Disclaimer: I don't anyone in this story except for Clara

Chapter 9-
Aria POV:

Ezra opened the door the minute I got out of the taxi. I quickly got rid of my upset expression, even though he knew something was wrong. Overhead, I could hear thunder start to roll and rain started to trickle down to the pavement. Although raining, the sky was turning a pinkish orange as the sun began to set. He came down the few front steps to greet me and guide me inside.

"Welcome to my humble abode!"

Ezra showed me around his townhouse. It has the essence of his old apartment, except it was bigger and a little bit more "modernized" and family-like.

"My sister wanted to decorate it. She said that if I didn't have a daughter, I could've kept it very similar to my old apartment. Besides being a free-lance photographer, Vera loves to interior design. Funny thing is, she's only ever designed my house, so maybe she just loves meddling in her big brother's life," he said causing us both to laugh.

Our last stop, besides the guest room, was Clara's room. It was a gorgeous room, almost made perfectly for Clara. The walls were pink with white etchings on the wall. She had a comfy looking day bed and the soft chairs and curtains had a pattern with blue, pink, and orange which tied different colors into the room. And there, in the middle of the white carpet, sat Clara, determinedly attempted to change her American Girl doll's clothing.

"Clara? Someone's here to see you," said Ezra.

Clara quickly came up to the door, and upon seeing me, ran into my outstretched arms. "Mommy," she cried. "You came!"

"Of course I did sweetie, I wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this!"

Ezra and I sat up in Clara's room for a little bit, playing with her. She had us play with her Barbie dolls, much to Ezra's protests.

"Can't we just, maybe read a story? Daddies, as much as they love their daughters, don't play with Barbies," he said.

"Oh, c'mon Ezra. She's out daughter. Look at that pout. How can you say no to that," I pointed to Clara who had quickly put on the puppy dog face to get her way. Unable to say no to his daughter, Ezra went along with out game.

Now, Clara sat in the living room, immersed in a show (I believe it was something called Suite Life on Deck. I'm not too sure; I don't watch the Disney Channel) while Ezra and I cooked dinner.

"Believe it or not, Ezra Fitz, I think you're skills have improved over the past 6 years."

"I hope they have. I took some cooking classes when Clara was born. Couldn't have my daughter living on microwavable dinners, now could I?"

We kept up our witty banter while finishing up our pasta with pesto sauce. I felt content at this moment. This was always how I pictured my life in high school. Ezra and I having a normal couple moment; us cooking together. Well more like me cooking and him helping.

I went to get Clara while Ezra set the table. "Clara, sweetheart," I said as I turned off the TV. It's time for dinner. Could you come sit at the table please?"

"No problem, Mommy," she said as she took my hand to lead me back to the kitchen. She then tried to pull out my chair for me.

"It's ok, pumpkin. I can seat myself. Why don't you go get in yours?"

Clara clambered into her seat, while I helped Ezra set out the glasses. We finally all sat down to eat. I must admit, Ezra's cooking certainly had gotten better. Those classes really helped. The rest of dinner was quiet until Clara asked, "Mommy, who was that man today who looked angry at Daddy?"

Both Ezra and I were startled at the question. I hadn't thought she'd seen Ezra and Noel look like they were going to kill each other, and I assumed Ezra had thought the same.

"He was, just an old friend from Rosewood. Nothing more," I quickly answered.

"Then why when I called you 'Mommy' did he get angry?"

I looked at Ezra for help, but he was just as stunned as I was at Clara's perceptiveness.

"Well, that man, Noel, had always had a crush on me back in Rosewood. But he knew that I loved Daddy." I think I saw Ezra's face light up when I said that, plus I saw Clara give him a little thumbs-up. "Noel," I continued, "was jealous that you're daddy and I had you. That's why he was so angry looking."

"Noel and I didn't get along very well in Rosewood too," added Ezra. "We don't like each other very much."

"That's good, because I don't like him either," said Clara matter of fact-ly. Ezra and I both laughed.

A few minutes later Ezra took Clara upstairs to give her a bath, and I cleaned up the kitchen. When I was finished, I went into the living room and mindlessly watched E! channel while I waited.

Ezra POV:

"Did you hear Mommy, Daddy? Did you," asked an excited Clara. "She said she loved you!"

"I did hear sweetie. Although, I think our little signal didn't go as well as I planned. She saw you're thumbs-up."

"Oh," said Clara. "We'll just have to make up another one then. Maybe scratching our ear. That's what Marie and I made our secret signal during class so we don't disturb Mommy with talking."

