Yay! So I was able to get up 2 chapters today! Sorry for that evil little cliffhanger, but it had to be done! I'm pretty happy with this chapter, I think you all will be too!

Thanks to all those who have reviewed! It really means a lot that you went out of your way, just to let me know what you think of the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone in this chapter but Clara. The rest belong to Sara Shepard and ABC Family!

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

Aria POV:

I glanced at Ezra and then back to my family's faces. Mike's face had softened a bit, even turning into a small smile.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Fitz," he said sticking out his hand. "I'll be watching you. You better not break Aria's heart," he said jokingly, except part of me knew that Mike wasn't joking.

"Um, it's nice to see you too, Mike," said Ezra, tentatively shaking Mike's hand. "I promise, I wouldn't ever do anything to break Aria's heart," he said smiling nervously. Throughout the exchange, Clara had remained quiet in her seat, glancing at each member of my family. After seeing Mike warm up to Ezra, Ella's face transformed into a tight smile, but Byron remained shocked.

"Ezra Fitz? You're dating my daughter," he spoke.

"Dad," I said trying to reason with him. I was anticipating him to go into a tantrum.

"Don't interrupt me Aria. So, you're dating a former student?"

"Well, yes," said Ezra nervously.

Surprisingly, Dad hadn't started to yell, but gave a speech instead. "You both realize how bad this would look to the people back in Rosewood, right? To see one of Alison DiLaruentis's former best friends dating a former English teacher."

Ezra and I both nodded our heads. Underneath the table, I gave his hand a squeeze. Byron continued, "I can't say I'm surprised. There was always this tension between you two. Almost like you were attracted to each other, but weren't going to do anything about it given the circumstances."

"I could always sense that too," said Ella, placing a hand on Byron's arm.

"If he's what makes you happy, Aria. Then there's nothing I can do. It's a father's job to make sure his little girl is happy, and tearing her away from someone she loves would only get me fired," said Byron smiling. "Don't you agree, Ella?"

"I do. If Ezra makes you happy, and makes you look forward to the day ahead of you because you know he'll be part of it, then I'm not going to stop you. I mean, I'm shocked, but if he is what you want, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Thanks, Mom and Dad," I said graciously. I could feel Ezra's extremely tight grip on my hand loosen up.

"Ella, Byron," said Ezra. "Your daughter means the world to me. I can't imagine life right now without her," said Ezra smiling, all nervous pretences gone.

"I've already made my feelings clear on the subject," said Mike smiling. It was then that my family really noticed Clara, who had kept quiet this entire time.

"Who's this cutie," said Ella, gesturing towards Clara. Ezra's eyes went into a panic, frantically searching my face for an answer. I tightened my hold on his hand and took in a deep breath.

"Well, this is if your...grand-daughter, Clara," I said, feeling a woosh as the words came out of me. It was then that Byron stormed up from the table and stomped in the directions of the bathroom.

"Excuse me," I said hurrying after him.

"Dad, please. Let me explain," I pleaded as I caught up to him in a small secluded area.

"Let you explain? Were you seeing him even when you were still at home," he asked, raising his voice. Here came the tirade.

"If you would just listen to me," I said.

"I don't know if I can trust you, Aria. Quite frankly, I don't want to hear it. Clara looks to be about 6 years old and that would only mean you and Ezra were together before he even left!"

"Dad, just listen to me!"

"Aria, I'm your father, and I get the last say. I can't really even look at you right now. I. don't. want. to. hear. it," he said enunciating each word, before storming back to the table. I ran after him, the tears in my eyes about to spill over. My dad never yelled, unless he was seriously pissed off.

I chased after him, about to beg that he just hear me out. It was too late though, as he was already back at the table, pulling out Mom's chair. Mom didn't see to have any problem with Clara, in fact, it looked like she and Mike were making conversation with the both of them, and each had big smiles on their faces.

"Ella, Mike. We're leaving. Let's go," ordered Byron.

"But Byron," said Mom. "We just sat down."

"Yeah Dad, plus we were talking to Ezra and Clara. They're pretty cool," said Mike flashing a smile.

"I don't care. I'm the father and what I say goes," said Byron pulling Ella's chair out even more, practically forcing her to get up. He did the same to Mike, and grabbed their arms, pulling them out of the restaurant and down to street. Mom sent me an apologetic smile as they left and Mike mouthed 'I'll text you later'.

Ezra pulled me into his arms, and the tears were tottering closer to falling. "Are you ok," he asked.

"Mommy," said Clara, finding a way to nestle herself into Ezra and my hug.

"Can we just go," I faintly whispered.

Clara had opted, at Spencer and Ezra's discretion to have a sleepover with Auntie Spencer and Uncle Toby. Since Toby had basically moved in with Spencer, Emily moved into Hanna's guestroom while looking for an apartment. She had gotten the job at Columbia and would start working there next week.

