I'm getting tired of writing disclaimers at the beginning of each chapter...so you know the deal.

Chapter 7:

Aria POV:

I woke up refreshed the next morning. I quickly hopped into the shower, did my makeup and hair, and got dressed. My outfit today consisted of one of my favorite floral dresses and tie up brown espadrille wedges. To top it all of, I put on a large sunhat (which of course I would have to take off at school) with a brown ribbon around the base and a locket around my neck.

I opened the curtains to reveal a sunny day. For some reason, despite the potential mess I've gotten myself into, I was in an extremely good mood. Maybe it was because I knew Ezra still loved me, maybe it was because there was a little girl who looked to me as a role model, maybe it was both of those, or maybe it was some unknown reason, even to myself. Whatever it was, I was grateful, I haven't had a carefree day like this in well, forever.

I headed out of my apartment, and knocked on Spencer's door to see if she was ready to go. She appeared, dressed in a camel and black tank-top with ruffles, jeans, t-strap black flats, and a black bow headband, and raring to go.

"Let's get to Starbucks," she exclaimed, almost knocking me over while she raced out the door. I laughed and locked it for her.

"Why are you so jittery today?"

"If you must know, we have our 'double date' today. I'm beyond excited to see Toby."

'Oh crap' I thought to myself. Suddenly, my good mood had decreased a bit. I really did not feel like seeing Noel again. After Ezra left, Noel had attempted to help me through it again (like he did the first time it happened). We were an item for about a month or so actually, until I decided that I was still much to in love with Ezra to think about a relationship with someone else.

Noel and remained good friends, until graduation when he proposed to me. Someone hadn't obviously taken my whole "I'm sorry, we may have had some fun times, but you're really like a brother to me" speech. I haven't spoken to him since Hanna's graduation party. None of the girls know that Noel proposed to me that night. They only think I wasn't speaking to him any longer was because he said something extremely crude about Ezra. Noel was one of the only few who knew about our relationship. It's not like I wanted him to know, but he saw Ezra and I kissing in his car during "Camp Mona".

"I wish I could say the same for Noel."

"Oh come on Aria, please stop being so bitter. So what? Noel said something bad about Ezra. You can't get angry over every remark made about him," half-joked Spencer.

"Excuse me, Spencer," I shot her an angry look. "But, not only did Noel sporadically say crude things about Ezra throughout out friendly and romantic relationships, but he also proposed to me at the graduation party. I've never told anyone, not even my parents."
Spencer looked at me bewildered for a moment and then spoke;

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry Aria. If I knew that, I wouldn't have dragged you into this."

"Is there any way I can get out of this," I asked.

"I've already told Toby and Noel. They're both excited to see you."

Toby and I had become somewhat friends during the time he had dated Spencer (which was the middle of junior year to senior year. They broke up because of distance in their colleges.) I suppressed a sigh.

"Damn it. I don't mind Toby, not one bit. But I can't take Noel."

"It'll be fine, I promise. If you want you can leave early. I'll be ok."

"Thanks so much, Spence. It feels good to have someone know what actually happened."

We arrived at Starbucks quickly, ordered our drinks, and left.

"So," Spencer said. "You never gave me details about last night. How did it go?"

I told her everything, including Ezra's and mine conversation, which took up the duration of the time it took to get to "Manhattan Day".

We made it up to my classroom when Spencer finally asked what she really meant to get at.

"Does this mean I get to meet my 'niece' today?"

"Yes, it does. Come either during you're lunch or meet me out front before we go to wherever we're meeting Noel and Toby."

"Sounds good," Spencer said as she started walking to her classroom. "Have a nice day," she called as she shut the door.

I settled at my desk and got the classroom ready for the day. I was just about to sit down and open up my latest book from the bookstore, when the door burst open, and in flew Clara, with Ezra trailing not too far behind.

"Mommy," she exclaimed and launched herself into my arms. Clara was dressed adorably, in floral shorts, a pink tank top, an ivory crocheted vest, light blue converse sneakers, and to top it off, she had a little straw fedora with a pink plaid ribbon rimming the base perched on top of her curls. I looked at Ezra questioningly, and then motioned to Clara's attire. He put up his hands in defense as if to say 'She picks it all out. I'm only there for support'.

'So I have a fashionable little girl on my hands' I thought.

"Hey pumpkin. What are you doing her so early?"

"She wanted to see you before class, so I figured that we'd get here early to come visit," said Ezra, who came over and plucked the book out of my hand.

"Hmmm...Mini Shopaholicby Sophie Kinsella. Interesting choice," he teased.

"Hey! Don't mock. Just because I was a good English student, doesn't mean I can't give into the temptations of a good chick-lit."

"Wasn't mocking you," he said as he winked and gave me back my book.

"I have to get going," he continued. "I want to be on time today, so I won't be late to take home Clara. Not that she wouldn't mind staying with you for a little bit."

"Sounds good," I replied.

"By the way, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to come by after school. See the house and get to know Clara in her usual surroundings."

"It sounds wonderful, but I'm going somewhere after school."

"Oh, well...I,"

"How about dinner," interjected Clara. "Come to our house for dinner, Mommy."

