandmother. She said that she wanted us to match." He pointed to her dress.

"Is this from you?" Aria asked holding the bracelet in the palms of her hand while looking at it whole heartedly,

"Yea, I figured it's the least I could do." Ezra said taking a step forward, "

"You don't' have to get me jewellery Ezra." Aria said placing it back in the box, "you know I'm not that kind of girl."

Ezra nodded "Yeah I know." He took a step forward, "It wasn't because of what happened today Aria." She looked at him confused "I had gotten this bracelet for you weeks ago; it was supposed to be one of the Christmas gifts that I had gotten you." He took out a box from the bedside drawer, "When you're ready, you'll get this one next. I swear it will go with the dress; so you don't have to worry about it."

Aria smiled, "Thank you!"

Ezra nodded and placed the box back in the drawer, "Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

"No," she answered shaking her head, "I took something for the pain so I feel really numb right now." She finished and opened up the bag containing her dress. She grasped when she had the red evening grown and gloves to match. "Um, are you going to wait in here or are you going to head down?"

"Do you want me to wait? Maybe we could head down together?" he asked gently, "I don't want to step on your toes."

Aria let out a shaky breath, "I'm not mad at you Ezra." She saying turning around to face him, "I know something is bothering you and I know that you'll tell me when the time is right."

He let out a soft chuckle, "After I left you this morning I thought about the worse punishment known to man." He started, "I thought about the pain in your eyes and how guilty I am for holding this from you. I know how you feel about me and this person and I know how much you don't want to see him." Aria knitted her eyebrows, "But this is about me and this is about facing my demons."

"What are you talking about?" She pushed, "You can tell me."

"I know, But this is something that I wanted to do for myself. This is something that I have to do."

"What?" She wanted to shout, "What do you have to do that I can't be there to support you for?"

"My father." He blurted, "I have contacted him and we meet Christmas morning. Actually he contacted me" Ezra looked her in the eyes, "I don't want you there. I know you don't like him and I know that you don't want Timothy near him after what he's done." Aria bit her lip. "I-I need this. He has something I want."

"And what's that?" Aria asked with a lone tear running down her cheek, "What is it that's so important that you have to see him?"

"I can't tell you. But you have to trust me on this. Please? Please tell me that you'll trust me on this decision?" he grasped her hands before she could even say anything or pulls away, "I'm sorry I hit you. I'm sorry that we fight a heck of a lot and I'm sorry that you feel hatred toward me." He voice cracking, "But please tell me that you'll support me in this."

Aria nodded, "Okay. I will support you!"

"Thank you!" Ezra and Aria looked at one another and Aria feeling bold was just about ready to give him a kiss when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Ezra said letting go of Aria, "I'll see you downstairs. But put this on when you have your dress on, okay?"

"Sure." She smiled looked at Sarah who was there to fix Aria's makeup, once Ezra left the room Aria smiled "Thank you for coming back. Please fix my makeup."

Sarah laughed and placed her bag down on the desk, "With pleasure." she smirked, "What did Hanna do to you!"

LINE BREAK

Ezra was outside mingling with friends and family when Aria came into view. He looked at her with wide eyes and a goofy grin when he saw what she looked like. Some people would say goddess and the others would say that she looked like a princess. But to Ezra, she looked like pretty woman but in an evening grown instead of the cocktail dress that she had on in the movie.

Ezra excused himself and gracefully striated over towards Aria. She stood on the wooden dock that leads to the back yard where the party was taking place.

"You look stunning." Ezra said looping her arm around his, "wow!"

Aria smiled, "I know. You can't even tell there's a bruise on my face." She joked but that just made Ezra's heart sore with more guilt, "I was kidding Ezra."

"Well it doesn't make me feel any better." He said bitterly, "It makes me feel worse."

Aria turned her head to look at the coming crowd in front of her. It was mostly friends of her grandparents along with Ezra's mom's friends. Business, her grandparent's co-workers, Oh and Aria's favourite. The camera crews and reporters. This year Dianne had roped her grandparents in the annual charity fundraiser dinner. Every year she has one at some kind of fancy place. The table sitting were 10 and it was a two hundred dollar plate. Not to mention the auction off during the middle and then dancing and what not. So of course Aria and Ezra would have to be on their best behaviour and make sure that they put on smiling faces for the whole event.

"Are you okay?" Ezra asked as they walked over to their son who was casually playing on one of the kiddie table's that they had set up, "You're very concentrated."

"I'm just tired," Aria said licking her lips, "I just want to get this night over with."

