Hey everyone! I'm so sorry for the long wait, but my schools work-load has been huge, and i've had a few drama club things to deal with, and my computer has been broken. But now it's fixed and all is right with the world, so on to chapter 39! Shout out to dalejrfan0276 for their suggestions on the chapter!

Btw...I won thhe summer of secrets thingamabob for ABC Family, so I'm super excited to get some sneak peeks for PLL (which comes back in 18 days!)

Thank you to all my amazing readers and reviewers! Also, shout out to all my girls on twitter! You're support is amazing!

Disclaimer: Still don't own, PLL...nor will I ever.

Read, Enjoy, and Review (seriously!) :D

Aria POV:

Audrey had an almost sinister smile on her face, and her dark eyes glared at Ezra and my hands clasped together. She circulated through Madeline's office, Madeline only looking apologetic to Ezra and I. Even as a lawyer, there wasn't much she could to to handle Audrey's behavior.

"So," Audrey said, coming up straight to my face. Her eyes bore into mine, and I almost cowered behind Ezra. "You want to adopt my daughter?"

Her tone was icy, almost stubborn and dismissive. I was about to stammer out the word, 'yes', until I came to realize that I was Aria Montgomery, the strong, independent young woman, who used to never to afraid of most things. That girl was a risk taker, and I wasn't about to lose her.

"On paper, yes, she's your daughter, but emotionally, she's mine. I'd like to officially become my daughter's mother," I said, meeting her glare. She seemed surprised at first but immediately fired back her reply. Ezra and Madeline only looked on quietly, and a little shell-shocked.

"What makes you so sure that she loves you? Maybe, the minute she sees me, she'll feel the ties we have an completely drop you," she taunted.

"I can assure you that Clara loves me. And I love her, so much. You missed out on a great opportunity, but in a way, I'm glad that you did. Clara is a bright, and caring little girl. She wouldn't dream of hurting anyone's feelings, and although a bit smart-alecky at times, is a wonderful child. I have been blessed just to get to know her and be around her. And I'm standing here in front of you, Audrey, asking you for only one thing, and that's your consent to adopt Clara. I love her," I said, and the tears started to flow. My pregnancy hormones started to kick in at just the perfect time.

Ezra rushed over and wrapped his arms around my body, letting the sobs come and then go easily. I wiped my eyes, and turned to face Audrey, keeping Ezra's arms rested in my stomach. If only he knew what was growing inside me in that exact place. Audrey's eyes seemed to soften, and I thought hopefully that maybe she had changed her mind.

"I don't know what to say," she said. "You obviously love Clara very much, as well as Ezra. Ezra, you love her, don't you," Audrey asked, motioning to me.

"More than anything," said Ezra, kissing my temple.

"Then I guess, I'm going to have to give you my consent. I can't deny Clara the opportunity to have a real mother, nor can I deny you two for something you want so much. I regret leaving in some way, but I still don't want children. Madeline?"

"Yes," said the lawyer, who was already shuffling the adoption papers on her desk, glasses sliding down her nose.

"I'd like to give Aria and Ezra my consent to adopt Clara," said Audrey, already taking a pen and signing the correct papers. Ezra and I watched in astonishment, as Audrey finished, and slid the pen back into her bag. She gathered up her things, and before leaving the room, said to me, "Take care of Clara, please. I'm trusting you to do that," and closed the door.

"We did it," I exclaimed throwing my arms around Ezra's neck. "Clara's going to be my daughter!"

"I know, Baby, I know," said Ezra, who pulled me close. We were about to kiss, until Madeline reminded us of her presence by clearing her throat.

"Congratulations, you two," she said sweetly, "But there is still the matter of being legally married. I suggest you two go home, and discuss and let me know soon what you're options are."

"Thank you so much, Madeline. For everything," I said, giving her a huge hug before leaving to go home.