Clara kept up her chatter as she changed into her pajamas and I brushed out her wet hair. Aria then took the opportunity to come upstairs and say goodnight.

Clara was already settled under her covers when Aria came in.

"Goodnight baby," she cooed as she kissed Clara on the forehead.

"Wait! Mommy? Daddy? Can you read me my story?"

By "her story" she meant her Little Mermaid book. "Sure," Aria and I said unison, which earned me a strange look from Aria.

We both laid on either side of Clara, alternating pages. While Aria was reading, I took a quick look at the sight before me. It was a perfect family moment.

Clara's eyes started to flutter as we neared the end of the book, and once we were done, she was conked out. Aria and I both shared an amused look as we heard Clara's soft snores, and left the room.

We settled on my leather couch in the living room.

"Aria, we need to talk. What happened that made you so upset when you spoke over the phone to me?"

"Noel, he just said some things."

"Like what?"

"He said I was a whore for hooking back up with my English teacher and getting pregnant," she said here eyes starting to tear

Anger seemed to ooze out of me. I don't usually get angry, but if anyone toyed with my Aria, the angry side of Ezra Fitz was released. I reached over to grab her hand. "What do yo-How dare he! He had no right to say anything of that to you." Then it dawned on me. I ran my hand through my hair as I said, "God, Aria, if I knew someone would say things like that to you, I wouldn't have brought you into this whole "Mommy" idea in the first place."

"No, Ezra. Please don't. I wouldn't change our circumstances for the world. If it isn't obvious after tonight, I love your daughter very much." My heart leaped a little to hear her say this. "I'm sure Noel only lashed out like that because of jealousy. He could never really accept us together. Even after you left," she continued.

"What do you mean," I asked. Aria launched into a whole story about herself and Noel after I had gone.

"He proposed to me at Hanna's graduation party. I told him no, and hadn't seen him since today," she concluded, on the near verge of tears.

"Oh, Aria...," I said as I pulled her close to me. "It's times like this that I wish I hadn't left."

She suddenly pulled away from our embrace. "Why did you leave exactly?"

I was lost for words. My original reason wasn't very valid in my mind anymore. "I left because...well...I thought that it was best for you," I finally blurted out. "You had the weight of the "A" problem lifted off your shoulders and I thought that you should enjoy the end of your senior year, and not have the worry about our relationship being exposed."

It was then that she finally broke into tears and snuggled up to me. Instantly, the missing half of my heart came back. This felt right. She then suddenly pulled away and yelled at me with several variations of things like "How could you have done that? or "You were what's best for me!" Things like that. I finally calmed her down and explained my logic behind my reasoning, and her face seemed to soften.

"Ezra. I'm sorry for bursting like that, but you have no idea what a mess I was."

"Actually, I do. I kept in touch with Hanna. If you ever saw her suspiciously texting, it was probably with me. I wanted to know how you were even if I wasn't around. Every time, she told me you were crying, it hurt so much."

She looked up at me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I looked down at her, smiling. "So, is it true though? Do you still love me?"

"Ezra Fitz, yes it is true. I still do," she said. I felt like bouncing off the walls. I softly grabbed her face and put my lips mere centimeters away from hers until she spoke. "But, we really need to spend time together before we can become a couple again. It's been 6 years and things have changed. It would feel too rushed to get back together after only seeing each other again for 2 days. We need to re-get to know each other," she said.

'Damn. There goes that kiss. I'll have to wait even longer.'

"I'm fine with that. As long as I know we're going to be together in the end of it all," I said.

"Thank you. Want to see what's on TCM," she asked changing the subject quickly.

"Of course. It'll be just like old times. Holed up in my little apartment. Watching 'Roman Holiday' on my small TV," I joked.

It turned out, one of of our favorite's "It Happened One Night" was on, so that's what we watched.

"Remember that time when you sat with my mom and I in that old theatre while watching this," joked Aria.

"God, yes. One of the most awkward moments of my life. It was hell to not be able to hold your hand while your mother was sitting right there. You have no idea how many times I had to fight off the urge," I replied.

"You don't have to fight it now," said Aria. I smiled at her and took her hand into mine, and that's how we stayed until the end of the movie, even when Aria feel asleep. I had turned off the TV and attempted to pick her up, but Aria wouldn't budge. Instead, she unconsciously pulled me down onto the couch next to her, and snuggled into my chest while saying, "No Ezra. Stay."

'Oh what the hell' I thought and fell asleep.

Awww! Some Ezra/Aria fluff :D

Next chapter will be a family day! PM me if you have any ideas!

Enjoy and review! You guys have been awesome! Almost at 60!

.soprano.