"Mommy," Timothy screamed which caused a few people to look at them

"Sweetie, "Aria said calmly, "Please don't scream like that, " She bent down to kiss him on the cheek and when he went to embrace her, Timothy accidently touched her jaw which caused her to flinch, "Timothy," Aria looked at her son with concern, "How many snacks did you have today?"

"I thought you weren't in any pain" Ezra asked as he watched Aria flinch away.

"I just didn't want him touching the make-up" Aria replied, "I'm fine, really!"

Timothy shrugged, "Daddy gave me a bag of candy for lunch because Grandma Fitzgerald said I couldn't have it." He pouted, "Daddy, took it from the counter and-"

"Son," Ezra chuckled weakly, "Please, I don't think you mother needs to know this." He bent down to his level, "thanks for ratting me out bud, I thought it was going to be our secret."

Timothy nodded, "But I tell mommy everything." He placed his hands on his hip, "Mommy said no secrets. Especially about girls."

Aria laughed and covered it up with a cough when she noticed Ezra giving her a glare, "What?" Aria shrugged, "Kids these days."

"Right," Ezra stood up, "Come on let's go make our rounds so we can just find a table and eat. I'm starving."

LINE BREAK

With the band playing in the background Aria and Ezra ended up going their separate ways after engulfing in the spread that the caters had put out. Dianne and Aria's grandparents had gone all out with this party.

Ezra ended up talking with his Cousin Wilson and Wesley along with Hardy while Aria went off with Hanna and her cousin Tammy. Spencer and her family weren't there yet and Spencer had sent a text saying they had to make an appearance at her grandfather's house first before attending the party.

It was now almost nine in the evening when Spencer showed up. She didn't know about the day's events and Aria told Hanna and Mike to keep it that way. She didn't want to replay all the mad things that could happen in one day.

"So sorry were late." Spencer hugged Aria and then Hanna, "I pushed and pushed. I wanted so much just to hang out with you guys."

Aria nodded," You look beautiful Spence." Hanna nodded in agreement, "So where's Melissa?"

Spencer picked up the glass of wine from the servers, "She wanted to stay with my grandfather something about having time with him" she looked around the yard, "Who are all these people?"

"Most of them are Ezra's mom's friends and colleagues and then my Grandparent's friends and colleagues. Those," She pointed to a small group of people, "Are Ezra's cousin's and those, "She pointed to her right, "Are my cousin's. I really haven't talked to them but you remember Tammy right?"

Spencer nodded, "Yeah, sorry." She gave her and hugs, "How's Stanford U?"

"I love it and I can't wait till Aria comes up next year." She gave her a side hug, "It's going to be a blast and you'll love it just as much as I do."

Spencer and Hanna looked at her confused, "Don't worry, as much as I want to go I haven't made up my mind just yet." She sipped her wine, "I really want something a little stronger."

"So do me!" Hanna smiled, "Maybe a vodka tonic." She looked at the open bar, "Why don't you go get Ezra to get some for us? I think he should considering all the drama he did to you!" She bounced around the story.

Aria glared down at her and then smirked as she looked at Ezra who was deep in conversation with his friends. "Maybe I should." She walked up to the group and looked at the boys as Wilson finished talking Aria looked at Ezra with a mischievous grin.

"I'm not getting you alcohol Aria." Ezra sipped his scotch, "You know your grandparents are totally against that. You're just lucky that they let you have a few glasses of wine.

Aria batted her long eyelashes and gave a little pout, "Ah that's so cute." One of the photographers said as she snapped a picture of the two. Ezra smiled and shook his head, "So tell me Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald, how are you both dealing with marriage at such a young age?"

"Fitz," Ezra corrected her, "I wanted something a little simpler." He sipped his drink, "Fitzgerald is my father."

Aria looked behind him and rolled her eyes, "Marriage is easy, you should try it sometime." She said with sarcasm, "How is single life Mandy?"

Mandy let out a death glare at the couple, "I have been in a relationship for a long time now."

"Oh," Aria grin, "I didn't know you could play around with your camera and note pad."

"Aria, need I remind you that she is the one that tells people lies?" Ezra whispered in her ear, "Play it cool"

Aria sucked in a breath and plastered a fake smile, "How are you enjoying the party?" Mandy arched an eyebrow, "Don't be a stranger, why don't you get something to eat?" Aria then pulled Ezra to the side. "Please get me three Vodka Tonics?"

"No," Ezra looked at her friends and shook his head, "Why don't you ask Tammy?"

"Because you owe me." Aria blurted, "Please!"

Ezra looked at her a little taken back and shocked that she would go for black mail, "Really? You're going to play it like that?"

Aria made a thinking face; "Pretty much yes" She smiled knowing she was going to win, "So are you going to do it?"