Spencer had taken Clara back to the townhouse, and I practically ran and grabbed her. Clara didn't seem to mind my almost bone-crushing hug, and snuggled deeper into my body.

"Hi Mommy," she said, nuzzling her way so that her face rested in the crook of my neck. "Is everything ok?"

"Everything is fine, Pumpkin. Everything's perfect," I said, smiling to Ezra, and held Clara tighter. Spencer, who knew what was happening today, whispered to Ezra, "I take it everything went well?" He smiled and nodded, and walked over to where I was standing, peacefully holding Clara.

"I'll just be going then," she said, pulling on her winter jacket. "I have to meet Toby for dinner anyways."

Ezra took Clara from my arms, much to my silent protests, and wrapped her up in another big hug, similar to mine.

"What's with all this hugging," asked Clara, giggling at both of us.

"Nothing, sweetheart. It's just that Mommy and I missed you a lot, today," said Ezra, smiling towards me and then pressing a kiss to Clara's forehead.

"Yes, more than you could ever imagine," I said taking her back from Ezra, and giving him a little smirk. He understood though, and didn't take my expression into much consideration.

"I missed you too, but let me tell you all about my day with Auntie Spencer," said Clara, and started with her chatter, something I would never get tired of hearing.

Clara's chatter continued throughout dinner, not that I minded anyway. I had never felt this happy since Ezra proposed to me. I glanced down to the glimmering ring on my finger, admiring the way it shone in all the right places.

"Whatcha looking at," asked Ezra, pulling me into his lap from where I sat on the bed. We had just put Clara down, and now it was time to discuss marriage plans. I was considering having a little service done by a judge as soon as possible, and then have a huge wedding afterwards (preferably after the baby was born.)

"Just this thing I'm wearing on my finger. I think some people call it an engagement ring," I laughed, and turned around to kiss him. I was slightly nervous inside; after how well the day had gone, I decided I was going to tell him about the baby. I wasn't scared; I knew he wouldn't reject the baby, but just nervous to his reaction.

"So, I was thinking that we just have a simple service done by a judge," I said as we curled up in bed, "and then save the real big wedding for another time. What do you think?"

"I think it's perfect! Aria," he said, taking my hand, "I'm so happy that we're finally going to be a family. You, me, and Clara. I think this adoption is going to run smoothly."

"Ezra," I began, "There may be on-," by was stopped by the little tearful voice coming from the doorway.

"Adoption?" Clara was standing in the doorway, clutching her Ariel doll to her chest. She timidly stepped into the room, and started to wipe away tears that were starting to form in her eyes. "Adoption is for people to become a kid's parent. You're not my actual Mommy are you," she asked her voice breaking, and I immediately ran to her side. Ezra got up from the bed, ready to brace himself for the worst.

"Clara, honey, I'm sorry. But I love you so much," I said trying to take her into my arms, but she only ran away and held onto Ezra's leg.

"No, you lied to me, Miss Aria," she said, her little voice beginning to raise in volume. My heart shattered when she said Miss Aria rather than Mommy. "Lying is bad," she said an began to cry.

"Clara please listen to Mommy," said Ezra, trying to reason with her.

"No," Clara screamed. "She's not my Mommy!"

"Clara, Pumpkin. I want to be your mother badly. That's why I want to adopt you. I realize now that lying was almost unforgivable, but I love you so much, Clara. I didn't want to disappoint you, but I love you just as if you were my actual baby girl. Please, Clara. Listen to me," I begged her.

"No," she cried. "If you loved me, you wouldn't have lied. I don't want you to be my mother. I hate you," she said and ran from the room.

"Clara, please," I called, trying to go after her, but Ezra stopped me.

"Aria. Stop. This is already screwed up enough, and now Clara's upset, and she'll only be more upset if you go in there. Let me do this," he said firmly and let the room. I immediately broke down into tears. His words "This is already screwed up enough" stung me, and I went to the closet and got out bags for me to pack. I needed to get out of here, even for only a few days.

