Ezra's POV
Aria is so beautiful when she sleeps. I cannot help but hold her in my arms, and stare at her like an obsessed little boy. I am surprised she is still asleep. I have kissed Aria's forehead a number of times, and the servants are being rather noisy this morning. Perhaps she is tired from the intercourse last night? I am absolutely petrified that I hurt my wife more than I should have. She assured me that our first time was not too unbearable, but Aria was probably being her normal darling self.
All of the sudden, I hear a knock on the door to our bedchamber. I do not want the knocking to wake Aria, so I spring to my feet and answer the door. To my surprise, The visitor is my mother. She rarely comes to this wing of the estate, so whatever she has to say must be incredibly important. I leave the bed chamber, and close the door behind me so our talking does not wake Aria.
"Good morning, mother. What brings you here, this morning?" I question.
"Ezra, it is already ten o'clock! You know we dine at nine o'clock sharp on Saturday mornings. Our entire family has been waiting for you and Aria." My mom says, as she crosses her arms over her chest.
"Goodness! It is already ten o'clock? I suppose I let the time slip away from me. You can go ahead and dine without us, as Aria is still sound asleep. We will dine separately in a short while." I tell my mother politely.
My mom doesn't seem to like my proposal because she looks angry. Scratch that, she looks livid. Why is my mother so upset? I've missed family brunch on more than one occasion, and she's never been this outraged by it before.
"Ezra, you know that Saturday mornings are reserve for family. You and Aria are not exempt from this basic duty. I expect you both to be dressed and polished within the half hour." My mom says, as she begins to raise her voice.
"Mother, I love you a great deal, but I will not wake Aria. She is incredibly tired, and I do not think she is well..." I start to ramble.
"Ezra, why must you be such a fool? I did not raise you to be like this!" My mom exclaims, as she throws her hands into the air.
What on Earth is my dear mother talking about? How am I being a fool? I am merely looking out for the best interest of my wife. My mother raised me to respect women, and to take their feelings into account. Does this decency not extend to Aria?
"Mother, I do not have the slightest idea what you are talking about." I say, as I furrow my brow in confusion.
"I am talking about Aria manipulating you! She has you wrapped around her little finger, so you'll do whatever she says and think nothing of it! Honestly, Ezra. You let her trick you into sleeping on the couch..." My mom starts to say.
"Speaking of which, I heard you had some nasty things to say to my wife. Care to explain those remarks, Mother?" I ask, as I begin to raise my voice.
"Did you honestly expect me to keep my mouth shut? Aria has one duty, and that's to be your wife. She wasn't fulling that duty and you refused to step up, so I had to confront her. My actions were perfectly justified." My mother says, as she stares directly into my blue eyes.
"I disagree. My personal business with Aria is just that, personal. You had no right to interfere." I say, with bitterness in my voice.
"It's my responsibility to interfere, Ezra. This family needs an heir, and Aria is responsible for proving us with one. You weren't being a man, so I had to step in." My mom says, as she shakes her head slowly.
Her words sting. They sting far more that she could possibly understand. I wasn't a man on the battlefield, and I certainly wasn't a man in prison camp. Apparently, I'm not even capable of been a man in my own marriage. I've failed my family, and my wife.
"Ezra, if you and Aria want to dine separately, fine. Remember that the Fields are hosting a ball this evening, and I expect Aria to look beautiful and be on her absolute best behavior. Is that clear?" My mother asks, as she raises an eye brow.
"When is Aria not on her best behavior?" I ask, with a scoff.
"I can think of a time or twenty." My mother mutters, before storming towards the flight of stairs that leads to the dinning hall.
When I reenter the bedchamber, Aria's eyes are wide open. She looks incredibly distraught this morning. Could she have possibly overhead the conversation I was having with my mother? I sure hope not. I do not want my mother's wrath and my inability to be a man to trouble her.
"Good morning, sweetheart. My conversation with Mother did not wake you, did it?" I ask Aria.
"No, it did not. My eyes just happened to stumble open. Do not worry." Aria says, as I crawl into bed with her.
"How are you feeling? Are you sore from last night?" I ask her gently.
"A little, but it's nothing to worry about. I'm sure I will feel well enough to have intercourse with you again tonight if that is what you please." Aria says, with an adorable blush.
"Only if you are feeling better. How is the bleeding?" I ask, with concern in my voice.
"It has stopped entirely. Ezra... Was I supposed to bleed?" Aria asks, with a hint of nervousness in her voice.
