Hi everyone! Thank you for being so patient with me! Unfortunately, you'll have to be patient for a little while longer; my computer still isn't fixed. Ugh. A shout out to HarryLovesGinny09 for their suggestion on this chapter!

Please review! It really makes my day, and it doesn't take very long. Just a click and some typing, and voila! You have a review lol

Disclaimer: As much as I'd love to own PLL, I don't. They belong to Sara Shepard and ABC Family. I do own Clara though, so that makes me a little happier.

Read, Enjoy, and Review (!)

Ezra POV:

"Daddy, why are we going to the park," asked Clara who was hanging onto Aria's hand. We had tried to sugarcoat last nights events, but she still didn't seem to understand Byron's motives at protecting his little girl. Her only thought was that he was the mean man that didn't want to be her grandpa (her exact words).

"Clara," said Aria, pressing away a sigh, "We're meeting up with a few people at Central Park. I promise, it'll be...fun,"she said begrudingly.

"You don't make it seem that way," Clara said with a pout. "What's wrong, Mommy? Why are you so grumpy," she asked questioningly. Aria took a deep breath, seeming to contemplate what to say. I knew for a fact that she was dreading the visit to the park. We would be meeting up with Ella, Mike (whom she didn't have a problem), and Byron (whom she did). After his outburst in the restaurant last night, which left both Aria and Clara shaken up, Aria didn't really want to see Byron at the moment. But some convicing on Ella and my part, we got her to agree, and were on our way to Central Park.

"I'm just tired, Baby."

Upon arriving at the park entrance, Clara spotted the entrance to the zoo.

"Daddy! Could we go to the zoo! Maybe the zebras will make Mommy feel better," Clara exlaimed, pulling Aria in the direction. She was too weak to resist Clara's pull, both of them going to the entrance, until I caught Clara around the waist, and lifted her into my arms.

"Sweetheart, we can't go to the zoo right now. Maybe later, or tomorrow," I said firmly.

"Why not today," whined Clara.

"Because we have something important to do. I'm sorry, Baby," I said in my tone that notified Clara that enough was enough. She had a look of contemplation on her face, thinking about whether or not to speak back, but kept quiet. I looked over to Aria, who gave me a weak smile, but behind it was stress and fear. I was just as stressed as she was; I didn't want Byron to have a coronary in front of my 5 year old daughter, nor did I want him to hurt Aria, but I hid it.

As strong as Aria was, she was having trouble hiding her emotions today. Every couple of minutes, there would be an audible sigh from her lips, and even at times, her eyes looked watery. I could see the longing in her eyes to grab both Clara and I, throw us all into a taxi, and driveback to the townhouse. It pained me so much to see her in such agony. Her dad and herself hadn't always seen eye to eye; their relationship became strained after the Meredith debacle. She was still "Daddy's Little Girl" and she still loved him, but it was sometimes hard.

I leaned over to her, and brushed a stray hair away from her face, that was constantly blocking her vision. She caught my hand, and pressed a kiss in my palm. I quickly whispered into her ear, "Don't worry about it. I promise you, it will all be ok. Just think, this time next week, you'll be moving into my apartment."

There was a flicker of excitement in her eyes, and the tiny beginnings of a smile began to form on her face. All of the sudden a full bloom smile overtook her face, causing my heart to lift, and even Clara noticed, beginning to smile. We were walking to the large field, that you always see in movies (the one that overlooks the city skyline), when I heard my name being called.

"Ezra!"

I looked towards the direction I heard my name, to see Greg coming towards me, with Aimee in tow.

"Ezra, hey man," said Greg giving me a high five.

"Hi Ezra," said Aimee, cheerily. Instead of dreading the perfect weathered day, the pair were obviously enjoying it.

"Clara, do you remember Greg," I said, picking her up. I glanced at Aria who seemed to be assessing Greg and Aimee with a smile on her face.

"Yes I do. You're Daddy's work friend. I'm Clara Grace Fitz," said Clara, giving her official greeting and stuck out her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, kiddo," said Greg.

"That's what my Auntie Vera calls me," exclaimed Clara.

"Hi Clara, I'm Aimee, Greg's girlfriend. I work with Greg and your Daddy," said Aimee.

"Hi," said Clara, smiling and shook her hand.

"You must be Aria," said Greg, smiling, and jabbing me a little in the ribs. Aimee's eyes flashed with excitement at the mention of Aria's name; Greg had obviously clarified the rumors.

"Has our little Ezzy been treating you right," said Greg. I had told him that Aria and I were together at school, the Monday after our first weekend as a couple.

"He's fantastic," said Aria, giving me a small kiss on the cheek.

"Hello Aria," said Aimee shaking Aria's hand. "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot. You're daughter is beautiful."

"Thank you," said Aria and I in unison.

"Listen, if you guys are spending the day in the park, why not join us," offered Greg.

"Actually, we're meeting a few people here," I said.

"Oh, well...Would you two like to go out for dinner with Aimee and I tonight," said Greg. Ever the persistant one. Aria nodded eagerly, and I decided it would be a good way for her to release all the stress that would obviously come with our meet up with Byron.

"Sure, just text me the details later," I said. I set Clara down, and Aria and I grabbed either of her hands. "We've got to get going, though. I'll talk to you later!"

"Nice to meet you, Aria," cried both Aimee and Greg as we departed the find the Montgomery's.

