Disclaimer: I don't own anyone but Clara and some minor character's like the secretary and the principal.
I just want to say thanks for all the amazing reviews and putting the story in your favorites or on your story alerts! it makes me so happy to know people really like it!
enjoy! read and review!
Chapter 13-
Ezra POV:
"Ezra? Where are your take our menu's," called Aria from the kitchen. I was sitting at my desk grading the first paper I had administered this year to my freshman class. They had to read This I Believe, which was an anthology of National Public Radio essays, and write a 4 paged paper on their favorite essay.
"Umm, let me find them," I said emerging from my study.
"Daddy! I haven't seen you all day," said Clara the minute I stepped out. It seemed as though she had been sitting by the door with her dolls, waiting for me to come out. It was true though, she hadn't seen me all day. I had classes throughout the morning, then a seminar to teach on the themes of "To Kill a Mocking Bird", and Greg, my fellow college, took me out for a beer to unwind after a long day.
Flashback:
"So, the new rumor floating around the teacher's lounge is that Clara has a mother," said Greg as we sat at the bar.
"No shit. Of course she has a mother," I replied sarcastically.
"No, I mean, she came back."
I instantly froze at that moment. He meant Aria. No one at Columbia knew Audrey. How could this have possibly gotten out?
"How...how did everyone find out," I asked.
"So, its true?"
"Yes."
"Well," Greg started. "When you bought lunch at the cafe, someone saw a small picture in your wallet. It looked recent, and it was of Clara and this woman who looked exactly like her."
Crap. I should've hidden our photo from Bryant Park better. Wait, why would I want to hide it? I should be screaming from the rooftops that I have Aria back in my life. And that she is Clara's mother.'
'No Ezra' said my inner voice. 'She is pretending to be, but loves your daughter all the same.'
"That's Aria," I finally said to Greg.
"Is this who you say is the one you were waiting for? Because you know, either you actually were waiting for her, or just rejecting my blind date offers. I have a lot of jilted young women who were dying to meet you," he joked.
"Yes, she is. I've been in love with her for six years. She left...well...because..." I tried to think of logical explanations for the reason why Aria could've left. "She left because she went to study abroad. I met her the summer after she graduated high school, she was 18 and I was 24. It was an instant attraction. We met at a book signing here in the city, and I asked her out for dinner. We dated for awhile, fell in love, and she soon fell pregnant with Clara. We worked through it all; she went to NYU and majored in Children's Education, while I taught at the college. When Clara was 4 months, Aria was offered a scholarship to study abroad in Paris for 4 years. I told her to go, and that I would take care of Clara myself until she came back. I didn't want to hold her back from anything. So, she studied for 4 years, spent a year getting her teaching license (I don't know how long it actually takes, but to work with the story's timeline, I'm making it one year) and got a job back in the city. Turns out, she is now Clara's teacher and that's how we all found each other again."
"Wow," said Greg breathlessly. "That's one epic story. You could write a novel with that."
"Trust me, I've tried," I joked.
"Could I see the picture," he asked.
"Sure," I replied, taking it out of my wallet. The picture was one I took at Bryant Park from out "family day" on Sunday. Aria was sitting on the edge of the fountain, with Clara sitting on her lap and they were smiling for the camera.
"She's gorgeous, Ezra. There's a major resemblance between her and Clara. What's her name?"
"Aria," I replied.
"Man, you are whipped," said Greg.
"What do you mean?"
"You say her name like it's the most beautiful and precious thing on Earth."
"Oh, and you don't talk that way about Aimee," I countered.
"No comment," Greg replied. "Does Clara like her?"
"Loves her already."
"And Aria?"
"She loves Clara so much."
"Does Aria still love you," asked Greg.
"I think she does. She's told me and we're trying to build back our relationship."
"Sounds good man," said Greg. "Listen, I'd better get going. Aimee and I had dinner reservations. But, if you ever want to have a couples night, let me know. I'm sure Aimee would love to meet Aria. They're both the same age."
"That could be fun," I replied. "I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Bye," called Greg opening the bar door.
(end of flashback)
Now, instead of sitting at a bar, loosened up, ready to come home to my daughter, and almost girlfriend, I'm sitting in my study stressed out, trying to grade 20 papers by this weekend. And I don't think any of the students understood the assignment. Only 1 so far has gotten above an 85%. And I've graded 6.
