Everyone in this chapter besides Clara belongs to Sara Shepard and ABC Family. I'd like to thank HarryLovesGinny09 and SolitudeMyLove for their suggestions on what to put in this chapter! Thanks!

read, enjoy, and review :D

Please review! It only takes a moment, and as you know, it really makes my day. I was so happy today because practically every time I opened my email, there was a new review! Once again, to those who are reading, but haven't spoken up, DON'T BE AFRAID! I'd love to hear what you have to say or what you think of the story :D

Chapter 18-
Aria POV:

The girls and I had finished cleaning almost every spot of Hanna's townhouse. It was around 5:45 and the guys and my little girl would be here in 15 minutes. I swear to god, I've never seen so much makeup in one guest bathroom.

"What," Hanna had said. "There's too many things in out master bathroom that are both Lucas' and mine. So I needed extra space."

Now, at the moment, Hanna was making a slew of cocktails for everyone and I was chopping up a salad in the kitchen. Emily and Spencer were in the living room, setting out chips and guacamole.

"Han? Be careful with all the alcohol tonight. Normally, I wouldn't have a preference as to how there is, but Clara's here tonight," I said to Hanna who was in the bar area on the opposite side of the kitchen.

"No problem," said Hanna who came over to give me a reassuring pat on the back. "Do you want some help," she asked picking up a huge vegetable chopping knife.

"Hanna, I love you. But would you please put down the knife," I said, laughing. "Remember the incident during college?"

Hanna was quickly reminded of the time during our junior year when she was trying to peel a cucumber with a knife and ended up slitting opened her finger. I don't want to go into any details, but while Spencer and Emily slept in their dorm room, Hanna, Lucas (who she made me call as we rode in the ambulance; it was hell trying to get a cab while your best friend's finger is bleeding profusely), and I were in the hospital until 4 a.m. Why Hanna decided she wanted a cucumber as a midnight snack is beyond me.

"Oh, right," she said carefully, but quickly setting down the knife onto the counter and looking down at the small set of stitches that had slowly faded. "Aria?"

"Yeah," I answered while going back to chopping up carrots.

"I'm sorry if I've been...much more sarcastic and bossy than the usual. It's just that I was so excited to surprise you with Emily, and I've been stressing about this whole Lucas proposing thing," she said softly.

"Han, daaahrling," I said playfully. "It's fine. We all have our fair share of stress. Believe me. Honestly, I didn't really notice a difference," I laughed jabbing her arm with my elbow.

"Haha thanks," she said and walked off to the living room to help Spencer and Emily. I had just about finished the salad when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," I chimed, making my way to the front door.

"Mommy," exclaimed Clara as she burst though the door and launched herself into my arms.

"Hey baby girl. I missed you. How was your sleepover?"

"It was great! We stayed up until 9 instead of 8 and we watched a bunch of Disney princess movies. Except for Tangled, and I really wanted to see it," babbled Clara.

"How you go give Auntie Hanna your pout and ask her if we can watch it tonight," I whispered in her ear.

"Oh, ok," she said untangling herself from my arms and ran to find Hanna.

"Hi," I said breathlessly to Ezra. My heart still leaped up and pounded every time I saw him.

"Hey," he said leaning down to pull me into a kiss. Did I mention how much I love kissing this man? We pulled away, but he leaned down to kiss me again.

"Umm...Ezra," I mumbled into his lips.

"Mhmmm," he responded. I reluctantly pulled my lips away from his and he rested his forehead against mine.

"Look up," I said, and he did. I turned around just in time to hear Hanna say "Hi Mr. Fitz," and give a flirtatious wave.

"Hi Hanna. Some things never change, do they" he asked laughing. I saw Clara who was holding onto Spencer's hand and looking up at Emily suspiciously.

"Nope," Hanna said, popping the end.

"Mommy? Who's this," she asked pointing to Emily. I took Ezra's hand and went over to Clara.

"This is your Aunt Emily. She's been dying to meet you. Can you say hi," I asked and once Clara saw that I trusted Emily, her icey exterior faded and she stuck out her hand.

"Hi! I'm Clara Grace Fitz," she said warmly and Emily leaned down to grasp her small hand.

"I'm Emily Fields! It's nice to finally meet you, Clara," said Emily shaking Clara's hand. I smiled at Ezra who gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, which earned a chorus of gushing sounds like "awwww" from the girls. Our little moment was quickly ruined by Lucas and Toby bursting through the door.

"Who's ready to party," shouted Lucas, which caused Hanna to laugh and give me a kiss. Emily picked Clara, who I heard whisper to Emily, "Who's he? I like him, he's funny." Spencer also went over to give Toby a kiss, and instantly I felt at peace. This all felt right. Me and Ezra with a couple of friends hanging out, plus the addition of Clara.

Lucas cleared his throat and came over to Ezra. "Ummm...Hi Mr. Fitz," he said, making it come out more like a question.

"Hey Lucas. It's great to see you again. And please, call me Ezra."

"Hi Ezra," said Toby coming over to give me a hard clap on the back. Ezra coughed a little too hardly and Toby got a glare from Spencer.

"What? I was just trying to make the man feel comfortable," he said shrugging his shoulders.

I suddenly knew I was in for a fun night.

15 minutes later, we were all settled around the coffee table. Ezra and I were sitting on the ground, with Clara in my lap and my back resting against Ezra's chest. On the couch, Hanna was sitting practically on top on Lucas and Spencer was snuggled into Toby's side and Emily was stretched out on the love-seat. Clara had been introduced to both Toby and Lucas, and deemed then Uncle Toby and Uncle Lucas. Ezra seemed to settle into the group nicely. It didn't seem to cross any one's minds that her was once out English teacher. They treated him like one of us.

