My first Ezria story and I hope it'll be good.
Name: Home
The plot: Rosewood after -A is revealed. For the purposes of this story, Melissa is -A. Caleb is back in town and Aria's parents are back together. Aria and Ezra continue their hidden relationship. It is revealed that -A set him up in that place in Ravenswood. It wasn't his one. There's no more -A and the life in Rosewood is back to normal. Or maybe not. What is Rosewood without secrets?
Rate: T or PG-13, whatever goes.
Couple: Ezra/Aria
Writer's note: Enjoy reading. You can either leave or not reviews. It doesn't matter to me if you enjoy the story and I hope you will. :)
Chapter 28: Little Liars Dinner
It was a nice and quiet evening and Aria felt really good, surrounded by her friends. They were all sharing their plans and problems. Hanna was really excited to move in with Caleb. Spencer was still debating what place for living she and Toby should choose. Her parents had offered her one, but she had found another one. They were both close to her campus and Toby's job. So, she was still wondering. Emily was somewhat joyful over her moving in together with Paige. They were both accepted in Stanford. It was such a thrilling opportunity for the both of them, but they both were scared to leave Rosewood behind. It turned out that Emily was the bravest one among them. Paige wasn't in such a hurry to leave her life in Rosewood.
"How about you, Aria?" Emily asked her with her soft smile. "Are you ready to move in with Ezra? How the things are going between you two?"
"Oh," Aria leaned back on her chair and rested her hand on her belly. "We're good. The apartment is almost ready. We were thinking that we could move there the next month."
"And your parents?" Spencer looked at her friend carefully. "Do they know yet?"
"Yes," Aria nodded. "They know. Well, my mom knows. But I think she told dad as well."
"And... what is their reaction?" Hanna asked.
"Normal," Aria shrugged. "I'm still talking with my mom. Dad and I... we're gonna need just a little more time for this. I can't forget what he asked me to do. I get it, he's my father and he wants the best for me. The thing I can't accept is his attitude when it comes to Ezra. He knows that Ezra is a part of my life, a very important part, and he still refuses to accept that." Aria sighed.
"He still can't get over the fact that he was your teacher, Aria." Emily smiled again. "He'll need more time."
"Dad got him fired, Emily!" Aria frowned. "Ezra was unemployed for such a long time, because of him! He only helped him to get his job back at Rosewood, only to keep me away from him. He knew that once Ezra accepts the job there, we have to break up!"
"Did he tell you this?" Spencer frowned.
"What?" Aria shook her head. "No, of course not!"
"Then how can you be so sure?" Hanna intervened.
"Because I know how he's thinking," Aria shrugged. "We broke up, right? I started dating Jake and dad was the most happiest person in the world!" She frowned. "When Ezra and I started dating again, we kept it in secret in purpose, you know? Yes, he was my teacher then. Again," Aria looked down for a moment. "But I just couldn't lie to myself any longer. I could see him suffer as well. And when I found out about Maggie..."
"Yeah," Emily nodded. "When I saw him that day at school, he was in such a bad shape. And when I asked him if the reason is you..," she lowered her voice. "You should've seen his face, Aria."
Aria took Emily's hand with a smile. "Thank you for making me talk to him back then."
"You're welcome," Emily smiled in return and nodded at Aria's belly when she released her hand. "And how's the baby?"
"She's good," Aria giggled. "She's good and kicking."
"Did you think of a name?" Hanna grinned.
"Nah," Aria shook her head. "We haven't talked about that yet."
"And what about her room?" Spencer chimed in. "Did you think of that?"
"Nope," Aria frowned. "Should I?"
"Well," Hanna trailed off.
"Maybe it's too early?" Aria coughed.
"You're scared?" Emily asked her, empathetic as ever.
"I," Aria bit her lower lip and nodded. "Yeah."
"But why?" Spencer asked. "I thought everything runs smoothly."
"It does," Aria nodded. "But... you know."
"What?" Hanna touched her friend's arm for a brief moment.
"I just can't stop thinking about it,"Aria shrugged. "It feels so unreal and at the same time... I want to hold her in my arms. I want her to be happy and healthy."
"And she will be!" Spencer nodded with a smile on her face. "You'll see! With parents like you and Ezra, she'll be the most happiest kid in the world!"
"And the most educated one!" Hanna chuckled, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Yeah," Emily nodded. "She'll love the black and white movies."
"And reading books also..." Spencer chuckled.
"And one day, she'll meet a handsome teacher... and..." Hanna started laughing.
"Shush!" Aria blushed, but started laughing. "It's a good thing that Ezra is not here to hear this! He gets so overprotective when it comes to us!"
"She was only joking!" Emily winked at her and looked at Hanna. "Right?"
"I don't know, am I?" Hanna grinned and Emily nudged her. "Ouch!"
"You deserved it!" Emily nodded.
"Yeah, fine!" Hanna pouted. "I was just joking."
Everybody laughed and then they went to another subject. The mood on the table was really good and the four girls were just enjoying at each others company. It had been awhile since the last time they had done that. Now, they were acting as normal young people, discussing their future. Every one of them has a life now. It felt good. That was up until the moment Aria noticed that the people around them stared at her. Her smile disappeared and she looked down at her belly. Oh yes, she knew about the rumors now. The people of this town knew about her and Ezra. They knew who's the father of her baby.
"What happened now?" Spencer looked around and then she suddenly noticed. "Whoa! If I knew that we're gonna be the main attraction here, I should've come with my magic box!" She said louder than it should be.
"It's okay, Spence!" Aria tried to smile.
"No!" Now Emily scoffed. "It's not okay! They should all mind their own damn business!"
"Guys!" Aria tried once more.
"She's happy and she's engaged!" Hanna snapped at the people of the nearest table. They were an old couple, who was pretending to eat their meal. "Happy now?" She frowned and the couple looked at their plates again. "Unbelievable!"
"It's okay," Aria sighed. "I have to go soon."
"How soon?" Spencer asked her just in the moment when Ezra walked into the diner.
"Now?" Aria had noticed him as well. "You're early," she said quietly when Ezra stopped at their table.
"Nope," he shook his head and helped her to get off her seat. "I'm just in time. Hello," he nodded at Aria's friends and they said hello as well.
"I have to pay," Aria opened her purse, but Hanna put her hand over Aria's one and shook her head.
"We've got that covered!"
"But..."
"Shush!" Hanna smiled. "Then next time is on you."
"Okay," Aria smiled and took Ezra's hand. "Good night, guys!"
"Night!" All three girls said in one voice.
When she got into the car, Aria leaned her head back on the seat. Ezra took his seat as well and drove off. His look fell on her for a brief time, but he didn't say a word until their reached his apartment. He opened the door of the car for her and then took her in his arms. Aria didn't protest. She simply leaned her head on his shoulder with a pleasurable sigh.
"Happy?" He asked her when they entered the apartment.
"Every time when I'm with you," she mumbled and kissed him.