Ezra came back in the room a couple minutes later. "Well," he said, "she wouldn't budge. She's really upset, Aria," he said, running his hand through his hair and looked around the room. "What's going on," he asked, noticing me in the closet as I was hurridley packing up my bags. "What are you doing," he asked, trying to take a bag away from me.

"I need to get out of here, Ezra. I need some time to breathe," I said, wrenching my arm away and continued packing. "I can't stay here and have Clara hate me. Pretty soon, you'll hate me too," I said through tears.

"Aria, you're not leaving! We're going to work through this, together," he said, once again trying to take away my bags.

"Really? Where have I heard that before? Oh, right, my junior year," I said bitterly, standing up from my position on the ground. "Except, it was me saying it, not you."

"Aria, please don't bring us back to that time. We've moved on," he said as I leaned down to continue packing. "Aria," he said frustratedly after a few minutes, "this is childish. We'll work through this, I promise you."

"Maybe this is for the best," I said zipping up the last few of my bags. "I can't play this game anymore, Ezra. I can't sit here, and disappoint the people I love. I love you and Clara more than anything in this world, remember that," I said, sliding the gorgeous ring I had been admiring only a half an hour earlier, off my finger, "But, I can't do this."

I put the ring in his palm, but his hand closed around mine. "Aria, please," Ezra begged, his voice tight. "Don't go! I need you."

"I have to Ezra. Maybe we can work this all out one day, but right now is not a good time. Just remember that I love you, no matter what," I said strongly, holding back my tears as I picked up my bags, leaving an astonished Ezra standing in the middle of the room that was once ours. I escaped from the townhouse, and onto the streets of the city, allowing my tears to flow.

The impossible had arrived and done its damage. My hands floated down to my stomach, an instant reminder of how screwed up our situation had become. I just left the love of my life, and we were separated once again. I had the urge to run straight back up those steps, and throw myself into his arms, saying I was sorry and wasn't going anywhere, but I couldn't possibly. One day, Clara's resentment towards me would start affecting Ezra's feelings, and I couldn't live with myself if he walked around this Earth hating me.

I began to cry even harder as I lifted my phone up to my ear, and heard Hanna's voice come over the receiver.

"Han, could I stay in your guest room for a little bit? No, everything isn't ok."

Ezra POV:

She was gone. My Aria was gone. I wouldn't wake up to her face in the morning. I wouldn't have anyone to tease me when I laugh in my sleep, or my cooking skills. I wouldn't have anyone to hold too close, and wouldn't feel her lips upon mine. It seemed like the minute we were getting happiness, everything spiraled out of control.

Clara was distraught when I went into her room, and I couldn't blame her. She loved Aria, well, still loved her, but was too stubborn to admit it. I had tried to explain to her what had happened, and tried to get to calm down, but she wouldn't have any of it. She continued to cry into her pillow.

Seeing Aria packing up her bags tipped my emotional balance. I had promised myself when I found her again, that I wouldn't ever let her go away. And yet, here I was again, unable to keep that promise, as she had already walked out the door. I had no idea where she went or what she could be doing. It was late and she was small, and I felt the overwhelming need to run after her and protect her from the dangers of the night. It was too late for that though.

I had no idea when or if she would ever be back, and that scared the hell out of me. I slumped down to the floor, holding the ring in my hand, and started at it dejectedly, allowing my tears to flow. I never cried, but this was an exception; I just lost the love of my life so a stupid mistake.

"I love you," I cried, holding the ring close my chest, as it was one of the only physical reminders I had left of Aria, besides picutres of happier times of the past.

So, I bet y'all are speechless! Worth the wait? Please don't be too speechless to review though! Thank you to all those who have been reviewing, and to all those silent readers out there, don't be shy! I'd love to hear what you have to say!

I've pretty much got the rest of the story planned out, but suggestions are welcome!

love always,

.soprano.