The girls and I were recounting numerous college adventures. Hanna prompted to tell a crazy adventure of mine, but I instantly told her it wasn't very "kid-friendly". Thank god our one night in Atlantic City had happened, otherwise I would probably be sitting here red-faced.

"I think it's time for a little male bonding," spoke up Lucas. "Would you ladies mind relocating to upstairs for a little bit?"

"No problem," I said standing up and taking Clara with me. Ezra gave me a pleading look. "Don't worry. I promise they won't bite," I said giving him a kiss, and then made my way upstairs giggling along with the rest of the girls and my daughter.

Ezra POV:

"Thanks guy for treating me like everyone else," I started off saying.

"No problem, man," said Toby.

"You mean a lot to Aria, and so does Clara. It would be wrong of us to treat you different. Plus, I'm starting to like you as a friend," said Lucas.

"Thanks," I said. "So, what are we doing for ,as you said Lucas, manly bonding?"

"Well first, we want to know your intentions with Aria," said Toby all fatherly-like.

"If you really must know, I love her so much. I wouldn't ever want to do anything to hurt her again. You know about the whole Clara situation, right," I asked timidly.

"Yeah, Spencer and Hanna filled us in. Don't worry. We're cool with it. Clara's adorable," said Lucas.

"Thanks. Now that we've gone over my intentions, whats next," I asked.

"Well," said Lucas, who was going over to the TV. "I was thinking a little bit of Madden '10. The ultimate manly bonding game."

"Let's do it," chimed Toby. "You know how to play," he asked me from his spot on the couch.

"I've played the older version with a couple of friends once. I'm sure I remember. You set up the game, and I'll go grab some beers," I said going over to the bar and getting some beers from the counter.

A half an hour later and 2 beers for each of us, I was beating their asses in the game. I was playing as the NY Giants, Lucas as the Steelers, and Toby as the Patriots. I scored another touch down, causing Lucas and Toby to both yell at the screen.

"For a guy who's only played once a few years ago, you're a god at this game," said Toby.

"I have a good memory," I said shrugging and laughing.

We played for 15 more minutes and I ended up winning.

"Damn, Ezra! You're good at this," exclaimed Lucas.

"Yeah. Thats not fair," said Toby.

"How about this, guys. Next weekend. Re-match. Maybe I'll let one of you win," I said laughing once again.

"You're on," said Toby.

"Men, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship," said Lucas, and we all clinked out beer bottles. We spent a few minutes cleaning up all the chips and beer bottles we used and I went upstairs to get the girls.

Aria POV:

"Daddy! Look at my hair! Auntie Spencer did it for me," said Clara as Ezra entered the room. Us girls spent the 45 minutes reading through a bunch of tabloid magazines and Spencer giving Clara a new hairstyle. Her chestnut curls were framing her face in adorable half french braided pigtails. There were magazines littered all over the bed with headings ranging from "Lindsey Lohan back in Jail" to "William and Kate: A Royal Romance".

During our girlie session, we made plans to watch the Royal Wedding on television Friday, so I'd probably have to call in sick from work, like almost every other female working on Friday. Hanna wanted me to bring Clara, so I'd have to talk to Ezra about letting her stay home from school. 'There's no convincing a little kissing couldn't help' I thought to myself, causing myself to grin wickedly.

"It looks beautiful sweetheart! Thanks, Spence," said Ezra, patting her on the back.

"No problem, Ezra," said Spencer, smiling and making her way downstairs. Ezra and I trailed behind Hanna, and Emily, who had Clara holding onto her hand as the walked down the stairs.

"So," I asked. "How was 'manly bonding' time?"

"Great, actually. We're having a re-match in Madden '10 this weekend," said Ezra excitedly. I could tell he was happy to fitting in with my friends. I took hold of his hand and we went back downstairs to join our friends for the rest of our "get together"

Two hours later, we were all back in our living room positions. Clara was in my lap while I cuddled into Ezra as we were sitting on the ground. Hanna and Spencer were both snuggled into their boyfriend's sides on the couch and Emily was sprawled out, almost half asleep on the love-seat. The jet lag probably caught up to her.

We ordered some pizza and ate while playing a massive game of Monopoly. Hanna and Lucas ended up winning. Shocker there! We then, per Clara's request and begging to Hanna and Lucas, watched Tangled. It was actually a really good movie. The guys seemed to like it, but I think it was because all three were attempting to find innuendos within the lines, although that was besides the point. I was thoroughly enjoying myself, from watching the movie, watching Clara, and watching Ezra interact with Lucas and Toby.

When it came time to leave, Clara was asleep in my arms. We said out goodbyes and Ezra and I left to go home. The cab we took dropped off at my apartment, and once I got inside, I quickly changed and collapsed into bed. I turned on "After Lately", my new pop culture guilty pleasure, and wound down after a long, but exciting day. Before I was about to fall asleep, my phone beeped and I reached over to pick it up.

Ezra: Thank you for inviting me to hang out with your friends. I really like them. I love you. Goodnight xx

Yes! I got chapter 18 up! Once again, I'd like to thank HarrylovesGinny09 for their suggestion about how to start off the chapter (i.e. Clara running in and screaming Mommy!) and also to SolitudeMyLove for their suggestion about having them watch a movie. Simple ideas, I know, but I was having major writers block. So thanks guys!

Please review! It only takes a moment, and as you know, it really makes my day. I was so happy today because practically every time I opened my email, there was a new review! Once again, to those who are reading, but haven't spoken up, DON'T BE AFRAID! (as Aria said to Ezra about Lucas and Toby; I don't bite). I'd be more than happy to hear what you have to say about the story and would love to hear your thoughts or suggestions.

Suggestions are welcome!

.soprano.