Chapter 12

Ezra POV

"Yeah, sure I can watch him for a week," Ezra stated into the phone before taking a sip of the coffee in his hand. "Okay. I'll see you then, Clarissa." Flipping the phone shut, he took another big gulp from his coffee. Suddenly, a smile spread across his face as he felt two arms wrap around his neck from behind. Leaning back slightly in the chair, he looked up at Maria. "Good morning," he murmured touching his lips softly to hers.

Moaning, she rested her chin on his shoulder. "Who was that on the phone?" she questioned.

"My former sister-in-law. Clarissa. She and her boyfriend are going on a cruise for their one year anniversary and they asked if I could keep Zane while they're gone. Zane is my three year old nephew." Ezra held a sense of pride for his nephew. Zane was always attached to Ezra's hip whenever he visited. Ezra loved that kid to death.

"When exactly is he staying with you?" she asked excitedly.

Grinning at her excitement, he replied casually, "Next week," The smile instantly fell from Maria's face which caused Ezra to do the same. "What's wrong?"

"Remember that friend of my father's? The one who died? Well, his wife is having this party type thing for him and I promised my father I'd help him through it. I was actually going to invite you to go. Introduce you to my father." Ezra closed his eyes.

Standing from the chair, he turned and wrapped his arms around Maria's waist. Wrapping her arms loosely around his neck, she stuck out her bottom lip. Smiling, Ezra leaned in and kissed her sweetly. "Well, I'd come but I doubt this party is the type of party a three year old should attend. How long are you going to be gone for?" he asked quietly playing with the hem of her shirt.

Looking down at his hands, she whispered, "The whole week. Family is also coming into town to celebrate by aunts birthday so I sort of promised Dad that I'd stick around for that." Ezra nodded not looking at her. Sighing, Maria tilted his chin up with her pointer finger. Wrapping her arms back around his neck, she leaned in and kissed him. In an instant the kiss became heated and they soon ended up in bed.

Aria POV

Aria stood in line at the coffee shop with her wallet in hand. Her friends were sitting in a booth in the corner waiting for her to get her coffee and join them. Once she received and paid for it, she slid into the booth beside Emily.

"So, how are you and Clark?" Hanna asked with a knowing smile.

Aria went to go take a sip of her coffee pausing mid sip and stared at Hanna over the top of the cup. Slowly bringing it down, she looked at the others. "Fine," she concluded. She had yet to tell them about the eventful day they shared together. She wasn't sure what her friends would think about her actions. Hannah might not have a problem with it but she wasn't so sure about Spencer and Emily. She also hadn't mentioned that Clark had told her he loved her.

Hanna raised an eyebrow. "And…?" Aria shook her head. "Oh, come on! You're hiding something. I can tell by the I-just-got-caught face."

"Oh, is that the face you had when you got caught stealing?" Spencer asked. Emily and Aria chuckled. Hanna narrowed her eyes at Spencer and nudged her with her shoulder. Spencer smiled at Aria and Emily.

"Shut up, Spence. Aria, seriously, what's going on?"

Sighing, Aria filled them in on everything. As expected, Hanna was happy for her. Spencer and Emily didn't say anything about the sex part but cooed when she told them what Clark had said. Aria couldn't help but beam at her friends. She bit her lip trying to hide the smile but apparently failed when her friend's smiles got wider. She could feel the heat rise in her cheeks as she continued to smile widely.

They sat in that coffee shop for hours talking about boys, shopping, and anything else that came up. Aria hadn't missed Rosewood while she was in Iceland. Hell, she wished she could go back. But this was one thing she had missed, her friends.

"You guys do realize what tomorrow is, right?" Emily asked quietly after being kicked out of the coffee shop. Stepping into the night, everyone looked at her. Of course they knew. Alison would be sixteen tomorrow. Silence took over them.

"Should we do something tomorrow after school? Like have a dinner and invite her family and our family's?" Aria asked.

"I think my mom would allow us to have the party at our house. You don't think it'd be too late of a notice for Mr. and Mrs. DiLaurentis?" Spencer wondered. The girls just shrugged. "I'll call them." With that said, they all went their separate ways.

"Mom? Dad?" Aria hollered. Her parents came around the corner followed by her brother, Mike. He had been scarce ever since they got back. He had missed Rosewood while they were away so he was probably spending every day living it up with his old friends.

"Yeah, sweetie?" Her mother questioned.

"I know you might not be up for it but we're having a dinner thing at the Hastings' house tomorrow after school for Alison's birthday. Do you want to come?" she asked. Before her mother could answer, she put in, "You don't have to if you don't feel up to it!"

Ella smiled. "I'll tell you what. I go back to work tomorrow. If I feel up to it after work I'll come. If not, well…" Ella motioned her head to the side letting them finish the sentence themselves.

"Wait. You're going back to work already? Isn't it a bit soon? I mean you just got out of the hospital,"

"Well, my doctor has released me to go back to work. I'm tired of being here all day. I miss my students and work." Aria nodded in understanding. Her mother was always doing something. Whether it be painting or working, she had to be doing something at all times.

