I don't own anyone except for Clara. You know the deal

Chapter 8:

Aria POV:
Clara peered shyly behind my legs and looked up at Spencer.

"You're my aunt? Just like Auntie Vera, who takes pictures," asked a curious Clara. Spencer looked at me and mouthed, "Who's Vera?"

"Ezra's sister," I soundlessly replied. "C'mere pumpkin," I said as I reached down to pick up Clara. "Auntie Spencer is my very close friend. Just like you and Marie." Marie was the little redheaded girl whom Clara had befriended over the past two days. "She has heard a lot about you, and would like to be friends. Is that ok with you?"

Clara looked back and forth from me to Spencer and signaled me to put her down. She walked over to Spencer, almost assessing if she was "Auntie" material and had obviously decided she was, for Clara through her arms around Spencer's legs to hug her. Spencer just giggled at my little girl's actions.

Wait, did I just describe Clara as my little girl. Oh screw it, there wasn't any question about it;I loved her as if she was actually my own. I felt slightly giddy again with the prospect of my new discovery.

Clara turned her head slightly and connected with another owner of bright blue eyes.

"Daddy!"

"Well, there goes Auntie/Niece bonding time," Spencer said to me wryly. The sad connotation of that is, Spencer would've been an aunt sooner than now. Back in our junior year, her sister, Melissa, was married to that creepy excuse of a man, Ian Thomas. After Ian's death from "A" pushing him down a bell tower, Melissa lost her baby because of extreme grief and stress. It was a sad day for the entire Hastings' family, especially Spencer who at that moment was excited to be an aunt.

Ezra walked over to us with Clara in his arms.

"Hey Ezra. You remember Spencer, don't you," I asked.

"Of course. Who could forget Spencer Hastings. My "old lady" from our production of The Bad Seed, if I remember correctly."

Spencer laughed. "It's nice to see you Mr. Fitz. Your daughter is beautiful!"

"Please Spencer, it's Ezra. I'm not your AP English teacher anymore. And thank you."

"She's the perfect combination of you and Aria," she said and winked at Ezra knowingly. He set Clara on the ground and whispered to me, "She knows?"

I nodded to him in confirmation. Clara tugged on my skirt, wanting me to lift her up. I picked her up and she said to Ezra, "This is my Auntie Spencer, Daddy. She's like Auntie Vera, but doesn't take pictures. She teaches the 5th grade. Mommy told me I also have 2 more aunts, Hanna and Emily, but I haven't met them yet."

"That's wonderful sweetie, but I think Mommy has to go somewhere. Why don't you say goodbye, and we'll talk to her later."

"Ok! Bye Mommy! Love you," said Clara as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Love you too, pumpkin. I'll speak to you later."

"Bye Auntie Spencer," called Clara as Ezra took her hand and led her away.

Spencer and I were walking to a small cutesy cafe near the apartment's to meet Toby and Noel.

"Quite a cutie, you now have on your hands," remarked Spencer. "And you're absolutely right. She is like a carbon copy of you, plus some characteristics of Ezra. Are you sure she's not some secret you've kept from all of us?"

I laughed. "No Spencer. I think you could tell if I was pregnant and had given birth."

We continued to walk, as Spencer fawned over Clara to me. She then stopped outside the cafe and turned to me abruptly with a huge grin on her face.

"I totally forgot how hot Mr...I mean Ezra was. It's so weird to call him Ezra, just so you know. But still. What a god that man is," she said.

"Oh, shut up," I said as I playfully nudged her. "You have Toby who's waiting for you inside," I continued as I motioned to a pair of electric blue eyes that brightened when they saw Spencer.

Spencer pushed through the door in a hurry.

"Toby," She squealed as she flung herself into his arms.

"Hey! Spencer! How have you been," he asked he we all took a seat. I was across from Noel, who was looking down at a menu, oblivious to the fact that Spencer and I had arrived. Spencer gave Toby a huge smile, and he looked at me and said, "Aria! Hey! What have you been up to all this time?"

At the sound of my name, Noel's menu slammed down on the table and he looked straight into my eyes. Noel Kahn hadn't changed a bit physically. He still had his dark hair and cold blue eyes. His height and build were the exact same.

"Well," I said, replying to Toby's question and ignoring Noel's stare, "I just started yesterday teaching kindergarten. It's fantastic!".

"Who would've thought," spoke Noel. "Aria Montgomery, the great AP English student, is a kindergarten teacher, not an English professor," He sarcastically remarked. So his mentally hadn't changed either as well.

"It was my choice, Noel."

"Guys! Please! Can we not star an argument," asked Spencer and Toby in unison.

"They're right, Aria," said Noel suddenly in a lighter tone. "I'm really sorry for anything that's happened in the past. Is there any possibility we could start over?"

"I guess we can," I replied cautiously.

