Chapter 1- Ezra

The feeling of a small body curling up next to me woke me up from the dream I was having. I was back with Aria, and it was like I had never left. In my dream we were cuddled up on my old leather couch, watching an old movie. God, 6 years have gone by, and I can't stop thinking about her.

"Aria," I cried out startled.

"Daddy? Who's Aria," asked my little girl, peering at me curiously.

"Nothing sweethart...just a...uh...old friend. That's all."

"Oh! Okay. Daddy? Do you know what day it is?"

I laughed at my little girl's ability to switch the subject to whatever she felt like talking about.
"No, why don't you tell me,' I teased her.

"Come on, dad. Its my first day of school. Ever. Not pre-school, but kindergarten!"

"That's right!"

"How could you have forgotten. Daddy?"
"Clara, you silly girl, do you really think I forget about your first day of school! I'm hurt," I said feigning a shocked expression.

Clara giggled and I climbed out of bed, picking her up with me. I kissed her on the forehead.

"Daddy, I'm a big girl. I'm going to be in kindergarten. I can walk," she said to me in a somewhat sassy tone. "But," she continued, "If you really want, you can hold my hand."
"That's perfect," I said smiling at her as I set her down. She grabbed my hand, and pulled me to her room.

Clara Grace was my little girl. She was the daughter of myself and my girlfriend after I left Aria, Audrey. I left Rosewood during the middle of Aria's senior year. I thought I was doing what was best for her. Since the whole "A" catastrophe ended, I thought that she should have an extra weight lifted off her shoulders. I thought that by leaving would let her enjoy the remainder of her high school career without worrying about our relationship being caught.

I was offered a teaching job at Boston University and moved up there. My only connection left with Rosewood was Hanna, Aria's best friend. I had asked, more like begged her to stay in contact with me, just so I could hear how Aria was without any direct contact that would send me back to Rosewood.

The separation had almost driven me insane, until I heard from Hanna that Aria would be attending NYU, along with the rest of her friends. I snapped, found a teaching job at Columbia, and moved to the city.

I met Audrey at a bar one night. We dated for 2 months before she found out she was pregnant. My emotions were mixed. I was ecstatic to become a father, but I always imagined Aria as the mother. When Clara was 4 months, Audrey left. She said she wasn't ready to be a mother and on top of that, was in love with someone else. I haven't seen her since. To be frank, I wasn't heartbroken when she left. Sad, yes, because Clara wouldn't have a mother figure.

Clara looks mostly like me. She has my complexion and blue eyes and wavy/curly hair. The only trace of Audrey in her was he hair color, which was a dark chestnut color, similar to Aria's. Actually, Clara looks more like Aria (she has a similar facial structure) than Audrey. It was odd, but true.

"Daddy! Help me pick out an outfit!"
This is where I wish she had a mother figure. I don't pick them for her, she just puts things on and I tell her what looks good.
10 minutes later, I was sitting on Clara's bed, and she was showing off her outfit. She looked adorable in this little blue floral dress and white shoes with little bow on the tips that my sister got her for Christmas.

The one thing I could help her with was her hair. She asked me to pull it back with these exact directions: "Make sure my curls look GOOD, please."
While Clara was brushing her teeth, I got her school bag ready in the kitchen and made her a toaster waffle to eat while we walked to school.

"Daddy," I heard from the top of the stairs. "I'm ready! Let's get this show on the road!"
Tiny footsteps descended the stairs and a small hand took the waffle I wrapped up in a napkin from me.

"You're ready Clara?"

"Yes! Let's go!"

We left our townhouse in Midtown (I made a fairly reasonable amount as a university professor), and headed towards Clara's school called, "Manhattan Day". "Manhattan Day" is an elementary school that's not as exclusive as schools in the Upper West Side, but not as public as most schools in the city. It was a happy medium in between.

As we approached the steps of the school I leaned down and handed Clara her Little Mermaid back-pack. I crouched down to her height and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"Have a good day sweetie. I'll be out here to pick you up."

"2:30 sharp, Daddy."

"Yes, 2:30 clock sharp."

All I could think was thank god I only had morning classes. With a final hug, Clara raced up the steps and I hailed a taxi to drive me to Columbia.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!

Reviews would be awesome!

Also...any feedback on a question I have. I had a little plot bunny hopping around in my head, that maybe Clara thinks Aria is her mom due to the similarity between them both, and then has to pretend to be her mother. But then how would I fit some characters...into the story...hmmmm

Just an idea...let me know!

The next chapter will be up as soon as possible!