All of the sudden, Aria does not seem like the strong and wise woman she normally comes across as. Not even close. Aria seems afraid, and unsure of herself. There are times I have to remind myself that Aria is practically a child. Her youth certainly shows during moments like these.
"Yes, sweetheart. The woman always bleeds her first time, but the good news is that it will not happen again." I say, as I rest a hand on her shoulder.
"Oh. Okay. Thank you, Ezra. I am sorry if my questions trouble you at all. It's just that Momma died before she could explain these things to me." Aria says, as her cheeks turn bright red.
"Aria, you can ask me anything. It doesn't trouble me in the slightest. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible." I say, as my voice begins to soften.
"Thank you. That means a great deal to me, Ezra. Please tell me if there is anything I should do differently for next time. I want- I want to make you happy." Aria says, with a hint of insecurity in her voice.
"Honey, you always make me happy. Everything you do is absolutely perfect, I assure you. However, if there is anything I need to do differently make sure you let me know. Like I said last night, I have done this many times before. I can make it feel incredible for you, Aria. I want you to enjoy yourself as much as I do." I say, as I scoot closer to my trembling wife.
"E-Ezra... You mustn't say such things to me. Surely it is sinful..." Aria starts to ramble.
I interrupt Aria by pressing my lips against hers. She seems to enjoy my actions, since she kisses me back with just as much force. Perhaps this would be an appropriate time to show Aria how marvelous intercourse can be. I place my hand between her legs, and begin to rub her down there.
"W-What are you doing?" Aria asks, as her eyes grow wide with fear.
"Sh-sh. Just relax. You'll enjoy this, I promise." I say, with a mischievous smirk.
Aria takes my advice, and lets her body go limp at my touch. Within seconds she's moaning, though I can tell she's trying to silence herself. I don't want her to be silent. I want to hear how much she's enjoying my touch.
"E-Ezra!" Aria cries, as her juices flow onto my fingers.
That was easy. I smile, before planting a soft kiss on my wife's forehead. For a few seconds she looks relaxed, but the calm expression on her face slowly begins to evaporate. Did she not enjoy that after all?
"Did that feel good, darling?" I ask her gently.
"I don't-I don't know." Aria says, with an audible whimper.
"There is a ball tonight, but after that we can try it a few more times. Maybe you'll make up your mind after you get some more experience." I whisper into her ear.
"O-Okay." Aria says, as she nods her head in agreement.
Aria's words cause a wide smile to form on my face. This is going to be an unforgettable night for both of us.
Aria's POV
I cannot stop staring at Ezra during the carriage ride to the ball. I think my husband might have turned me into a man. Surely no woman has ever felt what I felt this morning in bed. It must be sinful to experience such physical pleasure, and I am probably going straight to hell. Ezra should also be damned, since he was the one who destroyed my virtue.
"Excited for the ball tonight, Aria?" Brian asks, as his eyes dart over to me.
No. I wish I did not have to accompany the Fitzgeralds to the ball, but I know I have to to make an appearance. Now that I am Ezra's wife, such things are expected of me. A startled gasp escapes from my lips when the carriage pulls into an extraordinary estate. This might be even more extravagant than the estate that belongs to Ezra's family.
"Are you ready, my darling?" Ezra asks, as he offers me his hand.
I nod, and Ezra immediately helps me out of the carriage. Dianne and Wes follow, and soon all five of us are making our way towards the entrance of the estate.
"Ezra, should we introduce Aria to some of the lawyers in New York? I am sure they would be delighted to meet your new bride." Dianne says, as her tone turns serious.
So this is how the evening will go. Dianne and Ezra will treat me like a trophy, and introduce me to every influential face at the ball. Wonderful.
"No, Mother. I will take Aria to the drawing room. That is where Spencer and some of the other ladies gather during these events, and I am sure Aria would rather accompany them than a group of old men." Ezra says, as he rolls his eyes.
"As you wish, Ezra." Dianne says, with a hint of disapproval in her voice.
Ezra does not respond to Dianne. Instead, he takes me by the hand and hurries me into a secluded part of the estate. When we arrive in the drawing room, I see Spencer and three other women, two of whom have young children. I presume these are her friends?
"Aria, Ezra! How lovely to see you!" Spencer exclaims, with a wide smile. For the first time, I realize how large Spencer looks. I am surprised Toby lets her out while she is so pregnant.
"It is a pleasure for both of us to see you, my darling cousin. Would you please introduce Aria to the ladies? I am afraid I have some important business to take care of, and I want to make sure she is settled." Ezra says, as his tone turns serious.
"Yes, yes. Do not fret, Ezra. Aria is in excellent hands." Spencer says, with a warm smile.
