Thank you to everyone who reviewed on the last chapter (and also a huge thanks to my readers!) It means soooo incredibly much to me!

A big thank you to Jess for her suggestions on this chapter! Next one will be the return of the Montgomery family! Get pumped!

Disclaimer: I only own Clara. The rest belong to Sara Shepard and ABC Family

Read, Enjoy, and Review (I'm serious about this part lol) :D

Aria POV:

"You'd what," asked Ezra looking at me in disbelief.

"I'd like to adopt Clara," I said looking at him straight in the face. "Ezra, I've never been more serious about something since I realized I loved you. Please, Ezra," I pleaded my eyes brimming over with tears.

"Hey, now, don't cry," he said pulling me to his chest. "You can adopt her."

"Really," I asked looking up at him. It seemed as if things were finally seeming to go my way.

"Yes, really," he said kissing my hair. "I'd like nothing better."

I thanked him with a kiss. It was soft and tender, but my emotions seemed to pull it into a whole other realm of passion. My hands started to loosen the knot of his tie, and unbutton his shirt. His hands ran through my hair, un-pining the loose knot I had twined on the base of my neck. My hair sprung free, twirling in more curls than usual. The kiss grew more passionate as Ezra's hands undid the zipper keeping me in the dress.

My shoes and necklace were already put safely away, and Ezra scooped me up, with me clad in only my lacy bra and matching underwear, and moved me to the bed. Soon enough, his pants were shed, leaving him only in his boxers, allowing me to ogle his beautiful chest. He climbed on the bed and pulled me into his arms, starting to kiss every inch of my skin. I ran my hands over his chest, and moaned.

I twined my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer to me, and under the covers.

I woke up the next morning, with a small body between Ezra and I. I instantly freaked out a little bit, after last night's events, I expected myself to be naked, and that was something Clara didn't need to see. I looked down, to see my body adorned in an oversize Hollis tee shirt that went to just above my knee, and let out a sigh. Clara curled herself up into my body, and I felt Ezra's arms wind their way around both of our bodies.

This was the way things should be. After Ezra's consent to my request to adopt Clara, I felt giddy at the prospect of how this was what my life was going to be like when it was all official. I could see Ezra and I sleeping as a storm raged outside, and Clara would come running into the room, begging to sleep in there because she was afraid. I could see us all taking family photos to put on a holiday card, or even Ezra telling me some of Clara's childhood stories, so I could learn.

But, we would need to tell Clara the truth. It wouldn't be right when it would be the time to take her so she could give her consent for me to become her actual Mom.

"Ezra," I whispered, but he didn't budge from his sleep.

"Ezra," I whispered louder, and he still didn't move. I pinched his arms, causing him to jolt awake.

"What? What is it? What's wrong," he asked worriedly.

"Meet in the bathroom. Now," I said frantically.

"It's too early for another shower, Aria. Plus, Clara's in the room," he whined.

"No! Not that," I said, lightly swatting him. "I need to talk to you about something. Come on."

"After coming to our decision about me adopting Clara," I said to him. I was sitting on the sink counter, while he sat on the closet toilet seat, with my feet dangling in his lap. "I've decided that we have to tell her the truth about me at some point. It wouldn't be fair for her to be asked if she's ok with me becoming her Mommy officially, without knowing the truth."

"You're right," he said, catching my feet which were constantly hitting him in the chest as I swung them. "How about the day when the adoption is official, we tell her. She doesn't have to know until then."

"Alright," I said. "We can go back now." I hopped off the counter, but Ezra caught my wrist.

"Now that I think of it, why don't we take a shower."

"No way, Mr. Fitz. Not with Clara in the other room," I joked opening the door. Clara was stilled curled up in a ball in the bed.

"When did she come in here," I asked Ezra as we made our way back to the bed.

"She had a bad dream or something like that. Don't worry, she came in after we were both dressed," he laughed. We climbed back in the bed and settled back into our previous place, with Clara curled into me, and Ezra's arms around us both.

Ezra POV:

Needless to say, I was extremely excited about Aria adopting Clara. And she was right about telling her. It wouldn't be fair for my little girl. After listening to Aria's meltdown about never being there for a lot of Clara's first things, I hopped onto my laptop, while Clara and Aria were asleep next to me in bed. I logged onto Ticketmaster, and with a few pin numbers, we had tickets to "Mary Poppins" for that night. It would be Clara's first Broadway show, and it would help Aria feel relieved that she was there for one big thing.

I knew there was something wrong last night when she became quiet, and it was unbearable to see her so upset. My heart felt like it was being torn out when she began to sob when we got home. I would honestly do anything for that woman. I looked over to my two girls besides me and drank in the sight. Their dark hair mixed together as it was splayed across the pillow. Aria's arms were twined around Clara tightly, while Clara snuggled up against her. I didn't have any doubts before and I surely didn't now, that Aria would be a wonderful mother to Clara, if she wasn't already.

Aria and Clara woke up two hours later. During that time, I had been reading a new book I picked up, and not my old tattered copy of "To Kill A Mockingbird" which was always left on my nightstand. I had plunged into the story, and hadn't surfaced until Clara wiggled her way over to my chest.

"Good morning, Daddy," she said, a small yawn gracing her pink lips.

"Morning, Sweetie," I said holding her closer to me.

"Thanks, Clara. Abandon me over here," said a sarcastic Aria from her side of the bed. She was propped up on one elbow and was smiling from ear to ear.

"I'm sorry Mommy! I promise, that I love you just as much as Daddy! It's just I was snuggling with you all night, and Daddy never got a chance," Clara babbled.

