Disclaimer: I only own Clara. The rest belong to ABC Family and Sara Shepard
Chapter 10-
Aria POV:
I woke up the next morning on a very familiar leather couch and to some very familiar blue eyes looking at me.
"Mommy? Did you and Daddy have a sleepover," sleepily questioned my little girl.
"What do you mean," I asked, attempting to sit up, but an arm constricted around my waist, pulling me back down to the couch and against a warm chest. I turned around to see Ezra, asleep with a very peaceful feeling on his face and suddenly knew what Clara meant.
"Oh, well...I guess you could say that, pumpkin," I answered while blushing profusely.
"Ok! That's all! You can go back to sleep now," Clara said as she bounded back up the stairs. Except, I didn't go back to sleep. I laid their, relishing Ezra's embrace, thinking about the last time we were cuddled up together on a couch. I think it was his birthday, January 8th about 6 years ago. It was a Friday night and I had Spencer cover for me while I went to Ezra's apartment. I'm really going to have to buy Spence a really nice gift for everything she's done for me.
Soon, after all my thinking, I quickly drifted off in Ezra's arms once again.
I woke up, around what I think was 2 hours later, to Ezra gently nudging my shoulder.
"Hmmm..." I lazily said. "What is it?"
"I take it you slept well," he said, chuckling .
"One of the best night's sleeps I've ever had," I replied.
I wearily got up off the couch and Ezra did the same. "So," he said. "I was thinking we could have a family day. Do something with Clara around the city. What's you opinion?"
"I think it's great idea," I said standing onto my tippy toes and giving him a kiss on the cheek. He tried moving his head so he's get my lips, but I quickly pulled away.
"Ariaa," he groaned.
"Ezraa," I mimicked him.
"Claraa," piped in our little girl coming down the stairs
Ezra walked over and picked her up from the bottom of the staircase.
"What do you think if we had a family outing today? Just you, Mommy, and I," he asked Clara. A huge smile lit up on her face instantly at the thought.
"I think..." she replied. "I think Mommy should come upstairs and help me pick up an outfit for today," Clara finished reaching out for me to take her.
"Of course," I said taking her into my arms and made my way up the staircase and back to her room.
A couple minutes later, Clara was dressed and ready to go. She had decided on a tiered white skirt, a pink tank top that said LOVE on it, and a jean jacket. I quickly learned that what Clara meant by "help me pick out my outfit" was watch me try on several outfits until I find the one I like. She also let me do her hair, which was half up and half down, with a pink rose clipped in the back.
We went back downstairs so Clara could show of her outfit to Ezra. I decided that it was time for me to go home to get changed for the day.
"Sweetie," I said, bending down the Clara's height. "I'm going to head back to my apartment to get changed and I'll see you later."
"Bye Mommy," Clara said as she hugged me. I stood back up and said Ezra's name in his direction.
"Ezra."
"Yes?"
"I'll see you later," I said and turned to walk towards the door. When Clara wasn't looking, I shot Ezra a wink and he gave me a smile.
As I was walking into my apartment building, Spencer was walking out in her running gear.
"Aria," she exclaimed. "Where the hell have you been? I stopped by your apartment last night after coming home from dinner with Toby, and you weren't there!"
"I...I..." I stuttered. "I went out," I finished vaguely. I was to embarrassed to admit where I had been.
"Where could you have gone that involved staying out all night?"
While I was trying to find the right way to word last night's excursion, a look of realization washed over Spencer's face.
"You were at Fitz's weren't you?"
"No, I was at..."
"Spit it out Aria...were you at his house or not," she asked giggling.
"Fine," I said exasperatedly. "I was. And just so you're inner gossip is satisfied, he and I slept on the couch together."
"Ariaaa...getting scandalous with the English teacher again, I see," she teased.
"Don't you have some running to do," I questioned her.
"Right. With Toby," she said excitedly. "We're meeting in Central Park. I'd better go. Have fun with Fitzy today!"
And with that Spencer ran off and I went inside.
While I was showering and getting ready, I texted Ezra to figure out today's plan.
Aria: Hi. What exactly are we going to do with Clara today?
Ezra: I was thinking about having lunch in Bryant Park. Any other suggestions?
Aria: Sounds awesome. We could get food from Pax across the street and bring it over. Maybe hit the American Girl store afterwards?
Ezra: That's perfect. When will you be here?
Aria: 40 mins. the most. See you then!
I did my hair and makeup, got dressed in a cap sleeve peach chiffon dress and brown wedges, and was back at Ezra's before I knew it. (outfit on profile)
"You look pretty, Mommy," said Clara as she held onto mine and Ezra's hands while walking out of Pax. Ezra held the bag with out food in his other hand while we crossed the street to Bryant Park.
"Thank you sweetheart."
Ezra remained unusually quiet during the walk. He just walked holding Clara's hand, with a huge smile plastered onto his face. Once we got to the park, Clara decided she wanted to sit near the fountain, so Ezra found us a table, and we settled down.
Lunch went by fast. Just by talking with Clara and Ezra, I was taken into another world, a small bubble that restricted me from hearing and seeing the actions of the busy city I lived , an elderly lady would walk past us and congratulate Ezra and I on what a beautiful little girl we had, to which we smiled and thanked them. Once we were finished, we hailed a cab to go to the American Girl store.
Clara had no idea that we were going there. All she knew, from what we told her, was that we had a surprise for her.
"No way," she exclaimed as we got out of the cab.
Ezra picked up Clara and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Are you surprised," he asked.
"Yes," Clara breathed, with a look on her face that proved she was aching to go in.
"Just a few rules first, baby," Ezra continued. "You have to stay with Mommy or I at all times. Got it?"
"Got it," she nodded fervently. Quickly, Clara pulled both of us into the store. I was overwhelmed with dolls and small little girls. It seemed like a store Hanna would have adored as a 5 year old. Every corner of the store was filled with children ogling dolls inside glass cases and parents looking distastefully at the price tags.
After a few minutes browsing the first floor, Ezra quickly whispered to me that he was going to look for something and would meet us at the top floor. I took Clara up to the next floor after Ezra left, to look at the historical dolls. There Clara showed me her doll "Rebecca" and then showed me this gorgeous pink ensemble for her doll. I decided to buy it for and looked at the price.
$32! No wonder the parents looked annoyed when we walked in. $32 for a doll dress? I quickly put the thought aside and bought Clara the dress, knowing it would be worth it just to see her happy.
15 minutes later, my phone buzzed and it was text from Ezra.
Ezra: Finished. Meet me upstairs.
With our bag in hand, Clara and I went up the escalator to find Ezra waiting, looking shocked.
"Daddy! Mommy bought Rebecca a dress! The pretty pink one!"
"That's awesome honey! I'll have to see it when we get home," said Ezra, in a strange hurried fashion. Clara also notice the small red bag Ezra held in his hand.
"What's that," she asked motioning to the bag.
"You'll see when we get home," he said again in the same strange tone.
While Clara was distracted by the merchandise on this floor, Ezra let out the reason why he looked so uncomfortable.
"I saw Jackie."
I'm sorry it took so long to update...but here is chapter 10! Thanks to HarryLovesGinny09 and SolitudeMyLove for their suggestions about Aria, Ezra, and Clara's family day!
Enjoy and Review! I can't wait to post the next one! It's spring break, so I'll have more time to write!
.soprano.