"Daddy! I have to tell you about Auntie Hanna! She came to visit me today with Auntie Spencer during class," said an excited Clara, who was trailing me to the kitchen.
"Not now Clara. Daddy has some things to get done. During dinner," I said tiredly.
"Ezra? You coming? I need to order dinner!"
"I'll be right there!"
"Daddy? Are you alright," Clara questioned, her eyes were wide and looked teary. She never liked to see me stressed out.
"I'm fine, Baby. Just tired," I said picking her up, while she nuzzled her head into the crook of my neck.
I walked into the kitchen to witness a funny sight. Aria had paper strewn across the counter, and all my drawers, including the silverware ones, were open.
I laughed and she looked up.
"What? Its not that funny," she said.
"Actually, it is. Clara, could you help Mommy find the take out menus. I have to go finish grading those dreadful papers."
"Sure, Daddy," said Clara and I put her down to the floor.
"Awww...is Fitzy having a hard time being a college professor. I thought you were doing this for years," teased Aria.
"You wouldn't believe how maddening these papers are. Ah, well. Back to the drawing room."
Aria POV:
Ezra seemed really stressed out over these papers he was grading. I came up with the perfect remedy to help him though. Thank god I chose the kindergarten route.
"Mommy! I found them! Here's Chinese!"
"Thanks, Baby," I said giving her a kiss on the cheek. Clara then ran back to her spot outside Ezra's office and played with her mini-Disney Princess figurines.
I ordered the food, cleaned up, and went into the living room, and sat down with a new book, as I had finished Mini Shopaholic. This time I was reading the classic The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. I had completed the first 3 chapters when the door bell rang, signaling that dinner had arrived.
I fished Ezra out from his study, and we all sat down to dinner. The conversation was lead by Clara who told of today's main event; meeting Auntie Hanna.
Flashback:
It was Wednesday and I had told the kids that today was show and tell day. The reason was that I was going to be showing and telling Spencer and Hanna. Clara brought in her stuffed Ariel doll, after being defeated in her attempts to bring a picture of me and show off her Mommy. I had the kids all settled in a circle, and I was just putting a few things away at my desk when there was a knock on the door.
"Clara? Could you please get that?"
Normally, I wouldn't have asked a student to get the door, but she and I knew who were coming today. I could hear her from my desk and see a little bit of the action.
"Auntie Spencer!"
"Hey, sweetie. Are we ready to go yet?"
"No, no not yet. Mommy hasn't given me the signal to open the door," said Clara in a tone that sounded as if she was trying to say, 'You should know this by now'.
"Who's this blonde lady? You're very pretty," she said obviously asking Spencer about Hanna.
"This," Spencer stated, "is your Auntie Hanna."
"Auntie Hanna! It's nice to meet you! I'm Clara Grace Fitz!"
I heard Hanna's laugh and she said, "It's nice to meet you kiddo. I'll see you inside."
Clara closed the door, gave me a nod to let me know they were here, and walked back to her place.
We started show and tell, and it took about 20 minutes to have every kid share.
"I have something, or well someone for my show and tell. More like two someones," I said and the kids looked at me wide eyes, except for Clara who winked. She got up and went over to open the door.
"Everyone, meet two of my best friends, Hanna Marin and Spencer Hastings!"
"Hi," called the crowd of 5 year olds as my girls walked in. We spent the next few minutes (Spencer's kids were at lunch) playing games until my phone went off at my desk.
"Hello. Aria Montgomery speaking."
"Hi, Miss Montgomery. This is Mrs. Neelman, the Principal's secretary. Mrs. Hochkins would like to see you in her office right away," spoke a very official voice.
'Crap, what could I have possibly done wrong', I thought.
"Is it very urgent? My class is in the middle of an activity right now."
"Yes, please come right away," spoke the secretary. "We could send up at TA or someone who is free to watch your class."
"That won't be an issue. Spencer Hastings is up visitng my class right now. She can watch while I'm down in the office."
"Alright. Please come at once," said the secretary and the line went dead.
"Spence, could you watch the class for a little bit. I have to go the Principal's office for something."
Spencer only nodded and I proceeded to make my way downstairs to the main floor.
"Mrs. Hochkins? You wanted to see me," I asked as I stepped foot into the office.
"Oh yes! Please Aria, call me Peggy and have a seat," said the familiar looking, dark black haired 30-something year old sitting in front of me. I sat down in one of the plush chairs and Peggy continued to speak.