"Pumpkin, it's ok. I was just joking with you. And don't worry. Just because you left me for Daddy doesn't mean I love you any less than I did when we were snuggling," laughed Aria. I set my book aside, and took off my reading glasses, and got up out of bed.

"Alright, ladies," I said, unable to hide my excitement for the coming day. I had printed out the tickets and they were hidden in my wallet, and had already planned out the day. "We have a full day ahead of us."

"What's got you so excited," said Aria, who was already at my side of the room, winding her arms around my waist and she was leaning in to give me a kiss.

"Nothing. You'll see." I glanced to the clock and it was noon. "We all have to get ready though. Look nice," I said going into my closet. I felt like a little giddy school boy who had asked his crush out to the dance and she said yes.

I quickly changed into I threw on a white button down and black blazer, along with some dark pants. I was finished and went back to my book for another hour waiting for Aria and Clara.

Aria emerged from the bathroom looking absolutely gorgeous. She had done her hair in it's normal curls, and wore her typical makeup, but used a redder lipstick to make it all pop. She wore a white dress with embroidery everywhere, black tights, and her favorite little boot things. (all outfits on profile)

"You look beautiful," I said leaning down to kiss her.

"Thanks," she said, and left the room to help Clara. Soon, Clara and Aria were back in the room and Clara was dressed in a light blue dress that tied around the back of her neck. Aria had pulled her curls into two pig tails at the sides.

I finally parted with my book, and took their hands and we left to have our day out.

For lunch, I took them both to Ellen's Stardust Diner, which was the true dining experience if you were going to see a show. Vera had taken me here once when we went to see "Phantom of the Opera" when I was 20. The waiters and waitresses would sing for you, as they were aspiring to be on the stage. Clara was in awe as we walked in. Even Aria was as well. The whole place was decorated in a 50's style theme, and the waiter's and waitresses wore either bowling shirts or poodle skirts.

"Daddy, I want one of those," said Clara motioning to one of the waitress' skirt.

"That's quite the fashion risk," said Aria laughing. We were immediately settled at a table, and the singing began. During out lunch we heard people sing "I Could've Dancer All Night", "There Once Was A Man", "Being Alive", "The Music of the Night", "Summer Nights", "Oh! What A Beautiful Morning", and many others. Clara smiled each time someone opened their mouth to sing, and I held Aria's hand under the table, squeezing it every so often, which earned a smile from her.

The last song we heard was "Part of Your World" which made Clara give a standing ovation to the singer, who happened to be our waitress. When we were paying the bill, she said to Aria and I, "You're daughter is quite the cutie" causing us both to smile, and Aria was obviously thinking about how close it would be that Clara would be her actual daughter.

After lunch, Aria and I took Clara into the new Disney store in Times Square. Clara basically jumped at every Ariel thing in sight. We walked around, Aria holding my and Clara's hand.

"They really have everything here," she joked as we reached the Disney Princess floor.

"I wouldn't doubt it for a second."

"Mommy! Daddy," squealed Clara, who had let go of Aria's hand and was standing in front of a wall that was about 10 feet high, covered in Little Mermaid merchandise. Clara's eyes glazed over, and Aria and I shared a laugh at her expression.

"I want that," she said pointing to an Ariel doll, decked out in a pink dress, and also came along with her mermaid outfit and a blue dress. "Please Daddy? Please, please, pleaseee?"

"I don't know Clara, Pumpkin," said Aria.

"Oh please," she begged, producing her pout that was almost impossible to resist. I glanced at Aria and she just nodded her head in response.

"Ok," I said, and got the doll off from the shelf.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," said Clara practically bouncing as we went to the cash register.

We spent the rest of the day traipsing around the city. Since we had a late lunch, we skipped dinner, and I headed in the direction of the theatre.

"Where are we going, Daddy," asked Clara.

"You'll see," I said excitedly.

"Seriously, Ezra," whispered Aria. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise for you and Clara," I said and directed us towards the large, gleaming marquee, marked with a silhouette of a woman with an umbrella flying over the rooftops of London. As we got nearer, another sign said "Mary Poppins: A New Broadway Musical" in large red letters. We stopped under the awning and I pulled out our tickets.

"We're going to see a show," said Clara excitedly.

"Yup," I said, finally finding the tickets and handing them to the man for scanning.

"This is my first Broadway show, ever," said Clara excitedly to Aria. At the word "firsts" Aria's eyes lit up and she mouthed "Thank you" to me.

"I promise, you're going to love it," said Aria excitedly. "Let's go," she said taking both Clara and my hands and leading us into the theatre.

Yay for a family day out! What do you guys think of their decision to tell Clara the truth? lol

Pretty please, with a cherry on top, review! it honestly really makes my day to know that people out there are really enjoying this story! thank you to all my constant reviewers and to the new ones who have started to speak up! if you're out there reading, please, if you have time, review! don't be shy! i'd love to hear what you have to say!

also, the theatre geek side of me (whom I try to keep surpressed when I write) came out a little bit in this chapter. if you're confused about the song titles i mentioned earlier, here are the shows they're from. if you're interested, i suggest taking a listen! also, if you're ever in the city, Ellen's Stardust Diner is real place! it's awesome (i got to sing in there once heehee)!

"I Could've Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady

"There Once Was A Man" from The Pajama Game

"Being Alive" from Company

"The Music of the Night" from The Phantom of the Opera (my favorite show!)

"Summer Night" from Grease

"Oh! What A Beautiful Morning!" from Oklahoma!

and of course the classic "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid

love always,

.soprano.