Aria smiled. "Okay. What about you two?" she asked looking over at her brother and father. Her dad nodded his affirmation. All three peered over at Mike. He looked at each of them.

"I can't. I'm having a pick-up game tomorrow. Besides, she wasn't my friend," he muttered before stalking up the steps. Aria clenched her jaw and looked down.

"Don't mind him, Aria. He's been like that since we got back," Byron said. Aria nodded before going to her room.

Ezra POV

Ezra hummed as he wrote an assignment on his chalk board. Maria had left this morning for Ohio and Clarissa and Nick were dropping Zane off at the school at the end of fourth period. He hadn't seen Zane is three months and he was excited.

"Good morning," he heard the sweet voice say behind him. Turning, he smiled at Aria.

"Good morning, Miss. Montgomery," he replied with a bright smile.

"Wow, someone is in a good mood this morning."

"Well, that's what happens when a guy finds out his nephew will be staying with him for the next week," Ezra continued to smile. Aria returned the smile. They stared at each other for a little while before students started to file in then Aria took her seat.

"Ezra," he heard from the doorway at the start of his free period. Ezra looked up from his planning book and gave Ella a soft smile motioning for her to come in.

"Ella," he reached out and shook her hand. "I'm surprised to see you back at work already."

Ella shrugged her shoulders once and smirked. "It was just a car accident, no biggie." Ezra could tell she was still hurting over the baby situation. She was avoiding the subject though so he didn't point it out.

"So, what can I do for you?" he questioned.

"Oh, right. I was wondering if you were doing anything this evening. Aria and her friends are throwing a party for Alison DiLaurentis' birthday and Byron just texted me and told me he has meetings all day at work. He won't be able to make it and I don't want to go alone. I don't really fit in well with Aria's friends parents."

Ezra opened his mouth slightly. "Well, I, uh, I'm not doing anything."

"Great! So, you'll come?"

"Uh, sure. Oh wait! My nephew is staying with me for a few days, is it okay if he comes?" Ezra asked before she left. Turning back to him, she nodded, smiled and walked away. Ezra scrunched his eyebrows together in confusion. Did it seem like Ella was…flirting? Ezra closed his eyes, smiled, and shook his head ridding himself of those ridiculous thoughts.

The end of the day came soon enough. His fourth period class was still packing up their things when an announcement came over the intercom, asking for Mr. Fitz to report to the main office. He smiled to himself as he walked out the door in the direction of the office. As he walked up to the door, he saw Clarissa and Zane standing there with their backs to him.

Opening the door and closing it softly, he slowly walked up behind Zane. In the blink of an eye, Ezra grabbed him around the waist and lifted him above his head. The little boy instantly chuckled as Ezra made a growling noise. He brought Zane back down into his arms and turned him to face him. Zane threw his arms around Ezra.

"Uncle Ez!" The boy screamed in delight. Ezra laughed and leaned in to peck the boy on the cheek quickly. Zane grinned widely and scrunched up his nose.

"Hey, Clarissa." Ezra put an arm around the woman and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

She smiled. "Hey, Ezra." They looked at each other knowingly. Ezra wasn't proud of it, but after Nate and Clarissa had separated, he spent a lot of his time over at Clarissa's with Zane. Not only did he spend time with Zane but he spent time with Clarissa also. He had gained feelings for her. They had shared one kiss and promised never to do it again because of his brother. Ezra wasn't sure what his feelings for Clarissa were exactly but he would never do anything to hurt his brother.

Clearing his throat, Ezra asked, "So, if Nate calls…?" He left the sentence hanging.

Clarissa nodded. "You can tell him Zane is with you. He can see him but you have to be there, Ezra. I trust you not to leave my son with him alone," Clarissa looked at him sternly.

Ezra nodded and looked at the boy in his arms. He was cuddled up in his arms with his forehead resting against Ezra's neck. "He's trying to change, Clarissa," he muttered.

Clarissa just nodded slightly before smiling at Zane. "Okay, buddy. Mommy has to go. You going to be okay with Uncle Ezra while I'm gone?" Zane nodded against Ezra's neck. Clarissa held out her hands for Zane to climb in them. She hugged him close to her before placing a kiss on his cheek. "I put his car seat in your car already along with some other stuff." She said to Ezra who nodded in return.

"Bye-bye, Mommy." Clarissa grinned at the boy.

"Bye-bye, baby," she replied before handing him back over to Ezra. Ezra held him as all three walked out of the office. Ezra stood by the office doors and watched as Clarissa made her way to the main entrance. Before going out, she turned.

"Wave bye to Mommy, Zane," Zane lifted his hand and waved it vigorously back and forth. She gave a small wave in return before she was gone.

Ezra turned to Zane who was already staring at him with big, bright blue eyes. Ezra scrunched up his face and made a weird face. Zane giggled. "You up for a dinner party, buddy?"

Zane tilted his head in thought before nodding. Ezra smiled and walked to the teacher's parking lot.