"It has come to my attention that you are teaching your daughters class. Clara Fitz?"
'Oh, shit,' I thought. How could she possibly know.
"Yes, Clara is my daughter," I replied evenly. "How did you find out?"
"One of the TA's noticed a picture on your desk yesterday of you both. Might I say you two bear a striking resemblance. I can't believe I hadn't seen it until now. She is a beautiful little girl."
The picture from Bryant Park. Why did I put it on my desk?
"Thank you very much Mrs. Hoch-I mean, Peggy," I replied.
"Here at Manhattan Day, it is accepted if your are teaching one of your kin. We don't ask on applications, nor do we hand out lists with students names, so there's a chance you could be teaching your son or daughter. However, we have special regulations. You may not give them special credit."
"I wouldn't dream or it Peggy. I don't believe in nepotism," I quickly replied.
"Nor may they call you 'Mommy' during school hours."
"Clara and I have already been over that."
"Well, that all about sums it up. Thank you for your time Aria. I'll see you at the teacher's confrence next week."
"Thank you Peggy, and thank you so much for being sensitive about the subject."
"No problem at all, Aria."
(end flashback)
"And while Mommy was gone, Auntie Spencer and Auntie Hanna played duck duck goose with us. It was funny to see Auntie Hanna run around in high heels," giggled Clara.
Ezra started to crack up, which made me smile. It was nice to see him having fun after working so hard on the papers.
"And then, if you're finished laughing, Daddy," said Clara shooting him a look, "At the end of the day, when Mommy and I were leaving, Auntie Hanna said she would take me shopping!"
"That sounds like a lot of fun, sweetheart. If you don't mind though, there's something I need to talk to Mommy about. Could you go upstairs and get ready for bed," asked Ezra. Wordlessly, Clara bounded up the stairs.
"So," Ezra said looking at me. "My department knows about you."
"It's fine, so does my boss," I replied.
"How could've they...," I was about to finish my sentence when I realized. "The photo," I stated.
Ezra nodded his head. "Does the Principal have a problem with it?"
"Not at all."
"Sounds good. I'm going to go attempt to finish grading those papers. Thanks for ordering dinner," he said giving me a kiss on the cheek and escaped back to his "lair".
I went upstairs to tuck Clara in. She was already in bed, teeth brushed, with her doll and her Little Mermaid book. I could tell she was tired, when halfway through the story, she leaned on my arm and I felt her eyelashes flutter.
"Clara, honey, are you falling asleep?"
I looked down to see her hair splayed around her pillow and her soft snores filled the room.
"Guess so," I said to myself. I gave her a kiss on the forehead, turned off the light and left the room.
I quietly slipped into Ezra's office. He was sitting at his desk, laptop open, a mug of coffee next to him, and papers flying all over the room. I had to admit, he looked sexier than usual right now. His tie was undone extremely loose and a few buttons on the top of his shirt had come undone. A five 'o' clock shadow was starting to appear on his chin and his hair was all messed up in an adorable way from him running his hands through it in frustration.
"Wow. Professor Fitz is working hard," I said, startling him.
"God, Aria. Please don't do that. I really don't have time to talk. I'm on my 11th paper, and I'm almost finished," said Ezra.
"Ezra, you sound exhausted. Please, just go to bed, or take a break and relax."
"I can't, Aria...," he tried before I interrupted him.
"Seriously, Ezra. You can," I said coming over and placing my hands on his shoulders. I started to slowly massage the area, working my way down his arms and back up to his shoulders.
"Aria, no...," he first protested, until I hit a nerve. "Oh, god, that feels good," he let out breathlessly. I continued the patterned for 5 more minutes, and then moved onto his neck and back. It went on for 15 more minutes until Ezra grabbed my wrist and spun me around, sitting me on his lap in the chair. We drank each other in, moving closer and closer to each other's lips. His lips were just about to brush mine, when his cell phone rang, jolting us both out of the moment.
I groaned and rested my head on his chest, while he groaned as well and muttered under his breath 'Who would call at 10 p.m?'
Ezra pressed the talk button on his phone, and whoever's voice was on the other end startled him. I thought at him as if to say 'What's wrong' and he gave me a knowing looked before saying into the phone; "Hello Jackie."
There's chapter 13! i had fun writing it...especially the end. an almost perfect ezria moment
don't worry, even though this one got ruined...i think a really good one is coming up!
hope you enjoyed! review!
.soprano.