"What is with you and making dinner plans," I playfully questioned her as I went to pick her up.

"I don't know, I just like dinner," Clara answered.

"Alright," said Ezra. "I really need to get going. Goodbye, love," he said as he lifted Clara out of my arms and gave her a quick kiss.

"Goodbye Aria," he continued as he hugged me, and we both seemed to linger there for a few moments.

"Thank you for this all," he whispered in my ear and then pulled away. "So, um...text me...if you're planning to...you know come over from dinner."

I giggled at him. He was still my adorable, rambling Ezra.

"I will. Don't worry."

Ezra leaned down to give Clara a small kiss of the nose, gave a parting glance to me, and left the room.

I picked Clara back up and said, "So pumpkin, what do you want to do while we wait for school to start?"

The morning went by fast. After Ezra left, Clara wanted me to read her a story. She produced a small book about "Beauty and the Beast" from her backpack and we read that. She was so engrossed in the story, that she didn't hear when the first bell rang.

I spent the morning teaching the kids very basic math problems, vocabulary words, and even read them a story; Clara's "Beauty and the Beast" story to be precise.

We broke for lunch and when we returned, I started them on a project. They had to make a small book of drawings. Each picture had to be one of their favorite things.

About halfway through, Clara's little voice rang out, "Mommy!"

I knew she was referring to me, so I walked over. None of the other kids seemed to notice what Clara called me, they were much too enraptured in their work to care.

I walked over to Clara.

"Clara, sweetheart. You cannot call me 'Mommy' during school. Just like I can't call you pumpkin."

"Oh, ok, Mom-I mean Miss Aria. I wanted to show you something."

"What is it?"

"My picture! I drew you!"

Sure enough, it was like the picture she drew of me yesterday. Only except there wasn't anyone in the picture. Just me.

"Thank you so much, Clara. We'll have to show Daddy later."

She gave me a little smile and I went back to my desk to finish up some curriculum work and read a little bit of Mini Shopaholic.

Ezra POV:

Clara had begged me to let her see Aria early this morning. I think it actually turned out as a good idea. I got to Columbia early enough to get some work done, so I wouldn't be late again.

I really hoped Aria would come over for dinner tonight. It would give us a chance to once again talk, and maybe sort out our feelings for one another.

'Ezra Fitz, you are so irrevocably in love with Aria' I thought to myself. I couldn't deny it. Nor did I want to.

I set my briefcase down onto my desk and looked at my framed picture of Clara. It was taken last Christmas at my father and step-mother's house. Well, Gillian was more like an actual mother to me.

It was a candid shot that my sister Vera, a photographer, had gotten of us. We were sitting on the couch, Clara almost half asleep in my arms and I was pressing a kiss to her head. It was one of my favorites.

I had just settled the classroom the way I wanted it, when my first class, rushed in. I taught 2 more classes after that, then had a free period, which I took to catch up on some reading, and text Aria about how the day was going.

Aria: It's fine. Clara's doing great. We did have a little slip with the word "mommy" but none of the other kids had paid attention. Have to go!

I had another class, then lunch, one more class, and then by 1:45 p.m., I was finished for the day and decided to stop by my friend, Gregory Andrew, a humanities professor's classroom. Greg was about my age, and supposdely was dating one of the new TA's.

Unfortunately, I walked in at the wrong time. I had opened the door to see Greg and some petite blonde (whom I assumed to be the TA) leaned over desk, becoming, in the most un-graphical way possible, becoming a little too intimate for school.

I coughed and both of them turned their attention to me.

"Crap! Ezra! I'm so sorry man, I hadn't seen you there," said startled Greg.

"Nah man, its fine...I guess. Just wanted to stop by and talk before I got pick up Clara, but I see you're busy, so...goodbye," I said rushing out the door, embarrassed.

"Wait, Ezra! I want to introduce you to my girlfriend. This is Aimee. I'm sure your overheard the rumor's in the teacher's lounge, so yes. This is my TA girlfriend," he said as he smiled at her.

"It's nice to meet you Ezra," said Aimee. "I always hear such good things about your class from students and you yourself from Greg."

"It's really nice to meet you too, Aimee. I've got to get going. I have to pick up my daughter."

Before I could leave, Greg added, "Maybe once you finally get yourself a girl, we can double date!"

I laughed at him and made my way outside to get a taxi.

I arrived at Clara's school just in time. I gave the driver my money, and let him keep the change, for I was much to transfixed of the sight ahead of me. There was Aria, with Clara hiding shyly behind her legs, while my former student and Aria's close friend, Spencer Hastings, leaning down to shake Clara's hand.

Aria then picked up Clara, gave her a kiss, and said something, obviously to relax Clara about meeting a new person, because after, Aria put her down and Clara wrapped her arms around Spencer's legs.

There's chapter 7! Sorry it took so long, but was down and wouldn't let me log on to post.

Hope you enjoy and review! Outfits for this chapter are on my profile!

Also! For any Harry Potter fans that are reading "Reunited", you should check out my friend's story "Time is Useless". Its really good! I'll put the link on my profile for those who are interested.

Next chapter includes Clara meeting Spencer, and the return of Noel and Toby. Who's excited!

.soprano.