All characters, except for Clara and Nicolette, belong to Sara Shepard and ABC Family

Chapter 5:

Ezra POV:

I felt slightly giddy while walking back to our townhouse. Clara's face was radiating with happiness, and there was a slight bounce in my step. To any passerby, we may have looked slightly insane, but only we knew the reason for our over excited expressions.

Seeing Aria again brought back the "butterfly-in-your-stomach" feeling I had repressed since the day I left Rosewood. She hadn't changed a bit. She was still my Aria. Of course, if I wanted any shot at rebuilding our relationship, we would have to work it all back up. Maybe take it at a slower pace this time. There wasn't the need to act as if each moment together could possibly be our last.

Once I we walked into our townhouse, Clara bounded off to her room, claiming she had "Something to take care of." I decided to take a shower and get ready for dinner.

I stepped into the shower and began to start washing my hair, when the reality of my new situation dawned on me; Aria was playing "Mommy" to Clara. I wasn't mad at her for jumping in. I had briefly thought of the plan myself. In fact, I was actually grateful. It showed she really cared for Clara, which is a step that would help rebuild a relationship.

But there was the typical complications that came with arrangements like this that Aria and I had to sort through. Like how explain to Clara why Mommy doesn't live with us or how to tell Clara the truth when we feel the time is right. I was worried about the last issue that Aria and I would probably have to deal with.

My mind constantly ran over possibilities to solve it until I got out of the shower. I shook off my worries and decided that Aria and I would figure this all out together.

Together; that word gave me a buzz of excitement.

I pulled out a light blue button down shirt and a pair of slacks and black shoes to wear. I went into my bathroom once again to fix up my hair and brush my teeth. When I came out, Clara was sitting atop of my bed in a new light blue dress that had lace around the edges and a little belt around the waist, and her favorite white sandals. In her hands was a silky white ribbon.

"Daddy! Look, we match!"

I looked down and noticed both of our light blue attire.

"You're absolutely right sweetheart. But I must say, you look much prettier than I do."

"No, daddy. Girls look pretty. Boys look handsome and for a matter of fact, you look very handsome. You'll definitely win Mommy back looking like that."

"Clara! Please try not to say anything like that at dinner. Or ever again," I said embarrassed.

"What? It's the truth! You do want Mommy back, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. But please don't say things like that during dinner."

"Ok. Could you help me though?"

"Sure, with what?"

"Putting this bow in my hair."

"No problem baby," I replied.

I got Clara's hair done and I checked the clock. It was 5:30 which left us about a half an hour to spare. Clara settled in front the the TV to watch some Disney Channel show, while I sat beside her reading a book.

We left around 6:00. Clara, in what she though was an inconspicuous way, hid a folded up piece of paper in her pocket. We made it there 10 minutes early. Thank god our table was free so we could sit down. Clara gets somewhat whiny when we have to stand and wait around.

Another 10 minutes went by, me looking through the menu and Clara drawing while glancing to the door. Finally, Clara's voice rang out, signaling Aria's arrival.

"Mommy!"

"Hi Baby," said Aria in an endearing way.

She came leaned across the table to give Clara a kiss in the forehead and gave me one of her heartbreaking smiles.

"Mommy! I missed you!"

"It's only been a couple hours, sweetie," said Aria.

"But I haven't seen you for 5 years! I want to make up for it all! Guess what," exclaimed Clara.

I stifled a laugh at Clara's 5 years statement, which earned a glance from Aria that seemed to say 'We need to figure this all out'. She turned back to Clara.

"What love?"

"I drew you a picture," said Clara as she fished through her pocket and produced the folded up piece of paper, which she handed to Aria.

Aria opened it, and I noticed her eyes welling up. She looked at it for a few minutes and then handed it over to me. I felt my heart swell a little bit. The picture was Aria, Clara, and in Central Park. We were having a picnic, and Aria and I were holding hands.

I looked back up at Aria, and gave her back her picture which she put in her purse.

"Thank you Clara. I love it."

Aria POV:

I put the picture safely in my purse when a blonde with maybe a little too much red lipstick came over to our table.

"Welcome to Carmine's. My name is Nicolette and I'll be you server tonight. If there's anything you need, feel free to call me over," she said, a little too suggestively in Ezra's direction. My jealousy flared up at that moment, and Ezra obviously noticed it because he said:

"Actually, my girlfriend and I would like the share the Chicken Marsala dish. It's our anniversary," he continued as he looked at me lovingly. "Our daughter will have, well, what do you want Clara?"

"I'd like the kid's spaghetti please," answered Clara.

"I'll put these orders in right away," said Nicolette in strained and dejected tone as she turned. Ezra and I shared a laugh, which earned a confused glance from Clara until she spoke up.

"Today's your anniversary," exclaimed Clara.

"No sweetie, I only said that so we could have our waitress move along a little faster," said Ezra.

"That's right. Our actual anniversary would most likely be, well, August 31st."

Clara decided to go back to her drawings while Ezra and I made small talk about the last 6 years. I told him about college and my sudden turn to elementary education. He told me about his work and Clara's life. We kept this up until Nicolette came back with our food, which was delicious.

By the end of the night, Ezra and I had exchanged our new cellphone numbers, and Clara had made us both a series of drawing, which she demanded should be hung up on each of our fridges.

We paid the bill and were on the sidewalk to say our goodbyes.

"Goodbye Ezra, I'll talk to you later," I said as a gave him a hug. We stayed in our embrace a little too long, both of us forgetting the world around us, until we felt Clara attempt to part us.

"What about me, mommy?"

"How could I forget my girl," I asked her while picking her up to hug her.

"Bye Mommy, I love you," said Clara as she gave me a hug. I gave Ezra a shocked look, and he shrugged.

"I love you too," I managed to sputter out and handed Clara over to Ezra. Clara rested her head on Ezra's shoulder.

"I'll see you tomorrow love," I said to Clara and we all parted to go home.

I entered my apartment in a haze. The night seemed surreal. In the matter of one day, I've acquired myself a family. Not just any family though, but my dream one.

'Ezra and I still have things to talk about before we can ever build back our relationship' I thought to myself as I got ready for bed.

I climbed into bed and got settled. I was just about to fall asleep, when my Blackberry beeped.

Ezra Fitz: Hey. Thank you so much for tonight. I'm sure there are thing we need to talk about before we can continue with this all though.

Here you go! Chapter 5!

Hope you enjoyed it!

If anyone has any ideas for Aria and Ezra's first text messaging conversation since Rosewood, please do speak up!

REVIEW PLEASE!

.soprano.