"Fine, but if you get caught, I didn't give it to you!"

"Deal, I got it from Hardy." She joked causing Ezra to laugh as he walked over to the bartender.

"Hey man," Ezra said leaning against the bar, "Can I have three Vodka Tonics,"

"Is it for your wife sir? I am under orders not to give her anything stronger than wine sir." He spoke so politely, "I don't' want to get anyone in trouble. I need this job."

Ezra nodded and reached over the bar to grab the bottle of Vodka, "Here, now you can say I just took it." He tossed a hundred dollar bill to him and walked away. "Here," Ezra gave her the bottle, "And if I go down you're going to go down with me."

Aria let out a burped laugh, "Sorry," She gulped down, "I didn't mean for that to come out."

"I think you had enough wine for the night Aria," Ezra spoke in his authority tone of voice "I also think you shouldn't be drinking this." He took back the bottle, "Why don't we dance? We haven't done anything like a couple tonight"

Aria narrowed her eyes and looked at the dance floor, "Is that what you really want?"

"Only if you want too?" He questioned back holding out his free hand

"Alright!" She grabbed hold of his hand, "Let's go."

The couple walked onto the dance floor as the band started to play a new song. Ezra smiled widely at Aria and spun her around and pulled her into him.

I can usually drink you right off of my mind
but I miss you tonight.
I can normally push you right out of my heart
But I'm too tired to fight

"Did you plan this?" Aria asked laughing, "I know this is one of your favourite songs."

Ezra shook his head, "No, but I should have." He pulled away and brushed the strands of loose hair away from her eyes, "Remember your freshman banquet?" He asked and Aria nodded, "I planned that one."

Aria giggled, "You do know that he was dreaming, he envision her dying and that's when he came to his senses."

"So you watched the music video big whoop." Ezra rolled his eyes, "Let's make it interesting." He spun her around again but this time he made Aria face outward. He walked them in a circle before taking her left hand in his and extending it out.

"What are we doing?" Aria asked with a hint of a mischievous grin on her face, "Ezra!"

"Just go with it." He told her , "We're going to dance." And with that they started off in a medium rhythm box step dance.

Yeah the whole thing begins
And I let you sink into my veins
And I feel the pain like it's new
Everything that we were,
Everything that you said,
Everything I did and that I couldn't do
Plays through tonight

He spun her twice and brought her back up to his chest before she pulled away and walked around him in circles. Then she came back to him.

Tonight your memory burns like a fire
With every word it grows higher and higher
I can't get over it I just can't put out this love
I just sit in these flames and pray that you'll come back
Close my eyes tightly. Hold on and hope that I'm dreaming
Come wake me up.

Aria giggled with excitement when Ezra bent down to her ear and started to sing the song with the band. She knew how much he loved this song, but she just didn't know why…

Turn the TV up loud just to drown out your voice
But I can't forget
Now I'm all out of ideas
And baby I'm down to my last cigarette

Yeah you're probably asleep
Deep inside of your dreams while I'm sitting here crying and trying to
Sleep
Yeah wherever you are baby now I am sure you've moved on
And aren't thinking twice about me And you tonight

I know that you're moving' on
I know I should give you up
But I keep hopin' that you'll trip and fall back in love

Cuz I'm feeling anything
Baby this pain is worse than it ever was
I know that you can't hear me but baby I need you to save me tonight

As the song came to an end Aria and Ezra both gazed into one another's eyes and Ezra took that opportunity to give her a lustful kiss. Aria was the one that took it a little more having been in the moment.

She placed her right hand on his fast beating heart and her left on the back of his neck holding his head in position so he didn't pull back.

It was kiss that Aria was waiting for. A right in the moment full of passion and fierce kind of thing. When she let go of Ezra's neck he pulled away more out of breath than anything. He looked at her in the most stunning blue eyes and his famous boyish grin.

"Thanks for the dance."

IN ALL HONESTY I WANTED SOMETHING SWEET AND FUN AND THIS IS WHAT CAME OUT. I'M NOT TOO PROUD OF THE ENDING BECAUSE I KNEW I COULD PROBABLY DO BETTER. BUT I THINK THAT MY MIND WAS STILL SET ON DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA THAT THIS IS THE MOST ROMANTIC GESTURE THAT I COULD COME UP WITH.

Anyways, I have the next chapter ready for posting and I'm going to do it soon because I want to finish this story. It's long and dragging and etc...

On another note thank you to all of you who has read and reviewed it means a heck of a lot to me. I love reading all of your comments, happy, sad, angry, etc. It makes me smile every single time.