Ezra kisses my forehead one last time before scurrying out of the room, and leaving me alone with these strangers. This is rather uncomfortable. Why did Ezra have to leave me so soon?
"You're Aria? Spencer, she's absolutely beautiful. Perfect for our darling Ezra." A skinny blonde woman says with a giggle.
I do not focus on the woman's words. Instead, I glare enviously at the little boy in her lap. He is going to be handsome when he grows up. I wonder how old the child is.
"I am Alison, by the way." She says, with a warm smile.
"Nice to meet you, Alison. I presume this is your son?" I ask, as I gesture towards the boy she is holding.
"Why, yes. This is Andrew Campbell. He was named after his father." Alison tells me proudly.
Andrew Campbell. The name sounds familiar. Ezra must have mentioned him before. Perhaps Andrew was one of his classmates at West Point?
"He is absolutely darling. How old is he?" I ask Alison curiously.
"He just turned two, didn't you Andrew?" Alison asks, as she tickles his tummy playfully. The boy laughs, and my heart begins to swell with sorrow. I hope I become pregnant soon.
"Alison isn't the only mother here. This is Hanna Rivers. Her husband Caleb is one of Ezra's closet companions." Spencer says, as she points to the other blonde in the room.
I quickly realize that Hanna is holding a baby girl in her arms. What a disappointment. It is such a tragedy to have a daughter. I would not know what to do if my first child was a girl instead of a boy.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Hanna. You have a beautiful daughter." I say, as I force a smile.
"Why thank you. Caleb has always said that Rosamond takes after me." Hanna says, with a chuckle.
"Yes, I can most definitely see the resemblance." I say, as I take a seat next to Spencer.
"I am Emily." The woman sitting next to Hanna says, speaking for the first time since my arrival.
"It is nice to meet you, Emily." I say with a smile.
"You and Emily will become incredibly well acquainted, Aria. She is your future sister-in-law." Hanna says, as she nudges Emily playfully.
Sister-in-law? That must meet that Emily is engaged to Wesley. What a strange thought that is. Wesley seems so arrogant, and I cannot imagine him caring for a woman as soft spoken as Emily. Perhaps he has a different side that I have not seen yet? I sure hope so for her sake.
"Well, I would not go that far." Emily says, with a nervous blush.
"Are you not engaged to Wesley?" I ask, with confusion in my voice.
"She is not, but it is only a matter of time. Wesley and Emily have been in love since they were in diapers. Now that Emily is seventeen, we're expecting a proposal soon. Has Wesley asked your father for permission, Emily?" Alison asks her friend curiously.
"Not that I have heard." Emily says, as she shakes her head slowly.
"Well, I am sure an engagement will be arraigned soon. You are a lucky woman, Emily. I have not spent much time with Wesley yet, but he is quite a fine gentleman." I say, with a slight smile.
"Is he? I am surprised you think so, Aria. Wesley can be incredible childish when he is not around Emily. As a child, he was quite troublesome. My poor aunt was completely preoccupied with teaching him how to behave! Still, Wesley is a kind soul. He will take care of our Emily." Spencer says, as she rests a hand on the taller girl's shoulder.
"Yes, I am sure he will." I say, as I nod my head in agreement.
"You two mustn't say such things! Wesley and are are not even engaged! Suppose my father decides to give me to Lucas Gottesman, or Benjamin Coogan? Surely your speech would create a great deal of controversy." Emily says, with a worried expression on her face.
"Emily, you have nothing to worry about. Your father loves the Fitzgeralds, and surely Wesley is number one on his list." Hanna assures her friend.
"Speaking of the Fizgeralds, how Ezra treating you? I cannot imagine that lovable fool with a woman as beautiful as you, Aria. I presume he was incredible shy at first? Poor Ezra probably couldn't even look into those hazel eyes without feeling nervous." Alison says, eliciting laughter from the entire group.
I blush as I think back to my honeymoon with Ezra. Both of us were shy around each other, and it is rather comical to think about now. After what Ezra and I did last night, I doubt I could ever be shy around him again.
"Ezra treats me like a princess. I am incredible lucky." I say, with a blush.
"Aw, that is so sweet. Are you with child yet? You and Ezra will make beautiful children." Hanna says, as her face lights up with excitement.
Could I be with child? No. Ezra and I have only had intercourse once, so I doubt I am pregnant. Hopefully I will start seeing some of the signs soon though.
"No, I am not with child quite yet. I desperately wish I was thought. Seeing your two children makes me quite jealous." I confess.