The smile and excitement on Aria's face dissapeared into nervousness when we heard Ella call her name. The three of us came over, Aria immediately picking up Clara to shield her. Mike smiled and came over to say "Hi" while Byron sat on a blanket, pretending to read a book, but was scowling. Clara cowered into Aria's chest at the sight of him.

"Hi Honey," said Ella coming over to us and gave Aria a kiss on the cheek, and also giving Clara one as well. "Hi Ezra," she said giving me a hug. Ella dragged Byron up from his sitting spot and brought him over. We thought that being in an extremely public area would help contain Byron's anger. Mike stood by Byron's side, acting as some sort of moral support, for Ella, who was acting as meadiator.

"Byron," she said addressing the almost fuming man. "We have some things to talk about with Aria and Ezra."

"There isn't anything to talk about," said Byron, childishly.

"Dad, please. You have to listen to me," Aria pleaded. "Please, Daddy," she said, her eyes overflowing with tears.

"I refuse to, Aria," said Byron, crossing his arms. Aria curled into me, the little tears leaking from her eyes.

"Byron, seriously? Do you have any idea at how your sounding right now. Aria's our daughter. The least you could do is listen to her."

"I've heard the story, Ella. I don't want to hear it again." So Ella had tried to reason with him last night. He knew the story we told her and Mike last night.

"Dad, please, just at least listen to her," begged Mike. Byron looked to Aria, who was now lightly crying in my arms, and a wave of pain flickered in his eyes. She was his little girl after all.

"I can't Mike. I just can't," said Byron turning and walking away. Aria started to cry more, the sounds growing louder. I knew I had to remain strong for both and her Clara. I had to; they were my girls. I kissed Aria's forehead, and said to the four of them, "I'll be right back," and tore off, to catch up with Byron.

"Byron! Wait up," I said breathlessly, and caught up to his stride. He turned sharply to look at me.

"Fine, I'm listening."

"I want you to know that I love your daughter more than anything else in the world. She's the other light in my life, besides Clara. And right now, she's over with your wife and son, crying her eyes out. It kills me to see her like this, and I know it must kill you too. Remember; I'm a fa-," I began to say until Byron cut me off.

"I get it, your a father. But do you know how much it hurts me as a father to know that when your daughter was 16 and 17, she was having an affair with her teacher. Sure, you two were and still are in love, but its painful to know that your daughter was doing something more than wrong, but illegal. It's a miracle you two weren't caught," he said exasperatedly running a hand through the hair that was left on his head.

"That was the past, Byron. If you must know, my intentions with Aria is to have her move in with me next week, it will make both of us happy, and make our situation easier with Clara, have her adopt my daughter, and marry her. No screwing around. Just her and me."

"And right now, sitting in your little girl's arms is my little girl, who is petrified of her supposed grandfather. She's afraid that you hate her, and you hardly even know her," I said, my voice raising a little at the end, causing the runner jogging past us to look at us curiously. Byron seemed to keep quiet for a few minutes, considering his next words.

"I guess, you're right in some way. The past is the past. We've all made our mistakes, believe me. I almost fucked my entire marriage and family, as you probably know. I'm sorry for my behavior. All the news just came in a shock to me, yesterday, and I don't exactly handle shock well. By the way, Ella told me the entire situation with Clara. I'm proud of Aria for doing this for you two."

"So, do you want to go back. I've got to speak to my daughter and meet my granddaughter," said Byron smiling. Triumph rushed through my vains, as I had seemed to get Byron to calm down.

"I think it's too late for that," I said smiling as I saw Aria, Clara, Ella, and Mike rushing towards us.

"Where have you been," said Aria quietly to me.

"Aria," said Byron and held out his arms.

"Daddy," said Aria, running into his arms. Clara walked over from where she stood next to Mike and took my hand.

"I'm so sorry, Aria," said Byron. "I hope you can forgive me."

"It's alright, Dad," said Aria pulling away.

"You've got a great guy on your hands," I heard Byron whisper to Aria.

"Thanks Dad," said Aria as they came closer to Clara and I. Clara hid behind my legs, but Aria and I urged her forward. Byron bent down to her level and stuck out his hand to her. She looked back and forth from Aria and I, and with both of our nods, she took his hand.

"Hi Clara. I'm Byron, your grandpa. You already know your grandma, Ella, and your uncle, Mike. I'm sorry if I scared you yesterday, but I promise it will never happen again. I would like to be friends. Is that ok with you," he asked. His eyes searched her face for an answer. Clara had her thinking look on, and after a few minutes, wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Alright, Grandpa," she said happily. Aria wrapped her arms around my waist, and rested her face against my chest, and gave a huge smile. I smiled as well, kissing her hair.

After Clara and Byron's tender moment was over, Mike shouted, "How about some ice cream to celebrate," and swiped Clara from the ground, placing her atop his shoulders. "Come one, Clarabear," he said and we all emerged from the park, laughing. Gratefully, the nerve wracking day was going to end on a high note.

So that's chapter 30! Now that Byron's come around, I'm liking the whole Montgomery family again, what do you think?

I have two options for Greg/Aimee and Ezra/Aria's double date. They are:

-going to the new Coney Island park "LunaPark" and walking on the beach

- a karaoke bar

If you have any ideas for the double date besidse those, let me know! Also, I was thinking of having them spend the Montgomery's last day at the zoo. What do you think?

Please review! It honestly means so much to me! Many thanks to those who have reviewed (and many thanks to all my readers!). If you've been a silent reader, don't be shy and please so speak up!

Any suggestions or ideas are welcome!

love always,

.soprano.