The continuation of our "meet-up" went well, actually. Noel and I got along. Spencer and Toby, within mere minutes of seeing each other, got back together. I had learned that Noel and Toby had become friends during college. Noel had gotten a job as a filming executive for "Good Morning America" and Toby was a government teacher at some high school on the Upper East Side. We were in the middle of talking when I heard my name called:

"Aria?"

I turned around, and there was Ezra and Clara, finding a table.

"Mommy?" asked Clara to Ezra who nodded and put his finger up to his lips as if to say 'Hush'.

"Ezra? What are you-," I was about to finish when I was interrupted by Clara.

"Mommy? What are you doing at Daddy and my favorite snack place?"

"I was just meeting my friends for coffee here pumpkin. I'll...I'll see you in a little bit, ok?"

By this time Ezra had come over to take Clara back to their table. "See Clara, there's Daddy. You should go sit with him and I'll come over in little while," I continued anxiously. I swear I saw Noel's eyes go from confusion to full on anger. His eyes narrowed into little slits. I fought the urge to covet my little girl from Noel. She was 5 years old, and didn't need to be scarred from seeing him go into a tangent.

"Why can't Daddy and I sit with you and Auntie Spencer? Daddy? Don't you want to sit with Mommy and Auntie Spencer," asked Clara looking at Ezra.

Only Ezra didn't respond. He eyes were looking directly at Noel, and both had a seething look on their faces. I saw a couple traces of smugness in Ezra. It was almost terrifying to look at. I've never seen Ezra's face so filled with anger and hatred before.

He finally turned to Clara and picked her up. "Clara," he said, his voice calm. "Why don't we just take your snack home. We'll talk to Mommy when she gets there, ok?"

Clara looked at my and gave me the puppy dog face. "Clara, listen to what Daddy says. I'll see you later sweetheart. I'll see you soon, Ezra."

Noel waited until they both left the cafe to explode.

"I should've known you'd go and find your English teacher," he seethed. "I can't believe I spent all that money on a diamond ring. I loved you Aria. And after rejecting me, you ran straight into the arms of your lover, WHO LEFT YOU! And you did so much as to get yourself knocked up," he shouted. "You're nothing but a whore, Aria. I thought you were different from half the girls in high school, but I was wrong," he spat.

It was then that I burst into tears and ran from the cafe. Spencer followed close behind, after saying a quick goodbye to Toby and giving Noel slap on his shoulder.

I ran into the apartment building, ignoring the concerned questions of the front desk lady, Edith. I made it to my room and slammed the door and broke down completely.

Spencer wasn't too far behind me, I assumed because she entered about 2 minutes after I did. I lay on the floor while Spencer came over and stroked my hair.

"Aria, sweetie. Don't listen to him. For one, none of that is true. You're not a...well you know. You never hooked up with Ezra, nor had communication with him until yesterday. Noel's just angry because he knew he could never have your heart. Don't listen to him," she said trying to comfort me.

"I know, Spence," I said through my tears. "It just hurts to hear.." I tried finishing my sentence, but couldn't and broke down into another fit of tears.

"If you want, I can tell the both the truth of what's going on. I know Toby doesn't think anything bad of you, but if it would make you feel better..."

"You can tell Toby if you want. I really don't give a fuck about what Noel thinks anymore. You can tell them both, or only Toby. I really don't care. Thank you so much Spence for running after me like that. If you wouldn't mind though, I'd like to have sometime to myself," I said, my tears slowing decreasing as I calmed down.

"Sure sweetie," she said and left.

A spent about 10 minutes calming myself down. And then another 20 minutes debating with myself whether or not I should go over to Ezra's. I knew that at times like this, he could make me feel better. And Clara certainly would too.

It was decided, I was going over to Ezra's townhouse. I quickly called him, and he picked up on the first ring.

Ezra: Hey, whats up?
Aria: Do you mind if I take up that offer to come over tonight? I really don't want to be alone, right now.
Ezra: Sure, but what's wrong?
Aria: I'll explain later. What's your address?

Ezra gave me the essentials like his address and directions. I changed into a silky and comfy green button down that tied at the waist, jeans, and some flats, grabbed my bag, which had an extra shirt hidden at the bottom, and headed outside. I hailed a taxi, and in the matter of 10 minutes, came to the front door of the Fitz's townhouse.

Chapter 8 is up!

I know that we went from the last chapter being really cute and fluffy, to this one being dramatic, but you know, there's always some form of drama when Noel is concerned.

Yay for Spencer and Toby though! They'll be a couple throughout the story, I can assure you.

I already have ideas for the next chapter, I think you all will like it. Thank you to everyone for your kinda reviews and thank you for reading! I'm really thrilled by the turn out of this story!

Enjoy and review!

.soprano.

P.S. Aria's outfit link will be on my profile.