Ezra and I were curled up on my bed. My shoes were flung across the room, and I had changed into one of Ezra's Columbia tee shirt, that I had cut, making it more like a crop top, and a pair of pajama pants. My hair was mussed up, my makeup was smudged, and there was a huge stain on the tee shirt Ezra had changed into from my tears.

I had fist-fuls of Ezra's shirt in my hands, as I sobbed even more. Ezra didn't seem to mind, but only held me close, stroking my hair or kissing my forehead or my nose.

"He wouldn't even listen to me. Ella and Mike were fine, but he totally flipped out. He never yells at me," I said in between cries. It took my a little bit to calm down, but the feeling of Ezra's lips against mine, made the tears cease. Once my cries had subsided, Ezra spoke up.

"Aria, it kills me to see you like this. But I promise you, everything will be fine," I said kissing the top of my head. I smiled at him weakly, and pressed my lips against his.

"I must look horrendous. I mean, look at me," I said giving Ezra another small smile.

"You could never look horrible. You'll always look beautiful to me," said Ezra pushing a small strand of hair away from face that had strayed from my loose ponytail.

"Thanks," I said giving him another kiss. "I love you, Ezra Fitz."

"I love you too, Aria Montgomery."

An hour later, Ezra and I turned on TCM, and watched Noel Coward's "A Brief Encounter". I was starting to feel better; being in Ezra's arms always pushed the pain away. Even back during the "A" days, going to Ezra's apartment, not matter the circumstances of our relationship that day, made me feel better.

I was about to fall asleep, when there was a near to silent knock on my door.

"I'll get it," said Ezra, leaving my side to open to door.

"Ella," he said to the person standing in the doorway.

"Mom," I asked, getting up from the bed. "Come in. How did you find out where I lived?"

"We bought the apartment for you, remember," said Ella, laughing. She was quickly followed inside by Mike. "We have to talk," she said, settling into one of the small chairs in the kitchen area. Mike went over to Ezra, giving him a fist pump, which looked hysterical to see Ezra do.

"Ella, listen. There's things you-," started Ezra, trying to defend us both.

"I'm not here to yell, and neither is Mike. I'm here to listen," said Ella. "So go ahead."

"Well, Dad wasn't too far off with us dating in high school. We did," I said looking down at my feet. "But it wasn't as if we started dating while he was my teacher. We met the day before school started when I was dropping Mike off to lacrosse practice."

"We tried to break it off many times, but it was near to impossible. We weren't officially over until I left for Boston," said Ezra. "But Ella, I love your daughter more than life itself."

Ella and Mike only had interested looks on their faces, as if to say, "go on."

"We found each other again on Clara's first day of school. I'm her kindergarten teacher. She's not my actual daughter," I said, which caused Ella and Mike to sigh.

"Damn, I was hoping I was actually related to that awesome little girl," said Mike causing us all to laugh.

"Anyways," I continued. "Clara has a close resemblance to me, and she immediately thought I was her mom."

"Clara's real mom left when she was 4 months," added Ezra. Ella gasped in horror.

"Who would ever think to leave such an adorable little girl," she asked and Ezra shrugged.

"That was Audrey for you," he said. "I never really loved her. Aria was still the only one on my mind," he said taking me hand.

"To finish, I've been playing 'Mommy' to Clara ever since, and I've come to really love her. If it's ok with you two, when she see's you next, could she call you Grandma and Uncle Mike?"

"It no problem, I'd be honored," said Ella.

"And, in a few months, maybe even sooner," said Ezra, "Clara will be your actual granddaughter and niece. Aria's adopting her," he said with a smile. Ella and Mike smiled too, and both hugged me. Ella pulled away, glancing at the watch on her wrist.

"Crap, Mike? We've got to go. Your father thinks that we went on a quite Starbucks run and then stopped to pick up a couple things at a Walgreens. I'll try to talk to him later, and maybe tomorrow we could meet up in Central Park," Ella offered.

"That would be great, Mom," I said, pulling her into a hug. "Thank you so much for understanding."

Ella went over to hug Ezra and I heard her whisper to him, "Take good care of her. I know you will."

"Alrighty, sis. I'll talk to you later," said Mike hugging me. "If we do go to the park tomorrow, bring her along. I want to be able to tell all my friends about the awesome niece I have in New York." He then went over to Ezra, giving him another awkward fist pump, and they left.

"Well," Ezra said breathing out air. "That went well." I giggled and pulled him closer to my by grabbing onto his tee shirt, and crashed my lips against his.

I'm really liking Ella and Mike. They're pretty chill :D

Thanks to all those who have been reviewing and reading. To those silent readers out there, don't be shy! i'd love to hear what you have to say about the story. It only takes a few seconds after reading!

Any suggestions or ideas for future chapters are welcome!

love always,

.soprano.