"Don't fret, Aria. I am sure you will be as pregnant as Spencer in a short while." Hanna says, as she gestures towards the round woman sitting next to me.
"Yes, and you'll wish you were never with child. Being this pregnant is quite uncomfortable. I can never sleep, and I find myself crying over the smallest of things. Poor Toby is getting sick of dealing with my mood swings." Spencer says with a giggle.
"Oh Spence, it will be worth it soon. Rosamond is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me." Hanna says, as she glances down at the sleeping baby in her arms.
Hanna seems quite enamored by her newborn daughter. I am surprised she is not bitter about her lack of sons. I suppose Hanna will become pregnant five or six more times during her window. Surely she will bear a son eventually.
"We should find our husbands. The dancing will begin soon, and I do not want to miss out on any of the fun!" Alison exclaims, as she springs to her feet.
"We should find the nannies first. I do not want to take Rosamond out of this room, and have the music wake her. She has been incredibly tired today..." Hanna starts to ramble.
"Shush, Hanna. I will watch Andrew and Rosamond while you ladies enjoy the ball. We all know that I am far too pregnant to be waltzing around the estate. It would not reflect well on Toby or my father." Spencer says, as she takes Rosamond out of Hanna's arms.
"Are you sure? I can stay with you, Spencer. We all feel guilty about leaving you here." Emily says, with a breathy sigh.
"Do not feel guilty! I am sure you will do the same for me when you're pregnant, Emily." Spencer says.
"We will be back soon. If you need anything, send for us." Alison says, as her tone turns serious.
"Yes, of course! Go have fun!" Spencer exclaims.
Line Break
By the time we arrive at the ball room, all of the guests are already dancing. A startled gasp escapes from my lips when I see Ezra waltzing with a beautiful brunette woman. I do not know why I feel so jealous all of the sudden. Men always dance with multiple women during balls. It is custom. As soon as the song ends, I hurry over to my husband, and he immediately embraces me.
"Aria! It is so nice to see you, darling! This Jackie Wilkes. Her father is Derek Molina, and our families are incredibly close." Ezra says, as he gestures towards the woman he was just waltzing with.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Jackie." I say, as I force a smile.
"Likewise. I should find my husband. Surely he wants to dance with me." Jackie mutters, before hurrying away.
"I do not think Mrs. Jackie likes me, Ezra." I say, as I furrow my brow in confusion.
"No-no, that is not true. Jackie is just shy around new people. She'll warm up to you." Ezra says, before planting a soft kiss on my cheek.
"Ezra, do you think we could dance together? You know, before we have to dance with other people?" I ask, feeling unsure of myself all of the sudden.
"Honey, of course we can. I think it is my job to ask you that question though." Ezra says, with a chuckle.
"So hurry up and ask me." I say with a blush.
"Aria Fitzgerald, you are the most beautiful woman in the entire state of New York! May I have the honor of sharing a dance with you on this fine evening?" Ezra asks, as he grabs my hand and kisses it tenderly.
"Why Ezra, I was not expecting such a proposal. I might need a few songs to think about what you are requesting." I tease.
"Mrs. Fitzgerald, if you do not dance with me it will surely break my poor heart." Ezra says, with a fake frown.
"I would hate to be the one who breaks your heart, Mr. Fitzgerald. I suppose that means I will have to dance with you." I say, before accepting Ezra's hand.
The pianos and violins begin to play, and Ezra begins to lead me across the dance floor. How I have missed dancing! Back in Rosewood, I used to love balls because it meant dancing with handsome young men for hours. I must admit that dancing with Ezra is quite a treat. He treads softly, but posses a great deal of confidence in his steps. All of the sudden, I stop dancing and lean into Ezra for a kiss. Ezra kisses me back, but within seconds we both pull away. We are in public, and it is frowned upon to express this much passion outside of the bedroom.
"You do not have to do this, Aria." Ezra says, with a breathy sigh.
"Do what?" I ask, with confusion in my voice.
"Act all lovey-dovey with me in front of our friends and family. Honestly, it is okay." Ezra says, as he stares into my hazel eyes.
"I know that, Ezra." I say, as I run my fingers through his curly hair.
"Then why are you acting this way?" Ezra asks, as he furrows his brow in confusion.
"Because I want to." I whisper, before kissing his cheek softly.
AN: A day late, but here you go! What did you think of this chapter? Did you like the Ezria scenes before and during the ball? What did you think Aria meeting the girls? There will actually be a two month time jump in the next chapter. Please review and tell me your thoughts. Thanks for reading :)